They have said that about every draft for the last 40 years. Seriously, find me a draft where heading in the consensus was “this draft sucks”. A few people will claim they knew 2013 was weak, but if that was the case, how come Giannis went 15?
There are a bunch of “athletes” in this draft that have not accomplished anything. Maybe this draft is less like the 2013, and more like the terrible drafts from the early 2000’s.
Interesting take and for good reason. Emphasis in modern coaching in AAU is superior athletes who are long is running the show). Fundamentals are left in the dust more often. Fundamentals are basic in a team game; individual ability (create your own shot) is important but it doesn't trump fundamentals in the long run. Individual potential and athleticism attract attention from above with the shrug and "further development" as a a fall back. Karaban, Clingan and Sanogo are all great examples of fundamental coaching. They did not pick that up in the playground. Private schools have the ability to recruit from a larger area than public schools and mostly can pay their coaches more so this does attract coaching talent. I think our staff is on to something about looking deeper on prospects for character and fundamental skills as well as athletic talent. They can see that recruits are not going to make it here if they lack those basics because there mostly isn't time to teach that and blend them into the rotation. Unless a player comes along with truly extraordinary gifts and a great (teachable) attitude (such as Andre Jackson) this is going to be the exception and not the standard.
Maybe this is why we often hear the comment about "a chair would be a better defender on videotape" when a recruits highlight tape is shown on the Boneyard.
Our staff's portal recruiting on last years team was just about perfect. We got upperclassmen
experience with
offensive firepower (Newton, Calcaterra) and
defensive skills (Alleyne) to bolster
an already good team and fill in all the needs. That combination of players and coaching, and experience in the Big East wars just showed up so great on neutral courts under the lights. I am still in awe of that Tournament run. I don't know who made it up but hats off to the guy who coined the "Hurley revenge tour" phrase re: Big East. The NCAA Tournament was a shock and awe tour.
