It does not matter what they were at their old school. I want players who are 100% committed to being hereWe’re Plummer and Mitchell 100% in at their previous schools?
It does not matter what they were at their old school. I want players who are 100% committed to being hereWe’re Plummer and Mitchell 100% in at their previous schools?
I'm not an insider, but I could see the signs for Kofi saying.Why are insiders continuing to push that Kofi is more likely to return than to leave? That just seems opposite of common sense. He hasn't even officially declared yet. I'm sure that will happen shortly. He declared last year as an extremely raw player, and was probably 50/50 or worse on returning. This year he showed polish and flashed a big man game rarely seen at the college level. I think its like 90/10 he's gone. That doesn't mean 1st round NBA grade, just means he'd go play professionally somewhere if he goes undrafted. He turns 22 this year, is a powerful inside force that isn't miraculously going to change into a stretch 5, and his best friend, roommate, fellow international player is not returning.
Saw a conversation on Reddit where Syracuse fans stated that he never really learned the intricacies of their zone to Boheim's liking. This combined with some poor decision making apparently cost him minutes.
I was watching a Syracuse game near the end of the season and Boeheim (sp?) had Griffin off by himself and was chewing him out at length. Seemed to be a real problem between them.General consensus is that he never learned how to play the 2-3 zone properly and as a result caused major defensive lapses.
To kind of state the obvious - it depends on Kofi’s goals. If he just wants to make a good pro living as soon as possible he should definitely go now. If he wants to develop into an NBA big in the modern game he needs to decide if development here makes more sense than other avenues. Pretty big difference. Yes, he is less raw and more polished in some ways but to counter that - maybe some of that progress has shown a ceiling in certain areas that actually hurts his draft stock.Why are insiders continuing to push that Kofi is more likely to return than to leave? That just seems opposite of common sense. He hasn't even officially declared yet. I'm sure that will happen shortly. He declared last year as an extremely raw player, and was probably 50/50 or worse on returning. This year he showed polish and flashed a big man game rarely seen at the college level. I think its like 90/10 he's gone. That doesn't mean 1st round NBA grade, just means he'd go play professionally somewhere if he goes undrafted. He turns 22 this year, is a powerful inside force that isn't miraculously going to change into a stretch 5, and his best friend, roommate, fellow international player is not returning.
I just think people are stuck in this thinking that "only go pro if you're an NBA 1st rounder." Kofi would make a VERY good living basically immediately regardless of what league he ends up in. I still think there's a good chance he'd be a 2nd rounder. Someone in the NBA would take the chance on him.Because the traditional center is no longer traditional in the NBA.
If Kofi was an average player considering the draft, yes, I'd get your point. But you're talking about an Ayo level player. Someone who has a legitimate shot at being a first rounder and making millions. It's really not that crazy.I just think people are stuck in this thinking that "only go pro if you're an NBA 1st rounder." Kofi would make a VERY good living basically immediately regardless of what league he ends up in. I still think there's a good chance he'd be a 2nd rounder. Someone in the NBA would take the chance on him.
Like do people honestly think he's going to come back and work on 3s? His passing could use some work, but I feel like that's hardly a reason to come back.
I think this is a fair breakdown. He also started playing basketball maybe 7 or 8 years ago? His progression has been meteoric (did anyone see how unskilled he looked at Oak Hill?). The generational $$ that NBA bench guys make nowadays is pretty good incentive to try and carve out that sort of role vs going abroad.I'm not an insider, but I could see the signs for Kofi saying.
Ex:
1. Podz sounded pretty sure Kofi is staying, which gives you an indication of what the staff might be thinking
2. Kofi wll be a NPOY candidate and a face of college basketball next year. He saw how much of a difference one year made for Ayo. It's definitely encouraging. Getting yourself into the first round draft pick conversation can make a huge difference in terms of how much you make and your ability to negotiate your contract
3. Kofi showed flashes this year and improved in some areas, but also still shows glaring weaknesses (e.g. free throws, inability to pass, and a mid range game wouldn't hurt)
If he chooses to leave, I support him. Can't blame a guy for chasing a bag, but there are some legitimate arguments for him to stay
I think he has as good a chance of being a 1st rounder this year as he would if he came back, even assuming improvements. He's coming off a year in which he showed immense improvements. He'd be a year older next year, risk "plateauing." I just don't see it anywhere close to the Ayo decision. Ayo is a guard. He absolutely needed to show improvement, and did, in pretty much every facet of his game. Also, Ayo looked A LOT more athletic this year. That's huge for NBA guards.If Kofi was an average player considering the draft, yes, I'd get your point. But you're talking about an Ayo level player. Someone who has a legitimate shot at being a first rounder and making millions. It's really not that crazy.
So effectively he has a 0% chance of going in the 1st next year?I think he has as good a chance of being a 1st rounder this year as he would if he came back, even assuming improvements.
I've thought the same for awhile too. If you don't get drafted, I think you should have the ability to return to school. If we were actually worried about what's in the best interest of the player, then that would be allowed. And it makes even more sense if we're going to have this no-sit transfer market be permanent moving forward.Why does the NBA need to have an "all-in" commitment by players before the draft vs MLB that drafts college kids and then pursues them, with the return to college if terms are not agreed to?
It does not matter what they were at their old school. I want players who are 100% committed to being here
He got lit up trying to guard EJ Liddell early this season.I think he has as good a chance of being a 1st rounder this year as he would if he came back, even assuming improvements. He's coming off a year in which he showed immense improvements. He'd be a year older next year, risk "plateauing." I just don't see it anywhere close to the Ayo decision. Ayo is a guard. He absolutely needed to show improvement, and did, in pretty much every facet of his game. Also, Ayo looked A LOT more athletic this year. That's huge for NBA guards.
With Kofi, he was the most physically dominant big in college hoops. Sure he doesn't fit the bill for modern NBA basketball but he has what is now a rare skill set. He came in raw and showed drastic growth. He, and NBA personnel, will think they can improve him more via NBA coaching/training, than by spending another year beating up on smaller centers in college.
You think he has 0 this year? What will he have to show to be a 1st rounder next year?So effectively he has a 0% chance of going in the 1st next year?
Because his name is Thad?Matta was available and interested but Guenther would not interview him
guenther sure did not help the basketball program at allMatta was available and interested but Guenther would not interview him
I think he has as good a chance of being a 1st rounder this year as he would if he came back, even assuming improvements. He's coming off a year in which he showed immense improvements. He'd be a year older next year, risk "plateauing." I just don't see it anywhere close to the Ayo decision. Ayo is a guard. He absolutely needed to show improvement, and did, in pretty much every facet of his game. Also, Ayo looked A LOT more athletic this year. That's huge for NBA guards.
With Kofi, he was the most physically dominant big in college hoops. Sure he doesn't fit the bill for modern NBA basketball but he has what is now a rare skill set. He came in raw and showed drastic growth. He, and NBA personnel, will think they can improve him more via NBA coaching/training, than by spending another year beating up on smaller centers in college.
I can sympathize with wanting to plan for him leaving as opposed to expecting him to be back -- the staff has said they're doing the same, after all. I think there are (as others have said) good arguments for why he might return, but he also just needs to hear from one team that they'll take him by pick X to decide that leaving is prudent. Either way though, I think this board is generally overlooking the Payne addition too much. If Kofi leaves we will definitely need another backup 5/4, but I feel pretty good with Payne as our starter. He won't be Kofi, but his defense will make sure we don't fall back to the pre-Kofi, Giorgi-as-starting-center times. Grabbing him so early in this transfer process was a huge get as Kofi insurance.I am just trying to stay grounded.
I just read the mocks and he isn't going in the first this year. It isn't my job to evaluate NBA talent but the consensus is clear and I trust the experts. He just got fleeced defensively by a kid from Algonquin who probably celebrated the victory with Arby's, and is going to see significantly better versions of that every night in the NBA. Do I think he can make the jump to the first round next year? Unsure, but maybe. The onus is on BU and co to provide that blueprint, and we'll see how good their pitch is.You think he has 0 this year? What will he have to show to be a 1st rounder next year?
Keep in mind, he's a year younger this year, coming off a year where he showed a meteoric rise in skill and ability. Showed an openness to coaching and improvements. And is already a great athlete, especially for his size.
Next year he will be turning 23 before the NBA season, potentially a better passer, free throw shooter, and maybe have a jumper? Is that going to make him a better 1st round prospect? I think it's more likely he plateaus at a level at or slightly above what he showed this year. If that's the case, he loses a lot of that "potential" and also adds a year onto his age. That would make him a lesser NBA prospect even if he's a slightly better basketball player.
Lol thank you for pointing out that I am not an NBA scout, so I am just like everyone else on here. I'm just trying to make some points. NBA loves "potential." Right now Kofi still has a ton of potential. Next year, he will have less of that potential. I agree he needs to improve those aspects of his game.No offense, but it doesn't really matter what you think. There are people who get paid to evaluate this for a living that have connections to NBA scouts and teams and they see it differently.
He hasn't shown an NBA-level ability to pass or shoot. He improved his hands and his footwork (among other things) and those are nice strides but his FT shooting regressed which is a huge red flag with regard to him developing any kind of shot outside of 3 or 4 feet.
Think of it this way: How is he going to help an offense in today's NBA? And who is he going to guard?
I don’t think Miller has all the time in the world to make his decision.I see Plummer is announcing his decision this weekend. I wonder where we stand with him without any official word from Frazier and Miller...
If you're not an insider (and I'm certainly not saying you've ever claimed to be one), then I don't know how you can know any of those things without making your own set of assumptions.there's still a lot of assumptions being made.
1. Trent has not actually said anything about returning. Neither has Damonte.
2. Miller is still more than likely gone.
3. I think Kofi is more likely gone than staying.