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Following potential 2012 draftees

Another UK player to watch for in the late 2nd round is senior Darius Miller. He's a 6'8 guy that can play and defend 4 positions on the floor. Very good defender, gets into the lane, post moves, and is shooting 43% from the floor over his last two seasons (and he's taken 211 of them). He'd be on the radar more than he is, except he's been maybe too unselfish in letting the younger phenoms have the stage. Could be just as effective as either a SG or SF in the league. Extremely versatile.

Downside? Only one. He's certainly not lazy, he definitely gives great effort, he just doesn't have that 'take over the game' mentality. He seems to like to be the 3rd option on the floor. Drives me crazy sometimes because he seems to be able to score anytime/anywhere he chooses.
 
^^^ Calipari says Miller is the most athletic player on this year's team. couple short vids - if anyone is interested .. wears #1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N6r-Gp3u5U

This is just some 3's made from one game. Like I said, he shoots about 43%, but his best game is taking his man off the dribble and pulling up from around 10'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5UokGMiFDE
 
PKM,


How did you feel about the play of Kabongo and Miller in Saturdays game?

Thought they both had decent games. Kabongo hit his shots, which I liked, but he still worries me with his over-penetration without a plan. I've been high on Kabongo (wanted him at UK) for a few years, but he doesn't display great decision making or purePG instincts ... but he's only a college frosh.

Miller played well. I'd like to see him play more aggressively and see what he can do in the entirety of a game. We all know the kid can score, I'd like to see him play some lockdown d and play all over the court, rather than floating the perimeter. It's not that he doesn't do these things (he does), it's just that I'd like to see it for an entire game (or at least a half) so we can get a feel for its effectiveness.

NBA scouts call MKG the best SF post player in the nation, but it's his effort that makes him that way. I would think Miller could be just as good .. which is why I always say he has more upside than MKG. The scouts love MKG because they KNOW they'll get 100%.
 
Thought they both had decent games. Kabongo hit his shots, which I liked, but he still worries me with his over-penetration without a plan. I've been high on Kabongo (wanted him at UK) for a few years, but he doesn't display great decision making or purePG instincts ... but he's only a college frosh.

Miller played well. I'd like to see him play more aggressively and see what he can do in the entirety of a game. We all know the kid can score, I'd like to see him play some lockdown d and play all over the court, rather than floating the perimeter. It's not that he doesn't do these things (he does), it's just that I'd like to see it for an entire game (or at least a half) so we can get a feel for its effectiveness.

NBA scouts call MKG the best SF post player in the nation, but it's his effort that makes him that way. I would think Miller could be just as good .. which is why I always say he has more upside than MKG. The scouts love MKG because they KNOW they'll get 100%.

I had some similar thoughts as well, but I also saw some different things. First, I agree that I liked that Kabongo was hitting his outside shot. His free throws on the other hand were very worrisome. I think that it might have just been the pressure more than anything else. I did like the fact that he was putting himself in a position to take open shots and he was moving around without the ball.

I liked Millers play. Some of the games that I have watched he does just hang around the perimeter but I noticed him down low fighting for those crucial rebounds when it mattered the most. That brought a smile to my face. I also agree that he needs to do those sort of things for the whole game and not the crucial minutes.

Overall, I would say I was pleased by both players performances. They didn't take over the game but they both contributed to that game and keeping it close.
 
Right now only shot of getting Barnes is to be horribly bad from now on or trade up.

I've always felt that way. He's always been #3 on my list (behind Davis and Drummond). I discuss mainly because of the comparisons between him, Miller, and MKG.
 
Right now only shot of getting Barnes is to be horribly bad from now on or trade up.

I'm not bashing .. just stating the bad with the good ..

Trivia for everyone: Guess how many assists Harrison Barnes had in the MONTH of January? (3)
 
I had some similar thoughts as well, but I also saw some different things. First, I agree that I liked that Kabongo was hitting his outside shot. His free throws on the other hand were very worrisome. I think that it might have just been the pressure more than anything else. I did like the fact that he was putting himself in a position to take open shots and he was moving around without the ball.

I liked Millers play. Some of the games that I have watched he does just hang around the perimeter but I noticed him down low fighting for those crucial rebounds when it mattered the most. That brought a smile to my face. I also agree that he needs to do those sort of things for the whole game and not the crucial minutes.

Overall, I would say I was pleased by both players performances. They didn't take over the game but they both contributed to that game and keeping it close.


From what little I've seen, it seems like Pierre Jackson and Quincy Acy are the ones who try to take over games for Baylor. Everyone else sort of sits back and picks their spots, including PJII and QM.
 
I'm not bashing .. just stating the bad with the good ..

Trivia for everyone: Guess how many assists Harrison Barnes had in the MONTH of January? (3)

Who needs to pass when you can shoots. He has studied CJ quite extensively. I mean look at his teammates they are horrible. :)
 
I've just about talked myself into being okay with Kendall Marshall as a Jazz PG. He's probably the best floor leader in this draft.
 
I've just about talked myself into being okay with Kendall Marshall as a Jazz PG. He's probably the best floor leader in this draft.

He can't shoot. Not athletic. Will never be better than average at defense, and even that's a stretch. Plays with an assortment of some of the best college players in America (Henson, Barnes, Zeller). Very smart player, very good college player, but he's Marcus Williams (UCONN) reborn.
 
He can't shoot. Not athletic. Will never be better than average at defense, and even that's a stretch. Plays with an assortment of some of the best college players in America (Henson, Barnes, Zeller). Very smart player, very good college player, but he's Marcus Williams (UCONN) reborn.

He could take the Jazz to a higher level with his passing though. Plus, I think he'll learn to shoot. Howard Eisley eventually learned to shoot. I like Wroten, but I'll be impressed if the Jazz have the nuts to pick him.
 
He could take the Jazz to a higher level with his passing though. Plus, I think he'll learn to shoot. Howard Eisley eventually learned to shoot. I like Wroten, but I'll be impressed if the Jazz have the nuts to pick him.

Marshall is the best floor leader in the draft, hands down. Hantler is also correct about his shooting, athleticism, and defense being concerns. I'm torn as to what kind of pro he'll make. He'd be better for a team that has lots of shooters, obviously. Actually, I think Knight would be good for us .. handles the ball, dishes, and can SHOOT.

We need a good shooting PG or wings that can hit 3's consistently. None of the first round PG's are good shooters. That's why I'm watching Rivers .. bash away. :cool:
 
Any thoughts on these stats?

Marshall - 9.7 assists (1st) --- 2.8 TO's (1st) ---28.2% from 3 (3rd) --- 66.7% FT (2nd)
Teague - 4.4 assists (3rd) --- 2.9 TO's (2nd) ---31.9% from 3 (2nd) --- 68.9% FT (1st)
Kabongo - 5.5 assists (2nd) --- 3.1 TO's (3rd) ---33.3% from 3 (1st) --- 63.8% FT (3rd)
Wroten - 3.3 assists (4th) --- 4.0 TO's (4th) ---28.2% from 3 (4th) --- 66.7% FT (4th)

Random thoughts;
- Wroten is the worst in all 4 categories, yet leads his team in scoring .. evidence he's a SG trying to play PG? I think so.
- We probably shouldn't draft any of these in the top 20 .. if so, Marshall has to be it.
- The best free throw shooter is Teague at 68.9%??? Sheesh.
- Reason I'm watching Rivers. I feel like our PG has got to be a threat from deep.

Any other thoughts?
 
Still saying Kabongo playing alongside J'Covan Brown hurts him. Along with a less than stellar Texas squad.
 
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