Does how you play at Kentucky predict your NBA success?

[Samwise Ganjee]

Karl Towns wrote that playing at UK was like being an NBA player

No doubt Karl was a good player at UK and is turning into an All-Star in the League

Same with Big Cuz and John Wall

But you look at Andrew Harrison who led us to the winningest college season ever, and his brother, both of whom have had a hard time even getting started on a professional career....not busts by any means, but not as good as their success at UK would have predicted

So, here's the question:

Does how a player performs at Kentucky a good predictor of how they will do in the League?

 

[TIE543]

In general, I think so. But there are always exceptions to the rule.

 

[docholiday51]

To a degree the same could be said for a player anywhere. If you are Towns, Wall or Cuz good it doesn't matter where you play, it may be that you can be identified or exposed more quickly.UK will show how well a player handles the spotlight.

 

[CELTICAT]

Unfortunately, I never played for Kentucky and I didn't make it to the NBA, so i can't help you on this one.

 

[StubbornPenny]

Hindsight. Of course KAT, Wall, and Boogie were awesome both at UK and in the NBA. They'd be awesome if they played on Mars. The Harrisons were B college players who happened to have some memorable clutch moments, and they're fringe/role players in the NBA. Story checks out. 38-1 was a team product, not so much the Harrisons alone. Archie Goodwin was wild and inconsistent, and he's a lower level NBA player. Sounds about right. I'd say Kentucky's players have mostly come out around their demonstrated (NOT projected talent level) talent level in the NBA .

The real question is "Did anyone perform poorly at UK and then went on to be above average in the NBA?"

 

[docholiday51]

Maybe not 'perform poorly' but Tommy Kron and Ramon Harris hung around the NBA and D league longer than their careers at UK might have indicated that they would?

 

[truebluewildcat]

I think what you are at UK...you will be in the pros...because Cal runs this like a pro organization...exceptions here and there...

if you can't succeed here with Cal mentoring you, treating you like a pro, training you like a pro, and with the best talent around to help sharpen you in practice as well as there to help you be your best for games...then you are going to have a tough time in the pros...what ever your hang ups are here...i think its safe to say they will be your hang ups down the road...

Wall, boog, Bledsoe, AD, KAT, Knight, Noel, Randle, Jones, Paterson, MKG...are all pretty much what they were at UK...not a lot of hesitations or doubts while they were here...

Orton, Twins, Teague, Lamb, Dakari, Archie...some hesitations as to exactly how good they would be and when they should leave, lot of criticisms while here...still early for twins and dakari...but slow start not surprising...Dakari should've come back...

 

[DCFseattle]

I never played at uk and as a result never played in the NBA, so i think it's fair to say that how i played at uk was very indicative of my NBA success. It's only one example, but i try my best to form my opinions based on my own life experiences.

 

[chroix]

Flip side, Tayshaun exceeded my expectations in the league.

 

[WildMoon]

question?

Why do we assume that Twins won't make it? Why do you assume that they won't get on a roster next year? or year after that?

They could still have a long career. Will they ever be a star? No. But they can be like vet that keeps the team united and together.

Also, i don't think you can really predict NBA success based off collegiate success. It's different. Players are faster, taller, and longer on regular basis.

I think you can see star potential in college, but in terms of long term success is unpredictable. It's work ethic that really drives these players to full potential.

 

[docholiday51]

Flip side, Tayshaun exceeded my expectations in the league.

Same goes for Narz Mohammad

 

[LmdCat]

Karl Towns wrote that playing at UK was like being an NBA player

No doubt Karl was a good player at UK and is turning into an All-Star in the League

Same with Big Cuz and John Wall

But you look at Andrew Harrison who led us to the winningest college season ever, and his brother, both of whom have had a hard time even getting started on a professional career....not busts by any means, but not as good as their success at UK would have predicted

So, here's the question:

Does how a player performs at Kentucky a good predictor of how they will do in the League?

John Wall didn't have a clue how to shoot when he came to UK and there was very little improvement when he left. His shooting is still the only reason that he isn't considered top guard in the NBA. However, his shooting has greatly improved since his UK days.

 

[martinsm30]

John Wall didn't have a clue how to shoot when he came to UK and there was very little improvement when he left. His shooting is still the only reason that he isn't considered top guard in the NBA. However, his shooting has greatly improved since his UK days.

John Wall's field goal percentage at UK was 46%. His first year in the NBA was 40%. His percentage last year was 44%.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/96/year/2010/kentucky-wildcats

http://www.nba.com/wizards/stats?season=2014-15&season_type=regular season

 

[LmdCat]

John Wall's field goal percentage at UK was 46%. His first year in the NBA was 40%. His percentage last year was 44%.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/96/year/2010/kentucky-wildcats

http://www.nba.com/wizards/stats?season=2014-15&season_type=regular season

I wasn't talking about his layups, LOL. His ability to blow by people to score layups is the very reason why his coaches didn't work with him to help him develop a decent outside shot. Many of them were too short sighted to realize the long term harm of not having a jump shot.

 

[UKDUNK]

No. College production is actually a very poor indicator of NBA success. The style of play between the two leagues is night and day. We would all agree that there are a ton of really good college level players this year, but the reality is only one or two tops will become stars at the next level and only 6-10 will still be in the league in five years.