S&T With New Orleans: The Devonte Graham Thread

[euphorbus]

https://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/04/charlotte-hornets-devonte-graham-feature

Nice article on Golden's background; didn't know how contentious the App State situation was.

So Graham and Wiggins were born a day apart. And only this season have they both begun to flourish. I see so many one-and-done players who never bothered to get a college education to prepare themselves for life after basketball--one bad injury away--and never stuck around in college long enough to really learn the game, which is like three-dimensional moving chess with athleticism and teamwork thrown in.

There's a lot to be said for drafting players who actually know the fundamentals before they reach the NBA.

[SWedd523]

At what point does Graham's production thus far stop being a fluke/anomaly and turn into the real deal?

[amcoolio]

Jason Capel set our program back years. That's crazy we had Devonte Graham at one time though.

Lets be real, once Graham saw big programs were interested in him there's no way this quote is true "That made me definitely not want to go." just tell the truth Devonte.

We have a tournament worthy team this year...really wish App State would pump more money into the basketball program though, no reason for it to be lagging way behind football

[DY_nasty]

Jason Capel set our program back years. That's crazy we had Devonte Graham at one time though.

Lets be real, once Graham saw big programs were interested in him there's no way this quote is true "That made me definitely not want to go." just tell the truth Devonte.

We have a tournament worthy team this year...really wish App State would pump more money into the basketball program though, no reason for it to be lagging way behind football

its a basketball program in the same state as some of the biggest recruiting colleges in the nation. app state isnt ever going anywhere in basketball

[Marino]

I was listening to NBA Radio last night and they were also singing the praises of Graham. Felt like the first time I've ever heard them talk about the Hornets.

[MasterIchiro]

I was listening to NBA Radio last night and they were also singing the praises of Graham. Felt like the first time I've ever heard them talk about the Hornets.

Yeah, they have to market their award candidates and winners as it's good PR. Devonté has helped salvage our reputation in wake of the Kemba debacle.

[BigSlam]

At what point does Graham's production thus far stop being a fluke/anomaly and turn into the real deal?

Full season this season then following up next season the same way.

My personal feeling is a player needs to show 2 full seasons for me to consider it the norm for them.

[BlackOutBuzz]

Well, we've got him for dirt cheap for those years before someone hits him with a massive offer sheet in 2021.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[HornetJail]

At what point does Graham's production thus far stop being a fluke/anomaly and turn into the real deal?

At this point, it's clear he's very good. Do I think he's going to keep up a 292 made 3s at 41% clip all season long? No, but he clearly isn't going to fall back into his rookie form, but at a minimum, I think he's going to continue doing at least 80% of what he's currently doing all season, hopefully 90%

[MasterIchiro]

Congrats on a career high 40 on a night where you led the Hornets back from the dead, down 20 to the Nets in Brooklyn.

The best part about tonight is you chose a major market to showcase your game. The NBA simply can't ignore you and since you're in line for a top honor (Most Improved Player), refs have to blow that whistle. We're no laughingstock, thanks to you.

[Radu_Hornets]

He got a new franchise record for the fewest games to hit 100 3s.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

He got a new franchise record for the fewest games to hit 100 3s.

Not just a franchise record. Only two other guys have done it in the NBA ... Curry & Harden.

I'm blown away by what he's managing to do this season.

It's super fortunate that Mich has been signing all of the team's second round picks to 3 year contracts.

[BigSlam]

Crazy that he's not even rattling the rim when he's hitting those 3's.

He's knocking them down, time and time again, nothing but net.

[predators]

43 % three on 9 attempts / game is pretty insane.

[Braggins]

This team would be legit with Kemba + Lamb instead of Rosier.

Kemba/Graham
Lamb/Monk/Bacon
Miles/Batum
PJ/MKG
Cody/Marv/Biz

I think they'd easily be a 7th seed right now and within striking distance of 5th/6th (although catching Toronto or Indy once Dipo is back would be tough) and most importantly, would still have unreached upside.

[yosemiteben]

I think they'd easily be a 7th seed right now and within striking distance of 5th/6th

AKA the Hornets special.

[316Hornets]

I think they'd easily be a 7th seed right now and within striking distance of 5th/6th

AKA the Hornets special.

And 1 key injury away from the treadmill

[predators]

This team would be legit with Kemba + Lamb instead of Rosier.

Kemba/Graham
Lamb/Monk/Bacon
Miles/Batum
PJ/MKG
Cody/Marv/Biz

I think they'd easily be a 7th seed right now and within striking distance of 5th/6th (although catching Toronto or Indy once Dipo is back would be tough) and most importantly, would still have unreached upside.

We'd also be 16,573,045 into the tax and the most expensive team in the NBA. Realistically it'd be more because we would have had to outbid Boston/Indiana for both. (I'm not 100% sure we could have signed both without shedding salary, going over the luxury cap has weird rules.)

Looking at the salary cap numbers really makes me want to get rid of max contracts. Star players are so underpaid, and such a huge advantage. Portland is currently the most expensive team in the nba.

[MasterIchiro]

I dont know why we're rosterbating over what could have been when we couldn't have asked for a better outcome with Graham. Yeah, if only we could've sent the NBA's most improved player and his top 3 three point shooting and top 10 assists back to the bench, on a bargain contract no less, in order to keep our starters from last season.

I can't think of a more satisfying outcome than our current point guard situation. I'm taking Devonté over SGA.

[yosemiteben]

I dont know why we're rosterbating over what could have been when we couldn't have asked for a better outcome with Graham.

Saying "we could have been the 7 seed" isn't exactly rosterbating.