Langford
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@BigBad And Durant can’t bench press the bar. I still say if Dok could stroke it he’d be a top 5 pick. You can’t teach 7’1”. But as it stands he’s not very skilled, doesn’t rebound well for his size, and has no shot. He would be as successful as Cliff Alexander in the NBA at this point.
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@dylans A stroke doesnt fix his lack of athleticism. Durrant may be weak but he is explosive enough for his size and position. A durrant stroke doesnt fall out of trees.
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How athletic does he need to be? He’s 7’1” if he could stroke it flat footed most people couldn’t bother his shot. He’s athletic enough to block shots. He need to gain basketball IQ Dok’s problem beyond having absolutely the ugliest shot in basketball is his lack of understanding of how to position himself. How to seal off his man to get easy baskets, how to hedge on defense. Things that will hopefully come with experience. Lando did those things well, but he was 6’9” and unathletic if he was over 7ft. he’d likely be getting paid to play basketball a bit more than he currently is.
Ifs and buts. He’s not going to develop a shot so it’s a moot point.
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@dylans He has shown a nice little hook at times. Needs to learn some arc on both that and his FTs, but practice will improve those.
As to verticality, his body type may not allow much; Hudy will figure out what he can do. Remember, he was 40 lbs heavier on his arrival, and every time he goes up he is trying to not only leg press 260 or more–he is trying to leg toss that weight a foot or more into the air after never having had to do it as a younger player.
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I would tend to disagree regarding guys not sticking in the NBA.
Devonte will probably play a few years in the NBA as backup PG at the very least. He’s probably slotted as a starter on a poor team, but a backup on a very good team. His shooting and defensive ability make him a likely fit even though he probably won’t be a high draft pick.
I’ve already outlined why I think Vick could have the best career of anyone on the current roster, so I won’t belabor that here.
Svi will get a very long look. How he adapts to NBA athleticism determines if he stays in the league a dozen years or a dozen games.
Doke will also get a look. If he can become an elite PnR roll man, he could become a DeAndre Jordan type player. Thing is, he may be back in Lawrence next year to work on that.
Newman is the wild card. If he can move to the point, he could have a career. As a 2, he’s destined to head overseas.
Preston is a bit of an unknown. Physically, he can play in the NBA. But the direction the NBA is heading, he really needs to improve on the perimeter both offensively and especially defensively so he can match up with wings and Durant/Paul George type players. If he can do that, he has a decade in the league. If not, he will wash out.
I would say out of all of these guys, Vick plays 12 years, Devonte plays 9, Preston plays 7, Doke plays 4, Svi and Newman go overseas.
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@mayjay I’m amazed with the transformation of Dok’s body. Hudy is amazing!
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dylans said:
How athletic does he need to be? He’s 7’1” if he could stroke it flat footed most people couldn’t bother his shot. He’s athletic enough to block shots.
We have played NOBODY outside of UK as far as real talent. Doke is averaging 1.4 blocks. So obviously he isnt athletic enough to block shots. Lightfoot is leading the team in blocks.
What a lot of you guys do not seem to grasp is that Bill Self MAXIMIZES his roster every year. It’s why we get ranked so high with marginal talent.
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justanotherfan said:
I would say out of all of these guys, Vick plays 12 years, Devonte plays 9, Preston plays 7, Doke plays 4, Svi and Newman go overseas.
Vick has zero natural ball skills and a so so shot. He is a slasher period. To excel at that role in NBA to play 12 years he’d need to be around 6’7.
Devonte struggles against length(Oregon) and when his wide open or chucks from outside are not falling he cant create in the half court for himself. If he had ability to play 9 years in the NBA he would already be gone.
Svi is not fast enough and has really short arms. Though his age may get him some looks.
I like these guys as college players, I just don’t see their skills translating to NBA.
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@BigBad To your point the times that Self has had multiple guys that hung around the league he made the title game…
2008: Rio, Arthur, Cole and Rush still in the league. 2012: Taylor had a couple years, now around Europe. TRob was around until last year. Withey still in the league.
I certainly agree about Graham, Svi and Doke. Graham is a great college guard but his pro ball will be in Europe.
I disagree about Vick though. I think he can hang around.
I’m really hopeful for next season. Grimes I feel is an NBA talent. I’m on the fence about Dotson he needs to develop his shot and he certainly came to the right place for that. Silvio has the tools and Dedric is incredibly skilled.
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@BigBad I’m not going to argue that Dok is uber athletic, he isn’t. But I will never agree with you that a hypothetical 7’1", 280#, 19 year old, with Dok’s level of athleticism, that could shoot lights out wouldn’t be a top 5 pick.
I’m not an nba gm so it doesn’t really matter though.
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Vick did really well at a camp last summer in philly. NBA guys spoke very highly of him. Think it was posted on here?
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You make some fair points. Vick isn’t a PG, but his handle is solid enough to allow him to be a secondary ball handler in the NBA. With all of these guys, I am projecting some level of improvement over time, because if they do not improve, they won’t last more than a year or two - nobody stays in the NBA without improving over time.
Certain stats translate well from level to level. The most consistent is rebounding. Vick averaged 3.5 rebounds last year in about 24 minutes per game. He’s bumped that to 7 per game this season in almost 33 minutes. That means he can play in smaller lineups without sacrificing too much on the glass.
Vick has also been a good FT shooter in his career. Including his freshman year 3-6, Vick is a 77% career FT shooter at KU. That suggests a sound stroke. He’s also a career 40% three point shooter. It’s foreseeable that he can move into a 3 and D wing role with his athleticism, rebounding ability and the ability to likely shoot the three at a league average level. Add in that he can guard 1’s, 2’s and 3’s, and he is in good shape to have a nice career at the next level.
Devonte won’t be a scorer at the next level, but he’s a guy that must be covered because he can shoot. In that respect, he could have a career very similar to Mario Chalmers, which is part of the reason I tabbed him at 9 years. Chalmers briefly faded out of the league after last season before landing with Memphis again. He may hang around another year or two. He may not. He’s at 9 years in the league right now. Additionally, Devonte will play a full year at the point as a primary ball handler in college, something Mario never did with Sherron and RussRob around.
Doke will get a long look with his size, but I just don’t know if he fits in the modern NBA. Still, he will get chances through the end of his rookie contract because he’s big and pretty athletic.
Svi is a good shooter and improved ball handler, but I don’t know if he will stick for the reasons you point out. Even if he never plays a second of NBA ball, he can get paid to play basketball for the next 15 years somewhere.
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One thing @BigBad is really right about is we tend to overrate the NBA potential of KU players. I’m guilty of it myself even.
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@justanotherfan Chalmers is an ELITE defender who possess a 6’9 wingspan at 6’1. I dont see Devonte in that mold.
Our 2008 team was special. It took NBA talent to win the first final four with four #1 seeds.
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Vick and then Svi have the most NBA potiental on the current team, I believe. I don’t see any future NBA all stars, but I do see collegiate level stars.
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Preston definitely has NBA potential and before the current situation, it was pretty much the consensus that he was THE sure one and done.
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@JayHawkFanToo Completely forgot about Billy, since he’s not on the playing roster.
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What is crazy is our 2008 team was LOADED with pros and we barely survive Stephen Curry in the Elite Eight. Go back and watch that game on youtube. Curry is what he is now. No idea how scouts didnt see it coming.
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BigBad said:
What is crazy is our 2008 team was LOADED with pros and we barely survive Stephen Curry in the Elite Eight. Go back and watch that game on youtube. Curry is what he is now. No idea how scouts didnt see it coming.
Yeah I’ve actually watched this game quite a few times. We were fortunate that Curry didn’t take the final shot, from any range.
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BigBad said:
justanotherfan said:
I would say out of all of these guys, Vick plays 12 years, Devonte plays 9, Preston plays 7, Doke plays 4, Svi and Newman go overseas.
Vick has zero natural ball skills and a so so shot. He is a slasher period. To excel at that role in NBA to play 12 years he’d need to be around 6’7.
Devonte struggles against length(Oregon) and when his wide open or chucks from outside are not falling he cant create in the half court for himself. If he had ability to play 9 years in the NBA he would already be gone.
Svi is not fast enough and has really short arms. Though his age may get him some looks.
I like these guys as college players, I just don’t see their skills translating to NBA.
I disagree on a couple points. Vick can be a lights out shooter. He’s a career 40% 3 point shooter and almost 80% FT shooter. That’s a heck of a lot better than so-so. He’s shooting like 55% from 3 this season. He’s got some work above the neck to be a great defender, but has all the physical tools to be a very good perimeter defender in the NBA. I think he ends up coming back to KU, since he’s a borderline first rounder.
I think Devonte can be a plus backup in the NBA for a decade. The dude is just a good basketball player. He’s got solid size and length for a pro PG, plus is a better distributor and shooter than Mario ever was. I could see him going anywhere from 25-35 in the draft. I actually agree with you on Svi. I just don’t see it for him in the NBA. Not sure he’s athletic enough to be a 2, but also don’t think he’s big enough to be a 3. I can see him having a very long and lucrative career overseas though.
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I see Vick with a NBA future. He could be a 1st round pick this year or next season.
Svi can shoot but his limitations will make it hard for him.
Devonte will make a team especially if he continues to shoot the ball and rack up assists the way he is. He’s at best a late 1st round type, more likely a solid 2nd round pick at this point.
Can’t imagine Newman or Doke will make the combine currently
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I was terrified of Curry on that last shot. History is probably different if he insists on taking that shot - he should have taken that shot.
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@justanotherfan But…didn’t we force the ball out of his hands with our defense?
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@Hawk8086 Yes Self wanted anyone but Curry to take it.
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@justanotherfan “History is probably different if he insists on taking that shot - he should have taken that shot.”
I feel the same way about Jacque Vaughn passing up the shot vs. AZ.
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Vick is going anywhere from 19 to undrafted on mocks.
Newman also looking like he will be back. Or in Europe I guess.
I do want me some Langford, but a returning Newman and Vick combo could be just what the doctor ordered to help these two young studs we have coming in.
At this point, next year’s roster projects:
- PG: Dotson, Moore
- SG: Grimes, Newman
- SF: Vick, Garrett, Cunliffe
- PF: Lawson, De Sousa, Lightfoot, Lawson
- C: Doke, McCormack
And, I haven’t seen Preston on boards lately… We are a scholarship over if nobody leaves early. That means either someone is getting forced out or someone is going pro. Only person you could really force out would be Lightfoot. So either Billy, Newman or Vick would need to go pro.
Either way, next year’s team is f-ing stacked. And our post depth is going to be out of this world.
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With they way Newman has played to date I’m not sure you want him back. I think we want the fresh slate to play the young guys and not have someone standing in their way. Newman so far is either just overrated or not playing to his abilities. Right now that would seem to be a mix of both.
Vick is the more important player. He’s taken a step forward in his role this season and if he’s back next season we have that go-to guy.
I think Langford’s decision is based more on Vick but maybe if Newman leaves he still see’s the opportunity here with a guard leaving. We could certainly trot out some exciting lineup combo’s if Langford joins a Vick, Grimes, Dotson, Moore, Garrett, Cunliffe perimeter
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I really don’t think Lightfoot would be forced out; I can see Newman being forced out before Lightfoot.
In any case, I believe Newman came to KU to get exposure and improve his draft stock but looks like he has been exposed instead. He is way too inconsistent and perhaps overrated, although the jury is still out on this. I just don’t see him with NBA potential and overseas looks like the more likely destination and if that is the case, no need to stick around for an extra year.
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I’ll be shocked if Lightfoot is in the rotation next season with what we should have at the 4 next season. The Lawson’s are so much better then Mitch is currently. This would be the perfect scenario to redshirt him.
Just having the 5- Doke, Dave, D Lawson, KJ Lawson & De Sousa is a lot of mouths to feed. Some serious size and skill among those 5 guys.
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@BeddieKU23 Tell ya what. I don’t think you have to worry about Newman being a problem as far as keeping say like Langford away if he wanted to come. - -I really believe Newman is gone one way or another. - More likely then not oversea’s then the NBA - but one way or another he won’t be back.
Vick I fully believe will declare for the NBA -he has already some pretty decent improvement this year - I just think he is gone. Putting Langford in a position where he wouldn’t have either one here if he wanted to come. -Goin down to the wire between Ku & Vanderbilt. - -I know doesn’t really mean anything, cause we all know that the damn CB doesn’t mean much - -BUT as we also know he is down to the three Schools - -Indiana - Vanderbilt - & KU – but yet it only shows KU & Vanderbilt as warmer and Indiana at Warm for what that’s worth - -we shall see - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@BeddieKU23 Idk, “Malik Newman, Sixth Man”, has a nice ring to it if you ask me…
Malik is putting up almost identical numbers to Junior Devonte. So I just don’t think that we have fair expectations for the guy. I guess I’m just not seeing the same Malik everyone else is. To me, the guy looks like a very solid guard who just isn’t in sync with everyone else quite yet. He is shooting the 3 at a 40% clip. He is rebounding well for a guard. He is playing just as bad of defense as anyone else.
The truth is we expected Malik to shoot the 3 at a 50% clip, average 5 assists, be a great defender and show that he should be in the NBA already. Those were lofty expectations. But looking purely at the numbers, we can see that Malik has been a very capable college guard so far this season. And I’d love to have him back.
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If Malik were to stick around another season there would be no doubt he starts right? 3rd year in the program and a bunch of upperclassmen leaving. Seems he’d be in line for a leadership role especially mentoring the young guys.
Of course much of what I stated is what I’ve seen so far of Malik. If he turns it around then we benefit and more importantly for him he likely benefits. We’ll see how it plays out. So far I’m fairly disappointed and I had lower expectations of him to begin with.
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@Kcmatt7 agreed. I’m expecting Malik to stay humble and hungry and figure it out.
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@BeddieKU23 lol I have no idea. All I know is that it is a problem I would like to have.
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I guess it doesn’t hurt to dream if that’s what you want. -I’m just saying from what Malik has aid in the past - what was highly conjectured his intention is to play the one year and then declare. - -He already tested the NBA and was told to come back If I remember right when he was at Mississippi State.
Even if he is not ready , and unless he makes a dramatic turn around he is not ready for the NBA. - -Starting to think he like some others stated MAYBE he might have been over rated but the scouts some - - it’s happened before. - I’m not seeing NBA on him at the present
On top of that I really don’t think their is an available spot for him as I think Coach Self went into the recruiting year fully with the belief that Malik was gone after this year. - - There is where Grimes was recruited to take Malik spot. - Now I don’t need someone trying to say - -no Quentin was recruited as a PG - -no he wasn’t he was recruited as a 2 - -Devon was recruited as our point guard of the future from the get go - -and I fully believe BOTH was told as such -Quentin the 2 spot - Devon the 1. - If he were to try and come back that would be forcing somebody out - -unless he were to give up on Langford which I don’t think he is going to do that - No Scholi’s left
Could be wrong with the schlorships available - -but just from everything he dad said in the past - -Malik’s train of thought - -And like I said I feel the way Bill is recruiting his position - I fully believe Malik will not be back not matter what the season brings. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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I think it’s part of the plan for Malik to go. Would he be okay with coming off the bench? Might be really difficult for him. I expect him to go and not get drafted.
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BeddieKU23 said:
I’ll be shocked if Lightfoot is in the rotation next season with what we should have at the 4 next season. The Lawson’s are so much better then Mitch is currently. This would be the perfect scenario to redshirt him.
Just having the 5- Doke, Dave, D Lawson, KJ Lawson & De Sousa is a lot of mouths to feed. Some serious size and skill among those 5 guys.
The ever rare junior season redshirt. I think it would be best for everyone though.
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I thought Newman was a shoe-in to leave after the year. Things do change though. There was popular talk Svi & Graham were gone last season at this time. Unless something changes boy Malik would be making a mistake leaving.
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BShark said:
I think it’s part of the plan for Malik to go. Would he be okay with coming off the bench? Might be really difficult for him. I expect him to go and not get drafted.
That’s sad, I hope he reconsiders if his play continues as it is.
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The injury kind of re-shuffles things for Newman. He’s playing okay, but not exceptional. I certainly think he can be better, but the injury may not allow that with the nature of concussions and how long it takes to get back to normal. He’s been slightly better than he was at Miss. St, while being more efficient. I think he was nearing a breakout, but again, the concussion changes that trajectory in a way we can’t know right now.
How that affects his pro prospects is an open question.
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BeddieKU23 said:
I thought Newman was a shoe-in to leave after the year. Things do change though. There was popular talk Svi & Graham were gone last season at this time. Unless something changes boy Malik would be making a mistake leaving.
I agree, but like B-shark says I just don’t think he will come back no matter what. - If he isn’t drafted or whatever - -Like if it is D-League he won’t do that - -but he will just head oversea’s - I just don’t think he is coming back at all. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@justanotherfan I’m optimistic that this will actually help him.
Hopefully he can’t do anything but the basics the next couple of days, and he watches a ton of film. Then, he gets thrown back into the mix as soon as he is cleared and instead of pressing he just lets the game come to him. I think his major problem has been him trying to force the issue instead of just letting open shots come to him.
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BeddieKU23 said:
BShark said:
I think it’s part of the plan for Malik to go. Would he be okay with coming off the bench? Might be really difficult for him. I expect him to go and not get drafted.
That’s sad, I hope he reconsiders if his play continues as it is.
Does Self still want him though? Current commits were signed assuming he was leaving. It could actually mess stuff up if he stayed.
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@Kcmatt7 can’t watch film w/head injury
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@Crimsonorblue22 It isn’t an eye injury lol.
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@Kcmatt7 no tv or video games, really.
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We also don’t know what degree his concussion is, but he wasn’t knocked out. He hit that knee pretty hard though and in a bad spot. Don’t mess w/those anymore.
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Here is a good site to visit if you have spare time. You can click on the various headings such as scoring rebounding and so on and take a look at the various statistics. Some of the numbers will surprise you and players that we think are not playing that well have pretty decent numbers.
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Eric Bossi says that Ku & Vanderbilt are separating themselves from Indiana - -for Romeo Langford/
Another poster stated: Logic dictates the reason he is waiting - - Waiting to see what happens with Vick. - - No reason for Langford to wait as far as a decision to sign with Vanderbilt OR Indiana - - makes sense - -If Vick comes back - -then no looks like wouldn’t come - -If Vick leaves - - looks like might be game on. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
