Buddy going pro?

[SoonerBounce13]

He has shown some moves to get in the paint but he doesn't do it nearly enough. he just floats outside.

He is brandon rush at best in the nba unless he really gets better

 

[pnkranger]

This is the most ignored factor in all of these discussions. He's not getting any bigger or more athletic. He is what he is. They'll have three years of film on him after this year. Every year you come back to school is a huge gamble.

If you're a second round pick, it's worth the gamble to come back and try to creep into that first round.

 

[Smash Williams]

POY has nothing to do with the NBA.

As an undersized 2, he needs to do one thing exceptionally well. That skill may reveal itself this year, but it hasn't yet. He is a very good college player right now.

With all of that said, don't think coming back for another year helps his stock at all.

I agree with this.

People are putting way too much emphasis on his all-around game. That sort of thing is more relevant when discussing potential lottery picks, which Buddy ain't. There aren't very many complete or near-complete players in the NBA; it's largely a league of role players. Likewise, for the most part NBA teams are simply looking for potential role players or long-term projects outside the first ten picks or so. No NBA team is drafting Buddy to be a primary offensive option, even in a bench unit. He's not a PG, and he's not a ball-dominant wing in the NBA.

As the fourth or maybe third option on the floor at any given moment, can he hit NBA 3s at a high enough clip that defenses have to account for his presence when he's behind the arc? Can he hold his own defensively against quality NBA wings? He's not good enough to be counted on as a high-volume shot creator in the NBA; rather, his value as an NBA prospect will be determined by how well he complements the guys that are.

I can't think of a lot of undersized guys (for their respective positions) that came back to school and significantly raised their draft stock as seniors.

 

[campbest]

If you're a second round pick, it's worth the gamble to come back and try to creep into that first round.

Maybe if you're a freshman or sophomore...but as a junior? Take your chance and go pro.

 

[SilliSooner]

I agree with this.

People are putting way too much emphasis on his all-around game. That sort of thing is more relevant when discussing potential lottery picks, which Buddy ain't. There aren't very many complete or near-complete players in the NBA; it's largely a league of role players. Likewise, for the most part NBA teams are simply looking for potential role players or long-term projects outside the first ten picks or so. No NBA team is drafting Buddy to be a primary offensive option, even in a bench unit. He's not a PG, and he's not a ball-dominant wing in the NBA.

As the fourth or maybe third option on the floor at any given moment, can he hit NBA 3s at a high enough clip that defenses have to account for his presence when he's behind the arc? Can he hold his own defensively against quality NBA wings? He's not good enough to be counted on as a high-volume shot creator in the NBA; rather, his value as an NBA prospect will be determined by how well he complements the guys that are.

I can't think of a lot of undersized guys (for their respective positions) that came back to school and significantly raised their draft stock as seniors.

Buddy's goal is to play himself into the first round. A lot of players have played themselves into lottery picks by coming back for a 3rd or 4th year.
And many of these have been undersized players.

Randy Foye, JJ Redick, Kirk Hinrich, Hersey Hawkins, Andre Miller all returned as Seniors to significantly improve their games and make it into the lottery. Mookie didn't make it into the lottery but improved his position several spots by coming back.

Some other undersized players foresook coming out their soph years to make it into the lottery their junior years. Guys like Raymond Felton, Ben Gordon, Devon Harris, Rumeal Robinson, Rip Hamilton and Ray Allen.

Whether he comes back or not, I think, depends on whether the scouts think he's ready. But, if he's on the second round fence and if he can improve whatever deficiencies necessary to make the jump, then it could be worth millions for him to return.

 

[WaymanFan]

Rough crowd. I'll remind you guys of all these flaws when he's POY in big 12!

I'd like to think all of us hope he has that kind of year. Regardless, he's off to an inconsistent start. If the 2015 NBA Draft were conducted today, he wouldn't be drafted in Round 1. There is still a lot of basketball left, so he has time to play himself into the 1st round. One thing is certain. None of us want another M'baye who leaves eligibility on the table just to play basketball overseas.

 

[campbest]

Buddy's goal is to play himself into the first round. A lot of players have played themselves into lottery picks by coming back for a 3rd or 4th year.
And many of these have been undersized players.

Randy Foye, JJ Redick, Kirk Hinrich, Hersey Hawkins, Andre Miller all returned as Seniors to significantly improve their games and make it into the lottery. Mookie didn't make it into the lottery but improved his position several spots by coming back.

Some other undersized players foresook coming out their soph years to make it into the lottery their junior years. Guys like Raymond Felton, Ben Gordon, Devon Harris, Rumeal Robinson, Rip Hamilton and Ray Allen.

Whether he comes back or not, I think, depends on whether the scouts think he's ready. But, if he's on the second round fence and if he can improve whatever deficiencies necessary to make the jump, then it could be worth millions for him to return.

There are lists for guys who played themselves out and into the 1st round based on their decision. One thing most of those names have in common, they were going to be 1st round picks whether they waited a year or not.

 

[Smash Williams]

Buddy's goal is to play himself into the first round. A lot of players have played themselves into lottery picks by coming back for a 3rd or 4th year.
And many of these have been undersized players.

Randy Foye, JJ Redick, Kirk Hinrich, Hersey Hawkins, Andre Miller all returned as Seniors to significantly improve their games and make it into the lottery. Mookie didn't make it into the lottery but improved his position several spots by coming back.

Some other undersized players foresook coming out their soph years to make it into the lottery their junior years. Guys like Raymond Felton, Ben Gordon, Devon Harris, Rumeal Robinson, Rip Hamilton and Ray Allen.

Whether he comes back or not, I think, depends on whether the scouts think he's ready. But, if he's on the second round fence and if he can improve whatever deficiencies necessary to make the jump, then it could be worth millions for him to return.

Hersey Hawkins?! He was drafted in 1988, when 22 of the 25 (yes, back when there were only 25 teams) first round picks were seniors. Five seniors were taken in the first round of the 2014 draft; three were taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. The NBA draft--and the NBA game, for that matter--is so much different today that ancient comparisons like Hersey Hawkins are completely irrelevant to the plight of a prospect in 2015 or 2016. Same goes for anyone drafted in the 90s or even early 2000s. Your most recent comparisons were drafted in 2006. Seniors are graded on a different curve today, as NBA teams have become more savvy to the reality that 22-year-olds are supposed to dominate less physically mature 18- and 19-year-old kids.

Could Buddy play his way into the first round as a senior? Sure, it's possible, but it's not likely. If he wants to be a first rounder, he needs to get it done this year.

 

[papaP]

I think if Buddy finishes strong this year with a good tournament he can play himself into the first round. I watched his games in the Bahamas and saw the big game he had against UCLA and how he got the ball on the run that allowed him to get comfortable. The other two games against Butler and Wisconsin he did not got the ball on the run and started to press it. All in all being that he was home in front of family the Prime Minister of the country and the whole nation watching, I can understand the jitters.

He will be just fine in the NBA besides Eric Gordon who mom is from the Bahamas has a similar game to Buddy, he just need to work on finishing at the rim with authority. Klay Thompson whose Dad hails from the Bahamas as well also had to develop certain aspects to his game and we see how that has worked out for him.

I look forward to OU surprising a lot of people this year

 

[BigTime]

I think if Buddy finishes strong this year with a good tournament he can play himself into the first round. I watched his games in the Bahamas and saw the big game he had against UCLA and how he got the ball on the run that allowed him to get comfortable. The other two games against Butler and Wisconsin he did not got the ball on the run and started to press it. All in all being that he was home in front of family the Prime Minister of the country and the whole nation watching, I can understand the jitters.

He will be just fine in the NBA besides Eric Gordon who mom is from the Bahamas has a similar game to Buddy, he just need to work on finishing at the rim with authority. Klay Thompson whose Dad hails from the Bahamas as well also had to develop certain aspects to his game and we see how that has worked out for him.

I look forward to OU surprising a lot of people this year

Welcome to the board! So glad that Buddy is a Sooner

 

[AdaSooner]

I think if Buddy finishes strong this year with a good tournament he can play himself into the first round. I watched his games in the Bahamas and saw the big game he had against UCLA and how he got the ball on the run that allowed him to get comfortable. The other two games against Butler and Wisconsin he did not got the ball on the run and started to press it. All in all being that he was home in front of family the Prime Minister of the country and the whole nation watching, I can understand the jitters.

He will be just fine in the NBA besides Eric Gordon who mom is from the Bahamas has a similar game to Buddy, he just need to work on finishing at the rim with authority. Klay Thompson whose Dad hails from the Bahamas as well also had to develop certain aspects to his game and we see how that has worked out for him.

I look forward to OU surprising a lot of people this year

Solid post, papaP! Good to see you're getting involved in our discussions.

Welcome to OUHoops!

 

[papaP]

Thanks Ada ...also had to the privilege of talking to some NBA scouts at the game they are pretty high on Buddy acknowledging the fact that home town jitters got the better of him. I think the offensive set that OU runs needs to be modified to some inside/outside action Spangler and Thomas can hold there own with the best of them

 

[usedtobe1]

I think if Buddy finishes strong this year with a good tournament he can play himself into the first round. I watched his games in the Bahamas and saw the big game he had against UCLA and how he got the ball on the run that allowed him to get comfortable. The other two games against Butler and Wisconsin he did not got the ball on the run and started to press it. All in all being that he was home in front of family the Prime Minister of the country and the whole nation watching, I can understand the jitters.

He will be just fine in the NBA besides Eric Gordon who mom is from the Bahamas has a similar game to Buddy, he just need to work on finishing at the rim with authority. Klay Thompson whose Dad hails from the Bahamas as well also had to develop certain aspects to his game and we see how that has worked out for him.

I look forward to OU surprising a lot of people this year

Good information. I like posts with some "meat" in them. You told me stuff in the 2nd paragraph that I didn't know about Bahama connections in the NBA.

 

[kjack151]

Buddy has the size and shooting ability to play the 2 in the league, but he must drastically improve his ball skills. He can't dribble, and he doesn't seem to have any ISO moves. If he doesn't catch off a screen, he can't get open.
I know Wisconsin is a really good defensive team, but Buddy has issues creating his shot against almost everyone.

I agree with the part of your statement regarding the "ISO moves". To further that point, I think that one of this team's weakness is that none of them are really good going one on one off the dribble. That really hampers our offense at times when no one can get open for a shot due to that disability.

 

[OhioBornSoonerBred]

I can't see any NBA team using a first-round pick on a guard that has extremely limited ball-handling skills. Buddy could easily end up this year scoring 20 points per game and doing great for college, but the game he currently plays is not going to translate unless he drastically improves

 

[SilliSooner]

Hersey Hawkins?! He was drafted in 1988, when 22 of the 25 (yes, back when there were only 25 teams) first round picks were seniors. Five seniors were taken in the first round of the 2014 draft; three were taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. The NBA draft--and the NBA game, for that matter--is so much different today that ancient comparisons like Hersey Hawkins are completely irrelevant to the plight of a prospect in 2015 or 2016. Same goes for anyone drafted in the 90s or even early 2000s. Your most recent comparisons were drafted in 2006. Seniors are graded on a different curve today, as NBA teams have become more savvy to the reality that 22-year-olds are supposed to dominate less physically mature 18- and 19-year-old kids.

Could Buddy play his way into the first round as a senior? Sure, it's possible, but it's not likely. If he wants to be a first rounder, he needs to get it done this year.

I'm glad you caught my Hersey Hawkins. He came back to set some records. So did Doug McDermott, but I wasn't going to get into all the Senior taller players who went first round or lottery. I only listed the short guys.

Nevertheless, Buddy has the same problems as Cam Clark had, questionable handles for a position in which handles is a pre-requisite. Is Buddy a much better defender? Maybe and if so, a lot of teams will take more of a chance.

The question is, and it often influences the scouts, is how Buddy performs in the big games and how deep can we go in the tourney. If he's late first round this year, go, definitely. If Manyang and Buford sufficiently replace Thomas we can make a far deeper run next year if Buddy returns. If Buddy's handles become better and it's part of the reason, he'll land in the twenties.

 

[campbest]

The question is, and it often influences the scouts, is how Buddy performs in the big games and how deep can we go in the tourney. If he's late first round this year, go, definitely. If Manyang and Buford sufficiently replace Thomas we can make a far deeper run next year if Buddy returns.

I would argue many scouts don't care about the tournament.

 

[DenverSooner]

I would argue many scouts don't care about the tournament.

I would change that to most. If you are the best player on the worst team you will still be drafted number one.