JR Briscoe & SO Bam vs. FR Knox & FR Bamba?

[Son_Of_Saul]

You can tell which recruits we're not confident in getting by looking at who this board thinks is overrated.

Plus, our fans typically say that about Duke small forwards (Tatum, Parker, etc.). They said it last year when I saw Tatum play live at the end of his senior season, and came back with a report that he'd be the missing piece to a national title team this year. Many fans rebuked me, saying how soft Tatum was; and yet, looking at it now, there's no doubt in my mind that if UK had landed Jayson Tatum, they'd be cutting down the nets three nights from now.

 

[WildMoon]

Plus, our fans typically say that about Duke small forwards (Tatum, Parker, etc.). They said it last year when I saw Tatum play live at the end of his senior season, and came back with a report that he'd be the missing piece to a national title team this year. Many fans rebuked me, saying how soft Tatum was; and yet, looking at it now, there's no doubt in my mind that if UK had landed Jayson Tatum, they'd be cutting down the nets three nights from now.

I thought Miles Bridge was the missing piece.

As good as coach cal's recruiting have been. He has had major misses in key pieces. Namely SF position and it has hurt.

2015...when we lost Poythress we had 0 SF. Which was painful.

Last year we missed out on PF to go along with Skal (if that PF was like Purdue big dude, Skal wouldn't have been expected to rebound so much, result would have been Skal will provide the shooting and 1.6 BPG in 15 minutes)

This year, we didn't get SF.

Each of these pieces by end of the year would have added at least 1 more win, possible 2 more wins in Tourney.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I thought Miles Bridge was the missing piece.

As good as coach cal's recruiting have been. He has had major misses in key pieces. Namely SF position and it has hurt.

2015...when we lost Poythress we had 0 SF. Which was painful.

Last year we missed out on PF to go along with Skal (if that PF was like Purdue big dude, Skal wouldn't have been expected to rebound so much, result would have been Skal will provide the shooting and 1.6 BPG in 15 minutes)

This year, we didn't get SF.

Each of these pieces by end of the year would have added at least 1 more win, possible 2 more wins in Tourney.

Bridges, Tatum, Jackson - any of those guys would have fit the bill at the 4 as all three were very good defenders and high-level rebounders.

I think Calipari will overcome the wing forward dilemma on a consistent basis. When he does, UK will start overwhelming opponents annually. It's not coincidence that his only title featured his only lottery pick *true* small forward (MKG).

Stanley Johnson would have been that missing link for the '15 team. Whoever Johnson's handlers were made a huge mistake. Still could have been a top 10 pick, but done it on a mythical-level 40-0 team.

 

[Big Cat fan]

You can tell which recruits we're not confident in getting by looking at who this board thinks is overrated.

No he's overrated and I also said that about Diallo to. So now is the time to shut up.

You gotta like when people try and think for you.

 

[ganner918]

No he's overrated and I also said that about Diallo to. So now is the time to shut up.

You gotta like when people try and think for you.

Lol gotta love internet tough guys. Glad I could get under your skin

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I tend to lean this direction: when all things are close to being equal (as you're arguing in your Bam/Bamba comparison), you take the new guy almost every time. Reason being, it allows Cal to point to Bam *and* Bamba as being guys he helped prepare for the league. Having them both under his tutelage is better than having one for multiple years. Just look at Roy's system. Yes, he's caught lightning in a bottle with multi-year five stars, but it hasn't helped him on the recruiting trail. Kids don't care about underperforming returners and how a coach refines them within a system. They care about performing and how quickly a kid gets ready for the league.

Having as many long-term NBA guys as possible continues to be Cal's #1 sales job on the recruiting trail. The goal is to keep that thing going and add to the arsenal. It will pay off down the road, as I believe Cal will put together a few classes that feature four or five top 15 picks in his twilight years. He'll be able to do it because he will be the last man standing, and he'll have 30 to 40 active NBA guys to point to.

You're adding another variable to this, that I would agree, gives favor to Bamba. But in looking at this purely from a wins/tournament run perspective, solely for next year, the recruiting sales area has no affect.

I don't think it's THAT big of a deal if we miss out on one single recruit because a player *wants* to come back to Kentucky. If this becomes a trend.. yeah, that hurts what Cal is trying to do.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

You're adding another variable to this, that I would agree, gives favor to Bamba. But in looking at this purely from a wins/tournament run perspective, solely for next year, the recruiting sales area has no affect.

I don't think it's THAT big of a deal if we miss out on one single recruit because a player *wants* to come back to Kentucky. If this becomes a trend.. yeah, that hurts what Cal is trying to do.

I respect your opinion, but I'd counter it with this: Bamba has a length that transcends even the NBA's best. Bam gives UK experience if he returns, but I actually think Washington/Bamba gives UK more skill than Bam/Washington. With Washington, you get a face-up 4 man who can rebound at an NBA level. That's precisely what Bam wants to be at the next level. In other words, Bam gives UK what it will already have next year and his skillset becomes redundant.

Bamba gives UK potential transcendence defensively. In a tournament where we have seen what a guy like Oregon's Bell has from an impact level, I want the elite rim protector to go alongside a myriad of offensively skilled big men who lack in that department (Humphries, Washington, SKJ).

 

[WildMoon]

I respect your opinion, but I'd counter it with this: Bamba has a length that transcends even the NBA's best. Bam gives UK experience if he returns, but I actually think Washington/Bamba gives UK more skill than Bam/Washington. With Washington, you get a face-up 4 man who can rebound at an NBA level. That's precisely what Bam wants to be at the next level. In other words, Bam gives UK what it will already have next year and his skillset becomes redundant.

Bamba gives UK potential transcendence defensively. In a tournament where we have seen what a guy like Oregon's Bell has from an impact level, I want the elite rim protector to go alongside a myriad of offensively skilled big men who lack in that department (Humphries, Washington, SKJ).

He would be the biggest guy in NBA right now, passing Rudy Gobert.

Bamba => 7'.5" with 7'9.5" wingspan (NIKE Basketball Academy is the most recent #s)

Gobert => 7'1" with 7'8.5" wingspan (He could be longer now so...not sure)

 

[Deli owl]

Bamba Knox. He'll i'd take Brad Calipari starting if we can get rid of a non shooting guard

 

[Hoskins91]

Stanley Johnson would have been that missing link for the '15 team. Whoever Johnson's handlers were made a huge mistake. Still could have been a top 10 pick, but done it on a mythical-level 40-0 team.

Who do you sit? Obviously in this hypothetical if Poythress still gets hurt that fixes that dilemma but still.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Who do you sit? Obviously in this hypothetical if Poythress still gets hurt that fixes that dilemma but still.

If Johnson was inbound, maybe Alex wouldn't have returned in the first place. That said, as deep as that team was, minutes weren't going to be in abundance for anyone anyway. Lyles might have been the most affected if Johnson came.

 

[WildMoon]

Who do you sit? Obviously in this hypothetical if Poythress still gets hurt that fixes that dilemma but still.

Lee...

 

[WildMoon]

If Johnson was inbound, maybe Alex wouldn't have returned in the first place. That said, as deep as that team was, minutes weren't going to be in abundance for anyone anyway. Lyles might have been the most affected if Johnson came.

Lee wouldn't have played. Second platoon would have been

Ulis, Booker, Johnson, Lyles, and Dakari.

Which would be pretty insane group actually....

 

[bucsrule8872]

Lee wouldn't have played. Second platoon would have been

Ulis, Booker, Johnson, Lyles, and Dakari.

Which would be pretty insane group actually....

And Johnson moves to the first platoon when Poythress gets hurt. Lyles moves to the 3 spot on the second platoon and Lee becomes the 4.

Cal could have continued to platoon after the injury.

 

[GoNoles111]

How many in here picking the two FR would say after a S16 or E8 loss next year.."Can't do it with all freshman Cal, need guys to come back, need tourney experience, all OAD's won't work, this sucks."?

 

[morgousky]

Briscoe measured 6'2.5"
Adebayo measured 6'10"

There is no way Bam is 6'10.

 

[morgousky]

The same people who prefer Freshman shouldn't be allowed to get mad the first 3/4's of the season when the team struggles.

Because this is a straw man argument. It all depends on the player. Bamba is better than Bam and not only that but he's exactly what Cals teams need. He's a match.

Briscoe is a unique player that must have guys who can score around him. He's simply not a guard who can do it all contrary to popular sayings.

Both would improve and be great additions as upperclassman, but not if it means we miss out on better players who are built for Cals philosophy. Bam is one of the most overrated bigs in the cal era. I think he's got potential being so young and is plenty talented, but he's just not as good as some seem to believe. And I don't buy into they narrative that Payne will have him hitting hooks and post moves as a sophomore.

The overlooked situation here is Briscoe hasn't played on a final four UK team going into his 3rd year. We simply are not as good as we can be with Briscoe having a major role. He's good, but he's been in the wrong role.

Obvious choice here is Knox and Bamba. It is what it is. Take the next road.

 

[catman111]

How about all 4?

Bam and Bamba down low would be insane. Kind of like TJ and Davis.

We can't land elite SF's. Knox would be incredible and give us what we need to take it to the next level.

A Junior Briscoe would be monumental with experience and because we are losing so much and have no depth at the guard positions.

This scenario would guarantee us #9!!

Then I woke up. It's nice to dream though.

 

[WildMoon]

Because this is a straw man argument. It all depends on the player. Bamba is better than Bam and not only that but he's exactly what Cals teams need. He's a match.

Briscoe is a unique player that must have guys who can score around him. He's simply not a guard who can do it all contrary to popular sayings.

Both would improve and be great additions as upperclassman, but not if it means we miss out on better players who are built for Cals philosophy. Bam is one of the most overrated bigs in the cal era. I think he's got potential being so young and is plenty talented, but he's just not as good as some seem to believe. And I don't buy into they narrative that Payne will have him hitting hooks and post moves as a sophomore.

The overlooked situation here is Briscoe hasn't played on a final four UK team going into his 3rd year. We simply are not as good as we can be with Briscoe having a major role. He's good, but he's been in the wrong role.

Obvious choice here is Knox and Bamba. It is what it is. Take the next road.

First. I was just stating measured numbers. The poster above said 6'8", while that may be right, no where ever has there any data to suggest that number.

Second. I agree with most everything you are saying...except "Briscoe hasn't played on a final four UK team going into his 3rd year." like that's a major big deal? I mean seriously? This really isn't a concern. (BTW, Theo Pinson went to final four...) Hell the whole UNC team really doesn't have spacing like we did this year. They went to two final four in a row...

I agree with you don't keep talent if that prevent you from getting top tier talent, but Briscoe staying doesn't prevent us from getting anyone. If you guys think that these 4 star back up players are going to provide more than Briscoe than you are insane.

My pick has been Briscoe and Bamba.

 

[FFWhite]

Bamba and whoever else. Bamba will set the tone for the defense. Fly swat in the middle lets the guards over play passing lanes and close out on shooters. Much like Davis and Noel he would make your whole defense better. Maybe Gabriel could learn to close out.

 

[IndyCat1995]

I'm really starting to think bam is coming back

 

[Jamal Sunburn]

Because this is a straw man argument. It all depends on the player. Bamba is better than Bam and not only that but he's exactly what Cals teams need. He's a match.

Briscoe is a unique player that must have guys who can score around him. He's simply not a guard who can do it all contrary to popular sayings.

Both would improve and be great additions as upperclassman, but not if it means we miss out on better players who are built for Cals philosophy. Bam is one of the most overrated bigs in the cal era. I think he's got potential being so young and is plenty talented, but he's just not as good as some seem to believe. And I don't buy into they narrative that Payne will have him hitting hooks and post moves as a sophomore.

The overlooked situation here is Briscoe hasn't played on a final four UK team going into his 3rd year. We simply are not as good as we can be with Briscoe having a major role. He's good, but he's been in the wrong role.

Obvious choice here is Knox and Bamba. It is what it is. Take the next road.

Because it's easy to make Final Fours?