Darius Acuff Jr.

[mattg]

At a certain point he has to have something special about him, guys don't just score like he does without having either elite quickness or athleticism. Feels like everyone is so quick to discredit him for one reason or another. Maybe he is just this good? Could that not possibly be the conversation?

But then you have guys like Darryn Peterson struggling vs the same levels of competition and also getting whispered about best guard prospect ever... it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Acuff is averaging 29.8 ppg over his last 6 games. Arkansas is 6-0 in that stretch. Clearly he is a major reason why they are winning and people are panicking to tell everyone why he is soooo bad and stanning for Dalyn Swain averaging 12 ppg in the tourney.

There is so much hyperbole up and down this post, it's very hard to shovel through the bull crap and take seriously. Man, just take a deep breathe, talk about Acuff, and let the rest go.

Some posters in this thread who love Acuff happen to consistently interject that people are massively overhyping Petersen or some other prospect in this draft, when no one is even bringing Petersen up or even comparing Acuff to them. It's some weird, immature, preemptive insecurity about "their guy" not getting love or something.

[Benjammin]

The Acuff stans are a fascinating combination of insecurity and basketball ignorance at the NBA level. If he goes 5 or 6 and has a Trae Young/Brunson lite career then sure. But when AI, Steph or Dame are brought up then it's especially humorous.

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[SNPA]

I was wrong. He’s right there with Trae on D. Maybe worse for not even being near the guys he’s defending.

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Low IQ defender.
He looks lost and clueless.
He has 20/20 vision on offense but he's blind on defense.

First of all that was his 3rd game in 3 nights after playing 80 minutes in the previous two games. Of course his energy level won't be that high.

Secondly Tanner shot 3-15 that game and Vanderbilt as a team shot 38%, so I don't think Acuffs D hurt them too much.

His energy level? What? He is a kid. He should be able to play every night, and practice during the day. Energy level shouldn't be a thing as a freshman. Add the fact that this is the big show...does he need a rest? Nah. He just isn't good on defense. He comes out of his stance, he takes bad angles, he gets caught on screens...and that's just from this short video.

[tontoz]

Low IQ defender.
He looks lost and clueless.
He has 20/20 vision on offense but he's blind on defense.

First of all that was his 3rd game in 3 nights after playing 80 minutes in the previous two games. Of course his energy level won't be that high.

Secondly Tanner shot 3-15 that game and Vanderbilt as a team shot 38%, so I don't think Acuffs D hurt them too much.

His energy level? What? He is a kid. He should be able to play every night, and practice during the day. Energy level shouldn't be a thing as a freshman. Add the fact that this is the big show...does he need a rest? Nah. He just isn't good on defense. He comes out of his stance, he takes bad angles, he gets caught on screens...and that's just from this short video.

There are a lot of 'kids' in the NBA that struggle on the 2nd of back to backs and they arent playing 40 minutes per game carrying the team's offense on ball and running around screens off ball. 3 games in a row playing big minutes is ridiculous.

Why did Tanner and Vanderbilt shoot so poorly if Acuff's defense is so bad? Anyone? Bueller?

Am i the only one that noticed he was pushed in the back on that first clip?

[pcbothwel]

The Acuff stans are a fascinating combination of insecurity and basketball ignorance at the NBA level. If he goes 5 or 6 and has a Trae Young/Brunson lite career then sure. But when AI, Steph or Dame are brought up then it's especially humorous.

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Mostly agree. I have him as Tim Hardaway with Mike Bibby’s leadership/IQ.
Still a multiple time AS and worthy of a pick in the 5-8 range, but can’t take him top 4.

[JMAC3]

At a certain point he has to have something special about him, guys don't just score like he does without having either elite quickness or athleticism. Feels like everyone is so quick to discredit him for one reason or another. Maybe he is just this good? Could that not possibly be the conversation?

But then you have guys like Darryn Peterson struggling vs the same levels of competition and also getting whispered about best guard prospect ever... it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Acuff is averaging 29.8 ppg over his last 6 games. Arkansas is 6-0 in that stretch. Clearly he is a major reason why they are winning and people are panicking to tell everyone why he is soooo bad and stanning for Dalyn Swain averaging 12 ppg in the tourney.

There is so much hyperbole up and down this post, it's very hard to shovel through the bull crap and take seriously. Man, just take a deep breathe, talk about Acuff, and let the rest go.

Huh? no hyperbole. Multiple people have been stating Peterson is the best guard of the decade... and Dalyn Swain has been top 5 in no less than 10 big boards I have seen- while those people have Acuff outside the top 20.

[JMAC3]

The Acuff stans are a fascinating combination of insecurity and basketball ignorance at the NBA level. If he goes 5 or 6 and has a Trae Young/Brunson lite career then sure. But when AI, Steph or Dame are brought up then it's especially humorous.

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The problem is people see someone's NBA career and then assume that those players should be out of touch when comparing them to college players... when Curry and Dame both had to play 3 years of college basketball to go 8th and 6th overall. Without a doubt Acuff is a better player at 19 years old than either Steph and Dame, just like prime Steph and Dame are better players at age 28 than 19 year Acuff--- if that is who you think people are comparing Acuff to then you don't understand basketball scouting.

[JMAC3]

I am not saying this is the exact same situation, but it does remind me of the 2023 draft a little bit where people were so infatuated with the idea of Scoot Henderson that there was no way any other prospect should go 2nd or 3rd in the draft class. Plenty of people refused to believe the idea that a Thompson twin or Brandon Miller could be better than Scoot even though he was very mediocre in the Gleague. It had to go Wemby-Scoot no matter what and anyone who credited some other prospect was hyperbolic.

Just like this year people are convinced that it has to be some combo of Boozer/AJ/Peterson/Wilson as the top 4 no matter what.

Acuff has had a lot better season than Miller, Thompson twins etc and yet people are so timid to potentially move him up.

Acuff is having a special season for a freshman point guard. One of the best guard seasons of all time. And yet you see more nitpicks on him than any other player in the entire class.

[SNPA]

First of all that was his 3rd game in 3 nights after playing 80 minutes in the previous two games. Of course his energy level won't be that high.

Secondly Tanner shot 3-15 that game and Vanderbilt as a team shot 38%, so I don't think Acuffs D hurt them too much.

His energy level? What? He is a kid. He should be able to play every night, and practice during the day. Energy level shouldn't be a thing as a freshman. Add the fact that this is the big show...does he need a rest? Nah. He just isn't good on defense. He comes out of his stance, he takes bad angles, he gets caught on screens...and that's just from this short video.

There are a lot of 'kids' in the NBA that struggle on the 2nd of back to backs and they arent playing 40 minutes per game carrying the team's offense on ball and running around screens off ball. 3 games in a row playing big minutes is ridiculous.

Why did Tanner and Vanderbilt shoot so poorly if Acuff's defense is so bad? Anyone? Bueller?

Am i the only one that noticed he was pushed in the back on that first clip?

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not interested in hearing anything about energy levels for freshman. Sounds soft as Charmin. That clip of defense is bad. There’s no way around it.

[tontoz]

His energy level? What? He is a kid. He should be able to play every night, and practice during the day. Energy level shouldn't be a thing as a freshman. Add the fact that this is the big show...does he need a rest? Nah. He just isn't good on defense. He comes out of his stance, he takes bad angles, he gets caught on screens...and that's just from this short video.

There are a lot of 'kids' in the NBA that struggle on the 2nd of back to backs and they arent playing 40 minutes per game carrying the team's offense on ball and running around screens off ball. 3 games in a row playing big minutes is ridiculous.

Why did Tanner and Vanderbilt shoot so poorly if Acuff's defense is so bad? Anyone? Bueller?

Am i the only one that noticed he was pushed in the back on that first clip?

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not interested in hearing anything about energy levels for freshman. Sounds soft as Charmin. That clip of defense is bad. There’s no way around it.

It's one game on the 3rd game in 3 nights after playing 80 minutes the previous two games as the team's offensive engine.

It is easy for you sitting on your couch to say guys shouldn't get tired, but why did Vanderbilt shoot so badly if Acuffs defense was so bad? Could it be that maybe they were tired?

[SNPA]

There are a lot of 'kids' in the NBA that struggle on the 2nd of back to backs and they arent playing 40 minutes per game carrying the team's offense on ball and running around screens off ball. 3 games in a row playing big minutes is ridiculous.

Why did Tanner and Vanderbilt shoot so poorly if Acuff's defense is so bad? Anyone? Bueller?

Am i the only one that noticed he was pushed in the back on that first clip?

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not interested in hearing anything about energy levels for freshman. Sounds soft as Charmin. That clip of defense is bad. There’s no way around it.

It's one game on the 3rd game in 3 nights after playing 80 minutes the previous two games as the team's offensive engine.

It is easy for you sitting on your couch to say guys shouldn't get tired, but why did Vanderbilt shoot so badly if Acuffs defense was so bad? Could it be that maybe they were tired?

Then they should go home and rest. Leave playing in the tourney to those that have the energy for it.

[JMAC3]

His energy level? What? He is a kid. He should be able to play every night, and practice during the day. Energy level shouldn't be a thing as a freshman. Add the fact that this is the big show...does he need a rest? Nah. He just isn't good on defense. He comes out of his stance, he takes bad angles, he gets caught on screens...and that's just from this short video.

There are a lot of 'kids' in the NBA that struggle on the 2nd of back to backs and they arent playing 40 minutes per game carrying the team's offense on ball and running around screens off ball. 3 games in a row playing big minutes is ridiculous.

Why did Tanner and Vanderbilt shoot so poorly if Acuff's defense is so bad? Anyone? Bueller?

Am i the only one that noticed he was pushed in the back on that first clip?

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not interested in hearing anything about energy levels for freshman. Sounds soft as Charmin. That clip of defense is bad. There’s no way around it.

I think it is pretty obvious that the larger offensive load you carry the more energy that requires. Regardless of age, size etc... That is why in the NBA some of the better guard defenders like Alvarado, Shead, Dannis Jenkins, Davion etc... are guys that aren't carrying any type of load on offense. Whereas guys like LaMelo, Luka, Harden, Morant who are more heliocentric are lucky to put up league average defensive stats and most are way below it.

DeAron Fox is an example of his defense being a lot better this year, probably because Wemby, Harper, Castle can take a lot of his plate offensively and he can give more of his energy on defensive side of the ball.

So Acuff could become a slightly better defender in NBA if he isn't tasked with creating all the offense like he is in Arkansas system. I personally believe he can be a good off ball player as he shoots nearly 50% from 3 off the catch and 45% from three- so he can be an offball spacer early in his career if the team already has established on ball guys.

[tontoz]

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not interested in hearing anything about energy levels for freshman. Sounds soft as Charmin. That clip of defense is bad. There’s no way around it.

It's one game on the 3rd game in 3 nights after playing 80 minutes the previous two games as the team's offensive engine.

It is easy for you sitting on your couch to say guys shouldn't get tired, but why did Vanderbilt shoot so badly if Acuffs defense was so bad? Could it be that maybe they were tired?

Then they should go home and rest. Leave playing in the tourney to those that have the energy for it.

Venderbilt shot 38% as a team. They are the ones that looked like they really needed a rest, and they got a long one.

Arkansas won by double digits, and Acuff is the main reason why with 30/11.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Acuff is the best offensive guard in this draft and a bad defender. Both can be true and he will still be a Top 3-6 pick.

[Upperclass]

After watching him vs High point, I actually he should go 2.. over Peterson even. I think he might be Kyrie.. Acuff doesnt have that level of handle YET.. but like Kyrie.. you cannot body him at all.. he bounces off of taller players and always gets off a good look at the hoop. He is from every spot on the court, the best guard finisher in the country and is a goodish passer to boot. Can play on or off ball and doesnt seem bothered when the ball isnt in his hands.

Peterson is far more talented and could be SGA.. he SHOULD be one of the best scorers in the league.. but he's starting to remind me of Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons in that.. it doesnt seem like he has the requisite level of care if any type of adversity hits or if he isnt in the role he thinks is best

[NYPiston]

best comp is kyrie.

Deron Williams is who I always see in him and Deron was toe to toe with Chris Paul for a few years before he fell off so that's a compliment to Acuff. Similar size, similar handle, 3 level scorer, better shooter actually. This is the comp IMO

[Benjammin]

One of the better comps I've seen. Deron weighed 202 pounds and had a 35" maximum vertical jump. It will be interesting to see how Acuff compares. He's listed at 185-190 and I haven't seen anything to believe his maximum vertical jump will be 35" but we'll see.

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[JMAC3]

Acuff has 7 dunks this year, I think his vertical will be fine.

For comparisons
Philon has 5
Wagler has 0
Thornton has 0
Okorie has 7
Anderson has 8
Fears has 1
Lipsey has 1
Stirtz has 11
Tanner has 17
Holloway has 0
Rob Wright has 0
Fleming has 11
Peterson has 9
Sharp has 3
Burries has 17
Mikel has 10
Maleek Thomas has 3

[Upperclass]

best comp is kyrie.

Deron Williams is who I always see in him and Deron was toe to toe with Chris Paul for a few years before he fell off so that's a compliment to Acuff. Similar size, similar handle, 3 level scorer, better shooter actually. This is the comp IMO

Deron was WAY quicker and faster.. he was one of the most athletic PG's in the league.. Acuff is more paced

[tontoz]

Big test next round. IMO Burries is a top 10 pick and is the best defender among all the top pgs. Arizona is a big, athletic team that is very tough on D.