Isaiah Cousins getting great draft buzz

[BoulderSooner]

sounds like Isaiah is now close to a lock to be a 2nd round pick ..

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/stor...-jamal-murray-ben-simmons-more-2016-nba-draft

here is an sample

This year it sounds as if that player might be Oklahoma's Isaiah Cousins. I've heard multiple teams over the past week refer to him as a guy who probably doesn't get taken in the first, but probably will outperform many of the players taken ahead of him.

"He's a good athlete and defender," one GM said. "He can play and defend both backcourt positions. He can really shoot it. He's been killing it in workouts. I think he's going to have a long career."

 

[SoonerBounce13]

That's really really good to hear!

 

[furge]

Sounds like the League is seeing him as a Jordan Clarkson type. That's awesome. I think he's less of a ball - stopper than Clarkson though and will make a team that takes him better when he's on the floor. More dedicated two-way player, for sure. When I read things like the Kam McGusty tweet about putting in "the Buddy and Isaiah work," I just feel incredibly proud as a fan. This last senior class is the new gold standard.

 

[AdaSooner]

Great news! Isaiah has worked hard to get to this place in his career, and I couldn't be happier for him.

Buddy in the first round, Isaiah in the second. That would be a huge feather in our coaching staff's caps, as well as a testament to what a kid can do when they're willing to put in the time and effort to improve their game. Hope the players on our current roster are paying attention.

 

[Larry72]

Great news. With the league's increased emphasis on D, I can see Cousins going in the 2nd.

 

[BCSooners]

Absolutely amazing news. Cousins has earned every bit of this.

 

[oukyle]

ESPN Insider has him the 39th best player in the draft with a draft projection of late 1st round.

 

[soonertboy824]

Sounds like the League is seeing him as a Jordan Clarkson type. That's awesome. I think he's less of a ball - stopper than Clarkson though and will make a team that takes him better when he's on the floor. More dedicated two-way player, for sure. When I read things like the Kam McGusty tweet about putting in "the Buddy and Isaiah work," I just feel incredibly proud as a fan. This last senior class is the new gold standard.

hes nowhere near clarkson

 

[BCSooners]

hes nowhere near clarkson

They don't play the same way at all, so the comparison is a bad one to me. But both of them out of college you couldn't say Cousins is nowhere near Clarkson. I can see Cousins being a very solid role player in the NBA.

 

[furge]

hes nowhere near clarkson

Physically, no. Clarkson is definitely a more explosive athlete, taller, better suited to high usage iso ball and that's how his first two years have played out. I think Cousins will turn out a better shooter, based on his game and stats in CBB.

Meant in terms of a combo guy who can provide value out of the second round. Hopefully, unlike Clarkson, he won't be on a dreadful team and get weird usage on an injury-wrecked roster his rookie year. But you get your minutes where you can.

 

[sperry]

I know that going into last season I was not alone in feeling that Isiah was the best NBA prospect on the team. Obviously that's not the case, but the dude can play and he will make it in the league if he can reliably hit the NBA 3.

 

[hoopsaustin]

I don't see him in the nba at all. But i would love to be proven wrong. No shame in playing in Europe

 

[BoulderSooner]

Physically, no. Clarkson is definitely a more explosive athlete, taller, better suited to high usage iso ball and that's how his first two years have played out. I think Cousins will turn out a better shooter, based on his game and stats in CBB.

Meant in terms of a combo guy who can provide value out of the second round. Hopefully, unlike Clarkson, he won't be on a dreadful team and get weird usage on an injury-wrecked roster his rookie year. But you get your minutes where you can.

combine measurements Clarkson 6'3.25 cousins 6'3.25

and cousins has a taller standing reach

 

[CoachTalk]

I don't see him in the nba at all. But i would love to be proven wrong. No shame in playing in Europe

decent chance he goes in the 1st round. shot 40% soph-jr-sr years.

Not many will outwork him.

 

[sperry]

If he's still on the board, I'd love to see the Thunder trade something for a second round pick and grab Isiah. This team needs shooting and ball handling, and he's a guy who can do both. He also plays defense and is a high character guy.

 

[furge]

If he's still on the board, I'd love to see the Thunder trade something for a second round pick and grab Isiah. This team needs shooting and ball handling, and he's a guy who can do both. He also plays defense and is a high character guy.

Especially if they lose Dion Waiters as a RFA. They're not equal players, but Isaiah's tools fit Dion's optimal role, and I think he has a higher hoops IQ. The Waiters we saw in the playoffs, or someone who can do what he was doing on a consistent basis, will be an X factor for the team next year.

Side note, and two months ago I never would've believed this, I really really hope the Thunder can keep Dion at a team-friendly price. But that's the business.

 

[Larry72]

I can see him fitting in with the Thunder!!

 

[Darwin]

When you are at the end of the 1st round with guaranteed money is the team thinking upside or can he contribute, I think it's contribute, which is why Dre and other D minded players jump into the late 1st over more upside guys with flaws. Would not be stunned if Isaiah was very late 1st but still surprised.

 

[Soonermarty]

When you are at the end of the 1st round with guaranteed money is the team thinking upside or can he contribute, I think it's contribute, which is why Dre and other D minded players jump into the late 1st over more upside guys with flaws. Would not be stunned if Isaiah was very late 1st but still surprised.

Saw on Twitter projections are buddy going 7th to the nuggets, and cousins going 30th to the Warriors

 

[topdaug]

Saw on Twitter projections are buddy going 7th to the nuggets, and cousins going 30th to the Warriors

Please no, I don't want to hate Isaiah...would love to see the Thunder scoop him up if at all possible...would fit in well with what they are trying to do...