Me too. I REALLY think Bam + Richards would do much better than Bamba + Richards.
What I've heard over the last week (COACH)...
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Me too. I REALLY think Bam + Richards would do much better than Bamba + Richards.
I love Bamba's upside, but the single biggest item on my wish list is a return of Bam. With Bam, the floor is extremely high. We know at a minimum that he is going to be a rock solid front court player that can defend, rebound, and dunk everything near the rim. Don't get me wrong though, I would love to have both.
No, I meant Johnson, just because there aren't going to be minutes for everyone. Bamba knows he'll play. Johnson isn't transferring to sit or be the 10th man. Not when you can start for a team that's just a tier below like Florida.
He plans to wait until May 24th, and that's no accident or coincidence. Basically, he's waiting to see how all the rosters shake out. No one from Florida or Michigan is up in the air, are they? He's waiting to see if we land all our targets or get Bam back.
If we do get both, I think it would be one of best front courts that we have had under cal and that's saying a lot considering.
There is no way we get Quade, Diallo, Alexander, Knox, Baker, Vanderbilt, Washington, Gabriel, SKJ, Richards, Bam, and Bamba. That is 12 players and there just isn't enough minutes available to play all of them. Let's say that Baker, Alexander, and SKJ play minor minutes as a developmental year that would still leave 9 players. I think it is most likely will miss on Knox and/or Bamba and/or Bam doesn't come back. Either that or we still have someone else leave for pros or transfer.
If you could promise me Bamba would end up at Texas if he didn't come here, I'd take Bam back in an either/or scenario.
If there's a chance Bamba ends up at Duke, I'd almost rather have Bamba just because going to a relative contender like that shifts the balance of power.
Obviously, we want both. And that would be a game changer. Although, and I hate to say it, we'd almost be too big again. Cal is going to find minutes for Richards and Washington, we know Vanderbilt is going to play, and having Bam and Bamba both already puts that 3/4/5 rotation at five guys, plus Gabriel and an improved SKJ.
As tantalizing as it looks to say Bamba, Bam, Washington, Vanderbilt, Diallo as a list of talent, that's going to clog the lane and be tough to score. And we've seen that Cal will yield to the size/defense/talent and figure the rest out later.
If there's a chance Bamba ends up at Duke, I'd almost rather have Bamba just because going to a relative contender like that shifts the balance of power.
Obviously, we want both. And that would be a game changer. Although, and I hate to say it, we'd almost be too big again. Cal is going to find minutes for Richards and Washington, we know Vanderbilt is going to play, and having Bam and Bamba both already puts that 3/4/5 rotation at five guys, plus Gabriel and an improved SKJ.
As tantalizing as it looks to say Bamba, Bam, Washington, Vanderbilt, Diallo as a list of talent, that's going to clog the lane and be tough to score. And we've seen that Cal will yield to the size/defense/talent and figure the rest out later.
I don't know, if Bam comes back AND we get Bamba, that is an awful lot of bodies at the 4 and 5 spots. I would think SKJ and Wynyard would almost have to transfer if they ever want any PT. They would have Bam, Bamba, Richards, Washington, Vanderbilt, and Gabriel ahead of them. You might be able to take JV out of that group if he just plays the 3. Still, we could have a roster with 11 players who have a reasonable shot at decent PT.
Playing quality minutes:
Adebayo
Bamba
Richards
Washington
Vanderbilt
Johnson
Diallo
Green
Alexander
Possibly getting spotty PT:
Baker
Gabriel
End of bench, end of blowout games PT:
SKJ
Wynyard
Playing quality minutes:
Adebayo
Bamba
Richards
Washington
Vanderbilt
Johnson
Diallo
Green
Alexander
Possibly getting spotty PT:
Baker
Gabriel
End of bench, end of blowout games PT:
SKJ
Wynyard
Can you imagine that front line??? WOWSERS! When was the last time we had a front line with that much beef?
I've been watching highlights of Vanderbilt, and been wondering if he could play the point for us. If I'm remembering right, Terrence Jones played a few minutes at point his freshman year. Do you think he could play point and guard college 2s?
Alexander will play next year and he will be our back up PG. The kid is very talented.
It's hard for me to see both Bam and Bamba on the same team, but I would love for that to happen. If that happened, I could see a starting lineup of Green, Diallo, Washington, Bam and Bamba. Not only is that a loaded line-up, but would be very similar to 2011-2012, with a freshman point guard, 2nd year shooting guard, freshman SF, Sophomore PF, freshman center. I believe Washington will shoot it better than Vanderbilt, and thus the reason I included him and not Vanderbilt.
Love these posts by you, Coach. As reliable of a "non-insider" as I've ever seen. You've brought us some pretty solid info for a long time now, so seeing all of this definitely makes me feel pretty good. Thanks again!
Surprised? Really? K has the scruples of a stray dog.
I know Cal isn't big on redshirts buy SKJ was awfully young. He pretty much let Diallo and Tai do it. Wonder if he would let SkJ take a redshirt
Yeah under no circumstances can I imagine Johnson cares what Bam does as then he would care what Bamba does as well if you get what I am saying . If Johnson cares what Bam is doing then he aint coming here ever as we will add either Bam or bamba . Now I can see Johnson caring what Knox or Smith do sure. But Bamba and Bam have no bearing on where Johnson goes and I haven't heard anyone say differently. Coach sure didn't.
Capel is a snake. I don't know why after he, Dawkins and other former Duke players/asst coaches have been in trouble with the NCAA that folks could possibly think Coach K isn't dirty too. They learn those tactics from somewhere so evidently they either aren't as good at covering it up or don't have the name to keep them from getting in trouble when they go elsewhere to coach.
Yeah, my uneducated guess would be that we get Bamba if Bam leaves, and if he stays, Bamba goes to Texas.
KSR is saying that Bam is around 19 in one mock draft. Just do not see him coming back.
Yea I saw where he said that. Just got to think it does affect him some. But maybe he is telling the truth.
Just looked at 5 mock drafts. Bam was not in the 1st round in 3 of them. In one he was 30th, and in one he was 19th. These things are all over the map though. Kennard is 17th in one, and 30th in another one.
thats nba draft net who i think is the worst of them all. draft express has him 31 and chad ford had him 25 if not lower in march.
like coach said...look who wants to work him out. if its crappy teams, they are looking at him for 2nd round. if its play off teams...he might get late 1st round.
That's a case where you have to answer that way, regardless if it's the truth or not. Otherwise, you basically tip your hand and it's kind of bad form anyway. Puts pressure on the guy whose decision he's waiting on.
He basically redshirted this past season. He should be ready to go next year. SKJ is very skilled offensively and just needs to get some court time and improve defensively.
We agree to disagree I'm only stating what I've read and Bomba has said. There is a reason Cal likes to refer to positionless basketball. Bam will really have to improve his offensive reparatory to play the four. The idea if Bam comes back is rebounding along with Bamba and running for easy transition points. No offense meant.
Caneintally none of us should sleep on Nick Richards. Only played 3 years and I do know you are aware of this. Solid body but I'm worried he misses opportunities to rebound better which would really elevate his game . I think you post are straight up and good. What do you think of Richards!
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So,...the starting positions of position-less basketball is; 1, 2, 3, 4A, and 4B...completely understood. Come on down with a BamandaDamBamba...
I'm on record as wanting Bamba over Bam purely for rim protection purposes, but obviously I'd take either one over not getting either of them. Good to hear that it appears we're in good shape with both, just hard for me to believe that there isn't an NBA team late lottery-early 20's that will take a chance on Bam due to his body and potential alone, unless Bam just feels he can work his way into a Top 10 pick after next season.
You can list the names at the positions to make it work, but how does it fit on the court? Our best five guys would be Bamba, Bam, Vanderbilt, Washington, Diallo. Cal likes to play talent over fit, but even the lineup you listed is clunky and lacks any perimeter threat.
I also think Washington playing extended minutes at the 3 negates his best advantages.
It'll be a tough fit, but you ultimately take the talent and figure it out. Maybe Washington comes off the bench and is totally fine with it. Maybe we have an injury. Maybe someone isn't as ready as we expected. Always good to have options.
this is my feeling on each - could be gas - but it is my feeling
1. Knox- Latest buzz has been Duke has been coming strong. I think it's Duke/UNC/UK in that order right now. - I see him at Mizzou - seems funny Duke just offered Smith out of Illini
2. Bamba- UK until I hear something credible enough to change my mind. Mo really likes Shaka that is why you hear some Texas stuff. Writers take that and run, well Texas is also leaking that. - I think he is a UK guy - and if he chooses Texas over UK - it is ONLY because of Shaka - but this is kid is way too smart not to put himself in the position like Boogie, AD, KAT, WCS, Skal......
3. Cam Johnson- Pitt guy is still set for UK. Florida is fall back plan right now. Good player, question if there is room. - He wants us more than we want him but we have to wait and is he willing?
The BIG ONE...
4. Big Bam Abedeyo- I've heard by someone close to him, he's coming back to UK unless his stock increases here soon - . - I see him like Skal - works out - teams go WOW we can make him something in a little while and Boom he is up in early 20's
When did TJ ever play point?
Lamb did, but I dont recall TJ ever bringing the ball up and setting up the offense.
Vanderbilt appears to be very versatile.
If Bam came back AND we get Bamba AND Johnson, I will have an anxiety attack sometime between this summer and this fall.
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