This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
This yr’s NBA Draft has been dubbed the weakest for the reason that Cleveland Cavaliers wasted the primary total choose on Anthony Bennett. There’s no consensus prize, or catchy tank phrase. Just the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers vying to see who can most egregiously throw away a season. However, there may be one storyline that’s gone neglected, one thing that hasn’t occurred in 50 years.
If Dalton Knecht and Reed Sheppard are chosen within the prime 5 it will be the primary time two white Americans have been taken within the first 5 alternatives since Bill Walton and Bobby Jones in 1974.
According to NBADraft.web, the perfect supply for non-paywalled mock drafts, Knecht and Sheppard are the fourth- and fifth-best prospects on this participant pool. The former simply led Tennessee to its first outright SEC title within the common season since 2008, and the latter stole the hearts of Kentucky followers in all places like he does from so many unassuming ball handlers. (Why sure Wildcat devoted have hopped on Sheppard’s jock is lower than me, as a result of there are a ton of individuals within the Bluegrass State who’ve executed so for causes which are, let’s assume, white supremacist.)
Knecht is a fifth-year man who spent two years at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, transferred to Northern Colorado for an additional two seasons, and ended up enjoying for Rick Barnes at UT in his remaining season. (Long stay the switch portal!) He’s a 6-foot-6 guard out of Fargo, North Dakota whose inventory rose following a late development spurt.
Now he’s getting 20 per recreation on the No. 4-ranked workforce within the nation, and could lead the Volunteers to a No. 1 seed within the Big Dance with a stable convention event exhibiting. I don’t wish to go white-on-white for participant comparability, so consider the poorest man’s Glenn Robinson. Great shooter/scorer, athletic however gained’t wow you, and isn’t going to cease too many individuals on the opposite facet of the court docket.
Sheppard is the wildcard to me as a result of he’s a real freshman, is from Kentucky, and seems to be residing out his wildest goals in Lexington regardless of coming off the bench. Given that he declares, which he ought to, as a result of should you’re projected to go prime 10 you must — or else danger ending up like Tyler Hansborough and overstaying your welcome en path to the tail-end of the lottery.
If Sheppard finally ends up going the one-and-done route and forgoing the remainder of his profession in Big Blue, he’d be one of some notable gamers chosen within the lottery who didn’t begin in school, becoming a member of the likes of Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, Devin Booker, and Marvin Williams. Though at 6-foot-3, he’d undoubtedly be the shortest.
Sheppard has 53/51/83 capturing splits, averages two and a half steals per recreation, and does every part effectively. Coming into the season, guards DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham obtained extra hype, however Sheppard is main the trio in minutes, assists, and rebounds per recreation. While Dillingham scores extra per outing (15.1 factors on 11 photographs per night time), he’s far much less environment friendly than Sheppard (12 factors on seven makes an attempt).
The caveat to every part I’m saying is that this draft sucks, the one outlet I could discover that has the pair going prime 5 is an internet site that ends in .web and, at finest, Knecht and Sheppard are rotation gamers or perhaps a Sixth Man of Year. Would I belief them over, say, anybody from this yr’s G League Ignite? Yes. Do they’ve extra upside? No, however the Ignite develops worse habits in gamers than John Calipari, and that’s regarding.
Regardless, it’s a enjoyable story for individuals who trip with Kevin Love, Larry Bird, Tom Chambers, and the like for causes that aren’t “Let’s restore the white man’s standing in basketball.” Who is aware of, perhaps Cooper Flagg follows it up subsequent yr as the primary white American No. 1 total choose since Kent Benson in 1977, and ushers in a renaissance of stateside caucasian hoopers.
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