Minnesota Sports Forum

TeamRicky,

Just curious.. Did you watch Russell much down the stretch? You said he went broke vs good teams but I specifically remember him going Yahtzee on VCU in the NCAA tourney. I was watching that game with a number of friends on a buddy's movie theater 110" screen, and was busy watching him get double teamed when he'd get the ball late in the game in just on the other side of the half-court, and remember him hitting a key off balance corner clutch three and one of my friends (Badgers fan) saying that's what makes this kid so special, cause he can hit anything offensively....and he did all this as a college freshman. It's pretty special when you're the SG on a college Big 10 team, get double teamed at the halfcourt as a freshman, in itself.

mrhockey89 wrote:TeamRicky,

Just curious.. Did you watch Russell much down the stretch? You said he went broke vs good teams but I specifically remember him going Yahtzee on VCU in the NCAA tourney. I was watching that game with a number of friends on a buddy's movie theater 110" screen, and was busy watching him get double teamed when he'd get the ball late in the game in just on the other side of the half-court, and remember him hitting a key off balance corner clutch three and one of my friends (Badgers fan) saying that's what makes this kid so special, cause he can hit anything offensively....and he did all this as a college freshman. It's pretty special when you're the SG on a college Big 10 team, get double teamed at the halfcourt as a freshman, in itself.

The 36% is just an average against ranked teams. VCU may have been his best game. I think Russell was a great player in college, but I have my doubts about him at the next level. I think his outside shooting and passing can translate, but I don't see him as a great finisher or a good defender in the NBA. I am not a fan of his cocky attitude and I don't see him as a good fit with Ricky, Lavine and Wiggins.

Papal mentioned OJ Mayo and that made me wince. I hadn't thought of him as a comp to Russell, but there is some truth to it. OJ Mayo came out of college touted as someone with a sweet shot, good handles, and the potential to play some PG. Instead he ended up as an undersized SG who didn't have the quickness to make up for it.

Now Russell put up more impressive numbers than Mayo did in college, but not by a ton. That is definitely a reasonable floor for Russell and within the realm of possibility.

Q12543 wrote:Papal mentioned OJ Mayo and that made me wince. I hadn't thought of him as a comp to Russell, but there is some truth to it. OJ Mayo came out of college touted as someone with a sweet shot, good handles, and the potential to play some PG. Instead he ended up as an undersized SG who didn't have the quickness to make up for it.

Now Russell put up more impressive numbers than Mayo did in college, but not by a ton. That is definitely a reasonable floor for Russell and within the realm of possibility.

Fortunately for D'Angelo, I think he's much, much better in terms of understanding the game and passing ability. He's also got legitimate size for an NBA guard whereas O.J. was facing an uphill battle basically every night. As a floor, I see it reasonable, but I'd bet a lot that D'Angelo ends up way better than him.

Cam, OJ and Russell are the same height w/o shoes, although Russell does have a wingspan and OH reach advantage.

Does the fact that Flip is a partial owner affect his decision with Ricky versus a Mudiay with respect to contract size?

If Porzingus (sp?) has moved up to 3, does that mean the NY rumors of Ricky for #4 resurface?

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Papal mentioned OJ Mayo and that made me wince. I hadn't thought of him as a comp to Russell, but there is some truth to it. OJ Mayo came out of college touted as someone with a sweet shot, good handles, and the potential to play some PG. Instead he ended up as an undersized SG who didn't have the quickness to make up for it.

Now Russell put up more impressive numbers than Mayo did in college, but not by a ton. That is definitely a reasonable floor for Russell and within the realm of possibility.

Fortunately for D'Angelo, I think he's much, much better in terms of understanding the game and passing ability. He's also got legitimate size for an NBA guard whereas O.J. was facing an uphill battle basically every night. As a floor, I see it reasonable, but I'd bet a lot that D'Angelo ends up way better than him.

I agree. Yes, Mayo had a decent handle in college, but didn't have Russell's vision and ability to distribute in such a creative way. Russell made some passes last season that reminded me more of Rubio than Mayo.

sjm34 wrote:Cam, OJ and Russell are the same height w/o shoes, although Russell does have a wingspan and OH reach advantage.

Does the fact that Flip is a partial owner affect his decision with Ricky versus a Mudiay with respect to contract size?

If Porzingus (sp?) has moved up to 3, does that mean the NY rumors of Ricky for #4 resurface?

The success of Flip's financial interest will ultimately have much more to do with how the team performs...his 3% interest is already worth $18 million, and could end up much more valuable by the time he cashes out if the team performs. He wants to have a roster of the 15 best players he can find. He isn't going to be concerned as much with yearly cash flow.

longstrangetrip wrote:

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Papal mentioned OJ Mayo and that made me wince. I hadn't thought of him as a comp to Russell, but there is some truth to it. OJ Mayo came out of college touted as someone with a sweet shot, good handles, and the potential to play some PG. Instead he ended up as an undersized SG who didn't have the quickness to make up for it.

Now Russell put up more impressive numbers than Mayo did in college, but not by a ton. That is definitely a reasonable floor for Russell and within the realm of possibility.

Fortunately for D'Angelo, I think he's much, much better in terms of understanding the game and passing ability. He's also got legitimate size for an NBA guard whereas O.J. was facing an uphill battle basically every night. As a floor, I see it reasonable, but I'd bet a lot that D'Angelo ends up way better than him.

I agree. Yes, Mayo had a decent handle in college, but didn't have Russell's vision and ability to distribute in such a creative way. Russell made some passes last season that reminded me more of Rubio than Mayo.

If Mayo is a player's floor than no thanks unless you give him big minutes to pump up his trade value and move him lol Mayo is a bench player nothing more and it's debateable how useful of a bench player he is. I didn't watch much of either Mayo or Russell in college but it looks to me like based on stats Russell is the better passer and 3 point shooter. Rusell is being considered a possible PG and Mayo was really touted as THE next SG that also had some PG skills so that's pretty different. Some things may have changed the past few years to adjust how people look at different guys but just saying what I remember of the narrative from back then compared to now.

I stand by what I've said all along if we were in need of a perimeter guy I would be all for Russell (would need to actually research him more though before sayig for sure) but we need a big and 2 very talented ones are sitting there so it's a no brainer you take one. There are enough questions about Russell to make me think he isn't a better prospect than either Towns or Okafor.

Did I mention Russell is awesome?

bleedspeed177 wrote:Did I mention Russell is awesome?

:)