'22 SC SF Julian Phillips (Tennessee commit)

[cncchris33]

I thought something along the lines of 12/4 would be reasonable given what we've lost and Phillips' skill set. That's middle of the pack with Kennedy Chandler. Keon Johnson, and Jaden Springer.

Yeah, kind of what I was thinking, too. He is every bit as talented as those 3 guys, and there is a lot of opportunity. At the risk of piling on unrealistic expectations, 8 ppg seems a little light given the talent and available opportunity.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Yeah, kind of what I was thinking, too. He is every bit as talented as those 3 guys, and there is a lot of opportunity. At the risk of piling on unrealistic expectations, 8 ppg seems a little light given the talent and available opportunity.

The thing that one never knows on a Barnes team is when the player is ready according to Barnes. Keon and Jaden took awhile to become good +\- players. Frankly they never became good team players. The difference with Phillips is that he has all the athleticism of Keon, but with a developed offensive game that includes crossover speed, driving with both hands, and good touch. The dumb obvious take can’t be on overlooked either. He’s a 6 8” wing/SF who can dribble. At that height, drives are points or fouls. He’s the pure scorer you’ve been asking for. This is a situation where you take the one and done. Imagine how good our outside shooting will be when we have a strong driving threat on the wing… You can’t run us off the line and leave Godzilla unguarded.

 

[wtmvol]

And that's why I'm not high on cats like Phillips. He's going to arrive at his chosen school with an eye on the draft and one foot out the door. I'm more a fan of the Villanova approach. Get very good basketball players that you'll have for multiple years and grow 'em. Got no taste for one and dones especially now that we have to operate a budget in paying these players. If I can get 2 really good players for the same amount of money and they might have multiple years here, I'd take that in a heartbeat over a one and done type. Yeah, I'm a "get off my lawn" type, but to these old eyes, it makes more sense both on the floor and financially.

I hear you on the Villanova model. They hit the sweet spot very well of multi-year really good players. But it's not like they never take 5-stars. In the last 9 recruiting classes, they've had 6 5-stars. Omari Spellman wasn't technically a 1-and-done since he had to sit out a year due to eligibility, but he only played 1 year there and was 1 of the big reasons they won the '18 natty. And I don't know about you, but I thoroughly enjoyed the 1 season we had with Chandler. I want my roster stocked with JJJs, Vescovis and Zeiglers, and then sprinkle in a 1-and-done talent on top.

Truthfully, with the way things are now, your entire roster is a threat to be 1-and-done, whether to the pros or transfer. It's getting harder and harder to find the sweet spot players who are really good and willing to stay for 3-4 years.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

The thing that one never knows on a Barnes team is when the player is ready according to Barnes. Keon and Jaden took awhile to become good +\- players. Frankly they never became good team players. The difference with Phillips is that he has all the athleticism of Keon, but with a developed offensive game that includes crossover speed, driving with both hands, and good touch. The dumb obvious take can’t be on overlooked either. He’s a 6 8” wing/SF who can dribble. At that height, drives are points or fouls. He’s the pure scorer you’ve been asking for. This is a situation where you take the one and done. Imagine how good our outside shooting will be when we have a strong driving threat on the wing… You can’t run us off the line and leave Godzilla unguarded.

I am tired of seeing posts about this recruitment. I would prefer to just see a repot after he signs. If he signs with us, great. If he signs with some else, that is OK. We will field a team with him or without him.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I am tired of seeing posts about this recruitment. I would prefer to just see a repot after he signs. If he signs with us, great. If he signs with some else, that is OK. We will field a team with him or without him.

If you’re tired of seeing posts about his recruitment, why are you clicking on this thread?

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I am tired of seeing posts about this recruitment. I would prefer to just see a repot after he signs. If he signs with us, great. If he signs with some else, that is OK. We will field a team with him or without him.

I suggest you turn off the generator and duct tape the top half of your head so you don’t see or hear anything frightening until all the voices go away on Friday.

 

[Vols8086]

The thing that one never knows on a Barnes team is when the player is ready according to Barnes. Keon and Jaden took awhile to become good +\- players. Frankly they never became good team players. The difference with Phillips is that he has all the athleticism of Keon, but with a developed offensive game that includes crossover speed, driving with both hands, and good touch. The dumb obvious take can’t be on overlooked either. He’s a 6 8” wing/SF who can dribble. At that height, drives are points or fouls. He’s the pure scorer you’ve been asking for. This is a situation where you take the one and done. Imagine how good our outside shooting will be when we have a strong driving threat on the wing… You can’t run us off the line and leave Godzilla unguarded.

Keon and Jaden played in a different system than the one Barnes adopted last season. Had they played in that system with better spacing and more outside shooting I think their numbers would have been much better. So not sure that’s really a fair comparison.

As far as Phillips recruitment goes, UT has done everything that they can do to land him. However, this recruitment is following the exact same path as the initial. UT feels like they are in good shape, as does Auburn. UT and FSU thought they had him the first time and he ends up at LSU. I’m not saying it will end up with us left at the altar again, but my stance is the same as it was weeks ago. I’ll believe it when he signs, otherwise nobody really has a good feel for where he lands.

 

[cncchris33]

The thing that one never knows on a Barnes team is when the player is ready according to Barnes. Keon and Jaden took awhile to become good +\- players. Frankly they never became good team players. The difference with Phillips is that he has all the athleticism of Keon, but with a developed offensive game that includes crossover speed, driving with both hands, and good touch. The dumb obvious take can’t be on overlooked either. He’s a 6 8” wing/SF who can dribble. At that height, drives are points or fouls. He’s the pure scorer you’ve been asking for. This is a situation where you take the one and done. Imagine how good our outside shooting will be when we have a strong driving threat on the wing… You can’t run us off the line and leave Godzilla unguarded.

That's the thing I'm focusing on. He can score at all three levels and isn't limited by his size getting to the rim, and isn't limited in his ability to use either hand. He also doesn't appear to be limited by a passive attitude, though that will be determined at a later date once (if) He arrives on campus.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

That's the thing I'm focusing on. He can score at all three levels and isn't limited by his size getting to the rim, and isn't limited in his ability to use either hand. He also doesn't appear to be limited by a passive attitude, though that will be determined at a later date once (if) He arrives on campus.

Yeah, this team has a strong core with experienced and versatile pieces, but I think we can all agree that we’re missing a vital piece—an assassin. We need a cold blooded killer who can go and get a basket whenever we need it. We need a legit 3 level scoring threat.

Josiah has shown flashes in the past, and he had a hell of a run for about 10 games this year after ORN went down and he carried us to where we were. But, he hasn’t shown any consistency or evidence he can maintain that same level of play for an entire season.

I don’t want to put too much pressure on Phillips too early, but he is a dynamic talent that definitely has the ability to step foot on campus and be one of, if not our best, player(s) from Day One like Kennedy.

I really think this team has been missing that type of scorer for most of Barnes’ tenure. Even Grant didn’t really develop an outside shot till the NBA. If we land Phillips, that is a strong, STRONG core 7-man rotation. Add a portal PG (if we can) and just stick to that 8-man rotation most of the season and let’s ride baby.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Keon and Jaden played in a different system than the one Barnes adopted last season. Had they played in that system with better spacing and more outside shooting I think their numbers would have been much better. So not sure that’s really a fair comparison.

As far as Phillips recruitment goes, UT has done everything that they can do to land him. However, this recruitment is following the exact same path as the initial. UT feels like they are in good shape, as does Auburn. UT and FSU thought they had him the first time and he ends up at LSU. I’m not saying it will end up with us left at the altar again, but my stance is the same as it was weeks ago. I’ll believe it when he signs, otherwise nobody really has a good feel for where he lands.

You’ve posed an inarguable hypothesis in the first half of this post that can only be disproven with time travel. I don’t agree with the premise, but again it’s an un-testable argument so it’s an easy one to make. As for whether or not he signs with us, I only have the opinion of our assistants who feel good, but not infallible. If he doesn’t sign with us, it would be silly to simplify the cause as “it’s just like last time”. No one knows what he’ll do, or why. We’ll know Thursday.

 

[Vols8086]

You’ve posed an inarguable hypothesis in the first half of this post that can only be disproven with time travel. I don’t agree with the premise, but again it’s an un-testable argument so it’s an easy one to make. As for whether or not he signs with us, I only have the opinion of our assistants who feel good, but not infallible. If he doesn’t sign with us, it would be silly to simplify the cause as “it’s just like last time”. No one knows what he’ll do, or why. We’ll know Thursday.

Well thank you for this post. It sure added a lot to the conversation.

 

[cncchris33]

Yeah, this team has a strong core with experienced and versatile pieces, but I think we can all agree that we’re missing a vital piece—an assassin. We need a cold blooded killer who can go and get a basket whenever we need it. We need a legit 3 level scoring threat.

Josiah has shown flashes in the past, and he had a hell of a run for about 10 games this year after ORN went down and he carried us to where we were. But, he hasn’t shown any consistency or evidence he can maintain that same level of play for an entire season.

I don’t want to put too much pressure on Phillips too early, but he is a dynamic talent that definitely has the ability to step foot on campus and be one of, if not our best, player(s) from Day One like Kennedy.

I really think this team has been missing that type of scorer for most of Barnes’ tenure. Even Grant didn’t really develop an outside shot till the NBA. If we land Phillips, that is a strong, STRONG core 7-man rotation. Add a portal PG (if we can) and just stick to that 8-man rotation most of the season and let’s ride baby.

Admiral is the only one who really fits that bill. I think Springer could have been that kind of player without the Covid distraction and probably another year in the program.

 

[walkenvol]

Keon and Jaden played in a different system than the one Barnes adopted last season. Had they played in that system with better spacing and more outside shooting I think their numbers would have been much better. So not sure that’s really a fair comparison.

As far as Phillips recruitment goes, UT has done everything that they can do to land him. However, this recruitment is following the exact same path as the initial. UT feels like they are in good shape, as does Auburn. UT and FSU thought they had him the first time and he ends up at LSU. I’m not saying it will end up with us left at the altar again, but my stance is the same as it was weeks ago. I’ll believe it when he signs, otherwise nobody really has a good feel for where he lands.

Concerning Johnson and Springer, I wonder if their development / integration into the team was delayed by Covid protocols instead of schemes. Will always wonder what might have been had that team come together a different season without Covid

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Well thank you for this post. It sure added a lot to the conversation.

I’m not sure what response you hope to get when you present the idea that you can’t compare players by using data from the offense one group
of players played in, but rather should compare them by using data from an offense one group hasn’t played in and the other hasn’t played in yet. Scouts see Phillips as a more developed prospect who is also 6 8”. That’s going to give him a greater chance for success sooner in any offense. I think Keon and Jaden could’ve contributed more if they had more time together as a team, if Santi and JJJ had been the players they were last season, or if we had a true PG to distribute the ball. I just don’t know what to do with that information. I tend to agree with talent analysts who think the combination of Phillips size and athleticism is going to get him on the court, and when he’s there, he’ll do well.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

If you’re tired of seeing posts about his recruitment, why are you clicking on this thread?

Hoping for conversation about 70s heart throbs?

 

[Ericvol2096]

Rob Lewis today on the Pod said gun to his head he thinks we land Phillips.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Rob Lewis today on the Pod said gun to his head he thinks we land Phillips.

All signs seem to be pointing that way.

If somehow we don’t land Phillips, it sure as hell won’t be due to the lack of effort.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Still cautiously optimistic, but I’m slowly allowing myself to let the optimism become excitement. This is a BIG piece to the puzzle for next year’s team. I do think if Barnes’ can get the defense out of him early on that he requires to get floor time, we won’t miss a beat from last year’s team.

 

[wtmvol]

Rob Lewis today on the Pod said gun to his head he thinks we land Phillips.

Our fan base's demands to be informed have really intensified...

 

[cardvolfan]

Yeah, kind of what I was thinking, too. He is every bit as talented as those 3 guys, and there is a lot of opportunity. At the risk of piling on unrealistic expectations, 8 ppg seems a little light given the talent and available opportunity.

I’m having a hard time agreeing that he is as talented as Chandler and Johnson. I’m not saying they aren’t, but what makes Phillips the one who is just as talented? I know Keon wasn’t a great shooter, but why is this guy just as talented. I just don’t find myself all in on him like most.

 

[johnfnkelly]

I’m having a hard time agreeing that he is as talented as Chandler and Johnson. I’m not saying they aren’t, but what makes Phillips the one who is just as talented? I know Keon wasn’t a great shooter, but why is this guy just as talented. I just don’t find myself all in on him like most.

He's more skilled than Keon, though nowhere near the same level of athleticism. I don't think he'd have as much impact as Kennedy considering he'll be off ball.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I’m having a hard time agreeing that he is as talented as Chandler and Johnson. I’m not saying they aren’t, but what makes Phillips the one who is just as talented? I know Keon wasn’t a great shooter, but why is this guy just as talented. I just don’t find myself all in on him like most.

If Keon isn’t an in-state prospect, I wonder how different this opinion would be. Phillips athleticism is remarkable though not the same as Keon, and talent extends far past your vertical and athleticism, which is what Keon was lauded for mostly. Phillips has a much more polished and mature offensive game than Keon did at this point in his career.

That isn’t meant to be a slight on Keon, but as others have said Phillips is a threat to score at all 3 levels, whereas Keon struggled with the outside shot and was inconsistent with his mid-range jumper.

 

[cardvolfan]

If Keon isn’t an in-state prospect, I wonder how different this opinion would be. Phillips athleticism is remarkable though not the same as Keon, and talent extends far past your vertical and athleticism, which is what Keon was lauded for mostly. Phillips has a much more polished and mature offensive game than Keon did at this point in his career.

That isn’t meant to be a slight on Keon, but as others have said Phillips is a threat to score at all 3 levels, whereas Keon struggled with the outside shot and was inconsistent with his mid-range jumper.

I agree with everything you said, except the opinion part. My comments had nothing to do with in-state or out-of-state being any factor.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I’m having a hard time agreeing that he is as talented as Chandler and Johnson. I’m not saying they aren’t, but what makes Phillips the one who is just as talented? I know Keon wasn’t a great shooter, but why is this guy just as talented. I just don’t find myself all in on him like most.

I feel like he’s the type that is going to piss off/aggravate many uneducated fans, he may just average 9/10ppg but with his measurables that’s enough to have him be a lottery pick. Kendall Brown at Baylor this year as a freshman has very similar measurables to Phillips, averaged 10/5/2 on 34% shooting from deep, he would flash dominance but for the most part a nice role player on a good team, most of our fan base would be scratching their heads trying to figure out why he was a 5 star and starting threads saying no way he’s ready for the NBA.

 

[cardvolfan]

I feel like he’s the type that is going to piss off/aggravate many uneducated fans, he may just average 9/10ppg but with his measurables that’s enough to have him be a lottery pick. Kendall Brown at Baylor this year as a freshman has very similar measurables to Phillips, averaged 10/5/2 on 34% shooting from deep, he would flash dominance but for the most part a nice role player on a good team, most of our fan base would be scratching their heads trying to figure out why he was a 5 star and starting threads saying no way he’s ready for the NBA.

Also wonder where Phillips is defensively? For obvious reasons, it’s important to Barnes.