How Great is the 2017 draft class?

[Cheesebeef]

I really like how Lonzo never stops his dribble. Very Nash-like...

His speed is a notch or two below Wall (as a prospect) who could go 30ft with one dribble.

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oh yeah... he definitely doesn't have Wall's speed.

 

[Mainstreet]

The release point is normal, not like he is shooting from hip. How he gets to the point is odd, I think he should be OK in most cases... I don't think it will limit his shot type like marion who took a set shot.

In any regard, Ball has a tremendous basketball IQ like few others and his passing follows his IQ. He makes others better by a multiplier. He should be able to adapt. Watching him play tonight he reminded me a bit like Magic Johnson in regard to his IQ and his tremendous ability to make the quick outlet pass to start the fast break. Magic could make the outlet pass better than any I have seen.

Actually I'm making a case for Ball when I like Josh Jackson a lot if the Suns draft third or fourth.

 

[slinslin]

Disapointing game for Duke. Kennard and Allen completely went MIA but I can't give Tatum a pass either. He needed to really take over, but he was merely good with too many turnovers.

 

[DWKB]

Overall Bridges still had a better game even when Kansas showed they are the better team and in the end pulled away.

You know, you make some very insightful posts about basketball, but then you have these where I wonder....


Did you watch the whole game?

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[AsUpRoDiGy]

You know, you make some very insightful posts about basketball, but then you have these where I wonder....


Did you watch the whole game?

You must be registered for see images

Bridges was good, but Jackson was making clutch shots that were well defended. From what I saw...Jackson looked like the best player in the country yesterday...with Ball slightly behind him.

 

[slinslin]

You know, you make some very insightful posts about basketball, but then you have these where I wonder....


Did you watch the whole game?

You must be registered for see images

Wow one play from the end, did you watch the whole game? Bridges thoroughly outplaying Jackson for the first 35 minutes was the reason that it looked like Michigan State could pull off the upset.

Jackson had like 9 points on 3-10 shooting with 2 rebounds and 0 assists until like 4 minutes before the end of the game.

 

[DWKB]

Wow one play from the end, did you watch the whole game? Bridges thoroughly outplaying Jackson for the first 35 minutes was the reason that it looked like Michigan State could pull off the upset.

Jackson had like 9 points on 3-10 shooting with 2 rebounds and 0 assists until like 4 minutes before the end of the game.

Jackson had key steals and weak side blocks. The reason the rest of MSU looked like crap was because Self had Jackson guard Bridges 1-on-1 the majority of the game. That allowed Bridges to get points because he's a good player, but killed the MSU team. Jackson guarded the best player on the team 1-on-1 and still outscored him and won the game. Look at how defeated Bridges looks in that gif. That's a man who struggles with defense.

Jackson scored on drives and dunks, on crazy layups, on a step back three, on a set three, at the line (perfect btw) and with a killer mid range spin bank shot. You didn't watch the game, you're talking box score to me.

The Spartans certainly played like anything but an underdog well into the second half against the regular-season Big 12 Conference champions, closing Kansas' lead to 54-53 following a basket by Alvin Ellis.

Jackson took over from there, scoring eight of the next 10 points for the Jayhawks as they pushed their lead back to 64-57. He put the exclamation point on his strong second half with a drive down the middle of the lane and powerful one-handed dunk with 2:05 remaining.

 

[Mainstreet]

I really like the athleticism by Jackson. If the Suns do not get the first or second pick he would be a nice consolation prize, not that he is inferior in any way.

It bothers me that I am not able to see Fultz play.

 

[Russ Smith]

You know, you make some very insightful posts about basketball, but then you have these where I wonder....


Did you watch the whole game?

You must be registered for see images

Who is that hapless defender who got blown by and then quit on that play?

 

[slinslin]

Who is that hapless defender who got blown by and then quit on that play?

You can't quit on a play that is over.

 

[Russ Smith]

You can't quit on a play that is over.

Standing at the foul line instead of rotating back in case your help defense forces a pass is quitting.

I like Bridges, he plays hard, but he quit on that play because he overran it.

The thing wtih him is he probably is a 4 not a 3 at the next level and he's not big enough to play the 4.

Maybe he's a Paul Millsap type.

 

[DWKB]

Standing at the foul line instead of rotating back in case your help defense forces a pass is quitting.

I like Bridges, he plays hard, but he quit on that play because he overran it.

The thing wtih him is he probably is a 4 not a 3 at the next level and he's not big enough to play the 4.

Maybe he's a Paul Millsap type.

Bridges has shorter wingspan than Millsap. Plus his inside game is weak. He looks like a smaller Marcus Morris through my jayhawk eyes.

 

[slinslin]

It is a shame that we dont get to see Dennis Smith in the tournament. Look at his gamelog against ranked teams, he had monstrous games against Duke, Virginia etc

Suns fans love to say that he is Bledsoe type PG but Smith greatest strength are excellent ball handling and good shooting. Ball handling is maybe Bledsoe's weakest skill.

Smith is a better version of Stephon Marbury.

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[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Wow one play from the end, did you watch the whole game? Bridges thoroughly outplaying Jackson for the first 35 minutes was the reason that it looked like Michigan State could pull off the upset.

Jackson had like 9 points on 3-10 shooting with 2 rebounds and 0 assists until like 4 minutes before the end of the game.

I'm going to be broken record, slin did you WATCH the game? Jackson played outstanding team defense. You know, plays that result in wins.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

It bothers me that I am not able to see Fultz play.

You and rest of us.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You can't quit on a play that is over.

He didn't even try. A clearer picture is being painted by slin's comments. He doesn't understand basketball.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm sorry slin. I seem to be beating you up all over the board. I don't mean to do so purposefully. I just find what you say, and how you say it, difficult to digest. Generally I agree with you in regards to some basics like wanting more athletic more potential upside players, but lately you seem to have run off the tracks in your arguments.

 

[slinslin]

He didn't even try. A clearer picture is being painted by slin's comments. He doesn't understand basketball.

Ouchie-Z-Clown surprise. After over-comitting to the jumpshot there is nothing Bridges could have done on that play defensively anymore.

The best thing he could have done would have been to speculate and leak out on the fastbreak if he has confidence in the in-bounder being able to make the long pass.

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[DWKB]

After over-comitting to the jumpshot there is nothing Bridges could have done on that play defensively anymore.

The best thing he could have done would have been to speculate and leak out on the fastbreak if he has confidence in the in-bounder being able to make the long pass.

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How are you going to "over-commit to the jumpshot" when there isn't a shot fake, just a hesitation dribble, and when you're over 7 ft away from the "shooter"? Bridges was in no man's land.

You see the similar in that youtube video when Jackson and Svi switch and Svi loses Bridges on the wing. Svi is probably one of our worst defenders.

Also, how does that highlight video show your original assertion that Bridges had a much better game than Jackson "until it was already over"?

 

[slinslin]

Because he closes out too hard expecting a wide open Jackson to shoot.

The problem with that play is not effort, Bridges should not play Jackson, who is not a good shooter for the jumpshot.
He should be giving Jackson more space and square him up, trying to deny the drive and make him take the open long 2pt jumper.

After he overcommited ot the jumpshot there is nothing he could have done on that play, to say that he "quit" on the play is silly.

 

[Russ Smith]

He didn't even try. A clearer picture is being painted by slin's comments. He doesn't understand basketball.

One of the great blocks by Jackson in that game was somewhat similar, he got beat coming downcourt after a mistake on offense, but rather than give up, he sprinted back, the ball was passed and Jackson came from nowhere to block the shot. That's always been the book on Jackson he plays hard. To be fair, normally Bridges does too, if anything Bridges is too sped up often, but on that play he clearly quit.He knew the game was over and he'd just gotten blown by so he gave up. It's understandable.

 

[Russ Smith]

Because he closes out too hard expecting a wide open Jackson to shoot.

The problem with that play is not effort, Bridges should not play Jackson, who is not a good shooter for the jumpshot.
He should be giving Jackson more space and square him up, trying to deny the drive and make him take the open long 2pt jumper.

After he overcommited ot the jumpshot there is nothing he could have done on that play, to say that he "quit" on the play is silly.

he could have done exactly what Jackson did earlier in the game, change direction and get back to help. As it turned out there was no quick help to cause a pass so it didn't matter, but he didn't know that at the time.

It's ok, he plays hard normally, he quit on one play, but he did quit.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Also, how does that highlight video show your original assertion that Bridges had a much better game than Jackson "until it was already over"?

this will undoubtedly, not get answered. The game was a one point game when Josh Jackson pretty much took over the game, hitting every conceivable shot you could think of... step back 2, drive to the hole, running the break and hitting a 3 and then ending the game emphatically by blowing past Bridges for pump fake and then monster slam.

 

[slinslin]

this will undoubtedly, not get answered. The game was a one point game when Josh Jackson pretty much took over the game, hitting every conceivable shot you could think of... step back 2, drive to the hole, running the break and hitting a 3 and then ending the game emphatically by blowing past Bridges for pump fake and then monster slam.

1. I posted about Bridges outplaying Jackson during the 2nd half, not after the game was over. At that point Bridges had 16/8/2 and Jackson was like 9/2/0 and 3-10 from the field or something.
2. You just pointed out the same thing, Bridges was outplaying Jackson for 35 or 37 minutes. Bridges was the reason the underdog was in a 1 point game with the #1 seed.

Jackson had a very good 3 minutes to close out the game. If you look at the full game however it is hardly a stretch to say that Bridges had a better game overall. 22/8/2 vs 23/3/0.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Ouchie-Z-Clown surprise. After over-comitting to the jumpshot there is nothing Bridges could have done on that play defensively anymore.

The best thing he could have done would have been to speculate and leak out on the fastbreak if he has confidence in the in-bounder being able to make the long pass.

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You've never played basketball, have you? The guys who do what you suggest are the guys the rest of he team hates playing with. You might not bother his shot, but you either collapse in the event there's a rebound or pass to disrupt or find the open player that is only open as a result of your having your man blow past you.