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In the past decade, only 3 juniors have been drafted in the top 5 of the draft. He will not help his stock by coming back. His stock is what it is.
Bouknight - What’s best for him?
- Thread starter Chief00
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There is no question he has the talent, but his body failed him down the stretch. When you are drafting in the lottery you need to be damn sure that the guy your getting can last 82 games and contribute.
Yes people do develop in the NBA, but the NBA moves on from people very quickly if they aren't ready to contribute. There are very few second chances for guys that aren't ready immediately.
If he comes back with his body improved showing that he can withstand a full college season, then I think more teams in the top 5 will be willing to take a chance on him. With the exception of Zion Williamson or Anthony Davis, no NBA team is drafting a guy who isn't ready for an 82 game schedule next season in the top 5
Yes, true I would love James to come back, however that doesn’t impact my advice. Others who I would love see in a UConn uniform another year, I fully supported leaving (Ray, Rip, Okafor, Kemba) come to mind. I wasn’t in favor of either Donyell or Rudy leaving because Chief knew it really wasn’t what they wanted and each had unfinished business that believe it or not, they will tell you today - they wished they had finished. That tells you something, I think that James needs to ponder.
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There is also a long list of guys who left too early and never got a second chance after they didn't live up to the hype.
That’s a short sighted and narrow view - it’s really about the contract after 3 years and what makes them happy and is best for their development.
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The rookie contract for the last pick in the first round of the NBA draft, pays 1.6, 1.6 and 1.7 million dollars for the first three years and the first two are guaranteed.
The 15th pick gets 2.7, 2.8, and 3.0 for the first three years.
The 15th pick gets 2.7, 2.8, and 3.0 for the first three years.
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1. In this era of load management, 82 games is not one of their biggest concerns
2. The NBA does not move on from first round picks very quickly. You have to be a real disaster for them to not pick up your options, and most busts will get at least a second chance. Especially now with more roster flexibility and the d league.
The NBA treats you like an adult which is ok for some guys but others would benefit from another year of a structured college program.
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Bouknight isn’t ready to be treated like an adult? cmon now.....
And it’s really about investing in yourself so you score on the second contract where the financial stakes are even much higher.
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Load management is for veteran ALL STARS not new draft picks (edit: minus generational talents like zion williamson). and to your second point, I'm more concerned about career earnings overall. Would Jahlil Okafor have benefited from another year of maturity in college? No one knows the answer but I would imagine he'd be making more money overall with more tutelage from Coach K.
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He can get to his second contract faster if he goes this year. He’s a projected lottery pick, maybe he slips a bit, we’ll see. He can do what he wants obviously, but turning down millions of dollars to come back to play for free when it won’t help his stock much is a major risk.
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Jahlil Okafor didn't need another year in college, he needed a time machine to go back to the year 2000
Do I think he as I would have at age 20 - benefit from another year of structure - this time not interrupted by suspension, injury or covid interruptions - absolutely!
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That is not how the NBA works these days. The train of thought is outdated. Obviously he has more maturing to do. Every 20 year old in the draft does.
We are never going to agree on this, so I will agree to disagree and leave it at that
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Respectfully he was the number 3 overall pick and the game had already started to change by the time he was drafted. The biggest negative to his game was his lack of maturity.
He’s living it not you.Yet another Bouk thread (YABT). Only this time, our esteemed Chief (OEC) waxes poetic (WP) about how Bouk should stay at UConn (SAU) because he may be lonely after practice (LAP) in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
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It may have started to change, but it was nowhere close to where the NBA is today. The Houston Rockets led the NBA in 3PA at 26.6 per game in 2014 before he was drafted. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 30th in the NBA at 27.5 in 2021. The biggest issue is Okafor is a slow center who can't guard anyone
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gtcam
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are you and everyone else ready to bet your house that he will be a lottery pick?
His college career was an audition for the NBA. He passed.
Please elaborate on what levels did he pass? His 3pt shooting? His close quarters ball handling? His leadership? His physical make up? His ability to sparkle under the bright lights? How much do we know about his personal life - he has had one incident that was for the most part brushed under the rug. His body language the last 2 games would cause me concern.
I want every UConn player to get every opportunity that they deserve and if the NBA people feel Bouk, at this point in his career, based on what they have seen, is a lottery pick - God Bless him and I have 0 issues with him getting the $ and going. But IMHO I do not see a sure fife lottery pick at all. I do see someone with crazy athletic ability but the package is not there right now. He is the least prepared of most any UConn player that was drafted except maybe DD. I love Bouks game but he lacks in many areas that another year of college ball may help him attain. Or he may be doing it in the G League, if he desires that it's great. However, I realize that Dan Hurley has recruited with Bouk leaving in mind so all speculation may be a mute point.
I love how everyone loves to bring up Scottie Barnes - the guy is 6"9" wieghs 240 lbs has the handle of a PG and according to Juwan Howard a can't miss pro - 5* consensus AA and #6 overall coming out of HS - Ive seen him do things athletically as impressive as Bouk - but more importantly - he can walk onto an NBA court right now and be physically able to compete
You might want to listen to guys who actually went through the process and respect their experience and point of view, as Chief has.
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I hear that, but its impossible to say what could've, should've, would've happened. I just think in Jahlil's case another year of structured discipline with coach K, and more dedication to improving his body and getting in better shape could've made a difference. On the other hand he could've proven how lazy he is and dropped even further in the draft. Really don't know what could've been.
August_West
Conscience do cost
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Yeah this guy ineligible for boneyard hanging because of lawsuit threats and everyone middle school bullies him.
shaking my damn head.
shaking my damn head.
gtcam
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AW - love you man but this hanging stuff is complete BS
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That is not at all what I think and I'm sorry that is how you interpreted my statement. Ben Gordan was one of our top performing guards ever and won a national championship. There was never any sign he was suffering the way he was. Bouk doesn't snow nearly the confidence. Make of it what you will.
August_West
Conscience do cost
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Maybe that is true, maybe not. Point being no one should be protected and off limits if you post on yard. Especially if you make a huge deal about quitting threatening to put site out of business and come back.
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Believe it or not, you can still develop physically after you leave for a draft at 21 years old.
Here are some other names of players projected in the lottery that need to develop physically: Jalen Green, Zaire Williams, Evan Mobley just off the top of my head. I’m sure there are more.
I know that Bouknight and Scottie Barnes aren’t even remotely similar players, my point was, Scottie Barnes is no where near a finished product and he is still projected high first round.
I don’t know why people are acting like you leave for the draft and can’t be developed after that. Have you seen pictures of NBA players when they first get drafted? I can think of so many players who were stick figures when they got drafted and are now doing great in the league, and have benefit from NBA strength coaches.
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I can see it now, April 5th at Ted's. Chief and James in the corner as they talk about his future and how James needs to mature. A joking punch to the shoulder as Chief says he's gonna need to toughen up to star in the NBA and make millions. If he comes back to UConn he'll never be lonely again, Chief will make sure he gets all the UConn girls he wants.
The clock strikes 8, and simultaneously dings start going off on students' phones around the bar. A notification from james.bouknight, it's an IG Live. He's in NYC, just finishing up a workout with Chris Brickley. Still a bit sweaty with a towel around his neck, he announces he'll be declaring for the NBA Draft and focusing his attention on the NBA Combine. He wishes things could have ended differently and on a high note, but he'll always have love for Husky Nation.
All at once, the kids around the bar put their phones away and return to their drinks, ignoring the man in the corner once and for all.
The clock strikes 8, and simultaneously dings start going off on students' phones around the bar. A notification from james.bouknight, it's an IG Live. He's in NYC, just finishing up a workout with Chris Brickley. Still a bit sweaty with a towel around his neck, he announces he'll be declaring for the NBA Draft and focusing his attention on the NBA Combine. He wishes things could have ended differently and on a high note, but he'll always have love for Husky Nation.
All at once, the kids around the bar put their phones away and return to their drinks, ignoring the man in the corner once and for all.
CL82
NCAA Woman's Basketball National Champions
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If, as we all believe, the NBA is about to make James a multi millionaire, I don’t see how he can walk away from that. But that’s a different question from whether he is personally ready to make the jump. It’s a huge lifestyle change from college.
Regardless of his decision, I wish him the best. I hope he’s getting good counsel, and I know Dan Hurley will be honest with him.
Regardless of his decision, I wish him the best. I hope he’s getting good counsel, and I know Dan Hurley will be honest with him.
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