Napier to the draft?!?

[wpq4elamin]

He's a poor man's Rondo: very good handle, good passer, can get some boards, usually can't shoot to save his life.
Although Napier is galaxies better at the FT line than Rondo is.

Rondo is a freak athlete (the most athletic pg in the nba, maybe one of the most athletic guys period)

Napier is not a freak athlete- he's more of a solid guy who can run an offense and hit open jumpers... he has shown that he can be either a great passer or great shooter, but he puts few games together where he's both... it's almost like he chooses at the beginning of the game whether he wants 7-10 assists or 20 points....

I think in 2 years he would *(still, if you think he'd be one this year)* be a 1st round pick, depending on how he progresses and what else is out there, but I'd be very surprised if he enters the draft this year esp if Calhoun comes back...

in terms of addressing his potential compared to every other pg in college, i don't disagree that he is one of the best pg's in the country when you watch his potential.... who would you say is better? marshall is essentially the same guy but doesn't shoot as well as bazz, and after that, you have machado and a bunch of other guys who aren't clearly or distinguishably better... there are no roses, walls or anyone else who is a crazy athletic 6'3 pg ready for superstardom at this point in time... heck, royce white might be the best pg in the country after watching our game with iowa st.....

 

[wpq4elamin]

Not at all. I'll give them the standard improvement. My analysis is the same. What's lacking in Napier cannot be improved. He won't be quicker or taller in 2 years. He simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done, no matter how much effort he gives.
Yeah, sure, there are short guys in the NBA - they all have 40" verticals and are lightning quick, like Kemba Walker and that freak athlete from Syracuse a couple years ago.
Shabazz has been at UConn 2 years and I don't believe he has dunked in a game.

Try it this way. Name me one guy in the NBA who can't dunk on a breakaway and I'll yield the point.

And I love Shabazz.

I love my kids too, but I know they're not going to MIT.

go watch some youtube highlights- I didn't believe he could really dunk either, but he was dunking in HS, which means he should be able to dunk pretty easily as a stronger adult now... it's not like they were great throw downs, but if he was doing it 2 years ago as a 17/18 year old, he can def do it easier now.... once you start lifting and getting stronger in college, you can really increase your vertical...

 

[johnhuskies95]

Not at all. I'll give them the standard improvement. My analysis is the same. What's lacking in Napier cannot be improved. He won't be quicker or taller in 2 years. He simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done, no matter how much effort he gives.
Yeah, sure, there are short guys in the NBA - they all have 40" verticals and are lightning quick, like Kemba Walker and that freak athlete from Syracuse a couple years ago.
Shabazz has been at UConn 2 years and I don't believe he has dunked in a game.

Try it this way. Name me one guy in the NBA who can't dunk on a breakaway and I'll yield the point.

And I love Shabazz.

I love my kids too, but I know they're not going to MIT.

You mentioned things like "skill" and "positioning" in your other post. Those things can be improved upon. Obviously not everybody is going to dramatically improve on everything, but most players at UConn get significantly better after their freshman/sophomore years.

Guys can improve while they're in the NBA as well.

 

[huskymagic]

Not at all. I'll give them the standard improvement. My analysis is the same. What's lacking in Napier cannot be improved. He won't be quicker or taller in 2 years. He simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done, no matter how much effort he gives.
Yeah, sure, there are short guys in the NBA - they all have 40" verticals and are lightning quick, like Kemba Walker and that freak athlete from Syracuse a couple years ago.
Shabazz has been at UConn 2 years and I don't believe he has dunked in a game.

Try it this way. Name me one guy in the NBA who can't dunk on a breakaway and I'll yield the point.

And I love Shabazz.

I love my kids too, but I know they're not going to MIT.

your being a little harsh on Napier Prez do you have anything against him(sarcasm). Seriously though its not like Napier cant make an NBA roster he can be an AJ Price type guard or a Chris Duhon type or DJ Augustin all guys who arent that quick or that athletic.

 

[NHUConnfan]

I'll say it again. If Shabazz can't limit turnovers, he will not sniff the NBA. It's very clear the NBA has a low tolerance policy for guards who turn the ball over. Remember Jeremy Lin couldn't find a place to stay (because of TOs) until he ended up with on of the few coaches (D'Antonio) who breathes that full-throttle, high risk/high reward type of offense. I mean, very few guards who turn the ball over stay in the league...and most of them have some X factor that I think Napier doesn't have. (i.e. Nash and his crazy speed/point guard skills/superior shooting)

 

[21Huskies]

one of the best point guards in the country? comparing him to DJ Austin and Rajon Rondo?

am i in fantasy land right now?

he's has had 2 sub par seasons, is undersized, not a great defender and not fast. if we had any other options i think it'd be fair to ask to move on to Boatright and a different 2 guard and bring Nappier off the bench.

i feel like just because someone puts on a UConn jersey this board thinks they are great players. there are 50 Shabazz Napiers running around the NCAA right now and thats probably an understatement. if you get minutes and take shots, you're going to put up numbers (hence his points and assists), if you don't do it efficiently then you aren't good. Shabazz shoots 38%, we run an awful half court offense in which he's the pg and he makes some boneheaded passes.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I am not sure when Napier became slow. Are we talking about the same player? Good thing you guys aren't pro scouts, because while Napier has some issues, speed is not one of them.

While he is undersized, there are plenty of short point guards. His shooting is a much bigger problem. He also has a lot to learn on both ends, but those things will get MUCH better with a couple of more years.

He isn't going anywhere anyway. He isn't a first or second round pick right now. With a lot of work, he could be an NBA ready backup PG in 2 years.

 

[NHUConnfan]

I am not sure when Napier became slow. Are we talking about the same player? Good thing you guys aren't pro scouts, because while Napier has some issues, speed is not one of them.

Really? How come Drummond is the fastest person on the team? Napier's speed is very limited. Boatright and Kemba both have/had him covered in terms of that.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Really? How come Drummond is the fastest person on the team? Napier's speed is very limited. Boatright and Kemba both have/had him covered in terms of that.

Tangent: It seems to me that this talk of Drummond being the fastest person on the team is just nonsense. Does anyone know what was the source for this statement? Calhoun hyperbole?

 

[WhereistheDove?]

This is a guy that 90% of this board was down on for most of the season because of his play and after a decent run at the end he's the next great PG? I think there's the potential there for him to be a very good college player and maybe get a sniff at the pros in the future, but some of the stuff on here is ridiculous.

Before that could happen he needs to show that he can make better shot decisions, not just dribble out half the clock before getting into the offense in the half court, stay in front of his man on D and not make the lazy wrap around poke that NEVER works, overall just cut down on bad passes and decisions, get much stronger, and run a competent half court offense.

I'm not sure he'll ever truly be up to it because of his size but Shabazz would get worked over on defense by most of the PGs in the league who would just out-muscle him. I'm not trying to bash him, I do think he has the chance to be very good the next two years for us... but come on guys, objectively the stuff in this thread is ridiculous.

 

[upstater]

With his handle and moves, Napier is plenty fast enough. I'm only concerned about his outside shot and his defense. Otherwise, I think he'll be able to penetrate in the NBA and run an offense well.

 

[Excalibur]

Really? How come Drummond is the fastest person on the team? Napier's speed is very limited. Boatright and Kemba both have/had him covered in terms of that.

He was playing on one foot most of the year. Freshman year he was obviously quicker to anyone with eyes.

 

[NHUConnfan]

Tangent: It seems to me that this talk of Drummond being the fastest person on the team is just nonsense. Does anyone know what was the source for this statement? Calhoun hyperbole?

Calhoun said it - but if you watched the games when Drummond ran up the court, he clearly was the fastest player. Also, ESPN picked this up and would repeat it back constantly. I don't think its hyperbole. If you look at any mock draft site, they have it down as part of his freak athleticism.

 

[wpq4elamin]

Really? How come Drummond is the fastest person on the team? Napier's speed is very limited. Boatright and Kemba both have/had him covered in terms of that.

from all accounts, drummond might be the fastest man in college basketball when he wants to be.... not being the fastest guy on the team isn't saying a whole lot when you have drummond and boat (2 freak athletes) on your own team.... and kemba was about as quick as they come as well...

drummond is being projected as a top 2 pick because he's fast and can jump.... and he can't do much else right now..... so that's a very silly argument in terms of bazz not being quick...

 

[bpear1600]

one of the best point guards in the country? comparing him to DJ Austin and Rajon Rondo?

am i in fantasy land right now?

he's has had 2 sub par seasons, is undersized, not a great defender and not fast. if we had any other options i think it'd be fair to ask to move on to Boatright and a different 2 guard and bring Nappier off the bench.

i feel like just because someone puts on a UConn jersey this board thinks they are great players. there are 50 Shabazz Napiers running around the NCAA right now and thats probably an understatement. if you get minutes and take shots, you're going to put up numbers (hence his points and assists), if you don't do it efficiently then you aren't good. Shabazz shoots 38%, we run an awful half court offense in which he's the pg and he makes some boneheaded passes.

These must be the same posters that predicted an NBA career for Ricky Moore. Why isn't it enough for Napier to develop into a really good college player?

 

[wpq4elamin]

These must be the same posters that predicted an NBA career for Ricky Moore. Why isn't it enough for Napier to develop into a really good college player?

totally off topic here, but is that Kenny Powers in your picture? haha

 

[swami7774]

No offense, but this is a terrible comparison. Nothing about his game is like Rondo whatsoever. He's not in the same galaxy as Rondo as far as passing is concerned, not on the same planet as an athlete, and overall he'll never be 10% of the player that Rondo is in the NBA. I'm not trying to kill Shabazz here, but you're comparing him to one of the five best point guards in the NBA.
.

Reread where I said "a poor man's Rondo."

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Reread where I said "a poor man's Rondo."

Poor man's Rondo suggests that although they are on different talent levels, they have a similar skillset, and I think that's what champs disagreed with (and for that matter I do to). Rondo is a pass-first, shoot last PG with incredible court vision, who is very active on the court. Shabazz is a shoot-first PG who takes just about half his shots from beyond the arc, really doesn't move all that much when running the half court offense, and has been bashed numerous times on here for some of the decisions he's made. They just are not similar players. Someone brought up the name D.J. Augustin and I think poor man's Augustin is a much better comparison.

 

[huskymagic]

one of the best point guards in the country? comparing him to DJ Austin and Rajon Rondo?

am i in fantasy land right now?

he's has had 2 sub par seasons, is undersized, not a great defender and not fast. if we had any other options i think it'd be fair to ask to move on to Boatright and a different 2 guard and bring Nappier off the bench.

i feel like just because someone puts on a UConn jersey this board thinks they are great players. there are 50 Shabazz Napiers running around the NCAA right now and thats probably an understatement. if you get minutes and take shots, you're going to put up numbers (hence his points and assists), if you don't do it efficiently then you aren't good. Shabazz shoots 38%, we run an awful half court offense in which he's the pg and he makes some boneheaded passes.

lol this is the most honest assessment of Napier probably since my assessment of him well done. Every team in the Big East has a Shabazz Napier so people get a little carried away with how good Napier is, but he has a toughness, and the confidence to take and make some big shots which is a good quality about him. However, all though I agree with everything you just said and have said this for a while myself, Napier can and probably will be a backup point guard in the NBA and probably will get drafted. He is similar to Chris Duhon and AJ Price, and DJ Augustin. These are all guys who are not very fast or athletic but have certain skills that make them somewhat useful in the NBA.

 

[21Huskies]

yes, but those players were all successful in college.

if i'm not mistaken as a sophomore Augustin won the Cousy award, was all big 12 1st team, an all american (on some lists) and scored like 20 ppg on like mid 40's % shooting.

Bazz didn't even make all big east 3rd team, did he?

(i'm certainly not suggesting that the awards matter either, just pointing out the difference in their successes)

 

[huskymagic]

yes, but those players were all successful in college.

if i'm not mistaken as a sophomore Augustin won the Cousy award, was all big 12 1st team, an all american (on some lists) and scored like 20 ppg on like mid 40's % shooting.

Bazz didn't even make all big east 3rd team, did he?

(i'm certainly not suggesting that the awards matter either, just pointing out the difference in their successes)

21 yes I know those players were successful in college but it doesnt really matter. The point is Napier has similar skill set as those guys and will get drafted just because he is hyped by the media as a star already and some scouts think that he has good vision and can be a decent backup in the NBA. There are a lot of Napiers in college basketball, and its usually the ones that are hyped by the media that play for big programs that get drafted as thats the society we live in. What I fin ridiculous is none of the buffoon experts or scouts talking about guys like Peyton Siva who deserve to get drafted and who have good potential to get better still despite already being very quick and extremely athletic.

 

[UConn990411]

I think no one is talking about Siva because he has not improved - and in many ways has regressed - in three years now, despite playing in a big time program and conference. That typically sends a red flag or two.

But of course you have a 6th sense for these types of things, so I'm sure Siva will go on to become a Hall of Famer.

 

[caw]

The funny thing about Siva is that Napier pretty much had a better statistical season than him (in almost every statistical category). Napier was better from 3 (36% > 24%), better from the foul line (74% > 73%), PPG (13 > 9.2), RPG (3.5 > 3.2), APG (5.8 > 5.5), BPG (.3 > .1), TOPG (2.8 < 3.5). The only two things Siva did better are 2P% (42% < 46%) and SPG (1.6 < 1.8). Napier commits fewer fouls as well (2.6 < 3.0). Of course if you adjust for MPG things are closer, though I believe UL plays at a faster pace.

I would say Siva was better than Napier but, aside from head-to-head, there is no statistical basis for saying that.

Aside: I think Boatright could be better than Siva down the line because Boatright can actually shoot the ball.

 

[21Huskies]

i'm not a big Siva fan either so i'll stay out of that debate but Boatright is absolutely going to be a stud. he has the quickness and the ability to get where he wants with the ball. freshman make mistakes, so his inconsistencies weren't shocking this year, but he's going to be a stud. he should only improve on his 42% shooting as well as he gets more consistent minutes and this year of craziness is past him.

your team is only going to be as good as the performance of your players who have the highest usage rate. i'm hoping next season we have the ball in Boatrights hands a lot more than we have the ball in Bazz's hands and i think we'll see much better results.

 

[UConn990411]

Siva was not better than Napier - not this year at least.

He was pretty much a disaster all season.