Great take and refreshing change from the negativity.
I read the whole thing and never ran into a paywall.
I think BYers have short memories. Aside from Auburn, Hawkins really wasn't hitting from outside, was turnover prone and was awful defensively early in the season. He tightened up the defense and earned minutes. His ballhandling became less reckless. He started making more shots. In short, he got better. So we are expecting him to keep getting better. If he does, he should be very good.
But Auburn was oh so glorious. It still seems like a dream to me.
"He almost did X, but didn't."
Yes he (and the other true freshman, namely SJ) performed appropriate to his (their) experience and highlighted how capable our coaching staff is at developing strength, mental toughness and defense.
Yes, and I'll get the usual response for working in Samson here. My argument has been along these lines.
247sports.com
247sports.com
A position with no depth? Tyrese Martin got drafted and got a guaranteed contract. In the NBA. Hawkins WAS the depth. He was also behind Andre Jackson, a player with an extra year on campus who is also a future NBA talent (projected top 35 pick this year). Other player in the way was a 5th year senior reigning 6 Man of the Year in the conference who is 3 years older and has been in the system for 4 years.
Chief likes Jordan’s game, but I agree what’s wrong waiting for him to create a body of work, a resume if you will before certifying for the NBA. He mostly came off the bench last season, and there were good moments and non productive ones.
I understand potential and projecting to a NBA style game. However, to minimize game production is a mistake. Of course, Adama Sanogo is an NBA capable player. He can beat the other team. Who wouldn’t want a strong guy who can rebound, score and defend on their side? Sometimes these articles overthink things.3 Huskies mentioned in this article. Actually 5. Hawkins and Jackson as potential first rounders and Sanogo a 2nd rounder. Karaban and Clingan in the "Future Prospects" category. No mention of Johnson.
The college basketball season is now only days away and, as part of our preview, we will be breaking down the best potential NBA prospects by conference.
Our pre-season coverage of draft prospects will stay consistent with the strategies uncovered in our recent poll of NBA scouts and executives.
Initially, our objective will be to establish a list of potential prospects for the coming draft and sort them into five main categories: potential lottery candidates; potential first round candidates; potential second round candidates; potential candidates for the Portsmouth Invitational or the G League Combine; and finally prospects to keep an eye on for future years.
Scouting the Big East's best NBA Draft prospects
The college basketball season is now only days away and, as part of our preview, we will be breaking down the best potential NBA prospects by conference. Our pre-season
Ryan Boatright playing behind Shabazz and Lamb, way better talents. Got 30 minutes a game. Jalen Adams on a veteran team got 25 mins. Hell did you know Deandre Daniel’s started over Roscoe Smith and Niels Giffey his freshman year coming off an NC?
Ryan Boatright didn't play behind Shabazz or Lamb. He started alongside them. Those 2 got more minutes than any of the guys ahead of Hawkins did. So if Hurley wanted to start Hawkins alongside Martin and Jackson (NBA talents), he'd have to take minutes from Whaley and push Jackson to the 4, another 5th year senior and reigning conference defensive player of the year.
That's a logical sequence and it might have helped if Dan Hurley added the "if" factor instead of just pronouncing it as if it was already done. It's still possible based on potential unless we are in for an enormous surprise. As you pointed out he got better because he worked at it (with coaches willing to help). It always comes down to talent, being teachable and hard work. No doubt the raw talent is there. Just have to overcome obstacles which is easier said than done. Interesting that Kemba admitted to being taken to school by Rondo when they were teammates on that summer tour. I am sure he knew before that tour that he needed to overcome the problem with his mid-range game. He found out exactly what he needed to do to shore up his game and he worked at it. No doubt that increased his confidence as we saw in his last year from the very start. Everyone is pulling for you Hawk.