Karaban still weighing decision whether to return or go pro | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Karaban still weighing decision whether to return or go pro

I love AK and it is a hard decision. He bleeds blue. On another note. This guy is still available
 
bendm said:
If Darrion Williams from TT is a possibility he is better
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But he is more of a small forward at 6'6" than a PF. We are already down a shot blocker at the 5 and we will be down 1 at the 4 too. We really need some players who can shut down drives on help D.
 
3rdbass said:
But he is more of a small forward at 6'6" than a PF. We are already down a shot blocker at the 5 and we will be down 1 at the 4 too. We really need some players who can shut down drives on help D.
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Williams was Tech's starting PF and Toppin was their C. I dont care if he's 6'6, if we miraculously land Williams we're winning #7. You're nuts if you think we can do better than him.
 
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bendm said:
Williams was Tech's starting PF and Toppin was their C. I dont care if he's 6'6, if we miraculously land Williams we're winning #7. You're nuts if you think we can do better than him.
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I would like more size and a person who can block shots and play like Karaban but also score a little more inside than he did. I loved that Karaban upped his level on blocks this past year. Where are we going to to get the interior d this year when Reed isn't in there? Reibe isn't a shot blocker. It is a legit concern since all out past championship teams in 23 and 24 had multiple defended inside whether you agree with it or not. Also, Texas Tech played a more uptempo offense. That isn't what Hurley has here.
 
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3rdbass said:
I would like more size and a person who can block shots and play like Karaban. I loved that Karaban upped hos level on blocks this year.
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the staff seems to disagree. the elite transfer forwards we've shown interest in all fit the same profile: undersized athletic PFs that can score, rebound, pass and stretch the floor. none are good shot blockers.

Keyshawn Hall: 6'7 235; 18-7-2.5; 35% from 3
LeJuan Watts: 6'6 235; 14-6.7-4.4; 42% from 3
Derrion Williams: 6'6 225; 15-5.5-3.6; 34% from 3
 
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bendm said:
the staff seems to disagree. the elite transfer forwards we've shown interest in all fit the same profile: undersized athletic PFs that can score, rebound, pass and stretch the floor. none are good shot blockers.

Keyshawn Hall: 6'7 235; 18-7-2.5; 35% from 3
LeJuan Watts: 6'6 235; 14-6.7-4.4; 42% from 3
Derrion Williams: 6'6 225; 15-5.5-3.6; 34% from 3
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Well until we know what Karaban is doing it doesn't matter. It is just a legit concern with the players we have. Maybe Hurley is going to change up the offense and we are going to be more ISO this year with who we will have one the floor if we get one of those players.
 
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Zonepress said:
agree on Givony
if he’s top 35 would have very good chance
on a 2 way generally worth $550.k
even if he got a guaranteed contract, it would probably be the NBA minimum of 750,000
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Top 35 is pretty much guaranteed contract(2 years) territory
 
3rdbass said:
I would like more size and a person who can block shots and play like Karaban but also score a little more inside than he did. I loved that Karaban upped his level on blocks this past year. Where are we going to to get the interior d this year when Reed isn't in there? Reibe isn't a shot blocker. It is a legit concern since all out past championship teams in 23 and 24 had multiple defended inside whether you agree with it or not. Also, Texas Tech played a more uptempo offense. That isn't what Hurley has here.
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Williams scores better inside than Alex. Did you watch the Florida vs Tech game in the tourney? All 4 Florida big men had trouble defending him when he backed his way inside and dealt in the paint. He either scored or got fouled. Williams is strong and has a bigger body type making him difficult to defend down low. He is effective both inside and outside. You won't get too much shotblocking from him I'm guessing but maybe I'm wrong there.
 
UCfor3 said:
Williams scores better inside than Alex. Did you watch the Florida vs Tech game in the tourney? All 4 Florida big men had trouble defending him when he backed his way inside and dealt in the paint. He either scored or got fouled. Williams is strong and has a bigger body type making him difficult to defend down low. He is effective both inside and outside. You won't get too much shotblocking from him I'm guessing but maybe I'm wrong there.
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Yeah his shot blocking is really low compared to Karaban. I like Karaban with our current team better as he can back up at the 4-5. You wouldn't get that with Williams. That is just my preference. Though if we are going to play more ISO ball on offense I can understand why they might want to go that way. You aren't getting much offense from Karaban going one on one.
 
NHUConnfan said:
He's done in Milwaukee as long as Doc is coach there. It's clear Doc isn't a fan of his game.
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Giannis does like Andre. I like Giannis’ chances in a power struggle with Doc. That’s not to say that Giannis would go to those lengths over Andre. It would likely need to involve a buildup of different things.
 
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TheHorde said:
Giannis does like Andre. I like Giannis’ chances in a power struggle with Doc. That’s not to say that Giannis would go to those lengths over Andre. It would likely need to involve a buildup of different things.
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Doc is prob getting fired after they get eliminated by the pacers and hopefully Giannis is demanding a trade this summer. Plenty of PT for AJ while the bucks are rebuilding.
 
bendm said:
the staff seems to disagree. the elite transfer forwards we've shown interest in all fit the same profile: undersized athletic PFs that can score, rebound, pass and stretch the floor. none are good shot blockers.

Keyshawn Hall: 6'7 235; 18-7-2.5; 35% from 3
LeJuan Watts: 6'6 235; 14-6.7-4.4; 42% from 3
Derrion Williams: 6'6 225; 15-5.5-3.6; 34% from 3
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I think the staff is making another mistake going after undersized big!
 
UConnTrumbull said:
He said his dream is to play in the NBA which makes me think he’s gone. Yes, he could’ve gone last year but maybe he doesn’t want to delay any longer. Just my gut but feels like he’s gone.

PS: Luke is following Derrion Williams from TTU and vice versa for whatever that’s worth.
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It’s an agonizing decision for him, but after seeing him in Newtown yesterday at a kids basketball jamboree, I think he’s leaning towards staying another year. If he does stay, UConn could very well be ranked pretty high, Reed at center, Karaban, Ball, Diara, Mullins, Riebe, Furphy, Stewart, …….one big portal addition so far.

If he stays, his staying also makes the new additions to the team that much better and that much faster. He’d basically be a player/coach.
 
UCfor3 said:
Williams scores better inside than Alex. Did you watch the Florida vs Tech game in the tourney? All 4 Florida big men had trouble defending him when he backed his way inside and dealt in the paint. He either scored or got fouled. Williams is strong and has a bigger body type making him difficult to defend down low. He is effective both inside and outside. You won't get too much shotblocking from him I'm guessing but maybe I'm wrong there.
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This is it for me. You're right. Also, The main reason why fans were down on Alex last year was 90% because of his scoring. It's the most visible measure of performance for most fans. But it shouldn't be. Some people may prefer Williams for this reason.
But Alex was a great player last year, not good, great in most other significant categories.

My Dad's a Boomer and I feel like he and his friends judge restaurant quality based on portion size alone.
"Hey dad how was the food?"
"AMAZING! The burger was the size of my head!"
 
tower1 said:
I think the staff is making another mistake going after undersized big!
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Getting any of those 3 guys would make this an awesome team, and a matchup nightmare for the opponents.
 
Karaban obviously had a down year and struggled shooting the ball. I would assume one of AKs strengths from an NBA perspective is his potential to shoot the 3. Would staying a year and improving his shot lead to the possibility that he goes higher in the draft next year? Wouldn’t that mean a longer term contract and much more money for him? How much does that weigh in his decision v. Going in the 2nd round and only getting a 2 year contract? What would be the difference in that money v. What he can get from NIL?
 
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Jaydumo20 said:
This is it for me. You're right. Also, The main reason why fans were down on Alex last year was 90% because of his scoring. It's the most visible measure of performance for most fans. But it shouldn't be. Some people may prefer Williams for this reason.
But Alex was a great player last year, not good, great in most other significant categories.

My Dad's a Boomer and I feel like he and his friends judge restaurant quality based on portion size alone.
"Hey dad how was the food?"
"AMAZING! The burger was the size of my head!"
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Replying for your last paragraph. This is so true. My parents’ favorite restaurants are the ones with 5-page menus (“they have so many choices” - but of course, 5-page menus mean nearly everything is frozen/pre-made) and huge portions (“we had leftovers for 3 more meals!”)
 
It would seem the longer this goes on, the more likely it means that little to no NBA teams have given him the positive feedback required to make the decision to leave. Given his 3pt percentage has gone down two seasons in a row, he's going to have to improve that metric; by either improving his shooting technique and or by being a bit more selective (to his credit he really doesn't force too many, but there were some last season that were a bit forced). To have a solid NBA career you have to excel in at least one aspect of the game and not have such major flaws that outweigh your strength(s). And I'm not sure Alex is there at this point.
 
Part of me wonders if he is doing this to get his NIL up a bit…. I have to think his nil has gone up a few hundred thousand during this time period. I love Karaban but I really don’t think he has an nba future and this year at UConn could very well end up being his career earnings peak
 
I believe he's undicided. He wants to go to the NBA but last season wasn't what he expected.

He also loves UConn

So, maybe his best path is to come back, have a great year, and improve his draft stock. The NIL makes Europe less important for the short term.
 
Those of you who have said he's just milking this for attention, that's probably furthest from the truth. I doubt he's enjoying this time while he's agonizing over one of the biggest decisions of his life.
 
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Here’s one thing I noticed about Alex. He has good size and sturdiness but he does not appear to be that muscular. Maybe that’s his body type where he doesn’t get that look and he’s strong as an ox but maybe that’s the reason he can’t finish that easily at the rim because players of his size and weight often muscle through to make those shots. Now he does do some of that he’s not ultra quick, and he does rebound very well so maybe it’s just perception on his look. Don’t gain weight, just get it ripped and get much stronger. His intelligence does get him stuff that others don’t get. Any thoughts on that?
 
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TheHorde said:
Giannis does like Andre. I like Giannis’ chances in a power struggle with Doc. That’s not to say that Giannis would go to those lengths over Andre. It would likely need to involve a buildup of different things.
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Oh, I don't think Doc will be around much longer tbh. But as long as he's in charge, I think Andre is riding pine.
 
If AK is still a projected 2nd round pick, then unless he has some assurances (bronny style) that a team (maybe a couple of teams) that is a good fit and has a plan for him is going to pick him he should come back.

The NIL money is better staying than getting drafted by a random team and getting stuck on a 2-way or G-league deal.

If a team tells him he's likely going to stick, then he should go. Bird in the hand and all.

AK would have a better team around him this season and a better shot at a 3rd championship. He would also linked this generation of players to the championship DNA as the only starter left from those teams plus the 3 guys who were backups (Ball, Stewart, Ross). Culture win.
 
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