His shooting leaves a lot to be desired but he’s been real good this season.
Weaver spent a good amount on that first draft, but only taking Hayes over Halliburton is a huge miss. Stewart and bey weren’t super early picks, and both look like legit NBA players. Even getting that at their slots is acceptable to me.
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Banchero was great early, faded late (not as simple - he had an awful February, improved in March). The “rookie wall” is a real thing, not that it explains it all.
His passing/playmaking really pops for that size, and his ability to get to the line will always bail out his shooting to a degree.
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Ivey should’ve won February rookie of the month. His numbers were just as good, if not better, at least from an efficiency wise than Paolo.
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Did Paolo win February? He was terrible in February. I think this rookie class has gotten a little softer at the top, stronger later. I think right now if I were to choose one dude to be star it would be Jalen Williams (Sharpe has also looked good lately), and if I were to tap one guy and say “I am most positive he’s going to be a good pro” it’s probably…Walker Kessler?
Yup Paolo won the ROM in February. I think Jaden has a better case simply bc of the efficiency standpoint.
Jaden Ivey February stats: 16.4 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.7rpg, 44.5%FG, 41.9%3FG, 2.6 TOV
Paolo Banchero February stats: 16.6ppg, 3.3apg, 7.5rpg, 37.4%FG, 3.0%3FG, 2.1TOV
Yeah there are probably a half dozen guys at least who should have had it over Paolo probably. He’s still first or second in my mind (haven’t thought TOO HARD about this) in ROTY
Off the top of my head, I’d probably go
Banchero
Williams
Kessler
Murray
Ivey
That’s not a projection of future value (if you were to ask me to rank them in terms of “likelihood to be a star”, Ivey would go to at least third, and you’d see Sharpe pop up over Murray and Kessler).
I just think Kessler has shown he has an EXTREMELY high floor, and has essentially spent the past 2 months being like 90% of what Gobert was…that’s something. And Murray has just been rock solid in all facets for a good team, playing winning basketball.
Ivey’s passing in the last 30-35 games and shooting int he last 20 are really encouraging.
I think the list you put out should be the All-Rookie team.
I also think Ivey has star potential and he’s getting better as the season progress which is very encouraging and I think Cade being out for the season is a blessing in disguise for Ivey since it forced Ivey to really develop his game at a rapid pace. Ivey has developed passing, pacing, mid-range jumper. The next step for Ivey to work on in the off-season is to continue to work on his jumpshot, understanding the timing of cutting, better finishes at the rim plus defense. I’m not worried about finishes at the rim because he’s been good at it at Purdue so he’ll figure it out.
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We were talking earlier about who would be the basketball version of Coach Prime. There we go.
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He wouldn’t have the patience for recruiting.
Sort of? I like Iverson better as that comparison.
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Oh yeah, AI is a good one.
Sheed’s just kind of less blingy and more contrarian, but I bet you he’d attract a certain type and it would be a ton of fun. And chaotic.
Not sure if AI still has a vivacious personality anymore. Seems like a sad guy
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I could see Draymond at MSU being a nightmare to deal with.
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Bingo. I was just having that “AHA!” moment.
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Plus…how is he ever going to tell his players that they need to PRACTICE???
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“once you are as good as me in 2001, you can skip practice” would be an extremely justified rule lol
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