elamjk

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It wouldn't look good for his NBA stock if he quit on his team. He's playing

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This is just simply FALSE. No way in hell should he play.

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He will never avg. 20 points a game in the NBA. He has the size but his jump shot needs to severly improve if he is going to have success in the NBA.

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No one is saying he doesn't need to improve his shot. What the vast majority of us are saying is that he will improve quicker with better coavhing and more time (pursuant to NBPA's less restrictive practice schedule), AND a big time contract as the number 1 pick.

I don't understand the black and white nature that this is being portrayed. College is not the only place where someone can work on their game.

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I hope like hell he stays. Maybe Patrick and CJJ can persuade him to come back. Im not holding my breath on it though

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There is nothing for Ben to gain by staying another year. He is much more likely to improve his game under NBA coaches than college for these reasons and in no significant order:
1. NBA coaches and front office have a vested interested in him improving (as they will be paying him lots of $$). They will also invest in a private shooting coach. Anthony Davis was an awful shooter when he first started in NBA. The Pelicans front office hooked him up with Marcel Scott (owner and bball instructor atBack 2 Basics in Nola). A short time later, AD went from 22% to almost 50% from the field. There was even an ESPN 30 min special on how broke AD's shot was. This is exactly what will happen with Ben.
2. The NBPA (player's association) practice restrictions are nowhere near the NCAA's 20 hour per week restrictions. He also doesn't have to go to class (not that he has had to go the 2nd semester).
3. NBA fits his skill set more so now and will be playing with 4 other threats. Teams have to respect all 5 players on the court. NBA has a much better flow to the game and offense (see below) which will allow Ben to show off his ability to get to rim in transition and in half court offense.
4. Half Court offense: even the worst team in the NBA will have an offense and set plays for Ben that will be scripted to help with his success. They will be scripted to also find cutters and shooters to always ensure defenses can't entirely cheat off of opposing players.

Finally, if the guy is a lock at #1, which all scouts say he is, ( and taking into account the risk of injury by staying and losing guaranteed $$) there is no legitimate reason to ask or even suggest he should stay.

If it were your child and every GM in the NBA is saying you are special and we can't wait to select you number 1, would you really say no, you should stay at LSU because your jump shot needs to be fixed? No. None of us would.

He has special talents and hope he has a long and successful career in the NBA.

What was that foul on Ben???

Free throws are about as high of a percentage shot as you can get.

I feel like every foul is just a make-up call for the bad call the previous possession.

He has every right after the no call on the 3-point shot.

That is part of what I mean by "controlled elevation"

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Ok, Blakeney is 0-5. Why is he still in the game when gray is 3-4

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I agree with this. Gray has been playing much better tonight.

Gray has played really well tonight minus one bad pass to Hornsby early and Simmkns a few minutes ago. He's got 3 steals and 1 deflection that caused a turnover.