Bouk #9 in the new Athletic mock draft

[husky429]

What it said... 2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Evan Mobley moves up, Ziaire Williams falls, plus coach and scout breakdowns

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"Bouknight’s return to play has pushed Connecticut into a really strong position entering the NCAA Tournament. Following an elbow injury that forced him to miss a large portion of Big East play, Bouknight has returned and been up to his normal tricks. He’s averaging 20 points and six rebounds in those contests and generally has been the kind of athletic guard who has NBA scouts believing he can be a starting off-guard at some point in his career. He’s really bouncy and has a great first step. His balance and body control are really underrated too. He can hit opponents with a wicked crossover and get by, even when his first step doesn’t get the job done. I also think he’s pretty underrated on defense. When he’s locked in, he’s really tough.

What they said: “A totally different team with him in the lineup,” a Big East assistant said. “He gives them that scoring punch they didn’t have when he was out. It’s really hard to stay in front of him. He preps for his drives with his feet. He’s always ready to catch and go. What I think he probably doesn’t get enough credit for is how good he is at shifting gears. He’s good in a straight line, but he’s not just a straight-line driver. His hesi move is tough. He loves it out on the semi-break when he has a bit of space. He’ll have that space all day at the NBA level, so I think his game will really fit there.”"

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And for the idiots saying he should stay in college, that's good for a guaranteed 12 million over his first 3 years.

 

[Lefty2one]

Do they have Moody and Keon Johnson above him?

 

[auror]

Do they have Moody and Keon Johnson above him?

Yes the two picks right before.

 

[husky429]

Do they have Moody and Keon Johnson above him?

Yeah, it's the usual suspects 1-5, then Barnes, Johnson, Moody, Bouk.

Personally, I'd expect Bouk anywhere in the 6-12 range based on team need (and his performance in the tourney of course)

 

[polycom]

Something something, not ready for the NBA. Something something, he could learn more in college. Something something, the defense is better in college. I think I covered all the takes by the idiots out here.

 

[raf46]

What it said... 2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Evan Mobley moves up, Ziaire Williams falls, plus coach and scout breakdowns

---

"Bouknight’s return to play has pushed Connecticut into a really strong position entering the NCAA Tournament. Following an elbow injury that forced him to miss a large portion of Big East play, Bouknight has returned and been up to his normal tricks. He’s averaging 20 points and six rebounds in those contests and generally has been the kind of athletic guard who has NBA scouts believing he can be a starting off-guard at some point in his career. He’s really bouncy and has a great first step. His balance and body control are really underrated too. He can hit opponents with a wicked crossover and get by, even when his first step doesn’t get the job done. I also think he’s pretty underrated on defense. When he’s locked in, he’s really tough.

What they said: “A totally different team with him in the lineup,” a Big East assistant said. “He gives them that scoring punch they didn’t have when he was out. It’s really hard to stay in front of him. He preps for his drives with his feet. He’s always ready to catch and go. What I think he probably doesn’t get enough credit for is how good he is at shifting gears. He’s good in a straight line, but he’s not just a straight-line driver. His hesi move is tough. He loves it out on the semi-break when he has a bit of space. He’ll have that space all day at the NBA level, so I think his game will really fit there.”"

---

And for the idiots saying he should stay in college, that's good for a guaranteed 12 million over his first 3 years.

At his size he must improve his 3 point shooting. Needs another season at UCONN.

 

[UKemba15]

At his size he must improve his 3 point shooting. Needs another season at UCONN.

I’ve got $12 million that says he doesn’t.

 

[Brochacho]

At his size he must improve his 3 point shooting. Needs another season at UCONN.

UConn makes his three point shooting look bad. A few weeks back someone posted a stat that the majority of his three point shots are taken off the dribble (60%+) and statistically he shoots at a higher clip when he has his feet set off the catch vs making and taking his own 3s. Playing off ball and the spacing will benefit him in the NBA. His shot looks good.

 

[husky429]

At his size he must improve his 3 point shooting. Needs another season at UCONN.

Oh for god sakes, stop being an idiot.

 

[ZenConn]

$12 million in the 9th slot is a lot of coin for a rookie contract. There's no reason for Bouk to stay. He can work on his game full time under the guidance of NBA vets, coaches and trainers.

Back in the day, JC used to say that the second contract is what matters. But that was when rookie contracts were half and less than half that. Times have changed since then.

 

[husky429]

UConn makes his three point shooting look bad. A few weeks back someone posted a stat that the majority of his three point shots are taken off the dribble (60%+) and statistically he shoots at a higher clip when he has his feet set off the catch vs making and taking his own 3s. Playing off ball and the spacing will benefit him in the NBA. His shot looks good.

This is the kind of data GMs are looking at--it will matter more to them than the raw #s. If he can get in shape at one of those camps in Miami/Santa Barbara and show off in a workout with some mid-lottery teams, he could probably go as high as #6.

 

[ZenConn]

It's almost $13 million for the 8th slot.

NBA Rookie Scale - RealGM

NBA Rookie Scale - RealGM

basketball.realgm.com

Now the question is why my salary hasn't increased that much. ?

 

[tcf15]

I like that a Big East coach says that Bouk's game is perfect for the NBA and there are still Boneyarders who will say "nah, needs another season at UConn".

 

[NJHusky]

It's almost $13 million for the 8th slot.

NBA Rookie Scale - RealGM

NBA Rookie Scale - RealGM

basketball.realgm.com

Now the question is why my salary hasn't increased that much. ?

Probably because you aren't the 8th best in the world at something....

 

[LIuconn]

Drafted in that position, even if he flames out after his rookie deal he'll have generational wealth

 

[ZenConn]

One thing however. Bouk, please come back to finish your degree. The NCAA likely will look for egregious ways to mess with UConn - APR not withstanding.

 

[rollskies]

Every mock draft has James as a lottery pick and some how some people on this board find ways to put a negative spin on it. It’s literally baffling.

Obviously there are parts of his game he can improve on. EVERY player has things they can get better at. He has a couple of bad games after an injury and all of a sudden the BY scouts say he needs to be in college for another year. Give the kid a break and be happy that we finally have a player in the draft for the first time in forever.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I like that a Big East coach says that Bouk's game is perfect for the NBA and there are still Boneyarders who will say "nah, needs another season at UConn".

In fairness, some of these guys played organized basketball and watch 10-20 games per year.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

I like that a Big East coach says that Bouk's game is perfect for the NBA and there are still Boneyarders who will say "nah, needs another season at UConn".

I feel like it's a little of each. He hasn't been a consistently dominant college player and could benefit from a year of S&C and play, but when you're going to be drafted that high with that much dough on the line, you have to go. Can't risk the injury.

 

[UConnJim]

Could Bouk use another year to gain size and strength to be a better NBA player? Yes. But, when you are a 1st round draft choice, you have to leave and we should wish him well. Besides, many of the players entering the NBA during this era need time to develop as they may be 19 or 20 years old.

 

[husky429]

I feel like it's a little of each. He hasn't been a consistently dominant college player and could benefit from a year of S&C and play, but when you're going to be drafted that high with that much dough on the line, you have to go. Can't risk the injury.

These people don't seem to realize that the SnC programs and training in the NBA are worlds better anyway. "well he needs to get stronger!" -- Yes. And we will get stronger faster with a full-time training schedule, no classes, and a personal chef to cook every single meal he eats instead of nasty ass dining hall food.

 

[rollskies]

Could Bouk use another year to gain size and strength to be a better NBA player? Yes. But, when you are a 1st round draft choice, you have to leave and we should wish him well. Besides, many of the players entering the NBA during this era need time to develop as they may be 19 or 20 years old.

These people don't seem to realize that the SnC programs and training in the NBA are worlds better anyway. "well he needs to get stronger!" -- Yes. And we will get stronger faster with a full-time training schedule, no classes, and a personal chef to cook every single meal he eats instead of nasty ass dining hall food.

THANK YOU. Some people are acting like you need to be 100% perfect to get drafted. The NBA will help him improve

 

[Lefty2one]

It's starting to beat a dead horse but most BYers don't follow the NBA. They don't understand how much the game and drafting has changed.

Look at LaMelo as an example. He was killed for his poor efficiency and struggles in Australia. It caused him to drop to #3 in the draft even though nearly every NBA team knows that playmaking is the supreme skill in today's league and Melo, for all his other concerns, obviously had elite playmaking ability. Teams still passed and MIN and GSW have major regrets right now as Lamelo is posting 16/6/6 on damn good efficiency for anyone, let alone a rookie point guard.

Luka commented that it's easier to score in the NBA than EuroLeague. A lot of people thought Trae Young would be a bust. The NBA is an entertainment product geared towards offensive players, Bouk will be fine even with his current weaknesses.

UConn has an ugly offense this year. It's at a glacial pace with poor spacing. Most PnRs Bouk tries to run he has at least three defenders in the area. Every time this kid gets a sliver of daylight he slithers his way through the cracks and has an uncanny ability to finish in traffic and around the rim. Plus with his hesitation move, and his mid-range game, he's going to be a very good scorer in the NBA. For as much as analytics and the media claim the mid-range game is dead, nearly every upper echelon scorer in the NBA is lethal from mid-range.

 

[HuskyFich]

These people don't seem to realize that the SnC programs and training in the NBA are worlds better anyway. "well he needs to get stronger!" -- Yes. And we will get stronger faster with a full-time training schedule, no classes, and a personal chef to cook every single meal he eats instead of nasty ass dining hall food.

Dude, stop making so much sense.

 

[rollskies]

UConn has an ugly offense this year. It's at a glacial pace with poor spacing. Most PnRs Bouk tries to run he has at least three defenders in the area. Every time this kid gets a sliver of daylight he slithers his way through the cracks and has an uncanny ability to finish in traffic and around the rim. Plus with his hesitation move, and his mid-range game, he's going to be a very good scorer in the NBA. For as much as analytics and the media claim the mid-range game is dead, nearly every upper echelon scorer in the NBA is lethal from mid-range.

100% agree. This is a great point too that I think some people don’t fully understand. The spacing in the college game is vastly different from the spacing in the NBA game. He is getting double and triple teamed on every possession with very little room to play his game. I think the NBA spacing is going to actually help his game when he gets there. I think his “poor” 3-pt shooting percentages is a direct reflection of this because usually when he is taking 3’s it’s a contested shot because he can’t get anything else going. He would much rather drive to the hoop, but the college level defense doesn’t really allow for that as easily in some cases.

And even with all that said, he still manages to make some of the most difficult finishes in crazy amounts of traffic. His scoring will carry with him to the next level for sure.