Yeah. I felt so to. But it seemed Bilas felt he had to tell the millions of fans that just know TDJ as a rapist that got off was really a truly innocent. Most people only pay attention to snippets of info in our society. Be glad when people just talk about how good he is tho.
NBA Draft
- Status
This.
And this is why Bilas’s comments didn’t hit the mark. It should have been no more than a footnote, and it was 90% of what Bills talked about.
I realize time is limited, and agree it should have been mentioned, but it TSJ’s play and accomplishments should have been the focus.
What a steal for the Wolves at 28. Watching the parade of talented players that went before him, I asked myself the question: Can this dude impact winning more than my guy TSJ? The answer was "No way." I am taking my guy Terrance every time. I have a renewed interest in watching the NBA now that TSJ has been drafted and am definitely a Wolves fan now.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I think Bilas knew it wasn't going to be truly behind him though and did him a favor in a way.
He, who is familiar to the average sports fan that tunes into ESPN and gets tons of retweets, etc., explained to a giant national audience why they shouldn't associate TSJ with that rape charge. That's going to keep those damn "no means no" chants from following him into the league
Illinois fans followed it closely because he's our dude. Kansas fans followed it closely because it happened in their backyard. Basketball players and huge NBA geeks might have kept an eye on it because he's an up and coming talent, but the majority of Americans didn't. Bilas made them understand on a national stage, and I have to say I think that'll be hugely useful for TSJ in the long run.
His play will be the focus for years to come.
Completely agree on the Bills comments. People always complain that the initial incident gets plenty of coverage but then not guilty conclusion gets very little press. In fact, I think I remember seeing complaints on here about this exact thing and lack of follow up story on ESPN website after the verdict. Bilas said not once but twice that Shannon was cleared of all charges and the he maintained his innocence right from the start, but people want to nitpick that Bilas wasn’t concise and eloquent enough for them. Give me a break.
My only issue with how Jay talked about it was that he said started with alleged incident. This may might be the right term because he was found not guilty
I think Jay should had said from the start TSJ was found not guilty of a crime and gone into the story. I think Jay presented the facts well and accurately overall.
blackdog
- Champaign
It's actually the opposite. For teams high in the first round most of the time they have no shot of being competitive so it makes sense to draft young and based on upside. It can take a couple years to get the right players together so if they hit on their draft pick it means a longer competitive window once they do develop. If they pick a guy who is ready now the window isn't going to match when the team is ready to compete.
I get why they do it, but like a lot of other casual pro BB fans (I don't watch the NBA) I don't get it either. TSJ is 23. You aren't going to compete until he's 30? If that's the case you need a new GM. A guy that help you establish a culture now and be a leader 3-4 yrs from now when your time to shine comes is to me more sensible than a 19 yo that may be great but might wash out.
OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
Waking up to this news (couldn't stay up - returned from a vacation at 3 AM Tuesday night/Wednesday morning), and loving it. Fantastic location for TSJ. That organization LOVES player development, and they have a great coach and young roster.
I was honestly kind of looking for a NBA team to follow more, and I really liked watching the Thunder and Timberwolves through the spring. Both teams with a lot of young talent and good coaches. With TSJ going to the Timberwolves and Minnesota being the closest NBA team to where I live, that makes my final decision become pretty easy.
I was honestly kind of looking for a NBA team to follow more, and I really liked watching the Thunder and Timberwolves through the spring. Both teams with a lot of young talent and good coaches. With TSJ going to the Timberwolves and Minnesota being the closest NBA team to where I live, that makes my final decision become pretty easy.
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
27, but we'll forgive you.
T-wolves was my only must see playoff games. ANT a close hybrid of DWade/Jordan IMHO.
OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
One thing that we have to remember about Bilas as well is that he is an attorney. In fact, he’s been “of counsel” at a law firm for many years even as he has increased his TV work. If there is anyone in the basketball TV sphere that will present a factual summary with the appropriate context, Bilas is that person. I admit that I didn’t see his comments since I was already asleep, but I’m very comfortable giving him the benefit of any doubt related to this.
The amount of people here who don't watch or really follow the NBA yet question NBA team building is actually incredibly obnoxious.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
Illini's Shannon, after trial, goes No. 27 to Wolves
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who was found not guilty of felony rape earlier this month, was selected by the Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA draft.
I haven’t heard the Bilas comments, but this article, outside of the benign headline, clearly states how good a person Shannon is and all but says he got screwed over. Kudos to those choosing to spreading the correct narrative.
blackdog
- Champaign
But that exactly why older guys go to teams who are in compete now mode. They want a plug and play guy who can help them win right away but is still young enough to have some growth left. Why would a team with no shot of winning want to take a player who is ready right now? There's a big difference with hitting your competitive stretch with a star who after 4 years in the league is 22-23 vs one who is 27-28. Just look at the Mavs and Celtics, their superstars are 25 and 26 respectively, battle hardened, and experienced, so they can stay at the top of the league for a long time.
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
Yep, that is a really good article. Good read. I am getting to be a pretty quick Tim Connelly fan.Illini's Shannon, after trial, goes No. 27 to Wolves
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who was found not guilty of felony rape earlier this month, was selected by the Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA draft.www.espn.com
I haven’t heard the Bilas comments, but this article, outside of the benign headline, clearly states how good a person Shannon is and all but says he got screwed over. Kudos to those choosing to spreading the correct narrative.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The league is actually pretty good at picking out the older players who have what it takes to succeed. Guys like Desmond Bane, Derrick White, Cam Johnson, Payton Pritchard, Jaime Jaquez, these weren't the biggest most glittering stars in college basketball, but NBA scouts saw the ability to be major NBA contributors and took them in the first round. But contributors, not superstars.
And then there's reaching for a senior coming off a superstar NCAA tournament win like Ochai Agbaji and he's a total nothing.
And then there's reaching for a senior coming off a superstar NCAA tournament win like Ochai Agbaji and he's a total nothing.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Congrats to TSJ!
I watched the ESPN YouTube live stream of the draft. A couple of things I didn't like about their broadcast:
1 - The four guys from Chicago thing...no. Wasn't a fan of their assessments. Thought King McClure provided good analysis out of the four hosts.
2 - Regarding the pick before TSJ at #26, I was surprised that none of the hosts knew who Dillon Jones from Weber State was. Even Brian Windhorst, who I'm not a fan of, seemed unfamiliar with him. Jones' name had been consistently appearing in mock drafts. If you're going to host a live stream broadcast of the NBA Draft, you should do your homework and research every player entering the draft. Hearing the hosts admit they didn't know anything about Jones was laughable.
I watched the ESPN YouTube live stream of the draft. A couple of things I didn't like about their broadcast:
1 - The four guys from Chicago thing...no. Wasn't a fan of their assessments. Thought King McClure provided good analysis out of the four hosts.
2 - Regarding the pick before TSJ at #26, I was surprised that none of the hosts knew who Dillon Jones from Weber State was. Even Brian Windhorst, who I'm not a fan of, seemed unfamiliar with him. Jones' name had been consistently appearing in mock drafts. If you're going to host a live stream broadcast of the NBA Draft, you should do your homework and research every player entering the draft. Hearing the hosts admit they didn't know anything about Jones was laughable.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Regarding the Timberwolves last night, an interesting fact I found on their website: This year marked the first time in team history the Wolves entered the draft with the 27th overall pick.
It’s true. I thought Richard Jewel was the Olympic Park Bomber, until the movie came out. And even then I had to google it to make sure it wasn’t some sort of alternative fiction, like Inglorious Bastards.
I thought what Bilas said was pretty good, on balance. Hopefully, some people watching learned the truth that may not have known otherwise.
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