Minnesota Sports Forum

monsterpile wrote:

FNG wrote:

Camden wrote:FNG, why are you comparing the G-League to the NBA? Wasn't monster's point that he thinks the talent in the G-League is better than the talent at the college level? Maybe I missed something...

Maybe that was monster's point, Cam, and there's no question that the average G League player is much better than the average college player. I'm not sure what that distinction tells me though. I'm saying that I look at it differently. I'm saying there's a chasm of difference between an NBA player and a G League player, and how you do against guys who can't beat out Jake Layman for a spot on an NBA roster doesn't translate into how you're going to do against guys like Giannis. I mean, look at a player like Nowell...terrific in the G League, but an Eyechart often in the NBA. That's why I don't put much stock in G League performance unless someone is completely dominant down there. And while Green certainly had some highlight moments last year and showed off elite athleticism, I don't think his stats were all that impressive. Maybe he will eventually live up to his high draft position, but he's going to have to show me a lot more than what he showed in his first 2 games in the NBA or in the G League for me to be impressed by him.

FNG stock do you put in what players do in college?

It depends, monster. If they're playing a high level of competition, I put a lot of stock into their college record. Frankly college players from a tough conference, say ACC for instance, are going to face a lot more future NBA starters than a guy who plays in the G League. Where it gets more difficult for me is college players who don't play in elite conferences, because they can surprise me. I'll throw out Steph Curry and CJ McCollum for instance. James Wiseman is another guy who is a headscratcher for me because his short college career didn't afford him the opportunity to face the kind of defenses he now sees in the NBA. He's a wildcard for me. I follow college basketball pretty closely, because every year there are (just spitballing here) at least 20-25 players playing in college who have a solid chance of becoming NBA rotation players. The number of G League players likely to become NBA rotation players is obviously much smaller. That's why I don't pay much interest to G League basketball...heck, I already spend too much time watching NBA and college games, and there's only so many hours in a day! It's probably quite entertaining though, and I would guess that if I lived in a non NBA city, like Des Moines, I would probably go to a few games.

FNG wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

FNG wrote:

Camden wrote:FNG, why are you comparing the G-League to the NBA? Wasn't monster's point that he thinks the talent in the G-League is better than the talent at the college level? Maybe I missed something...

Maybe that was monster's point, Cam, and there's no question that the average G League player is much better than the average college player. I'm not sure what that distinction tells me though. I'm saying that I look at it differently. I'm saying there's a chasm of difference between an NBA player and a G League player, and how you do against guys who can't beat out Jake Layman for a spot on an NBA roster doesn't translate into how you're going to do against guys like Giannis. I mean, look at a player like Nowell...terrific in the G League, but an Eyechart often in the NBA. That's why I don't put much stock in G League performance unless someone is completely dominant down there. And while Green certainly had some highlight moments last year and showed off elite athleticism, I don't think his stats were all that impressive. Maybe he will eventually live up to his high draft position, but he's going to have to show me a lot more than what he showed in his first 2 games in the NBA or in the G League for me to be impressed by him.

FNG stock do you put in what players do in college?

It depends, monster. If they're playing a high level of competition, I put a lot of stock into their college record. Frankly college players from a tough conference, say ACC for instance, are going to face a lot more future NBA starters than a guy who plays in the G League. Where it gets more difficult for me is college players who don't play in elite conferences, because they can surprise me. I'll throw out Steph Curry and CJ McCollum for instance. James Wiseman is another guy who is a headscratcher for me because his short college career didn't afford him the opportunity to face the kind of defenses he now sees in the NBA. He's a wildcard for me. I follow college basketball pretty closely, because every year there are (just spitballing here) at least 20-25 players playing in college who have a solid chance of becoming NBA rotation players. The number of G League players likely to become NBA rotation players is obviously much smaller. That's why I don't pay much interest to G League basketball...heck, I already spend too much time watching NBA and college games, and there's only so many hours in a day! It's probably quite entertaining though, and I would guess that if I lived in a non NBA city, like Des Moines, I would probably go to a few games.

I've watched a fair number of G-league games over the years. Your idea that very few guys don't make the NBA is severely flawed. Some of the guys playing in the G-league are...already NBA players. Look no further than the last Wolves game. How many of those guys played in the G-league? You really wanted Alize Johnson to be signed by the Wolves. Where do you think he played quite a few games the last few years? The G-league. There are so many worthwhile players that started in the G-league.

Meanwhile some college players future draft picks face will never play professional basketball much less make the NBA.

Not league related, but I was tired of that Beyonce - JayZ commercial the first time I saw it. And now it's played ad nauseum.

I love the fit of Nemanja Bjelica in Golden State and I hate that I feel that way.

Camden0916 wrote:I love the fit of Nemanja Bjelica in Golden State and I hate that I feel that way.

Honestly I just want good things for Bjelica. He seems like a relatively good player that to some extent I think wasn't valued very highly by the league. He also needs a certain amount of confidence from the team he is on but he also isn't a weak player.

I watched the Kings tonight and the only thing I have to say is that they aren't anywhere near as good as the Wolves are and will be this season. They have one stud in De'Aaron Fox and some decent pieces around him, but they're lacking that additional star player and it's noticeable. Just not enough help.

Rooting for a Memphis loss tonight against Los Angeles. It feels icky wanting the Lakers to win.

Camden0916 wrote:Rooting for a Memphis loss tonight against Los Angeles. It feels icky wanting the Lakers to win.

Hornets already beat the Nets so if the Lakers win it's ok. Lol

Camden0916 wrote:I watched the Kings tonight and the only thing I have to say is that they aren't anywhere near as good as the Wolves are and will be this season. They have one stud in De'Aaron Fox and some decent pieces around him, but they're lacking that additional star player and it's noticeable. Just not enough help.

Seems like the Grizzlies are built/comprised in much the same way. Ja is a better player though IMO.

Wow! Ja Morant goes to the line needing to hit three free throws with just seconds left in the game and he clanked the last one. Unbelievable! I'll take it, though!

PS: These Lakers really do look and play their age. They're slow. They're unathletic. They're sloppy. Obviously, they have a largely new roster, but they have a lot of work to do if they want to play deep into the postseason.