Naz vs Jarrel Martin

Let’s just see. JOB was supposed to be great out of HS, and while he was good, he wasn’t a 1 and done.

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That being said, who’s more polished coming out of highschool. Seems like they are similar athletes in terms of size and athleticism. Development will definitely be a lot better for Naz for obvious reasons. How good can Naz be for his 1 year at LSU?

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Martin was a big wing who didn't really do well in traffic initially, there was definitely an adjustment period. Naz is a 4 who has good handles for his size but is an excellent passer and has great footwork. He should be ready day 1. A better comparison for LSU player would be Johnny O'Bryant III but slightly better in almost every aspect.

Mickey on the 15/16 squad would’ve made a huge difference.

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O'Bryant was ranked #40 nationally and a 4-star

Naz is ranked much higher for a reason.

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This highschool class is really terrible from what scouts are saying.

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chemistry takes time to develop. As evidence Kentucky usually goes through this at the beginning of each year.

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While true, we have a big thing working in our advtnage, we arent going to start 5, 4 or even 3 freshmen. We might start 2 in Reid (Def), Smart (50/50 there vs. Mays)

We have returning experienced guys like Waters, Mays, Sims, Sampson, Rachal and Edwards to really close the experience gap and we get to ease a lot of the talented freshmen in. When the freshmen show their inexperience, Waters, Mays, etc...will be there to pick things up. That's what so exciting about next season.

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Next year will be fun; I just feel if Naz would stay 2 years we could possibly make a serious run the year after next. I’m not saying we can’t make a run next year. The talent will be here. The lineup will be fun to watch develop. It should be :

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Even if he leaves, which he probably will, if we returned everyone else, it has every chance to be as good as next season.

SR. Mays
SR. Sims
JR. Waters
JR. Rachal
SO. Williams
SO. Smart
SO. Days

Then whoever else we add in this class and 2019's. That's a heck of a core group, an experienced core group.

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Yes I agree , it’s premature to compare Naz to an NBA all star but that was the player that came to mind for some reason. A big that can handle the rock and has a pretty good outside shot. I really wish he wasn’t so dead set on being a one and done. Although next years team will be head and shoulders above any LSU team we have seen in quite some time, chemistry takes time to develop. As evidence Kentucky usually goes through this at the beginning of each year.

I really like what days will bring to the table as well. Not sure what his plan is for college , or how long he plans to stay at LSU but he looks like the purest scorer we have had in quite sometime. Obviously you never know how a kid will transition from highschool to college. I think thought Blakenely would have averaged 20 + one year but his shot just wouldn’t fall sometimes although his form was a thing of beauty.

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IMO, two things have to happen for LSU to be a truly great team next year:

1. They MUST improve defensively. This year's team was big improvement over last year's complete embarrassment on defense, but still really weak compared to the rest of the league.

2. The highly touted freshman have to be willing to defer to Waters to let him create the offense. Waters is a truly special player that can create everything on his own for both he and his teammates. Everyone coming in is a stud HS player who is used to being his team's #1 option. But they haven't played with a PG like Waters who is masterful at setting up scoring opportunities. If guys want to be selfish and try to do everything one-on-one, that will be bad for LSU.

You saw that in the Simmons year. You had some guys who really didn't want to swallow their egos or give a shite on defense. Simmons was every bit the facilitator (not the shooter) that Waters is. Unfortunately, some jealousy set in and LSU wasn't nearly the team they should have been.

He may not be the physical force Webber was but that’s a perfect comparison for Naz. They literally move the same way and they have the same type of hands. Their games are very similar too, both can score inside but also have 3 point range. He’s not quite Chris Webber, Webber was stronger and more athletic, but he’s in that mold just with a more modern type of game.

JOB was a 5 star by most publications