Myck Kabongo Open Thread

Only saw the last 5 mins. of the half. Teague played like garbage, McAdoo looked like McAdoo.

Looked like Myck was pressing in the first half, much better here in the second half.

TJ Ford vs Myck Kabongo in arm wrestling, who breaks their arm off first? Todd Wright can’t get him in the weight room soon enough.

On the ‘no racist’ tip from above, if anyone’s not familiar with the story do yourself a favor and Google ‘John Wiley Price black hole’. An epic moment in representative government.

I’m assuming Myck didn’t score many points, but how did he do otherwise? I only saw the very end and during that time, he passed to a wide open guy in the lane who bricked the shot rather than passing back to Myck for the easy lay-in… And then Myck threw up a wide open 3 from the corner as time was winding down that wasn’t very close.

He looked pretty good. 5 assists, 6 rebounds. Teague also is good, really fast. I think they will have similar college careers

How did Quin Cook look?

Having watched some (admittedly not all) of last night’s game, and having previously decided that these games are not necessarily good indicators of future performance, I would recommend watching him with his actual teammates in the ESPN tournament that begins Thursday.

That said, I liked how his teammates put the ball into his hands in the first half. He’s obviously a charismatic guy, a leader. That’s what Texas needs, and what Barnes wants from his PG. He didn’t finish well (use the glass, son), but he’s exactly what the offense has to have.

He didn’t have a great game because he got caught up in the And 1 Mixtape vibe that these all-star games foster. That said, he can get to any spot on the floor with his dribble, looks like he’s almost impossible to trap, and has quickness that our team hasn’t sniffed since TJ Ford.

As for TJ comparisons, he’s not as fast as TJ but he’s fast, Myck’s a better ballhandler and a better shooter, but he’s not the leaper that TJ was. As Bob pointed out, he’s a leader and the prototypical floor general that’s looking to create for teammates like TJ was. Players like that are a dying breed but in the college game they’re pure gold. Root for an NBA lockout because if we put Thompson and Hamilton on the floor with this kid we’ll be evil.

A-Tex, Quinn looked like a polished pass first point guard. He’ll fit in well with Rivers.

Yeah, Trips, given the skills that Thompson lacks for the next level — no reliable inside move, no jumper at all, the FT woes — and knowing what kind of player Kabongo is, I can’t believe he’s seriously considering leaving. He should be the one to tell Hamilton how good he’ll be for everybody.

Didn’t get to watch last night but have it on the DVR for the weekend. Apparently Gilchrist looked damn good, can’t wait to see him and Anthony Davis in Big Blue next year. Khem Birch supposedly had a nice game even though he had brutal practices. No doubt he’ll be a 4 year starter for Pitt and then go on to nothings in the Association. Will have more thoughts after viewing.

I watched most of the game. Birch had a hell of a game and Davis and Gilchrist are incredible athletes.

Rivers game (from the three games that I’ve seen him play) seems to be about what he can do. Rivers is clearly a stud and a better individual player than Myck, but Myck makes the team better. I think the West coach saw that as well and had Myck playing more key minutes in the 2nd half. When they played together it didn’t appear to work. Myck reminds me of Vince in that you have to turn the keys over to him.

“As Bob pointed out, he’s a leader and the prototypical floor general that’s looking to create for teammates like TJ was. Players like that are a dying breed but in the college game they’re pure gold.”

Bingo. I believe Myck will have a bigger influence on overall team performance (W’s) for the Horns than KD did. Not saying he is even in the same stratosphere as KD, just pointing out how he will make others better.

I think he might be faster with ball than TJ was Trips.

I don’t think Myck is the shooter we hear about but everyone glorifies their recruits way past past their individual abilities. He will be a player though in the TJ mold. Anthony Davis is a beast I was most impressed with him. Rivers is a ball hog and is really not that great. He has bust written all over. The kid was taking guarded NBA three’s and doesn’t look to pass. I think we have our point guard and he won’t be a one and done either. We will get at least 2 years out of him

Myck won the Sportsmanship Award based on his attitude during the practice week.
 
Kind of an interesting factoid.

A few thoughts:

“Teague played like garbage”

You caught a bad part. Marquis played well in the second half. He’s an odd player because he doesn’t have Kabongo’s handle in any way, nor is he a plus shooter. But his explosion with the ball in his hands and vertically around the basket is absolutely incredible, making him almost impossible to stay in front of or stop without fouling.

“Khem Birch supposedly had a nice game even though he had brutal practices. No doubt he’ll be a 4 year starter for Pitt and then go on to nothings in the Association.”

I thought exactly the same thing before I saw him play Jeff, but he’s legit. He’ll garner some serious high-NBA interest after his first year. The League loves guys that can jump out of the gym, block shots, and have a raw offensive game. His tenacity and finishing ability really, really surprised me.

“A-Tex, Quinn looked like a polished pass first point guard. He’ll fit in well with Rivers.”

Bingo, especially the part about fitting in well with Rivers. Good defender too. But hey, maybe Kyrie’s coming back, eh A-Tex? That would be sick.

“As for TJ comparisons, he’s not as fast as TJ but he’s fast, Myck’s a better ballhandler and a better shooter, but he’s not the leaper that TJ was.”

Some guy said exactly this on OB and got utterly crucified because since T.J.‘s best facet was supposedly his ball handling (it wasn’t), saying somebody had better handle thus necessitates that that person is a better player overall. And is Myck Kabongo better than a NPOY winner? I don’t think so blah blah blah. It makes sense if you don’t think about it…

“Apparently Gilchrist looked damn good”

I didn’t think so. He’s certainly not an aesthetically pleasing player to watch…Honestly he reminds me of a raw Darius Miller. Whatever. If Lamb comes back like expected, it really won’t matter. UK will be stacked beyond belief. Teague is a great fit for Cal’s offense and Davis should be the best player in the conference the moment he steps on the court the first time.

I love Myck and if Jordan and especially Tristan stick around, they’ll have more alley-oops than they’ll know what to do with. Wingman and Chap better learn how to catch, though, or they’re going to have to replace some teeth.

I agree with basically all of what Blake said, but the last two sentences are gospel. You’ll have some broken noses if those dudes aren’t ready to catch the ball. It’s going to be a blast regardless.

Myck might be worth between six and eight points per game.

Myck was quick and keeps the ball close. Thought he was great and TT and co. could benefit from him on the court immediately. Great court vision, can handle the ball in traffic, and is fearless driving — everybody running with him better have their hands/head up.

It’ll be interesting to see if Rivers is an isolation player at the next level or can catch and shoot. He already reminds me a bit of a shorter Singler. Was comparing him with Cory Joseph according to ESPN and they had Cory’s range at 22 feet and Rivers at 28 atsa but Joseph as a pass first guard. I think CJ will be a Longhorn longer than Rivers will play for Coach K. Rivers dad was a good defender and wonder if Austin’ll develop that part of his game.

McAdoo is a manchild—physical specimen. Loved watching St. A’s beating Gilchrist’s squad this year.

Kentucky’s roach of a coach hasn’t had to pay yet for being a roach, therefore hasn’t had to repent. And what does he get in return—to stockpile talent. We all knew USC with Mayo and Auburn were/are cheating and Calipari is synonymous to cheat.

Man, did Myck ever look wack in the RISE tournament. I’m willing to write it off to playing a game in Maryland not even 24 hours after playing a heady-experience game in Chicago the night before, but damn…that was disappointing.

Then again, 0 Bradley looked like a world-beater in the RISE tourney, so maybe this is a good sign.

I thought McAdoo was the best player on the court. Versatile and long (Jay Bilas shoutout). I also liked the Hairston kid a lot. If Barnes stays around, UNC will be looooooooaded.

Myck might not be quite as quick as TJ Ford was, but he ain’t far off. Great vision and should really make a difference as a true lead guard with quicks, handles, and vision (real ground-breaking analysis here, I know).

Any news out of Jordan and Tristan re: next year??? Kind of antsy to hear something on this front.