My thoughts on each player, what are yours?

#52
#52
Chris4Vols22 said:
It's completely within reason to compare their styles. If OP was truly implying they're on the same level, then obviously that's wrong, but we know that's not what's being claimed. Is it unfair to say that JJJ fills a similar role as Pippen did? No, it's not. Anyone forcing a direct comparison is either dumb or disingenuous or both.
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Except it’s not because JJJ doesn’t have much of Pippen’s like skillset. It’s like if I said Lamonte Turner is a baby Steph because he’s small and passes well and he shoots under his chin, that is absolutely silly.

Pippen was the second best scorer, best defender, second best rebounder and best passer on his team. Does JJJ match up to any of those? Maybe best defender? Maybe? Then no, it’s still a silly comparison.

There are plenty of better comparisons without the hall of fame player. For example, Jerami Grant is a good comparison. Nicolas Batum when he was good. I’ll even take Lamar Odom. All of those not only fit better skill wise, but don’t invoke the name of a hall of gamer. It’s lazy. And if you invoke the name of a hall of famer for a comparison of a 7ppg sophomore, then you are going to get due criticism.
 
#53
#53
sccshortstop said:
I dont see a one and done on our team. Real good players who may make it to the pros but need to stay with CB as long as they can. Cant do nothing but help them. JMHO!
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Well, there are only 3 possibilities unless you consider Chandler to already be part of our team (and he is a highly likely one-and-done).

Walker, no chance.

Springer and Keon... probably not. But I think that both improved a lot from game 1 to game 2. And they didn’t benefit from a typical run up from their senior year to their TN debut. I think that either one or both could end up O&D.
 
#55
#55
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Well, there are only 3 possibilities unless you consider Chandler to already be part of our team (and he is a highly likely one-and-done).

Walker, no chance.

Springer and Keon... probably not. But I think that both improved a lot from game 1 to game 2. And they didn’t benefit from a typical run up from their senior year to their TN debut. I think that either one or both could end up O&D.
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Keon is currently projected as a lottery pick in the 21 draft. That could fade over the season, but it’ll be hard for him to say no to lottery pick money.
 
#56
#56
cncchris33 said:
I'll attempt to grade each player, IMO, based solely on a very small sample (2 games), not future improvement, past performance, or preseason expectations.

Santiago Vescovi: B...Still not good enough with his off-hand, though he's improved. He has cleaned up the sloppy TOs a bit, it seems. Still doesn't look to score inside the 3-pt line, which reduces his effectiveness when he gets in the paint. Opponents know he is looking to pass which allows them to jump passing lanes.

Victor Bailey: C+...Has a nice looking shot when he gets set, solid defender, and decent ball-handler. Doesn't appear to be able to create his own shot, so he's pretty much a set shooter.

Josiah-Jordan James: C+...This score may be a little low and his mewfound aggression going to the basket almost bumps this up to a B, but his inability to finish those drives pulls down the grade. Still a jack of all trades, master of none, but he fills the box score each game. His shot is still a work in progress, and he needs to continue being aggressive. Defense is really solid and he can guard multiple positions.

Keon Johnson - B+...Still working on his role. It seems like this team needs him to be a leader, and he is adjusting to that. He doesn't have to be a vocal leader, but this team needs a guard/wing who wants to go get a bucket. He can lead by example. Kind of like Tobias Harris did. The skill is very evident and his defense is already high-level. Nice mid-range jumper. Outside shot and turnovers keep this from being an A. I expect both to improve as he settles in.

Yves Pons: B-...This may be a bit generous given his current shooting percentage, but he has improved his rebounding (thru two games, it may be am aberration) and still is affecting opponents' shots. He needs to clean up his shot (it looks flat), and get more aggressive around the basket. Continue the rebounding.

John Fulkerson: B...Hasn't been what some people hoped he'd be, yet, but still is doing a lot of the dirty work that doesn't flash on the screen. He's hitting the boards, drawing fouls, hitting his FTs, etc.

Jaden Springer: B...He's had some mental errors, not unusual for a freshman, but his scoring ability and ability to get to the line have flashed. He's hit a couple outside shots (considered an area for improvement), he defends well, and gets to the paint. Needs to improve on the TOs and work to play hard all the time on both ends.

EJ Anosike: C-...His adjustment has been rough. His size has been an issue. Shot isn't falling, he isn't rebounding at an elite level, and the defense has been rough (lots of fouls). He needs to slow down, focus on what he does well, and not force things. He can improve more than anyone, I think.

Olivier Nkamhoua: D...limited minutes and the defense has been decent in spots, but poor in others. Offense is still a disaster. He does nothing on the boards and that should be where he earns his stripes because we don't need him to score, right now. But two games in, he has 0 rebounds in 14 minutes.

Uros, Gaines, Walker, and Pember haven't played enough (or any) to accurately grade.
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Whats the reason Uros hasnt played much ? Last year everyone wanted him eligible by the NCAA so bad
 
#57
#57
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Well, there are only 3 possibilities unless you consider Chandler to already be part of our team (and he is a highly likely one-and-done).

Walker, no chance.

Springer and Keon... probably not. But I think that both improved a lot from game 1 to game 2. And they didn’t benefit from a typical run up from their senior year to their TN debut. I think that either one or both could end up O&D.
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I think Keon is one and done for sure. Springer.....probably 50/50.
 
#60
#60
walkenvol said:
Let’s revise that to outside of last year’s Miss St game he hasn’t produced much in the minutes he’s played?
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I mean that’s fine if we want to phrase it that way. I just don’t see much in him other than height that makes him a legitimate player.
 
#61
#61
He did score 16 against Miss St so maybe there’s something there and CRB will eventually coach it out on a consistent basis? We can hope anywhere
 
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#63
#63
walkenvol said:
He did score 16 against Miss St so maybe there’s something there and CRB will eventually coach it out on a consistent basis? We can hope anywhere
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He turns 22 in December and is in year three of a college program. I just don’t see the natural ability, instincts or athleticism that can make him a consistent, solid player.
 
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#64
#64
zjcvols said:
He turns 22 in December and is in year three of a college program. I just don’t see the natural ability, instincts or athleticism that can make him a consistent, solid player.
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I agree, am very worried about next year's post play. In fact I'm very worried about this year's when John gets in foul trouble
 
#65
#65
Not meaning to come across as arguing as I pretty much agree with you - guess I still have a glimmer of hope he may become serviceable whereas it appears you have concluded it’s a wasted scholarship
 
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#66
#66
walkenvol said:
Not meaning to come across as arguing as I pretty much agree with you - guess I still have a glimmer of hope he may become serviceable whereas it appears you have concluded it’s a wasted scholarship
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We have very good player development. Anything is possible. I just think a 22 year old in his third year of college basketball would have shown something by now. Even guys like Pons/Fulky/Kyle were getting minutes early on. Uros can’t even get on the floor over Nkamhoua.
 
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#67
#67
508mikey said:
Whats the reason Uros hasnt played much ? Last year everyone wanted him eligible by the NCAA so bad
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It's odd because he hasn't really flashed ability outside of one game against Mississippi State. He's almost 22 years old and still has, technically 3 years of eligibility beyond this year. He just doesn't appear to have a lot of skill. With many big guys, it is an issue of coordination as much as it is skill, but Uros seems to be reasonably coordinated and athletic. It may just be that he has never developed like many hoped he would. You can't teach size, so you take a kid his size and hope you can develop him, but they don't all pan out. He still has time, I guess.
 
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#68
#68
If the freshmen don't improve greatly over the next couple of months something's wrong. Just look north to Lexington and see how this sort of thing usually goes. Cal's team often looks mediocre in December and come March they're competing for a Final 4
 
#70
#70
1607983313149.png

Season's still early.

Springer & Keon both = as good as advertised, should both continue to earn more minutes and play big roles in our team success.
Fulkerson = Better 2nd game, think foul trouble and first game back had him off against Colorado he's our glue imo hope he has another fantastic season
Santiago = Love the guy, 2nd in scoring, leads the team in assist, great shooter and I hope Keon/Springer can emerge as PGs and we see Santi at SG more where he'll be more of a scoring threat imo
JJJ = He's not as explosive as Pons, but I feel like JJJ carves out that type of role for himself. He just can do it all more confidence and finishing stronger at the rim.
Bailey = better than expected so far, great shot and really impressed with him as perimeter defender
Pons = Hasn't been the offensive threat I hoped he'd be. Seems off scoring, maybe he'll get it figured out. Still need him defending and grabbing boards either way
Anosike = I like what I've seen in his limited court time, seems like a good body that is willing to grind. Has to be able to score though if he expects to earn more court time
Olivier = Gotta see more outta his game he has the length and size but needs to play within himself. I see more of a Fulkerson type outta him than Grant, so we may not see him really turn it on until year 3 or 4

Gaines, Pember, Uros, Walker = not sure they'll earn many minutes unless we blow some folks out or guys miss time with injuries/COVID issues.
 
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#71
#71
sccshortstop said:
I dont see a one and done on our team. Real good players who may make it to the pros but need to stay with CB as long as they can. Cant do nothing but help them. JMHO!
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If you don't see Keon as a 1 and done then you don't know how the NBA views prospects. Staying for 4 years is not seen as a positive thing to the NBA and the draft process.

Patrick Williams went at 4 despite averaging less than 10 ppg and not even starting a game in college.
Okoro went 5 and is super raw offensively and shot 28% from 3.

The NBA believes they can develop you within their organization better than they can be developed in college. They draft on the ceiling and potential moreso than actual college production/resume.
 
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#72
#72
Vols8086 said:
If you don't see Keon as a 1 and done then you don't know how the NBA views prospects. Staying for 4 years is not seen as a positive thing to the NBA and the draft process.

Patrick Williams went at 4 despite averaging less than 10 ppg and not even starting a game in college.
Okoro went 5 and is super raw offensively and shot 28% from 3.

The NBA believes they can develop you within their organization better than they can be developed in college. They draft on the ceiling and potential moreso than actual college production/resume.
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Plus all these guys have personal trainers and coaches you can pay and spend as much on your game as possible without school and NCAA restrictions. Look at a guy like Donovan Mitchell for example.
 
#73
#73
Part of Uros’ issue here is that TN tries to be more up tempo. Most 7 footers are in their element when games slow down with few fast breaks and lots of half court. Although Uros does run fairly well for his size iirc. But he’d be a better fit in the Big 10 or somewhere like the Loyola-Chicago Ancient Nuns.
 
#74
#74
Just look at Darius Garland, 5 games played at Vanderbilt drafted 5th overall.

Keon could hang it up tonight and still be a lottery pick, right size, great natural quickness/speed and they would be able to groom him for a year before he plays a minute.
 
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#75
#75
Vols8086 said:
If you don't see Keon as a 1 and done then you don't know how the NBA views prospects. Staying for 4 years is not seen as a positive thing to the NBA and the draft process.

Patrick Williams went at 4 despite averaging less than 10 ppg and not even starting a game in college.
Okoro went 5 and is super raw offensively and shot 28% from 3.

The NBA believes they can develop you within their organization better than they can be developed in college. They draft on the ceiling and potential moreso than actual college production/resume.
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Ok since you are a nba scout and i dont give a shot about the nba you as well can have your opinion your majesty as is stated mine!
 
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