UConn Top 20 (Here we go again)

[Husky Alien]

Uncle Cliffy was directly responsible for our winning our first national title.
some of these very fine and most excellant other players didn't win
squat. if the NIT is supposedly a nothingburger, why didn't some of those guys win it?

the pioneer, and founder, of UConn championship grit.
im pretty sure his given name is Moses.

You tell them @ClifSpliffy!

Reasonable people could argue Caron or Rip on the team they most want to watch. On a college level, Cliff Robinson couldn't carry Donyell Marshall's water.

Cliffy was by far one of best players in UConn college hoops. He may have not had the #’s that Donyell had. Donyell was surrounded by far better players around him where Cliffy was not and he was coached by Don Perno before coach Calhoun molded him into being an NBA player.
So Donyell couldn’t carry Cliffys water or bong water matter of fact.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Is this based on UConn career or total basketball career? Are we leaving out old timers Toby Kimball, Tony Hanson? If it's based on UConn career Ray isn't #1, you have Khalid too high, Donyell too low, Chris Smith way too low, Gordon too low. Jerome Dyson shouldn't be on the list, neither should Jalen Adams and Vital. Replace them with Hasheem, Boone, and Scott Burrell. Hasheem needs to be in the top 15. It's Emeka and Doron.

'Jerome Dyson shouldn't be on the list,'
i let him know that u said this. he wasn't pleased.

here's a plane ticket. where u moving to?

 

[Waquoit]

Cliffy was by far one of best players in UConn college hoops. He may have not had the #’s that Donyell had. Donyell was surrounded by far better players around him where Cliffy was not and he was coached by Don Perno before coach Calhoun molded him into being an NBA player.
So Donyell couldn’t carry Cliffys water or bong water matter of fact.

Not at UConn, he wasn't. He was a massive underachiever at UConn and all-around churl. His transformation into Uncle Cliffy, the ultimate stand-up guy was incredible rivaled only by George Foreman. But he should of been a leader his senior year and he wasn't. There were reasons he dropped into the 2nd round despite all that ability and it wasn't the supporting cast. His backcourt ended up in the NBA.

 

[HuskyHawk]

So, I'll apply my own criteria. UConn play only. Extra credit for playing at least 3 years, recognizing that modern great players will leave early. I'm excluding the ancient history guys before my time (Hanson, Quimby, Kimball...). No particular order but the guys at the top are more obviously on the list.

• Chris Smith
• Richard Hamilton
• Ray Allen
• Emeka Okafor
• Donyell Marshall
• Ben Gordon
• Caron Butler
• Corny Thompson
• Kemba Walker
• Shabazz Napier
• Khalid El Amin
• Cliff Robinson
• Scott Burrell
• Rudy Gay
• Earle Kelley
• Doron Sheffer
• Jeff Adrien
• AJ Price
• Hasheem Thabeet
• Marcus Williams

 

[Husky Alien]

Not at UConn, he wasn't. He was a massive underachiever at UConn and all-around churl. His transformation into Uncle Cliffy, the ultimate stand-up guy was incredible rivaled only by George Foreman. But he should of been a leader his senior year and he wasn't. There were reasons he dropped into the 2nd round despite all that ability and it wasn't the supporting cast. His backcourt ended up in the NBA.

Cliffy's stats for his 4 years at UConn:

1985 = 5.6 Pts, 3.1 Reb, .05 Ast
1986 = 18.0 Pts, 7.4 Reb, 2.0 Ast
1987 = 17.6 Pts, 6.9 Reb, 1.3 Ast
1988 = 20.0 Pts, 7.4 Reb, 1.5 Ast

Donyell's Stats for his 3 years at UConn:

1991 = 11.1 PTS, 6.1 Reb, 1.5 Ast
1992 = 17.0 Pts, 7.8 Reb, 1.1 Ast
1993 = 25.0 Pts, 8.9 Reb, 1.6 Ast

So really not a big difference between the two of them. IMO, Cliffy dropped in the NBA draft had a lot to do with his dedication to playing hard was in question. This is a quote from a SI article about him and the draft in 1989.

"Come the 1989 NBA draft, the word on Cliff Robinson was not good. The word was that Robinson, then a senior at Connecticut, was the biggest dog since Sgt. McGruff. A hound. The general managers, the scouts, they all agreed that he was talented. But sometimes these drafts become word-driven. And word was, this kid belonged on a leash."

A Cliffhanger

Come the 1989 NBA draft, the word on Cliff Robinson was not good. The word was that Robinson, then a senior at Connecticut, was the biggest dog since Sgt.

vault.si.com

"His backcourt ended up in the NBA." who are you referring to: Phil Gamble, Tate George, Chris Smith? Cliffy ended up in the NBA.

Donyell's back court consisted of: KO, Scott Burrell, Brian Fair, Doron Sheffer and Ray Allen through out his career at UConn.

He certainly was not a 'churl" you say. The meaning for that word has no direct impact regarding Cliffy.

churl
/CHərl/
Learn to pronounce
noun
an impolite and mean-spirited person.
a miser.
a person of low birth; a peasant.

 

[Waquoit]

I saw 'em both in person countless times. Yell and it's not close.

 

[Skiblets]

Didn’t we have a guy who once had a 100 point game in high school? The disrespect

 

[Husky Alien]

I saw 'em both in person countless times. Yell and it's not close.

Oh! I see you did the eye test like Chief00. By the way I also have seen them both in person many of times.

 

[KembaKek]

I'd probably go something like this:

1. Adama Sanogo
2. RJ Cole
3. Dan Hurley
4. Andre Jackson
5. Jordan Hawkins
6. Isaiah Whaley
7. Luke Murray
8. Akok Akok
9. Jalen Gaffney
10. Tom Moore
11. Tyrese Martin
12. Tyler Polley
13. Kimani Young
14. Rahsool Diggins
15. Samson Johnson
16. Richie Springs
17. Corey Floyd Jr
18. Tripp Doherty
19. James Doran
20. Gavin Roberts

HM: Taliek Brown, Donovan Clingan, Alex Karaban

ridiculous and unrealistic list. Where is Matt Garry????

 

[Hoophound]

I agree Donyell was better in college. He was a dominating force his junior year and the clear 2nd best player in the country to Glen Robinson. Cliff could have been better in college, but the game was a little different. Guys his size didn’t shoot 3’s yet and he was playing center when he was really a big wing/graceful power forward.

I wouldn’t say that Donyell was more talented either. Cliff had legit skills, including ball handling ability, that would be used far differently in today’s game. If Cliff came along today, he’d be modeling his game after Kevin Durant.

 

[Skiblets]

Had a couple of drinks with Uncle Cliffy in Philly night before a game with the Sixers. . Rittenhouse square steak joint at the bar. Totally random encounter. But he had some great stories about his time in Storrs. He certainly didn’t get cheated

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Not at UConn, he wasn't. He was a massive underachiever at UConn and all-around churl. His transformation into Uncle Cliffy, the ultimate stand-up guy was incredible rivaled only by George Foreman. But he should of been a leader his senior year and he wasn't. There were reasons he dropped into the 2nd round despite all that ability and it wasn't the supporting cast. His backcourt ended up in the NBA.

'He was a massive underachiever at UConn and all-around churl.'

jealous much?
no-bootie, or otherwise, from his churlish days at Storrs ever complained aboot their time spent with Cliff. he was a righteous dude, who had a lot of fun at all-the-days of his life. smart man.

what happened after his championship school days ended? he took a job in the pinnacle of his profession, cuz he could, and it fit nicely with his plans for his life.
how'd that work out?
All-Time NBA Career Rank: (that's a long time, no?)
36th defensive win shares.
14th in games played.
61st 3 point fg made.
96th 2 point fg made.
40th fg attempts.
58th fg made.
but wait, there's more! lots more!
80th in ft attempts.
25th in minutes played.
60th in steals.
47th in blocks.
55th in points.
and yes, even his fellow nba workers thought him to be a fun loving guy, who was all business when it was time to clock in.

oops, forgot one of his All-Time NBA Career Rank entries;
10th in personal fouls.
'the pioneer, and founder, of UConn championship grit.'
and he did it all with a smile.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

one of the all-time basketball anomalies is,
how did the guy who ended up 61st for made nba 3's end up with only 30 3 point attempts in his entire four year college career?
'At 6'10", he was the tallest player to make more than 1,000 three-pointers until he was surpassed by Dirk Nowitzki'
now, that's a head scratcher.

(just fer fun:
'Robinson is one of seven players to record 1,300 steals and 1,300 blocked shots in their ABA/NBA career - the others are Kevin Garnett, Julius Erving, Bobby Jones, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Ben Wallace.')

 

[Waquoit]

Oh! I see you did the eye test like Chief00. By the way I also have seen them both in person many of times.

Well, if you did the eye test and still came up with Cliff your judgement is suspect. His senior year we should have led us to the dance and came up short. We had just won the NIT and had everyone coming back as well as a top recruit. Maybe it was coaching. It was only JC's 3rd year in the big time.

 

[Waquoit]

I agree Donyell was better in college. He was a dominating force his junior year and the clear 2nd best player in the country to Glen Robinson. Cliff could have been better in college, but the game was a little different. Guys his size didn’t shoot 3’s yet and he was playing center when he was really a big wing/graceful power forward.

He wasn't playing center, he told JC he wouldn't. He was a PF.

 

[EBonz30]

The Boneyard has debated this many times before, but impressions do change over time (for example, a few years ago we had Hamilton as #2).

Here is how my buddy and I come out now.

Regardless of relative position, have we inadvertently forgotten anyone?

TOP TEN

1 Ray Allen best of the best
2 Kemba Walker
3 Richard Hamilton
4 Omeka Okafor
5 Khalid El-Amin
6 Shabazz Napier
7 Donyell Marshall
8 Caron Butler
9 Cliff Robinson
10 Rudy Gay

NEXT TEN

11 James Booknight if no injuries - up?
12 Ben Gordon
13 Ricky Moore
14 Chris Smith started it all
15 Jeremy Lamb
16 A J Price
17 Ryan Boatright
18 Jerome Dyson
19 Christian Vital on a weak team
20 Jalen Adams on a weak team

OTHER NOTABLES (IN ALPHA ORDER)

? Jeff Adrian
? Josh Boone
? Scott Burrell
? Kevin Freeman underrated
? Phil Gamble
? Tate George
? Neils Giffey
? Nadov Henefeld (only one year)
? Donny Marshall
? Kevin Ollie
? Doron Sheffer
? Adama Sonago potentially
? Hasheem Thabeet

Ben Gordon is way too low- lol- Bouknight over Gordon- lol- probably one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a while- the whole list I would put under scrutiny- to each is own though.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Reasonable people could argue Caron or Rip on the team they most want to watch. On a college level, Cliff Robinson couldn't carry Donyell Marshall's water.

I agree Donyell was the better player, but he also had a lot more talent around him.

 

[Waquoit]

I agree Donyell was the better player, but he also had a lot more talent around him.

But it's not like Cliff carried a bunch of stiffs, he had a 1st rounder playing with him. That NIT title was a team effort, not a case of "Cliffy and the Miracles".

 

[Hoophound]

He wasn't playing center, he told JC he wouldn't. He was a PF.

Cliff was always posting up. Regardless of what JC told him, he was playing lots of center. My point was that these days, he'd be a wing in the NBA and shooting the 3 a lot more. Judging by the dribbling displays I saw him put on while fooling around with the guards, he'd be able to play the 2 and even bring the ball up if he wanted to. He was an incredible natural talent, but his real ability wasn't truly tapped due to the style of play for guys his size back then.

 

[Waquoit]

Cliff was always posting up. Regardless of what JC told him, he was playing lots of center. My point was that these days, he'd be a wing in the NBA and shooting the 3 a lot more. Judging by the dribbling displays I saw him put on while fooling around with the guards, he'd be able to play the 2 and even bring the ball up if he wanted to. He was an incredible natural talent, but his real ability wasn't truly tapped due to the style of play for guys his size back then.

Yes, today's game would have fit him better. But even back then, Cliff took plenty of jumpers. If only he made more in the big spots. There were two Cliffs, BS and AS. Before Snub and After Snub. After the snub, he was driven. But that's not the guy who played for UConn. If his "real ability wasn't truly tapped", much of that was on him.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Yes, today's game would have fit him better. But even back then, Cliff took plenty of jumpers. If only he made more in the big spots. There were two Cliffs, BS and AS. Before Snub and After Snub. After the snub, he was driven. But that's not the guy who played for UConn. If his "real ability wasn't truly tapped", much of that was on him.

'If only he made more in the big spots.'
nit semifinal
UConn 73, BC 67
with the game on the line at the end, Cliff Robinson scored the final seven points on his way to 29. 29 out of 73 total points. that's a lot, no?
listen to the commentary, starting around 1 hour, 20 minutes, u will hear things like 'the Franchise' and 'he has been extraordinary.'
extra-ordinary, that's more than ordinary, no?
iffn he didn't brick a few ft's, he'd have way more than 30.

our pal raftery on the mic.
check him out at th end of the 1st half, around the 47 minute mark.
'i will knock u so far upside ur head, that u'll never be wearing a hat again.' refs, lots of jawing all around, the whole shebang. tuff.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

But it's not like Cliff carried a bunch of stiffs, he had a 1st rounder playing with him. That NIT title was a team effort, not a case of "Cliffy and the Miracles".

Never said that. But, Donyell had a much better cast. It isn't really close. That said, Donyell was clearly the better of the two.

 

[cap10dingus]

Here is what I would have including where I think you could argue them:

1. Ray Allen - Clear #1
2. Kemba Walker - (2-3)
3. Omeka Okafor - (2-4)
4. Richard Hamilton - (3-4)
5. Donyell Marshall - (5)
6. Hasheem Thabeet - (6-7)
7. Caron Butler- (6-8)
8. Ben Gordon- (6-9)
9. Cliff Robinson- (8-9)
10. Khalid El-Amin- (10-11)
11. Rudy Gay- (10-12)
12. Shabazz Napier- (11-14)
13. Tate George- (13-15)
14. Ricky Moore- (13-17)
15. Kevin Freeman- (15-NR)
16. A J Price- (15-20)
17. Taliek Brown- (14-NR)
18. Jeff Adrian- (18-NR)
19. Josh Boone- (12-NR)
20. James Booknight- (13-NR)


Donny Marshall (13-NR)
Jeremy Lamb (19-NR)
Kevin Ollie (19-NR)
Scott Burrell (NR)
Christian Vital (NR)