UConn in the NBA March ‘25

[aceboon]

still incomprehensible what the Mavs did, if Luka/Kyrie + role players can get to the Finals it's gonna be hard to stop a Luka/Bron combo in 4th quarters barring injury

 

[aceboon]

I'm not sure in offense it would of developed. Maybe if was at a school where they do more ISO offense he would be forced to develop. For someone who can dribble as good as AJ it is surprising he doesn't create more on offense for himself.

yea that's the one thing I never understood with AJ, a guy with his size, footspeed, and handle should be able to get to certain points on the floor and create for himself but that goes back to his mindset again. He just has no scoring instincts and isn't wired to score, I would love to see what an offseason training & development session looks like for him.

 

[3rdbass]

yea that's the one thing I never understood with AJ, a guy with his size, footspeed, and handle should be able to get to certain points on the floor and create for himself but that goes back to his mindset again. He just has no scoring instincts and isn't wired to score, I would love to see what an offseason training & development session looks like for him.

I wonder what he was taught in high school? Just jump over everyone. He surely didn't get taught well on his ability to create a shot close to the basket or the midrange. Too bad as he always had good skills besides the ability to score. The problem at UConn was we had other scorers in front of him in Hawkins, Newton and Sanogo that I think Hurley just wanted him to be the glue guy and didn't develop his offensive game further. I mean we were lucky that we could get in the dunkers spot by the tourney came around so he would be more effective on offense. Obviously that doesn't work as well for a 6'6" guard in the NBA.

 

[Mr. French]

yea that's the one thing I never understood with AJ, a guy with his size, footspeed, and handle should be able to get to certain points on the floor and create for himself but that goes back to his mindset again. He just has no scoring instincts and isn't wired to score, I would love to see what an offseason training & development session looks like for him.

That’s the weird thing: as much as development of skills can get you there, there’s a certain innate ability with scorers. As you say, it’s how they’re wired. Some guys have all the tools but not that mindset.

I think of guys like Sticks, Kelly Oubre, Wiggins even - they are where they are from raw talent and development, but they’re not superstars because that innate scoring mentality is lacking.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

That’s the weird thing: as much as development of skills can get you there, there’s a certain innate ability with scorers. As you say, it’s how they’re wired. Some guys have all the tools but not that mindset.

I think of guys like Sticks, Kelly Oubre, Wiggins even - they are where they are from raw talent and development, but they’re not superstars because that innate scoring mentality is lacking.

I don’t think the mindset of those guys are comparable to someone like Andre. When people talk about those guys they can score but people expect them to be All-Star players.

I get what you’re trying to say but Andre wishes he had the ability to score 20 points in any game ever. He doesn’t have one skill or ability he’s confident in to score a basket. Those guys just don’t have the will to be “the guy”. Which is something I think Andre actually has mentality wise. Just none of the actual skills to confidently apply it.

It’s bizarre none of his coaches thought it would be important to teach him that seeing how talented he is doing everything else.

 

[aceboon]

funny note about Jeremy Lamb from an article in The Athletic that was posted today chronicling the end of the De'Aaron Fox era in Sacramento, he's dating the daughter of the Kings owner.


But Anjali still appeared to have influence throughout Sacramento’s organization, as she and Lamb became a more visible part of the Kings’ decision-making tree early this season. They were often spotted courtside next to Vivek in the proverbial power seats at games and were believed by many within the organization to be gaining a growing influence in the bigger-picture path forward.

“We’re all going to be working for Jeremy Lamb soon enough,” one Kings employee joked to The Athletic at the time.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Steph with a nasty putback poster. He does this on a nightly basis at this point.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Shoutout to Steph for respecting the coin

 

[REB1094]

Castle has been putting up at least one jaw dropping play per game recently. Kid is insane

 

[superjohn]

Not UConn related but since we don't have an NBA thread Jokic had 31 pts, 22 assists, and 21 rebounds last night.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Not UConn related but since we don't have an NBA thread Jokic had 31 pts, 22 assists, and 21 rebounds last night.

What a ridiculous player. I hope everyone appreciates what we’re watching. This is absurd.

 

[gsmooth]

What a ridiculous player. I hope everyone appreciates what we’re watching. This is absurd.

He is a fantastic player. Some say he is boring, but I think he is fun to watch.

 

[Scoe]

Not UConn related but since we don't have an NBA thread Jokic had 31 pts, 22 assists, and 21 rebounds last night.

Just another day at the office for him, the dude ain’t human.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

He is a fantastic player. Some say he is boring, but I think he is fun to watch.

That’s how you know someone isn’t a real NBA fan, if they say Jokic is boring to watch.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Steph is playing so well. I honestly wonder if his minutes were down post-ASB just to give him rest after a full weekend for him.

 

[superjohn]

What a ridiculous player. I hope everyone appreciates what we’re watching. This is absurd.

I read that with Jokic on the floor this season the Nuggets have the best offensive rating in NBA history. With Jokic on the bench this season the Nuggets have the worst offensive rating of the last decade.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I read that with Jokic on the floor this season the Nuggets have the best offensive rating in NBA history. With Jokic on the bench this season the Nuggets have the worst offensive rating of the last decade.

To that degree it’s incredible, but it’s honestly not that shocking there’s an insane difference. They are so dependent on him, more dependent on one player than I’ve ever seen a team be.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Not UConn related but since we don't have an NBA thread Jokic had 31 pts, 22 assists, and 21 rebounds last night.

An absolutely insane accomplishment.

What stands out most to me (spoke about it with my son this morning) is the 22 assists. I'll wager that there have been more 60+ point games in NBA history than there have been 20+ assist games.

 

[gsmooth]

To that degree it’s incredible, but it’s honestly not that shocking there’s an insane difference. They are so dependent on him, more dependent on one player than I’ve ever seen a team be.

That's the thing, the Nuggets are too dependent on him. I just fear that they will waste his prime. Those bench pieces they lost were crucial (i.e. Bruce Brown, from right here in Dorchester, MA).

 

[NJHusky]

I read that with Jokic on the floor this season the Nuggets have the best offensive rating in NBA history. With Jokic on the bench this season the Nuggets have the worst offensive rating of the last decade.

Sounds like the definition of MVP

 

[REB1094]

Steph is playing so well. I honestly wonder if his minutes were down post-ASB just to give him rest after a full weekend for him.

Last 5 for Castle:

• 25pts, 3ast, 2reb
• 17pts, 6ast, 4reb
• 32pt, 3ast, 8reb
• 24pts, 7ast, 3reb
• 22pts, 5ast, 7reb

Last 5 for his main competition for Rookie of the Year (Jaylen Wells):

• 5pts, 1ast, 5reb
• 3pts, 1ast, 5reb
• 12pts, 6ast, 2reb
• 18pts, 3ast, 2reb
• 3pts, 2ast, 1reb

 

[Mr. French]

I don’t think the mindset of those guys are comparable to someone like Andre. When people talk about those guys they can score but people expect them to be All-Star players.

I get what you’re trying to say but Andre wishes he had the ability to score 20 points in any game ever. He doesn’t have one skill or ability he’s confident in to score a basket. Those guys just don’t have the will to be “the guy”. Which is something I think Andre actually has mentality wise. Just none of the actual skills to confidently apply it.

It’s bizarre none of his coaches thought it would be important to teach him that seeing how talented he is doing everything else.

He’s always been a great athlete, not a bucket getter. Bottom line. That’s a natural thing. The skills and scoring package comes naturally off of that. He’s not that guy.

 

[aceboon]

NBA MVP discourse needs to be wrapped up, it's SGA's award

 

[superjohn]

NBA MVP discourse needs to be wrapped up, it's SGA's award

I don't have a problem with that. The real shame is that Embiid got the award over Jokic. Some voters led by Perkins were on a crusade not let Jokic get it again that year.

 

[UCan3]

Simply being comfortable going to the basket and finishing would’ve been great.

With good NIL money case could be made 4 staying for any player not in lottery but needs more time b4 prime time.