Gottlieb's big board

[Jerry1714]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/doug-gottlieb/21687186

9. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut, Guard, 6-1, 171, Jr.: Wildly underrated, Napier is super quick, very strong and excellent off the ball screen. Just because fans won't see UConn in the NCAAs, it hasn't kept the scouts away.

Hopefully the usual morons can stay away and refrain from the "Gottlieb sucks!" and "Gottlieb hates us!" idiocy in this thread.

I am surprised he is this high and I hope he does not read that list. I want him back next year. Not sure how he can be ahead of Trey Burke.

 

[huskyniner]

Look at that first comment:

You are wrong Doug. Shabazz Napier isn't even in the top 20 of point guards in the country. Look at the Cousy list, he isn't even on it. Impossible that he's the 9th best college prospect.

I hate people sometimes.

 

[Deleted member 3149]

He won't leave. Has potential to be the best uconn player ever if he stays

 

[aceboon]

lol, the Bazz haters from last year used Gottlieb touting him as a possible early entrant in the 2012 draft as a means to on Bazz. All this will do is start the usual train of replies nitpicking Bazz's game and how he's not an NBA player because of reasons A-Z. Glad to see a national media figure point out how criminally underrated he is due to the ban. As for the list itself, I defiintely do not think he's that high and Burke gets the nod over him because of his speed and athleticism.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

I would love to see him(and Boat ) come back. I think he should.

When first looking at Bazz I don't think surefire NBA guy. His size gives me hesatation. Beause I always think in the NBA you are playing with men who are stronger and just as good. And they are fighting for the same paycheck.

BUT I'm starting to wonder if Bazz ' situation is like KEA where the extra year in school won't help his draft spot.

I'm thinking second round now. If he comes back he is not going to be a lottery pick.

Can he sneek in to the late first round next year-maybe. But the wildcard in the draft is always the foreign kids that the NBA teams stash overseas. Pushing a kid like Bazz lower in the draft.

He has skills and a huge heart. Wish he was bigger.

 

[Huskies320]

He won't leave. Has potential to be the best uconn player ever if he stays

Seriously?

 

[UChusky916]

He won't leave. Has potential to be the best uconn player ever if he stays

Ummmmm

I love Bazz and all, but the only way he enters that discussion is if he brings home another championship in 2014

 

[Dann]

here comes the blue galsses and idiots crew. bazz will be leaving after thisd year and its in both his best interest and our best interest as a program. most here can't even figure that out and wont. i love the kid and i hope he has agreat nba career. i sit on the edge of my seat during game sthis year waiting for the last 5 minutes to watch him go off and do his thing. its truly great and hes had a great run here. hes taking one for the program in many ways this year and ppl are blind to it. its fun watching the crowd miss the ball over and over in batting practice. i think doug has under ranked him by 2 or 3 here.

 

[partial]

Hopefully the usual morons can stay away and refrain from the "Gottlieb sucks!" and "Gottlieb hates us!" idiocy in this thread.

If you don't want everyone's opinion it seems silly to post something on an internet message board. He strikes me as a contrarian for the sake of being edgy or to appear intelligent. So yea even though he's saying nice(and true things) about Shabazz he kinda sucks.

 

[Silk City]

Can't understand how Oladipo is not even in the top 20 on that list... guy is like Dion Waiters on 'roids and Waiters went 4 overall. His percentages are ridiculous.. 65% from field, 53% from deep.. 75% from line and at 6'5 he is taller that many NBA 2 guards. I understand he has a lot of talent around him but this guy has to be an elite talent in the Association

 

[Jerry1714]

If you don't want everyone's opinion it seems silly to post something on an internet message board. He strikes me as a contrarian for the sake of being edgy or to appear intelligent. So yea even though he's saying nice(and true things) about Shabazz he kinda sucks.

Thank you for your intelligent contribution to this thread.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

He won't leave. Has potential to be the best uconn player ever if he stays

Come on, seriously? I would guess you hadn't been a serious fan for that long, but we had one of the program's greatest just a couple of years ago.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Can't understand how Oladipo is not even in the top 20 on that list... guy is like Dion Waiters on 'roids and Waiters went 4 overall. His percentages are ridiculous.. 65% from field, 53% from deep.. 75% from line and at 6'5 he is taller that many NBA 2 guards. I understand he has a lot of talent around him but this guy has to be an elite talent in the Association

I like Oladipo a lot but his shooting numbers are pretty inflated. He's been very judicious this year with his threes - he doesn't shoot a ton of them - which explains why he's improved on his 25% career number coming into this year. He also gets most of his buckets in transition or off of offensive rebounds. I dont think he'll ever be regarded as a shooter, but I think he's going to be a productive NBA player because he's so athletic, and can guard 1-3 in the NBA. A freak defensively.

 

[Silk City]

I like Oladipo a lot but his shooting numbers are pretty inflated. He's been very judicious this year with his threes - he doesn't shoot a ton of them - which explains why he's improved on his 25% career number coming into this year. He also gets most of his buckets in transition or off of offensive rebounds. I dont think he'll ever be regarded as a shooter, but I think he's going to be a productive NBA player because he's so athletic, and can guard 1-3 in the NBA. A freak defensively.

Agreed his numbers have to be inflated, but they're still so ridiculous it's worth noting. Waiters has proven to be a productive NBA player even as a rookie and I think Oladipo is a similar player with more upside.

Did anyone catch Clark Kellogg's quote yesterday on him? "He's like a baby's bottom...smooth, and occasionally explosive"

Gotta hand it to him on that one.

 

[Burnsbros23]

I think Oladipo is Closer to 6'3 than 6'5. and not sure his handle is good enough to be a two in the NBA.

I love Bazz but 9 is awfully high for him. Think I take Trey Burke over him. Bazz really struggled to run the team last year. I think Bazz needs another ball handler to really thrive. Boatright is more of the PG than he is.

However most mock drafts have him woefully under-rated. Gottlieb is giving his opinion on guys I like that he doesnt just go with what everyone else says.

 

[Burnsbros23]

Brandon Paul being compared to Jamal Crawford is one of the worse comparisons i have seen. I have seen Brandon play since high school and he cant dribble. Crawford is all about beating ppl with crossovers etc.

Also the Kenny Kadji kid turns 25 before the draft. Let that sink in.... 25.

 

[aceboon]

I think Oladipo is Closer to 6'3 than 6'5. and not sure his handle is good enough to be a two in the NBA.

I love Bazz but 9 is awfully high for him. Think I take Trey Burke over him. Bazz really struggled to run the team last year. I think Bazz needs another ball handler to really thrive. Boatright is more of the PG than he is.

However most mock drafts have him woefully under-rated. Gottlieb is giving his opinion on guys I like that he doesnt just go with what everyone else says.

Don't really agree with this at all.

 

[nomar]

Don't really agree with this at all.

FWIW, Boat does average more assists.

HFD, can you please explain how it is in UConn's "best interest" for Bazz to go pro after this year?!?!

 

[aceboon]

FWIW, Boat does average more assists.

HFD, can you please explain how it is in UConn's "best interest" for Bazz to go pro after this year?!?!

Meh, I know Bazz's assist average is weighed down by the fact that he was barely getting any assists in the beginning of the year. It just seems like as far as dictating tempo and controlling/directing the team things seem to flow better with the ball in Bazz's hands.

 

[mauconnfan]

here comes the blue galsses and idiots crew. bazz will be leaving after thisd year and its in both his best interest and our best interest as a program. most here can't even figure that out and wont. i love the kid and i hope he has agreat nba career. i sit on the edge of my seat during game sthis year waiting for the last 5 minutes to watch him go off and do his thing. its truly great and hes had a great run here. hes taking one for the program in many ways this year and ppl are blind to it. its fun watching the crowd miss the ball over and over in batting practice. i think doug has under ranked him by 2 or 3 here.

Taking one for the program? Where was he going - the NBA or sit out?? What he does here does not necessarily translate to the next level......he has work to do. He's been terrific and maybe even more but this is no sure shot departure by any means. Rip, Ray, Caron, Donyell...........you taking him to those levels?

 

[UConnSwag11]

This draft is awful

 

[UConnSwag11]

If bazz or boat go its because the draft so weak. If they stay they can grow develop further and still be successful

 

[TheChamps990411]

Bazz will have a long nba career. im so tired about hearing about "his size" it means nothing. there are many 6 foot nothings playing successfully in the nba. look at kemba. that was the biggest complaint and he doesnt seem to be having any issues.

 

[James]

Depending on his foot he could be a role player in the nba, somebody like moe Williams. sure he is streaky but he is a better shooter and defender than Burke. Burke is wildly overrated doesn't have standout athleticism or size ( gotta have either, ie kyrie's size). Napiers foot is the only thing of concern to me. he could easily back up a pg on a contender, that's late first early second.

 

[Pudge]

For me, Shabazz Napier simply doesn't have the NBA size/body. He might very well be great as a Pro. But, simply on a First Draft Pick/Lottery guy, I don't think you go that high for him.

Reminds me of the LSU kid (changed names mid-college) ... who was a superb college player. Then played all-right in the Pros (Chris Jackson ... see I am not that old).