Bouk Officially Back | The Boneyard

Bouk Officially Back

Times this during the bulls documentary. Needs a new PR firm
 
He better be watching MJ doc. Respect your forefathers.
 
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Being a guard potential ain't enough, he's got to get to the domination level before he's ready. With Vital and to a lesser extent AG gone, it just got easier. He's now the go-to player, so we will see if he will be ready at end of season. Personally I'd like him to stay for 3 years, because by his junior year he could be a 1st team AA.
 
This narrative that the school is pushing is getting to be annoying. Everyone knew he was coming back weeks or even months ago. By constantly saying he’s coming back they’re basically conditioning him to think that “okay everyone thinks I’m good enough, this is my last year.” Idk maybe I’m overthinking it, but seems like too many people have formed the narrative for him that this is his final year here before going pro, before even playing out the year and seeing how things go.
 
When was it ever rumored that he would do otherwise? Maybe I should issue a press release and notify my boss that I plan to come back to work on Monday.

I also remember when Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton came back for their junior year after dominating as sophomores. We've got to get back to not only getting guys to be high draft picks in the NBA, but also staying here long enough to win big and build continuity in the program.
 
HanDurley said:
This narrative that the school is pushing is getting to be annoying. Everyone knew he was coming back weeks or even months ago. By constantly saying he’s coming back they’re basically conditioning him to think that “okay everyone thinks I’m good enough, this is my last year.” Idk maybe I’m overthinking it, but seems like too many people have formed the narrative for him that this is his final year here before going pro, before even playing out the year and seeing how things go.
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You are, yesterday was the deadline to enter your name in the NBA Draft. And despite what some here want to believe getting players to the NBA quickly is a good thing
 
navery12 said:
You are, yesterday was the deadline to enter your name in the NBA Draft. And despite what some here want to believe getting players to the NBA quickly is a good thing
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I just think multiple social media/public posts about his return is overkill because it was already a known fact he was returning.
 
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Kitaman said:
Being a guard potential ain't enough, he's got to get to the domination level before he's ready. With Vital and to a lesser extent AG gone, it just got easier. He's now the go-to player, so we will see if he will be ready at end of season. Personally I'd like him to stay for 3 years, because by his junior year he could be a 1st team AA.
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Currently, I too think it would be best to do the 3 years, especially with COVID-19 shadow already on preparation for the upcoming season. Unlike, some casual fans, Chief always tries to take the position of what’s in the player’s best interest. I think if Bouknight stays 3 years - he could be in the top half of the lottery.
 
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Chief00 said:
Currently, I too think it would be best to do the 3 years, especially with COVID-19 shadow already on preparation for the upcoming season. Unlike, some casual fans, Chief always tries to take the position of what’s in the players best interest. I think if Bouknight stays 3 years - he could be in the top half of the lottery.
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Would also allow him to strengthen his body and mature more physically.. Great news for UConn..Smart move by Bouk..
 
Some think it may be easier for him with CV and AG not on the floor - to me, that remains to be seen.
The kid has ultra offensive skills, no doubt about it, however, I hope he has the onions to be the "go to guy" on a regular basis. CV was his shield this past season, this coming season he can't have that shield - he needs to be numero uno.
I have nor reason to think he doesn't have the physical ability, it's the mental things that sometimes get in the way.
I can't wait to see how he will handle it
 
HanDurley said:
This narrative that the school is pushing is getting to be annoying. Everyone knew he was coming back weeks or even months ago. By constantly saying he’s coming back they’re basically conditioning him to think that “okay everyone thinks I’m good enough, this is my last year.” Idk maybe I’m overthinking it, but seems like too many people have formed the narrative for him that this is his final year here before going pro, before even playing out the year and seeing how things go.
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After watching that MJ show about him at UNC and the development, I get excited to see the next leap Bouk takes. He is no MJ but he has a very high ceiling when it comes to scoring the basketball.
 
gtcam said:
Some think it may be easier for him with CV and AG not on the floor - to me, that remains to be seen.
The kid has ultra offensive skills, no doubt about it, however, I hope he has the onions to be the "go to guy" on a regular basis. CV was his shield this past season, this coming season he can't have that shield - he needs to be numero uno.
I have nor reason to think he doesn't have the physical ability, it's the mental things that sometimes get in the way.
I can't wait to see how he will handle it
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I'm sure the NBA scouts would like him to move his feet a little more on defense..If you know what I mean.. He's going to have to share the ball with AJ/RJ once in awhile on the fast break.... Showtime Huskies!!
 
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HanDurley said:
This narrative that the school is pushing is getting to be annoying. Everyone knew he was coming back weeks or even months ago. By constantly saying he’s coming back they’re basically conditioning him to think that “okay everyone thinks I’m good enough, this is my last year.” Idk maybe I’m overthinking it, but seems like too many people have formed the narrative for him that this is his final year here before going pro, before even playing out the year and seeing how things go.
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Definitely see your point. I think what works in our favor despite this is the relationship Hurley develops with his players. While social media has all but written off a junior season for Bouk, an end of year meeting with Hurley will happen prior to that decision and if he isn't ready Hurley will let him know the truth of the matter. He doesn't seem like the kind of coach to hold players back for selfish reasons.

Despite all this, I do think he'll be gone after this year because I think he'll play himself into being a 1st round pick which is a fantastic thing for UConn to get the NBA pipeline back up and running.
 
lange10 said:
Definitely see your point. I think what works in our favor despite this is the relationship Hurley develops with his players. While social media has all but written off a junior season for Bouk, an end of year meeting with Hurley will happen prior to that decision and if he isn't ready Hurley will let him know the truth of the matter. He doesn't seem like the kind of coach to hold players back for selfish reasons.

Despite all this, I do think he'll be gone after this year because I think he'll play himself into being a 1st round pick which is a fantastic thing for UConn to get the NBA pipeline back up and running.
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I really don’t get that players leaving early to the NBA does anything great for a program. Especially if the program does nothing great while they are here. The last thing I want is for UConn to be anything like Kentucky. Some exciting players with some exciting games thrown in, but gone before it means anything to really move a program forward

I know that’s how it is today. It wouldn’t hurt to have a rule something like baseball that lets high schoolers get drafted and if not signed, require at least 2 years in college before next NBA draft eligibility.
 
cohenzone said:
I really don’t get that players leaving early to the NBA does anything great for a program. Especially if the program does nothing great while they are here. The last thing I want is for UConn to be anything like Kentucky. Some exciting players with some exciting games thrown in, but gone before it means anything to really move a program forward

I know that’s how it is today. It wouldn’t hurt to have a rule something like baseball that lets high schoolers get drafted and if not signed, require at least 2 years in college before next NBA draft eligibility.
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The ultimate goal for a basketball player is to make the NBA. A 4/5 star recruit wants to go somewhere that will put them in the best position to succeed and achieve that goal. We've had 1 first round draft pick since Calhoun left.

The more NBA players that played college ball at UConn, the better off our men's basketball program will be in a variety of ways but most importantly on the recruiting trail.
 
HanDurley said:
This narrative that the school is pushing is getting to be annoying. Everyone knew he was coming back weeks or even months ago. By constantly saying he’s coming back they’re basically conditioning him to think that “okay everyone thinks I’m good enough, this is my last year.” Idk maybe I’m overthinking it, but seems like too many people have formed the narrative for him that this is his final year here before going pro, before even playing out the year and seeing how things go.
Expand ...
Usually I’d agree but we haven’t had a first round draft pick in a while. High school kids aren’t exactly thinking of us when they think of big time programs that are pumping guys into the NBA. Sharing a tweet like that lets people see that we at least have an NBA-caliber guy that could’ve legitimately made the jump after one year.
 
lange10 said:
The ultimate goal for a basketball player is to make the NBA. A 4/5 star recruit wants to go somewhere that will put them in the best position to succeed and achieve that goal. We've had 1 first round draft pick since Calhoun left.

The more NBA players that played college ball at UConn, the better off our men's basketball program will be in a variety of ways but most importantly on the recruiting trail.
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Didn’t say a kid going to the NBA is bad. I said leaving early doesn’t help a program when a player jumps early and the program hasn’t been able to take full advantage of that talent. It’s great for the player, and I root for them one way or the other, but my bottom line is how the team does.
 
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cohenzone said:
Didn’t say a kid going to the NBA is bad. I said leaving early doesn’t help a program when a player jumps early and the program hasn’t been able to take full advantage of that talent. It’s great for the player, and I root for them one way or the other, but my bottom line is how the team does.
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If Bouk leaves after next season and is a 1st round pick in the 2021 NBA draft we're probably going to be very pleased with how the team does in the 2020-2021 season.
 
lange10 said:
If Bouk leaves after next season and is a 1st round pick in the 2021 NBA draft we're probably going to be very pleased with how the team does in the 2020-2021 season.
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Drummond left after one season. UConn was 20-14, nothing special. Obviously when a star player plays well regularly it’s usually good for the team. It also requires other players to play well. But I’m pretty sure NBA scouts aren’t all that interested in the college team record of their draft choices.

As I said, players like Bouk are fun to watch, but I’m more interested in how the program does. Three years to root for a kid gives the program a better chance, especially if a few other high level players come in after them while they are there. . UConn has had few players leave for the draft even after 2 years, including some of our greats with excellent NBA play. But I don’t blame a kid for taking advantage of what the world offers. I’d have left college after a day if someone offered me a few million a year. I’m still waiting, and my freshman year almost predates modern history.
 
Bouk never left!

I saw in this thread that a few NBA teams may have gambled on him in the 2nd round, but did anyone here really think he was a threat to jump? The raw potential is there for sure, but he still picks up way too many bad fouls. He has also disappeared in games. 26 minutes vs. Nova - 5 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists. Vs. Indiana he had 0 points, 1 rebound, 3 turnovers. He did have some awesome moments as well - steals, boards, and dunks...and didn't he score like 14 straight at ECSU?

But he is certainly a rising star and we are lucky to have him. I can't wait to see him develop. I heard Hurley talk about recruiting him and how he (Hurley) was always giddy about the fact that there were no other coaches in the gym...he felt like he found a hidden in gem in Bouk. He was right.
 
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Chief00 said:
Currently, I too think it would be best to do the 3 years, especially with COVID-19 shadow already on preparation for the upcoming season. Unlike, some casual fans, Chief always tries to take the position of what’s in the players best interest. I think if Bouknight stays 3 years - he could be in the top half of the lottery.
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@Chief00, you're still using that strawman "casual fan" schtick? No one on this board gives a flying ... whether you, too, think he should stay 3 years. You say that you have the kids best interest at heart and others don't. That is beyond ridiculous. If he has a great season next year(whenever that happens)and decides to go pro so be it. I'd like him to stay four years but I'm not going to pretend that I'm saying so because it's in his best interests. You use the word currently to give yourself an out. Lame.
 
gtcam said:
Some think it may be easier for him with CV and AG not on the floor - to me, that remains to be seen.
The kid has ultra offensive skills, no doubt about it, however, I hope he has the onions to be the "go to guy" on a regular basis. CV was his shield this past season, this coming season he can't have that shield - he needs to be numero uno.
I have nor reason to think he doesn't have the physical ability, it's the mental things that sometimes get in the way.
I can't wait to see how he will handle it
Expand ...
Chief watched him closely this year and by mid January he definitely wanted the ball and even became frustrated when certain guys didn’t get him the ball when opened. While I don’t generally like to see that moment of negative body language, since he’s our star (even if certain teammates did not have that awareness) it’s good to know he wanted the ball.
 
I think some people forget we went through this for 3 years with Jalen Adams (i.e. every year had a big announcement for his return). Be excited he's back and that these press releases help with his and program exposure/hype going into Year 1 of the Big East. In 2020, it isn't a given a guy comes back, even when it seems obvious. Don't overthink it.
 
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