Quentin Grimes Is A Jayhawk (MONSTER CLASS ALERT)
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@Hawk8086 You could be right? I have my own thoughts on KU landing recruits early. Is anyone else wondering why UK is having a down recruiting year so far? Could it be that the shoe companies are laying low and the funds have dried up temporarily? If I were a top 25 recruit in the nation and I had been offered money to attend ANY school in the country I would not go to that school EVER! I would fear that others had taken the cash and the school would be given the death penalty at some point. I wouldn’t want to be investigated by the FBI or have my name attached to ANY of the negative publicity surrounding the school. The FBI has had a ripple effect on the recruiting scene and in my opinion UK and its recruits are laying low. How else would Coach Cal already know he is not going to sign a big this year? He knows who is coming already but they are all laying low and hoping this all blows over. I bet he has “bleached” his email and took a hammer to his phones!
Okay enough about that. On to Coach Self and his new recruiting approach. We have all heard recruits recently stating that Coach Self has told them they will come in and be impact players as freshmen. He is now also a HOF coach! PT has opened up “supposedly”? Is this the perfect storm or can we expect the same for years to come? Have the shoe gods finally answered our prayers? Next year is NCAA championship or BUTS!
Svi, Vick, Graham, and Preston are for sure gone.
Newman-If Newman doesn’t show up on any mock draft boards he will test the NBA waters but come back.
Udoka-copy paste Newman. They both need to develop another year at KU.
Garrett-Stud! This kid has all the tools in the shed. Just needs some polish and he will be a huge asset next year!
KJ Lawson-Coach Self said this summer he was more impressed with KJ than any other player on the roster. He averaged 12 points 8 boards and will be a rs JR. He would have been a SR next year fellas! He is going to start!
Dedric Lawson-Possibly NPOY honors? Need I say more?
I now everyone’s BIG on our recruiting class but if we return the 5 guys I have listed Our freshmen are not going to start! We would still have our “glue guys” WHO have started or would start at most D1 schools Moore, Cunliffe, and Lightfoot.
If all of this shakes out we will have the perfect balance of experience and talent on the court next year and should be favored to win it all next year! Even if Newman leaves I think we are in a good position with Langford and even if we don’t land him Plug in either freshman stud and we are still in good shape!
What a Luxury to have and if we could just get Preston and De Sousa on the court this year we could go deep in to March or early April! Good time to be a KU fan!
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@Statmachine UK literally just closed two stud recruits in the last week. They are fine.
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I disagree with a lot of that. I don’t think KJ or Moore will start.
Lightfoot and Cunliffe would not start anywhere good…
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Preston hasn’t even played in a real game and he’s gone. While I agree, its just funny.
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@BShark They might be fine BUT when you have to replace your whole roster each and every year with OAD’s he HAS to sign more talent to keep his OAD farm from going under! Herro was a last ditch effort when they knew they were out on Grimes! They have 4 guys on next years Mock Draft. They need 2 more guys that can step in and play starting minutes. Not to mention they are losing 3 guys listed 6’8" or taller and Cal said they probably wouldn’t sign a BIG this year! I am just pointing out that UK is usually sitting pretty this time of year but its not a normal year for UK.
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@BShark KJ will start and I never said Moore would start next year but He would start at other D1 schools.
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Not starting kids you said will start is a good way to burn bridges in recruiting.
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Statmachine said:
@BShark They might be fine BUT when you have to replace your whole roster each and every year with OAD’s he HAS to sign more talent to keep his OAD farm from going under! Herro was a last ditch effort when they knew they were out on Grimes! They have 4 guys on next years Mock Draft. They need 2 more guys that can step in and play starting minutes. Not to mention they are losing 3 guys listed 6’8" or taller and Cal said they probably wouldn’t sign a BIG this year! I am just pointing out that UK is usually sitting pretty this time of year but its not a normal year for UK.
Yeah, agree about Herro. He’s a good player though.
Their back court will be stacked next year and I’m sure they will have some post players back plus at least 1 signing.
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Statmachine said:
@BShark KJ will start and I never said Moore would start next year but He would start at other D1 schools.
Where do you think KJ starts? KJ is not skilled enough to play the 3 the way KU has been trending. I think he is a back-up 4 man, a very good one though.
Imo…
Dotson, Grimes, Garrett (or Vick if he is back), Dedric, SDS (or Doke if he is back).
You are the first I’ve seen that has even insinuated a non-zero chance that Newman could return so I wonder where you got your info. Literally everyone else is saying it doesn’t matter if he would go undrafted.
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@BShark I’m in the camp of those that think there is a non-zero chance. I recall Brandon Rush being a no doubt, for sure OAD. I’d say a 20% chance Newman is back. I also thought there was a 20% (or so) chance that Newman would turn pro after his redshirt year. You just never know. It’s worth some consideration, just not a lot – no doubt he’s highly, highly likely to be gone.
But he doesn’t look like a pro to me.
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HighEliteMajor said:
@BShark I’m in the camp of those that think there is a non-zero chance. I recall Brandon Rush being a no doubt, for sure OAD. I’d say a 20% chance Newman is back. I also thought there was a 20% (or so) chance that Newman would turn pro after his redshirt year. You just never know. It’s worth some consideration, just not a lot – no doubt he’s highly, highly likely to be gone.
But he doesn’t look like a pro to me.
I actually very much agree with your last sentence there. He does not look like an NBA player. Newman and his dad did promise Self a year of playing. Obviously promises can be broken but the optics there would have been terrible for them.
I’d rather have Vick back than Newman.
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I’ll take both of them coming back but that seems unlikely given that we signed 2 five star guards for next season. Someone(s) are movin on up’
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@Statmachine Well, I do know or should say I’ve read that Bol , Bol was pretty turned off or his mom was when he got cut from the team Cal was Coaching and that kind of had a long term effect with him. - -Looks like Bol ends up more then likely at Oregon. - -I guess I’m nuts but the more I watch Bol I’ just think he is over rated we shall see, But I don’t see him as the 3rd best player in the Nation. - -Sure he dominated in High School but let’s see how he does against other quality well put together Big’s - and experienced other Big’s at the College level.
UK fans thought for sure & actually I thought so to that Zion was for sure their’s - -I thought Zion had/still has Kentucky written all over him BUT it’s looking like Clemson - -ya Clemson just might end up landing him. - -Me Myself I think that’s a mistake.- -I can’t stand Kentucky , but if he really wants the exposure - - -a legit chance in the NCAA tourney - -you tell me who has the better chance Clemson OR Kentucky? - -at UK have a chance to be surrounded by better talent - -BUT I think staying in state being closer to family playing a huge part in his decision -So those are the two that I know for sure off and my thoughts as to why they missing out on the big this year. - Probably totally off base but hey you know lol. – ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@jayballer54 Strong agree on Bol Bol. He is skilled but zero chance he is “unpacking his bags” for college. Give me multiple year bigs that give great effort and are also skilled like KU got with Silvio and Big Dave. I’m a bit higher on Silvio but I would expect solid contributions from Dave in year 2 while really blossoming year 3 and 4.
I don’t agree that it matters where Zion goes to school. If he wants to go to Clemson and that makes him and his family happy he should do that. Honestly he SHOULD be in the NBA next year but the rules don’t allow it. Also if it isn’t KU I sure hope he does to to Clemson, UK has enough damn talent already.
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He starts at KU!
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@Statmachine Ok, sure.
Counterpoint: his advanced stats sucked. Also he shot 32% from three.
Please tell me who you think he starts over and what his position is.
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@BShark Ya I agree with you that if HE wants to go to Clemson then he should. - -BUT I’m hearing it’s more his daddy Zion that wants this, and with that - -I think that’s wrong. - Like you said if that’s what Zion wants great, BUT it’s Zion’s future - -he should do what HE wants more then what daddy wants. I understand his dad or step ad whatever went to Clemson - and I understand that trying to please the parents plays a role in a lot of these kids decision but , in the end run at the end of the day - -It should be totally 100% Zion’s decision it’s his future not daddys.
Your right Zion shouldn’t even be in College next year BUT - having said that, the more I think about it and have heard I think if KU had a decision between the two I would STILL take Romeo, just think he is more of that COMPLETE player - don’t get me wrong I would take Zion in a heartbeat would be one of those cases for me if I were the Coach in a case with them it would be whoever committed first -for sure a win win. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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Also @Statmachine I don’t think we are that far off. I think KJ is first off the bench at the 4 and will contribute.
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http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/2017/nov/16/how-a-phone-call-played-a-key-role-in-qu/
D WILL!!!
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@BShark KJ will have been at a D1 school for 3 years going into is 4th by the time next year starts. I think he starts over any Freshman due to conditioning and experience UNLESS KU lands Zion period.
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If Zion goes to Clemson its more about the role he gets to have and following the model that Fultz and Simmons have made going to non-elite schools for a year. You don’t have to go to Kentucky, KU, or UNC to be considering a top draft pick anymore.
And then we should hear Kentucky fans saying we didn’t want him anyway.
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Statmachine said:
@BShark KJ will have been at a D1 school for 3 years going into is 4th by the time next year starts. I think he starts over any Freshman due to conditioning and experience UNLESS KU lands Zion period.
Ah this is where we differ I don’t think he is competing with a FR for playing time. I think he is competing with Dedric because KJ is a 4 at KU and higher level D1 ball in general with his skill set. Could be that Dedric and KJ start in the post together and Silvio comes off the bench.
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Also it’s great to be able to even have these discussions. Real options! So nice…
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@BShark Yes, next year no matter how things shake out we will have the best roster on paper IMO…
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Agree. We are looking at possibly the best guard Self has had at KU (Grimes) and the most skilled true 4 man (Dedric). I also think Silvio’s potential is through the roof.
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Next years team will have an identity problem. Who leads next years team? So many new faces. Some have exp some talent but mostly new faces! Who will lead and what does KU look like next year?
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Statmachine said:
Next years team will have an identity problem. Who leads next years team? So many new faces. Some have exp some talent but mostly new faces! Who will lead and what does KU look like next year?
I think Dedric and Grimes will be the primary offensive players (guys you feed the ball and run plays for) but certainly it is up for debate. No doubt with KU replacing so many players it will take time to gel. By the end of the year, the team should be excellent though.
Also there could be some variance depending on who stays.
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@BShark How would it be any different with KJ & Dedric playing at KU then at when they played at Memphis? - - they played at the same time on the floor a lot while at Memphis - why then couldn’t that be the case here at KU? - - I don’t think KJ would be competing against Dedric here. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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jayballer54 said:
@BShark How would it be any different with KJ & Dedric playing at KU then at when they played at Memphis? - - they played at the same time on the floor a lot while at Memphis - why then couldn’t that be the case here at KU? - - I don’t think KJ would be competing against Dedric here. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
Did you see the roster around them at Memphis? Much more skill surrounding them at KU.
Also if you look at Memphis their last year, it seems Tubby alternated playing big and small. KJ, Dedric, Crawford and Martin always started. However there was a split between Jimario Rivers (a guard) and Chad Rykhoek (a 6’ 11’ post player). It looks like at the end of the year they were leaning towards playing small, with KJ at the 4. Do we suddenly think that moving up a level in competition, that KJ is going to play a MORE skill oriented position more of the time? I certainly do not think so.
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To be clear they can absolutely play on the floor together but in these scenarios imo Dedric will be playing center and KJ the 4.
We always seem to think guys can play a position up (Marcus and Perry at the three anyone?) but then it never happens in real, high leverage situations and rarely at all in general.
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That’s why Vick or Doke is important from a leadership standpoint next season. Maybe Vick more because he would be a senior and he’ll have the ball in his hands a lot more then Doke does. Either one of them is really important. Otherwise we are looking at KU’s version of a Duke/UK overhaul.
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BShark said:
To be clear they can absolutely play on the floor together but in these scenarios imo Dedric will be playing center and KJ the 4.
We always seem to think guys can play a position up (Marcus and Perry at the three anyone?) but then it never happens in real, high leverage situations and rarely at all in general.
Bingo. I see KJ as a small ball 4, basically a better rebounding and offensive talent then Lightfoot. His chemistry with his brother could be important to put out on the floor with Dedric though. He’s also known as being a good defender and passer (things we saw in Italy) for example.
I know months have passed and the excitment of our freshman are still on our minds but KJ can play and if he finds a consistent perimeter shot he’s going to be a big part of the rotation
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What are we thinking the odds are that Dok comes back?
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Putting these direct quotes out there for anyone that didn’t see the article I linked to earlier.
“He had Deron Williams call me probably two, three weeks ago, and he just explained to me how much he loves Coach Self and how I would fit in great with their program,” Grimes said. “It was kind of a wow moment because I got to pick his brain a little bit, ask him a few questions about Coach Self and also about non-Kansas stuff like the NBA and find out what you have to do to get your gam ready for that next level.”
As for what he asked Williams about Self specifically, Grimes said he just appreciated the opportunity to run KU’s recruiting pitch by someone who had been in his shoes before to see if the pitch and actually playing for him matched up.
It sounds like it did.
“I asked him a lot,” Grimes said of his phone conversation with Williams. “How is Coach Self on the court, off the court, if he really lets you play your game. And he kept it real with me the whole time so that was kind of another big factor that went into my decision.”
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A few thoughts…
Based on the two games to date we cannot say for sure which player will go and who will stay, just not enough of a sample to make a statement of any sort.
As far a KJ, we don’t know for sure how good he is or will be by next season with one year of practice under KU coaching and being conditioned by Hudy.
Kentucky is doing juts fine recruiting, #3 in Rivals and #4 in Scout. If they sign Zion likely they move to the top unless KU signs one more quality player like Langford.
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HawkChamp said:
What are we thinking the odds are that Dok comes back?
I think they are slim if I was looking at this from his point of view.
Self stressed that he wouldn’t leave without a 1st round guarantee. Right now he’s no where near the 2nd round on mocks so it would seem he would be back right?
An extra year would do wonders for him, He’d have another 30+ games under his belt, another year to work on footwork, post moves, FT shooting etc. He’d only be 19 going to the NBA after next season.
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That’s big using a former player… Smart move.
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JayHawkFanToo said:
As far a KJ, we don’t know for sure how good he is or will be by next season with one year of practice under KU coaching and being conditioned by Hudy.
Kentucky is doing juts fine recruiting, #3 in Rivals and #4 in Scout. If they sign Zion likely they move to the top unless KU signs one more quality player like Langford.
I think KJ will be pretty good, KU just has a stacked roster.
As for Zion, the Clemson smoke is hooooooooooot and heavy right now. Seems like he might actually pop for Clemson soon.
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If I had to pick, I would definitely choose Zion. To me, he is almost a clone of Julius Randle - tall, powerful and fast. Randle was the main reason for their title game appearance, imo. He was almost impossible to stop and I see Zion being the same way. If we had landed Randle in 2013, i think that definitely would have been a final four year.
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BeddieKU23 said:
HawkChamp said:
What are we thinking the odds are that Dok comes back?
I think they are slim if I was looking at this from his point of view.
Self stressed that he wouldn’t leave without a 1st round guarantee. Right now he’s no where near the 2nd round on mocks so it would seem he would be back right?
An extra year would do wonders for him, He’d have another 30+ games under his belt, another year to work on footwork, post moves, FT shooting etc. He’d only be 19 going to the NBA after next season.
Slim that he comes back? The rest of the post doesn’t seem to match up with that.
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@BShark he needs more polishing to have a long nba career.
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HawkChamp said:
If I had to pick, I would definitely choose Zion. To me, he is almost a clone of Julius Randle - tall, powerful and fast. Randle was the main reason for their title game appearance, imo. He was almost impossible to stop and I see Zion being the same way. If we had landed Randle in 2013, i think that definitely would have been a final four year.
Looks like he is going to be taking the Simmons/Fultz path.
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@BShark it ain’t over til it’s over. No one thought Wiggins was coming here but he did.
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Doke is right now pretty much an unknown since he did not play most of last season. As the season progresses he will show up in the NBA radar and his stock will go up if nothing else based on his size and potential.
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BShark said:
BeddieKU23 said:
HawkChamp said:
What are we thinking the odds are that Dok comes back?
I think they are slim if I was looking at this from his point of view.
Self stressed that he wouldn’t leave without a 1st round guarantee. Right now he’s no where near the 2nd round on mocks so it would seem he would be back right?
An extra year would do wonders for him, He’d have another 30+ games under his belt, another year to work on footwork, post moves, FT shooting etc. He’d only be 19 going to the NBA after next season.
Slim that he comes back? The rest of the post doesn’t seem to match up with that.
Yeah I don’t think Doke is looking at this the way we are. Maybe I’m wrong but I do think he wants to go after the year. Whether his injury from last year or how the season plays out changes that is TBD. Hopefully by season’s end we’ll have a clearer picture of what the scouts think of him.
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HawkChamp said:
What are we thinking the odds are that Dok comes back?
Well I really don’t count for anything but If you were to ask me now, compared to say 3-4 months ago now I’m swaying more.
Here is my thoughts may not amount to squat but anyways, I’m getting more of a feeling there could be that chance Doke could return, before I thought for sure no matter what he was gone.
The reason for me thinking that is as I’ve said before - -still really raw, he just has to develop and or work on some kind of a shot other then dunk - I mean sure he could be drafted off his size alone always a place for a man of that size - -BUT if he doesn’t have some kind of shot going to be really hard for him . - -Plus I’m just not really convinced because it seems the NBA is kind of trending away from that true Big man, seems to be going with more of smaller quicker line up - the days of the old big I think is setting in the sunset. Really fast pace - Doke has to get that conditioning down, If I had to make a solid prediction right now. -I’d probably still lean a little more that he is gone, but just think there is more of a chance of a return then I thought before because of why I mentioned. ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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BeddieKU23 said:
BShark said:
BeddieKU23 said:
HawkChamp said:
What are we thinking the odds are that Dok comes back?
I think they are slim if I was looking at this from his point of view.
Self stressed that he wouldn’t leave without a 1st round guarantee. Right now he’s no where near the 2nd round on mocks so it would seem he would be back right?
An extra year would do wonders for him, He’d have another 30+ games under his belt, another year to work on footwork, post moves, FT shooting etc. He’d only be 19 going to the NBA after next season.
Slim that he comes back? The rest of the post doesn’t seem to match up with that.
Yeah I don’t think Doke is looking at this the way we are. Maybe I’m wrong but I do think he wants to go after the year. Whether his injury from last year or how the season plays out changes that is TBD. Hopefully by season’s end we’ll have a clearer picture of what the scouts think of him.
Ok that’s what I thought you meant but I wanted to be sure. Of course being an African kid we know he has “handlers” and likely those guys want him in the league.
For now I tend to believe Self that he could stay if he won’t be a first rounder. I like that Self said that directly.
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@BShark I Think so - - my famous gut feeling lmao. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
