Who would you rather have?

[WildMoon]

This annoyed you but the AD/Bamba comparison doesn't get a mention?

because, i didn't exactly compare him to AD. I just said if Bam is TJ than Bamba is AD.

I would however say that Bamba's number will resembles AD's number more than Bam representing TJ. Similar in point (15 range), rebounds (10 range) and blocks (low 4s). The biggest difference is Bamba will have more than 1 TO per game. He'll probably have 2 per game. Which is a big jump in a negative way. Also fouling, Bamba will most likely foul at much higher rate.

 

[KopiKat]

Edrice back

 

[IAphatcat]

Who's the proven star?

Bam of course with Bamba the unproven one.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

IF Cal would play Bam at the 5 again then I'd take Bamba. IF he would play Bam at the 4 and go with Hump/Richards at the 5 then I'd be fine with Bam.
Not sure if Bam would buy that as he ought to know that at the first sign of ineptitude at the 5, Bam would be back in there AT the 5.

We don't have to decide. Bam will make his decision then everything else will fall into place. What we don't want is to have neither next year.

Don't see Bamba at Duke with Knox too. They have Carter plus Trent Jr. and another guard.

If they had all those guys and their current guards return it would be over for everyone else.
And they're still after Duval. Get him too and it'd be like the UCONN women. No one would get within 20 of them. I'm hoping for Bamba in any scenario.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

bamba for the defense at the rim

bam was quite good defending p n r by the end of the year, though

 

[Cowtown Cat]

One thing: Bamba is no Anthony Davis. Freshman AD would smoke this dude.

 

[morgousky]

Bam of course with Bamba the unproven one.

AD, Towns, Randle, Noel, and cousins are starts.

Bam isn't in that category.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

AD, Towns, Randle, Noel, and cousins are starts.

Bam isn't in that category.

I can agree with this. Big difference there is that all those guys were the #1 options on their respective teams. Bam didn't have that luxury.

 

[chevyman 50]

I would take Bam , he would have a yr of experience..

 

[bigdaddy741]

It doesn't matter.

The Cats will have both.

Gun to my head though, I choose Bamba due to rim protecting abilities.

 

[JonathanW]

Bam.

We know what we are getting, Bamba could be another Skal, we don't know. A SOPH of Bam would be in the top 5 FR next year. Also we really need a few experienced guys returning next year. Potentially Bamba could be better, but also maybe not. On a 1-10, Bam will be a solid 8-8.5. Bamba has a lot more variability, I'd guess between 6-9.

 

[d2atTech]

that's dumb, because Bamba will be AD of the 2017 squad. Let me know if anyone else on this board will take TJ over AD>

Also, TJ averaged 15.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.1 spg, and 1.9 bpg. Not sure you realize this but TJ outplayed Bam his freshman year.

TJ beast moded the freshman team because he had to (enes couldn't play). Bam didn't need to have great stats his freshman year because he was the third option behind monk and fox. Bam could get those numbers.

 

[WildMoon]

TJ beast moded the freshman team because he had to (enes couldn't play). Bam didn't need to have great stats his freshman year because he was the third option behind monk and fox. Bam could get those numbers.

right Bam could of gotten more blocks, steals, and rebound....but he didn't because he was the third option? ROFLMAO.

What does being a third offensive option have anything to do with Rebounding, steals, and blocks. Not to mention having the ability to drive from the outside and slam it for a dunk...

 

[killaCk]

Bam. This should not even be a question.

Go back and watch Bam in high school. HE DOMINATED. Same judgement that Bamba is getting right now. He is not proven against taller, faster, stronger and smarter opponents. Not say he will not be an absolute STUD but give me experience.

On top of that, Bam now knows the adversity UK faces day in and day out. The superbowl mentality. He also has a taste of playing on the national stage day in and day out and has the big dance experience.

The same people wanting an unproven frosh over a returning Bam are the ones that will be complaining that we are too young and our youth is why we wont win the title next year.

Give me Bam and Briscoe back (wishful thinking but a possibility) and there is no doubt we will be very VERY good.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

much rather have bam than randle, who was a ballstopper and poor defender

randle is almost in the okafor category for me as an nba player--would prefer nothing at all

incredible first step and body control for somebody with his frame, but no feel for the game

 

[IAphatcat]

AD, Towns, Randle, Noel, and cousins are starts.

Bam isn't in that category.

That's completely ridiculous. I agree that those players are better than Bam but he is still a star. Calipari has spoiled us. Not everyone can be a lottery pick.

 

[Blueaz]

Honestly, i don't see this huge difference in Paynes bigs from year to year in the tool dept. Johnson regressed. Stein improved but not much on the offensive end. Jones improved more so than any, but he actually had offensive tools to start with.

Bam is not going to be much different in terms of rim protection and offensive abilty. He would most likely be better, but then again, there's that sophomore slump you've gotta watch out for.

Then you've got to measure the other factors. Bamba goes to Duke, Kennard comes back and they sign Knox or Duvall. With Carter coming in, they are the pre season number one team in America with the best shooter / POY front runner, a OAD PG, OAD center, and Bamba to block everything in the paint. This is what you sign up for if you had the choice and chose Bam at UK. And I've always believed if Bam was a broom stick build half of this board would call him average. His body blinded a lot of people this year imo.

Not me. No way. Duke is praying Bam returns.

I would rather sophomore Bam over freshman Bamba (I think Bamba is very good, but just the games I have seen, I am not as impressed as some)..but the Duke argument is compelling.

 

[EclipsingYou]

In my opinion, Bam and Bamba are similar skilled players overall entering college as a FR. Each has different strengths and weaknesses, but similar overall.

How anyone can make a serious argument for Bamba doesn't make sense to me. A SO Bam probably starts the season as a preseason first team all american and SEC POY favorite.

It's like Thomas Robinson at Kansas a few years back if Thomas Robinson was one of the greatest FR in his conference already before his SO year.

Bam would be a consistent 20 point 10 rebound player that will be double teamed all game and foul out the other teams big men at an astonishing rate. A man among boys.

In my completely worthless opinion as always.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

I can agree with this. Big difference there is that all those guys were the #1 options on their respective teams. Bam didn't have that luxury.

Number one options? AD was 4th in fga on his team, Noel was 6th in fga, Cousins was 3rd, Randle was 3rd, and Towns was 5th.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Number one options? AD was 4th in fga on his team, Noel was 6th in fga, Cousins was 3rd, Randle was 3rd, and Towns was 5th.

True, but Cal rode Randle, Towns and Cousins a whole lot more in February and March. I'd say they were #1 options late in the season, the stats be damned. Just because a given player didn't lead his team in field goals attempted doesn't necessarily mean that they weren't their team's #1 option. Noel got hurt so you can't really compare him. AD wasn't the #1 option per se, but I'm willing to bet he had many more touches than Bam did this past year.

 

[morgousky]

That's completely ridiculous. I agree that those players are better than Bam but he is still a star. Calipari has spoiled us. Not everyone can be a lottery pick.

Bam is not the mold of those players. If he's a star they were super stars.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Bam is not the mold of those players. If he's a star they were super stars.

Exactly, people need to remember where those guys were drafted and where Bam is projected to go.

 

[morgousky]

I would rather sophomore Bam over freshman Bamba (I think Bamba is very good, but just the games I have seen, I am not as impressed as some)..but the Duke argument is compelling.

With the Bamba pickup you get a true rim protector which Bam is not. We were a great big away from beating UNC in the elite 8. Bam was simply ineffective in the trees.

You also keep him from Duke, to stand beside Carter, and run the risk of them landing Duvall or Knox to go along with Kennard. That's your front runner if it happens.

To me it's an easy call. And I like Bam, and I think Bam should return theoretically, but to me he was not as advertised and Bamba is just better. We need Bamba.

 

[morgousky]

Exactly, people need to remember where those guys were drafted and where Bam is projected to go.

That would be their hint.

 

[bookerfan66]

With the Bamba pickup you get a true rim protector which Bam is not. We were a great big away from beating UNC in the elite 8. Bam was simply ineffective in the trees.

You also keep him from Duke, to stand beside Carter, and run the risk of them landing Duvall or Knox to go along with Kennard. That's your front runner if it happens.

To me it's an easy call. And I like Bam, and I think Bam should return theoretically, but to me he was not as advertised and Bamba is just better. We need Bamba.

So you have decided Bamba is better based on his play in high school?

 

[morgousky]

So you have decided Bamba is better based on his play in high school?

I base it off several factors and weigh it against who I've seen Bam be. I think Cal is best when he has a lob fiisher and rim protector big.

 

[truebluewildcat]

Bam for the sole reason that he wouldn't need training wheels with Cal and Cal wouldn't need training wheels with him. Dude has gone through the growing pains, taken his lumps, has season of getting a little bit better each practice and game on Bamba. Cal can hit the ground running next season with him and really construct a team and offense around him.

Now, both is obviously the optimal option, but if it's one or the other then I think I'm rolling with the lotto talent that not only has the experience but also has gotten a taste of losing when some special was so close.

Bamba may have all the talent and potential in the world. Bam has that along with a little fire from the pain of defeat that leads to the desire to want to be better and make it further.

 

[morgousky]

If cal wants to land Bamba and bring back Bam I'd be all for it. Don't see it happening though. Personally for several reasons I take Bamba.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I base it off several factors and weigh it against who I've seen Bam be. I think Cal is best when he has a lob fiisher and rim protector big.

Agreed.