I gotta say, I enjoy smack downs of people with little to no sense of history.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa....it's not "smack downs", it's just friendly ribbing reminders to do your research!
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
WOW....some heavy duty scoring going on there....................Both Tatum and Brunson were unstoppable
Schmack!
The editing and details in this .gif are amazing. Thank you for sharing. I award you 1 beach house and infinitybajillion Loyalty points.Schmack!
For next year, we would also look to the portal for a junior or senior who can give immediate PG help.
Counting on a freshman combo guard to be your primary PG is dicey....
Brunson is a very impressive lead guard, from the standpoint that he always makes the right decision. He’s never out of control. If he’s got a shot, he takes it. If he doesn’t, he finds the right option. I’d love to see Epps do that. I don’t think that’s his game to this point.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I don't think he meant Brunson wasn't a scorer. Brunson was incredibly good as both a scorer and a passer. He wasn't necessarily out to do one or the other but took what the defense gave him / what opened up on the court. Epps seems much more geared towards scoring. That's how I took the comment at least: Epps is more wired to score-first than Brunson, even if Brunson may still be better at scoring the ball. And that, to me, is the essence of why Brunson was labeled a true PG coming out of HS and Epps is considered a CG.
Regarding the broader conversation on who is our PG if Belo leaves, and considering the above assessment of Epps, I think we'll need to bring in a transfer guard that can function as a more pass-first oriented lead guard. Still think Epps will end up having plenty of time at PG in that scenario, but I'm not convinced he's ready to come in and play 30-35 min/game as our sole PG.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Back when Minnesota was really good...........throughout pretty much the entirety of the 1970's.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I'd go with Westbrook's old teammate, Harden, as the comp there. He'd need a lot more than just height to be like Westbrook -- dude is the most athletic freak to ever play the PG position. But, on the other hand, Brunson right now is probably more skilled than Westbrook has ever been.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
I sometimes forget just how athletic he is! I always think of Harden as more bully ball than skill...but I confess to not watching him nearly as much.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Westbrook is just short, perpetually-angry Giannis (which also underscores just how absolutely insane Giannis is). His career dunk compilation is just stupid:
(apologies for getting wildly off topic)
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I can see a one year stop gap, but, with the Fears and Boswell fever dream pounding through my veins (and Dai Dai as a great Plan B), doubtful on a 2 year guy.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Seriously, if you watch all of this video and exclaim "OH ________ (dayum, sh@#, Jesus, wow, my word...etc.)!!!"
less than 10 times.....you are clinically dead.
"Nuclear athleticism" is dead on.
Thanks for that thread drift!
Added to that, he had a couple knee surgeries in the middle of his career. "Athletic freak" gets overused, but in his case it definitely fits.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
How does Westbrook compare to freaks of the past, such as Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins?
I agree with the sentiment. But I’d take pre-injury Derrick Rose as best athlete to ever play PG.
Jerry Gee
I think you're in the minority here.
Cool gif. But Rose was way more explosive.
That may be. But I’m still right
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