Lawson Brothers Coming to KU
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An old scouting report on Dedric Lawson from Draftexpress. Informative.
After seven years under Josh Pastner, Memphis basketball will transition to a new era this season under the leadership of Tubby Smith, with Pastner departing for Georgia Tech. Last season Memphis failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, but found a bright spot in American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Dedric Lawson. Lawson, a Memphis native who finished off his high school career at Arlington Country Day in Florida, was a consensus top 50 recruit who participated in the McDonalds All American Game and Jordan Brand Classic. After an impressive individual season under Pastner in which he tied the program record for double doubles by a freshman, Lawson received an invitation to the NBA Combine, but ultimately received the feedback he needed from NBA personnel after a poor showing, and opted to return to Memphis for his sophomore year.
At 6’8, with a wingspan that stretches to 7’2.5 Lawson has the size and length to play either forward position at the pro level, but most likely projects as a stretch-4 given his athletic limitations. He has a solidly built frame, but lacks the real strength or power to use it effectively. After his performance at the NBA Combine this summer it has been a point of emphasis for him this off-season to add strength and lower his body fat, and he is reportedly coming into the season at 236 pounds, 11 pounds up from what he weighed in at the Combine. It will be essential for Lawson that any additional weight comes in the form of muscle.
He is smooth and fluid, but lacks quickness in a serious way and is predominantly a below the rim player who lacks the explosiveness or burst to be effective athletically in a crowd. It will be interesting to see if improving his body helps maximize his physical tools to be more effective athletically than he currently is.
What makes Lawson an intriguing pro prospect is the diverse offensive skill set that he has for someone with his size and length. While he is by no means a polished ball handler, he is comfortable handling the ball in stretches, and is more than capable of taking his man off the bounce in isolation situations or pushing the ball in transition. He is not explosive with change of direction, but he plays at his own pace and has a slow, methodical, old school game where he is able to create his own offense off the dribble.
He is also a gifted passer, particularly from his position and averaged 3.2 assists per 40, but also posted a high turnover rate of 3.9 per 40. The turnover numbers are definitely on the high side, but somewhat to be expected from a freshman forward with a high usage rate as a ball handler. While Lawson has the tools to create his own offense, he was not efficient last season at turning those scoring opportunities into points. He averaged 19.6 points per 40, but only shot 42.2% inside the arc and only finished 46.6% of his shots around the basket. Part of those low numbers can be attributed to Lawson’s lack of explosiveness, but he also had the tendency to force plenty of bad shots in traffic, particularly on runners and floaters, which he finished only 4 of 17 attempts (per Synergy).
Assist per 40 went up, turnovers down. 3.9 to 2.8
Per 40 scoring average increased from 19.6 to 22.2. Given that he played 34 minutes a game this is insignificant.
Shooting % inside the arc increased from 42% to 52%.
He has a fairly rudimentary back to the basket game, but with his ball handling and footwork is occasionally able to get to impressive mid-range jumpers out of his face up game, which he can hit, but hasn’t yet proven he can convert consistently. Teams played a fair amount of zone against Memphis last season, and Lawson was effective flashing to the middle for quick jumpers or playmaking opportunities. He has soft hands, good touch around the basket, and excellent scoring instincts, but will need to improve the efficiency in which he turns close field goal attempts into points.
As a freshman, Lawson definitely showed some potential as a stretch four who can knock down shots from behind the arc. His release his on the slower side, but when he is given time and space, he is more than capable of converting perimeter scoring opportunities. He shot 35% on 3.0 attempts per 40 last season and had eight games where he knocked down at least two shots from deep. He has solid mechanics and proved to be consistent from the 17’ range, but will need to stretch that consistency to beyond the 3-point line. It will be essential for Lawson to become a steady perimeter scoring threat so that he can stretch defenses and use his ball handling ability to attack hard close out situations.
Per 40, 3 point % went down from 35% to 27%. Sounds like a year off will help him tune in his shot.
Defensively, Lawson is a bit of a mixed bag, and while he has the length to be a factor, he struggles in one on one situations and needs to improve how he defends ball screens. He is regularly beaten off the dribble or caught out of a stance, issues that can be improved with more consistent effort. His lack of strength hampers him in the post, and his added bulk should be able to help his ability to defend bigger players around the basket. He was able to average 2.1 blocks per 40, an impressive number which is a product of his length and timing as a rim protector. Lawson’s defense may be effected by the offensive load he is asked to carry, but NBA scouts will definitely be looking to see whether he improves on that end of the floor, as there’s likely no path for him to play at that level without significant refinement.
Blocks per 40 increased from 2.1 to 2.5. For reference Dedric had 68 blocks this season which is slightly less then Landen Lucas and Josh Jackson had combined. His length and instincts will make him a good rim protector at the 4 spot.
Perhaps Lawson’s most NBA ready skill is as a rebounder on both end. He has excellent instincts tracking down balls outside of his area and uses his length well to go up and get difficult rebounds. He had 19 games last season in which he totaled double digit rebounds, and was able to find a good deal of quick scoring opportunities on the offensive boards. His rebounding numbers are particularly impressive given his lack of elite strength or athleticism. Having just turned 19 years old in October, and thus one of the youngest players in his class, Dedric Lawson has plenty of room for growth as he looks to build on what was a very strong statistical freshman season. Lawson has a unique skill set, and there are not too many guys his age and size who have the scoring instincts and guard skills that he does. He’ll need to improve his athleticism and play with more efficiency on both ends of the floor, but it seems that Lawson has the tools and skill set to be in the conversation in a future NBA Draft.
Dedric had 20 double double’s this past season, just 1 more then his freshman year. About as consistent as you can expect out of any player.
We are extremely lucky to have landed these two brothers
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@BeddieKU23 Should be able to. And the exhibitions.
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@Kcmatt7 I don’t recall any red shirts playing in the exhibition games before. (I’m not saying it can’t be done.) I doubt we get to see them in Kansas until '18, but the Italy trip should be a nice opportunity to see them play in crimson and blue.
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@dylans Oh you are right about the scrimmages… I just looked up the rules. Now I have no idea.
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Yeah 2.5 blocks a game is damned good. Only surpassed recently at KU by the likes of Cole and Withey who both had seasons over 3. Obviously not the same kind of player but that really puts it in perspective imo. Embiid was offering up a similar number (2.6) in his partial year here but of course Embiid’s presence also altered many more shots (like Cole and Withey) so the overall impact won’t be the same, but it’s clear that he can have defensive value.
His advanced stats from last year are pretty similar to Josh. A little better in some areas but a worse 3 pt shooter. Similar usage rates too, so you know he can get it done as “the guy”. And yes Josh had a higher usage rate than Mason, which I found interesting.
His total numbers look like a mild improvement from his FR to SO year, but the advanced numbers were a huge gain, especially on offense. He went from 99 ORTG to 113 and from 0.6 to 4.5 OBPM. PER jumped from 19 to 27. Very impressive stuff that shows he has a pretty good feel for the game. Given the year off to work in KU’s system, he should have a hell of a year for KU.
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KJ might get to play in the exhibitions because he won’t be using a redshirt. But if Dedric uses a redshirt than he can’t play. As much as I can understand it.
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Only FR can play in the exhibitions and then take a red shirt. I remembering hearing this during exhibition game broadcasts before.
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Memphis has never been the same since Calipari dumped on them. And that is a real pity… because Memphis is one of the best basketball towns in America. Always has been. But after Calipari, the fans and university haven’t exactly seen eye-to-eye. Lots of distrust… lots of frustration… lots of apathy.
It doesn’t surprise me that many fans came out to boo Kentucky. Other fans wanted to but didn’t feel the resentment towards Kentucky, just Calipari. They know their basketball in Memphis. I feel bad for them. They may need another decade to recover, or may never recover.
I believe you are correct.
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IDK…i’m not too excited by this pick up. Yea, Self will up coach them but the result will be the same with or with out them. We will win the big 12, streak continues and we will lose in the tourney.
Since when did we become ISU? With Self’s credentials, top 10 OADs should be raring to come to kansas. something doesn’t add up.
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I heard a school in Columbia, MO is currently taking applications for new fans. Best of luck.
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I was so hoping the updated site came with an Ignore Button. Hopes dashed…but Elpoyo certainly knows how to take darkside to a new level
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Would have been nice. Only one team wins it all each year, and KU is typically well positioned. There is an alternative scenario where Self is not landing talented players and the team bottoms out and fails to win the B12. I mean if the B12 is so bad obviously KU would have NO CHANCE AT ALL if they didn’t win the league…
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I’m very excited to have the Lawson clan. Dedric will walk into a starring role- the guy is flat nails. We’re talking huge rebounders here, folks. And that is certified…and smokified.
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From the Wichita EGGLE:
**“Dedric is the taller of the two and probably the better player. He is extremely skilled and a great shooter from 17 feet and in. He’s a great rebounder and a big-time passer for a big man,” reports Eric Bossi of Rivals.com. “I think there are a lot of similarities to the way (former KU forward) Marcus Morris played. Not an exact comparison, but if you are looking for a recent Kansas player he’s probably the best comparison.”
Dedric, who finished the 2016-17 season with 19 double doubles (he scored 35 points against Iowa and 26 against Oklahoma) was a finalist for the 2017 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award after joining Ben Simmons, Frank Kaminsky, Draymond Green, and David West as collegians with 600-plus points, 300-plus rebounds, and 100-plus assists in a season.
“With Dedric you are talking about a first-round NBA draft pick. He is a guy who, assuming if he’s as good as he has been, he is someone who can compete for the Big 12 player of the year,” Bossi said of the former McDonald’s All-American.
K.J., who was ranked No. 54 in the recruiting Class of 2015 by Rivals.com to Dedric’s No 33 ranking, exploded for 28 points and 16 rebounds in a game against Houston and grabbed 19 boards versus East Carolina this past season. He hit 39.9 percent of his shots, including 22 of 66 from three (33.3 percent).
“He is a junkyard dog,” Bossi said. “He is a small forward but can play as an undersized power forward. He’s another good rebounder and is tough on defense. He will get out in transition and score. He had an injury that held him back for a little bit but now he is back to getting healthy. He is starting to return to the player of old. K.J. is a potential all-league player. These are definitely impact guys.”**
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something doesn’t add up = @elpoyo
Very true!
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@elpoyo dig a little deeper… why aren’t we landing top 10 recruits? It isn’t because HCBS can’t recruit…
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@elpoyo Yeah, I am bummed that we just landed a 20 and 10 PF and his Brother that would have outscored all but 3 of our starters! Sad day
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To find another KU big that has averaged 20tps and 10reb you have to go all the way back to Wayne Simien 04-05. After sitting a year his brother should put up some stout numbers too. I would say they are KU’s leading scorers and something to get excited about!
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In fact I think Coach Self should be looking in the transfer market for a proven PG to add to that class. Doke, Lawson, Lawson, Garrett, Vick, Lightfoot, Cunliffe, and add in a solid PG transfer and another Big and we got ourselves a contender! Doke, Lawson, Lawson, Lightfoot, Cunliffe, and Vick will all have been playing D1 for at least 3 years.
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I’m excited about the Lawson’s, but why was Memphis so bad? Their shooting percentages will surely go up under Bill with a supporting cast that is far superior to what they had, right? Was Memphis’ problems guard play or coaching or what? Seems like the brothers carried a large portion of the load. Can they be more efficient when not leaned upon so heavily?
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@dylans Their dad was an assistant coach. He was demoted and I believe that was the straw that broke the camels back. So I hear…
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Almost comical some things being said from other sites , From our wonderful School back east. The Beloved Duke Blue Devils fans. - -Starts from a poster , I just read we are in the mix for the Lawson brothers? - - Another posters response - - That would be awesome - - They are great players. several posts along these lines. - - -And then - - -WAIT FOR IT - - - WAIT - - -WAIT.
Ah yes THERE it is - - -well they just committed to Kansas, OH how quickly it turns lmao.
Poster: -Self offered the boys some new cars , K wouldn’t match. Another post: Let Kansas have them - - We don’t need a father having his kids transfer if they don’t get enough playing time. - – UMMM , Pssssssssssssst - -I don’t know BUT just kind of have a feeling that MAYBE - - just MAYBE - -that’s not going to be a problem at KU.
AH yes and then we have this from another poster classic - - idiotic - -yes - -moronic - - yes - -brain dead - -yes but yet here he is: - - They will be shooting students just like the Morris twins with BB guns in no time. - - - -They will probably bond well with Vick, I’m sure he can show them the ropes on how to disgrace the program - - NOW that the Car Rapist Jackson is gone. And the Worlds dumbest stoner is transferring, he will probably in up at Washington or Colorado. – Dam ya gotta love it -aren’t the DOOKIES SO SPECIAL?
Got a question? Wonder if they can Major in Stupidity at Duke? lmao - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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To the poster that asked “why KU doesn’t ever get any package deals” here you go! Maybe not in the form you wished for but never the less these guys dropped right in our laps!
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Memphis didn’t have the players the past few years. Pastner wasn’t winning the way they wanted to after the success of Calapari. A lot of transfers. Guard play is a good place to start where their issue’s were. Tubby Smith wasn’t the best choice, he doesn’t recruit at a high level. Now 6 of their 8 scorers are gone, I don’t know how you keep Tubby after that even if its today’s culture. The brothers were the only talent on the entire team. They resorted to playing walkons, Juco transfers they got in the spring and unranked 3 star prospects. That’s not Memphis.
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Tubby is a good coach. Two years ago he pulled off a miracle at TT. Demoting the father to a made up position of Director of Basketball development caused all of this. Self won’t put up with any parental crap - Micah Downs, David padgett, Conner Frankamp prove that. Tubby now has lost his entire team. I’m just sad for Tubby.
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@jayballer54 We are all guilty of some trash talking other programs. I for one cant stand UK BUT I will say this. Landing top guys takes a good sales pitch. If you want a stable full of 5 star guys your sales pitch better be as if you are recruiting MJ, or LJ to play for you. You roll out the red carpet and tell them the sun shines out of their ass. Make them feel like the sky is the limit and feel like they are on their way to the NBA hall of fame. Coach Self from what I hear is more abrasive and tells most guys that starting positions are earned. Its all about the sales pitch and if Coach Self wants to land more 5 star talent he needs to change his sales pitch. Then there is the whole Nike shoe thing and a slew of other variables BUT I personally believe it has more to do with the sales pitch. What do you think LeBron James would say if Coach Self said to him starting positions were earned not a given vs Cal saying come to UK and Start, win a title, make UK history and leave here a star!
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I have always been of the opinion that Tubby Smith is overrated. He was pretty much asked to leave Kentucky where he won one National Title in his first year with the Players and team Pitino left in place and as the recruiting went down so did the team which finished 6th and 4th in the SEC in his last two season.
After Kentucky, in 6 years at Minnesota he did not have a single season conference winning record and the highest he finished was 6th, in 3 years at Texas Tech. he did not have a single season conference winning record and the highest he finished was 7th and in his one season at Memphis he finished with a 9-9 record and tied for 5th. In other words, he has not had a single season with a winning conference records in the last 10 years and in 3 different conferences.
Not necessarily the coach you want to play for if you want to be part of a winning program.
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Smart move, Mr. Lawson.
You won me over with “Money isn’t the issue.”
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@jaybate-1.0 Its the principle.
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Doke might be gone after next year and I’d rather have Grimes than a PG transfer but overall, I like your thinking.
Memphis was a 5 alarm tire fire. Dedric was extremely efficient and KJ a lot more middling. But outside of those two they have a guy that is a 6th man for a good team (Markel Crawford) for their third best player, another similar guard as the 4th guy and it was a steep drop right off a cliff after that.
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Feel the same way. I think Tubby is an old school guy and that is getting lost in today’s game. At Texas Tech his goal was to slow the game down and limit possessions (especially against KU). I don’t know what he’s doing at Memphis but this past year he clearly didn’t have enough talent around the Lawson’s to be any good. He’s losing basically his whole team and the best recruit he’s has signed to date is in the 150’s area. Memphis fans have to be furious about what’s going on.
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Maybe Bragg could go play for Tubby now?
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@Statmachine Yes it is true about schools or the fans always seemingly trying to ONE UP the other on the trash. - -I just have to laugh though when a program thinks they might have a chance to land an upper type of player- -when they in the race for that player it’s like they are one of the greatest players there is and THEN - - BAM once their program is eliminated -it’s like these same posters have just went through menopause - -the change of life and NOW these same players the other school that does get them is total Garbage it’s truly historical . - -Gotta love it - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@Statmachine while we get recruits like Josh Jackson BECAUSE Self recruits the way he does.
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@Eric-san yes, but if you look at KU’s list of offers they are almost all 5 star guys. Then when we miss on the vast majority and fail to fill all of our scholarship’s he scrambles and settles for scraps. Its worked out with Frank, Devonte, Vick, and the Lawsons but we have had too many walk on type of guys here lately IMO.
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Evan Maxwell was the only WTF scholarship recently imo*. Self took a sub 50 ranked player (at the time of commitment) in the early signing period in the last two classes. 2012 was really the last class that was a disaster. 11 and 12 put the program in a position where KU lacked good depth and upperclassman and led to early tournament losses in 13-14 and 14-15. We had a LOT of misses this year, on guys that KU was in good with too, that won’t happen every year and Self still recovered nicely. Hell he got Preston in the fall after missing on Ayton.
*The only recent walk-on level scholarship I can think of recently and he was very quickly sent on his way.
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@BShark I think you can add Rio Adams and Milton Doyle to that list. They didn’t last long either, but I still see sign’s of Adams impact on our program from time to time.
Mmm good air cereal, eat it up!
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@BShark Its not that the guys like Adams, Doyle, Vick, Mason, Devonte, Black, or any of the guys KU has signed weren’t good or quality players but these guys were all recruited after KU missed on all of the 5 star talent. Coach Self leaves us in limbo for most of the recruiting cycle and misses on too many recruiting targets because his sales pitch needs adjusted.
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@Statmachine so we want cal 2? I like what Self does. I want the Franks, DGs, Tarik’s, Wiggs, Josh’s etc!
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@Crimsonorblue22 me too! I just wish Coach Self would recruit differently so that I can sleep better at night lol.
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I am curious. What exactly should Coach Self do differently so you can sleep better at night? He has gotten his share of McD All Americans and 5 stars including Wiggins and Jackson who both were ranked #1. Yes, some players don’t pan out but he has been great at picking lower ranked players that produced big time. All programs, even Kentucky and Duke, end up getting some players that work out and some that don’t; look at all the transfers out of UK and Duke. Coach Self has been the master of getting lower ranked players that turned out great and picking up quality players when you least expected him. If KU does not pick up anyone else (I doubt it) in this cycle, it would have a very good class not only for next season but a great foundation for the next couple of seasons after that as well.
Maybe to you the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence but to me, the one we have is just fine. Also, remember that as the late Erma Bombeck said…the grass is always greener over the septic tank.
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I’m just trying to determine the “walk-on” level players that KU has given scholarships too over the last 5 years aside from Maxwell. 2012 was rough I can concede that, so that’s the cut off point. After that, recruiting has been pretty damn good lately, even if some players didn’t work out.
Like @JayHawkFanToo said I also wonder what Self could do differently. Sometimes you just lose the battle. Sexton and Young were both told you can be the starting PG for friggin KU and they both said “no thanks, I’ll stay home”. The staff identified Garrett early and prioritized him over other, actually more highly rated wings like Troy Brown. This is exactly the kind of smart move I think you are hoping for, because Garrett is a hell of a player that should be around for 3-4 years and appears to be very coachable, where as Troy Brown thinks he is OAD and a PG despite having a terrible jumper. We could break down every kid KU missed on this year because there are a lot, but I don’t see the point. Unless you are Duke these days you miss. Yes even the mighty Kentucky has given a real, commitable offer to quite a few kids they haven’t landed over the last 3 classes. Should Self promise playing time? Maybe but that’s not his game unless the kid is a top 25 type talent, he tries to be more honest. Should he be like Cal and tell post players they are going to play the 3/SF? I think there are reasonable criticisms to be made, I’m just curious as to where you think Self needs to change Statsy.
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Anyone checkout the F— Tubby video? Not a great look for us.
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@BShark Justin Wesley would be a walk-on that comes to mind. Although I believe that was only when there was an open scholarship and KL wasn’t paying for it. At least that is what I recall.
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@BigBad link?
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@BigBad Oh thanks!
And meh, nothing sitting out a year won’t blow over.
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@KUSTEVE said in Lawson Brothers Coming to KU:
“I think there are a lot of similarities to the way (former KU forward) Marcus Morris played.
So he can’t dunk?
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If the Lawson lads Should arrive in Lawrence with the determination which the Morris twins displayed after their freshman year, our coaching staff will have picked up a pair of authentic bargains. Tubby Smith has aged and grown a bit long of tooth, but he probably yet remains as good a coach as Reagan was an actor (before he shuffled into politics). Tubby and Josh Pastner are likely worth a solid B+. So the Lawsons should have learned considerably about Div. 1 Hoops during their years at Memphis U. Now they are presented with the opportunity of trying to fit into a quality program led by a quality coach and a quality trainer. If their dad remains cool and not adversely involved, as has unfortunately been the case with at least a trio of other player fathers during Bill Self’s tenure, these two transfers could turn into real gold for Jayhawk Basketball. IFs and COULDs…
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@Kcmatt7 said in Lawson Brothers Coming to KU:
nothing sitting out a year won’t blow over.
My fingers will be crossed for at least a year. (Is arthritis worse for basketball fans?)
