Next Year's Team Thread



  • @BeddieKU23 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    He got a title and NIL money. There is no grass greener.

    KU is literally one of the best spots for him because Bill overvalues short athletic bigs lol.



  • @BShark

    He is starting to value small, athletic bigs. Didn’t use to be that way… but he knows the value now of bigs who can run the court and guard from the perimeter.



  • @drgnslayr said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark

    He is starting to value small, athletic bigs. Didn’t use to be that way… but he knows the value now of bigs who can run the court and guard from the perimeter.

    I think HEM would disagree. 😅

    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jamari-traylor-1.html



  • KJ has to learn how to rebound to really add any value beyond spot minutes at KU. I know others have talked about him needing to develop his shooting, but for as much time as he spent at the 5 last season, he is far and away the worst rebounder I have ever seen. That skill to me is more important to KJ’s future minutes than scoring is. Bobby Pettiford had more defensive rebounds than Adams did this season despite playing the 1 or 2 spot and playing 60 fewer minutes this season.



  • If he can play D like Self wants, he can figure out the rebounding. He’s a kid the really loves and is happy at KU!



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    If he can play D like Self wants, he can figure out the rebounding. He’s a kid the really loves and is happy at KU!

    His rebounding is honestly terrible lol.



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    If he can play D like Self wants, he can figure out the rebounding. He’s a kid the really loves and is happy at KU!

    It doesn’t matter how good a defender he ends up being if he can’t get a defensive rebound and end a possession because eventually the other team will score a basket. To give exact numbers, KJ Adams had 10 defensive rebounds in 178 minutes played. Only 4 of those defensive rebounds came against P5 teams. This is something that he specifically needs to spend time working on and focusing on this off-season because it’s not something that’s just going to come naturally to him.



  • KJ is going to be just fine people need to R—E–L--A–X. - played small sample size minutes. - There was a reason Coach Self put him in for those minutes when he did, and that was becuase our other 5’s that was end was getting their ass beat on the defensive end and their lunch ate. Others players on this team wasn’t rebounding thats why the opposition was getting 3-4 shots at the rim AND they wasn’t rebounding plus defending so- - have a seat. - It was KJ that put the stop on some of these guys - -his rebounding is going to be just fine



  • @jayballer67 And if he never becomes a multidimensional player, his role will never evolve beyond what it was last season while he’s at KU. You can’t be a 4 or 5 at KU and expect extended minutes when you can’t rebound. His rebounding is why he didn’t get more opportunities against good teams because despite his defense, he was a net negative on the floor because he couldn’t end other teams possessions and gave up a bunch of offensive rebounds and extra possessions to other teams.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @jayballer67 And if he never becomes a multidimensional player, his role will never evolve beyond what it was last season while he’s at KU. You can’t be a 4 or 5 at KU and expect extended minutes when you can’t rebound. His rebounding is why he didn’t get more opportunities against good teams because despite his defense, he was a net negative on the floor because he couldn’t end other teams possessions and gave up a bunch of offensive rebounds and extra possessions to other teams.

    I’ll take KJ’S line any time any where when you project it out. - Pretty hard to knock some kid for not getting a double double when he is playing less then 5 minutes a game & not saying he would do that even with extended minutes - -BUT I’ll bet you this he gets those minutes like other 2nd- -3rd year payers I’ll bet you the farm he averages 7 .5 - -8- -9 rebounds a game . - Is KJ gonna be the new whipping boy now that David is gone ?- -Never fails -easy to pick a guy out and constantly be on his ass and yet when he is a big reason for winning THEN he gets the ATTA’A BOY’S . In his limited time he got 20 offensive rebounds -had 8 blocked shots shot 52 % from the floor- -I’ll take that anytime -he will fit as a solid piece of this team quite nicely thanks…

    He may never be the starting five, but I’ll bet you this - I bet he will have quality minutes much more then he had this year. Every player brings different things to the floor, I guess who knows maybe he won’t be the strongest player rebounding but I bet you if he isn’t already he will be one of the better if not the best big we have on the team. Plus you know and I know both if you can’t play defense for Bill then your gonna have a great seat to watch the game on the bench right next to Bill - -Bill loves defensive effort you can’t do that - - SIT DOWN - - again why you think Bill put him in at vital times ? - because the others wasn’t getting it done defensively, Coach even mentioned how KJ shut the guy down when no one else could. -I’ll take him with the extended minutes ANYTIME



  • I agree with @Texas-Hawk-10 … KJ needs to go to rebounding school. He has plenty of energy and athleticism… two great qualities needed for rebounding! He already knows how to defend at a certain level (can also improve). He needs to know more about sealing the boards and also some education as to where rebounds go. I wish Charles Barkley had a school for rebounding. But then… KJ would have to develop a bigger ass to use to clear space… lol



  • @drgnslayr He can study under JWill and Zach. Both incredible rebounders. Small sample size for Zach of course.



  • @drgnslayr said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    I agree with @Texas-Hawk-10 … KJ needs to go to rebounding school. He has plenty of energy and athleticism… two great qualities needed for rebounding! He already knows how to defend at a certain level (can also improve). He needs to know more about sealing the boards and also some education as to where rebounds go. I wish Charles Barkley had a school for rebounding. But then… KJ would have to develop a bigger ass to use to clear space… lol

    And I’ll ask you like I just posted. How many rebounds should he have playing in less then 5 minutes a game? - -6 - -7 - -8 - -10 would that work ? - The things this kid brings to the table more then just rebounding is un deniable - when he projects more minutes he have those rebounds you talk about - nobody is gonna get I dunno what kind of numbers you are looking for in 4.8 minutes a game but you looking the wrong direction



  • @jayballer67 He had 10 defensive rebounds in about 180 minutes. His defensive rebounding rate was 6%. He was sub 10% in total rebounding for the season. Bobby Pettiford outrebounded KJ on the defensive glass in 60 fewer minutes on the season.

    To be a decent rebounder, those numbers should be around 20% on the defensive end and 15% total rebounding. I’m not asking for him to turn into T-Rob on glass. I’m not even asking for him to be freshman Silvio DeSousa on glass. BTW, KJ and Silvio played almost the exact same number of minutes (178 for KJ to 175 for Silvio) as freshmen and Silvio grabbed 74 total rebounds (24%) and 41 defensive rebounds (25%). Those were elite level numbers.

    Perry Ellis as a senior was a bad rebounder at 11% total rebounding and 14.5% defensive rebounding rates. I’ll be fine if KJ is better than that at rebounding, but 4 defensive rebounds in 90 minutes is simply not good enough in the Big 12 for someone who plays the 4 or 5 spot as their primary position.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @jayballer67 He had 10 defensive rebounds in about 180 minutes. His defensive rebounding rate was 6%. He was sub 10% in total rebounding for the season. Bobby Pettiford outrebounded KJ on the defensive glass in 60 fewer minutes on the season.

    To be a decent rebounder, those numbers should be around 20% on the defensive end and 15% total rebounding. I’m not asking for him to turn into T-Rob on glass. I’m not even asking for him to be freshman Silvio DeSousa on glass. BTW, KJ and Silvio played almost the exact same number of minutes (178 for KJ to 175 for Silvio) as freshmen and Silvio grabbed 74 total rebounds (24%) and 41 defensive rebounds (25%). Those were elite level numbers.

    Perry Ellis as a senior was a bad rebounder at 11% total rebounding and 14.5% defensive rebounding rates. I’ll be fine if KJ is better than that at rebounding, but 4 defensive rebounds in 90 minutes is simply not good enough in the Big 12 for someone who plays the 4 or 5 spot as their primary position.

    so you just gonna toss the offensive rebounds out the window huh - - ok gotcha



  • I guess we should just give up on him!



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    I guess we should just give up on him!

    I sure the heck not giving up on him - -I’m fine with the way he is - he will grow and progress just like Coach does every year developing players



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    I guess we should just give up on him!

    Don’t believe anyone is saying this.

    In addition to rebound, I feel KJ’s path to extended playing time involves developing enough skill to potentially play the 4. Right now, he’s a situational defensive player.



  • @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    I guess we should just give up on him!

    Don’t believe anyone is saying this.

    In addition to rebound, I feel KJ’s path to extended playing time involves developing enough skill to potentially play the 4. Right now, he’s a situational defensive player.

    for sure he would help more at a 4. -Think we will be ok at the 5 with what w got and what we have coming in. - -Gonna be young and yes kind of raw but KJ hope can develop some outside shot



  • When looking at someone’s rebounding rate, you have to look at how other players were rebounding. KJ not getting rebounds does not automatically mean the other team got second shots. He may have also had limited assignments to block out for other rebounders.

    Don’t know where those “lineup on the floor” stats would be. But cherry picking stats for a #8 or 9 or 10 player without context is pretty extreme.

    I remember a couple games where one of our “experts” trashed Dave for having only 4 rebounds, but they ignored CB and JW having dbl digits. One of those posts predicting we could never get past the Sweet 16 with Dave as a starter.

    Players do develop, you know. HCBS wants KJ back and has voiced confidence in him. Good enough for me.



  • I’m very much a believer KJ develops into a stud by his Junior season. Stoked he’s back. Was the right move imo



  • @Kcmatt7 Another year to develop this while coming off the bench is ideal.



  • @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Jalen 😍

    🔐 🔐

    📰 ☕

    Today? Tomorrow? Soon.



  • I imagine KJ’s mom watching him workout with Julius Randle last off-season and thinking that was his trajectory. He already has a soft touch around the rim, and looks to be a capable 8-15ft shot maker. Definitely has a low delivery like CB which could lend itself to being blocked by lengthy defenders. He has elite quick twitch second jump ability and bounce around the rim. Agree it’s hard to find a rhythm in a few minutes, but he seemed to always find a way to positively impact the game in those spot minutes. He’ll easily score based on effort and cleaning up missed attempts. I’m sure coach gave him assurances he’ll have a much longer leash to display his offensive talents… hence why he returned. With Clemence and Udeh attracting the other teams true bigs, KJ should have many opportunities to post up smaller 4’s, and smaller players when defenses try to switch everything or help off. Wouldn’t be surprised to seem him average 8-12pts 5-7rbs early on next season, and have some breakout performances as the season progresses and he settles into his role.



  • @madmax I would be stunned by that stat line. Absolutely stunned.



  • We will just have to see how expansive his role ends up being. T-Rob barely did that his sophomore year and I look at them as very similar players and with similar skill sets at this stage of their development.



  • I cant believe an elite defender wont end up a good rebounder. The two skills go hand in hand. If you are playing good d youre putting yourself in position to get the rebound. Not worried and excited hes coming back.



  • @approxinfinity said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    I cant believe an elite defender wont end up a good defender. The two skills go hand in hand. If you are playing good d youre putting yourself in position to get the rebound. Not worried and excited hes coming back.

    The guy jumps out of the gym. I’m not worried about him being a good rebounder even slightly. It’s honestly a strange critique for him. I get the offense or his tweener size takes.

    But rebounding? Seems like a non-issue for a small sample size



  • @Kcmatt7 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @approxinfinity said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    I cant believe an elite defender wont end up a good defender. The two skills go hand in hand. If you are playing good d youre putting yourself in position to get the rebound. Not worried and excited hes coming back.

    The guy jumps out of the gym. I’m not worried about him being a good rebounder even slightly. It’s honestly a strange critique for him. I get the offense or his tweener size takes.

    But rebounding? Seems like a non-issue for a small sample size

    Yeah, I don’t quite understand the bad rebounder label. He seemed to be in the mix a lot when on the floor. I recall a few times he lost the handle when pulling down a rebound, but maybe more nerves than motor skill.

    More KJ!



  • @approxinfinity reread that



  • @Crimsonorblue22 Proofreading on the Web? Perish the thought!



  • He will develop his rebounding skills. He’s 21 years old, completely dedicated to his craft… with the best coaches in the college world. Why wouldn’t he develop those skills? He developed these skills:



  • @mayjay I make mistakes all the time. Usually I catch them, after I post😩@approxinfinity is kinda funny!



  • @jayballer67

    I share your optimism. KJ has amazing potential as a rebounder. He just has to learn the skills around rebounding.



  • @approxinfinity said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    I cant believe an elite defender wont end up a good defender. The two skills go hand in hand. If you are playing good d youre putting yourself in position to get the rebound. Not worried and excited hes coming back.

    Totally agree!



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @approxinfinity reread that

    ha, edited. thanks for the catch 🙂



  • @approxinfinity all in fun!



  • @Crimsonorblue22 of course. 🙂



  • CUFFE IS STAYING THIS IS ACTUALLY INCREDIBLY SHOCKING DON’T KNOW WHAT TO THINK



  • Nobody wants to leave this place!



  • If somebody is coming back, and it’s the least likely, there could be 2?



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    Nobody wants to leave this place!

    Our NIL is STRONG.



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    If somebody is coming back, and it’s the least likely, there could be 2?

    Think there is a very real chance everyone but CB is back. Add Hunter call it good.



  • @BShark but playing time? So Dave’s spot is the only thing for sure open?



  • @Crimsonorblue22 said in Next Year's Team Thread:

    @BShark but playing time? So Dave’s spot is the only thing for sure open?

    Ochai and CB are leaving. Those spots are open.



  • @BShark oh, duh, Och. So you are sure on CB?



  • @Crimsonorblue22 pretty sure yeah. Think he will be drafted in the top 20.



  • So 2 open?



  • Juan/Hunter/MJ/Jalen/Zach

    Very possible starting line-up next year. Maybe Gradey slots in ahead of MJ.



  • 4 guys coming in.


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