Kofi Cockburn enters NBA Draft

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#376      

illini80

Forgottonia
I assume that comment is about shedding weight and being a little less muscle bound in exchange for quickness and fluidity
That’s exactly why it is. Malcom Hill had to lose bulk to continue playing pro ball. Idk what his % body fat was at Illinois but he was solid as a rock. They wanted him quicker, not stronger.
 
#377      

derrick6

Illini Dawg
Seattle
I assume that comment is about shedding weight and being a little less muscle bound in exchange for quickness and fluidity
It just may not help. Some people are slower at making decisions or converting those decisions to basketball action. It could be his instincts just need to catch up since he hasn’t played as long with this level athlete (who has?) or he is who he is (Ala Robert Archibald (RIP).
 
#378      
It just may not help. Some people are slower at making decisions or converting those decisions to basketball action. It could be his instincts just need to catch up since he hasn’t played as long with this level athlete (who has?) or he is who he is (Ala Robert Archibald (RIP).
I do wonder about how Kofi would do at an even lighter weight. He would lose that advantage he has down low and if we didn't get significantly quicker or improve his vertical, it might hurt him.

I hope he can find a niche in the NBA and have a solid career. It's crazy how much the game has evolved where we are wondering if Kofi can even make a team with his size and athleticism.
 
#379      
The 360 best basketball players in the world play in the NBA. There are currently 351 NCAA Division 1 basketball programs. Most nights in a college basketball season, you play teams that don't have a single guy as good as the worst NBA player. Suddenly you are surrounded by guys who are good at everything. Every night you are matched up against someone who would have been your toughest competition in college, and is probably better than that. If you have deficiencies in your game, they will be exploited.
We know there are things Kofi does not do well on a basketball court. Kofi dominates through sheer physical force. He won't always be the biggest dude on the court in the NBA. The clear advantages he exploited in college won't be as clear in the NBA. That's why his future in that league is murky, despite a decorated college career.
If you are the 370th best player in the world, you can dominate in college and not be able to help a NBA team.
I have trouble believing the 370 best player is dominating in college. JMO. On the other hand Wagner was a good not great college player successful in the NBA.
 
#380      
I have trouble believing the 370 best player is dominating in college. JMO. On the other hand Wagner was a good not great college player successful in the NBA.
tough to say, take everyone in the NBA, everyone in the G League, the top flight of college basketball players, now add everyone playing in Europe, China, South America... I could see the 370th best player at a given time being a college basketball stud.
 
#381      
I do wonder about how Kofi would do at an even lighter weight. He would lose that advantage he has down low and if we didn't get significantly quicker or improve his vertical, it might hurt him.

I hope he can find a niche in the NBA and have a solid career. It's crazy how much the game has evolved where we are wondering if Kofi can even make a team with his size and athleticism.
I'm thinking along the same lines. Yes I hope he succeeds in the NBA, but wonder if he will end up just doubling down on his physical advantage and going to Europe. Can still make very nice money there.
 
#382      

derrick6

Illini Dawg
Seattle
I do wonder about how Kofi would do at an even lighter weight. He would lose that advantage he has down low and if we didn't get significantly quicker or improve his vertical, it might hurt him.

I hope he can find a niche in the NBA and have a solid career. It's crazy how much the game has evolved where we are wondering if Kofi can even make a team with his size and athleticism.
I hope so too. Moses Malone couldn’t jump but was quick off his feet to go with his big body moving people.

Kofi needs a team to develop him. Figure out how to guard on the perimeter. I’m hopeful for him. I’m planning to see him in Vegas though because I’ve never seen him play live.
 
#383      
I hope so too. Moses Malone couldn’t jump but was quick off his feet to go with his big body moving people.

Kofi needs a team to develop him. Figure out how to guard on the perimeter. I’m hopeful for him. I’m planning to see him in Vegas though because I’ve never seen him play live.
When Moses played, the game was totally different than it is today.
 
#384      
When Moses played, the game was totally different than it is today.
You’re going way back on that one...
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#389      
But if you broke one of them, you had hell to pay.
The enforcement committee got hamstrung pretty bad in the rules rewrite. Players can break all the rules they want, and then, when it is time to collect, they are suddenly sorry. Really, really sorry. And that is all it takes to get out of payment.
 
#400      
I watched the GS game, focusing on Looney.

Kofi:
- Gets up the floor faster.
- Occupies space better in the paint.

Looney"
- Defends better outside of the paint.
- Does a better job of keeping the ball alive, e.g. tapping out offensive rebounds. This doesn't show on the stat sheet.
- Is a far better passer.
- Has a bit more range on his shot. (Kofi will get there.) This means the defense needs to step out to guard him, and he can run cuts.
- Does a better job of blocking out for cutters (and layups).

Without the good inside passing game, It isn't clear that Looney sees the floor. His passing is what keeps the opposing defense honest. I'm not sure even that it is enough without Green's passing to complement him. Their inside passing game is good, and they can feed the open 3 or cutter.

Kofi has shown that he can, and is, learning. The question is whether someone is willing to invest the 1-2 years to see if he can develop a consistent mid range+ shot, and learn to make timing passes to cutters.
Watched Looney defend Jalen Brunson one on one in space on a possession in the 4th quarter and smother him and force him to pass out to a teammate for a mediocre 3 attempt.... That's the standard Kofi needs to be able to reach. Can't help but watch that and think "with Kofi, that's an easy layup"
 
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