Lamb near decision...Drummond still unsure

[willie99]

Then I guess he's staying.

in the linked article, JC said scouts were telling Lamb he's going 5th or 6th

 

[caw]

Let me put it this way: UK plays the Bobcats in either an NBA rules or NCAA rules game they lose. They would lose by less with NCAA rules, but only because it is 8 minutes shorter. UK would be lucky if the Bobcats didn't drop 100 on them in an NCAA rules game.

The skill level in the NBA is so high compared to college. Now the NCAA's might be more "fun" to watch because you have teams playing zones/pressing/etc. but that is due mostly to the level of skill between the NBA and the NCAA's.

Cuse and it's fantastic zone would be torn to shreds by any NBA team, including the Bobcats. Do I need to explain how badly a team like KU or MU would be abused by the Bobcats.

I am using the Bobcats because they have the worst collection of NBA talent in years.

For fun UK vs Charlotte:

PG Teague vs Augustin (I guess Teague might be OK, but Augustin could run him in circles)
SG Lamb vs Henderson (Henderson is more athletic and has a good inch or two on him)
SF MKG vs Maggette (as athletic as MKG is, Maggette is better)
PF Jones vs Thomas (Jones might be a more skilled player, but Thomas is more athletic and taller)
C Davis vs Biyombo (Biyombo put up a Triple Double on him at the Nike Hoops Summit last year. Davis a double-double. A draw if not in favor of Biyombo, for having a year of NBA versus UK training).

Bench:
Wiltjer and Miller vs Kemba, Mullins, Najera, White, Brown, Williams.

Of course if this game were played in 2-3 years, UK might have a much better chance.

 

[uconnfan68]

I don't know why JC is perpetuating this false idea that Lamb is a top seven pick. If I was an NBA GM, I'd never use a lottery pick for Lamb. Those picks should be for superstar type players not solid players or NBA role players. With all of the Kentucky and UNC players leaving plus Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Austin Rivers, even Perry Jones III, I just don't see it. Just to start, Davis, Kidd-Gilcrist, Harrison Barnes, Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Austin Rivers, Perry Jones III, that's seven right there I'd take over Lamb.

He's doing it to try to make JL more money. Is that so hard to figure out?

 

[uconnfan68]

Let me put it this way: UK plays the Bobcats in either an NBA rules or NCAA rules game they lose. They would lose by less with NCAA rules, but only because it is 8 minutes shorter. UK would be lucky if the Bobcats didn't drop 100 on them in an NCAA rules game.

The skill level in the NBA is so high compared to college. Now the NCAA's might be more "fun" to watch because you have teams playing zones/pressing/etc. but that is due mostly to the level of skill between the NBA and the NCAA's.

Cuse and it's fantastic zone would be torn to shreds by any NBA team, including the Bobcats. Do I need to explain how badly a team like KU or MU would be abused by the Bobcats.

I am using the Bobcats because they have the worst collection of NBA talent in years.

For fun UK vs Charlotte:

PG Teague vs Augustin (I guess Teague might be OK, but Augustin could run him in circles)
SG Lamb vs Henderson (Henderson is more athletic and has a good inch or two on him)
SF MKG vs Maggette (as athletic as MKG is, Maggette is better)
PF Jones vs Thomas (Jones might be a more skilled player, but Thomas is more athletic and taller)
C Davis vs Biyombo (Biyombo put up a Triple Double on him at the Nike Hoops Summit last year. Davis a double-double. A draw if not in favor of Biyombo, for having a year of NBA versus UK training).

Bench:
Wiltjer and Miller vs Kemba, Mullins, Najera, White, Brown, Williams.

Of course if this game were played in 2-3 years, UK might have a much better chance.

Someone had a great comment on college vs. NBA. It doesn't matter whether college 'ABC' has 4 NBA players, because the NBA team has 13.

 

[RS9999X]

Something tells me Calhoun isn't talking to the 16 year old at DraftExpress, nor to Chad Ford, about what Lamb should do next year.

Another mock draft at thesportsbank.net

Alll these sources have Florida's Super Frosh SG Bradley Beal ranked ahead of Jeremy as a SG. if Beals declares then Lamb slips to the 11-13 area of the draft based on team needs.

12. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, So.
Since they added some size with their earlier pick, the ideal fit here would be a shooting guard since Eric Gordon a restricted free agent this off-season.

 

[uconnbill]

Jeremy will be better in the NBA. There is more room for him to operate and he wouldn't be the complete focus of a defense. I honestly think he will be like a young Rip with his ability to knock down shots coming off screens and range.

Agree 100% as I think his game is much better suited for the NBA. He will need to add strength at the next level \but that will come with age and playing basketball all the time.

 

[uconnbill]

Then I guess he's staying.

he is a lottery pick and will have a better career than a number of others picked before him.

 

[msgordon]

Maybe me, but if most stay and Drummond comes back why can't this team be very good next year? Starting 5 of Bazz, Omar, Giffey/Daniels, TO/RS, AD. With Boat, others coming off bench.

Honestly, that team should be title contenders. But i thought we should be title contenders this year, so who knows

 

[UCDaveD]

As bad as the Bobcats may be, they've beaten the Bucks, Knicks, & Magic. I'm sorry, but there's no way UK doesn't get run out of the gym.

 

[NHUConnfan]

All the sports fans I know do not agree with this - by a wide margin.

Um, they play 8 more minutes of a game?! That has a huge role in it. Also, they have a 24 second shot clock vs. a 35 second shot clock. Plus, the best offensive talent in the world...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeremy Lamb is a lottery pick. Forget whatever about his defense, no one cares. Lamb has the ability to consistently drop 20 points every night in the NBA. He's got a mid-range floater that will make him millions. In addition, he won't have to make his own shot in the NBA. Surely, he'll work on that...but he's going to be with elite point guards that will give him the ball at the right time.

He is not going to improve anything coming back here. I don't know why UConn fans are delusional that another year will benefit him. His money-maker is his shot. He's already got that. He's always had that. End of story. Unless you're a defensive whiz, nobody in the NCAA will translate directly into NBA defense. Think about it...when's the last time someone was drafted for defense (and actually became a star/succeeded well in the NBA) Then compare that to how many pure shooters turned into stars in the NBA. HUGE discrepancy.

Third, Drummond should go. He's pretty much the consensus 2/3 pick in the draft. He has ZERO opportunity to improve that next year. The kid is a freak athlete and he needs to be playing against more freak athletes to develop his skill. The kid would have gone straight to the NBA if he could have originally, I'm not sure what's holding him up.

If anyone thinks that Lamb/Drummond should come back, you're just selfish. Both of these kids are in a great position to get drafted and they gain almost nothing by staying at UConn. Regardless, both will be gone before they finish their degree anyway, so let 'em go. And I'll wish them the best of luck in the NBA.

 

[scrappy2.0]

Um, they play 8 more minutes of a game?! That has a huge role in it. Also, they have a 24 second shot clock vs. a 35 second shot clock. Plus, the best offensive talent in the world...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeremy Lamb is a lottery pick. Forget whatever about his defense, no one cares. Lamb has the ability to consistently drop 20 points every night in the NBA. He's got a mid-range floater that will make him millions. In addition, he won't have to make his own shot in the NBA. Surely, he'll work on that...but he's going to be with elite point guards that will give him the ball at the right time.

He is not going to improve anything coming back here. I don't know why UConn fans are delusional that another year will benefit him. His money-maker is his shot. He's already got that. He's always had that. End of story. Unless you're a defensive whiz, nobody in the NCAA will translate directly into NBA defense. Think about it...when's the last time someone was drafted for defense (and actually became a star/succeeded well in the NBA) Then compare that to how many pure shooters turned into stars in the NBA. HUGE discrepancy.

Third, Drummond should go. He's pretty much the consensus 2/3 pick in the draft. He has ZERO opportunity to improve that next year. The kid is a freak athlete and he needs to be playing against more freak athletes to develop his skill. The kid would have gone straight to the NBA if he could have originally, I'm not sure what's holding him up.

If anyone thinks that Lamb/Drummond should come back, you're just selfish. Both of these kids are in a great position to get drafted and they gain almost nothing by staying at UConn. Regardless, both will be gone before they finish their degree anyway, so let 'em go. And I'll wish them the best of luck in the NBA.

In some cases I would agree with you. IF Andre can afford to wait--I think he should. He is far away with his skills. What would one year do for him? It could be the difference in going 1 instead of 5-6 and coming into the NBA more polished than he is right now. There are plenty, plenty of players who benefit from staying. We've seen Uconn players who have stayed--like Rudy who was able to get more mature in game and body--how much money did he lose by staying?

 

[upstater]

Um, they play 8 more minutes of a game?! That has a huge role in it. Also, they have a 24 second shot clock vs. a 35 second shot clock. Plus, the best offensive talent in the world...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeremy Lamb is a lottery pick. Forget whatever about his defense, no one cares. Lamb has the ability to consistently drop 20 points every night in the NBA. He's got a mid-range floater that will make him millions. In addition, he won't have to make his own shot in the NBA. Surely, he'll work on that...but he's going to be with elite point guards that will give him the ball at the right time.

He is not going to improve anything coming back here. I don't know why UConn fans are delusional that another year will benefit him. His money-maker is his shot. He's already got that. He's always had that. End of story. Unless you're a defensive whiz, nobody in the NCAA will translate directly into NBA defense. Think about it...when's the last time someone was drafted for defense (and actually became a star/succeeded well in the NBA) Then compare that to how many pure shooters turned into stars in the NBA. HUGE discrepancy.

Third, Drummond should go. He's pretty much the consensus 2/3 pick in the draft. He has ZERO opportunity to improve that next year. The kid is a freak athlete and he needs to be playing against more freak athletes to develop his skill. The kid would have gone straight to the NBA if he could have originally, I'm not sure what's holding him up.

If anyone thinks that Lamb/Drummond should come back, you're just selfish. Both of these kids are in a great position to get drafted and they gain almost nothing by staying at UConn. Regardless, both will be gone before they finish their degree anyway, so let 'em go. And I'll wish them the best of luck in the NBA.

Andre will get more playing time in college even with 35 games than he will in the pros. He may develop more in college.

 

[UCweCONN]

He's doing it to try to make JL more money. Is that so hard to figure out?

Sorry, unless I missed something isn't JC the head coach of the Huskies or is he now a sports agent? Getting guys drafted high is an agent's job, not the coach at a university's job. A coach's job should be to try to get kids to stay in school as long as possible to hopefully get their degrees or come close not to push them into the NBA. If you're correct, that this is what JC is doing, maybe this is how we got into the APR mess we're in? I say a little more focus on the education side and less on the NBA side is overdue.

 

[specialisthusky]

Sorry, unless I missed something isn't JC the head coach of the Huskies or is he now a sports agent? Getting guys drafted high is an agent's job, not the coach at a university's job. A coach's job should be to try to get kids to stay in school as long as possible to hopefully get their degrees or come close not to push them into the NBA. If you're correct, that this is what JC is doing, maybe this is how we got into the APR mess we're in? I say a little more focus on the education side and less on the NBA side is overdue.

get it together man. A coach's success is measured in Championships and getting his players to the next level.

So basically what your saying is JC should not reach out to any NBA GM's and give his players any advice on their draft status leaving them to hire Agents and declare for the draft without having any idea where they may be drafted?

And how does a coach typically convince a playere to pass up millions of dollars? "Please don't fulfill your ultimate draeam in life to play in the NBA, our APR sure could use your good grades!"

 

[freescooter]

I don't think the "pro-NBA" people in this thread are even saying they like it better. They're saying that if you think the NBA is terrible, the skill level isn't way higher, players don't try hard, don't play any defense, travel on every play, etc. you are so disconnected from reality it's comical.

I have always said the palyers are much better but the game as a game isn't. that's an opinion. Just like some others think the higher skill levels make the NBA superior. Depends on what you like to watch I guess. Not that much different than the same debate about college football vs. pro football. No question the giants would blow Alabama out of the stadium, probably owudl win by 30 if they used 10 players...but in my mind the college game is way more fun to watch because you see different styles, while the pro game is just so predictable. Same with the NBA. Great players, great athleticism, but it makes for a boring game...

 

[UCweCONN]

get it together man. A coach's success is measured in Championships and getting his players to the next level.

So basically what your saying is JC should not reach out to any NBA GM's and give his players any advice on their draft status leaving them to hire Agents and declare for the draft without having any idea where they may be drafted?

And how does a coach typically convince a playere to pass up millions of dollars? "Please don't fulfill your ultimate draeam in life to play in the NBA, our APR sure could use your good grades!"

Explain to me how exactly telling guys they're top 5 picks when they're not and rushing players to the NBA leads to championships? It does them a disservice. Look at the players we've sent to the NBA recently. How many are more than role players or are even in the league anymore?

 

[specialisthusky]

Explain to me how exactly telling guys they're top 5 picks when they're not and rushing players to the NBA leads to championships? It does them a disservice. Look at the players we've sent to the NBA recently. How many are more than role players or are even in the league anymore?

The problem lies with your inability to comprehend that NBA GM's are the ones telling Calhoun Lamb's draft status. This is NOT Calhoun guessing where he will go. Relaying the draft status of a player is not rushing a player into the NBA. You continue to act as if NBA GM's are not telling Calhoun where they think Lamb will be drafted, as if Calhoun is lying to his player. What benefit would that have for the program or the player?

 

[HuskyHawk]

The problem lies with your inability to comprehend that NBA GM's are the ones telling Calhoun Lamb's draft status. This is NOT Calhoun guessing where he will go. Relaying the draft status of a player is not rushing a player into the NBA. You continue to act as if NBA GM's are not telling Calhoun where they think Lamb will be drafted, as if Calhoun is lying to his player. What benefit would that have for the program or the player?

It is Calhoun's job to do the best thing for his players. When they come here, they become his responsibility. He's doing the right thing by his players. His past projections for draft position based on conversations with GMs have always been pretty close.

 

[businesslawyer]

Honestly, that team should be title contenders. But i thought we should be title contenders this year, so who knows

The answer to that is if Drummond plays like a high lottery pick, instead of like a nice young man with the athletic potential to justify using a high lottery pick on him, this team can compete for a Big East title next year.

If Drummond shows solid improvement, and the staff figures out what he can and can't do and uses him properly, we can be substantially above .500 in league but short of contending to win it.

And if this year's Drummond shows up next year, and the coaches don't figure out how to run an offense around his lack of skills, we will struggle again.

 

[johnhuskies95]

Explain to me how exactly telling guys they're top 5 picks when they're not and rushing players to the NBA leads to championships? It does them a disservice. Look at the players we've sent to the NBA recently. How many are more than role players or are even in the league anymore?

How can you not understand that he is basing this off of what he's heard from NBA people? NBA people are going to tell Jim Calhoun the truth when he talks to them, because he's given the NBA so many good players over the years.

 

[bballgrda]

Sorry, unless I missed something isn't JC the head coach of the Huskies or is he now a sports agent? Getting guys drafted high is an agent's job, not the coach at a university's job. A coach's job should be to try to get kids to stay in school as long as possible to hopefully get their degrees or come close not to push them into the NBA. If you're correct, that this is what JC is doing, maybe this is how we got into the APR mess we're in? I say a little more focus on the education side and less on the NBA side is overdue.

You sound just as delusional as the NCAA regarding the players interests in academics.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Sorry, unless I missed something isn't JC the head coach of the Huskies or is he now a sports agent? Getting guys drafted high is an agent's job, not the coach at a university's job. A coach's job should be to try to get kids to stay in school as long as possible to hopefully get their degrees or come close not to push them into the NBA. If you're correct, that this is what JC is doing, maybe this is how we got into the APR mess we're in? I say a little more focus on the education side and less on the NBA side is overdue.

First of all, guys leaving early for the NBA is not the reason our APR score was bad in 2010.

Secondly, you couldn't be more wrong about what Jim Calhoun's "job" is. A college degree is the gold at the end of the rainbow for shmucks like you and me because we (presumably) need it to get a job and we need a job to earn a living. A college degree is 100% useless to somebody like Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb, at least right now. They can make more money than you and I could spend in a lifetime without attending another class the rest of their lives.

I was an accounting major in college. I stayed in school for 4 years because no accounting firm was going to hire me until I had my degree, and I needed 4 years of schooling to earn said degree. If a firm wanted to hire me and pay me millions of dollars after 1 year of school, and they promised to teach me everything I needed to know about accounting on the job, and I could always go back and finish my degree whenever the hell I wanted, why on earth would I ever stay in school?

 

[TopDog18]

Third, Drummond should go. He's pretty much the consensus 2/3 pick in the draft. He has ZERO opportunity to improve that next year. The kid is a freak athlete and he needs to be playing against more freak athletes to develop his skill. The kid would have gone straight to the NBA if he could have originally, I'm not sure what's holding him up.

If anyone thinks that Lamb/Drummond should come back, you're just selfish. Both of these kids are in a great position to get drafted and they gain almost nothing by staying at UConn. Regardless, both will be gone before they finish their degree anyway, so let 'em go. And I'll wish them the best of luck in the NBA.

Completely disagree. As Calhoun as stated in the past, hes trying to set up his players for that more lucrative second contract. If AD goes pro this year, he will likely be riding the bench, or putting up pedestrian numbers, if ever getting on the court. I agree with you that he is projected to go anywhere from 2-5 which guarantees you a three year contract around 4 million-2.8 mil average. If AD is for instance sent to the D-League, never truly develop his skills, and rarely sees minutes, he will not get that more lucrative second contract, if one at all (see Thabeet). However, if he were to return to UConn for a year, completly commit to his development, and the coaches spent a year with him redefining his post skills and motor, he will be much more suited for the NBA and in better position for that second big time contract. Drummond will be a top 5 pick whenever he declares, it's up to him if he'd rather be ready to play in the NBA when selected.

 

[upstater]

Explain to me how exactly telling guys they're top 5 picks when they're not and rushing players to the NBA leads to championships? It does them a disservice. Look at the players we've sent to the NBA recently. How many are more than role players or are even in the league anymore?

?? UConn has done really well sending players to the NBA, and the players themselves have done well in the NBA. I'm trying to figure out what your complaint is. By any measure, UConn is one of the top few schools producing successful pros.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Davis is a project on offense -- not on defense. And his offense is light year's ahead of Drummonds in terms of dribbling, passing, screening and understanding of what is going on around him. He has no more in the way of low post moves than Drummond, but is still a much more complete offensive player.

I have only see Davis play a few times, but he looks light years ahead of Andre at this time on both sides of the court. He has a nice looking jumpshot and he made a very nice jumphook from the side of the lane when contested (that was almost a skyhook). Again, maybe I saw him at his best, but he looked like the best big man to come out of college in a long time. Maybe a little Tim Duncan-like.

 

[ZenConn]

Someone had a great comment on college vs. NBA. It doesn't matter whether college 'ABC' has 4 NBA players, because the NBA team has 13.

And out of the 13 players, how many should have stayed in college?

The NBA should have made the players stay 2 years before declaring in their previous CBA. In regards to all that horrible basketball that you see on the college level? Guess what? It'll be in the NBA too and they'll be sitting on the NBA bench as "NBA players" when they really should have stayed.

I'm not saying JL should stay but as JC has said before, it's not about the initial contract, but the second contract where you'll make the most money.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

I have always said the palyers are much better but the game as a game isn't. that's an opinion. Just like some others think the higher skill levels make the NBA superior. Depends on what you like to watch I guess. Not that much different than the same debate about college football vs. pro football. No question the giants would blow Alabama out of the stadium, probably owudl win by 30 if they used 10 players...but in my mind the college game is way more fun to watch because you see different styles, while the pro game is just so predictable. Same with the NBA. Great players, great athleticism, but it makes for a boring game...

I agree completely with this - you said it better than me.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I think the NBA scouts are confusing Jeremy Lamb with Doron Lamb.

 

[caw]

I think the NBA scouts are confusing Jeremy Lamb with Doron Lamb.

Why are the rating Jeremy too low?

 

[caw]

I have always said the palyers are much better but the game as a game isn't. that's an opinion. Just like some others think the higher skill levels make the NBA superior. Depends on what you like to watch I guess. Not that much different than the same debate about college football vs. pro football. No question the giants would blow Alabama out of the stadium, probably owudl win by 30 if they used 10 players...but in my mind the college game is way more fun to watch because you see different styles, while the pro game is just so predictable. Same with the NBA. Great players, great athleticism, but it makes for a boring game...

Yes. The NBA may be boring, but it is by no means "bad"