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OT: UNC vs. Kansas

Tiny by The Graduate on

I commend Idog for the great idea to post a diary on the Memphis-UCLA game.  With all accolades going to him, this is a diary for the second semifinal game between UNC-Kansas, sans poll.

Of course, there is plenty to watch for the Blazers here as well.  Tyler Hansbrough is the most immediate name that will jump out to edgers here- this really could be his showcase in proving he deserves lottery consideration.  But, there are also players like the athletic Darrell Arthur and the do-everything Mario Chalmers from Kansas that might be available in the late first and early second rounds.  And of course, the occasional BEer has thrown out lightning-quick Tywon Lawson as a mid-to-late first round possibility.  Supreme shooter Wayne Ellington also has been making some mock drafts in the late round, so he is a possibility (although seems rather redundant to me).

Have fun, debate nicely, and enjoy what promises to be one of the best (talent-wise) played Final Fours in recent memory.

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Draft Tyler Hansbrough
TO THE EXTREME!
I'm tominhawaii and I approved this message.

by tominhawaii on Apr 5, 2008 5:53 PM PDT   0 recs

Haw haw haw.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Since we are just starting...
let me be the first to say, much to the chagrin of many of you, I would not draft Hansbrough with the 13th pick, barring some miraculous Final Four.  If we moved back into the first round, I might consider him in the lower 20s and later.  

I see him as perennial backup power foward who won't be able to offer much offense outside of garbage buckets (which might in fact be significant) on an NBA level.  I feel that if we are considering Pryz to be the center in the second rotation, adding Hansbrough to the mix would be rather redundant.  I commend his effort, and I think he will be a decent backup, I just remain unconvinced at this point that he is the best fit for Portland.

But, as always, if KP decides otherwise, I am 100% behind Psycho T.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 5:55 PM PDT   0 recs

Is Hansbrough quick at all?
I guess that's what I'll be looking for.  I know he's great inside and a good rebounder.

I guess my idea is just... what if, he could play the nba 3 on defense?  He could be a garbage player on offense.  The Blazers would dominate at rebounding.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 6:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A 3?
I don't think he is laterally quick enough to guard the 3.  I am not sure he is even latterly quick to guard some of the 4s in the league.  No way could he stay in front of an undersized four like Travis.  But, I could be wrong, let me know what you see.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 6:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well
So far he looks downright slow...

Gotta love his inside scoring though!

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 6:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey he doesn't have the quickness
to guard the 4 let alone the three.

by lee3022 on Apr 6, 2008 2:25 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't care
If the Blazers draft him with the 30th pick.  I just want to watch him come off the bench and frustrate the hell out of the opposing team, while firing up the crowd and the team.
I'm tominhawaii and I approved this message.

by tominhawaii on Apr 5, 2008 6:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah...
He sure as heck would be annoying...

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 6:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And you would be correct.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I still really like Tyler Hansbrough,
but I feel that a signature change is needed for the time being.
Tyler Hansbrough wears Kansas underwear.

by JTDuck22 on Apr 5, 2008 6:32 PM PDT   0 recs

This is UNREAL
Kansas is playing unbelievable.  Carolina is so stunned they can't do anything out there.

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 6:33 PM PDT   0 recs

It's like a Pac-10 team against...
.......................................................OSU.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Domination...
And yeah if there is anything this game has proven, Tyler Hansbrough is not quick.  Kansas is quick, and as a result, they've denied him the ball for minutes on end.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 6:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Yes.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ALDRIGE = PRYZBILLA
........................ that is all.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:38 PM PDT   0 recs

No, there's more...
.......................... I WANT HIM!!!
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude is HUGE and he wants it low...
.................................Come on out, youngster, no sense being exploited by Kansas when you can be a millionaire...
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hansborough has a world-class flop.
........................................................ No thanks.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:44 PM PDT   0 recs

Officials giving UNC every call...
....................................................... trying to make this mess a game.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Seems to me...
The refs are trying to keep Carolina in it... Hansborough is getting all the calls.

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 6:46 PM PDT   0 recs

Hansborough is the new Divac.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:51 PM PDT   0 recs

.......................... without the passing.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow...
I am getting so tired of him flopping...

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 7:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

wow
finally a call on Hansborough.  Terrible play by Kansas at the end of this half.  If they blow this...

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 6:52 PM PDT   0 recs

They won't.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wouldn't it be confusing to have
Aldridge and Aldrich on the same team?
Tyler Hansbrough wears Kansas underwear.

by JTDuck22 on Apr 5, 2008 6:54 PM PDT   0 recs

I'd figure out how to spell it eventually.
........................................................... I promise.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 6:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yea,
I didn't want to be mean and correct you directly.
Tyler Hansbrough wears Kansas underwear.

by JTDuck22 on Apr 5, 2008 8:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Arthur...
Any thoughts on Darrell Arthur since we are at the half?  He is certainly not polished, yet I find his combination of athleticism and intensity intriguing.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 6:54 PM PDT   0 recs

Draft Status
How bad did Kevin Love, Darren Collison, and Tyler Hansbrough hurt their draft status in these games?
JRogero

by JRogero on Apr 5, 2008 7:05 PM PDT   0 recs

Collison certainly...
Hansbrough and Love probably not all that much.  
UCLA did not do a very good job of getting Love the ball where he could be most effective, and love even had a rather impressive block on a Memphis lay-up attempt proving he is not a slouch when it comes to vertical athleticism.  That being said, he did not play as well as he normally does, so he certainly didn't help it.

With Hansbrough, I am just not sure how much he can do (other than consistently knock down 18-footers) to alter scouts opinions of him.  He is what he is.  He is an energetic and intelligent player making the most of his abilities against superior athletes.  Whether UNC comes back or loses, I just think he will remain in the latter half of the first round.

On the other hand, for Collison, it was a complete disaster.  He likely went from a potential lottery selection to being selected in the 20s.  He was physically overmatched, turned the ball over frequently, got frustrated, and couldn't penetrate against the Memphis defense.  Tonight will really hurt him.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

choke for the ages?
looking possible

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 7:21 PM PDT   0 recs

Collison's collapse
Near the end it seemed like Collison fouled Rose because he wanted to foul out. One of the dumbest fouls I've ever seen.
JRogero

by JRogero on Apr 5, 2008 7:23 PM PDT   0 recs

Never saw a PG foul out of a game
Must be quite rare for a PG to foul out of a game. Especially Collison. I doubt that he has ever fouled out of a game in his entire life. Very strange. Do you suppose he was bought off by the mob?
Nature bats last.

by fisheyes on Apr 5, 2008 10:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually,
didn't he do just that a couple of games ago?

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No
He was too slow and undersized to guard Derrick Rose and WAY too undersized to guard Douglas Roberts. I was really surprised at how easily Rose just dribbled past him every time they had Collison on him. Basically he resorted to fouling them because he was totally out of his league physically and athletically.

Bright side is, did you notice that Rose struggled to get past Westbrook? Near the end of the game he usually just gave the ball up whenever Westbrook was assigned to him. I am convinced Russel Westbrook is going to be a very good NBA defender.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

unbelievable
UNC is going to win this game, possibly by double digits.  Kansas is collapsing and has no answers.

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 7:32 PM PDT   0 recs

Oh, ye of little faith...
......................................... add GUNNER to the indictment against Hansborough.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 7:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol
They let the lead get sliced to 6 (from 28) but it looks like they'll hold on.

Hansborough is getting swarmed on defense.  Great job by Kansas on him.

This game hasn't changed my opinion of THans one bit- he wasn't a lottery pick to begin with but one tough game against great D doesn't make him a bad player.  He's worthy of a late first round pick, but there will be better options at #13 IMO.

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 7:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I am impressed
with Kansas and their moxie in hanging on to this game.  I was with you, I thought it was over.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 8:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Noticing a pattern here?
................................Kansas pounded the ball early, UNC shot jumpers, big lead. Then Kansas started shooting jumpers, UNC pounded, game got close. Then Kansas started pounding again, UNC shot jumpers, and Kansas pulled away.

Blazers could learn from that.

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 7:58 PM PDT   0 recs

So could KP...
.............................. if he drafts another ^*)&(^&% small forward I am going to start throwing feces like a zoo monkey.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 8:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm hearing the rumblings...
.................................... PG or SF.

A PG, I disagree with spending the 1 on that, but there is at least a logic. But the Blazers need another 3 like a fat guys needs another belly button.

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 8:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not that KP has drafted a 3 before...
................................... emphasis on the word ANOTHER.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 8:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I have to admit that you nailed it...
38:19 Min, 11-18 FG, +11 +/-, 5 Off, 12 Rebs, 7 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 22 Pts - LMA vs Clips 3-21-08

by LaMarvelous on Apr 5, 2008 8:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hansbrough = slow.
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 8:00 PM PDT   0 recs

man
you really hate this guy, don't you?

I'm annoyed as anyone over the media love fest about him, but its not the kid's fault.  Hans is a heck of a player.

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 8:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to mention...
I think he travels on nearly every post move.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 8:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not a college BB fan...
...................................... so this is all really impressionistic from one game (plus a few ESPN highlights). THAT'S not the guy. He won't be around when the Blazers pick, so no worries, but that's not the guy.

I really like Love, just because he's got the attitude to play low and he's capable of scoring the ball. He's not super athletic, but the Blazers need somebody to spell LMA who isn't Channing Frye, and he'd do very nicely, thank you.

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 8:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh he'll be around,
that is if he comes out.  No way someone takes him in the lottery.  He may want to go back to school and cement his status as one of the best college basketball players of all time, and I commend him for that.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 8:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

With the rookie contract scam....
........................................ that the NBA is running, there is NO WAY that I would be exploited for free in college and then exploited for sub-market rate in the NBA for 4 years after that. I would be out SOOOOOOOO fast... I'd have to question the IQ of a player doing otherwise, no offense to Brandon Roy, of course... But it's beyond one-sided in college (millionaire coaches and utterly unpaid players) and then the NBA has a racket after that. There's no reason to put oneself through that if you know you have big league skills...

Marty had it figured out.

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 8:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You wouldn't be able to tell from this game,
but i've watched a lot of him and he is pretty fast for a 4/5.
Tyler Hansbrough wears Kansas underwear.

by JTDuck22 on Apr 5, 2008 8:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But not quick...
Yeah he was good at running the court when he wanted to.  As long as he was moving in a straight line.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 8:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm
I can see him becoming a taller Matt Harpring. A big bruiser, that can score by bullying you off the glass and hitting that mid range jumper. He can be a better scorer in the NBA than scouts have projected.

I want to get him with another 1st rounder.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 8:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I think he can NBA score...
He's also a decent interior defender, and helps as much as he can.  Imma go further and say he can be a starting NBA 4.  The guy can flat out score inside with contact, he rebounds, fights, etc., and he can run the court.  He's dependent on good interior passes, and he needs to learn to pass the ball out from the post.  North Carolina just couldn't get him the ball in the first half because Kansas denied him, and he'll see that in the NBA as well, on steroids, but only if he becomes the #1 option.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 8:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep
I think if we nab Hans we will have the best bench in the NBA.

Blake?/Sergio
Rudy
Travis
Hansborough
Pryzbilla

Wow.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 9:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm...
I dunno if he fits with the Blazers... Maybe he does.  Maybe if we get rid of some of our scorers in a trade.  But I figure next year with Rudy and Oden in the equation for scoring the ball, he wouldn't get touches when he plays.  And if you're not taking advantage of his ability to score, I don't see the point in playing him, and therefore drafting him.  As good as he is at scoring with contact, Oden is essentially going to be better at doing the exact same thing.  The only difference is that Oden won't feel the bump before he dunks the other guy through the rim.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 9:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Team design
Right now I see our second unit as a fast paced running unit. Hans and Pryz are excellent rebounders, with them crashing the boards it allows Sergio, Rudy, and Travis to run. These three guys are awesome on the break. Hans seems like a good finisher as well. He can also space the floor a bit with his mid range game. With his personality and coachability, he'd preform this role for us perfectly.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 9:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Does he have a midrange game?
I got the impression that Kansas was completely leaving him and instead of shooting it, he would try and go straight to the rim.  I mean, I'm sure he'd learn that, but I didn't see him make a midrange jump shot today.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 9:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Right now
He's primarily a post-up player, an inside the paint guy. I think a lot of that is due to design of Carolina's offense.

I think he possess the capability to have that mid range game even in his rookie season.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 9:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I will say something nice about him...
..................................................... in the post-game interview he seemed intelligent and pissed off, which is what you like to see in a big guy, as opposed to popping on the iPod and ducking out of the arena...
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 9:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I dunno,
we only get one lottery pick (unless something wacky happens), and I see our needs being more about defense and specifically, perimeter defense.  I see Hansbrough's main strength as being an offensive player, in the low post.

Hansbrough in that scenario would be mainly there for rebounding, and I just don't think it's playing to his strengths enough to draft him for that reason as opposed to, say, Russell Westbrook.  Also, Travis in the white unit plays the 4, and Joel has shown he can take care of most rebounding needs by himself, as long as he's not being overly forced to foul rogue opposing point guards who blow past matador defense to the rim.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 10:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also in terms of BPA,
I'm not sure Hansbrough is flat out better than Westbrook due to athleticism and upside.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 10:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh yeah I agree
No way I am taking Hans at 13. I draft Westbrook at 13, or I try to move up and grab Bayless or Mayo.

I was saying in the inevitable trade that includes Jarret Jack (his atrocious month of March pretty much guarantees this scenario) we should pick up a late 1st round draft pick. And with that we get Hansbourgh.

I highly doubt Travis stays a 4 on the white unit. This season Travis is probably the worst on the entire team at boxing out on rebounds. He just isn't strong enough to grab defensive rebounds and guard NBA 4s. The fact that he lacks a post game is also not very appetizing for a PF. The only reason he's playing the 4 now is because Oden went down and Pryz had to take the starting center job.

Having another strong guy that can get offensive rebounds,provide inside scoring, and hustle would be very good for this team.

The Blazers have weak interior defense
We are basically nonexistent on the offensive glass
And besides LMA (maybe Oden) we have nothing in terms of an inside threat.

Hansbrough would be able to help in all those categories.

by Dheepan on Apr 5, 2008 10:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OK, I'm with you.
Travis needs to learn how to guard 3's this summer so the Blazers can start him.

by ranma on Apr 5, 2008 10:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What do you guys think of Brandon Rush's game?
38:19 Min, 11-18 FG, +11 +/-, 5 Off, 12 Rebs, 7 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 22 Pts - LMA vs Clips 3-21-08

by LaMarvelous on Apr 5, 2008 8:01 PM PDT   0 recs

I like Rush a lot
I think he's projected as a bubble guy for the first round, but I like his game.

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 8:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Brandon Roy-lite
But Brandon Roy- very lite.  He has a certain smoothness to his game, if a bit to inconsistent on the outside short.  He probably is a bit longer than Brandon Roy though.

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 8:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oops..
outside shot

by The Graduate on Apr 5, 2008 8:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking more...
a less athletic version of Webster... in other words potentially a solid rotation player but not a starter for a winning team.

by jksnake99 on Apr 5, 2008 8:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A lot of folks sleep on rush
He might be the best SG defender in the country. We will see Monday but Rush has repeatedly shut down the best SG every game.

Rush will be better than Paul Pierce imo. I watched them both in college and Rush is a much better defender and scorer than Pierce was.

by lee3022 on Apr 6, 2008 2:19 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kansas empties the bench!
"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 5, 2008 8:03 PM PDT   0 recs

hey
I like Rush

by RipCity on Apr 5, 2008 8:05 PM PDT   0 recs

Hansbrough can't jump
He has almost zero blocks this year. I don't see how he makes any but the worst NBA teams. He comes more ready to play than many other players but he is not getting any better. He stay another year and hope NC doesn't flame out again. This is his element and not the NBA.

by lee3022 on Apr 6, 2008 2:22 AM PDT   0 recs

If Zach Randolph
can play in the NBA, Hansbrough can.  Hansbrough has at least showed that he tries to play defense in spite of his limitations.  That combined with his post play should make him stick somewhere.  He can guard big, slow guys as long as they're not terribly long.  If he can't guard anyone, he can come off the banch.

by ranma on Apr 6, 2008 12:09 PM PDT