re: JOB3 to enter draft

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Learn how to box out and shoot free throws and hit wide open midrange shots.

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These comments puzzle me. He improved his FT% this year and now had a very solid mid range jumper. While he could still up his FT%, it's no longer abysmal. How much more is going to improve?

People don't look at statistics or really watch the games. Instead, they make a blanket statement based off something they saw a few times.

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These comments puzzle me. He improved his FT% this year and now had a very solid mid range jumper. While he could still up his FT%, it's no longer abysmal. How much more is going to improve?

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Plus he seemed to hit free throws when they were needed. He was clutch for sure at the line.

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Running our offense through our best player =/= "let JOB work on his pro game".

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I agree that JOB was our best player, and we should work through him, but then we get posts like this and it confuses me.

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but I think without JOB the team will start to play the style that Jones' teams have always played

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So we ran an offense that the head coach wasn't really comfortable with just to help JOB and his draft status?

If the answer is that we will have better overall talent next year, then if JOB stayed, he should really be able to dominate with other players on his side to help attract some defenders.




Also there's this....

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"Big Baby can't make it in the NBA". Remember all those comments a few years back?

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I was one of those who doubted Big Baby's NBA career. I was wrong on that one.

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So we ran an offense that the head coach wasn't really comfortable with just to help JOB and his draft status?

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No Coach Jones utilized the players he had. That's what all coaches do. LSU football is transitioning the offense because we have duel threat QBs...

With less post presence, LSU Basketball will move to a slashing style offense with a lot of perimeter guys cutting hard to the rim. The pace should increase again and it should be really fun to watch.

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I agree with most of what you wrote. However, I am not sure LSU is the best place for him to work on improving his game. The 20 hours per week rule, and the lack of competition similar to what he would face in the NBA will limit his improvement. He would be better served working on his game against better competition. The NBA D league, or overseas, would be better for him at this point.

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You may be right, but I just feel like here he will get LOTS of PT and be able to actively work on his game (both low and midrange) against quality opponents. He can also work on his game in his free time if he is dedicated enough. Similar to like what Big Baby and Dupree did here. And with the team we should have next year, we should make the tournament and he would be in the spotlight, so to speak, to showcase his talent.

Aside from practice in the league, I don't think he'll get much playing time, if any at all.

The D league only pays like 16-25 grand a year, so that's maybe not the best option. So the crossroads may be whether or not he wants to go overseas. He could perhaps get a solid contract there and improve his stock for the NBA. And make decent money doing so.

I guess the thing is that I don't see him excelling in the league. I hope I'm wrong on that but he doesn't seem to have the size or quickness IMO. But I have no problem with someone making a financial decision for themselves and their career. Sort of like when Hamilton left a couple years ago...that was a good decision IMO. I just don't think it would be the eat for JOB. And admittedly, part of that is me as an LSU fan wanting to have him for next year.

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He's already a very good rebounder and improved his jumper and free throws from last year, but his stock still didn't really rise.

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To be honest, he isn't really a great rebounder. He's about average given the tools at his disposal. He is strong when he is in a position to get his hands on the ball (elite really in terms of his arm and hand strength) but he is below average in getting in to rebounding position and the guy just for whatever reason this year could not find his blockout assignment too often for a guy with his talent.

Given his strength and his ability to come down with the ball, there is no reason to believe he shouldn't be closer to 10 rebounds a game in college. Last year he was closer to 9 in less minutes. He also had a true center to help him out. All that to say, he really can improve his rebounding game. My bet is he will. Guy has improved every step of the way.

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Are you referring to Tuba as as "true center"?

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I guess what I really intended was he was not playing the five. It didn't matter how good Sousaphone was just that he was. By the way, Martin was only one rebound better a game than the Sousaphone. When accounting for minutes played, the Sousaphone was 2 rebounds better per 40 minutes. Mickey was half a rebound better than the Sousaphone per 40. Thought that was interesting.

LINK

JOB foregoes senior year for draft.