Allow me to share something about Shabazz that may change some minds.. and may not.
'Bazz is known as a very hard worker.. gym rat. HIGH motor and entirely driven. Unfortunately some of these kids aren't well represented by their parents and 'handlers' begin to emerge. Sometimes this leads to too many telling the kid want they want to hear.. 'you're the best.. you should be getting more minutes'.. etc.
Other times there are shady dealings ('Bazz' dad negotiating a contract with Adidas for 'Bazz' sister who would NEVER have gotten a contract if not for being the sister of..
Some kids totally buy in to their own hype, to varying degrees. Renardo Sidney stopped working.. everyone told him he already arrived.. he felt entitled to all the money and fame without the work. There are way too many others that fit this description.
As for 'Bazz, he bought into it to the extent that he thinks he should be 'the guy.' That's bad.. it can cause chemistry problems, etc. But 'Bazz never stopped wanting it. Never stopped loving the game and wanting to win. That's why I think he should be taken top3.. he has overcome more than he has fallen for his own hype.
When Calipari was recruiting him. Cal once said (PRIVATELY), I love the kid, love the talent, but there's just too much baggage/too much entourage. He went on to say that sometimes the kids ask for it but other times it's purely the parents/handlers. Cal was convinced 'Bazz was a great kid and basketball player that was more unknowingly being sucked off of..
tifwiw
