Trevon and Edmond

[Thor in 204]

There is a big difference between tearing players down and being realistic...for Ed, 6'5 projects to the 2 (or 1 but he can't play point) in the league...at the 2 you have to shoot....often and effectively to stick...it is called shooting guard for a reason. My point was to stay in school....work hard and get your degree...you think he is an athletic freak? Wait till he goes eyeball to eyeball with Westbrook, Thompson, Harden, Irving...the list goes on and on..I am not being negative...I have loved watching D West all these years and happy to see Semaj claw his way out of the D league which is almost impossible...I want us to make the final 4!! But as a former coach I am also a realist

Muskyfisherman,
Ed is certainly not a polished point guard now, but can you see an NBA team drafting him first round at the end of this season because of talent and signs of development of his game over the course of the season, seeing a high ceiling for improvement?

[olsingledigit]

There is a big difference between tearing players down and being realistic...for Ed, 6'5 projects to the 2 (or 1 but he can't play point) in the league...at the 2 you have to shoot....often and effectively to stick...it is called shooting guard for a reason. My point was to stay in school....work hard and get your degree...you think he is an athletic freak? Wait till he goes eyeball to eyeball with Westbrook, Thompson, Harden, Irving...the list goes on and on..I am not being negative...I have loved watching D West all these years and happy to see Semaj claw his way out of the D league which is almost impossible...I want us to make the final 4!! But as a former coach I am also a realist

Just curious where, when, at what level was your former coaching? I am sure it must be better than mine of 35 years ago when we won two straight CYO City titles when all we had to do was tell the other four guys to get the ball to the one great scorer we had and set some picks for him.

[muskyfisherman]

Played one season of college ball in the 80's (knee injury, then ankle)....8 years assistant high school....5 years head coach...had 2 players go on to major college programs but not really contribute....won a few league titles but no state runs....not an expert by any means and Coach Mack could coach circles around me with his eyes closed....case in point: last night I got to see Buddy Heild play....a consensus top 3 player in college...he is struggling badly in the league...his game is similar to Ed's...athletic, average shooter, likes to get to the rim...not happening in the NBA. Ed will get drafted but will he stick? Or would another year at X, some solid weight training and realizing he has to become a shooter make him better in the long run? NBA teams don't really develop players because they don't have to... It is his choice but as a huge fan of the NBA (League Pass is deadly!) I see the guys who come out and struggle...sure there are exceptions but most of the exceptons are BIG athletic guys (see Towns, Karl A, and Davis, Anthony)...Guards need to knock down shots...a lot of shots or they get bounced.

[bleedXblue]

Played one season of college ball in the 80's (knee injury, then ankle)....8 years assistant high school....5 years head coach...had 2 players go on to major college programs but not really contribute....won a few league titles but no state runs....not an expert by any means and Coach Mack could coach circles around me with his eyes closed....case in point: last night I got to see Buddy Heild play....a consensus top 3 player in college...he is struggling badly in the league...his game is similar to Ed's...athletic, average shooter, likes to get to the rim...not happening in the NBA. Ed will get drafted but will he stick? Or would another year at X, some solid weight training and realizing he has to become a shooter make him better in the long run? NBA teams don't really develop players because they don't have to... It is his choice but as a huge fan of the NBA (League Pass is deadly!) I see the guys who come out and struggle...sure there are exceptions but most of the exceptons are BIG athletic guys (see Towns, Karl A, and Davis, Anthony)...Guards need to knock down shots...a lot of shots or they get bounced.

Players get drafted on current skill level and potential. if you don't see big time potential in Ed, I'm not sure what you are watching. You get offered first round money and a guaranteed 3 year deal worth millions, it is hard to pass up. Would we all want another year of him at X......of course we would......

[oldhoopster]

I agree Edmund could benefit from additional year(s) in college, but if he can get that money who can blame him. IMO though he won't last unless he does develop his jump shot or becomes a Rondo type player who can be a true point guard. Ed can get to the rim and makes some incredible shots but even at the rim his % is not that great.

[Thor in 204]

Semaj left school, was disappointed by his selection, and has developed his game in the D League.
Any thoughts about where game improvement is better achieved: by staying in college, or by declaring for the draft with default options of D League or overseas as a potential route to NBA? I'm talking just about basketball improvement, not about other considerations like education, money, seeing the world, etc..

[mumuskie87]

Semaj left school, was disappointed by his selection, and has developed his game in the D League.
Any thoughts about where game improvement is better achieved: by staying in college, or by declaring for the draft with default options of D League or overseas as a potential route to NBA? I'm talking just about basketball improvement, not about other considerations like education, money, seeing the world, etc..

If Semaj had stayed in school all 4 years he would have a rookie this year in the NBA
So he, in a sense, achieved the goal in the same timeline
Just took a different path and made a little money along the way
No guarantee that if he stayed in school all 4 years that he would have playing in the NBA this year.