NBA/Pro/International Basketball
I was hoping Dan would title this the Podz/NBA/Pro Basketball Thread.
Just getting caught up on yesterday's foolishness. It's clear people need someone or something to be mad at regarding Podz. Be mad at the portal.
There's an alternate reality where the portal doesn't exist and Podz waits his turn and has his breakout year at Illinois and we all praise the staff for having the foresight to bring him in and develop him. Of course, that didn't happen because there is no such thing as "waiting your turn" anymore.
Moreover, there are no actual stats or highlights from his freshman year that you can show me to make me believe he was ready for anything but mop up duty. We won a B1G title that year by the absolute smallest of margins and that doesn't happen if BU plays Podz much more than he did.
I don't know why we can't just be happy for the kid and move on. Staff isn't perfect but this wasn't some kind of egregious mistake on their part.
/ cottage cheese
There's an alternate reality where the portal doesn't exist and Podz waits his turn and has his breakout year at Illinois and we all praise the staff for having the foresight to bring him in and develop him. Of course, that didn't happen because there is no such thing as "waiting your turn" anymore.
Moreover, there are no actual stats or highlights from his freshman year that you can show me to make me believe he was ready for anything but mop up duty. We won a B1G title that year by the absolute smallest of margins and that doesn't happen if BU plays Podz much more than he did.
I don't know why we can't just be happy for the kid and move on. Staff isn't perfect but this wasn't some kind of egregious mistake on their part.
/ cottage cheese
You are right about the fact that we won the big ten by the slimmest of margins. I would only mention that it wouldn’t have happened without Podz getting a chance in that game at NU. Then he never played again.
Honestly, fair point. Every game mattered that year and he played a part in helping us win that NU game.
I think I stand by the main idea though, we had very little margin for error that year to throw unproven players in the fire.. especially when we had such an old team.
Maybe, maybe not… we’ll never know. I don’t really have a problem with his playing time that year as I agree we had a very talented veteran team. I am more upset that we ran him out in favor of guys like Skyy and Epps who are also not on the roster currently. He could’ve played a major role as a sophomore after putting in his dues as a freshman.
Congrats to Pods. The Warriors are either genius' or idiots. History will show.
I am not a fan of guaranteeing starting role to anybody.
Nobody could anticipate RJ forgetting how to shoot, Luke getting injured, and Skyy quitting the team mid season.
You make decisions in life based on the information you have and live with the results.
I am not a fan of guaranteeing starting role to anybody.
Nobody could anticipate RJ forgetting how to shoot, Luke getting injured, and Skyy quitting the team mid season.
You make decisions in life based on the information you have and live with the results.
This kind of reminds me of Kofi’s situation.
I think Sanogo just signed a 2 way contract with the Chicago Bulls
I think Sanogo just signed a 2 way contract with the Chicago Bulls
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Here's an alternate reality for you:
From: “With the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select Brandin Podziemski, G, Santa Clara.”
To: “With the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Brandin Podziemski, G, The University of Illinois”.
And the Draft Commentator says, “That’s a GREAT pick for the Bulls! They needed something to change the mix over there. And they got a key guy who just led the Fighting Illini to that long-awaited NCAA Championship just months ago! They’re going to love him in Chicago...”
Back to Reality: Taking the Portal was a very successful move for this young man and serves as an aspirational goal for others to find their way and place to a great future. Sometimes staying where you are works and sometimes that's the wrong move. This worked out great for him and he deserves the success that he's worked for.
None of those guys are that strong of 3 point shooters. Especially in today's NBA, you need to have that ability as a big man. Timme is definitely an example of a great college player who would have gotten eaten alive in the NBA. Timme is a great passer, no doubt. but he moves slow as heck and he wouldn't have been able to move laterally quickly, which is needed in the NBA. If this is 20 years ago, all 3 of those players are likely lottery picks. but that's not the way the NBA is nowadays. Big men need to be similar to someone like Jokic (though to be fair he's on an entirely different level by himself). I still stand by my belief that Kofi is still a longshot at best to make it in the NBA. His defense, especially on drop downs on pick and rolls, was gonna be one of the biggest hindrances to him being successful.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Odd that the Bulls extended one to each of White and Ayo, but I don't follow the NBA that closely so maybe it isn't as far fetched as it seems.
Will Kofi play in summer league?
Well they're each restricted free agents so they'd have to do the qualifying offers. Or is there some other confusion?
Just in the sense that I kind of expected Ayo to be off to a new team next year.
Though if he can find a multi-year deal that may still happen.
I hope Ayo can really improve his 3 point shot.
And he could still end up with a new team. If another team offers him a deal, the Bulls have the ability to match it if they want to bring him back.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
rookie of the year in the PR league: