RJ Barrett

[ItsThatEasy]

Good on RJ. I like the kid and think he'll be a stud. Hopefully some of his tenacity rubs off on Cam and some of his skill rubs off on Zion.

I can't believe I'm saying this but the best thing for two freshmen is another freshman.

RJ is magnetic, he's exactly what Cam and Zion need. The term alpha is used pretty ironically in 2018 but by pure definition the kid is an alpha. He commands the room, he's gracious, he's confident, he's respectful. He's everything you want in a young professional, the kid is going to be great at whatever he ends up doing, even after basketball.

I dont think that is an issue for Zion, Zion is a workhorse. The thing I do question is will the big time personalities of RJ and Zion magnify the quietness and motor issues of Cam. Will Cam see RJ and Zion take the mantel as the #1 and #2 guys and will that make Cam just be fine with a smaller role. My hope is K pushes Cam to take the most shots on the team. He's the best player on the team when he is pushing for it, Im afraid if he isnt pushed, he will just take a step back. Which would be horrible for him.

I'm a huge Cam fan, and I try not to read too much into non basketball stuff but his lack of assertiveness in general doesn't come off as though he's just being quiet to be quiet. He genuinely seems timid sometimes, like the spotlight might be too bright, especially with Zion and RJ around like you said. At his peak he's just as good as RJ to me so I hope I'm wrong and he's really just a silent assassin.

[Duke4life831]

I can't believe I'm saying this but the best thing for two freshmen is another freshman.

RJ is magnetic, he's exactly what Cam and Zion need. The term alpha is used pretty ironically in 2018 but by pure definition the kid is an alpha. He commands the room, he's gracious, he's confident, he's respectful. He's everything you want in a young professional, the kid is going to be great at whatever he ends up doing, even after basketball.

I dont think that is an issue for Zion, Zion is a workhorse. The thing I do question is will the big time personalities of RJ and Zion magnify the quietness and motor issues of Cam. Will Cam see RJ and Zion take the mantel as the #1 and #2 guys and will that make Cam just be fine with a smaller role. My hope is K pushes Cam to take the most shots on the team. He's the best player on the team when he is pushing for it, Im afraid if he isnt pushed, he will just take a step back. Which would be horrible for him.

I'm a huge Cam fan, and I try not to read too much into non basketball stuff but his lack of assertiveness in general doesn't come off as though he's just being quiet to be quiet. He genuinely seems timid sometimes, like the spotlight might be too bright, especially with Zion and RJ around like you said. At his peak he's just as good as RJ to me so I hope I'm wrong and he's really just a silent assassin.

I think Cam has the highest potential out of any of the Duke wings since theyve been doing the OADs. He also has the biggest question mark with his motor. Ive personally given up on hoping he is a silent assassin, seen too much and heard too much of him just flat out not trying. He definitely has a quiet personality off the court, now we have seen guys with quiet personalities off the court still be killers on the court. So hopefully he can get there one day.

So Im really hoping RJ, Zion, Tre, K and Scheyer can light a fire under him. But ya I definitely think a real possibility is him just allowing RJ and Zion to take the #1 and #2 spots on the team and even letting Tre take the #3 spot. Then him just kind of half assing it and being an average spot up shooter on the team. That is my fear right now.

[cgf]

Would it really be all that surprising to see Reddish lead Duke in scoring without actually answering the questions about his assertiveness? I feel like his game should fit so well playing off those two that he could put up great #s without ever actually taking over.

[Duke4life831]

Would it really be all that surprising to see Reddish lead Duke in scoring without actually answering the questions about his assertiveness? I feel like his game should fit so well playing off those two that he could put up great #s without ever actually taking over.

If he can score more than RJ, 1 of 2 things would probably have to happen. His 3pt shooting is much better than expected or he shows a solid level of assertiveness. I think if Cam leads Duke in scoring, he will be the #1 pick in the draft.

[ItsThatEasy]

Would it really be all that surprising to see Reddish lead Duke in scoring without actually answering the questions about his assertiveness? I feel like his game should fit so well playing off those two that he could put up great #s without ever actually taking over.

If he can score more than RJ, 1 of 2 things would probably have to happen. His 3pt shooting is much better than expected or he shows a solid level of assertiveness. I think if Cam leads Duke in scoring, he will be the #1 pick in the draft.

By default I think it would also imply a few things about RJ's playmaking. He's going to have the ball quite a bit so if Cam leads the team in scoring it'll be in part because of RJ's playmaking just by proxy.

[Duke4life831]

Would it really be all that surprising to see Reddish lead Duke in scoring without actually answering the questions about his assertiveness? I feel like his game should fit so well playing off those two that he could put up great #s without ever actually taking over.

If he can score more than RJ, 1 of 2 things would probably have to happen. His 3pt shooting is much better than expected or he shows a solid level of assertiveness. I think if Cam leads Duke in scoring, he will be the #1 pick in the draft.

By default I think it would also imply a few things about RJ's playmaking. He's going to have the ball quite a bit so if Cam leads the team in scoring it'll be in part because of RJ's playmaking just by proxy.

Im actually curious on how the hierarchy is going to be when it comes to who is going to have the ball. Ideally to me it would go

#1: Tre
#2: Cam
#3: RJ
#4: Zion

Cam is a much more natural facilitator than RJ is. This would also ideally keep Cam into the game. I actually would like to see a lot of Cam/Zion PnR and sometimes use Zion similar to how GS uses Green.

[cgf]

Would it really be all that surprising to see Reddish lead Duke in scoring without actually answering the questions about his assertiveness? I feel like his game should fit so well playing off those two that he could put up great #s without ever actually taking over.

If he can score more than RJ, 1 of 2 things would probably have to happen. His 3pt shooting is much better than expected or he shows a solid level of assertiveness. I think if Cam leads Duke in scoring, he will be the #1 pick in the draft.

It will definitely be interesting to see if he was simply bored by the level of competition in HS; so that having to practice with a guy who's on his level & has that fire, every day, challenges him.

As someone who really likes Little & Doumbouya -- and knows that my team doesn't have the luck to get rewarded on lottery night -- I'm really hoping all 3 of your top recruits have amazing years

...and if Cole Anthony could reclassify already, that'd be cool to...

[ItsThatEasy]

If he can score more than RJ, 1 of 2 things would probably have to happen. His 3pt shooting is much better than expected or he shows a solid level of assertiveness. I think if Cam leads Duke in scoring, he will be the #1 pick in the draft.

By default I think it would also imply a few things about RJ's playmaking. He's going to have the ball quite a bit so if Cam leads the team in scoring it'll be in part because of RJ's playmaking just by proxy.

Im actually curious on how the hierarchy is going to be when it comes to who is going to have the ball. Ideally to me it would go

#1: Tre
#2: Cam
#3: RJ
#4: Zion

Cam is a much more natural facilitator than RJ is. This would also ideally keep Cam into the game. I actually would like to see a lot of Cam/Zion PnR and sometimes use Zion similar to how GS uses Green.

Agree on Tre and even that Cam is a more natural playmaker. But RJ is going to take the ball man, and not in a selfish kind of way, he just knows it belongs in his hands, he wants it. And Cam will be all to content to let him have it.

[Duke4life831]

By default I think it would also imply a few things about RJ's playmaking. He's going to have the ball quite a bit so if Cam leads the team in scoring it'll be in part because of RJ's playmaking just by proxy.

Im actually curious on how the hierarchy is going to be when it comes to who is going to have the ball. Ideally to me it would go

#1: Tre
#2: Cam
#3: RJ
#4: Zion

Cam is a much more natural facilitator than RJ is. This would also ideally keep Cam into the game. I actually would like to see a lot of Cam/Zion PnR and sometimes use Zion similar to how GS uses Green.

Agree on Tre and even that Cam is a more natural playmaker. But RJ is going to take the ball man, and not in a selfish kind of way, he just knows it belongs in his hands, he wants it. And Cam will be all to content to let him have it.

Oh I agree. I was just saying in an ideal world that is how I would have it. I would love to see an assertive Cam and he knows how to run the offense better than RJ. But ya I think RJ will definitely have the ball more than Cam.

[nolang1]

Cole Anthony already decides to play for Oak Hill for his senior year. He won't graduate in high school now and not qualify for 2019 class since high school students needs to graduate at least one year before enter the draft.

No, that doesn't change anything. If he finishes enough courses to graduate from high school by the time the season starts, then he'd be a post-grad at Oak Hill and eligible for the 2019 draft.

[Patsfan1081]

Cole Anthony already decides to play for Oak Hill for his senior year. He won't graduate in high school now and not qualify for 2019 class since high school students needs to graduate at least one year before enter the draft.

No, that doesn't change anything. If he finishes enough courses to graduate from high school by the time the season starts, then he'd be a post-grad at Oak Hill and eligible for the 2019 draft.

Well he said he'd play his senior season at Oak hill, not enter a graduate program. Does Oak Hill even have one? Yes you can finish your primary curriculum at anytime but you technically have to graduate and apply, just having enough credits doesn't automatically equal anything. I just haven't seen any indication on that being his path. I mean Diallo did attend IMG and he had decided that he wasn't going to attend college late into the summer, but he had graduated and finished his coursework by this time already.

[baca]

Cole Anthony already decides to play for Oak Hill for his senior year. He won't graduate in high school now and not qualify for 2019 class since high school students needs to graduate at least one year before enter the draft.

No, that doesn't change anything. If he finishes enough courses to graduate from high school by the time the season starts, then he'd be a post-grad at Oak Hill and eligible for the 2019 draft.

As above mentioned, he need to announce or apply for graduation now to be eligible for next year draft. I also don't think Oak Hill has program for post-graduate student. Unless Anthony transfer, he won't be eligible to play Oak Hill in the coming season. I don't get why he will transfer if he wants to enter draft next year.

[nolang1]

Cole Anthony already decides to play for Oak Hill for his senior year. He won't graduate in high school now and not qualify for 2019 class since high school students needs to graduate at least one year before enter the draft.

No, that doesn't change anything. If he finishes enough courses to graduate from high school by the time the season starts, then he'd be a post-grad at Oak Hill and eligible for the 2019 draft.

As above mentioned, he need to announce or apply for graduation now to be eligible for next year draft. I also don't think Oak Hill has program for post-graduate student. Unless Anthony transfer, he won't be eligible to play Oak Hill in the coming season. I don't get why he will transfer if he wants to enter draft next year.

No, not now, before the first game of the NBA season. The simple fact is that Anthony could be eligible for the 2019 draft if he wants to be and would be a top-3 pick even if he hid underneath a rock until June. In my opinion it's foolish to assume that he has some deep-seated desire to play in college (again, he's the best player in high school basketball and is not thinking about his recruitment the summer before his senior year) that would outweigh the opportunity to start making millions and competing at the highest level a year earlier.

[Skin]

Bend over for Barrett

[baca]

No, that doesn't change anything. If he finishes enough courses to graduate from high school by the time the season starts, then he'd be a post-grad at Oak Hill and eligible for the 2019 draft.

As above mentioned, he need to announce or apply for graduation now to be eligible for next year draft. I also don't think Oak Hill has program for post-graduate student. Unless Anthony transfer, he won't be eligible to play Oak Hill in the coming season. I don't get why he will transfer if he wants to enter draft next year.

No, not now, before the first game of the NBA season. The simple fact is that Anthony could be eligible for the 2019 draft if he wants to be and would be a top-3 pick even if he hid underneath a rock until June. In my opinion it's foolish to assume that he has some deep-seated desire to play in college (again, he's the best player in high school basketball and is not thinking about his recruitment the summer before his senior year) that would outweigh the opportunity to start making millions and competing at the highest level a year earlier.

Nah, I don't think he is sure fire top 3 pick for 2019 draft. More like scorer than a lead guard, has more turnover than assist in FIBA U18 tournament. 6'2'' with shoes PG with very mediocre 6'3'' wingspan, more streaky than reliable shooter. He has several glaring holes that
may let GM and team hesitate and want to see more his game. He is for sure lower than RJ Barrett and Nassir Little if we begin the draft now and very likely lower than Reddish, Langford and Grimes as well.

One thing to mention is Cole Anthony is actually older than RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson, he is supposed to be good with most kids 1 years younger than him.

[jonjames]

As above mentioned, he need to announce or apply for graduation now to be eligible for next year draft. I also don't think Oak Hill has program for post-graduate student. Unless Anthony transfer, he won't be eligible to play Oak Hill in the coming season. I don't get why he will transfer if he wants to enter draft next year.

No, not now, before the first game of the NBA season. The simple fact is that Anthony could be eligible for the 2019 draft if he wants to be and would be a top-3 pick even if he hid underneath a rock until June. In my opinion it's foolish to assume that he has some deep-seated desire to play in college (again, he's the best player in high school basketball and is not thinking about his recruitment the summer before his senior year) that would outweigh the opportunity to start making millions and competing at the highest level a year earlier.

Nah, I don't think he is sure fire top 3 pick for 2019 draft. More like scorer than a lead guard, has more turnover than assist in FIBA U18 tournament. 6'2'' with shoes PG with very mediocre 6'3'' wingspan, more streaky than reliable shooter. He has several glaring holes that
may let GM and team hesitate and want to see more his game. He is for sure lower than RJ Barrett and Nassir Little if we begin the draft now and very likely lower than Reddish, Langford and Grimes as well.

One thing to mention is Cole Anthony is actually older than RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson, he is supposed to be good with most kids 1 years younger than him.

Hes shorter than 6'2. Hes probably closer to 6ft in shoes. 6'1 tops. Similar dimensions to dsj. Better prospect than grimes tho.

[Karate Diop]

Zion would eat this fool. Literally.

[BlazersBroncos]

Zion would eat this fool. Literally.

Zion is so low on real skill though. He is an undersized, hyper athletic PF who cant really shoot. He reminds me of a giant version of Miles Bridges with better handles and a worse jumper. He can become a really good player, but he has a lot of hurdles to clear. Kid wont get by on athleticism alone in the NBA.

Barrett on the other hand is a smooth, prototypical SF who has a nice shot and developing handles. He is easily the better prospect at this point.

This isn't the NBA. Joey Graham was about as close as you can get to Zion physically and he was booty in this league. Gotta have the skills.

[Duke4life831]

Zion would eat this fool. Literally.

Zion is so low on real skill though. He is an undersized, hyper athletic PF who cant really shoot. He reminds me of a giant version of Miles Bridges with better handles and a worse jumper. He can become a really good player, but he has a lot of hurdles to clear. Kid wont get by on athleticism alone in the NBA.

Barrett on the other hand is a smooth, prototypical SF who has a nice shot and developing handles. He is easily the better prospect at this point.

This isn't the NBA. Joey Graham was about as close as you can get to Zion physically and he was booty in this league. Gotta have the skills.

I know this is an RJ thread. But I dont agree with the Zion is so low on real skill thing. Zion doesnt have a jumper, either than that, I think he is a pretty damn skilled PF. His handle is good for an 18 year old PF, his ability to drive is good for a PF, and his touch around the rim is elite. Zion won MVP at the Top 100 camp and Adidas Nations for a reason. He didnt just dominate other top elite recruits just on athleticism.

[No-Man]

Duke is going to have massive spacing issues, unless they go with O'Connell and Zion at the 5 really often