Do any of our basketball players have a shot at the NBA...

[I_Bleed_RED]

I was the guy that wasn't laughing but just didn't think that EP had a chance---I now think after the last games that he can do all the things to make it in the pros---BUT SHOOT---Man he can handle the ball, control the tempo, push the hell out of it, drive to the basket and finish, damn long arms to get steals, create passing lanes, see open guys, alley oop, and seems like a great kid---Was sitting with a track guru last night and he said that EP would be the guy he would take to make a vertical and horizontal jumper out of in that sport-----Whoever taught LaBAmba to shoot --please do it with EP!!!

He made all 5 of his shots last night. And made all 5 of his FTs. He also averages 15 points per game and shoots 47%. I'd say he is a solid shooter.

[CajunFan3406]

In regards to EP. He is 6'3" and has good length. Physically, I think he has it. If he keeps making the improvements in his game year to year, particularly FT and long range shooting, I see no reason why he wouldn't have a legitimate shot. The guy is still 18. He'll barely be 21 by the time he finishes his senior season. Lots of time for development.

[Parrott]

Do any of the current Cajuns have a shot to make an NBA roster? Yes, Payton and Long - with continued improvement and development. Both will make money playing in the states or overseas due to their versatility.

Payton has great length defensively, knows how to get into the paint and distribute the ball and can score, rebound and defend. His outside & free throw shooting could stand to improve, plus sometimes he's a bit careless with the ball, but he still has two years to work on that. Mbamalu's amazing progression as a shooter shows such improvement is possible. Rondo is an easy comparison due to their similar frames and basic skills. Keep in mind Rondo has become a much better and more consistent player in the NBA than when at Kentucky while lacking a consistent shooting stroke, granted that's an exception to the general rule for point guards.

Long is a stretch 4 who presents mismatch problems on both ends of the court. He has surprised me (and many other college coaches) by rebounding at such a high level so early when that was considered an area of needed growth out of HS. His stock will continue to rise with improved consistency as a perimeter shooter and on-court maturity. The former HS guard isn't overly athletic (likely because he's still working on his coordination after a late growth spurt), but the potential to get even better (while averaging 16 ppg & 10 rpg as a frosh) is encouraging.

[MetryCajun]

Our coach must really blow if we have 2-3 NBA players on the roster.

[CajunFan3406]

Our coach must really blow if we have 2-3 NBA players on the roster.

We're talking 3 years down the road. Nice try though.

[MetryCajun]

OK. I'll bite. When have we ever had 3 players from the same team playing in the NBA? Pre-death penalty? Marcus Stokes had a few cups of coffee in the NBA while Brooks played. Most of the time UL has no one playing in the NBA. Now, during an historically bad run of Cajun basketball, I am supposed to believe we have 2 NBA players on our roster? If that is true we should be winning at least 50% of our games. I refuse to believe Marlin is that bad of a coach.
Bottom line...two NBA players( no matter how young) on the same roster, playing in the SBC should add up to league domination.

[CajunFan3406]

OK. I'll bite. When have we ever had 3 players from the same team playing in the NBA? Pre-death penalty? Marcus Stokes had a few cups of coffee in the NBA while Brooks played. Most of the time UL has no one playing in the NBA. Now, during an historically bad run of Cajun basketball, I am supposed to believe we have 2 NBA players on our roster? If that is true we should be winning at least 50% of our games. I refuse to believe Marlin is that bad of a coach.
Bottom line...two NBA players( no matter how young) on the same roster, playing in the SBC should add up to league domination.

Just read Parrott's post. It isn't a stretch, and I don't care how unlikely it may seem. Everyone touts Tony Mitchell as this great NBA prospect but he looks like __it every time I see him, so sorry if I don't see any validity in your opinion.

I posted this same comment to wgwillis last week, and it applies to you as well:

"Do you ever get tired of complaining about Marlin?

Because I get tired of reading it."

You're letting your distaste for Marlin cloud your judgment.

Face the facts. He will be here a while. We can't afford to pay softball assistants a decent wage, what makes you think we'll be able to buyout Marlin in the near future? From your posts it seems you have an interest in basketball, but you only seem to speak when it's negative. I never see you post positive things when the team actually does well. Why is that?

[I_Bleed_RED]

OK. I'll bite. When have we ever had 3 players from the same team playing in the NBA? Pre-death penalty? Marcus Stokes had a few cups of coffee in the NBA while Brooks played. Most of the time UL has no one playing in the NBA. Now, during an historically bad run of Cajun basketball, I am supposed to believe we have 2 NBA players on our roster? If that is true we should be winning at least 50% of our games. I refuse to believe Marlin is that bad of a coach.
Bottom line...two NBA players( no matter how young) on the same roster, playing in the SBC should add up to league domination.

You could also look at these player's improvements under Marlin. Yes Payton and Mbamalu both have great work ethics but you cant say that Mariln didn't play a nice role in their development. It just goes to show when he brings in players who are willing to work hard, he can develop them nicely.

Now why isn't this team winning you ask? That's a fair question. But I think in large it has to do with the fact that there are a bunch of new faces on this team this year and they are indeed a very young team. The two players on this team who have the best shot at getting to the NBA are both 18 years old. Do you really expect them to carry this team to domination? They have shown flashes of brilliance, but they need to some more consistency. That will hopefully come with maturity and more help around them.

[MetryCajun]

Just read Parrott's post. It isn't a stretch, and I don't care how unlikely it may seem. Everyone touts Tony Mitchell as this great NBA prospect but he looks like __it every time I see him, so sorry if I don't see any validity in your opinion.

I posted this same comment to wgwillis last week, and it applies to you as well:

"Do you ever get tired of complaining about Marlin?

Because I get tired of reading it."

You're letting your distaste for Marlin cloud your judgment.

Face the facts. He will be here a while. We can't afford to pay softball assistants a decent wage, what makes you think we'll be able to buyout Marlin in the near future? From your posts it seems you have an interest in basketball, but you only seem to speak when it's negative. I never see you post positive things when the team actually does well. Why is that?

When a team struggles people post negative comments. In the case of UL basketball, we are in year 7 of struggling. Other than a 15 game stretch two seasons ago UL basketball has been mostly unwatchable. What are we supposed to say about a team quitting on its coach last year? Even if Marlin was 100% correct in running off half the team last year, it is still not a positive situation. For the record I think Marlin is a good coach. He has won at multiple stops. I just do not think he is a good enough recruiter. I would love to be proven wrong.
As for positive post. I have had several. This is one is from last week after the North Texas game:

Great win! Nice to see 100+ points.

While I agree most of my post are negative, the above shows I still love the program and want them to succeed.

[SlappyCajun]

Mbamalu is not an NBA player. Odds are Long and Payton are not either. But, they both have shots.

Also, fringe NBA players aren't always as good as really good college players.

More example Adam Morrison >>> Orien Greene.

But, Orien is a better pro prospect.

Michael Allen > > > Tyren Johnson, but Tyren was a better pro prospect