NBA game has gone to big ball handelers, so he will have issues guarding. His shot isn't developed either and also needs to get stronger.
All is possible but I think he sticks around for 2-3 years.
Illinois 69, Indiana 60 Postgame
All is possible but I think he sticks around for 2-3 years.
With starter minutes, he'll pick a couple up this year.
I agree on everything but Grandison/Hawkins. Hawkins looks way more tentative and jumpy out there, like a newborn gazelle. He needs lots more seasoning at this point than Grandison.
Rondo? Foye? Barrera? Lilliard? There are still some shorter guards in the league.
ILFaninFL
- Nature Coast in Florida
The first few minutes looked like the bad Illini of a few years ago. Guards weave out front and do nothing for the first twenty to twenty-five and they have to do a bailout shot. It generated only one free throw today.
Then they bring in subs and Curbelo actually penetrates the defense. Suddenly we look like a different team.
The second observation was Kofi. In the Penn State game, he was a man on a mission. He wasn't doing much of that weak finesse stuff that keeps getting blocked. The dude was a monster who was jamming anything near the rim. If he plays like that today, this game wouldn't have been close. The good guys win my thirty.
Lastly, I like us better with Grandison and Giorgi in the lineup with Kofi. I thought we played much better D. I also think that Hawkinsn needs more ticks.
Bonus ... Miller will be fine. He does need to stop being one dimensional and camping on the three-point line. The man is a world-class finisher at the rim. With him, Ayo, and Curbelo driving it puts tremendous pressure on the opponent's defense. I'd actually like to see Trent do more of that too, but if you get the other three to do that then he can catch and shoot in rhythm.
Then they bring in subs and Curbelo actually penetrates the defense. Suddenly we look like a different team.
The second observation was Kofi. In the Penn State game, he was a man on a mission. He wasn't doing much of that weak finesse stuff that keeps getting blocked. The dude was a monster who was jamming anything near the rim. If he plays like that today, this game wouldn't have been close. The good guys win my thirty.
Lastly, I like us better with Grandison and Giorgi in the lineup with Kofi. I thought we played much better D. I also think that Hawkinsn needs more ticks.
Bonus ... Miller will be fine. He does need to stop being one dimensional and camping on the three-point line. The man is a world-class finisher at the rim. With him, Ayo, and Curbelo driving it puts tremendous pressure on the opponent's defense. I'd actually like to see Trent do more of that too, but if you get the other three to do that then he can catch and shoot in rhythm.
I understand what are you are saying, and agree. And it makes me sad.
Giorgi was very strong today, hit the big three, great high-low game, a great effort.
I always find his success very satisfying.
I always find his success very satisfying.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I started to shout, "No, Giorgi, no!" as he took the shot only to change to, "Yes, Giorgi, yes!" when it went in. I love seeing him do well, but that shot scared me a little when I first saw it.
I think he needs to get stronger first. Very high IQ though which will get him there sooner than later.
I think you’re too high as to chances of Curbelo playing 5 years in O&B. But I think he’ll be back for one more at least If nothing else he needs time to physically develop. He’s listed on ESPN at 6-1, which means he’s really 5-10 or 5-11. His driving in and taking those bad underhand shots in traffic are blocked in college let alone the NBA. And he needs to show he can shoot from outside. You’re right in that it only takes one team, but I just don’t see it — and at best late 2nd round. With another year or two to get stronger and more physically mature, and work on his shooting then we’re talking.
I personally think it is too early.
APS iMBA
- Urbana, IL
That reminds me of when Nana Egwu started shooting threes a lot. Missed so much the crowd started shouting "No!!!" only he started to make them.
Penn St. had no inside presence, so no need for Kofi to resort to “that weak finesse stuff.” Indy had more of an inside presence.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that people keep saying dunk everything and I think they overestimate what he is capable of. I really don’t think he’s that explosive a jumper in traffic. When he has a fairly clear path to the goal — especially when moving — yes he can get up there. But flat footed with a guy on him — not so much. There was a play in Indy game where he got his shot blocked and Bardo said he needs to dunk that. There was no way he could have dunked it. He was far enough away from the basket and Jackson-David was between Kofi and the basket. I really don’t think flat footed he haS the hops to dunk it. Now saying all that I do think he could dunk more than he does and needs to be more aggressive in that regards.
He hit 10 out of 33 his senior year. He wasn't a good shooter. Weber and groce should have skipped the three point fantasy and worked on post moves.
Fun fact - Belo is leading the team in steals on significantly fewer minutes (roughly 33% fewer) than Ayo or Trent (the second-best steal totals on the team).
Unfortunately most of those attempts were against lesser competitors early in the year. The Big Ten is arguably the best conference in the country. Those number will drop significantly as the season goes on.
Grandison can be a contributing player if he has the realization he is a subpar backup on a really good team and not a player who should launch 4 early basket attempts on a really good team. Rebound, defend and shoot when left unguarded after running some offense. His good "Kipper" last game might have went to his head and he was bad "Kipper" once again today. IMHO.
Hawkins is bigger and simply more talented. I would love to see him get more minutes than he had today. Grandison, while I hope he does well, doesn’t offer much unless he starts creating his shot and knocks down open three’s. 14ppg at Holy Cross equals probably 4 points ppg in the Big Ten.
Hawkins fails the eyeball test on the court. He's tall. That's literally the only thing I've seen out of him so far.
I think people are making a lot of assumptions with very little sample size. In the end, the goal of the game is to win. At this moment, coaches feel they have a greater chance of doing so with Grandison instead of Hawkins. Hawkins time will come, but as an outsider, I agree with them on this. He's had more time in the system and overall offers more when he's on the court.
Also, when someone switches leagues, throw away all that "14ppg equals 4 points in the Big Ten". Different player development. Different scheme. A lot of people who don't fit this narrative
Speaking of Kipper he is playing professionally in UK and doing well.