ESPN insider ranks top 5 cluth PGs

[Migs]

Guess who's number one on his list?

Clutch! Damn it!

 

[HU5KIES]

Can you post the text for those of us who don't have insider?

 

[James]

At this point our "parts" have become underrated. I watched that cuse game from last year, jimmy dykes called our backcourt probably one of the best in the country. Nowadays Napier is a one man team.

 

[Jerry1714]

Can you post the text for those of us who don't have insider?

Shabazz Napier, Connecticut Huskies
Stats in the clutch (Last 5 minutes of 2nd half/OT): 1.13 points per play, 5 assists, 2 turnovers

Napier has been one of the best players in college basketball this season. He has to do so many things for this UConn team, accounting for more than 40 percent of the Huskies' points thus far. He's also the team's best defender. However what I like about him the most is his ability to come through when the game is on the line.

Napier has the ability to create his own shot anytime that he wants. He only needs a small amount of space to do it despite his lack of size (6-foot-1). His go-to move to create space is a step-back jumper that is so quick that bigger defenders have a tough time contesting it. He also has a high basketball IQ that allows him to make the correct decision of whether to shoot or pass. I love the ball in his hands because he has a no-fear mentality when it comes to the end of the game. He loves the big moment and is not afraid to carry the burden of a loss with a missed shot on his own shoulders. He never seems to be rattled or nervous with the game on the line.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

At this point our "parts" have become underrated. I watched that cuse game from last year, jimmy dykes called our backcourt probably one of the best in the country. Nowadays Napier is a one man team.

underrated or overrated? Daniels and Calhoun have not been impressive this year.

 

[imno1]

Does anyone

Shabazz Napier, Connecticut Huskies
Stats in the clutch (Last 5 minutes of 2nd half/OT): 1.13 points per play, 5 assists, 2 turnovers

Napier has been one of the best players in college basketball this season. He has to do so many things for this UConn team, accounting for more than 40 percent of the Huskies' points thus far. He's also the team's best defender. However what I like about him the most is his ability to come through when the game is on the line.

Napier has the ability to create his own shot anytime that he wants. He only needs a small amount of space to do it despite his lack of size (6-foot-1). His go-to move to create space is a step-back jumper that is so quick that bigger defenders have a tough time contesting it. He also has a high basketball IQ that allows him to make the correct decision of whether to shoot or pass. I love the ball in his hands because he has a no-fear mentality when it comes to the end of the game. He loves the big moment and is not afraid to carry the burden of a loss with a missed shot on his own shoulders. He never seems to be rattled or nervous with the game on the line.

I think Shabazz is overrated. No way he's 6 foot 1

 

[James]

underrated or overrated? Daniels and Calhoun have not been impressive this year.

What about ryan boatright , niels Giffey , and kromah ? Napier is an AA, doesn't mean he plays with scrubs. I knows it's unpopular on the boneyard , but I'm of the volition Daniels doesn't stink ; in fact offers rebounding/ rim protection/ shooting when HEALTHY on the floor.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

What about ryan boatright , niels Giffey , and kromah ? Napier is an AA, doesn't mean he plays with scrubs. I knows it's unpopular on the boneyard , but I'm of the volition Daniels doesn't stink ; in fact offers rebounding/ rim protection/ shooting when HEALTHY on the floor.

Boatright is good at times. Lets be honest. He has moments of brilliance but then has stretches where he tries to do too much, this was coming from a player who thought he would leave for the NBA after 3 years. Unless he has a breakthrough this summer theres no way I'd see him on an NBA roster. Niels is a great glue player, great defender, good shooter but he needs to be WAY more assertive. Kromah has been a real great add. Look it, Uconn's back court is great. But I wouldnt say its remarkable by any stretch. The fact that we have hardly any front court is why we rely so much on our back court.

Look I could cherry pick anyone and find issues. I think Uconn's backcourt certainly has the capability to be one of the best and could see how someone could make that assumption. But u cant tell me Daniels is the same player he was at the end of last season and beginning of this season. And Calhoun who I like really hasnt found any rhythm or the bottom of the net.

 

[johnhuskies95]

Boatright is good at times. Lets be honest. He has moments of brilliance but then has stretches where he tries to do too much, this was coming from a player who thought he would leave for the NBA after 3 years. Unless he has a breakthrough this summer theres no way I'd see him on an NBA roster. Niels is a great glue player, great defender, good shooter but he needs to be WAY more assertive. Kromah has been a real great add. Look it, Uconn's back court is great. But I wouldnt say its remarkable by any stretch. The fact that we have hardly any front court is why we rely so much on our back court.

Look I could cherry pick anyone and find issues. I think Uconn's backcourt certainly has the capability to be one of the best and could see how someone could make that assumption. But u cant tell me Daniels is the same player he was at the end of last season and beginning of this season. And Calhoun who I like really hasnt found any rhythm or the bottom of the net.

Boatright is a good college guard. He plays with a great player, so he gets overshadowed. But let's be honest, many teams across the country would love to have Boatright as their lead guard.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I have not really been a RB fan as a PG. Heck he didn't realize that the alley-op wasn't the only entry pass until recently. I considered him a small playground player with exceptional talent who will never see the NBA.
In two years under Ollie he has matured into someone who can lead a team. Despite what you may think,true PGs are pretty rare,especial when combined with the skill-set he was gifted with.
At his size that's his ticket to making money in the future. It may not be the NBA but he will become a valuable player somewhere.

 

[Inyatkin]

... this was coming from a player who thought he would leave for the NBA after 3 years.

You realize this describes probably 75 percent of incoming freshmen, right? And has no bearing on how he is actually playing?
His shooting is up and down, but by any standard other than Shabazz, Boatright is having a really good year.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

You realize this describes probably 75 percent of incoming freshmen, right? And has no bearing on how he is actually playing?
His shooting is up and down, but by any standard other than Shabazz, Boatright is having a really good year.

Do they? I haven't heard many players boasting about leaving early for the NBA unless they actually are of NBA caliber. I'm pretty sure boatright was quoted as having said that at the end of his sophmore year. Boatright is having a good year even though his numbers are slightly down from last year. Its not just his shooting. His decision making is not the greatest...

 

[ctchamps]

Do they? I haven't heard many players boasting about leaving early for the NBA unless they actually are of NBA caliber. I'm pretty sure boatright was quoted as having said that at the end of his sophmore year. Boatright is having a good year even though his numbers are slightly down from last year. Its not just his shooting. His decision making is not the greatest...

I think if we took a poll you would be in the minority about his decision making. It has been steadily improving to the point that he has become a very good point guard allowing Bazz to play more and more off the ball. Most of the hype about his going pro came in this forum. He certainly made it clear that getting to the NBA was his goal. So what. I think most kids entering college as pre med students are declaring their hopes and intentions. Do we rag on them? People in this forum hated his statements for a variety of reasons. Earlier it was because there was concern that he would leave a void. Later it became an embarrassment. What happens in the future will be determined.

Right now Ryan's transformation from a good shooter to a controlled distributer demonstrates a lot about the coaching staffs ability to make players better. The press UConn receives about having one of the best guards in the country is terrific publicity and Ryan is certainly part of the tandem. This takes nothing away from Shabazz. He's in another orbit altogether.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

I think if we took a poll you would be in the minority about his decision making. It has been steadily improving to the point that he has become a very good point guard allowing Bazz to play more and more off the ball. Most of the hype about his going pro came in this forum. He certainly made it clear that getting to the NBA was his goal. So what. I think most kids entering college as pre med students are declaring their hopes and intentions. Do we rag on them? People in this forum hated his statements for a variety of reasons. Earlier it was because there was concern that he would leave a void. Later it became an embarrassment. What happens in the future will be determined.

Right now Ryan's transformation from a good shooter to a controlled distributer demonstrates a lot about the coaching staffs ability to make players better. The press UConn receives about having one of the best guards in the country is terrific publicity and Ryan is certainly part of the tandem. This takes nothing away from Shabazz. He's in another orbit altogether.

Sure every player that plays a college sport has a dream of making it big, but it takes a special type of talent and physique to make it on the next level. I'm not ragging on Ryan cause he aspires to play in the NBA, and it wasnt me reading the forum it was reading the beat-writers who follow and interview the team. I'm telling you what I see. I think he is great at times but think his biggest weakness is decision making. He'll try and make the sexy play rather than making the smart decision. We dont win a bunch of games without him I agree. I think he is the 2nd best guard on the team and probably at this point we can say player right now or at least consistent. I will be excited to see next year how he does .

 

[johnhuskies95]

Do they? I haven't heard many players boasting about leaving early for the NBA unless they actually are of NBA caliber. I'm pretty sure boatright was quoted as having said that at the end of his sophmore year. Boatright is having a good year even though his numbers are slightly down from last year. Its not just his shooting. His decision making is not the greatest...

What he said regarding the NBA has absolutely nothing to do with how he should be evaluated as a player.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

What he said regarding the NBA has absolutely nothing to do with how he should be evaluated as a player.

Sure depends what your evaluating, his ability to make it to the NBA or how he is doing on UConn in college? I dont think he is anywhere near NBA ready. I think he is a good college guard who is inconsistent at times who is nicely paired up with Shabazz. Boatright is faster and a bit more athletic. My whole point was that for a guy that aspired to play in the NBA he needs to do somethings a lot better.

Quote

“I was thinking about going pro,” Boatright said. “I could have went late first-round, early second, but that’s not what I think I am. I think I’m a lottery, top-10 pick, so I just decided to come back to school. Me and my mom (Tanesha) thought that was the best decision for me, get bigger, get faster, get stronger and hopefully accomplish my goals to go into the draft next year.”

July 25, 2012

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/spor...oatright-takes-on-expanded-role-at-uconn.html

Another quote from David Borges on what NBA scouts thought about Boatright and Shabazz

On Boatright:
“I don’t see it for him. He’s an undersized scorer, he has zero point guard skills. He gets stuck in the air. He can make a play now and then, but he’s looking out for himself all the time. He’s a scorer and very quick. At that size, a guy running around like a lunatic, looking for his own shot all time … Somebody else might like his raw ability. He’s a good athlete, but you’re gonna get a version of the kid (Nate) Robinson. I don’t know what you do with guys like that. I’m just not a fan for him.
http://borgesblognhr.blogspot.com/2013/03/nba-scouts-on-shabazz-napier-ryan.html

 

[johnhuskies95]

Sure depends what your evaluating, his ability to make it to the NBA or how he is doing on UConn in college? I dont think he is anywhere near NBA ready. I think he is a good college guard who is inconsistent at times who is nicely paired up with Shabazz. Boatright is faster and a bit more athletic. My whole point was that for a guy that aspired to play in the NBA he needs to do somethings a lot better.

Quote

“I was thinking about going pro,” Boatright said. “I could have went late first-round, early second, but that’s not what I think I am. I think I’m a lottery, top-10 pick, so I just decided to come back to school. Me and my mom (Tanesha) thought that was the best decision for me, get bigger, get faster, get stronger and hopefully accomplish my goals to go into the draft next year.”

July 25, 2012

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/spor...oatright-takes-on-expanded-role-at-uconn.html

Another quote from David Borges on what NBA scouts thought about Boatright and Shabazz

On Boatright:
“I don’t see it for him. He’s an undersized scorer, he has zero point guard skills. He gets stuck in the air. He can make a play now and then, but he’s looking out for himself all the time. He’s a scorer and very quick. At that size, a guy running around like a lunatic, looking for his own shot all time … Somebody else might like his raw ability. He’s a good athlete, but you’re gonna get a version of the kid (Nate) Robinson. I don’t know what you do with guys like that. I’m just not a fan for him.
http://borgesblognhr.blogspot.com/2013/03/nba-scouts-on-shabazz-napier-ryan.html

James asked you about how Boatright was playing this year and now you're bringing up a quote from 2012. I have no idea what that has to do with his play this year.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Denham Brown was talking about staying for one year. If you don't think kids who aren't going to play in the NBA talk about leaving early all the time you're not paying attention.

JohnHuskies is absolutely right. Boatright gets knocked on this board all the time because he's playing next to the best guard in America. But even Mike Patrick recognizes how much Boatright has improved his game. If you don't see it that's on you.