Bouknight

[Chief00]

Why does everyone think playing for Hurley another year would get him to show enough in his junior year to propel him higher in this year's draft. Or for that matter improve his maturity (Hanging with bunch of college kids, ghee now that reeks of getting more mature).
Or for that matter improve his game more than he has as a pro. He's probably played more game minutes than all UConn's freshman combined and is getting pro coaching. If sitting so much is bad (as can't improve without playing) what does that say for Hurley's strategy on not playing his freshman.

Chief would have loved to have been wrong about this but contrary to what some here say, this season has been a difficult for James. While many here just talk about timing money earlier rather than later, Chief is concerned both about James foundational happiness and personal/career development. You get that right and the money will take care of itself.

What some don’t understand is it has never been about his talent. He has talent, it’s the mindset he has to work on. I still think he has the opportunity to turn things around. Both on and off the court. As Chief has preached, keep things simple, make it about the team and not yourself and become the master of preparation. Always be ready to play and play well.

 

[temery]

Should have stayed and developed more. But, he took the big dollars in a weak draft. Can’t blame him. In the same token, it was clear he was not able to dominate in big games and needed more mental and physical maturity. Is what is.

Maybe he should have transferred to Houston.

 

[aceboon]

UConn fans(w/o sense) sound just like Michigan fans did when Jordan Poole left. Not saying Bouk will have the same progression as Poole has, but I don't understand coming to conclusions on his career after 70 games played.

 

[rollskies]

Another great stat line from Bouk tonight in Greensboro: 22 points and 10 assists with 4 steals. He has been facilitating the ball so well since his return.

 

[Chief00]

Another great stat line from Bouk tonight in Greensboro: 22 points and 10 assists with 4 steals. He has been facilitating the ball so well since his return.

Starting to listen to Chief again. If you make your teammates better, the team will make you better. It’s not about getting rich overnight as certain well meaning casual fans believe, rather it’s about the Grind. The Grind will get you to your destination - it just takes talent, hard work and patience.

 

[twiceahusky]

When Hurley hits the transfer portal for guards & shooters … “Starting to listen to Chief again”.
When Jackson starts driving to the hoop and gets dangerous from outside … “Starting to listen to Chief again”.
When Gaffney regains his confidence … “Starting to listen to Chief again”.
You know what The Grind is? Listening to Chief.

 

[CTBasketball]

UConn fans(w/o sense) sound just like Michigan fans did when Jordan Poole left. Not saying Bouk will have the same progression as Poole has, but I don't understand coming to conclusions on his career after 70 games played.

At this rate he’ll get there in 3 years lol. But he needs out of Charlotte, he isn’t good enough yet to play in their rotation. Preferably he’s traded to a team that desperately needs guard scorers.

If he’s not I could see him swinging and missing on that second contract because currently his 3rd year is a team option right?

 

[pj]

At this rate he’ll get there in 3 years lol. But he needs out of Charlotte, he isn’t good enough yet to play in their rotation. Preferably he’s traded to a team that desperately needs guard scorers.

If he’s not I could see him swinging and missing on that second contract because currently his 3rd year is a team option right?

Greensboro might be the best place for him right now - plenty of minutes, work on his point guard skills. And a humble out-of-the-way place is the best spot to work on his attitude, if that's what needs work. ... For all the criticism of Borrego he might be charting the right course.

 

[CTBasketball]

Greensboro might be the best place for him right now - plenty of minutes, work on his point guard skills. And a humble out-of-the-way place is the best spot to work on his attitude, if that's what needs work. ... For all the criticism of Borrego he might be charting the right course.

The Hornets actually have a decent team, they’re above .500 and currently the 7 seed. They don’t need Bouknight it was a travesty he got drafted there with all the talent they have.

 

[Stinger92860]

Lol.

Starting to listen to Chief again

Is that one of the voices in your head?

 

[pj]

The Hornets actually have a decent team, they’re above .500 and currently the 7 seed. They don’t need Bouknight it was a travesty he got drafted there with all the talent they have.

I don't see the travesty. Charlotte wants to draft talent and Bouknight can become a very valuable player that after development they can play or trade. It's no panacea to be drafted by a lousy team, Kemba got drafted by a lousy team and it wasn't necessarily good for him. The LA Clippers were lousy for decades and a lot of good players had lousy careers there. It can be favorable to be drafted into a good team and have to compete your way forward.

And it's not like Charlotte is so talented there is no path to playing time for James. I think he landed in a good spot. He just has to be humble, work hard, and make the most of it.

 

[CTBasketball]

I don't see the travesty. Charlotte wants to draft talent and Bouknight can become a very valuable player that after development they can play or trade. It's no panacea to be drafted by a lousy team, Kemba got drafted by a lousy team and it wasn't necessarily good for him. The LA Clippers were lousy for decades and a lot of good players had lousy careers there. It can be favorable to be drafted into a good team and have to compete your way forward.

And it's not like Charlotte is so talented there is no path to playing time for James. I think he landed in a good spot. He just has to be humble, work hard, and make the most of it.

He’s not better than Hayward, Rozier, Ball, Oubre, Bridges, or Martin when he’s hot. He needs a new location where he actually gets burn.

 

[pj]

He’s not better than Hayward, Rozier, Ball, Oubre, Bridges, or Martin when he’s hot. He needs a new location where he actually gets burn.

I'm with @Chief00 in the sense that what James needs to focus on is his development as a person and a player. And he has that opportunity to develop in Charlotte. If he develops, he'll get minutes in Charlotte or get traded to somewhere where he'll get minutes. He's good enough already to get a ton of minutes in Greensboro and backup minutes in Charlotte.

 

[Chief00]

Let me remind people, there are reasons (rightly or wrongly) why teams draft certain players? To some extent, they need to fit that team’s idea of their program/system.
So what Chief is saying to our beloved fans is don’t get infatuated that James would thrive or implode in another system.
Charlotte was the team who selected him and it’s up to him to put in the work and have the team orientation to make it work.
Regardless of where James might go he will need to do those two things. So he might as well do them.