IlliniHQ 2
General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: Dominic on April 18, 2022, 07:34:12 AM
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And by doing so, he ends his Illini career since he’s not allowed to withdraw his name.
What say you?
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No idea.
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I predict he doesn’t and stays 🤷🏻♂️
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he could stay or he could go, but I wouldn't put money on it either way
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he could stay or he could go, but I wouldn't put money on it either way
I would put money on "he could stay or he could go".
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I predicted you would predict that.
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Wow. This place really fucking sucks now. Just like I thought it would.
Oh well.
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Wow. This place really fucking sucks now. Just like I thought it would.
Oh well.
Everywhere sucks at some point Jobu....I know your smarter than that.
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Everywhere sucks at some point Jobu....I know your smarter than that.
I know *you’re* too
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Wow. This place really fucking sucks now. Just like I thought it would.
Oh well.
Do you think Kofi is staying or going?
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Wow. This place really fucking sucks now. Just like I thought it would.
Oh well.
Not much to talk about other than recruiting. No games. No football. Just speculation about who’s coming and going.
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Not much to talk about other than recruiting. No games. No football. Just speculation about who’s coming and going.
Didn't you used to have a bad back? My back has been bothering me the past 2 weeks.
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"Should I Stay or Should I Go?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGIFublvDes
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Didn't you used to have a bad back? My back has been bothering me the past 2 weeks.
On and off, but I don’t remember discussing it here. Miraculously, my back never really bothers me anymore. Couldn’t explain why.
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"Should I Stay or Should I Go?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGIFublvDes
Wow thanks kikebot9000 nobody thought of that I'm sure
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I know *you’re* too
Well done
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Announcement tomorrow.
I'm excited either way - with Kofi we will be better, but I'll be just as excited for a new look if he leaves and won't blame him.
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Announcement tomorrow.
I'm excited either way - with Kofi we will be better, but I'll be just as excited for a new look if he leaves and won't blame him.
My thoughts as well.
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Definitely rather he stay, but understand if he doesn’t. Instant contender again if he stays.
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Kofi will break Deon’s career scoring record and Augustine’s career rebounding record if he just duplicates last season’s numbers. Would probably go down as the greatest Illini career and player of all time if he does.
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Hearing portal. Take it with a grain of salt.
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Announcement tomorrow.
I'm excited either way - with Kofi we will be better, but I'll be just as excited for a new look if he leaves and won't blame him.
I’m in the same boat.
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Hearing portal. Take it with a grain of salt.
That seems asinine.
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That seems asinine.
A way to create an NIL bidding war, no?
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I would think it would take some time to establish the basis for a large NIL payout. Not just walk out in mid to late April to a huge payday. Plus he has a legacy here if he wants it. But what do I know?
Frankly I’m more than ok with him leaving so we can build a modern basketball team.
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I would think it would take some time to establish the basis for a large NIL payout. Not just walk out in mid to late April to a huge payday. Plus he has a legacy here if he wants it. But what do I know?
Frankly I’m more than ok with him leaving so we can build a modern basketball team.
Kinda what I was thinking - he's built a brand here already, why go elsewhere and start over (to some degree)?
Would love to see him murder some more basketball rims wearing the orange n blue, but I don't think it would be the end of the world if he went elsewhere.
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I would think it would take some time to establish the basis for a large NIL payout. Not just walk out in mid to late April to a huge payday. Plus he has a legacy here if he wants it. But what do I know?
Frankly I’m more than ok with him leaving so we can build a modern basketball team.
Agreed. I would love for him to come back but if not I’m good.
If rumors are true, and he was to choose a place like Michigan State or go elsewhere, he will really ruin any type of goodwill or legacy here in the fans eyes. Total disregard for anything other than money and that’s just a really shitty/sleazy thing to make the ultimate decision on. If that’s all we were here was a paycheck then he can go fuck himself if that’s the case. Why should we be loyal to him if he isn’t to us and just leaves for that. What he’s make here is very substantial and this fan base loves him. That’s gotta count for something right?! Right?!
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I would think being able to rewrite the school record books at a top 20 historic basketball program while getting paid handsomely to do so would be pretty tough to turn down. Just doesn’t seem to make sense to enter the portal. Unless like PAMan said they’re just trying to extort a little more cash at the final hour.
It also would be kind of weird to announce a decision and for the decision to be a transfer. And would also be kind of weird to hype a decision announcement only to say he’s declaring again. Only thing that makes sense is returning and creating some buzz.
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I, unfortunately, think you are both being a little naive/sentimental here. With NIL it is all about the Benjamins for guys, like Kofi, who can get them. $$$ > Legacy. (For example, what's legacy gotten Dee Brown at this point?) I don't think I'm being overly cynical. It's just business.
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Why would a Jamaican really care about being either a 3-year all-time great or a 4-year all-time great?
If he comes back, great - we're conference title contenders. If he leaves, we can build with what we have. Nightmare is he goes to a rival. Wouldn't hold it against him if he went pro or to a top nat'l title contender that isn't in the B1G.
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The legacy is just a small part of it. It’s clear he has truly valued relationships and moments and achievements here thus far. I don’t think the guy is just some automatron. But who knows?
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Agreed. I would love for him to come back but if not I’m good.
If rumors are true, and he was to choose a place like Michigan State or go elsewhere, he will really ruin any type of goodwill or legacy here in the fans eyes. Total disregard for anything other than money and that’s just a really shitty/sleazy thing to make the ultimate decision on. If that’s all we were here was a paycheck then he can go fuck himself if that’s the case. Why should we be loyal to him if he isn’t to us and just leaves for that. What he’s make here is very substantial and this fan base loves him. That’s gotta count for something right?! Right?!
It basically means college basketball will be just like baseball where small market teams will have problems retaining their free agents.
I don’t think any fan should take what these athletes do personally. If another job was going to pay you more to do the same thing, most would switch. You wouldn’t be loyal to your starting company if they paid you less than you’d make elsewhere
And I think to the best athletes with a pro future it is just a job, or on the job training ground. There’s no loyalty. A regular student athlete who will use the degree/networking/notoriety for a future job will look at Illinois far different than a guy only there on their stop off to the pros
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The legacy is just a small part of it. It’s clear he has truly valued relationships and moments and achievements here thus far. I don’t think the guy is just some automatron. But who knows?
I don't know his specific situation, but many of these guys have mouths to feed and college is merely an inconvenient necessity to getting paid.
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It's Kofi's decision, and his alone. He will get good advice, and bad advice, but the decision is his.
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https://twitter.com/kxng_alpha/status/1516764162981990403?s=21&t=iiACxiOjj5HJ8114-zmtqg
Relieved the transfer rumor was wrong.
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It's Kofi's decision, and his alone. He will get good advice, and bad advice, but the decision is his.
That's deep, man.
(https://media2.giphy.com/media/3wg0fn7mKT3fFcO27g/200w.webp?cid=ecf05e47xawmn8a5wmt1woipbb6rrzw5avihg51mttxe6pbr&rid=200w.webp&ct=g)
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Happy for Kofi and glad he didn’t choose the transfer portal route and cause a circus. I’m excited for next year and having a more modern big. Should be fun!
(https://i.ibb.co/X5989hH/0-ABD7882-F4-BF-4918-BC43-237-AB6919-D32.jpg) (https://ibb.co/t2SXS7R)
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Best of luck to Kofi. Thanks for the memories. And thanks for beating iowa consistently.
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Another correct prediction by me!
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It basically means college basketball will be just like baseball where small market teams will have problems retaining their free agents.
Baseball has maybe 15-20 "big market" teams that play in a closed league with the small market teams that can't economically compete.
College basketball has 6-7 conferences with Maybe 45-60 teams that have "big market" resources with competition at the national and conference level.
The first is an antitrust problem. With the 2nd, NILs are *curing* an antitrust problem.
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Frankly I’m more than ok with him leaving so we can build a modern basketball team.
Surprised PAMan didn’t jump on this.
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Surprised PAMan didn’t jump on this.
I did think about it. Kinder, gentler The PAMan in light of the holidays....
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Having a team built around a guy like Kofi is great for winning Big Ten titles. In the tournament, not so much.
Anyone care to remind me how many teams with bigs like that playing 25+ mins made the second weekend? The third weekend? Having trouble? Then surely you’ll be able to find a bunch over the last five years?
Purdue made second weekend but was playing Williams more heavily than during B1G play.
Need to get a quality modern big in the portal and another starting caliber guard with experience and I think we’ll have a pretty good team next year.
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Having a team built around a guy like Kofi is great for winning Big Ten titles. In the tournament, not so much.
Anyone care to remind me how many teams with bigs like that playing 25+ mins made the second weekend? The third weekend? Having trouble? Then surely you’ll be able to find a bunch over the last five years?
Purdue made second weekend but was playing Williams more heavily than during B1G play.
Need to get a quality modern big in the portal and another starting caliber guard with experience and I think we’ll have a pretty good team next year.
Did you watch UNC vs KU and Bacot vs McCormack
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Those guys’ bodies and games don’t resemble Kofi’s. They’re 40-50 lbs lighter and much quicker. Also more versatile. But still big enough to score around the basket and rebound. They’re the type of guys we need, not Kofi comps.
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bummer, was hoping he'd stick around but understand why he won't
what's he projected at a 2nd rounder or something?
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Those guys’ bodies and games don’t resemble Kofi’s. They’re 40-50 lbs lighter and much quicker. Also more versatile. But still big enough to score around the basket and rebound. They’re the type of guys we need, not Kofi comps.
I'll a take Kofi any day, any year.
Our offense was inept down the stretch, all we did was force the ball to him in the block and he would shoot and couldn't pass out. You can run other offenses and have other guys more involved with him in the paint. Last year we stretched the floor more thanks to Ayo.
That's more on coaching than Kofi.
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We were limited because our guards were limited. Not because Kofi limited us. Stop overthinking shit.
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We were limited because our guards were limited. Not because Kofi limited us. Stop overthinking shit.
Yep. Can't blame Kofi that the guards around him forgot how to play bball the last three games of the season.
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I noticed in Kofi’s declaration speech he mentioned that he doesn’t have to be the focal point of the offense in the NBA. If he really meant that, I would’ve liked him to come back and play that role in our offense. That way our team next year could play more like an NBA team, and for him to see how he would fit in that style. He could showcase that to the NBA scouts. If he thrived in that role it might increase his draft stock dramatically, thus giving him more money this year for NIL, and on potential future earnings in the NBA.
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I think another year in college could have benefited him, especially since you get paid now, but I get it. GL Kofi.
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One more year does nothing for him apart from having the chance to make a deep tourney run and impress scouts in the biggest stage. Two years in row fizzling out don't help.
But no chance he was going to improve his passing or outside shooting or dribbling. That was the sole reason he came back for this past season, and he arguably got worse at those.
He had like 2 assists in a game early on and people were jizzing their pants. By March he couldn't make a pass out of the double team to save his life.
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He will be 23 years old in September.
He needed to move on with his life.
As for the offense the second half of the year- plenty of blame to go around on staff and the players.
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He will be 23 years old in September.
He needed to move on with his life.
As for the offense the second half of the year- plenty of blame to go around on staff and the players.
Let’s just say a graduate degree might not have hurt him.
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It’s really pretty simple. Kofi did not recognize double teams or make his move quick enough and allowed himself to get double and triple teamed to the point where he literally couldn’t pass out.
The times when he did recognize the double teams and kick out many times our shooters were unable to make the defense pay down the stretch.
Earlier in the season before Curbelo came back this offense worked pretty well at times. Trent was hitting at a decent clip and Plummer was on fire. Later in the season Trent was completely broken. Plummer was either red hot or couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. Williams was a shell of what he was the year before. Belo didn’t even demand enough attention to be guarded on the perimeter. He then proceeded to shoot us out of several games.
Once these things kind of unfolded it made us extremely one dimensional. Hawkins brought some heat late in the season that helped shore up that gap a little bit.
In hindsight, Goode and Melendez should’ve been playing more in February, but of course Melendez was out during that time frame and was trying to work his way back in March. We also lost Grandison who was shooting the lights out, which hurt more than we probably realized.
Curbelo should have been playing 12-15 mins a game. But at the same time there was the assumption he’d play his way back into the form we saw the end of last year and it never happened. Had be one the bench (like he should have been in hindsight) he’d have been the backup quarterback that could have saved us and Brad would have been lambasted for that as well.
It really was a fucked up season with a revolving door of injuries and other issues the prevented much continuity. We were better earlier before Curbelo came back, that’s for sure. But other things happened along the way too that contributed to that.
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It’s really pretty simple. Kofi did not recognize double teams or make his move quick enough and allowed himself to get double and triple teamed to the point where he literally couldn’t pass out.
The times when he did recognize the double teams and kick out many times are shooters were unable to make the defense pay down the stretch.
Sounds like a guy who should be moving up to the next level.
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Those guys’ bodies and games don’t resemble Kofi’s. They’re 40-50 lbs lighter and much quicker. Also more versatile. But still big enough to score around the basket and rebound. They’re the type of guys we need, not Kofi comps.
Dainja is apparently 6-9 260 so hopefully he's a bit more athletic.
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Dainja had a lot of baby fat that he’s been shedding with Fletch. Fingers crossed.
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Pretty much expected it. Good luck in the big leagues, Kofi!
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Dainja had a lot of baby fat that he’s been shedding with Fletch. Fingers crossed.
Yeah that highlight video he looked like a chunk, but athletic. Blank canvass for Fletch.
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Edey had 44 assists in 700 minutes last year. Cockburn has 47 assists in 2500 career minutes. Edey is the better passer and it's not particularly close.
found this little tidbit on a bulls board when talking about using a 2nd rounder on one of the big centers
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found this little tidbit on a bulls board when talking about using a 2nd rounder on one of the big centers
Dunno, but Kofi's game may have been entirely different with players on the floor like Ivey and Stefanovic ?
Good luck big guy. Thanks for being an All American for us.
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Dunno, but Kofi's game may have been entirely different with players on the floor like Ivey and Stefanovic ?
Good luck big guy. Thanks for being an All American for us.
If you can't pass to the guy standing wide open, how are you going to pass to the guy actually moving to create better looks?
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Underwood has proven himself to be a rather mediocre high D1 coach without Kofi.
With Kofi, Frazier, Plummer all gone, I expect next year to be huge struggle to score and defend. Which means a record of around 14-18.
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Dunno, but Kofi's game may have been entirely different with players on the floor like Ivey and Stefanovic ?
Good luck big guy. Thanks for being an All American for us.
Plummer was arguably better than Stefanovic by the numbers.
Ayo was not as athletic and as good a one on one player as Ivey, but pretty damn good and was the focus of our offense last year.
Kofi was looking much better in first half of the year. Regressed the second half.
Kofi and the team was not being managed very well IMO.
I hate to say it, but there was pretty direct correlation to Curbelo's minutes and the offense of the whole team going to total shit.
Staff let it go on way too long. Should have pulled the plug on Curbelo experiment well before the BTT.
Reinsert Trent as primary ball handler and a key scorer, and increase RJ and Hawkins and Goode time.
That said- Kofi will not ever likely get off an NBA bench much. It is simply a different game. He is a mudder amongst racehorses.
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Underwood has proven himself to be a rather mediocre high D1 coach without Kofi.
With Kofi, Frazier, Plummer all gone, I expect next year to be huge struggle to score and defend. Which means a record of around 14-18.
Gee, can we all come back to this post and tell you that you were wrong again, as usual. And then have you lie and say you weren't.
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Gee, can we all come back to this post and tell you that you were wrong again, as usual. And then have you lie and say you weren't.
I said Curbelo would transfer. He did.
I said Kofi would leave. He did.
I’ve been on a heater for my entire life with regard to Illini predictions
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I said Curbelo would transfer. He did.
I said Kofi would leave. He did.
I’ve been on a heater for my entire life with regard to Illini predictions
Yeah, not sure you were completely accurate on the 1st one. The second one, you get no credit for that at this point. You had quite the dry spell on predictions this season.
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I said Curbelo would transfer. He did.
I said Kofi would leave. He did.
I’ve been on a heater for my entire life with regard to Illini predictions
You are a total idiot.
You guaranteed Curbelo would transfer at break if he did not play vs AZ. You were wrong.
Anybody could see Kofi was gone. Not even a prediction.
Oh- and you announced we would not get Clark. Wrong again.
And we will not go 14-18. How about this Mr. Heater. When you are wrong again- will you just STFU and leave?
The only thing you have been your entire life is a miserable never was. Congratulations.
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Yeah, not sure you were completely accurate on the 1st one. The second one, you get no credit for that at this point. You had quite the dry spell on predictions this season.
Funny that you dipshits actually care.
Fucking truth. And the dumbasses that engage him here. Complete stupidity.
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Funny that you dipshits actually care.
Fucking truth. And the dumbasses that engage him here. Complete stupidity.
Easy Tiger.
Just trying to take out the trash.
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Funny that you dipshits actually care.
Fucking truth. And the dumbasses that engage him here. Complete stupidity.
I represent that remark!
Hope things are going better.
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Easy Tiger.
Just trying to take out the trash.
I know. I wasn't referring to you. You do good work.
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I know. I wasn't referring to you. You do good work.
Well, there are only 10 real people here....
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Well, there are only 10 real people here....
10?
Wow. So, the place is growing.
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10?
Wow. So, the place is growing.
Rob aka Robb appears to have left.
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I know. I wasn't referring to you. You do good work.
I like basketball. I like Illinois.
I like guys here with an actual intelligent sense of humor such as yourself and many others.
I think it is fun to argue about different views about the game and Illinois.
I think it is complete garbage to come here with only one purpose to try and and take a shit on Illinois in every post.
My bar is pretty low. I don't come here to have board spammed by bullshit.
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Rob aka Robb appears to have left.
Yeah, WTF?
Is he in a dumpster somewhere?
He used to like looking for food in them.
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You are a total idiot.
You guaranteed Curbelo would transfer at break if he did not play vs AZ. You were wrong.
Anybody could see Kofi was gone. Not even a prediction.
Oh- and you announced we would not get Clark. Wrong again
And we will not go 14-18. How about this Mr. Heater. When you are wrong again- will you just STFU and leave?
The only thing you have been your entire life is a miserable never was. Congratulations.
First, Curbelo situation I had from the start.
Second, lot of Illini homers were saying Kofi was going to stay.
Third, never made a prediction on Clark other than he’s simply overrated.
This team will stink next year. It’ll be similar to Weber’s 2007-08 team.
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Rob aka Robb appears to have left.
Did he die of fat?
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Underwood has proven himself to be a rather mediocre high D1 coach without Kofi.
With Kofi, Frazier, Plummer all gone, I expect next year to be huge struggle to score and defend. Which means a record of around 14-18.
Saving this gem
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First, Curbelo situation I had from the start.
Second, lot of Illini homers were saying Kofi was going to stay.
Third, never made a prediction on Clark other than he’s simply overrated.
This team will stink next year. It’ll be similar to Weber’s 2007-08 team.
1) You were wrong about Curbelo. Period. So STFU on that one.
2) Most people had no strong opinion. Read this board. Nobody really cares. Wrong again.
3) You claimed Clark and others would not come. Wrong again.
4) You will be wrong again about a 14-18 record.
Get a life.
So how about you leaving when we are not 14-18?
Put up or shut up.
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Rob aka Robb appears to have left.
He has not updated Illini Report.
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The last story I heard on Kofi was they wanted 2 mil in NIL money. That was not happening.
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The last story I heard on Kofi was they wanted 2 mil in NIL money. That was not happening.
They rounded up north of 1 million for him.
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If you can't pass to the guy standing wide open, how are you going to pass to the guy actually moving to create better looks?
This.
Kofi couldn't pass out of the double and triple team, whether guys were moving or standing at the arc wide open. He wouldn't keep the ball above his head and then tried to dribble. Instant steal. And 4 guys standing at the arc was the main offense. It's much easier to guard a guy that doesn't move. That must change and a guy that can pass in the low post is a must this next season.
Good luck to Kofi in the NBA or wherever he ends up. I think he's going to have a really hard time in the pro game, offensively and defensively.
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Rob aka Robb appears to have left.
Oh no how will we ever get by without the world's most insufferable douche
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Oh no how will we ever get by without the world's most insufferable douche
+1
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Oh no how will we ever get by without the world's most insufferable douche
Whose rankings are you using?
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Whose rankings are you using?
Consensus rankings
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Consensus rankings
Yet you clearly omitted some people.
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He has not updated Illini Report.
I hope he is ok.
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They rounded up north of 1 million for him.
And yet he left? A million guaranteed is pretty nice. He must be feeling pretty confident.
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Yet you clearly omitted some people.
No he didn’t.
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No he didn’t.
😂 you ain’t wrong
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And yet he left? A million guaranteed is pretty nice. He must be feeling pretty confident.
That does not sound right. If so, he may have gotten some really bad advice.
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Yes that is a lot of money to pass up. And yes, he gets some very bad advice from his “entourage.”
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Yes that is a lot of money to pass up. And yes, he gets some very bad advice from his “entourage.”
That is if the $1m was on the table. Second round NBA picks are not making $1m/ yr from what I see on The Goggle.
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I doubt he was guaranteed $1 million. But who knows. If that was case he should have stayed this year and then taken his Covid year.
There are a ton of international and G league guys this year. I don't see his name anywhere right now, although it is fluid.
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Rob aka Robb appears to have left.
I hope Robb is okay and just taking a break after the season.
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I doubt Kofi was guaranteed a million. Guess it’s a bunch of smoke from the program to make it more attractive for others.
I actually like Rob. Sad he’s gone and hope he comes back.
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I doubt Kofi was guaranteed a million. Guess it’s a bunch of smoke from the program to make it more attractive for others.
I actually like Rob. Sad he’s gone and hope he comes back.
Agree.
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He has not updated Illini Report.
Crushed in a trash compactor. RIP
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I was hearing more like 800 thousand. Not from the program per se. Certainly not guaranteed cash in a brown bag. Those would be projections based in part on estimated ad revenues, merch sales, personal appearances ...
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Crushed in a trash compactor. RIP
I shouldn't laugh, but I did.
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Robb is moving to Florida and becoming a staunch Republican. He'll be boycotting Disney for the time being.
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I actually like Rob. Sad he’s gone and hope he comes back.
Agree. But I'm guessing he won't. Why would he?
It's too bad. He had way more to offer than posters like Truth, who some of you dipshits can't wait to talk to.
Again, it's going to be this place's downfall. And most of you dipshits are too stupid to see it.
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I thought I was this places’ downfall?
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I thought I was this places’ downfall?
Nope. You're not taking credit for that too.
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Given that McColley last posted here March 21, 2022, 06:06:59 AM and last updated Illini Report March 19 2022, and there is not an obit, it is logical to assume he is just taking a break.
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Given that McColley last posted here March 21, 2022, 06:06:59 AM and last updated Illini Report March 19 2022, and there is not an obit, it is logical to assume he is just taking a break.
He’s alive. I’ve confirmed it with his colleagues.
(https://i.ibb.co/VQ7m1RK/428-AA033-60-BD-4-EF9-9-AE2-8966-EA1800-CD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8dWcCqh)
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Given that McColley last posted here March 21, 2022, 06:06:59 AM and last updated Illini Report March 19 2022, and there is not an obit, it is logical to assume he is just taking a break.
He posted on The YouTube the last Underachiever press conference from the other day.
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I thought I was this places’ downfall?
It's a team game, bro.
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He posted on The YouTube the last Underachiever press conference from the other day.
One 8 days ago. A couple more yesterday.
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It's a team game, bro.
Tempo is the straw that stirs the drink though.
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He’s alive. I’ve confirmed it with his colleagues.
(https://i.ibb.co/VQ7m1RK/428-AA033-60-BD-4-EF9-9-AE2-8966-EA1800-CD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8dWcCqh)
😂 too soon
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I don’t think they’d miss him either 😂
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This is one of the reasons why Kofi may not hear his name called on draft day and why it will be tough for him to ever crack an NBA rotation.
It is also the reason we got eaten alive by guards who could score off PnR with any kind of midrange game.
I know a lot of people dislike the NBA who follow college ball- but the college game has been moving to the pro game approach for years.
That is not going to stop. Bigs have to guard in space. Bigs have to be able to pass, and shoot face up. And they have to protect the rim. He is below average on all of those.
Anybody (And Everybody) Can Switch On Pick And Rolls Now
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/anybody-and-everybody-can-switch-on-pick-and-rolls-now/ (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/anybody-and-everybody-can-switch-on-pick-and-rolls-now/)
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Kofi seems to think he has the skills and just needs the chance to show it. Won't get that in the college game. He is willing to walk away from NIL money.
Some close to the program are saying he not only has below average ball skills, his off season work out habits have not been quite up to par. They are not saying he is lazy or is bad guy or does not work hard, just does not always go the full extra mile. Like showing up for optional summer work outs.
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Kofi seems to think he has the skills and just needs the chance to show it. Won't get that in the college game. He is willing to walk away from NIL money.
Some close to the program are saying he not only has below average ball skills, his off season work out habits have not been quite up to par. They are not saying he is lazy or is bad guy or does not work hard, just does not always go the full extra mile. Like showing up for optional summer work outs.
He does not have the skillset they want at this point. Could develop some of it in G league or overseas, or if someone will carry him on a roster for a couple years who thinks he can develop.
We have run a pretty standard 4 out 1 in offense with him in halfcourt.
Nothing has prevented him from showing better court vision, the ability to pass, hit a face up jumper, the ability to put the ball on the floor from the key, make his initial post up move or pass quicker before he gets doubled, show he can run the floor and finish on the break. etc.
And nothing prevented him from showing better ability to guard in space, or protect the rim.
He was phenomenal at creating space for off rebounds and putbacks, and basic post ups against most college defenders not as strong or as tall as him.
He showed great effort every game.
Unfortunately most everyone in NBA playing inside is fast, strong, long, and a quick off the floor jumper. And they have some of the above skills.
Both Trayvon Williams and Trayce Jackson Davis are showing up in some second round mocks now ahead of him.
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Nothing has prevented him from showing better court vision, the ability to pass...or pass quicker before he gets doubled....
Except maybe guys worthy of passing the ball to.
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Except maybe guys worthy of passing the ball to.
Pretty sure Plummer may argue this point? Frazier too for that matter.
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This right here makes me believe there actually was a package for Kofi from NIL for slightly over $1 million if he were to come back. His team reportedly was wanting $2 million.
https://twitter.com/itsantwright/status/1517956177317056517?s=21&t=59JEx25_6YLwAw6Ga28k_A
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This new business of doling out cars and money, and being able to announce it, is way overdue.
Good job of policing your volunteer membership business, NCAA. Lol.
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He should have taken that then. I don’t get it really.
Do businesses really think that a Kofi Cockburn will really do anything for their name recognition or sales?
Beyond some token amounts, or just being a pass through donation to help the program keep a guy from leaving early it seems like a waste of money for the business.
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What is the value of a top 10 basketball program featuring a marketable, record setting first team AA to local and area businesses?
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This right here makes me believe there actually was a package for Kofi from NIL for slightly over $1 million if he were to come back. His team reportedly was wanting $2 million.
https://twitter.com/itsantwright/status/1517956177317056517?s=21&t=59JEx25_6YLwAw6Ga28k_A
I don't understand what that has to do with Illinois' situation. Can you please explain?
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I don't understand what that has to do with Illinois' situation. Can you please explain?
If a player like Pack is getting that amount (around $400k/year and $800k for 2 years from one company’s endorsement, plus a car, and I imagine he will get other endorsements as well), I have really little doubt that Kofi’s NIL actually was/could be around the 1 million being speculated. Illinois has the backing of State Farm, Caterpillar, ADM, numerous alumni and boosters such as The Guardians, etc… to think that they couldn’t round up the support to make him a very generous offer.
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If a player like Pack is getting that amount (around $400k/year and $800k for 2 years from one company’s endorsement, plus a car, and I imagine he will get other endorsements as well), I have really little doubt that Kofi’s NIL actually was/could be around the 1 million being speculated. Illinois has the backing of State Farm, Caterpillar, ADM, numerous alumni and boosters such as The Guardians, etc… to think that they couldn’t round up the support to make him a very generous offer.
I understand your sentiment, but Illinois has, seemingly, always acted like a "small market team" if you know what I mean.
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I don't understand what that has to do with Illinois' situation. Can you please explain?
Nigel Pack got 800K and a car over 2 years from Miami. If that is any indication of the market; then Kofi should be worth 7 figures?
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Nigel Pack got 800K and a car over 2 years from Miami. If that is any indication of the market; then Kofi should be worth 7 figures?
Yes
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Nigel Pack got 800K and a car over 2 years from Miami. If that is any indication of the market; then Kofi should be worth 7 figures?
I am sorry, but I don't see "worth" having anything to do with it. The ability and willingness to pay market prices do. This does not explain whether Guardians or local captains of industry offered, collectively or singularly, Kofi $1m or $50.
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Miami has 6 million people and an NBA team.
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I remain skeptical that Kofi could get $1 Million guaranteed.
Unless it was a group of really stupid donors who were going to pool their money and have him do some minimal PR appearances for show to comply with the rules. Really it is just a front to pay players a salary in such a case. Nobody, or any legit marketing dept really believes Kofi truly would be making a difference in any company’s profit margin.
30 years ago the school via donors would give him a lucrative summer “job” to make sure the astroturf was still green at the practice fields.
Again, if he was told he would get 1M$ he would be a fool to not take it.
I am guessing that lesser players would make some decent pocket money for NIL, but only a few will make serious money from this.
CU is a small market cowtown and nobody in Chicago cares that much about Illinois right now unless they become a true national power.
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Saw my first Kofi billboard tonight. Was def ECI af. Some State Farm insurance agent, I think.
I don’t think there’s much keeping these donors from ponying up tons of money for these guys and finding ways to make it look legit.
I do have to wonder if it will cannibalize donations to the DIA/facilities. No one seems to be discussing that aspect of it.
Champaign might be a small market cowtown but the UI boasts a hell of an alumni base scattered out all over the country in larger, more affluent markets. The Guardians type groups should be making hay with them.
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I am seeing a lot more Illini gear in NE IL.
This is pretty much Bears, Bulls, Cubs, Hawks country.
For college, traditionally ND and NU football, IU and PU basketball
Now UI basketball fans coming out the closet. Ayo and Kofi are the main reasons
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Reiterated.
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Saw my first Kofi billboard tonight. Was def ECI af. Some State Farm insurance agent, I think.
I don’t think there’s much keeping these donors from ponying up tons of money for these guys and finding ways to make it look legit.
I do have to wonder if it will cannibalize donations to the DIA/facilities. No one seems to be discussing that aspect of it.
Champaign might be a small market cowtown but the UI boasts a hell of an alumni base scattered out all over the country in larger, more affluent markets. The Guardians type groups should be making hay with them.
2 things here:
#1. Are their enough alums that simply want to pay whatever it takes to make their college team good? Probably.
#2. Are their businesses that do benefit from athlete endorsements? Sure, but I think very few actually do. Girls with lots of IG followers can hawk clothes/makeup/ to their following. What is Kofi going sell or convince someone to buy?
Would it benefit Illinois hotel and bar owners to pay for the team to be good bc they sell more suites and booze when the teams are good?
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I guess the question is whether it is really NIL or covert pay to play?
If the former, the players are getting a legitimate share of revenue generated via personal appearances, product endorsements, merchandising, and so on.
Some of it smells like boosters pooling money to buy talent and calling it NIL.
As of Friday, everyone except one guy with what looked like a fake account thought Nigel Pack was headed to PU.
Then his law firm announces the terms of his deal with Miami?
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More “circumstantial” evidence of Kofi getting substantial NIL money…
https://twitter.com/illinihq/status/1518666188926201858?s=21&t=UU7BKbLQR6RjypT9VwfeeQ
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I wonder if the IRS has jobs lined up to audit this shit. I would think they have to.
I mean, when it was all illegal, it was tax free.
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I wonder if the IRS has jobs lined up to audit this shit. I would think they have to.
I mean, when it was all illegal, it was tax free.
I was wondering the same. Some of these kids probably have no idea regarding the taxes they need to pay 😂 yikes 😬
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More “circumstantial” evidence of Kofi getting substantial NIL money…
https://twitter.com/illinihq/status/1518666188926201858?s=21&t=UU7BKbLQR6RjypT9VwfeeQ
when he could stick around for two more years at Illinois, draw praise from adoring fans and leave with $1 or $2 million in his bank account
Basically Tate has the range at $500,000 to $1,000,000 per year.
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More “circumstantial” evidence of Kofi getting substantial NIL money…
https://twitter.com/illinihq/status/1518666188926201858?s=21&t=UU7BKbLQR6RjypT9VwfeeQ
Custard should start an HQ2 handle on The Twitter to fuck with the News-Gazette assholes.
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Find me 20 Illini fans willing to pay Kofi 50,000 each….you really think there are 20 people like that which exist? I’m sure there are people with the means to donate 50,000…but how many would actually do it with no benefit to themselves?
It’s one thing for a car dealership to give some players some loaners. It’s another to say “I’d rather give Kofi $50,000 instead of say give my own family $50,000.
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I wonder if the IRS has jobs lined up to audit this shit. I would think they have to.
I mean, when it was all illegal, it was tax free.
I heard someone authorized the hiring of like 87,000 over the next decade.....oh wait... :P
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Working out at the Lakers facility…
(https://i.ibb.co/JcPmwMn/79-A5-F2-A7-8-F07-4339-9-EF9-AB84-D1610-F88.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6y5r7fY)
math symbols copy and paste (https://usefulwebtool.com/math-keyboard)
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These are all the big10 players who have declared as of 04-27-22 via nba.com
Eric Ayala, Maryland, Senior
Marcus Bingham Jr., Michigan State, Senior
Malaki Branham, Ohio State, Freshman
Gabe Brown, Michigan State, Senior
Max Christie, Michigan State, Freshman
Kofi Cockburn, Illinois, Junior
Johnny Davis, Wisconsin, Sophomore
Moussa Diabate, Michigan, Freshman
Jacob Grandison, Illinois, Senior
Ron Harper Jr., Rutgers, Senior
Caleb Houstan, Michigan, Freshman
Eric Hunter Jr., Purdue, Senior
Austin Hutcherson, Illinois, Junior
Jaden Ivey, Purdue, Sophomore
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana, Junior
DeVante’ Jones, Michigan, Senior
Jaden Jones, Rutgers, Freshman
E.J. Liddell, Ohio State, Junior
Caleb McConnell, Rutgers, Senior
Bryce McGowens, Nebraska, Freshman
Trey McGowens, Nebraska, Senior
Keegan Murray, Iowa, Sophomore
Kris Murray, Iowa, Sophomore
Pete Nance, Northwestern, Senior
Sasha Stefanovic, Purdue, Senior
Trevion Williams, Purdue, Senior
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https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527065083146383360?t=jxrthXhkd7VQiMWC6Waerw&s=19
https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527052441555980288?t=WAXTkquk6XFteCFO-3xcOg&s=19
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https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527065083146383360?t=jxrthXhkd7VQiMWC6Waerw&s=19
https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527052441555980288?t=WAXTkquk6XFteCFO-3xcOg&s=19
Hopefully he gets picked up as a FA. Not on any updated mock drafts I have seen.
There are a ton of non collegiate guys in the draft nobody thinks about.
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Hopefully he gets picked up as a FA. Not on any updated mock drafts I have seen.
There are a ton of non collegiate guys in the draft nobody thinks about.
Kofi would fit really nicely in Chicago. If he goes undrafted, I’d really like to see him there as a free agent.
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https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527065083146383360?t=jxrthXhkd7VQiMWC6Waerw&s=19
https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527052441555980288?t=WAXTkquk6XFteCFO-3xcOg&s=19
lmao at the guy past the finish like that's like 🖐 stop pls
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Kofi would fit really nicely in Chicago. If he goes undrafted, I’d really like to see him there as a free agent.
can't see how he wouldn't be an upgrade to someone like that bum Tristen Thompson
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Crazy to think there isn’t a spot in the NBA for a guy with his measurables but that’s the way it is looking.
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Crazy to think there isn’t a spot in the NBA for a guy with his measurables but that’s the way it is looking.
His biggest asset in college is size and strength on block and rebounding by claiming space.
That is negated in NBA. These guys are also big, better athletes, and have better skills.
He is strictly a drop coverage guy, has no face up shot game, is not a comfortable passer, or dribble handoff play guy, not a quick jumper, nor shot blocker.
Runs only average at this level. Positionally guards OK inside block, but when pulled out is not effective. Will get abused challenging the three or drives when switching on PnR.
I think he might be on a bench somewhere, but has a big hill to climb with his skill set and lack of footwork quickness to see minutes.
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Trent Frazier getting a predraft workout with the Raptors....show em Trent.
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good luck to Kofi tonight
It just boggles my mind that some team would take that fucking beanpole Chet Holmgren from Gonzaga in the top 5 and Kofi might wind up undrafted
🤡🌎
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good luck to Kofi tonight
It just boggles my mind that some team would take that fucking beanpole Chet Holmgren from Gonzaga in the top 5 and Kofi might wind up undrafted
🤡🌎
It's the modern game. He is a fish out of water right now until he develops some other skills.
Hopefully he gets picked up as a FA on a 2 way deal somewhere.
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It's the modern game. He is a fish out of water right now until he develops some other skills.
Hopefully he gets picked up as a FA on a 2 way deal somewhere.
Bulls are better off without him.
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Kofi’s deal is an Exhibit 10 contract. This is a one-year deal for the league minimum. The Jazz are able to convert the contract into a two-way deal before the regular season or they can also release him as the Exhibit 10 deal is a non-guaranteed contract.
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Unless they have injury concerns with their 5s, I'd expect him to be waived, but you never know. Hopefully he proves himself in preseason.
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Unless they have injury concerns with their 5s, I'd expect him to be waived, but you never know. Hopefully he proves himself in preseason.
Gobert is being shopped (they obviously would get a player in kind back I would imagine)
Whiteside is final year and will be gone more than likely, free agency.
Azuibuike is the one that will take over the role as starter more than likely.
Monroe is probably gone.
Azuibuike, and Kofi? Free Agency will have something to do with his staying on.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Kofi stick, if he continues to show the hustle/determination that he always has. That said he is not a "current" NBA center type, so if he doesn't show the intangibles that he does have, well short cup of coffee it will be.
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Well, at least he will be seen in the summer league and other teams can evaluate him if Jazz do not keep him on a 2 way contract.
I do think I heard somewhere here that he was not that hard of a worker last summer.
He did show some promising improvement in first half of this past year, but then regressed.
Biggest things keeping him out of a job at present is he can't pass, he can't guard anyone away from basket in space, and he can't shoot.
All can be improved.
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Biggest things keeping him out of a job at present is he can't pass, he can't guard anyone away from basket in space, and he can't shoot.
Yeah. Me, too.
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If Kofi really did turn down a million to stay in college, it turned out to be a poor decision
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If Kofi really did turn down a million to stay in college, it turned out to be a poor decision
No shit Sherlock..
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Well, at least he will be seen in the summer league and other teams can evaluate him if Jazz do not keep him on a 2 way contract.
I do think I heard somewhere here that he was not that hard of a worker last summer.
He did show some promising improvement in first half of this past year, but then regressed.
Biggest things keeping him out of a job at present is he can't pass, he can't guard anyone away from basket in space, and he can't shoot.
All can be improved.
I heard he might have preferred summer vacations over summer workouts.
I think the regression was largely due to the concussion. Was that in practice, from an Edey elbow, or both? He was not as explosive after that.
He evidently felt Underwood used him to win college games and he didn't get a chance to show all his skills. Mostly bs
I do think he was able to dominate most college centers in the low post so he was not challenged to broaden his game.
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He needed to go. He is 23 this fall.
Needs to develop the skills needed to be a usable player in the league.
If that doesn't work out, he can try overseas.
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He needed to go. He is 23 this fall.
Needs to develop the skills needed to be a usable player in the league.
If that doesn't work out, he can try overseas.
Basketball-wise, he needed to go. Financially, it was likely a gamble. It appears he could have stayed 2 more years in college and received 1.6 to 2 million in NIL money. Unless he makes the NBA roster, iirc he is looking at 37 thousand and possibly a bonus to play in the g league. I am guessing he might be looking at 80 to 100 thou at most to start overseas.
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Is there anything out there that confirms he could have gotten that kind of money?
What did he actually get this past year?
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Is there anything out there that confirms he could have gotten that kind of money?
What did he actually get this past year?
Muliple what I consider credible sources were talking 800 thousand to 1 million for next season. Assuming all went well, similar numbers would probably still be there for a super senior year. Presumably the Illini Guardians would have been involved.
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Well it is nothing more than pass through mechanism to pay a salary which I am not opposed to. I am skeptical of the amount, but who knows.
That said, he is not going to improve in college. Faces about 2 NBA caliber big men a year and junk defenses every night that swarm him and he still has no clue how to manage after 3 years.
He needs to play against grown men and in a spread floor and learn the pro game.
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Then there is this kid going to Tennessee.
$8 million dollar deal. Still in high school.
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/college-football/5-star-2023-cfb-recruit-reportedly-lands-8-million-nil-deal-media-fans-react/
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No fucking way
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https://twitter.com/WinterSportsLaw/status/1528539374547308545?t=Cyll3yOOAcF-ehOPgjJq2A&s=19
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Kofi's first summer league game did not go so well. Pretty much got abused left and right by holmgren, who had 23 pts 7 rbs.
6 blocks & 4 assists in under 24 minutes. Kofi had 7pts and 5 rbs in 17 min
Damn Kofi.
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Kofi's first summer league game did not go so well. Pretty much got abused left and right by holmgren, who had 23 pts 7 rbs.
6 blocks & 4 assists in under 24 minutes. Kofi had 7pts and 5 rbs in 17 min
Damn Kofi.
Holmgren has some skills. He stuffs Kofi easily at beginning. The game is too fast for Kofi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU3f0FZNsak (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU3f0FZNsak)
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He had 6 points/5 rebounds last night.
4 fouls. :(
Started tonight and doing a little better. 8 pts and 7 rebounds in 16 minutes so far.
Got his first block of season after 56 minutes.
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Watching those highlights of Holmgren makes me think Few didn’t get as much out of him as he should have. He’s basically a 7’1 stretch 4, that can dribble, shoot, pass and be a shot blocker at the rim. I think his ceiling a Dirk Nowitski that can also protect the rim.
Still a little surprised how a guy that thin isn’t getting pushed around in the paint
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12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal against the Grizzlies.
About to dominate
:)
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For a guy who really stood out physically on the college court, he is much more difficult to spot in summer league. He does seem a bit slow. I wish him the best.
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*13 rebounds in 15 minutes
*dnp
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EJ Liddell with torn ACL…
https://twitter.com/pelicansnba/status/1546993021518069761?s=21&t=bg9FS9REW_g2FN1cHIt6IA
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Well, that is unfortunate.
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【コフィ・コーバーン選手 契約基本合意のお知らせ】
コフィ・コーバーン(Kofi Cockburn) 選手とB.LEAGUE 2022-23シーズンの選手契約に合意しましたのでお知らせいたします。
選手契約締結は諸手続き等の終了後となります。
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(https://media.tenor.com/rC9RVD5LauYAAAAC/wedding-crashers-will-ferrell.gif)
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[2022.10.21] Kofi Cockburn Player (Kofi Cockburn) Notice of basic contract agreement
Thank you very much for your warm support to Niigata Albirex BB.
Niigata Albirex BB has agreed to a player contract with Kofi Cockburn for the B.LEAGUE 2022-23 season.
The conclusion of the player contract will be after the completion of various procedures.
https://www.albirex.com/news/detail/id%29%EF%BB%BF
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Kofi should dominate the Chinese league.
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Kofi should dominate the Chinese league.
"Niigata Albirex BB, formally Niigata Albirex Basketball, is a Japanese basketball club. It is based in Nagaoka, Niigata."
Did you think the Japanese teams play in China?
Kofi will be a folk hero in Japan.
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GODZILLA
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https://twitter.com/fulknA/status/1624794923206574084?t=BFLn_pG1SV6mmdZTyhqgag&s=19
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I would think it would take some time to establish the basis for a large NIL payout. Not just walk out in mid to late April to a huge payday. Plus he has a legacy here if he wants it. But what do I know?
Frankly I’m more than ok with him leaving so we can build a modern basketball team.
If Kofi is on this team, they would have been a 2-3 seed at worst.