James Bouknight showing off some athleticism

[mauconnfan]

You can appreciate the athleticism of the dunk without going to either extreme (this means nothing! he’s going to be an all-time UConn great!)

Can’t we just like stuff?

What is your problem? I "liked" the OP dunk check it out but I really don't care about it because I care more that this kid can flat out shoot the ball. Is this a problem with you that I discuss that fact? Watching dunks with no one on anyone in a video do not "mean nothing" to me you can have all the fun you want with it. I love that he can do it but care more of his overall skills, that's my point. Relax

 

[NJHoops]

What is your problem? I "liked" the OP dunk check it out but I really don't care about it because I care more that this kid can flat out shoot the ball. Is this a problem with you that I discuss that fact? Watching dunks with no one on anyone in a video do not "mean anything" to me you can have all the fun you want with it. I love that he can do it but care more of his overall skills, that's my point. Relax

I made a comment and have literally no problem here. Did I type your name? Why did you take it so personally? There was an “easy boys” and a Kwintin comparison (KWINTIN!) on the first page.

 

[mauconnfan]

I made a comment and have literally no problem here. Did I type your name? Why did you take it so personally? There was an “easy boys” and a Kwintin comparison (KWINTIN!) on the first page.

Because i said it meant nothing to me basically. I felt the finger, it's over no biggie. Dunks great!

 

[Son of Robert]

Love this kids athleticism but this dunk means little to me. When I see him coming off picks and making jumpers, or ball faking and taking 2 dribbles to pull up for 12-15 footer nothing but net then my excitement will begin. I think that part of his game is the most important and will allow him more space to get to the rim. He will play as a freshman his offensive gifts are too good. If he can play some D and be physical despite being thin for now he will be getting lots of minutes.

His three point shooting will be felt as well. Hurley has commented favorably on his range and proficiency.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Love this kids athleticism but this dunk means little to me. When I see him coming off picks and making jumpers, or ball faking and taking 2 dribbles to pull up for 12-15 footer nothing but net then my excitement will begin. I think that part of his game is the most important and will allow him more space to get to the rim. He will play as a freshman his offensive gifts are too good. If he can play some D and be physical despite being thin for now he will be getting lots of minutes.

I think he'll be good, but Gaffney is actually the better dunker. What I've been encouraged about is that he seems able to create off the dribble, which we desperately need. His release seems pretty quick too, which, combined with height should make him hard to guard from the perimeter. By comparison, Polley is taller, and shoots well, but doesn't get it off quickly.

My hope is that this team has enough depth to ensure that Hurley can sub out anybody who isn't all in on the defensive side. I expect that he will demand it of all these guys in order to earn playing time.

 

[BGesus4]

Bleacher Report IGed it

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I’m over the lobbing it to yourself from the 3 point line stuff. Cool dunk but I’m over it.

 

[ctchamps]

You can appreciate the athleticism of the dunk without going to either extreme (this means nothing! he’s going to be an all-time UConn great!)

Can’t we just like stuff?

Short answer: NO!!

You new to Boneyard. If you knew Boneyard you’d just save your breath.

Anyways a little irony in your post. We all prefer others to do things the way we like to do them or think is the “right way” to do them. Who knows the right way? That individual or group would have to be omnipotent! Remember this and your aggravation level might be tempered.

 

[InKembaITrust]

Doesn't mean anything if he can't play defense. We'll see what Hurley brings out of him.

 

[superjohn]

This thread is strange. Bouk will be starting.

 

[JB75]

Woe- like I said a few months ago only a matter of time before he’s our starting 2 guard. I’ll say by February.

 

[husky429]

Woe- like I said a few months ago only a matter of time before he’s our starting 2 guard. I’ll say by February.

He will start at 3. We have too many guards for him to be at the 2.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Love this kids athleticism but this dunk means little to me. When I see him coming off picks and making jumpers, or ball faking and taking 2 dribbles to pull up for 12-15 footer nothing but net then my excitement will begin. I think that part of his game is the most important and will allow him more space to get to the rim. He will play as a freshman his offensive gifts are too good. If he can play some D and be physical despite being thin for now he will be getting lots of minutes.

Thank you for writing what I was thinking. I agree, great display of athleticism, and a superb dunk. But that doesn't make you a player. That said, I'm a lot higher on him than Wilson.

 

[intlzncster]

He will start at 3. We have too many guards for him to be at the 2.

Really odd to think CV won't start at the 2. I don't see anyway he doesn't.
In a perfect world, he's the ideal 6th man. But for this team and the way it's constructed, CV's experience and motor are too important.

 

[AfgHusky15]

Really odd to think CV won't start at the 2. I don't see anyway he doesn't.
In a perfect world, he's the ideal 6th man. But for this team and the way it's constructed, CV's experience and motor are too important.

I think CV will start the season as a starter at the 2 spot, but as the season progresses, if Bouknight plays at the level we expect him to, Bouknight will likely end up starting at the 2. If everyone is healthy, the lineup by March will likely be:

1) Alterique
2) Bouknight
3) Polley
4) Akok
5) Carlton

The best part of this lineup is the fact we can have our entire starting lineup back for next year.

 

[husky429]

I think CV will start the season as a starter at the 2 spot, but as the season progresses, if Bouknight plays at the level we expect him to, Bouknight will likely end up starting at the 2. If everyone is healthy, the lineup by March will likely be:

1) Alterique
2) Bouknight
3) Polley
4) Akok
5) Carlton

The best part of this lineup is the fact we can have our entire starting lineup back for next year.

Positions on offense are irrelevant here. It's a PG and 3 wings + a big basically.

Have you seen Polley slide his feet? In the AAC the 3 is basically a big guard. He wasn't moving quick enough to defend 4s. How on earth is he going to guard the 3?

I expect a big leap in athleticism but that's a lot to ask.

 

[intlzncster]

I think CV will start the season as a starter at the 2 spot, but as the season progresses, if Bouknight plays at the level we expect him to, Bouknight will likely end up starting at the 2. If everyone is healthy, the lineup by March will likely be:

1) Alterique
2) Bouknight
3) Polley
4) Akok
5) Carlton

The best part of this lineup is the fact we can have our entire starting lineup back for next year.

Vital will be in there for his defense and rebounding alone (those being driven by that motor I mentioned earlier). That's first priority.

 

[tower1]

Really odd to think CV won't start at the 2. I don't see anyway he doesn't.
In a perfect world, he's the ideal 6th man. But for this team and the way it's constructed, CV's experience and motor are too important.

CV is an out of control gunner, needs to stop playing out of control school ground ball.

 

[husky429]

CV is an out of control gunner, needs to stop playing out of control school ground ball.

I do not understand how this myth persists on the yard. He shot 45% from the field and 40% from deep. Those are very good percentages.

He had a problem with shot selection his first couple years. Hurley's system very much changed that.

EVERY one of our other guards shot worse last year. If anyone should be considered a gunner, it is Rique. He was a disaster from 3 for stretches. And everyone seems to treat him like a potential all-conference player (including myself).

Is it because Christian shoots a lot of 3s? Hate to break it to yall--it isn't 1990. 3s are a good thing, and he's very good at shooting them in bulk. Look up what efg% is.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Another thread questionig if CV is gonna start, great. Fuel to the fire.

 

[Husky68]

Vital should be better than freshman Napier..

Not so much where it counts for winning, that is ball handling. Guards turning ball over are killers. Got to make plays for teammates. Vital junior year was assist to turnovers at 79/77 while Napier 124/75. Vital cleans that up and lot more

I do not understand how this myth persists on the yard. He shot 45% from the field and 40% from deep. Those are very good percentages.

He had a problem with shot selection his first couple years. Hurley's system very much changed that.

EVERY one of our other guards shot worse last year. If anyone should be considered a gunner, it is Rique. He was a disaster from 3 for stretches. And everyone seems to treat him like a potential all-conference player (including myself).

Is it because Christian shoots a lot of 3s? Hate to break it to yall--it isn't 1990. 3s are a good thing, and he's very good at shooting them in bulk. Look up what efg% is.

Think some of it is the 79 assists to 77 turnovers, lot of turnovers came on ill advised "go to basket" moves which make the "Chief eye test" make it seem like poorer shooting than actually was.

One thing surprised me in looking at stats for last year (as I digress) is that Whaley only played 83 minutes last year in 23 games. That's almost like sitting out the year. Gilbert played 87 minutes as freshman and 167 as sophomore and we treat it like he missed 2 years. Whaley did play 414 minutes his freshman year and led the team in blocks. Guess I don't remember how freshman Whaley played or why his play/minutes went down so much (I know was hurt some) as sophomore with Cobb as his competition (once Yakwe went down).

 

[husky429]

Not so much where it counts for winning, that is ball handling. Guards turning ball over are killers. Got to make plays for teammates. Vital junior year was assist to turnovers at 79/77 while Napier 124/75. Vital cleans that up and lot more

Think some of it is the 79 assists to 77 turnovers, lot of turnovers came on ill advised "go to basket" moves which make the "Chief eye test" make it seem like poorer shooting than actually was.

One thing surprised me in looking at stats for last year (as I digress) is that Whaley only played 83 minutes last year in 23 games. That's almost like sitting out the year. Gilbert played 87 minutes as freshman and 167 as sophomore and we treat it like he missed 2 years. Whaley did play 414 minutes his freshman year and led the team in blocks. Guess I don't remember how freshman Whaley played or why his play/minutes went down so much (I know was hurt some) as sophomore with Cobb as his competition (once Yakwe went down).

How does turning the ball over make it seem like a poor shot? The player didn't shoot. I'm missing something here.

The obvious answer is people are projecting some frustrations of bad seasons onto him. He was/is a role player forced to play like a starter. He's limited but has some pretty important skills for a team to win. He was never meant to be a lead guard or a high-level passer.

 

[freescooter]

I’ll wait until he plays against, you know, people before I anoint him. But at least he didn’t dunk over a chair and have you guys insisting he will be All everything.

 

[QDOG5]

CV is an out of control gunner, needs to stop playing out of control school ground ball.

CV is an out of control double double machine.

 

[TheChamps990411]

I dont get hyped over dunk videos but Dude!!!