KJ Adams Discussion
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Seen it mentioned that some think he will develop a jumpshot out of thin air. I really don’t see it. I know he is going to play so it will be interesting what Self does with him.
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If he finishes at the rim at 75%, do we really need him to shoot 3s?
He’s still enough of a threat that if you come off of him to double Hunter he’s dunking on your ass.
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@BShark said in KJ Adams Discussion:
Seen it mentioned that some think he will develop a jumpshot out of thin air. I really don’t see it. I know he is going to play so it will be interesting what Self does with him.
I don’t see how he can play him at the 4.Does he redshirt, or transfer?
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@Kcmatt7 said in KJ Adams Discussion:
If he finishes at the rim at 75%, do we really need him to shoot 3s?
He’s still enough of a threat that if you come off of him to double Hunter he’s dunking on your ass.
I think we will legit see Bill try some double big stuff again to make sure KJ sees his minutes. Functionally, he is a big skill wise and there is no way around this.
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@Kcmatt7 said in KJ Adams Discussion:
If he finishes at the rim at 75%, do we really need him to shoot 3s?
He’s still enough of a threat that if you come off of him to double Hunter he’s dunking on your ass.
They’re going to pack the defense in if they play him at the 4. They’ll dare him to shoot on offense.
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This is also a big part of Zuby hitting the portal. Him and his people know the reality of the situation (KJ is a big and only really practices much with the bigs please do not believe the puff pieces on this). So Zuby was looking at being the 4th big.
@Jethro I believe Matt’s point is that it still works if they are doubling Hunter and if they aren’t doubling Hunter Bill will probably be thrilled with a lot of one on one looks for him.
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One of my all-time favorite Jayhawks was Kevin Young. I see a lot of similarities between the role that KY had and what KJ could be. Young managed just fine playing alongside Withey.
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@BShark To me it’s the 90% of attempts being in the paint that give me the slightest hope that he might have a bit more of a shot than he’s shown. The dude played the 5 at 6’7". Why? Because he’s who Self trusted the most to play that position. He trusted that KJ wouldn’t take outside shots because that wasn’t his role. Not because he couldn’t make them but because he knew he wasn’t supposed to. I heard rumors (maybe it was on here?) that Zuby also had a decent shooting stroke but never showcased it because that wasn’t his role.
Every year a player starts after starting the year before, their role expands. It will be interesting to see how KJ’s expands. Until I see him shooting 15-25% on a decent volume of shots I will BELIEVE that he can develop as a competent shooter outside of the paint, even if he doesn’t become a legit 3 baller.
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@BShark Yea he may be an issue where he causes driving lane problems. But he won’t be a bother for Hunter, which would be a bigger concern imo.
Also, just throwing out there that we just won a Natty with Jalen Wilson shooting .263 from deep. And he shot .210 from deep in the tourney.
The question for me is if KJ can fill the role of rebounder who can rebound and run and start the fast break. If he can, then he absolutely can play the 4 at a high level. If he can’t, I think there will be some debate about his usefulness.
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@benshawks08 If you can find data points of this ever really happening I’m listening. I haven’t seen it historically though. Willing to be surprised again but he just isn’t really a jump shooting guy.
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@Kcmatt7 said in KJ Adams Discussion:
The question for me is if KJ can fill the role of rebounder who can rebound and run and start the fast break. If he can, then he absolutely can play the 4 at a high level. If he can’t, I think there will be some debate about his usefulness.
Yeah I’m not sure if the handling is there.
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@BShark That is a lot easier to work on and fix in one offseason than a shot.
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Let’s just say we land Mgbako. Where is KJ going to play?
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@Kcmatt7 said in KJ Adams Discussion:
@BShark That is a lot easier to work on and fix in one offseason than a shot.
Absolutely yes.
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@BShark said in KJ Adams Discussion:
@benshawks08 If you can find data points of this ever really happening I’m listening. I haven’t seen it historically though. Willing to be surprised again but he just isn’t really a jump shooting guy.
I’d point to a lot of big men that develop more of a shot as they enter the NBA. Joel didn’t shoot any threes at kansas but is happy to chuck them these days. Obviously, Joel is an MVP and not really a fair comp for anyone development wise but he’s the first that popped into my mind without doing any digging.
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@BShark I couldn’t agree with you more BShark 1000% agree. That’s what I’ve been saying here for some time now IF they are going to try and play KJ at the 4 - -or possibly START at the 4 I don’t see it KJ has no jumper I think the longest I saw wa maybe about 8-9 ft and that was only very few - no consistency, his scores were either lobs or little 3-4 foot shoots.
I love KJ to death , great kid , hustles gets the most out of what he has - -but if there is ANY thought of him at the 4 - - -that kid better be shooting 1,000-2,000 a day in developing a shot- - he ha no shot. If you were hoping he would score from the 4 , remember he was scoring around 8 from the 5 lot closer shots/lobs - he will have to work his but off to have a chance at a 4 spot
On top of that he needs to be able to be a better rebounder from the floor/4 spot. - People said well you got to remember he won’t be rebounding against bigger 5’s playing the 4 - -he won’t ? - -why not ? just because he is playing the 4 - -opposition 5’s saying OH well your a 4 man , I’m not trying to ge the rebound from you ? - - he still has to compete against 5’s to get the rebound no matter what position he plays. KJ just not a good offensive rebounder - well really not a good rebounder period. - -Sorry I just don’t see it
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I like KJ. Who doesn’t?
But, Self is showing his cards here – bringing in pretty much a brand new team – and going ALL IN on winning.
So, my guess is that KJ’s feelings will be hurt a bit next year as Bill will do what he wants to win – which may include less time on the floor for KJ.
I’m perfectly fine with that if the newer players fit the mold of what he’s looking to do next year – which generally looks like Harris, three shooters/slashers and Dickinson.
We’ll see. I’m along for the ride.
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There’s 3 teams I would use sets from with KJ and Dickinson at the 5. 2008 with Arthur at the 4 because he didn’t shoot 3’s and Jackson and Kaun didn’t play out from the basket much on offense. 2012 with T-Rob and Withey because Dickinson has a better version of T-Rob’s offensive game and KJ can do some of the things Withey did that year. And then lastly 2019 before Doke got hurt and it was him and Dedric Lawson together. Those are the last three times Self has had two true bigs and every time but 2008, at least one of them was competent enough from 3 to where you had to respect their shot.
Within the offense, I think you basically play Dickinson as your 4 and KJ as the 5 because Dickinson does have an outside shot that has to be respected so he can drag a defender out with him and Self can run some hi-low action with Dickinson in the high post.
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KJ is putting up a ridiculous amount of midrange jumpers this off-season. According to him and backed up by the laughing his teammates did when he said as much - think that kid that’s constantly dribbling down the hallway, while sitting at his desk, while laying in bed bouncing the ball off the wall. Whether it pays off is yet to be seen.
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Honestly KJ blew up teams pick and roll with switching and containing guards. You can play small and win at a high level. See Villanova. KJ was fine at the 5 and not the reason why that team, while had a good season, struggled at times. They had no bench!!! Guards off the bench were terrible. Udeh got better as the season went on but he wasn’t consistent off the bench… the starting line up also struggled to score bc dajuan is limited, mcculler was a very mediocre offensive guy, and Grady was mostly a set shooter that needed to be set up. Kj was very dangerous in pick and roll situations, and was one of our best players down the stretch. Obviously hunter gives them a different type of team. Last year If you had a legit sixth man and McCuller was closer to a 2nd team all American they would have been legit. McCuller wasn’t as good as billed as an overall player. He was a good defender but not a star and they had no bench.
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We still need someone who can attack the rim like Jwill and Braun did. I thought KJ did a decent job when he got fed the ball in the paint last year, and he’ll be even better this year. Wilson probably attempted more layups than KJ. (missed more too, for sure).
I have zero problem with KJ/Hunter combo. IMO, that’s a damn nightmare scenario for opponents, considering the big guy can step out and KJ is camping in the lane as the clean up crew. They double Hunter and KJ has a freaking dunk fest.
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Bill Self absolutely loves KJ. That’s the number one consideration here. We all know that when Self loves a guy, he will be in the floor and In The rotation consistently…. KJ will do whatever he is asked, including sitting a lot more if that’s what’s needed.
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@Bosthawk said in KJ Adams Discussion:
Bill Self absolutely loves KJ. That’s the number one consideration here. We all know that when Self loves a guy, he will be in the floor and In The rotation consistently…. KJ will do whatever he is asked, including sitting a lot more if that’s what’s needed.
I agree that Bill loves him some KJ. Not sure I agree that KJ will do as asked. Weren’t there rumblings from him early on that he wasn’t pleased with his playing time, and was considering moving on?
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@benshawks08 said in KJ Adams Discussion:
@BShark To me it’s the 90% of attempts being in the paint that give me the slightest hope that he might have a bit more of a shot than he’s shown. The dude played the 5 at 6’7". Why? Because he’s who Self trusted the most to play that position. He trusted that KJ wouldn’t take outside shots because that wasn’t his role. Not because he couldn’t make them but because he knew he wasn’t supposed to. I heard rumors (maybe it was on here?) that Zuby also had a decent shooting stroke but never showcased it because that wasn’t his role.
Every year a player starts after starting the year before, their role expands. It will be interesting to see how KJ’s expands. Until I see him shooting 15-25% on a decent volume of shots I will BELIEVE that he can develop as a competent shooter outside of the paint, even if he doesn’t become a legit 3 baller.
KJ at the 4. Already a 50% trey baller.
