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Andrej Stojakovic

I think he stays on west coast and finds a school that isn't flying a million miles to play. All that jet lag has to be hell on trying to maintain a consistent routine for game prep. The little I watched him I liked his game, would love to see him at UNC if he could play the role that Ryan did a couple years ago.
 
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I love his game and his positional size. He obviously has been taught what it takes to succeed at the highest level and this cannot be discounted! Absolutely worth taking a flyer and trying to rekindle any relationship they once had!

Giv him a shot, Hubs!
 
I suspect it's hard to get someone like this while there's uncertainty about Drake. Kids like Stojakovic and FSU's Watkins and a few others I wish we'd go after aren't interested in coming off the bench.

Most of us seem pretty sure Drake isn't coming back. But is that what Hubert thinks? Does our seeming lack of urgency to replace Drake reflect an expectation that he will return?

I'd rather have Drake back than any of these guys, but I'm not sanguine.
 
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I'd rather have Drake back than any of these guys

Absolutely. Drake is a superstar on the cusp. I truly believe he's a potential first team AA. He just looks different than everyone else when on the floor. He has elite athleticism and great defensive presence/awareness. And his offensive game is not nearly as limited as some seem to believe. I think he can be a 18-20 ppg scorer for us next year if Hubert can convince him to come back, develop a killer instinct and the confidence that an Alpha has to have. It would be his team and he would be the guy we rely on to get us a bucket in crunch time. In short, keeping Drake was always the biggest offseason move we could make.
 
Absolutely. Drake is a superstar on the cusp. I truly believe he's a potential first team AA. He just looks different than everyone else when on the floor. He has elite athleticism and great defensive presence/awareness. And his offensive game is not nearly as limited as some seem to believe. I think he can be a 18-20 ppg scorer for us next year if Hubert can convince him to come back, develop a killer instinct and the confidence that an Alpha has to have. It would be his team and he would be the guy we rely on to get us a bucket in crunch time. In short, keeping Drake was always the biggest offseason move we could make.
That's probably the most bullish take I've seen on Drake Powell here. I guess I don't see the superstar talent during his UNC years. Maybe he develops into a beast at the next level. But I see a limited offensive player, but a good enough offensive player to be a really good 2-way player.

The question is about fit too. If it's Evans/Trimble/Drake Powell/Wilson/Veesaar, that's 4 unwilling shooters unless Drake becomes a legitimate scoring option. I like Stojakovic, but don't love him. Not sure how much of his production were empty calories. Percentage-wise, he wasn't a good 3PT shooter but how much does that have to do with the lack of talent around him? Would an upgraded team help him out a lot (a la Harrison Ingram)?

I do think this team needs more of a #1 scoring option. I don't really believe in the "having 5 balanced guys." People will bring up previous Roy teams that were extremely balanced. IMO Hansbrough, Lawson, and Ellington were all #1 options who just played on the same team and that worked out as "balanced." Sean May and Rashad McCants were both #1 options. This team lacks that guy. Stojakovic might fit that description better, but I'm more 50/50 on him.

But if Drake Powell returns and is as good as you think he will be (and plays that way next season), then UNC is a Final Four contender and just needs to find a PG off the bench.
 
That's probably the most bullish take I've seen on Drake Powell here. I guess I don't see the superstar talent during his UNC years. Maybe he develops into a beast at the next level. But I see a limited offensive player, but a good enough offensive player to be a really good 2-way player.

The question is about fit too. If it's Evans/Trimble/Drake Powell/Wilson/Veesaar, that's 4 unwilling shooters unless Drake becomes a legitimate scoring option. I like Stojakovic, but don't love him. Not sure how much of his production were empty calories. Percentage-wise, he wasn't a good 3PT shooter but how much does that have to do with the lack of talent around him? Would an upgraded team help him out a lot (a la Harrison Ingram)?

I do think this team needs more of a #1 scoring option. I don't really believe in the "having 5 balanced guys." People will bring up previous Roy teams that were extremely balanced. IMO Hansbrough, Lawson, and Ellington were all #1 options who just played on the same team and that worked out as "balanced." Sean May and Rashad McCants were both #1 options. This team lacks that guy. Stojakovic might fit that description better, but I'm more 50/50 on him.

But if Drake Powell returns and is as good as you think he will be (and plays that way next season), then UNC is a Final Four contender and just needs to find a PG off the bench.

Drake would have been a willing scorer if he had played in a different system with different teammates. If he hadn't had RJ, Cadeau and Ian dominating the ball, he could have shown more. The fact that he was willing to play a role instead of coming in and demanding X amount of shots shows me everything. He's a throwback type of player; a guy that's willing to put individual accolades aside for the team success. He trusted Hubert (we can argue whether you should) and that shows he's coachable and a leader and a good teammate. Hubert needed him for defense/rebounding and to be a willing passer. He handled his responsibilities better than most anyone else on the team. Now he needs someone to instill in him the Alpha mentality that Ian/RJ had. I think he's a bona fide pro and if we're lucky to keep him, he'll be far and away our best player next year.
 
I suspect it's hard to get someone like this while there's uncertainty about Drake. Kids like Stojakovic and FSU's Watkins and a few others I wish we'd go after aren't interested in coming off the bench.

Most of us seem pretty sure Drake isn't coming back. But is that what Hubert thinks? Does our seeming lack of urgency to replace Drake reflect an expectation that he will return?

I'd rather have Drake back than any of these guys, but I'm not sanguine.
Stojakovic would start over Trimble.
 
Drake would have been a willing scorer if he had played in a different system with different teammates. If he hadn't had RJ, Cadeau and Ian dominating the ball, he could have shown more. The fact that he was willing to play a role instead of coming in and demanding X amount of shots shows me everything. He's a throwback type of player; a guy that's willing to put individual accolades aside for the team success. He trusted Hubert (we can argue whether you should) and that shows he's coachable and a leader and a good teammate. Hubert needed him for defense/rebounding and to be a willing passer. He handled his responsibilities better than most anyone else on the team. Now he needs someone to instill in him the Alpha mentality that Ian/RJ had. I think he's a bona fide pro and if we're lucky to keep him, he'll be far and away our best player next year.
I like Drake a lot, perfect 3 and D prospect for the NBA, just not sure about that shot hunting mentality you mention, and that is ok. He did not have that mentality in high school either, it just is not a natural instinct to his game to this point. Maybe he develops it, but to this point he has not been that type player on any level.
 
I like Drake a lot, perfect 3 and D prospect for the NBA, just not sure about that shot hunting mentality you mention, and that is ok. He did not have that mentality in high school either, it just is not a natural instinct to his game to this point. Maybe he develops it, but to this point he has not been that type player on any level.

Jordan wasn’t a shot hunter either…until he was.
 
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6man…naw been there done that. I think, If given the chance, Seth would be great at the one; he even said as much! 6’4, seriously athletic, decent handles, all combined with a ton of experience in the program…why not Seth?

I’m sure many will disagree but I think with the right talent (athletic and mobil bigs all around), ST would be nice.

Stop playing with Seth! ;)
 
6man…naw been there done that. I think, If given the chance, Seth would be great at the one; he even said as much! 6’4, seriously athletic, decent handles, all combined with a ton of experience in the program…why not Seth?

I’m sure many will disagree but I think with the right talent (athletic and mobil bigs all around), ST would be nice.

Stop playing with Seth! ;)
We saw Seth play PG this past season. The longest stretch was in our last blowout win. He couldn't run the offense. A lot of pointless dribbling, followed by his one and only offensive trait... driving towards the rim and drawing fouls (which he is pretty good at.) We'll probably see a lot more of Trimble at PG this coming season unless we sign a true backup PG. But the UNC staff wouldn't have reached out to half a dozen point guards in the portal if they though the guy they've coached for 3 years could handle the starting PG job.
 
We saw Seth play PG this past season. The longest stretch was in our last blowout win. He couldn't run the offense. A lot of pointless dribbling, followed by his one and only offensive trait... driving towards the rim and drawing fouls (which he is pretty good at.) We'll probably see a lot more of Trimble at PG this coming season unless we sign a true backup PG. But the UNC staff wouldn't have reached out to half a dozen point guards in the portal if they thought the guy they've coached for 3 years could handle the starting PG job.
Yes and we also witnessed the great EC couldn’t get it done either with last year’s team(no bigs, no lob threats)…hell, as a result, he damn near set UNC records with most fouls and turnovers himself. Point is not having annnnny bigs/lob threats whatsoever would be a nightmare for any PG regardless of how many * they have next to their name. Proof: EC.

I think next year EC is going to be a freaking stud because Michigan has surrounded him with a bunch of athletic bigs and lob threats; EC skill are now unlocked.

Give the damn ball to Seth! lol
 
Yes and we also witnessed the great EC couldn’t get it done either with last year’s team(no bigs, no lob threats)…hell, as a result, he damn near set UNC records with most fouls and turnovers himself.
Ray Felton had 2 seasons with more turnovers than Cadeau. Ed Cota had 3 season with more turnovers than Cadeau, and 1 season with the same number of turnovers.
 
Ray Felton had 2 seasons with more turnovers than Cadeau. Ed Cota had 3 season with more turnovers than Cadeau, and 1 season with the same number of turnovers.
Ray Felton? Ed Cota?? Really?

Give Seth the ball and let him and Dixon (or whoever) fight it out.
 
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Absolutely. Drake is a superstar on the cusp. I truly believe he's a potential first team AA. He just looks different than everyone else when on the floor. He has elite athleticism and great defensive presence/awareness. And his offensive game is not nearly as limited as some seem to believe. I think he can be a 18-20 ppg scorer for us next year if Hubert can convince him to come back, develop a killer instinct and the confidence that an Alpha has to have. It would be his team and he would be the guy we rely on to get us a bucket in crunch time. In short, keeping Drake was always the biggest offseason move we could make.
With Drake, first and foremost, it was to me almost a criminal act to put that young man at the 4 spot for so long last season. A 6'6" 205lb freshman and you start him at the 4 against one of the hardest schedules in the country and somehow that is going to work out well for you? Simply one of the dumbest coaching mistakes I have ever seen, up there with trying to make Jalen in to a back to the basket center, at least Jalen some what looked the part...

What I liked about Drake is the kid will battle his heart out. He got lost a LOT early on defensively but he learned, he kept grinding. UN-like some, Drake came to work every game, his effort was consistent. He developed, yeah developed, in to a guy that if back should be considered for the all ACC defensive team,maybe he and a team mate (Seth). He is also a guy that will hit the boards consistently, a guy that can get you a key block or steal at any time, he is a great blue collar guy.

Where I am going to piss some folk off is Drake on the offensive end, first I am just going to say it, didn't love his jump shooting, did very much like his shot selection, decent shooters (which is how I saw him) take really good shots and drop a nice %. I think his ball handles need work, I want to see him pump fake the pressure and drive or make hard cuts to receive and slash to the rim with a dribble or 2 but his dribble looked a bit shaky under pressure. He missed a LOT of what looked to me like clean looks, his pre-catch shooting motion needs work and he has to much arch elevation on his shot, that limited his getting those good rolls in you see a lot of guys get. If that isn't fixed he shooting % will drop when defenses focus more on him. Understand, when i am talking about better shot prep, I am saying feet squared away and decision to shoot all done PRIOR to the catch, not after, where all he has to do is catch, elevate, fire.
 
Jordan wasn’t a shot hunter either…until he was.
Eh, but he was. The McDonald's All American Game, high school, Mike was a scorer first and foremost. He was. He may have been corralled at UNC, and was more than just a scorer, but he was that inert scorer mentality from jump street. Drake has never been that.
 
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Some say we saw Seth at the 1, I can only recall 3 or 4 mop up minutes. He has never had a chance to show he could or couldn’t run a team in his years on the hill. I would love to see him pressuring the point guard in a half court press situation 20 minutes a game.
 
Some say we saw Seth at the 1, I can only recall 3 or 4 mop up minutes. He has never had a chance to show he could or couldn’t run a team in his years on the hill. I would love to see him pressuring the point guard in a half court press situation 20 minutes a game.

His handle is not tight enough to be a 1

Very average team if he's at 1

Teams would pressure us too.
 
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His handle is not tight enough to be a 1

Very average team if he's at 1

Teams would pressure us too.
So you are saying we will be an average team with Seth at the point because teams will press us full court?

I would simply have Wilson in bound the ball and hang back with Seth, bring my wing to a couple steps from the mid court line with Seth bringing it up from the middle rather than down a side line so when Seth gets pressure he has left or right options to break that press. Know why most teams do not press for 40mins, because when you know the press is coming it is easy to break and there are multiple ways to break it, you turn their press in to your fast break. Keep in mind, Wilson is more a point forward type, good handles for his size, he is going to board and initiate the break a lot, be ready for that.
 
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So you are saying we will be an average team with Seth at the point because teams will press us full court?

I would simply have Wilson in bound the ball and hang back with Seth, bring my wing to a couple steps from the mid court line with Seth bringing it up from the middle rather than down a side line so when Seth gets pressure he has left or right options to break that press. Know why most teams do not press for 40mins, because when you know the press is coming it is easy to break and there are multiple ways to break it, you turn their press in to your fast break. Keep in mind, Wilson is more a point forward type, good handles for his size, he is going to board and initiate the break a lot, be ready for that.
C'mon. We need a true PG to start for us not come up with some strategy to paper over cracks for not starting a true PG.
 
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So you are saying we will be an average team with Seth at the point because teams will press us full court?

I would simply have Wilson in bound the ball and hang back with Seth, bring my wing to a couple steps from the mid court line with Seth bringing it up from the middle rather than down a side line so when Seth gets pressure he has left or right options to break that press. Know why most teams do not press for 40mins, because when you know the press is coming it is easy to break and there are multiple ways to break it, you turn their press in to your fast break. Keep in mind, Wilson is more a point forward type, good handles for his size, he is going to board and initiate the break a lot, be ready for that.
No cause he's an average ball handler and already avg player.

Who could have trouble just initiating the offense.

Insisting the break is not being the PG.

Not even close.
 
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UNC has been in contact with Stojakovic. But it appears unlikely we would have the money to recruit him unless Drake fully commits to the draft.
 
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