Keegan Murray

The-Power · Post #101 » by **The-Power** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 10:37 pm

With his shot in conference play being this reliable, it's harder and harder for me to find a reason to not have him in the top 5.

Shot (really good) and playmaking skills (better than now) were the two ways for him to enter this conversation for me. Well, it looks like the shot it is. He's not only shooting more efficiently, but he's shooting in increasingly diverse ways/actions and this does a lot for me. And his consistency in terms of performances is perhaps the best I've ever seen.

rpa · Post #102 » by **rpa** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 11:59 pm

Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

DimWillHunting · Post #103 » by **DimWillHunting** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 12:37 am

Hi gang. Been low key stalking this thread for a couple months (Hawkeye homer). We've never had anyone like Keegan since I've been watching (roughly Y2K for me, being 32 years young as of this post). He's gotten better offensively as the year has progressed and his confidence is off the charts right now. (Dude is like "If Garza would quit hogging the ball I'd probably set the single season scoring record" and then did). I think he's got everything needed to be a good second or third scoring option for a team and he's athletic and instinctive enough to learn to play good defense in the NBA. Which will be helped, I hate to say, just as much by getting some different coaching as it will running with pros year round (I love Fran but it's true that our D is low priority). Anyway, reason I bothered to stop over was to post this highlight. Getting defended out to the perimeter with the lane clogged up, drives right as if to go around the traffic, then gets pushed wide on a switch, step back, up and under three.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/tux5MGwqeLc?t=105[/youtube]

I think he has a lot to work with at the NBA level lol. May never be an all star but dude is going to be our first Hawkeye getting big NBA minutes in years. Been so much fun to watch in black and gold this year.

Post #104 » by **Ruzious** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 2:20 am

DimWillHunting wrote:Hi gang. Been low key stalking this thread for a couple months (Hawkeye homer). We've never had anyone like Keegan since I've been watching (roughly Y2K for me, being 32 years young as of this post). He's gotten better offensively as the year has progressed and his confidence is off the charts right now. (Dude is like "If Garza would quit hogging the ball I'd probably set the single season scoring record" and then did). I think he's got everything needed to be a good second or third scoring option for a team and he's athletic and instinctive enough to learn to play good defense in the NBA. Which will be helped, I hate to say, just as much by getting some different coaching as it will running with pros year round (I love Fran but it's true that our D is low priority). Anyway, reason I bothered to stop over was to post this highlight. Getting defended out to the perimeter with the lane clogged up, drives right as if to go around the traffic, then gets pushed wide on a switch, step back, up and under three.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/tux5MGwqeLc?t=105[/youtube]

I think he has a lot to work with at the NBA level lol. May never be an all star but dude is going to be our first Hawkeye getting big NBA minutes in years. Been so much fun to watch in black and gold this year.

https://youtu.be/tux5MGwqeLc?t=105

The guy's unreal, and he's increased his shooting range. At the beginning of the season, there was some question about his 3 point shooting - now, there should be none. There's no way to cover him at the college level. And he plays defense, too.

Chuck Everett · Post #105 » by **Chuck Everett** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 6:57 am

He's good enough to have a Wally Szczerbiak tourney run. That's for sure.

The-Power · Post #106 » by **The-Power** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 10:41 am

rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

If he was two years younger, he'd be a top 3 pick without question for me. So his age is already taken into account in the discussion.

JRoy · Post #107 » by **JRoy** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 3:04 pm

I saw him yesterday for the first time and I hope my team (POR) drafts him with out first lotto pick.

Kobblehead · Post #108 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 5:51 pm

Agree with the sentiment that his shooting becoming real is a game changer in accepting him as a legit prospect. I still wouldn't want to be the team taking him over some of the fresh/soph talent in this class, though.

buzzkilloton · Post #109 » by **buzzkilloton** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 6:57 pm

rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

Yes everyone is.

Sam V said alot of NBA execs hes talking to are debating him vs Paolo that hes talking to. He said most were leaning Paolo but that was right before big ten tourney.

Me personally I'm just whatever on him if the Pistons take him at like 5-7. I cant get excited about older players. That said if hes a T.Harris type like I'm hearing some speculation on at the next level thats not the worst thing in a just okish draft.

SeattleJazzFan · Post #110 » by **SeattleJazzFan** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 3:24 pm

How dominant would a guy have to be/which traits would a guy need to have these days in order to be taken #1 overall if they are 21/22?

For example, say a guy like Ja Morant had stayed at Murray State until he was 21/22, do you avoid taking him simply because he's older?

To be clear, i'm not advocating taking Murray #1 overall, but I have to wonder if it's even possible for a 21/22 year old to get drafted 1 or 2 regardless of how good they are or the size/skill/athleticism they have.

Post #111 » by **Nuntius** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 12:08 pm

rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

I agree with The-Power here. His age is why I don't have him in the top 5. Other than his age, he checks a ton of boxes and the most important of those is probably his consistency.

I don't see how Keegan doesn't become at least a good starter at the NBA level. Can he become a superstar? No, I don't see a superstar in the making here but he could potentially be a guy in Granger's and Middleton's level and that's pretty damn good. Can be a 3rd option for a very good playoff team? Yep, definitely.

Post #112 » by **Nuntius** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 12:12 pm

JRoy wrote:I saw him yesterday for the first time and I hope my team (POR) drafts him with out first lotto pick.

He'd definitely be great value at #9 or #10. If the Blazers got out of this draft with Keegan and Duren that would be a heck of a haul for you.

elias808 · Post #113 » by **elias808** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 1:12 pm

rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

Im rarely worried about a players age in the draft if they produce at a high level in college. Dame was a senior when he came out. Would anyone go back and draft him lower then his original draft slot?

Post #114 » by **Nuntius** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 2:08 pm

elias808 wrote:
rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

Im rarely worried about a players age in the draft if they produce at a high level in college. Dame was a senior when he came out. Would anyone go back and draft him lower then his original draft slot?

Nope, he'd go higher. 2nd or 3rd, depending on how people feel about Draymond. Heck, depending on how people feel about AD's injuries, he could even go 1st.

SeattleJazzFan · Post #115 » by **SeattleJazzFan** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 2:12 pm

Nuntius wrote:
elias808 wrote:
rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

Im rarely worried about a players age in the draft if they produce at a high level in college. Dame was a senior when he came out. Would anyone go back and draft him lower then his original draft slot?

Nope, he'd go higher. 2nd or 3rd, depending on how people feel about Draymond. Heck, depending on how people feel about AD's injuries, he could even go 1st.

wait so age wouldn't stop you from drafting Dame at 1, 2 or 3 in hindsight (i mean of course all of us would), but above, you essentially admitted age is the sole reason you wouldn't take murray in the top 5. what gives?

SNPA · Post #116 » by **SNPA** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 4:27 pm

Nuntius wrote:
rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

I agree with The-Power here. His age is why I don't have him in the top 5. Other than his age, he checks a ton of boxes and the most important of those is probably his consistency.

I don't see how Keegan doesn't become at least a good starter at the NBA level. Can he become a superstar? No, I don't see a superstar in the making here but he could potentially be a guy in Granger's and Middleton's level and that's pretty damn good. Can be a 3rd option for a very good playoff team? Yep, definitely.

Agreed. He is easily the favorite amongst Kings fan.

Post #117 » by **Nuntius** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 5:31 pm

SeattleJazzFan wrote:
Nuntius wrote:
elias808 wrote:
Im rarely worried about a players age in the draft if they produce at a high level in college. Dame was a senior when he came out. Would anyone go back and draft him lower then his original draft slot?

Nope, he'd go higher. 2nd or 3rd, depending on how people feel about Draymond. Heck, depending on how people feel about AD's injuries, he could even go 1st.

wait so age wouldn't stop you from drafting Dame at 1, 2 or 3 in hindsight (i mean of course all of us would), but above, you essentially admitted age is the sole reason you wouldn't take murray in the top 5. what gives?

I was talking solely about a re-draft here. I didn't follow Dame's draft so I have no idea where I would pick him at the time.

eminence · Post #118 » by **eminence** » Thu Mar 17, 2022 9:39 pm

Not as assertive as he could've been in that one, but looked alright overall. Pretty much nobody else for the Hawks showed up today (the younger McCaffery was solid too).

Rough call on that missed foul on the 3.

EvanZ · Post #119 » by **EvanZ** » Thu Mar 17, 2022 9:44 pm

rpa wrote:Anyone else worried about his age? Murray--a sophomore--is older than nearly every junior that shows up in mocks and is only a few months younger than some of the seniors.

It's very well known and is probably the biggest concern with him. So yes.

Post #120 » by **jman3134** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 5:29 am

I was completely warming up to Murray as a player, thinking maybe he could crack my top 10 prospects in 2022. I am rethinking things a bit after this game. He was easily beat off the dribble by hybrid big Nathan Cayo. Keegan is serviceable enough as a team defender, but he was exploited one on one many times against Richmond. When his jumper was not working, he did not want the ball in his hands and he deferred to Bohannon and everyone else.

Keegan is still an elite shooter and undoubtedly a top 5 college basketball player. The handle is still too loose for my liking, and he does not play with enough physicality if I am an NBA team. Still a lotto pick, but think he is more of a 10-12 range complementary piece vs. a top 10 home run. How will Keegan stack up when matched up with 6'8 NBA athletes on the wing? He has the ball skills and shooting to make an impact, but he will not dominate in the way he has at the college level.