Agbaji/Next Year's Team
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@KUSTEVE It was before the game yesterday, I said he plays hard just not smart most of the time. Happy for him and hopefully he can build from it like Mitch has been the last few games.
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@kjayhawks LOL…oh, ok. That makes sense. Both KJ and Mitch have been MIA most of the year. It is great seeing them contribute.
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I think we may have found a role for KJ last night. When I think of KJ, I think of two things. Slow. Fearless.
It makes him perfect for the 2nd half of games. Once everyone else’s legs are tired, he seems to be able to actually play D and provide a spark on O. As far as fearless, you have to have guys not scared to shoot in order to close out games. He doesn’t play scared and seems to never get shook. So, I’m absolute pro KJ from minutes 25-35 and see if he can help close out a game or provide a nice little spark.
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@Kcmatt7 I’m absolutely 1,000% behind that idea. He did a better Dedric impression than Dedric did last night. This guy has definite clutch tendencies, and for a team starting 4 freshmen, we need all the clutch we can get. Something was different last night. Maybe the guy has finally relaxed, and let the game come to him. He looked like the player we thought we were getting last night. The lightbulb has come on, and I have a good feeling it won’t go off again.
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user_RCJH said:
I see KJ getting ragged on quite a bit here. IMO, it’s completely unwarranted. What I saw last night, was a calming presence on the court when it mattered most. Obviously it was a team effort, but we do not win that game last night without KJ. I think he could be a solid 6th man next year. In college, he’s a stretch 3. He’s always has played in the shadow of DL and defers to him on the court unequivocally. When he does hunt his shot, he’s pretty effficent. I mean look at the stat sheet last night 16 min 4-6 on the floor, 2-2 from the line, 10 points 3 boards 0 To 0 pf. How is he the worst guy on a scholly? Curious to see what his development would be next year without DL. Regardless, I’d like to see him get more minutes, like at least 10-15 a game. He’s efficient and when the game was on the line, he seemed unfazed by the moment.
I couldn’t agree more with everything you have said. - -The way I look at it - all we have seen is some spot minutes from KJ - -some games None at all. - -people are watching and gauging him off very limited minutes. - I don’t think KJ is our worst player by far - -I think far from that.
I think we got more of a REAL look what KJ can do in extended minutes like last night- -he get’s a few minutes during rag tag time at the ends of the games lots of turnovers - -quick shots kind of hard to see the true play of a player - KJ brings things to the table- -I can only hope possibly he will start seeing the floor a little more. - - Actually here again he is even possibly a better option then our Marcus - -NOW I’m talking Offensively - -again Offensively - -I admit defensively not even close to Marcus - -but at least here again when KJ is on the floor - -teams have to play more straight up can’t slack off as much- - Now people can tell me I’m wrong – that’s fine but I’ll stick to he IS NOT our worst player by any means. – - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@KUSTEVE He is not a step slow. He is two steps. And the motor is seriously lacking. Can you imagine how much Och had been outplaying him in practice with Och running on the Red team? The coaches must have been going nuts. To his credit, Q has seemed to welcome Och’s presence and they seem to be playing pretty well together when Q could have responded quite differently.
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@KUSTEVE What if it’s as simple as he has finally accepted his role? He may have come in this year thinking he was gonna get more minutes. Any player would be disappointed by that. But he has hung in and stayed positive and now he may flourish as the 2nd half microwave.
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@Fightsongwriter “… as the 2nd half microwave.” Nice. Vinnie Johnson references always welcome.
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kJ is engaged
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https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/status/1096935574387200001?s=21
I know some people get all bent out of shape about Fran for some reason, but he is really tight with Self and has connections inside the staff. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if this is what he is hearing right now about Ochai, Q, and Dotson.
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@Woodrow because he’s jackass lol, which game was it where Dedric bumped a guy he was like “Lawson absolutely mauls him”. He has some knowledge for sure but he has been a major dick the last 2 years.
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@Woodrow I doubt if self even knows what they are doing.
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Self will absolutely encourage him to go pro when the time is right for him and his family. He does with all of them, which is something I appreciate. With that being said, I’d think he will be lucky to be a 1st rounder this season because it’s hard to see him be able to contribute for an NBA team in a year. I think one more year makes sense.
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@Kcmatt7 *lucky to be drafted this year. No way he goes first round he’s predicted to go late second round and falling weekly.
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I really like what this team could be next season. Dotson is already arguably the best PG in this conference, Doke if he returns is the best true 5 man in this conference and Ochai could be the best 3 man if he has a good offseason. I hope KJ stays with the way he has shown he can contribute. Grimes could be a solid player if he puts in the work.
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Woodrow said:
https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/status/1096935574387200001?s=21
I know some people get all bent out of shape about Fran for some reason, but he is really tight with Self and has connections inside the staff. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if this is what he is hearing right now about Ochai, Q, and Dotson.
It’s not from Fran but what he quoted but I must say the Ray Allen comp is insane.
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If Fran puts something like that out there, he knows. KU fans can bitch all they want, but Self and Fran are tight. I think it’s why Fran is always so hard on KU. He and Self see how good KU can be and comment as such. Just remember last year when all Fran said was KU was going to play bully ball with Doke and Dedric. Fran knows as much about the program as anyone not employed by KUAD.
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Fran also said today Vick would not be back …
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HighEliteMajor said:
Fran also said today Vick would not be back …
He’s right. Vick isn’t coming back. It’s clear that we’re better off without him and Vick’s family needs him. It’s better for everyone this way.
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@FarmerJayhawk you think self wanted him to announce it? Wouldn’t it be better for their family if he finished school and bb so he could make some kind of living to better help their family?
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Crimsonorblue22 said:
@FarmerJayhawk you think self wanted him to announce it? Wouldn’t it be better for their family if he finished school and bb so he could make some kind of living to better help their family?
Explicitly? If things ended poorly I don’t think Self cares. We also don’t know if Vick graduated in December. It’s entirely possible he did. He can still be on scholarship and get his stipend if he graduated and is enrolled.
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Ok, so at this moment we believe the narrative that his family needed him AND that was the real reason he left? I’m sure there is something that can be articulated there to support that narrative.
But I believe Vick left because of his inability to be a positive member of the team and that the end of the rope was reached.
Look at Self’s post-Vick comments about the positive team dynamic, playing together, etc. That’s no coincidence.
Look at how Self handled his departure last spring and that he required him to sign an agreement to return.
Look at the history with Vick. The benchings, the reasons he was benched (“He has a bad Thursday”, for example), his behavior related issues, etc.
It’s quite obvious.
Remember Tharpe? Leaving due to transfer to be closer to home due to “extenuating circumstances” related to his daughter. Only to sign with the Los Angeles D-League team a few months later.
My topic last season asking whether Newman was a team cancer should have inserted Vick for Newman.
We have all the evidence we need now on Vick.
If Fran makes the comment about him not coming back, and makes no mention of a family situation, he’s relating this to the team dynamic.
Come on. Not born yesterday. Self shields players from direct blame, and this is no different. In house stuff stays in house.
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@HighEliteMajor when Fran was very complimentary of the team and it’s capacity to go very deep in the tourney, my assumption was that he had been spoken to about crapping on Kansas and this was his fake alter ego.
But if Fran is as close to the team as people suggest, do you think that Fran has truly changed his mind about our fortunes based on the Vick departure?
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@approxinfinity The best way to answer that is with a question — how do we all feel about the team now that Vick is gone?
A classic case of addition by subtraction. Chemistry. Team first. Loss of negative energy.
Vick can be really good, but the value of pulling the rope in the same direction outweighs Vick’s inconsistent positive performances. My outlook has totally changed.
One hint was how bad Vick was off the bench. Not, hey, I’m going to prove myself and make up for my screw up. But more like the classic pouter.
We don’t need Vick. I’ll take losing the Big 12 and a first round exit over accommodating me-first knuckleheads that blow the greatest second chance of a lifetime.
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@HighEliteMajor He won us a couple games early. When the real Vick showed back up, he cost us a couple games later with selfish play. Net result: even in win/loss but would have rather had him help us win a couple conf. games. In the end, Ochai is filling his role and bringing WAY more game.
Bye Vick. Hope you get it figured out. Go Bill Go!
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FarmerJayhawk said:
If Fran puts something like that out there, he knows. KU fans can bitch all they want, but Self and Fran are tight. I think it’s why Fran is always so hard on KU. He and Self see how good KU can be and comment as such. Just remember last year when all Fran said was KU was going to play bully ball with Doke and Dedric. Fran knows as much about the program as anyone not employed by KUAD.
Exactly. This was my point. He doesn’t just say things like this without having heard it from someone inside the program.
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HighEliteMajor said:
Fran also said today Vick would not be back …
Which there is no doubt he heard from Self. When mentioning Vick you could tell it was not a leave of absence for a family matter and or Vick’s decision. Which most people pretty much knew when this news came out.
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Woodrow said:
HighEliteMajor said:
Fran also said today Vick would not be back …
Which there is no doubt he heard from Self. When mentioning Vick you could tell it was not a leave of absence for a family matter and or Vick’s decision. Which most people pretty much knew when this news came out.
Yep, Self just keeps it polite. Lala still cheering for KU indicates to me that she knows Lagerald is a knucklehead.
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“I’m enjoying being around them and coaching more because there seems to be more positive energy,” Self said. “It’s starting to get fun and fun is imperative.”
Translation: Vick is gone with the wind, and we’re better for it. Good luck, LV.
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Amazing how much is known to so many people. I hope everyone can now start on discovering the end of a Moebius strip, or how far is up.
Vick clearly had problems. Let’s kick him now he is gone.
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@mayjay its an inference but is it much of a stretch?
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@approxinfinity I have no problem with believing Vick didn’t fit in for some reason, or that the team seems more cohesive with him gone. It is the accusations of being disruptive, and the “don’t let the door hit you on the way out”-type comments that bother me. Many seem to care about KU players only insofar as they please fans’ expectations.
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mayjay said:
@approxinfinity I have no problem with believing Vick didn’t fit in for some reason, or that the team seems more cohesive with him gone. It is the accusations of being disruptive, and the “don’t let the door hit you on the way out”-type comments that bother me. Many seem to care about KU players only insofar as they please fans’ expectations.
This is sports fans in general.
There is a wild rumor going around about Vick, I won’t repeat it here.
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mayjay said:
@approxinfinity I have no problem with believing Vick didn’t fit in for some reason, or that the team seems more cohesive with him gone. It is the accusations of being disruptive, and the “don’t let the door hit you on the way out”-type comments that bother me. Many seem to care about KU players only in so far as they please fans’ expectations.
ya pretty easy to throw shade at someone without knowing the Real reason - -or reasons about what truly is going on. - -How easy it is to talk say man so glad Vick came back - -so glad he is here - -then in a blink of the eye - - -goes to glad he is gone - -which he would of never came back - -disruptive - - cancer - -not a team player – almost funny how quick people turn - - I said ALMOST
How quick so called fans turn - -honestly – about makes me sick - -you call that a FAN? -you don’t know Vick - - I don’t know Vick – pretty easy for people to speculate make assumptions - how good you feel about yourself being like that?
Kind of runs along the lines of my wife - - she watch’s something on TV - - she doesn’t agree with some woman - or disagrees with the woman OR guy - -they then just automatically become a BITCH. - - same thing - -something Vick does or Did - -then he just automatically becomes a Cancer - - - loser - - not a team player – so he is not a team player - - Your not a true fan - - these kids - -ALL of them through good time AND bad times need our support - -not talking bullshit on them - -THERE KIDS believe it or not - -ya your right it bothers me too - - - who is the kid/player here - -and who is the adult? - -kinda have to wonder
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@BShark please share. That’s a big tease!
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Lala is still sharing the crap out of KU stuff on twitter, I’ll stick with what I said earlier. If he isn’t back this week, he ain’t coming back. It’s disappointing for me because Vick is capable of being a great player but it’s on him to do so.
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I’ve always loved Vick’s potential, but he has always been fairly reclusive. I was worried about him assuming a leadership position as it doesn’t fit his personality. I have never liked Vick’s attitude nor his self destructive moments off the court, but I really hoped this second chance would bring him around.
I’m of the opinion you can mostly control your own happiness. If you choose to look for the negative in all you see, you’ll be pretty miserable. If you choose to see the good in all you see, you’ll have a much easier time being happy. I know when I walk around with a big smile on my face (real or fake) I get much friendlier responses than otherwise. So you reap what you sew.
As for Vick it seems (from my outside perspective) he struggles to find happiness within himself. I hope LeGerald finds what he needs.
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@BShark If Bill and the boys win #15 because of a red shirt guard messiah, it should truly go down in KU hoops lore as one of the most remarkable occurrences ever. Thanks for posting the link.
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Gary Bedore tweeted he thinks Azubuike will turn pro after the season.
“Azubuike hasn’t announced anything regarding next year. If you are asking my opinion I would not count on him being back. Very good chance of turning pro IMO.”
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@BeddieKU23 I recall Gary Bedore also thought Tyshawn Taylor would be an all-American and the best PG in KU history … so, you know. But it seems his opinion on Doke may be a bit more accurate.
**Note, I can’t prove it regarding Bedore. He was on the radio after he did an article on Taylor learning from his mistakes. But it was etched in my memory given my great frustration with the TT.
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@HighEliteMajor TT ended up a 3rd team AA his senior year if I recall correctly…
But I also typically thing Gary is one of the least connected reporters that covers KU sports…
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@Kcmatt7 TT had an epic second half of his senior season. I will give him that. Without it, no FF.
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I don’t think Bedore has any inside info on Azubuike. I think its too early to tell what he will do. Self just commented on him this week saying he’s out until June. Either way his NBA chances are extremely slim and he’ll miss at least some of the off-season player development if he stays. Not really a win-win for him regardless. Will be interesting to see how it shakes out
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For anyone that did not read the article, Agbaji confirms he will be returning for next season.
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@BeddieKU23 I really want Doke back. He can make money somewhere, though. Can’t begrudge that. He’s given this his best shot.
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Did I mention, Agbagi is my favorite player? I haven’t said it for a few days.
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I was in the same boat about Doke coming back. Better to have a known commodity. Then we have started to see Dave develop without him here. We are getting 3 more years of Dave. Do we want his development stymied another year?
The biggest issues is the injuries with Doke. Hasn’t had one season without a season/ending or season changing injury. Is it bad luck or is he a Greg Oden?
I’ll support whatever he does with his future. Would love to see him end it here of course but we do have a big waiting in the wings if he leaves…
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HighEliteMajor said:
Did I mention, Agbagi is my favorite player? I haven’t said it for a few days.
It’s a toss-up between Agbaji and Dotson for me.
And I echo the sentiment on Doke. Kid has been injured every year. Go pro if that’s what he wants to do. Won’t be in the NBA but some league will take him I am sure.
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Dotson is my favorite by quite a long way…
