Daniels tweet/statement

[alfonse]

Daniels should be fine, he is made for the nba. I am surprised people say Shabazz is not athletic. At my pickup games when I would bring up uconn people were like, Damn he is quick. First step is everything for a point guard, look at chris paul....

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Daniels should be fine, he is made for the nba. I am surprised people say Shabazz is not athletic. At my pickup games when I would bring up uconn people were like, Damn he is quick. First step is everything for a point guard, look at chris paul....

Bazz is good side to side and great with the bal (which allows him to get his shot off) but he definitely doesn't have the end to end speed of Kemba or Boat.

The other thing that's very worrisome is how exhausted Bazz was toward the end of most games even playing at a much slower pace than anything he'll be afforded in the NBA

 

[The Funster]

It's pretty simple for me. He stayed when others left and then won an NC. I wish nothing but good on him. I hope he has a long and productive career and continues to represent UConn well.

 

[mauconnfan]

Bazz is good side to side and great with the bal (which allows him to get his shot off) but he definitely doesn't have the end to end speed of Kemba or Boat.

The other thing that's very worrisome is how exhausted Bazz was toward the end of most games even playing at a much slower pace than anything he'll be afforded in the NBA

Looking exhausted and still finding the same speed when needed are 2 different things…..while he definitely paced himself he was also all over the court at most times, working harder than many so tired is okay no matter what shape you're in. In the NBA for a while he will be a back up so going all out for 5-10 minutes at a time wil not be any problem.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Looking exhausted and still finding the same speed when needed are 2 different things…..while he definitely paced himself he was also all over the court at most times, working harder than many so tired is okay no matter what shape you're in. In the NBA for a while he will be a back up so going all out for 5-10 minutes at a time wil not be any problem.

He really wasn't all over the court at the end of games. He'd either pause for 25 seconds or defer and not really be involved in the offense a lot coming down the stretch.

But that's why I agree with you, he's best served as a guy who can come off the bench and go full throttle for 5-6 minute stretches.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

It's pretty simple for me. He stayed when others left and then won an NC. I wish nothing but good on him. I hope he has a long and productive career and continues to represent UConn well.

This fits well with my casual pre-Tournament comment to my sister: "If he can get us a National Championship, I'd be more than OK with him leaving." Then he goes and holds me to my words. All I can say is, "Thank you."

 

[mauconnfan]

He really wasn't all over the court at the end of games. He'd either pause for 25 seconds or defer and not really be involved in the offense a lot coming down the stretch.

But that's why I agree with you, he's best served as a guy who can come off the bench and go full throttle for 5-6 minute stretches.

The only difference for him pausing, and I agree he did although not for "25 seconds" ever, is when he had to go get the ball he had to work through double teaming, around picks with defenders switching knowing where he was because they wanted to keep the ball out of his hands at all costs. He worked extra hard every time he wanted the ball back so he needed to "pause" or rest…….he won't have that problem moving forward because he'll be playing with other scorers and stars! But as you say he will be best served off the bench for a while in his career……..

 

[adam stash]

I think Shabazz will do pretty well even as a starter in the league. He just has a knack for making big shots and playing hard. I dont ever think he will be an allstar but a solid career is not out of the question. Though he doesnt have the quickness or speed of Kemba he does have better range and I think his point guard skills will improve when he doesnt have to be the first scoring option on a team.

 

[David 76]

Gotta say I don't remember this "Bazz exhausted" at ends of games thing in any negative way. I remember an incredible amount of game winning shots, big rebounds and assists. He also was playing 39 minutes a game. I saw him sweating and tired but I can't remember him not fighting through it.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

The only difference for him pausing, and I agree he did although not for "25 seconds" ever, is when he had to go get the ball he had to work through double teaming, around picks with defenders switching knowing where he was because they wanted to keep the ball out of his hands at all costs. He worked extra hard every time he wanted the ball back so he needed to "pause" or rest…….he won't have that problem moving forward because he'll be playing with other scorers and stars! But as you say he will be best served off the bench for a while in his career……..

You overstate how much Bazz moved off the ball, he didn't go through nearly all that (I assume you just wanted to spout some jargon here) whenever he had passed off to Boat or anyone else. More typically he'd use that time to rest on the perimeter, and most of his scoring plays came with the ball already in his hands (barring any fast breaks or transition pull up shots).

I think he could be a Jason Terry type of player off the bench and potentially be one of the better 6th men in the league, I just don't see him having the motor that Kemba or most other great PG's do. Honestly, if Boat can really prove himself as anywhere near the passer/decision maker as Bazz, I like his NBA potential a lot more just due to his speed/motor/athleticism/defense advantages over Bazz.

 

[Walker11]

You overstate how much Bazz moved off the ball, he didn't go through nearly all that (I assume you just wanted to spout some jargon here) whenever he had passed off to Boat or anyone else. More typically he'd use that time to rest on the perimeter, and most of his scoring plays came with the ball already in his hands (barring any fast breaks or transition pull up shots).

I think he could be a Jason Terry type of player off the bench and potentially be one of the better 6th men in the league, I just don't see him having the motor that Kemba or most other great PG's do. Honestly, if Boat can really prove himself as anywhere near the passer/decision maker as Bazz, I like his NBA potential a lot more just due to his speed/motor/athleticism/defense advantages over Bazz.

Bazz compares very favorably to DJ Augustin who had a great year for the Bulls.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Shabazz spent a pretty good portion of the season being the only reliable scorer on this team and priority 1,2, and 3 on the other team's scouting report. There is no situation in the NBA where that's going to be the case. This "exhaustion" thing is much ado about nothing as far as I'm concerned.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Shabazz spent a pretty good portion of the season being the only reliable scorer on this team and priority 1,2, and 3 on the other team's scouting report. There is no situation in the NBA where that's going to be the case. This "exhaustion" thing is much ado about nothing as far as I'm concerned.

And spent a season fully utilizing a 35 second shot clock.

I love the kid, but let's be real, he's best suited as a 6th man than a full time PG.

As for what augustin did this year, while I'd hardly call it great, that is a nice comp for the type of player bazz can be.

 

[Chief00]

Shabazz was also a good rebounder for a short guard, He knows how to win, and quite frankly not everyone does. A PG who knows how to win is a valuable commodity. Daniels needs to get stronger particularly with his hands. He will never be a muscle guy but needs to get strong enought so NBA players won't take the ball from him.

 

[UConn5]

I'm glad that DD was able to show the world the type of player he can be. Hope he keeps it going and has a long career. We wouldn't have sniffed the title without his development. Go get paid DD you earned it.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Shabazz can be be a full time PG in the NBA. Chris Paul like but not as good because he is no where near as fast as cp3 before the surgery. His craftiness and shotmaking ability will be magnified by the floor spacing in the nba. What he does and his production is going to depend on the opportunity given to him.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

And spent a season fully utilizing a 35 second shot clock.

I love the kid, but let's be real, he's best suited as a 6th man than a full time PG.

As for what augustin did this year, while I'd hardly call it great, that is a nice comp for the type of player bazz can be.

I'm not sure anyone knows yet what he's "best suited" for, but I think your trumped up issue of him being exhausted at the end of games says nothing about what role he plays in the NBA. To be clear: I think it's a total and complete red herring based on nothing. Talk about his size, ability to defend at the next level, whatever . . . but being "exhausted" at the end of games as some predictor of his success at the NBA level is more than a little silly.

Incidentally, there have been NBA people who think he can be a starter in the league, so while I don't expect him to start from year one, I don't see it as outside the realm of possibility that he'll be running a team in a couple years.

 

[BoatShow]

That little baseline turn around was LETHAL in the tournament. That's an NBA shot. He pretty much dominated stretches of the tournament and I think people will see that. Late first round.

 

[BoatShow]

Shabazz can be be a full time PG in the NBA. Chris Paul like but not as good because he is no where near as fast as cp3 before the surgery. His craftiness and shotmaking ability will be magnified by the floor spacing in the nba. What he does and his production is going to depend on the opportunity given to him.

Watching the Warriors game today the commentators were gushing over Steph Curry (rightfully so). "I've never seen anyone with ability to consistently pull up off the dribble and hit 35 footers!" Uhhhhh, you guys clearly haven't watched a lot of UConn games.

 

[SixRings]

DD had the most silky smooth turn-a round jumper in CBB this year. He'll be fine if he can get into a program that can build his talent. Love the guy. He was a huge part of an amazing and unbelievably important era at UConn.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

I'm not sure anyone knows yet what he's "best suited" for, but I think your trumped up issue of him being exhausted at the end of games says nothing about what role he plays in the NBA. To be clear: I think it's a total and complete red herring based on nothing. Talk about his size, ability to defend at the next level, whatever . . . but being "exhausted" at the end of games as some predictor of his success at the NBA level is more than a little silly.

Incidentally, there have been NBA people who think he can be a starter in the league, so while I don't expect him to start from year one, I don't see it as outside the realm of possibility that he'll be running a team in a couple years.

Sounds like you didn't really pay enough attention to everything that happened this year.

If you don't think scouts/team officials are going to notice that, you're sadly mistaken. Learn to separate what he did in college with his pro potential.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Watching the Warriors game today the commentators were gushing over Steph Curry (rightfully so). "I've never seen anyone with ability to consistently pull up off the dribble and hit 35 footers!" Uhhhhh, you guys clearly haven't watched a lot of UConn games.

Oh don't compare bazz to curry.

That's just wrong (queue people who can't separate fandom from reality trying to say it's a good comp)

 

[BoatShow]

Oh don't compare bazz to curry.

That's just wrong (queue people who can't separate fandom from reality trying to say it's a good comp)

No no, wasn't my intention. Just saying Bazz has the ability to hit that shot. Certainly not the player Curry is on the NBA level.

 

[champs99and04]

Oh don't compare bazz to curry.

That's just wrong (queue people who can't separate fandom from reality trying to say it's a good comp)

The Curry/Napier comparisons aren't terribly off-base. Curry being one of the best shooters of all-time, obviously I'm not expecting Napier to equal Curry's production at the next level. Stylistically, though, there are some similarities - they can each hit shots from just about everywhere on the floor, and in every form. Whether it be off-the dribble, curling off a screen, catch-and-shoot, step-back, you name it...the two have the entire arsenal. Another player comp would be Damian Lillard.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

The Curry/Napier comparisons aren't terribly off-base. Curry being one of the best shooters of all-time, obviously I'm not expecting Napier to equal Curry's production at the next level. Stylistically, though, there are some similarities - they can each hit shots from just about everywhere on the floor, and in every form. Whether it be off-the dribble, curling off a screen, catch-and-shoot, step-back, you name it...the two have the entire arsenal. Another player comp would be Damian Lillard.

Curry is a more prolific offensive player with a better motor, lillard is more athletic.

Honestly the best comp shown here is the Augustin one.

 

[champs99and04]

Curry is a more prolific offensive player with a better motor, lillard is more athletic.

Honestly the best comp shown here is the Augustin one.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say Curry has a better motor. Augustin is a good comparison but I think Napier will be better.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say Curry has a better motor. Augustin is a good comparison but I think Napier will be better.

He's in better shape, doesn't tired out as easily. Not a great athlete but better than Bazz.

That's your fandom talking, Augustin is what I expect he'll be, JET is who I hope he'll be.

 

[champs99and04]

He's in better shape, doesn't tired out as easily. Not a great athlete but better than Bazz.

That's your fandom talking, Augustin is what I expect he'll be, JET is who I hope he'll be.

"Motor" generally refers to the voracity with which one plays (granted, it's a word that seems to be open to interpretation but that's the way I've always thought of it).

I don't think it's being a homer to think he could be a rich man's D.J. Augustine. Augustine rebounded at roughly half the rate Napier did in their final college seasons. Napier is also a much better defender than Augustine ever was. And, to echo Bigern's sentiment, I'm not sure where this belief comes from that Napier isn't in good shape. He had to carry as big a burden as anybody in the country this season.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

"Motor" generally refers to the voracity with which one plays (granted, it's a word that seems to be open to interpretation but that's the way I've always thought of it).

I don't think it's being a homer to think he could be a rich man's D.J. Augustine. Augustine rebounded at roughly half the rate Napier did in their final college seasons. Napier is also a much better defender than Augustine ever was. And, to echo Bigern's sentiment, I'm not sure where this belief comes from that Napier isn't in good shape. He had to carry as big a burden as anybody in the country this season.

Well then your definition of "motor" isn't the general definition, and these are wasted words.

His rebounding/defense vs Augustin's won't matter in the NBA. He's not athletic enough to make up for his lack of size, which affects his penetrating ability as well. I don't think he's in bad shape (though he could afford to tone up some, look at him vs Kemba) but he has too many physical limitations to be a starting pg. His best skills are his shooting/shifty-ness/1 on 1 ball handling, he's really just built to be a 6th man somewhere who's physical limitations can be negated by the scoring punch off the bench.