Hurley: “I think [Hawkins] is going to be a first-round draft pick at the end of the year”

[8893]

Borges in today's NH Register:

Can UConn men's basketball guard Jordan Hawkins step up as big-time scorer? 'NBA is in his future'

UConn coach Dan Hurley believes sophomore Jordan Hawkins is a potential NBA first-round draft pick, and the Huskies need him to play like one this season.

www.nhregister.com

 

[Kitaman]

In before the hype train leaves the station:

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Is there a way to read past the paywall?

 

[8893]

Is there a way to read past the paywall?

Gotta wait for @huskymedic or someone else with better skills than mine...

 

[Incursio007]

If he can average 14 or so a game, shoot ~40% from 3 & defend like he was towards the end of last season, then I agree. Talent & potential is there for sure.

Samson likely won’t have the same showcase op as Jordan, but his potential is through the roof.

Still think Andre’s world class athleticism & bball IQ will get him drafted as well.

 

[dennismenace]

Sounds like a coach who is unfairly publicly putting all the pressure of expectations on an as yet unproven player for what reason? CYA? I think he should be talking team of which he is the head. Put the pressure on yourself and protect the team. Some how I can't picture JC, Coach K or any other coach for that matter hyping an untested player on his team this way.

 

[tcf15]

Is there a way to read past the paywall?

12ft

12ft.io

 

[Minicoop69]

I clicked on the link and I was able to read it. I definitely do not pay for that site as I live in Indiana

 

[fatlucy]

Borges in today's NH Register:

Can UConn men's basketball guard Jordan Hawkins step up as big-time scorer? 'NBA is in his future'

UConn coach Dan Hurley believes sophomore Jordan Hawkins is a potential NBA first-round draft pick, and the Huskies need him to play like one this season.

www.nhregister.com

DOOOOOMED!

 

[polycom]

Something something...Ferrari...

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

12ft

12ft.io

Thanks fellas @8893

Can’t wait for November 7th. Hoping for a Ben and Meka like combo from Hawk and Sanogo!

 

[BGesus4]

Sounds like a coach who is unfairly publicly putting all the pressure of expectations on an as yet unproven player for what reason? CYA? I think he should be talking team of which he is the head. Put the pressure on yourself and protect the team. Some how I can't picture JC, Coach K or any other coach for that matter hyping an untested player on his team this way.

This is way overboard but I also don’t see the benefit to Hurley saying this publicly

 

[jibsey]

One of his biggest obstacles to being that draft pick is that Hurley says “he doesn’t demand…team guy”. All well and good but he needs confidence and some of that alpha in him to go to the next level.

 

[NJHoops]

One of his biggest obstacles to being that draft pick is that Hurley says “he doesn’t demand…team guy”. All well and good but he needs confidence and some of that alpha in him to go to the next level.

Hurley didn’t say that. He did say they’re working on building his confidence and his ability to shake off mistakes. Coaches know what motivates their players and that it isn’t the same for everyone. Some peope, you downplay expectations, others you build them up. It’s not that different from any other kind of teaching or managing situation. Hurley is a coach who notoriously protects his players, even as some of you can’t stop complaining about it. If they’re taking this approach with Jordan, it’s for a reason. The NBA scouts coming through the gym like his game a lot.

 

[jibsey]

Hurley didn’t say that. He did say they’re working on building his confidence and his ability to shake off mistakes. Coaches know what motivates their players and and that it isn’t the same for everyone. Some peope, you downplay expectations, others you build them up. It’s not that different from any other kind of teaching or managing situation.

We all hope he becomes that guy who takes over games. Seen glimpses of that talent for sure.

 

[Waquoit]

This is way overboard but I also don’t see the benefit to Hurley saying this publicly

Motivation takes different forms. Remember when JC told Ben Gordon to get his head out of his ass if "he didn't want to be back here next year."

 

[OkaForPrez]

As always, important to remember that Hurley NEEDS Hawkins to be the alpha scorer on this team and speaking to the press about it is an important motivational tactic.

This is not necessarily an indication of his sophomore readiness and can still be a measure of his potential.

 

[8893]

As always, important to remember that Hurley NEEDS Hawkins to be the alpha scorer on this team and speaking to the press about it is an important motivational tactic.

This is not necessarily an indication of his sophomore readiness and can still be a measure of his potential.

I believe that Hurley also needs to have a few scholarships open up for next season

 

[NotADime89]

I believe that Hurley also needs to have a few scholarships open up for next season

LOL That has nothing to do with it....he's over by 2 scholarships. Say we assume 1 player transfers and 1 goes pro (at a minimum). There's your 2 scholarships.

 

[Inyatkin]

Here we see the phenomenon where beat writers, like message board posters, really need something new to write about

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Here we see the phenomenon where beat writers, like message board posters, really need something new to write about

Quite a phenomenon. Beat writer gets paid to write about UConn men's basketball, finds something to write about UConn men's basketball.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Hurley didn’t say that. He did say they’re working on building his confidence and his ability to shake off mistakes. Coaches know what motivates their players and that it isn’t the same for everyone. Some peope, you downplay expectations, others you build them up. It’s not that different from any other kind of teaching or managing situation. Hurley is a coach who notoriously protects his players, even as some of you can’t stop complaining about it. If they’re taking this approach with Jordan, it’s for a reason. The NBA scouts coming through the gym like his game a lot.

I found that quote kind of frustrating to read. He’s the reason for that issue taking him out for every little mistake. Of course someone’s confidence is going to be shot that way. I would really like for Hurley to own some of his own coaching mistakes instead of putting everything on the player.

I personally liked Calhoun’s style of pulling somebody, chewing them out, and throwing them back in the game to correct it. I know it’s a high bar but it’s not like we can’t learn from that.

Doesn’t matter this year anyways because there should be no obstacle for him getting minutes.

 

[Umami Zen]

Jordan and the coaching staff have put a ton of work into the offseason and player development resources to smooth off some of his rough edges. People that get paid a lot of money to judge NBA talent say he's got the goods for the next level..

He just needs some games to play in to start showing off the fruits of his labor.

 

[NJHoops]

We all hope he becomes that guy who takes over games. Seen glimpses of that talent for sure.

Right, I was just clarifying that Jones said that, not Hurley

 

[ColchVEGAS]

Motivation takes different forms. Remember when JC told Ben Gordon to get his head out of his ass if "he didn't want to be back here next year."

Was just going to say this. I trust Hurley knows the best way to motivate his players. Hawkins lacked confidence last season and maybe Hurley saying he can be a 1st round pick is the way to build that confidence in Hawkins.