The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

[lonewolf371]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I never said 2009 was better than 2008.

College-wise I wouldn't put a single player from Louisville over any of the guys I listed. Robinson is the only guy from Kansas and I'd put him in the middle of the pack. I'd take Hansbrough and Thabeet over him easily as a college player. Hansbrough is a no brainer, Thabeet had a way bigger impact on games thanks to his defense. OSU, you have Sullinger, who I'm not a fan of, he's lower than Robinson.

All four 2009 point guards were better than anyone playing in this year's Final Four. There weren't many perimeter scorers in either Final Four, Ellington was the best probably. It also doesn't help that each team besides UK this year had no depth at all.

You have to compare UNC to Kentucky, and Kentucky pretty much beats them at every position except point guard.

That UConn team didn't have particularly great college players; they kind of had an easy region that year. Yes, Thabeet was good and they made the Final Four, but no one on that team was a first-team All-American like Robinson. You're just underrating Robinson, and to be honest from what I saw in the tournament I don't think Kansas loses too much going from Thabeet to Withey, and Robinson is a better player than Adrien. The fact that he got embarrassed by Anthony Davis doesn't change that.

And while Michigan State was better in 2009 than Louisville was in 2012, I think the margin between Ohio State in 2012 and Villanova in 2009 is much larger. Sullinger, DeShaun Thomas, Buford, and Craft make up a very good starting line-up, no matter what you think of Sullinger, and Reynolds didn't even lead his own team in scoring. He was just on fire during the tournament.

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Since we're looking at the collective talent of both FF's I don't understand why UNC has to be compared only to UK. I don't agree with that and even if we did compare I give UNC the edge in 3 of 5 starting spots.

Lawson > Teague
Ellington > Lamb
MKG > Green
Hansbrough > Jones
Davis > Thompson

It wasn't just Anthony Davis with Robinson, he shot 38% from the field in the tournament. I'm not the biggest fan of how KU attempts to utilize him and having Taylor as your PG isn't going to to a big man any favors but still, he struggled in the tournament despite putting up nice numbers. I just don't think Robinson was that great of a college player, you throw an extra defender his way (Purdue) and you take him out of the game. He has no back to the basket game even though KU constantly feeds him in the post as if he does. He has trouble finishing in traffic, just like Sullinger. He is a ferocious rebounder and hard worker though.

I agree that 2009 Nova was worse than Ohio State but they were a better team than Louisville this year. MSU '09 vs Ohio State '12 is close though I'd give the edge to MSU.

Thabeet was the Big East POY, Withey was a 3rd team All Big 12 choice and the 2009 Big East, arguably the best year in the conference's history, was miles better than the 2012 Big 12. Granted Thabeet has been a bust in the pros, he was the #2 overall pick while Withey will be far from the lottery. Comparing them, even a defensive capacity, is a little crazy. Thabeet was closer to Davis than Withey was to Thabeet in terms of defensive impact.

[wildcatchild]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Since we're looking at the collective talent of both FF's I don't understand why UNC has to be compared only to UK. I don't agree with that and even if we did compare I give UNC the edge in 3 of 5 starting spots.

Lawson > Teague
Ellington > Lamb
MKG > Green
Hansbrough > Jones
Davis > Thompson

It wasn't just Anthony Davis with Robinson, he shot 38% from the field in the tournament. I'm not the biggest fan of how KU attempts to utilize him and having Taylor as your PG isn't going to to a big man any favors but still, he struggled in the tournament despite putting up nice numbers. I just don't think Robinson was that great of a college player, you throw an extra defender his way (Purdue) and you take him out of the game. He has no back to the basket game even though KU constantly feeds him in the post as if he does. He has trouble finishing in traffic, just like Sullinger. He is a ferocious rebounder and hard worker though.

I agree that 2009 Nova was worse than Ohio State but they were a better team than Louisville this year. MSU '09 vs Ohio State '12 is close though I'd give the edge to MSU.

Thabeet was the Big East POY, Withey was a 3rd team All Big 12 choice and the 2009 Big East, arguably the best year in the conference's history, was miles better than the 2012 Big 12. Granted Thabeet has been a bust in the pros, he was the #2 overall pick while Withey will be far from the lottery. Comparing them, even a defensive capacity, is a little crazy. Thabeet was closer to Davis than Withey was to Thabeet in terms of defensive impact.

You could easily say Deon Thompson was the "4" and Hansborough was the "5." If that's the case, than Jones > Thompson and Davis > Hansborough.

I also think Lamb is a better long-term prospect than Ellington. Better shooter, better ball handler, and can actually take the ball to the goal from time to time. Ellington was a great shooter but that was about it....I always thought Danny Green was a better player.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

You could easily say Deon Thompson was the "4" and Hansborough was the "5." If that's the case, than Jones > Thompson and Davis > Hansborough.

I also think Lamb is a better long-term prospect than Ellington. Better shooter, better ball handler, and can actually take the ball to the goal from time to time. Ellington was a great shooter but that was about it....I always thought Danny Green was a better player.

I'd say Hansbrough > Davis if we're talking about as a college player. And Ellington > Lamb

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

You could easily say Deon Thompson was the "4" and Hansborough was the "5." If that's the case, than Jones > Thompson and Davis > Hansborough.

You could, I just went the way I did because that's how UNC's starting lineup was announced that year. Thompson was the 5, Hansbrough was the 4.

[KG]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Am I the only non-Kentucky fan that doesn't hate Calipari?

-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*-._.-*

Kansas had a great year, they just ran into a juggernaut




I hate One Shining Moment, but I'm a prude.

I don't hate Calipari at all and I'm a Gtown fan. I'm enjoying watching his one & done's.

I think UNC and UK were head and shoulders above the rest but besides that it was still a mess talent-wise.

UK gelled and improved as a team from Oct-April better than any other Calipari team in the "one-n-done" era. They were a smart team, played very well together, actually had a real offense (that they were able to execute very well) and were not selfish at all. This was the first team Cal has had since Camby's that was known for their defense more than their offense. Going into the season I didn't expect much from UK but they really put things together to become one of the better teams of the last five years.

That being said, we didn't really get to see them against much talent.

• UNC just needs to stop hogging all the talent and underachieving.
• Syracuse was better than I thought they'd be because of Melo's development. A solid, well-rounded team but not historically special.
• Kansas had their least-talented roster since probably the 80's. Robinson is a nice player but struggled against good, big teams. Taylor makes your eyes bleed watching him attempt to play the point and they really don't have a single scorer on the team.
• Louisville probably doesn't have an NBA player on the roster
• Ohio State was a solid team but flawed.

The powerhouse, "holy ****!" teams just aren't in college basketball anymore. UK still has teams loaded with lottery picks year in and year out but this was the first year it materialized to success in the college game.

2001 Duke was just a silly roster.
2004 UConn had six future 1st round picks
2005 UNC was a loaded college team, granted busts in the pros
2007 Florida was a great college team
2008 Kansas didn't have a dominant college player but had NBA guys all over the roster
2009 UNC is the same as 2008 Kansas.

And that's just the start of it, look at some of the Final Four teams from 1998-2006 that didn't win a title. Many of those teams were frighteningly loaded.

And since then things fell off a cliff. 2010 Duke was a shell of vintage Duke basketball. 2011 UConn probably isn't in their programs Top 7-8 teams of all-time yet they won a title. 2012 Kansas making the Finals this year after all their underachieving since the mid-90's is kinda comical. 2012 UK obviously has Davis and MKG will probably be a very good pro but Jones, Teague, Miller etc won't make it IMO. They'll probably fall into the 08 Kansas/09 UNC category a few years down the line.

Just look at what happened to the Pac-10 the last couple of years. They aren't even one of the six-best conferences in the nation anymore. The SEC isn't much better, at least Florida is there to coincide with UK. And it just seems like we're really lacking from great scorers in the major conferences. No JJ Reddicks, Durants, etc.


College basketball lost a step in the 2000's compared to the 1990's but I'll take that back over the 2010's thus far any day of the week. I just want the "wow" factor back in college basketball. I guess Kemba provided it last year and Davis did this year but it was more widespread in the past.

/rant.

I think Jones will be a decent pro. Never star material but to be honest, he's much more skilled than Thomas Robinson and is sneaky athletic. Despite his story and being from my area, I was never really impressed with Robinson. His midrange jumper improved but he was just feasting on smaller, less physical players all year. Back to the basket game is lacking and defensively he's poor. He makes a lot of mental mistakes.

[DakkoN]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

As long as Terrence Jones keeps bringing the ball down to his waist around the paint, he will never be a good pro.. He's done that crap for 2 years now and is the reason he'd get blocked 4-5 times in a game and then disappear.. Just don't understand how a physical beast like him, who at times seems to be able to dunk ON people at will, plays so soft around the rim.. I've always thought that he plays like a guy who has got to this point by being more athletically gifted than the other players and never took the time to learn the fundamentals. Add that to the fact that I've never thought he was all 'there'.. I remember as recently as this year's @ Vandy game, I believe on an alley oop, when he came back down the floor he was raising his arms like he was getting the crowd pumped up.... in Vanderbilt's gym.. Realized he wasn't at Rupp and then stopped.. I thought it was hilarious

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

@ KG....couldn't agree more about Robinson.

c/s too Dakkon. Jones is a tough call to project as a pro.

[wildcatchild]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I'd say Hansbrough > Davis if we're talking about as a college player. And Ellington > Lamb

FALSE, Davis impacted both ends of the court. Hansbrough was an average defensive player at best. Show me one box score where TH dominated a game in college without scoring double figures.

[ehh]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

You probably can't because did Psycho T ever NOT score double figures?

Davis certainly didn't dominate the offensive end of the floor, very far from it (not that you said he did).

If we're talking about the two just as college players it's a toss up IMO. You can make a legit argument for both players. Both were two of the best college players of the past decade.

[wildcatchild]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

You probably can't because did Psycho T ever NOT score double figures?

Davis certainly didn't dominate the offensive end of the floor, very far from it (not that you said he did).

If we're talking about the two just as college players it's a toss up IMO. You can make a legit argument for both players. Both were two of the best college players of the past decade.

Davis didn't have to dominate because he played on a great team where no one took more than 10-12 shots any given night. He has the offensive game to average 14-18 points....which I think you'll see more of next year for whatever crappy team drafts him.

I get frusturated when I perceive fans are only looking at one side of the court....which is why I got frusturated with everyone who said Thomas Robinson should be POY over Davis simply because he takes more shots. Davis was pretty efficient offensively, even with limited touches.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

FALSE, Davis impacted both ends of the court. Hansbrough was an average defensive player at best. Show me one box score where TH dominated a game in college without scoring double figures.

Arguing that Davis is better because he didn't score as much isn't exactly the best argument.

Davis was great defensively. Offensively he was meh. Hansborough was great offensively. Defensively he was meh.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

Arguing that Davis is better because he didn't score as much isn't exactly the best argument.

Davis was great defensively. Offensively he was meh. Hansborough was great offensively. Defensively he was meh.

I'm not trying to be a homer here. But I can't think of anything Hansborough did better then Davis. Granted we only saw 1 year from AD and 4 from Tyler.

Davis could turn it on offensively when he wanted. If your going by the NC Championship game alone, and I'm not saying you are... then that was a mirage of what he could do offensively. I honestly believe he could have scored 20+ a game or around there, but there was no need. Kentucky had so many weapons, and he was content with sharing the buckets.

Hansborough was great for what he was, and he gets everything out of what talent he has. But, Davis is just so gifted athletically.

Defensively it's not even close either.

Had Davis stayed 4 years like Hansborough, we would be talking about one of the greatest college players to ever play the game. A big statement, but I watched every game he played this year, and can confidently tell you this guy is a monster.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

As long as Terrence Jones keeps bringing the ball down to his waist around the paint, he will never be a good pro.. He's done that crap for 2 years now and is the reason he'd get blocked 4-5 times in a game and then disappear.. Just don't understand how a physical beast like him, who at times seems to be able to dunk ON people at will, plays so soft around the rim.. I've always thought that he plays like a guy who has got to this point by being more athletically gifted than the other players and never took the time to learn the fundamentals. Add that to the fact that I've never thought he was all 'there'.. I remember as recently as this year's @ Vandy game, I believe on an alley oop, when he came back down the floor he was raising his arms like he was getting the crowd pumped up.... in Vanderbilt's gym.. Realized he wasn't at Rupp and then stopped.. I thought it was hilarious

Agreed. Jones is extremely talented, and could take over at times. But, it seemed like Cal had to have his foot halfway up Jones *** to get him to play at that level. No to mention, as you said, this dude gets swatted like crazy, and it's only gonna get worse in the NBA.

Jones can do everything, but nothing really well. Sadly, I don't see him doing anything at the next level. He is as raw as when he came in last year. I hope I'm completely wrong, but I see no upside with him, and I can honestly say he really won't be missed that much unlike MKG, AD, and Lamb.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: The Official 2012 "Running Commentary of Every Single Game" Thread

I'm not trying to be a homer here. But I can't think of anything Hansborough did better then Davis. Granted we only saw 1 year from AD and 4 from Tyler.

Davis could turn it on offensively when he wanted. If your going by the NC Championship game alone, and I'm not saying you are... then that was a mirage of what he could do offensively. I honestly believe he could have scored 20+ a game or around there, but there was no need. Kentucky had so many weapons, and he was content with sharing the buckets.

Hansborough was great for what he was, and he gets everything out of what talent he has. But, Davis is just so gifted athletically.

Defensively it's not even close either.

Had Davis stayed 4 years like Hansborough, we would be talking about one of the greatest college players to ever play the game. A big statement, but I watched every game he played this year, and can confidently tell you this guy is a monster.

Definitely agreed regarding the "If Davis had stayed 4 years" thing, but if you don't see that Hansbrough's offensive game was much better than Davis's then I don't know what to tell you.