DVaught-I never doubted that TJ makes his team play at another level, ala Kidd. I just wonder if TJ can overcome shooting woes, much like Kidd has. Kidd is basically the only example of an elite PG with a horrible shot who was able to succeed. There are 100 Omar Cooks for every Jason Kidd. TJ will also really have to improve his strength, which would go a long way in his defense and his ability to finish layups. I just think he is a very raw NBA prospect at this moment in time. One question. Can anyone tell me one player who Barnes recruited that is in the NBA? Assuming that TJ will develop under Barnes' tutelage is making a big assumption. Shouldn't Brian Boddicker be 5 times the player he is right now?
"One question. Can anyone tell me one player who Barnes recruited that is in the NBA?" Didn't Barnes recruit Greg Buckner (Mavs) while at Clemson? Not a big deal but it beats a ZERO!
Maurice Evans is on the Timberwolves and he was recruited by Rick Barnes. He only played one year on the Longhorns before he came out which was a mistake. I have no idea if any other players are in the NBA that Barnes recruited. I am not holding Evans up as the best player in the world, but he has done alright with the minutes he has gotten. By the way, Jason Kidd is still averaging .366 FG% and why are you writing off Omar Cook as a complete bust when he is still in his rookie season?
First off, Evans developed his game at Wichita State, not at UT. Evans must have been so impressed with Barnes, that he bolted after his 1 year at UT. Evans wasn't exactly cowdung before going to UT, when he was one of the leaders in the nation in scoring his Soph year. Omar Cook may only be in his rookie season, but he's not in the NBA at the moment. I really don't know where the hell he is for that matter.
I watched Omar for a few minutes yesterday in a NBDL game between North Charleston and Fayetteville. If I remember correctly, Omar played for Fayetteville and the announcers (John Saunders and Leo Rautins) were raving about him. The Fayetteville coach (Jeff Capel) was very high on Cook's playmaking ability (the right pass to the right player at the right time) and his very underrated defensive play. Cook's express goal was to improve his jump-shooting ability.
Maurice Evans did not leave UT because he was unimpressed with Rick Barnes. He left because he thought that he would go in the first round of the draft just like the scouts told him. He was eyeing the green just like Chris Mihm when he was told he would be a top three pick. Despite the fact that Evans went to Wichita State prior to going to UT, Barnes did entice him to come to UT and therefore was recruited by him. Just because he transferred from another school does not make him a Barnes recruit. He came in under Barnes. Look, it seems obvious to me that you have not been watching TJ Ford in college from the way you talk about him. He is not the exact same player he was in high school. He has improved. I'm not saying he is NBA level now, but he sure as hell will be in the first round when he comes out. Besides, the title of this thread is "Pure Drivel" and was not meant to be responded to seriously.
I wasn't comparing TJ to Kidd NOW. I'm simply saying TJ has that sort of driving and passing game, but not the caliber of Kidd. He may never ever be as good as Kidd but how many point guards are? os
Lets just find a way to trade Rice and Cato and I will be a very happy man. We make the playoffs next year with Steve, Cat, Griffin, Maurice and Kenny as the major contributors. We lose in the first round, but should cap money to attract Duncan to our new arena! Woo hoo! Well thats my drivel.
Barnes was part of the reason. None of the players, atleast the upperclassmen, liked Barnes's offense. Barnes played a boring brand of basketball because of a lack of a point guard. The players views have changed this year since Barnes has adjusted his offense to fit a dynamic point guard. He's a better coach than I thought. It was more that Kelly egged him on than the scouts. Also, since when has TJ been a bad finisher? I must not have gotten that memo. He hasn't devloped a shot outside 12 feet yet, but inside he finishes layups pretty well and has a nice, but limited, pull up jumper. Honestly, I haven't seen a player like Ford, yet. He's great and horrible and defense depending on whether he gets overpowered or not.
My whole point is that Barnes didn't develop Evans. Evans didn't seem to really progress in that 1 year at UT. Granted it was only a year, which is why Evans shouldn't count as a player who learned much of anything under Barnes. Evans probably came into UT as good of a player as he left UT. As for TJ, I saw him this past weekend at Baylor. It was one of the more impressive games I saw him play in. In the Tech game, he had a hell of a time making anything outside of 2 ft, and he blew his fair share of layups. This is probably attributed to the fact that he is 5 ft 10.
