What's the latest on....

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3ball

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Any news on where we stand with the 2010 class? If SLX is correct that we may lose Balbay, Hamilton, and Bradley after the season does that mean that we'll add another wing or PG in the class?

Right now we lose/gain:

Mason/ Bejarano
James/ Thompson
Pittman/ ?

For 2011 we have 4 commits and will take at least one more big man.

But, both situations are just if Bradley and Hamilton stay for 3 years which won't happen. So, do we take 4 in '10 and 6 in '11 assuming that one leaves each of the two years? Or, do we take 5 and 5, assuming that we lose two out of Balbay, Bradley, and Hamilton after the season?

If Jacovan qualifies that would alter the numbers also, assuming he makes it through the season.

Very interesting situation. Any thoughts?
 
His game fits the Euro style MUCH better than the American style and just guessing here, but I would say the definition of a "big contract" would be slightly different for someone who grew up in Turkey as opposed to someone who's been around American sports.
 
Well the thing is he is a HORRIBLE shooter and in Europe there are more wings to compensate for his lack of shooting ability. Also they like their PGs to be able to go full court quickly and finish (not a Balbay strongsuit) or pass off to another breakaway player. It's less about the halfcourt offense for PGs, which is Balbay's weakness.
 
I think Balbay's strength is up-tempo, or at least it was when he came to UT. I remember the coaches talking about how he needed to slow down when he 1st started playing. He can really push the rock. The problem is that we didn't have the guard depth to run with him last year, and we HAD to have Dex on the floor. Those won't be problems this year, so I think he'll be let lose a little more. There is no reason to want him in the half-court running your team. You instantly start playing 4 on 5.....unless Mason is out there, and then you start playing 3 on 5.

Rubio can't shoot and he seemed to do alright overseas.
 
Balbay is a better player than you guys are giving him credit for. Admittedly, it's based on what you've seen thus far, but it's still not the full picture.

Balbay was the leading scorer on most of the Turkish national teams he played for. He's definitely not a shooter, but he is a scorer. As far as finishing, there's no doubt he had problems in that area last season, but the guy averaged a dunk a game in European play, so finishing hasn't been as much of an issue away from Texas. I couldn't give you an adequate explanation for why it's been an issue at Texas, other than to agree with everyone that it certainly has been.

As far as his abilities, he's a jet. He has superior athleticism. He has a knack for rebounding. He's great at pushing tempo. He's a playmaker, with a good feel for the game and his teammates, and a sincere desire to get them the ball in positions where they can succeed.

He's a terrific perimeter defender --- IMO, the best one on the team last year. It will be interesting to see how he compares to Varez Ward as a sophomore, and Avery Bradley coming in, this coming season.

His family is EXTREMELY well off, which is the biggest reason he hasn't taken the money being offered already. There's a brief, implied assumption on this thread that because he's from Turkey, maybe he isn't well off, when nothing could be further from the truth. The exact opposite.

He's seen as a bright light by the people responsible for the Turkish national teams, and that stuff is a much bigger deal overseas, particularly in Europe, than it is here. They want him over there training year 'round, rather than spending so much time in the United States.

They have a place for him on a professional team, and they already have an adidas shoe contract locked up for him. The shoe deal is very low 6 figures, but still, it's a shoe contract.

The biggest difference for him between the European play he grew accustomed to and college ball, is that he's used to man defense with virtually no help. That's helped him in terms of being a maniac as an on the ball defender, but it has hurt him on offense. He's used to being able to blow by his defender, and then either attack the rim or dish. He hasn't been able to make adjustments to the sagging defense teams played against him last year. It's my opinion having more scorers on the floor along with him will help a ton. As someone stated above, with Mason and Balbay on the floor at the same time, it was 3 on 5. Add last year's Atchley to the equation, and it was even worse. That shouldn't be an issue this coming season.

None of this is to say Balbay is leaving after this year. It's merely to say it's a possibility, and it has a decent chance of occurring. Balbay is under a lot of pressure by the authorities every summer to stay in Turkey. Not in a torture session kind of way, but in a "do what is best for your country" kind of way, with the financial incentives to go along with it.
 
I think I sometimes come over to the B'Ball Board just to find a post by SLX. Top notch as always. Now I'm going to see what the latest from SLX is on J'Covan if I can find it.

What a great post on Balbay with all sorts of new intel I had no idea about -- hope I'm not alone in appreciation for SLX's contributions to our Board.

hookem.gif
 
SLX Outstanding insight to a Euro BB culture that few even think about. Your description of Dogs' abilities is spot on as seen with a BB eye that few posters have. Your more mello explanations are dynamic to say the least.

Thanks for this post, I had almost given up that we could have a BB conversation here. Top notch !
 
Definitely not alone in your appreciation. I want to add my thanks to SLX also...a valuable contributor on this board.
 
Tentative question here...is there a chance that Baylor has another disappointing season and Scott Drew gets fired, thus allowing us to scoop whom many call the most talented player in the class, Perry Jones?

I know it's a stretch, and I assume Baylor isn't stupid enough to get rid of a guy that is one of the few coaches in the country that could recruit to Waco, but it would really solve our big man woes (at least for one year), and likely lock up a championship if Bradley and/or Hamilton come back for another year and JB makes it in.
 
I would say 1% chance he gets fired....unless he goes Dave Bliss on us. And, 50% chance he leaves for a better job. Obviously, none of us truely know though.
 
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