Julian Phillips - any chance he stays?

#52
#52
Unpopular opinion: I don't think Phillip's ball handling is that bad. A lot of posts give the impression that he is terrible with the ball, terrible driving--I disagree. Many seem to believe he plays weak and is prone to turnovers, but the issue is he hasn't learned to finish through contact, not ball handling. His TO rate per game is only 1.3. By comparison, Mashack is 1.0 at a much lower usage rate. Vescovi, ZZ, and ORN all have higher TO/gm (expected for Vescovi & ZZ due to usage).

But his FTs lead the team by a wide margin (FTA: 105. Next on team are Key! and ZZ tied at 72). What he doesn't do is finish while he's being fouled. What he also doesn't do is turn the ball over frequently. If the lane isn't crowded, he typically scores. If it is crowded, he is getting fouled.

I do think he could look way improved if he comes back for one more year. I think he is one of our best all around players already, and has the highest upside on the team. I hope he comes back and I think there is a possibility because his situation and room to improve his draft stock is different than Chandler's or other recent departures. That being said, even G league money is decent, so I don't know what he will choose.
 
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#53
#53
JP seems best at all those things that don't show up on a stat sheet--which is the area of player development that I think separates Coach Barnes' players from those in most other programs.

JP plays well in our very unselfish team-culture, and has solid stats. But... I haven't seen very many moments when he asserted his "athletic advantages" with confidence over another defense. We saw those moments with Chandler and our previous one-and-dones, moments when they asserted their will over defenders to create assist opportunities or points.

IMHO, Phillips has shown growing maturity and court IQ in taking what the defense is giving each night. But at the next level, the game requires the better players to sometimes take what the defense doesn't want to yield. I think JP will eventually become physically capable of that.

As to the value of what JP currently brings, I'll leave that to NBA teams to determine. Maybe they like the foundation and are confident they know how to take it from here to complete his development into an NBA talent. The league is now part of an international corporation. Competition is no longer the product--it's just a part of the marketing dept., and not at the top of the list even there. The "parts" are "plug and play" and they know the price break for which guys to pay to intern for a year or two before they slide him into the spot they anticipate for him. His character may be as important to the corporation as his court skills. After all, skills can be developed over time. [Grant Williams, case in point]

But back to the game of basketball, even without my orange bias I think he is still 4-6 months away from reaching mental manhood on the court. And there's nothing wrong with that. He's far more mature than most 19 year olds. But sometimes in life you just have to wait patiently for nature to bring together all those areas of human growth and maturity, until the package is complete.
 
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#55
#55
He needs to play another year, get stronger, as others have said, and further develop his offensive game. I can't imagine that he'd
be a first-round pick this year--and I wouldn't think 2nd round either, but NBA teams draft a lot on future potential, so who knows. He'd be wise to
stay and develop into a first-round pick next year....
 
#56
#56
WaywardVol said:
Agree on what Phillips needs to do. I don’t see those things making him more athletic. Is he going to become a post up player? He isn’t any thinner than Brandon Miller. Very similar height and build. The difference there is athleticism, instincts and ball handling. One of those can be improved.

I would suggest that you share the star gazing advice with coach Barnes. There is little doubt that Phillips has protected minutes because of his rating and his NIL deal. My frustration is I wonder where Mashack would be now had he gotten more of those minutes along the way.

My point is I’m just not sweating whether Phillips returns or not. Fawning over Mashack? Hardly.
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I think you significantly underrate defense which makes you underrate Phillips. He is a 5 star defender for his class (better than Brandon Miller there). Offense is still coming along, but he can improve his shot. The other two things you mentioned can be improved as well, just to a limited extent; Uros looks more athletic to me this year. Phillips has also been injured, which reduces his apparent athleticism.
 
#57
#57
cncchris33 said:
Or maybe Miller is just a much better basketball player? He has a much better outside game which opens up clearer driving lanes as he draws his man out 25' from the basket. So yeah, thise things won't make him more athletic, but being stringer and a better ball-handler certainly will allow him to get to the rim and finish much easier. Right now, he gets knocked off of his driving lane due to his lack of strength and size.

I also think you are discounting Phillips's athleticism quite a bit. He hasn't shown it off too often because he tends to get in his own way by looking like a deer learning to walk while trying to dribble into traffic. He's plenty athletic, though, if you're simply talking about his leaping ability, quickness to the ball defensively, and straight line speed.

Lastly, I don't think there is much evidence to support your theory that he's some protected pet project, and it certainly has little to do with his ranking and NIL. The NIL dollars didn't come from Barnes's pocket, so he has little incentive to make decisions based on what some non-university affiliated collective decided to pay him. His playing time and long leash are directly tied to his potential and the position he plays combined with JJJ missing several games that made Phillips more of a necessity. Who else seems to have a shorter leash that leads you to believe that Phillips is protected, and they aren't? Awaka has been allowed to play through struggles. Mashack has, as well. Same with Aidoo. The difference is that Phillips has infinitely more upside and can be the best player on the floor at times, as well as positional scarcity. JJJ and Phillips are really the only two guys on the floor who can do what they do, amd are both very versatile. Mashack is nearing that level, but is sort of restricted by his height from doing what JJJ and Phillips can do. Those other guys can be subbed out for 3 other players.
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I agree with much of what you’re saying, but what game was Phillips the best player on the floor? Don’t recall him standing out in league play - maybe against the early season warm up games?
 
#59
#59
jeff1vol said:
The NBA!!!!???? If Phillips is an early 2nd round pick... that explains why the NBA is unwatchable now. He is G League at best. He literally loses the ball almost every time he drives the lane. ooof.
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I kinda doubt he’ll be doing much dribbling in the NBA. He’ll be a 3&D wing who spots up in the corner most likely.
 
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#60
#60
keenobserver said:
I hope his draft analysis recommends him to put more arch on his shot. It would be even better if he uses that advice in the coming weeks.
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Flat shot is Vescovi’s problem in FTs. He’s hitting the front or back iron every time. My high school coach taught us that means your shot is too flat.
 
#61
#61
Col_Cathcart said:
I kinda doubt he’ll be doing much dribbling in the NBA. He’ll be a 3&D wing who spots up in the corner most likely.
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Yep, but he has enough talent to be more than that. He just needs to learn how to use his talent and physically mature.
 
#62
#62
wmcovol said:
Flat shot is Vescovi’s problem in FTs. He’s hitting the front or back iron every time. My high school coach taught us that means your shot is too flat.
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I noticed that too. I realize some of the pros are able to get away with having a consistently flat shot similar to Phillips'. However, the overwhelming majority of great shooters have a nice arch, or at the very least, more than Phillips.
 
#65
#65
He needs at least a year if not 2. He is just not very strong. Of course Olivia is strong but -------------
 
#66
#66
I’ve had conversations with his agent for NIL deals, and I can tell you he still truly believes he’s a lottery pick. I doubt there’s any way he stays.
 
#68
#68
If he leaves, he leaves. Hope he stays and matures at UT for another year or two, but I won't be too torn up if he departs.
 
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#70
#70
He really needs another year in college to get stronger, tighten his handle, and develop a consistent jump shot. He’s a talented guy. I’d love to get him back for a second season.
 
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#71
#71
cncchris33 said:
Hope he's brushed up on his eastern European culture if that's the route he chooses.
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H
has there been anything particularly credible pointing towards that as something he’s considering? It’s hard to tell sometimes if stuff like that is sourced or just general negativity from people bummed about recent losses.
 
#72
#72
Col_Cathcart said:
H
has there been anything particularly credible pointing towards that as something he’s considering? It’s hard to tell sometimes if stuff like that is sourced or just general negativity from people bummed about recent losses.
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I have a hard time seeing him being practical and arriving at the decision that leaving early is in his best interest. I've read several articles saying he should return. Those are generally based in some form of reality. There isn't much tape to suggest he's ready to make it, yet.
 
#73
#73
I have no idea where he will get drafted....But it seems the NBA drafts a lot on potential and not just what you do today?
 
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#74
#74
NBA is ALL about potential. That said, I’ve no idea how they rate Phillips as play moves to tourney time.
 
#75
#75
brockytop said:
NBA is ALL about potential. That said, I’ve no idea how they rate Phillips as play moves to tourney time.
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What potential? Is he a freak athlete? No. Natural scorer? No. Ball handler? No? Dead eye shooter? No.
Overwhelming physicality? No. Alpha type? No.

He has length, and a good frame, that’s really about it.
 
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