I cannot wait for this mother scratching basketball game tomorrow night I said something earlier that I shouldn’t have and I sure as hell I’m not trying to offend anyone on here @Plowman Go Coogs!!!!!
I couldn't hardly sleep. Watched the games last night and I am so excited for tonight's game. I love this program. Their culture is amazing. I think tonight is going to be a big night from Walker. I think it is his turn to step up and shine. Come on game time! Go Coogs, lets get this one!
9 1/2 hours to go! I was ready for the games at 6:30 this morning. I get the feeling today is going to drag
This is a big part of why I think it is incredibly foolish of the Rockets to trade their #1 pick if it isn't in the top 3. Jarace Walker is very raw offensively, but there is a solid ceiling there and defensively and athletically he is SO nasty. He has a lot of ability.
The game has changed a lot, now 90% of the players drafted in the top dozen or so players are going to be freshmen or the equivalent of freshmen but playing in the G-League or overseas. So, the truth is that these kids are being drafted on potential, and not actual COMPLETE production. In the case of Walker, the defense is already NBA ready and is capable of being elite in a short time. The offensive game lags behind, but the skill set is there to at least be a 12-15 point a game scorer. You add that with the defense and rebounding and versatility, and you may not have a superstar but you have a very good player in the NBA. Look at the stats of the other top guys in this draft and lots of warts... the guys with the best stats? They are older and may not even be drafted.
Should be a little bit of debate on what the term "superstar" means. Draymond is not a superstar but impacts the game like one. Superstar is always associated with points and assists and not necessarily game impact. Jarace is a player that could have as much impact on a team as almost anyone in the league, superstars included. If his court vision and passing come along and his floater translates (which they usually do) then he could basically become super Scottie Barnes. Players like that are what essentially built those 2000s Pistons. Lunch pail superstars.
He's the closest thing to Draymond Green I've seen in college. And Draymond wasn't Draymond until he was ~25, after 4 years in college and 2+ years in the pros. He's got the vision and bball IQ to be a similar passer.
I still do believe that the most valuable thing in basketball is a player who can create his own shot and score against anyone in the playoffs. But the only guys who have that potential in this draft are Wemby, Scoot, and maybe Amen Thompson if everything goes perfectly for him (which it probably won't). Miller won't do it. I definitely think you're right that a guy like Walker could be as valuable as anyone short of an elite #1 option type of scorer. So if we're not getting Wemby or Scoot he's my guy. In a perfect world we'd somehow land Wemby or Scoot and trade up to get Walker, and boom, potential dynasty once all the kids develop to their full potential. But that probably won't happen, for obvious reasons.
