Post practice quotes - 6/5/2023

[Deleted at users request]

I agree Castle should work on both (and it's my impression that he does have both levels in his game).

Donovan should prioritize the 3 first, then add the midrange 2 if it seems that he needs it. His most likely role in the NBA is rim-runner/spacer a Walker Kessler/Jaren Jackson type role. Essentially, if he doesn't already have it, I doubt he'll get his midrange game to a level where NBA decision makers will think he's a primary scoring option using the midrange, because those 1v1 type moves are heavily contested, difficult shots. Whereas open 3s are an easier thing to add in one summer.

That’s where expectations come into play. He’s good where he’s at to be a Kessler type player right now.

I don’t want DC taking pull-up 2s, but man. If he can master the turnaround Dirk fadeaway from 10-15 ft out he’s a no brainer All Star minimum because no one on earth is stopping that. Can he add it in a summer? No, not master it. But he can lay the foundation for teams to invest in when he gets drafted to continue to do that.

Think about how much Joel and Jokic strike fear into defenses because they absolutely control the game from the midrange in isolation. The three point shot is moreso a bonus to help their team space the floor but they control it through the mid because guys HAVE to play up on them. With Donovan’s ability to pass and his athleticism that can be him. But we have to teach him how to be an iso scorer to do that.

It honestly doesn’t even need to be a one or the other situation though. There’s no reason he can’t both work on his three point shooting and developing some big man moves in the mid. Lol. He’s a hard worker who has 24/7 access to the gym. It’s really just about the direction he gets pushed in.

 

[Deleted at users request]

And the team that won almost every game was the team that shot best from 3. Miami has been over 50% from 3 several times and won every one of those games, including the last one and game 7 vs Boston.

That’s because they don’t force threes. It’s not their gameplan to Jack threes. They attempted 60 less threes than the Celtics that series and only had 1 game they attempted more.

Living and dying by the three is a very real thing.

 

[businesslawyer]

I don't understand why you people continue to die on this hill. It's not even about whether or not the NBA should have more mid-range shots or not. The fact is that if he wants to get drafted and get a bunch of money, his best chance is to develop a 3-point shot rather than a mid-range shot. The NBA is desperate for true 7-footers that can shoot 3s.

Why would he or our coaching staff focus on a skill that will not help his long-term career? Why are you advocating for Donovan to train a skill that will not help him be successful at the next level? Do you not want our players to be successful in the NBA?

My first objective is that we develop our players to help us win games in college while they are here. I do not view college basketball as a breeding ground for the NBA. I will care far more about our players winning games in college than when they're in the NBA.

 

[husky429]

My first objective is that we develop our players to help us win games in college while they are here. I do not view college basketball as a breeding ground for the NBA. I will care far more about our players winning games in college than when they're in the NBA.

Good luck recruiting, then.

"Xyz won't prepare you for professional basketball" is about the easiest way to win a recruiting battle I can imagine. Maybe we should have had Kimani let Castle know we didn't care about developing him for the league.

Could we also imagine that NBA staffs made up of the best minds in the game probably know what they're doing? And maybe (just maybe) when the league thinks players should develop a 3, they might know what they're talking about?

 

[businesslawyer]

Good luck recruiting, then.

It's not like there is no overlap in skills. But I don't want us to be Kentucky. Get the guys here however you can, but once here everyone's top goal has to be winning as a team -- not developing skills for the next level. It's not like winning isn't an important skill.

 

[uconngb]

Over

UNDER

 

[August_West]

It's not like there is no overlap in skills. But I don't want us to be Kentucky. Get the guys here however you can, but once here everyone's top goal has to be winning as a team -- not developing skills for the next level. It's not like winning isn't an important skill.

This . Winning takes care of a lot of things, we are about to put a great kid who may have the most broken jumper anyone has ever seen into the late first round of the NBA draft. How? Why? Because he’s shown he’s a winner.

 

[August_West]

Good luck recruiting, then.

"Xyz won't prepare you for professional basketball" is about the easiest way to win a recruiting battle I can imagine. Maybe we should have had Kimani let Castle know we didn't care about developing him for the league.

Could we also imagine that NBA staffs made up of the best minds in the game probably know what they're doing? And maybe (just maybe) when the league thinks players should develop a 3, they might know what they're talking about?

That’s too absolute.

 

[husky429]

It's not like there is no overlap in skills. But I don't want us to be Kentucky. Get the guys here however you can, but once here everyone's top goal has to be winning as a team -- not developing skills for the next level. It's not like winning isn't an important skill.

You didn't quote or address the entire second half of my quote, counsel.

The same skills that help you win the in the NBA, help you win in college. Developing NBA skills IS helping you win as a team. The only real exception might be traditional bigs like Sanogo or Edey. And even then, it's not like a 3-point shot hurt Sanogo... it's the only reason he might get drafted.

Squid recruits only one-and-dones who only start developing with him, so they don't win. We will never be that team.

 

[husky429]

That’s too absolute.

It really isn't.

NBA skills help you win in college. Where the Squid goes wrong is recruiting one-and-dones that start developing those skills and never finish. That's not what we're doing.

Did we go wrong helping Rese develop a three-point shot and ballhandling for the league? No, because having a 6'7 player who can shoot, defend, and dribble will help you win at any level of basketball.

 

[Edward Sargent]

SGA took over double the amount of mid range shots than threes and he was 1st team All NBA.

SGA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder

Jalen Brunson just carried the Knicks on one of their best postseason runs in awhile leaning on mid range shots.

Brunson:

Jalen Brunson | Guard | New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson bio, latest news, videos, and exclusive content. Discover his awards, honors, and career achievements. Stay updated and find out when his next game is.

www.nba.com

You know who follows the formula that gets talked about here? Julius Randle.

Randle:

Julius Randle | Forward-Center | Minnesota Timberwolves | NBA.com

Julius Randle bio, latest news, videos, and exclusive content. Discover his awards, honors, and career achievements. Stay updated and find out when his next game is.

www.nba.com

De’Aron Fox was the most clutch player in the NBA off mid range shots and led his team to a 2 seed. Sabonis also lived there.

Fox:

De'Aaron Fox | Guard | San Antonio Spurs | NBA.com

De'Aaron Fox bio, latest news, videos, and exclusive content. Discover his awards, honors, and career achievements. Stay updated and find out when his next game is.

www.nba.com

Sabonis:

Domantas Sabonis | Forward-Center | Sacramento Kings | NBA.com

Domantas Sabonis bio, latest news, videos, and exclusive content. Discover his awards, honors, and career achievements. Stay updated and find out when his next game is.

www.nba.com

I’m counting mid range as shots between 8-24ft. Where are these examples of STAR players who are successful without having a lethal mid range game?

Rip??

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's not like there is no overlap in skills. But I don't want us to be Kentucky. Get the guys here however you can, but once here everyone's top goal has to be winning as a team -- not developing skills for the next level. It's not like winning isn't an important skill.

The problem solves itself because Hurley runs an offense and defense closer to what NBA teams run than just about anybody. So winning at UConn does prepare you. Those shots by hawk coming around screens, the two handed facing layups by Sanogo, the switching D, the lobs to Andre. It is a perfect audition.

 

[Chin Diesel]

@krinklecut , now this is a thread which has gone off the rails from OP to current conversations.

 

[uconnfan68]

The way I see it, scouts are going to look at him like Jokic because of his ability to pass except he can be an elite rim protector too. You’re not finding many 7’s like him with his motor too. He’s a special prospect.

This run Jokic is on can really help DC’s stock.

Please pump the brakes on the Jokic comparisons. I’d settle for an Adama Sanogo year, with a few more dunks and blocks.

 

[superjohn]

The way I see it, scouts are going to look at him like Jokic because of his ability to pass except he can be an elite rim protector too. You’re not finding many 7’s like him with his motor too. He’s a special prospect.

This run Jokic is on can really help DC’s stock.

So scouts are going to look at him as a better version of Jokic?

Slow your roll.

 

[Deleted at users request]

So scouts are going to look at him as a better version of Jokic?

Slow your roll.

Not saying he is going to be Jokic or better. Just that scouts can look at him in that way.

If you look at Jokic as a prospect coming out and compare him to DC now it’s not as crazy as it sounds.

I’m completely basing that off what has been talked about here as far as his ability to pass. After this year teams will 100% be looking for a player in that mold.