Knecht, Barnes, NIL, Development [split from Portal Thread]

#51
#51
We'll never know. Top 10 seems steep but I don't think it's absurd to think he could/would still go first round out of NorCo. He's getting drafted for his scoring ability. I'm sure he improved his defense under Barnes as much as he could have but teams are aware they're not drafting an elite defender.
HOWEVER he took being a defensive liability out of the equation while being greenlighted on the offensive end. Let’s see if he clarifies CRB’s and UT’s impact in his post draft interviews.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chuckiepoo
#55
#55
I don't even see where he was invited to the 2023 combine
Correct, poor wording on my part…he declared for the draft and was told he wouldn’t be drafted (or invited to the combine) so he returned to school. My point still stands.

You say him coming to Tennessee didn’t improve his stock, yet he went from undrafted to Top 10 when he switched schools and posted similar numbers…why?
 
#56
#56
You’re experiencing a phenomenon called the Dunning Kruger effect. Have a friend read the description of this phenomenon to you, and get neutered at a reputable veterinarian immediately.

I don't think so. I could be wrong on anything I say, I'm aware. Just don't think so. And here you come touting Kevin Durant as a Barnes product and my jaw dropped. Crazy someone can try to insult your intelligence and hold this opinion.
 
#57
#57
He had career highs in 3pt% and FT% while making a massive leap in competition, but sure, zero development of credit to Barnes and staff…I’m sure Knecht definitely agrees with that take SMH
NM, staying out of this one, I've decided. And I agree with BTO, definitely think Barnes helped Knecht in a major way.
 
#58
#58
Correct, poor wording on my part…he declared for the draft and was told he wouldn’t be drafted (or invited to the combine) so he returned to school. My point still stands.

You say him coming to Tennessee didn’t improve his stock, yet he went from undrafted to Top 10 when he switched schools and posted similar numbers…why?

Averaging similar numbers at Tennessee and NorCo are not equal. I'd expect someone like Knecht who averaged 21 ppg (and maybe more if you take out his ankle injury games) to drop 30+ per game in the Big Sky. It's total speculation to try and gauge what numbers he would have had in the Big Sky last year as a 5th year senior. He improved his game every year working from a no name recruit to who he is today. So yes, I still think he *could* have been a top 10 projected pick in the draft and I don't find that absurd at all. Credit to Rick Barnes but I bet if you asked Knecht how he blossomed into such a great player he'd probably give some credit to all of his coaches along the way and ultimately say he worked his butt off.

Edit: Same situation with Lanier as well, which is what people are disagreeing with...Knecht could have gone to Kentucky and or BYU and then I think even more-so that he'd be a top 10 projected pick. Love Barnes but he's not the only good coach in the world and not heads above other good coaches.
 
#59
#59
Lmao...Rick Barnes "developing" Kevin Durant is just too funny.
Someone said Durant knew nothing about film study and how to work on his game seriously before working with Barnes, but you would probably dismiss his opinion.

 
#60
#60
Averaging similar numbers at Tennessee and NorCo are not equal. I'd expect someone like Knecht who averaged 21 ppg (and maybe more if you take out his ankle injury games) to drop 30+ per game in the Big Sky. It's total speculation to try and gauge what numbers he would have had in the Big Sky last year as a 5th year senior. He improved his game every year working from a no name recruit to who he is today. So yes, I still think he *could* have been a top 10 projected pick in the draft and I don't find that absurd at all. Credit to Rick Barnes but I bet if you asked Knecht how he blossomed into such a great player he'd probably give some credit to all of his coaches along the way and ultimately say he worked his butt off.
Nobody has said other coaches don’t deserve credit, but DK himself has said he came to Tennessee to improve his chances of making the NBA and his draft stock, and that’s exactly what happened.
 
#61
#61
I don't think so. I could be wrong on anything I say, I'm aware. Just don't think so. And here you come touting Kevin Durant as a Barnes product and my jaw dropped. Crazy someone can try to insult your intelligence and hold this opinion.
Understand I am not stating an opinion. I’m stating a factual observation of player’s perception. Players choose playing for Barnes due to his track record of player development, perceived or real. Those players regularly cite Durant. One of the players who referenced Durant was Knecht. Those are facts. They are not my opinion. I did not comment on your intelligence. I made the observation that you don’t understand what you don’t understand. This was substantiated by your response.
 
#62
#62
Understand I am not stating an opinion. I’m stating a factual observation of player’s perception. Players choose playing for Barnes due to his track record of player development, perceived or real. Those players regularly cite Durant. One of the players who referenced Durant was Knecht. Those are facts. They are not my opinion. I did not comment on your intelligence. I made the observation that you don’t understand what you don’t understand. This was substantiated by your response.
Ah, yes. You are correct then and I was off topic and base. But my original point was that development, perceived or real, is not enough to turn down 6 figs.
 
#63
#63
Nobody has said other coaches don’t deserve credit, but DK himself has said he came to Tennessee to improve his chances of making the NBA and his draft stock, and that’s exactly what happened.

I'm going in circles a bit (a lot) with replies to you and or others. My main point was Lanier is not turning down a huge difference in $ to come here vs Kentucky. Knecht wouldn't have either. I wouldn't expect Iamaleava's response to "why did you come to Tennessee?" to be "Because they gave me an unprecedented NIL deal" either.
 
#67
#67
I'm going in circles a bit (a lot) with replies to you and or others. My main point was Lanier is not turning down a huge difference in $ to come here vs Kentucky. Knecht wouldn't have either. I wouldn't expect Iamaleava's response to "why did you come to Tennessee?" to be "Because they gave me an unprecedented NIL deal" either.
So you really don't believe a situation exists where a kid playing in what amounts to his "contract year" would turn down $1.7 mil to play somewhere else where they get more playing time, they're more of an offensive focus, they play for a staff with a proven track record of player development, and they have a greater chance of winning at a higher level...for say, $1.5 mil?

You really think it's that black and white? These kids have financial advisors and NIL reps for a reason.
 
#70
#70
So you really don't believe a situation exists where a kid playing in what amounts to his "contract year" would turn down $1.7 mil to play somewhere else where they get more playing time, they're more of an offensive focus, they play for a staff with a proven track record of player development, and they have a greater chance of winning at a higher level...for say, $1.5 mil?

You really think it's that black and white? These kids have financial advisors and NIL reps for a reason.
Daniel Poneman literally said he had a kid this year turn down 650k for 225k because of fit. Last year he had a kid turn down 1m for 400k. All because of fit
 
#72
#72
You know nothing. Knecht is a weird late bloomer. Why did Tennessee recruit him? He was on Tennessee's radar but not the NBA's? You're dumb.
Surely that’s not the best you’ve got. But I’ll never know because you just hit the Ignore list. No time for trolls or foolish posts.
 
#74
#74
Averaging similar numbers at Tennessee and NorCo are not equal. I'd expect someone like Knecht who averaged 21 ppg (and maybe more if you take out his ankle injury games) to drop 30+ per game in the Big Sky. It's total speculation to try and gauge what numbers he would have had in the Big Sky last year as a 5th year senior. He improved his game every year working from a no name recruit to who he is today. So yes, I still think he *could* have been a top 10 projected pick in the draft and I don't find that absurd at all. Credit to Rick Barnes but I bet if you asked Knecht how he blossomed into such a great player he'd probably give some credit to all of his coaches along the way and ultimately say he worked his butt off.

Edit: Same situation with Lanier as well, which is what people are disagreeing with...Knecht could have gone to Kentucky and or BYU and then I think even more-so that he'd be a top 10 projected pick. Love Barnes but he's not the only good coach in the world and not heads above other good coaches.
I do agree that if Knecht dropped 30+ PPG in the Big Sky, he'd likely see some interest by NBA scouts, but its very unlikely that he would've been considered a top 10 pick, because of the level of competition and lower visibility in the Big Sky versus the SEC. Its very rare to see a four year, mid-major player get drafted, regardless of how many PPG they put up, because of this.

Dillon Jones, a senior, 6'6" 235 lb wing who scored 20.8 PPG in the Big Sky for Weber State on 49% FG, 33% 3PT FG is projected as a 2nd round pick this year in a weak draft class.

There are always a few players who put up 25+ PPG in weaker conferences who go undrafted every year. Antoine Davis, a 4 year player from Detroit Mercy during the '22-'23 season scored 28.2 PPG, and went undrafted. He's in the G League currently.

The visibility from NBA scouts at the P5 level matters, especially since they're more likely to attend the nationally televised games against top-25, or even top-10 teams, given there's usually multiple NBA prospects on either team.
 

VN Store



Back
Top