re: #tAuburnBasketball Thread

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All this from one game?

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His 3 point shooting has been one of his weaker areas for a while so that’s not really anything new. I think he can definitely develop a lot in that area, which is one reason I could see him coming back and would greatly improve his stock.

I won’t be shocked if he leaves, but I think he could improve his stock by coming back. Plus I’m just holding out hope that next year is our year.

Thanks - was obviously being a bit sarcastic; however was my 1st look and haven't seen any game time video of him before.

Neat

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We get them both on the court at the same time and we should be pretty dangerous.

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This is what I want to see!

I think he was saying that particular post sounded like Rondo, not that he was comparing Rondo to Cooper, because they have entirely different strengths and weaknesses.

Now do Chris Paul.. who is a much better comparison. He played two seasons at WF and drafted 4th overall. To be able to do that, Cooper will have to learn how to play defense with more effort and intensity, and become more of a complete player. He will have to improve on that side of the ball to be a lottery pick. His game offensively is already elite, although he can improve his outside shot.. but that doesn’t scare NBA teams away at all because that will improve and develop over time. He has certain skills offensively that you either have or you don’t, and can’t be coached or developed, which is why he is such a special talent. His size isn’t much of a concern because in the NBA, skill trumps size for the most part.

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Now do Chris Paul.. who is a much better comparison.

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Chris Paul made 3 All NBA Defensive teams and is better athlete as well as shooter.

The comparison for Cooper right now would be Trae Young who is also defense optional but elite distributor/ball handler.

If Cooper can start shooting like Trae Young then let's talk

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He will be drafted this coming summer and I think he will go very high

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He doesn’t have the defensive mentality Chris Paul does and he doesn’t have the shooting ability Trae Young does, but I think we’ve identified the two areas he needs to improve to be a lottery pick.

If he can become a dog on defense like he is on offense, he could improve his stock tremendously. He is a decent on the ball defender but not great off the ball. He has shown flashes, which is why I pointed out effort and intensity. He has the talent. There were two plays in particular the last game, the first being what finally got him going, smothering his man on the perimeter causing a turnover and jumping a cross court pass, gettting in the passing lane for a steal and easy layup on the other end.

He can knock down outside shots but there is room for improvement and I think he will improve over time. He has a great work ethic and a gym rat, and he’ll have plenty of opportunity to work on that part of his game in college.

If he wants a chance to be a lottery pick, I think he should stay at least one more year and work on those things. If he feels ready and wants to follow his dream of playing in the NBA, then I think he’ll go late-mid to late first round if he decides to leave after one season.

I love Trae Young, but much of his success comes from the space he creates with his lethal shooting ability. The defenders have to respect it so it makes them vulnerable to his good but not great handle. He doesn't have the quickness and tight handle that Sharife has. His vision has improved but it wasn't always there.

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Rondo is a bigger, better athlete than Cooper, great defender when engaged and peaked pre 3pt revolution.

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The poster above was correct that I was mostly referencing that specific post, but I wouldn't necessarily say Rondo is a bigger, better athlete than Cooper. Rondo is 6'1" 180 Cooper is 6'0" 180 and they are both cat quick. The jury is still out on Coopers on ball defense, but I thought he looked good Saturday. In high school I always thought he just looked really uninterested in playing defense and seemed lazy at times on the defensive side.

I'm just saying at this point in their careers Sharife is ahead of where Trae Young was in those areas. That's why Sharife was more highly regarded as a prospect coming out of high school than Young was as well, despite lacking a couple of inches against Young. His strengths are different than Trae's. Trae is a no leave guy on the perimeter.