www.nytimes.com
The Cavs would be an incredible organization for BarnyThese things are dumb, but they have Brooks going at #59 to my Cleveland Cavaliers......
2025 NBA mock draft: After Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, a whole lot of questions
All told, this is not shaping up to be the monstrous class that was projected in some corners.
His best path if he plays in US (drafted or not) will be to have a good showing at Las Vegas Summer League and get a two-way deal. He would get g-league experience and be able to play up to 50 games in NBA. And it makes just short of $600k. Next best route is getting an exhibit 10 deal which basically is a non-guaranteed deal to be on a preseason NBA roster. They usually are immediately cut but the player gets a $75k bonus to play for their g-league team. Frequently, a good showing in g-league leads to a two-way spot. This is the route Buie took and it eventually led to a two-way deal with Knicks. Non-US is an option to especially for more money in the near term. Former Illini C Kofi Cockburn went (after a disastrous summer league) this route to Japan and now Korea. He makes good money and puts monster numbers against smaller and less skilled competition.These things are dumb, but they have Brooks going at #59 to my Cleveland Cavaliers......
2025 NBA mock draft: After Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, a whole lot of questions
All told, this is not shaping up to be the monstrous class that was projected in some corners.
I loved Spencer but I don’t understand this take at all. It’s not the Decathlon, it’s basketball. Spencer is the best LaCrosse player in the league, but he isn’t even in the top half of athletes in the NBA. Spencer is a smart player, but Barney’s Basketball IQ is off the charts. That matters.
And where is Barney in the NBA athlete ranking - near the bottom. His IQ is great, and it matters to some extent, but it’s much less appreciated and valued in the NBA than in college. And his 3-point shooting is the worst part of his game.
SGA is pretty nasty in the midrange, but generally yes, the 3 point shot has really screwed up the game
By "pretty nasty" you mean pretty much unstoppable in the midrange and driving to the basket, and well on his way to winning the MVP. What a bore.
Have you watched a game? Not many are anymore. Because of the wretched amount of 3s…..!
The closest person NU has probably ever had to a "Laimbeer" type was an early sixties cornerback named Fred Williamson who played in the very first Super Bowl. His nickhame was The Hammer because he laid guys out on crossing patterns for no reason at all. He eventually got concussed himself. After his career he became a prolific leading man in numerous Blaxploitation films.
Midrange shots are dumb and inefficient, so no, there isn't. And hasn't been for years.
In the aggregate, the stats may argue that, but situationally, there are times when a midrange game can be lethal such as when defenses keep trying to drop cover the high pick and roll.
What's the NBA equivalent of MLB banning the shift in response to baseball becoming dreadful to watch?
Move the three point arc back to 28 feet and have it go to the edge of the court?
Spencer had more upside because he spent his time in another sport and then was still good enough to get to the league in basketball where now he can spend 100% of his time focusing on developing BB skills,. His skill set (more of a PG and better outside shot) is better fit in NBA. Barney has been spending his time in BB and has a better understanding of everything and likely barely makes it so hard to say he has much upside. He is more of a tweener,
BB is a talented basketball player, but he is not terribly athletic and he is not a very good outside shooter. That pretty much dooms his chances for the NBA I'd think.
He’s not bouncy or has a quick first step. He’s not a good 3 pt shooter.
Zach Edey of all people has shot 38 three pointers for Memphis this season (and made 39% of them), so anything is possible IMO.
Zach is the poster child for not having a translatable game from college to the NBA. Most people in here said he had no chance. He is doing pretty well so far.
I'm definitely one of those guys. If someone mentioned that Edey would be a 39% 3p shooter at moderate volume, I'd change my tune.
I'm guilty as well, however, that was based on the game he played as a college player. If he is adapting and working to improve his game, then we'll see where he can go. He always had the size and some delicate touch from 5 feet in. I just didn't see his park-in-the-paint approach to offense translating. But if he is developing a shot and an ability to play the pick and roll game, then he could very well become a serviceable pro. I just don't see All Star there. But what the hell do I know??
I realize I am the “Barney Backer” around here, but if Pat Spencer can play in the NBA so can Barney. Spencer does not have elite athleticism compared to NBA players. His measurables won’t jump off the page. He is NOT a good 3 point shooter. He’ll never stay in the league because of his shooting. He’s not Tyler Herro. In other words he has the same flaws as Brooks. Barney has more of an offensive repertoire than Pat and both are tough as nails.
I am not saying it’s likely Barney makes the NBA. I am saying he has a shot, probably by going to the G league and developing his outside shot. Sorry, but Pat does not have a good 3 point shot. A lot of folks complained about that for his year at NU. He is 28 years old, the Warriors aren’t hanging on to him for his upside. He’s not suddenly getting to a new level either. He’s a fill in for injured Warriors players that is more ready than the typical younger G league players.
No one is paying me to evaluate NBA talent so my two cents are probably worth less than that. I hope you're right and he gets his shot.
Players should be excoriated for long 2s in college as well. Actual shorter midrange shots are fine. When brooks gets to the elbow, it’s good. When he can’t get there and takes a contested shot from 18 feet, very bad look.
Agreed.
