Knox/Diallo, or Bamba/Johnson

[rabidcatfan]

Up until Derby day, it appeared that we would get Mo Bamba and Cam Johnson to round out our class. Now, we got Knox and Diallo is coming back, and Bamba is a Longhorn and I'm pretty sure Johnson's not coming to UK now, so my question is this:

Are you happy with Knox & Diallo - two athletic 2/3's with questionable shooting, but athleticism through the roof, or would you rather of had Bamba/Johnson - an amazing and athletic 4/5 (who would likely have become another jewel in Coach Cal's NBA big man crown), and a solid two-year guy and a proven perimeter scorer at the 3/4?

 

[EclipsingYou]

Bam/Johnson. Bam is a top 3 pick and Cam gives this team the shooting and experience needed.

Getting Knox/Diallo is about the best alternative you could possibly come up with compared to those 2 players, though.

 

[poppycat]

Should have had all four.....still got 2 unused scollies.

 

[drew_ukfan]

Knox and Diallo

 

[lil2coupe]

It is not even a decision to be made in my mind. Knox and Diallo committed to play at Kentucky...therefore I will support them as much as i can and hope they do great. Looking forward to the next season.

 

[jrpross]

Bam is a top 3 pick

I love Bam too but

 

[DerekMcPwn]

We got the better pair, especially for our needs. People drool over rankings, but there really were like five better bigs than Bamba in this class including Ayton, Carter, Robinson, Jackson, and McCoy. Bamba is rated on potential, mostly that 7'9" wingspan. But his decision-making, offensive game, and even ability to hold ground in the post are all suspect. He posted a lot of pedestrian stat lines in his senior season when playing against high-level competition. I'd rather have Bamba than not, but I think a lot of people are imagining him to be a player that he's not. Same for Cam Johnson, who I think is roughly a Derek Willis.

Knox and Diallo gives us the best possible tools where we need them. By the way, Knox shot 33% from 3 as a junior and 35% as a senior. With continued practice and better shot selection, it's not difficult to imagine him getting that to almost 40%. For frame of reference, Derek Willis shot 37.7% this past year. So basically, Knox might make one fewer three-pointer per game than Cam Johnson, in exchange for way more than three points of value in every other facet of the game.

 

[Cychologist]

Would have liked to have Bamba, but I'm greedy.

 

[gracetoyou]

Knox/Diallo give us more athleticism. Baker is the shooter on this team. Knox can shoot the ball also. So Diallo gives us the player that's difficult to keep out of the lane that you must have or shooter will not matter. Baker was a big get with long range, quick release. Zone us & he'll make you pay.

 

[KeepingItReal74]

I think you guys are really underestimating the fire power of this new battle station.

The talent and athleticism is off the hook. These guys will literally jump over teams on the way to the basket.

Diallo/Knox combo is the greater.

 

[poppycat]

With all the different opinions of talents and suggested playing styles, maybe
the NCAA should adopt the NHL subbing rule just so we can properly use all
that talent.

 

[cbrwalt]

Rarely do we have an athletic 5 star wing, this year were loaded with them!

Cant wait to get this season started

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Up until Derby day, it appeared that we would get Mo Bamba and Cam Johnson to round out our class. Now, we got Knox and Diallo is coming back, and Bamba is a Longhorn and I'm pretty sure Johnson's not coming to UK now, so my question is this:

Are you happy with Knox & Diallo - two athletic 2/3's with questionable shooting, but athleticism through the roof, or would you rather of had Bamba/Johnson - an amazing and athletic 4/5 (who would likely have become another jewel in Coach Cal's NBA big man crown), and a solid two-year guy and a proven perimeter scorer at the 3/4?

Bamba/Johnson
Knox duplicates positions we have, Vanderbilt/Washington.
Diallo has yet to show anyone he can play outside of practice. NBA scouts mentioned this after workouts. His athletic ability is off the charts but that does not immediately make him a basketball player.
Bamba has not been tested but is projected as a defensive force.
Johnson is the only player to have played college ball and knows what it takes. He can also supply leadership to a young team.

 

[DeerTurkHunter1]

Bamba/Johnson
Knox duplicates positions we have, Vanderbilt/Washington.
Diallo has yet to show anyone he can play outside of practice. NBA scouts mentioned this after workouts. His athletic ability is off the charts but that does not immediately make him a basketball player.
Bamba has not been tested but is projected as a defensive force.
Johnson is the only player to have played college ball and knows what it takes. He can also supply leadership to a young team.

Uh no. Diallo/Knox are worlds better than Bamba/Johnson, its not even close actually. Two lottery picks are always better than one.

 

[brdmn22]

Bamba/Johnson
Knox duplicates positions we have, Vanderbilt/Washington.
Diallo has yet to show anyone he can play outside of practice. NBA scouts mentioned this after workouts. His athletic ability is off the charts but that does not immediately make him a basketball player.
Bamba has not been tested but is projected as a defensive force.
Johnson is the only player to have played college ball and knows what it takes. He can also supply leadership to a young team.

I get it if people prefer Bamba and Johnson over Diallo and Knox, but I don't follow your logic, other than the experience of Johnson.

You say Knox duplicates positions we already have, but don't Bamba (Killeya-Jones and Richards) and Johnson (Vanderbilt and Washington)?

You mention Diallo has yet to show anyone he can play outside of practice, but minimize that same lack of competition with Bamba by saying he's projected as a defensive force. Isn't Diallo projected as a defensive force and incredible slasher?

 

[rodgersl]

If you are not happy with getting players like Knox and Diallo, then UL and Indiana have plenty of room in their fan bases for you. Please join them.

 

[RondoBaller21]

I'll take two top ten players in Knox and Diallo over Bamba and Johnson any day. Losing Bamba sucks, but UK has plenty of bigs to make up for Bamba.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

No question Knox and Diallo. Why??? How about the fact they chose to be Wildcats. Forget about any recruits we didn't get. We have an exceptional roster full of guys who want to be at UK.

 

[lkc1234]

Up until Derby day, it appeared that we would get Mo Bamba and Cam Johnson to round out our class. Now, we got Knox and Diallo is coming back, and Bamba is a Longhorn and I'm pretty sure Johnson's not coming to UK now, so my question is this:

Are you happy with Knox & Diallo - two athletic 2/3's with questionable shooting, but athleticism through the roof, or would you rather of had Bamba/Johnson - an amazing and athletic 4/5 (who would likely have become another jewel in Coach Cal's NBA big man crown), and a solid two-year guy and a proven perimeter scorer at the 3/4?

Why speculate on something that never happened. Cal did great in getting Knox and Bamba was never coming to UK.

 

[rabidcatfan]

We got the better pair, especially for our needs. People drool over rankings, but there really were like five better bigs than Bamba in this class including Ayton, Carter, Robinson, Jackson, and McCoy. Bamba is rated on potential, mostly that 7'9" wingspan. But his decision-making, offensive game, and even ability to hold ground in the post are all suspect. He posted a lot of pedestrian stat lines in his senior season when playing against high-level competition. I'd rather have Bamba than not, but I think a lot of people are imagining him to be a player that he's not. Same for Cam Johnson, who I think is roughly a Derek Willis.

Knox and Diallo gives us the best possible tools where we need them. By the way, Knox shot 33% from 3 as a junior and 35% as a senior. With continued practice and better shot selection, it's not difficult to imagine him getting that to almost 40%. For frame of reference, Derek Willis shot 37.7% this past year. So basically, Knox might make one fewer three-pointer per game than Cam Johnson, in exchange for way more than three points of value in every other facet of the game.

I agree

 

[Wvvrn]

Knox/Diallo is the obvious answer. Bamba would've looked great in blue but the paint is already pretty well stacked for next season. Nobody with Bambas potential but a group of guys with a super high ceiling in their own right.

It's essentially Knox for Johnson (no question who I'm taking) and Diallo for Bamba. The latter is a much tougher call but I feel like this team needed an athletic SG with crazy potential more than an athletic C with crazy potential.

We should be ecstatic over this incoming group. One of the greatest recruiting hauls of all time. Bamba would've made it that much sweeter but I'll still enjoy the cake without the cherry on top.

 

[caneintally]

I think alot of people don't understand what Johnson is . As if you did you wouldn't answer Johnson/Bamba as Bamba was a player at a position we already have a top 15 player at and another top 25 player at and Johnson was a SF who can't handle or defend. He can shoot the crap out of a ball but has to be made open and can't create his own shot. We have 2 stud SFs who will be lottery picks in KNox and JV we didn't need a 3rd but if we couldn't get Diallo back it was better then nothing though it didn't really fill a need . If we had gotten Johnson he would of played SF so Knox and JV could play some SG as both would have a much better shot at defending SEC guards then Johnson .

In short the only way you can answer Bamba/Johnson is if you A. think the recruiting and NBA scouts are wrong on Richards or B. still are upset with Hami for not doing what you in your all knowing wisdom thought he should.

P.S. This isn't a knock on Bamba who will be a top 5 pick or Johnson who will average 10-12 pts next season whereever he is either.

 

[kyups01]

A back court of Diallo and Knox is gonna give teams nightmares.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

I get it if people prefer Bamba and Johnson over Diallo and Knox, but I don't follow your logic, other than the experience of Johnson.

You say Knox duplicates positions we already have, but don't Bamba (Killeya-Jones and Richards) and Johnson (Vanderbilt and Washington)?

You mention Diallo has yet to show anyone he can play outside of practice, but minimize that same lack of competition with Bamba by saying he's projected as a defensive force. Isn't Diallo projected as a defensive force and incredible slasher?

I do not think Bamba duplicates any player we have. SKJ will ride the bench again this year. He is simply not a good player. Bamba is head and shoulders better than Richards. We all want Richards to be close or equal because he signed, but they are not that close.

Legitimate point about Bamba's projection, and hesitation was there when typing. But Diallo had a chance to showcase for the NBA and was not able to lock up a first round pick. meaning he showed some flaws, and we can all guess it was shooting, which is what a 2G should be able to do.

 

[cats#1again]

Back in the fall there were alot of experts giving high praise to Richards and for some reason our fan base now thinks the kid sucks. I believe he is every bit as good as Bamba. Even if he don't turn out to be an all American we have enough size at the forward spot to play a Small lineup and be deadly.
Washington and Knox on the same team is a freaking nightmare.

Cam is a redshirt Junior that couldn't play for pitt 2 seasons ago, and some are thinking he was a better pickup than Knox or Diallo. Lol