BtownStrength

I do think it factored into the decision. I suspect Rice will be good but idk about "leaving for the NBA" good as a lead guard. PT is most likely going to be tight, but like always, someone will not be satisfied and transfer.

I'm confused yall. Is the sky falling, or should I not give a f*** because we getting anybody we want?? Do I celebrate with a drink because we didn't really want him anyway or drink because we suck again? Beer or bourbon?

Yeah might happen. Didn't some billionaire try it with Miami a few years ago? Might not have worked as planned but I agree someone will do it. On the other hand, I can't see it happening too often, because 1) let's say $10M is the number. How many elite players will you get? Maybe 8? 80M a year is a huge investment with an obviously lower return. Billionaires don't get rich from investing in things that lose money, even a passion project such as college basketball when a (nonguaranteed) title would bring money, notoriety, and access to the program. 2) if some players are making $10M and others are not even making close to that, I imagine team dynamics might be odd.

The thing is, if salary caps are put in place, boosters will just go back to paying under the table the way they used to. I know it might not be a popular take, but let the mega rich give the money to kids this way. Better to be out in the open.

Call me a homer, but Mullins and Sisley are both undervalued here.

It's such a nice contrast from previous years. With Coach Cignetti I don't worry about us being outcoached and losing the game from the sidelines. Surely he will take lumps like everyone in high level competition does. But I don't worry about our team beain unprepared or undisciplined. That is a refreshing feeling.

I despise Boston with every ounce of my being. But Jrue is a tough mf. Also KD scoring 23 on 9 fga is insane efficiency.

Yeah the "cap" idea is a joke. It will just go back to the way it was before with schools paying under the table. At least now IU has a much better chance of landing the top available talent. But I'm with you on the agreements. I hope multi-year contracts can be structured as such.

Sean East playing in the California Classic right now on ESPN. Love the strides this kid has made. Might not be an NBA talent but impressive how far he has come.

Is it known that Haralson and Sisley are a mutually exclusive situation?

Biggest "what if" player of all time IMO. He was so good, too bad he could not come here until he was already riddled with injuries. All time, the center position is so stacked. Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Shaq, and Hakeem probably all in the top 15 players ever. Not even considering Tim Duncan, who many consider the best PF of all time but actually played 46.7% of his minutes at center according to Statmuse. Even with all that, agree that Sabonis would be a top 5 center had he made NBA early.

Eh maybe. I will rationalize it. Keep one of your top 2 players happy. Pick 55 is already unlikely to turn into anything meaningful. So to secure a content LeBron is probably more valuable than anyone else you could draft. LA already got Knecht as a steal at 17 so 55 might as well draft Bronny. I say this fully expecting he will be out of the league in 5 years.

Free agency time. Everybody get F5 ready!

@Banksyrules how ya feeling on these Nova Knicks?

Love it. No idea if JJ can coach but he's an arrogant, hateable dude that seems like he is obsessed with ball. Bring on the black cap. Either way I'm here for the memes.

Agree on Collier. He can refine some things and go higher but I doubt it hurts his development to leave now. For Filipowski, yes a 4 year legacy would lead him to be endeared by Duke fans more so than a 2 year stay. But not every player values that the same way. So to say its ridiculpus when we dont know what a specific player values is a little presumptuous.

Which mindset is ridiculous?

I can definitely agree that Collier expected to be 1 and done and was going to stick to the plan regardless. But Filipowski already passed on the draft last year, he came back and his stock stayed mostly the same, maybe slightly higher. No sense for him to stay at Duke. If you think his ceiling is low why should he not make the money. Btw Muscala has played for 11 years and has a career earning over 24 mil. Not a bad life.

Certainly it's situational. If they are 1st rounders they won't be "out of the league". End of the bench they can still develop but the lack of playing time does hurt. This is where G league time can come in but again considered vs college pt. I'm sure all these guys have weighed the pros and cons of their NIL deals and playing time opportunities. General consensus is that mid 1st round projection should probably make the leap. I take it you disagree on some of these?

I feel like eveyone you named is projected to be a mid-late 1st rounder. Next year's draft is deeper and they could get buried if they risk coming back.

This seems to be the argument I have seen on many mocks arguing for or against Ware. Does the team believe in his motor? Seems like "attitude" questions have disappeared and rightfully so. The other question is can he defend and rebound the physicality of the NBA. Personally I think he slides out of the lottery but would love to see him high.

Dallas can't keep switching on the high screen. Porzingis gets a smaller player on him it's over.

F*** Boston 100x over, but the Bill Walton warmups are nice.

I want to believe. But since I can't force myself to believe.. it's tough rooting for Boston.