Sampson and Obekpa in Ford's Top 100

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/top100/_/year/2014/set/3

Jakarr is 74 and CO came in at 88. Not bad to have two players ranked in the top 100 of all NBA prospects although I'm sure most would agree that each of these players has a chance to climb into that top 20-40 range this winter.
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It's nice, but they have a ways to go to be solid prospects. 74 and 88 put you outside of the draft (2 rounds), so even though they are underclassmen, in this era of one and two and done, they have to improve this season considerably to move up.
 
I know the "experts" have been saying how deep this year's class is (should all those freshmen choose to bolt)- but after looking at this list, they aren't kidding. Jakarr/Chris/Sheed/Sanchez- whoever from our team that believes they can go in the first round and get that guaranteed contract this year, means we should have had a GReat year if they played their way into the Top 30 players on that list.

I know talent is one this and playing well as a team is another- you need both to make a deep run. Should we get a guy drafted- awesome, great selling point, if not and those that are still eligible come back...we have experienced horses for another year. This is on the assumption a player who chooses to leave does in fact get drafted and doesnt fall out of round 2. Lavin is 1 for 1 so far at SJU on early entries- trust that he would help the kids perform their due diligence and get a good idea of their spot in the draft.
 
I know the "experts" have been saying how deep this year's class is (should all those freshmen choose to bolt)- but after looking at this list, they aren't kidding. Jakarr/Chris/Sheed/Sanchez- whoever from our team that believes they can go in the first round and get that guaranteed contract this year, means we should have had a GReat year if they played their way into the Top 30 players on that list.

I know talent is one this and playing well as a team is another- you need both to make a deep run. Should we get a guy drafted- awesome, great selling point, if not and those that are still eligible come back...we have experienced horses for another year. This is on the assumption a player who chooses to leave does in fact get drafted and doesnt fall out of round 2. Lavin is 1 for 1 so far at SJU on early entries- trust that he would help the kids perform their due diligence and get a good idea of their spot in the draft.
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I always find it very hard to get excited whatsoever at the talent pool we bring in until they begin to perform well on the floor. For those of us old enough to have gotten Chuckie Sprolinged - and there were plenty of guys before and after who were highly touted and didn't work out, more recently Nurideen Lindsay and tons of other guys. I liked what I saw in Obekpa as a freshman, but then again, he's definitely not Patrick Ewing, and will probably never be an Alonzo Mourning. Can he be a pro - I would say yes, although he is undersized as a center, and under-skilled as a forward or even an offensive center at this point. Can he be a key guy who HELPS takes us deep into the tournament? Yes. Is he a guy who can lead us to the Final Four - absolutely not. Is Sampson able or ready to shoulder that burden? I'm not sure either. Harrison has a long way to go, to simply improve on his 30% FG shooting, and so it goes. In the final analysis, I'd be thrilled with an NCAA bid, but don't think that's a lock by any means. We have a deeper cast, but even then, guys who showed slivers of promise - Christian Jones, Marco, Felix - one of them has to bust through. Then we need a solid, injury free season at the point, and so on.. The recruits - lots of promise, but I'll withhold any judgment till they lace up their sneakers in the Big East season. Not being negative, as I just renewed my season tix, but being realistic.
 
I know the "experts" have been saying how deep this year's class is (should all those freshmen choose to bolt)- but after looking at this list, they aren't kidding. In the final analysis, I'd be thrilled with an NCAA bid, but don't think that's a lock by any means. We have a deeper cast, but even then, guys who showed slivers of promise - Christian Jones, Marco, Felix - one of them has to bust through. Then we need a solid, injury free season at the point, and so on.. The recruits - lots of promise, but I'll withhold any judgment till they lace up their sneakers in the Big East season. Not being negative, as I just renewed my season tix, but being realistic.
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Very nice analysis. +1.
I don't find that negative at all. The truth is a lot would have to go right for a deep run.
 
Realistically, I don't think we should be expecting a deep run. I think winning a game in the ncaa tourney is more realistic. But you never know. Although it is true some kids underachieve others overachieve. I
 
Bobby Kennedy channeling George Bernard Shaw was associated with the line "Some see what is and ask why, I dream what can be and ask why not." The limits of the players we have are unknown, for many evidence of frosh to soph improvement has not yet been measured, nor has the on and off court bonding and team work effect that can come from a Euro trip together. My vibe is that all the limitations we have seen may be counterbalanced by improvements in strengths (particularly in Obekpa) that are beyond the coping capacity of almost all our opponents in the coming year.
 
I always find it very hard to get excited whatsoever at the talent pool we bring in until they begin to perform well on the floor. For those of us old enough to have gotten Chuckie Sprolinged - and there were plenty of guys before and after who were highly touted and didn't work out, more recently Nurideen Lindsay and tons of other guys. I liked what I saw in Obekpa as a freshman, but then again, he's definitely not Patrick Ewing, and will probably never be an Alonzo Mourning. Can he be a pro - I would say yes, although he is undersized as a center, and under-skilled as a forward or even an offensive center at this point. Can he be a key guy who HELPS takes us deep into the tournament? Yes. Is he a guy who can lead us to the Final Four - absolutely not. Is Sampson able or ready to shoulder that burden? I'm not sure either. Harrison has a long way to go, to simply improve on his 30% FG shooting, and so it goes. In the final analysis, I'd be thrilled with an NCAA bid, but don't think that's a lock by any means. We have a deeper cast, but even then, guys who showed slivers of promise - Christian Jones, Marco, Felix - one of them has to bust through. Then we need a solid, injury free season at the point, and so on.. The recruits - lots of promise, but I'll withhold any judgment till they lace up their sneakers in the Big East season. Not being negative, as I just renewed my season tix, but being realistic.
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Sprolling ended up being a good player and legitimate Big East starter, but because of all the hype where people wanted him to be a high scoring 3pt sharpshooter, he never got respect from a lot of fans. He ended up being a really excellent defender and overall solid player. Just not the big time scorer that people wanted. In H.S. he had set the scoring record for the state of Colorado and scored some ridiculous figure (65 pts(?)) in a single game.
 
Bobby Kennedy channeling George Bernard Shaw was associated with the line "Some see what is and ask why, I dream what can be and ask why not." The limits of the players we have are unknown, for many evidence of frosh to soph improvement has not yet been measured, nor has the on and off court bonding and team work effect that can come from a Euro trip together. My vibe is that all the limitations we have seen may be counterbalanced by improvements in strengths (particularly in Obekpa) that are beyond the coping capacity of almost all our opponents in the coming year.
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When you've been a Met fan all your life you see a former superstar now in a Mets uniform and dream of what was and say "Why?"
 
I always find it very hard to get excited whatsoever at the talent pool we bring in until they begin to perform well on the floor. For those of us old enough to have gotten Chuckie Sprolinged - and there were plenty of guys before and after who were highly touted and didn't work out, more recently Nurideen Lindsay and tons of other guys. I liked what I saw in Obekpa as a freshman, but then again, he's definitely not Patrick Ewing, and will probably never be an Alonzo Mourning. Can he be a pro - I would say yes, although he is undersized as a center, and under-skilled as a forward or even an offensive center at this point. Can he be a key guy who HELPS takes us deep into the tournament? Yes. Is he a guy who can lead us to the Final Four - absolutely not. Is Sampson able or ready to shoulder that burden? I'm not sure either. Harrison has a long way to go, to simply improve on his 30% FG shooting, and so it goes. In the final analysis, I'd be thrilled with an NCAA bid, but don't think that's a lock by any means. We have a deeper cast, but even then, guys who showed slivers of promise - Christian Jones, Marco, Felix - one of them has to bust through. Then we need a solid, injury free season at the point, and so on.. The recruits - lots of promise, but I'll withhold any judgment till they lace up their sneakers in the Big East season. Not being negative, as I just renewed my season tix, but being realistic.
Click to expand...

Sprolling ended up being a good player and legitimate Big East starter, but because of all the hype where people wanted him to be a high scoring 3pt sharpshooter, he never got respect from a lot of fans. He ended up being a really excellent defender and overall solid player. Just not the big time scorer that people wanted. In H.S. he had set the scoring record for the state of Colorado and scored some ridiculous figure (65 pts(?)) in a single game.
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Not saying he was a bust, just that he was so far short of expectation as our first foray into the national market. In some ways unless he was a lottery type player or even an NBA first rounder, he would have been a disappointment.
 
Making the NCAA tournament and beating Syracuse are my hopes for the season at this point.
 
Making the NCAA tournament and beating Syracuse are my hopes for the season at this point.
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Mine too. I think we can be a bit better than just making it, but I'm just dying to see us back in the NCAA's. I'd like nothing more than to throttle Cuse in their first game against us as an ACC team. That would really put a smile on my face. They have a lot of size and talent, but they lose a lot of experience in the backcourt and some of their best shooters. Their backcourt is also inexperienced. Hopefully we can catch them a bit this year.
 
Not saying he was a bust, just that he was so far short of expectation as our first foray into the national market. In some ways unless he was a lottery type player or even an NBA first rounder, he would have been a disappointment.
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IMHO he was a solid citizen (I could be mistaken but I seem to recall him being a Dean's List student) and good player for us and doesn't deserve to have a derogatory epithet named after him: "Chuckie Sprolinged "
 
Realistically, I don't think we should be expecting a deep run. I think winning a game in the ncaa tourney is more realistic. But you never know. Although it is true some kids underachieve others overachieve. I
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Once you make the tourney anything can happen. We just need to get there first and hope we get red hot at the right time. Teams like Butler, George Mason, Wichita State, VCU etc. all made the Final Four or Elite Eight recently. It's just so hard to "expect" a deep run because all it takes is one off game and the season is over. Sometimes the best teams go out early like G'Town this past year. Sometimes the cinderellas make a run (Davidson, Wichita State, VCU, George Mason, Butler). The key to the season for me is making the tourney at all costs. From there on you can just flip a coin.

With that said, if we keep making the tourney consistently within the next 5 yrs or so, we are overdue for at least a sweet 16 appearance. As long as the recruiting keeps up I think the magical formula will eventually be there.
 
Making the NCAA tournament and beating Syracuse are my hopes for the season at this point.
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Mine too. I think we can be a bit better than just making it, but I'm just dying to see us back in the NCAA's. I'd like nothing more than to throttle Cuse in their first game against us as an ACC team. That would really put a smile on my face. They have a lot of size and talent, but they lose a lot of experience in the backcourt and some of their best shooters. Their backcourt is also inexperienced. Hopefully we can catch them a bit this year.
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As much as I dislike the Syracuse organization they always seem to have someone waiting in the wings at every position. Two years ago, Michael Carter Williams was a little used sub off the bench. This year he's a first round draft pick. That program is at the point where kids will come whether they get instant playing time or not. Their underclassmen have time to develop and always practice against top flight competition. At this point in time, our oaching staff only seems to bring in players where there is an imediate need. Until this trend changes and we bring in 4 and 5 star kids at least every other year, our years of being competitive against the Cuses of the world will be few and far between. I'm just hoping that is is one of the years we will be.
 
Not saying he was a bust, just that he was so far short of expectation as our first foray into the national market. In some ways unless he was a lottery type player or even an NBA first rounder, he would have been a disappointment.
Click to expand...

IMHO he was a solid citizen (I could be mistaken but I seem to recall him being a Dean's List student) and good player for us and doesn't deserve to have a derogatory epithet named after him: "Chuckie Sprolinged "
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Not defaming his character one bit. If you recall, Reggie Carter transferred here with such high expectations that despite being a first round pick with the Knicks and being a leader on some very good SJU teams, he didn't quite live up to billing. By all accounts, Carter was an outstanding guy. Wayne McKoy came here with sky high expectations as a player, Zendon Hamilton and Felipe Lopez also. Let's not get carried away and not being able to separate the failure on the court to live up to super blue chip billing, and the fact that some of the guy are simply superb representatives of the university.
 
Making the NCAA tournament and beating Syracuse are my hopes for the season at this point.
Click to expand...

Mine too. I think we can be a bit better than just making it, but I'm just dying to see us back in the NCAA's. I'd like nothing more than to throttle Cuse in their first game against us as an ACC team. That would really put a smile on my face. They have a lot of size and talent, but they lose a lot of experience in the backcourt and some of their best shooters. Their backcourt is also inexperienced. Hopefully we can catch them a bit this year.
Click to expand...

As much as I dislike the Syracuse organization they always seem to have someone waiting in the wings at every position. Two years ago, Michael Carter Williams was a little used sub off the bench. This year he's a first round draft pick. That program is at the point where kids will come whether they get instant playing time or not. Their underclassmen have time to develop and always practice against top flight competition. At this point in time, our oaching staff only seems to bring in players where there is an imediate need. Until this trend changes and we bring in 4 and 5 star kids at least every other year, our years of being competitive against the Cuses of the world will be few and far between. I'm just hoping that is is one of the years we will be.
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This year that guy returning is Trevor Cooney who was alright last year. Let's see if he makes the jump. But he can't play both guard positions at once so in the back court they have to hope their freshmen play to expectations. Ennis, who should be great, and Patterson (who knows?) are going to have to play a load of minutes. But their starting 3/4/5 of Fair, Grant and Christmas is loaded. And their depth at 4/5 with Coleman and Keita is real good as well.
 
I know the "experts" have been saying how deep this year's class is (should all those freshmen choose to bolt)- but after looking at this list, they aren't kidding. Jakarr/Chris/Sheed/Sanchez- whoever from our team that believes they can go in the first round and get that guaranteed contract this year, means we should have had a GReat year if they played their way into the Top 30 players on that list.

I know talent is one this and playing well as a team is another- you need both to make a deep run. Should we get a guy drafted- awesome, great selling point, if not and those that are still eligible come back...we have experienced horses for another year. This is on the assumption a player who chooses to leave does in fact get drafted and doesnt fall out of round 2. Lavin is 1 for 1 so far at SJU on early entries- trust that he would help the kids perform their due diligence and get a good idea of their spot in the draft.
Click to expand...

I always find it very hard to get excited whatsoever at the talent pool we bring in until they begin to perform well on the floor. For those of us old enough to have gotten Chuckie Sprolinged - and there were plenty of guys before and after who were highly touted and didn't work out, more recently Nurideen Lindsay and tons of other guys. I liked what I saw in Obekpa as a freshman, but then again, he's definitely not Patrick Ewing, and will probably never be an Alonzo Mourning. Can he be a pro - I would say yes, although he is undersized as a center, and under-skilled as a forward or even an offensive center at this point. Can he be a key guy who HELPS takes us deep into the tournament? Yes. Is he a guy who can lead us to the Final Four - absolutely not. Is Sampson able or ready to shoulder that burden? I'm not sure either. Harrison has a long way to go, to simply improve on his 30% FG shooting, and so it goes. In the final analysis, I'd be thrilled with an NCAA bid, but don't think that's a lock by any means. We have a deeper cast, but even then, guys who showed slivers of promise - Christian Jones, Marco, Felix - one of them has to bust through. Then we need a solid, injury free season at the point, and so on.. The recruits - lots of promise, but I'll withhold any judgment till they lace up their sneakers in the Big East season. Not being negative, as I just renewed my season tix, but being realistic.
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Good post and agree with a lot, one thing ill say though regarding your Harrison comment is that people seem to forget how good this kid played as a freshmen during bigeast play. He has absolutely showed that he can carry an offensive load.
 
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