Eating some crow right now and...

[alabamaheel]

its never tasted better. I have to admit something. I have never been that high on Tony being a impact for this team this year. I have listened to several talk about him potentially being a OAD and have just hit the ignore button. Chomp, chomp, swallow. I see it now peeps. He may not be a flashy freshman or an "elite media talented freshmen" but he can ball. Hes stronger than he looks, more graceful than he seems, and saavy to the ball and game that Roy wants to play. GO HEELS.

 

[gary-7]

its never tasted better. I have to admit something. I have never been that high on Tony being a impact for this team this year. I have listened to several talk about him potentially being a OAD and have just hit the ignore button. Chomp, chomp, swallow. I see it now peeps. He may not be a flashy freshman or an "elite media talented freshmen" but he can ball. Hes stronger than he looks, more graceful than he seems, and saavy to the ball and game that Roy wants to play. GO HEELS.

Well, the good news is that the OAD talk was not realistic. In fact I smile thinking about the jump he's gonna make as a soph.

 

[Steat]

Yep, he is at least a two year player who is sponge and wants to learn more and more each day. Roy needs to search the universe and find more kids with the attitude of Bradley, Robinson and Woods. These kids could care less about averaging 20 points a game.

 

[DSouthr]

Well, the good news is that the OAD talk was not realistic. In fact I smile thinking about the jump he's gonna make as a soph.

He does need to add about 15-20lbs and he does need to work on moving his feet and neither is a surprise. But I agree, this kid with another 20lbs of muscle I think he becomes a beast. Fortunately, I think he has one of those bodies that can pack on weight faster than many, 15-20lbs next off season would not surprise me at all.

 

[Tom79]

He's on Jonas' speed dial! He does remind me of another big, long , long ago. Eerily similar in build too.

 

[dadika13]

I absolutely think he can be OAD. He's athletic, quick, and LONG. NBA GM's eat that up.

Only thing that may keep him here is that this class is loaded.

 

[HeelFan58]

Let's tap the brakes a little until Power 5 and ACC match ups come along.

 

[trestyles]

Well, the good news is that the OAD talk was not realistic. In fact I smile thinking about the jump he's gonna make as a soph.

He starting to show up on mock drafts. I don't believe in them, but some on this board don't think a prospect is potential OAD till he on a mock draft.

 

[trestyles]

I absolutely think he can be OAD. He's athletic, quick, and LONG. NBA GM's eat that up.

Only thing that may keep him here is that this class is loaded.

Correct. The league now likes size, length, and bigs that can run.

 

[Spacegrass]

You need to see him in person. He is tall and really long. Has quick feet and excellent feel offensively. Has the frame to be a 260+lb guy one day. Pick and roll defense is still a work in progress with him but overall a lot to like. Not that he will be this good at the next level but see similarities between he and a young/frosh Lamarcus Aldridge.

 

[Steat]

If the Heels win the title who cares who declares for the NBA. They would at least silence the fans of the OAD factories.

 

[gary-7]

I absolutely think he can be OAD. He's athletic, quick, and LONG. NBA GM's eat that up.

Only thing that may keep him here is that this class is loaded.

Disagree.
OK, not saying he couldn't be since the NBA loves potential, but he's just not a legit OAD. He'd get stuck on an NBA bench with no practice time to develop. Much better off returning to UNC and developing his game and becoming the "man" inside for at least another season or two.

Realistically, Tony needs time to grow into his body and get stronger and a whole lot better with his feet, especially defensively. If he does that he'll leave here a 1st-rounder.

 

[jeans15]

I call him "Baby Tim"

Game is so much like Duncan's to me.

 

[Butterbutt44]

Not sure what world Im living in where Skal Labissiere is a OAD and some are saying Bradley wont be a "legit" one and done(whatever that means, you either can be one or you cant). I understand this years draft class is stacked but give me a break. Richardson from syracuse wasnt even on the radar last year and he had a few big games in the tournament and was almost a lottery pick. Bradley most certainly can be a one and done.

 

[dadika13]

Disagree.
OK, not saying he couldn't be since the NBA loves potential, but he's just not a legit OAD. He'd get stuck on an NBA bench with no practice time to develop. Much better off returning to UNC and developing his game and becoming the "man" inside for at least another season or two.

Realistically, Tony needs time to grow into his body and get stronger and a whole lot better with his feet, especially defensively. If he does that he'll leave here a 1st-rounder.

No one is saying what is the right move for him, I don't know how you can even form that opinion after 2 games.

What I'm saying is he has the raw measurables and talent that NBA GM's love and that they draft high.

 

[gary-7]

He starting to show up on mock drafts. I don't believe in them, but some on this board don't think a prospect is potential OAD till he on a mock draft.

True enough on both counts, but hell, some on here had him starting over Meeks, which in itself (barring injury) wasn't even realistic. Kennedy is a grown-ass man --- Tony is still a big ol' pup.

TB has a ton of potential (especially if he stays and develops properly here at the place that does it best). However, most any coach will tell ya that he has a ways to go in physical maturity and footwork.. A full season followed by a Chapel Hill summer will have him ready to vie for All-ACC status next season and the draft rewards will come in time.

 

[trestyles]

Not sure what world Im living in where Skal Labissiere is a OAD and some are saying Bradley wont be a "legit" one and done(whatever that means, you either can be one or you cant). I understand this years draft class is stacked but give me a break. Richardson from syracuse wasnt even on the radar last year and he had a few big games in the tournament and was almost a lottery pick. Bradley most certainly can be a one and done.

Exactly. On this forum their always seemed to be a problem why our recruits can't be a first round pick. This year its TB and Joel Berry. Last year it was Brice. Year before Reggie Bullock. Year before it was Kendall.

Some don't even watch the NBA Today to know what they drafting.

 

[trestyles]

True enough on both counts, but hell, some on here had him starting over Meeks, which in itself (barring injury) wasn't even realistic. Kennedy is a grown-ass man --- Tony is still a big ol' pup.

TB has a ton of potential (especially if he stays and develops properly here at the place that does it best). However, most any coach will tell ya that he has a ways to go in physical maturity and footwork.. A full season followed by a Chapel Hill summer will have him ready to vie for All-ACC status next season and the draft rewards will come in time.

Ton of potential you said? NBA LOVES POTENTIAL.

 

[gary-7]

No one is saying what is the right move for him, I don't know how you can even form that opinion after 2 games.

What I'm saying is he has the raw measurables and talent that NBA GM's love and that they draft high.

Well, again, I have no argument there.

 

[HeelFan58]

True enough on both counts, but hell, some on here had him starting over Meeks, which in itself (barring injury) wasn't even realistic. Kennedy is a grown-ass man --- Tony is still a big ol' pup.

TB has a ton of potential (especially if he stays and develops properly here at the place that does it best). However, most any coach will tell ya that he has a ways to go in physical maturity and footwork.. A full season followed by a Chapel Hill summer will have him ready to vie for All-ACC status next season and the draft rewards will come in time.

Yes....Let's take a guy leading the team in rebounds out of the starting lineup.

 

[gary-7]

Not sure what world Im living in where Skal Labissiere is a OAD and some are saying Bradley wont be a "legit" one and done(whatever that means, you either can be one or you cant). I understand this years draft class is stacked but give me a break. Richardson from syracuse wasnt even on the radar last year and he had a few big games in the tournament and was almost a lottery pick. Bradley most certainly can be a one and done.

It's not a hard concept. "Legit" means a player who can go and have a realistic chance of starting or major PT as a rookie. And Richardson was on the radar.

 

[Butterbutt44]

Exactly. On this forum their always seemed to be a problem why our recruits can't be a first round pick. This year its TB and Joel Berry. Last year it was Brice. Year before Reggie Bullock. Year before it was Kendall.

Some don't even watch the NBA Today to know what they drafting.

Yep. Dont get me wrong Bradley is someone who I would Love to have in a unc uniform for more than a year. But I think Berry Jackson and Bradley(and Maybe even Hicks) all getting drafted after the team makes a deep run would Be awesome for UNC and get rid of a lot of negative connotations real or percieved.

 

[Butterbutt44]

It's not a hard concept. "Legit" means a player who can go and have a realistic chance of starting or major PT as a rookie. And Richardson was on the radar.

No offense but this doesnt make any sense to me. Im pretty sure regardless of wether you are getting PT as a rookie or in the D league once you put that first Million in the bank Id say you've reached "legit" status. And I for one am rooting for someone from UNC to do that after one year.

 

[gary-7]

No offense but this doesnt make any sense to me. Im pretty sure regardless of wether you are getting PT as a rookie or in the D league once you put that first Million in the bank Id say you've reached "legit" status. And I for one am rooting for someone from UNC to do that after one year.

I'd much rather have Tony Bradley for multiple seasons than be OAD trendy.

 

[Steat]

I call him "Baby Tim"

Game is so much like Duncan's to me.

I agree and have been saying this for several months. If he develops that patented short bank shot that Duncan had it will be scary.

 

[Tom79]

Body much like Brad D. as a frosh.

 

[Spacegrass]

Not sure what world Im living in where Skal Labissiere is a OAD and some are saying Bradley wont be a "legit" one and done(whatever that means, you either can be one or you cant). I understand this years draft class is stacked but give me a break. Richardson from syracuse wasnt even on the radar last year and he had a few big games in the tournament and was almost a lottery pick. Bradley most certainly can be a one and done.

Media hype. I mean we just saw a Presidential election where majority of media outlets were calling the winner before a vote was cast. We were told the candidate that was suppose to lose had no chance. The media is made up of schmucks just like the rest of the world.

 

[trestyles]

Media hype. I mean we just saw a Presidential election where majority of media outlets were calling the winner before a vote was cast. We were told the candidate that was suppose to lose had no chance. The media is made up of schmucks just like the rest of the world.

Same with Malik Newman. Media said before the season he was the best SG in the country. Lets not forget DT from Dook was a lotto pick before the season as PG.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

I absolutely think he can be OAD. He's athletic, quick, and LONG. NBA GM's eat that up.

Only thing that may keep him here is that this class is loaded.

AND maybe he would like to benefit all he can from Roy and Company.

 

[Ozheelfan]

It's pretty realistic to think NBA folk will take a look at Tony, especially if he develops throughout this season.

And, from the fan's point of view, it's an interesting argument about what would be best for UNC.

I am less concerned about the program looking attractive to OAD recruits - I don't think it's what Roy coaches for.... meaning, he coaches to win games with the players he has, not to showcase NBA auditions for 9month students.

That said, I reckon if Tony is being touted as a lotto pick, I doubt Roy would stand in his way.

Overall, I believe that for Tony's development, going pro after a successful soph campaign, with another 20 lb's of muscle on board would be better than a trip to the D league next season(speaking of Skal, anyone know why he's made the court in just one of 11 games so far this season?)

 

[Archer2]

I can't understand some of our fans. One minute our recruits are not up to "our standards", the next, player "X" is a OAD. It's like some of them are bipolar.

Tony is a talented young man but I think the chances of his being OAD are quite slim. And that makes me very happy.

See Oz's post above to see how I feel about Roy's primary duty. I will never hope for our guys to leave ASAP just to build our OAD brand. Never.

 

[DSouthr]

Yeah, I see Tony as very likely 2 and thru, really needs to work on his body IMO, gonna need to get a good bit stronger to really turn the NBA scouts heads. I think we will see him continue to get better as this season moves on but has a lot of "teaching moments" to go thru but he is in a great place to learn and develop what he needs.

Got a few foot work issues that he will get worked out, has to recover a lil better off the high screen. Want him to keep working on that jump hook and will need to show a lil face up jumper from the mid range, want to see him work the middle of a tuff zone or does he work the short corners?

 

[Calabrias Inferno]

Ultimately I don't know what will happen with Tony, but I will enjoy every minute we have him. Good kid, great potential. Following in Isaiah's footsteps, I think he's a good candidate to win ACC Sixth Man of the Year.

 

[Tru Blu Tar Heel]

I call him "Baby Tim"

Game is so much like Duncan's to me.

I think that is so spot on. There was one point last game where Tony's defender was fronting him in the post. The wing lobbed the entry, Bradley caught it, kept the ball high, and went straight back up for an easy layup. This is in stark contrast to most players today who would've taken a power dribble and tried to rip the rim down, all while putting the ball within the reach of smaller defenders. His game is definitely a throwback to the past.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

OAD or not is never even a concern to me. I enjoy the kids on our team and how they develop. If they go on to have pro careers, I follow them there as well, but considering their pro potential doesn't reach my radar until draft day AFTER they have declared!

I think TB has obvious potential and has obvious skills that need to be developed. UNC is a great place to develop a better mid range; better footwork; better defensive instincts and positioning; and improved strength/conditioning. BUT: If he is slotted in the lottery next year, Roy will advise him to leave.

 

[Archer2]

I couldn't care much less about pro sports anymore. So while I want success for our players after they leave UNC, I wish every bit as much success for every UNC graduate, in whatever field of endeavor they choose. Many will go on to become doctors, judges, professors, CEO's, etc..., and will have far greater impact on our society than anyone playing professional sports.

So, being a selfish UNC sports fan, I hope to see players stay all four years. All of my favorite UNC players stayed at least 3 years, most stayed 4. I don't begrudge a player for leaving early if he feels it's in his best interest, we all make decisions daily based on that criteria. But I can't be more adamant when I say I never want to see UNC take the OADU approach that UK and dook have.