Has Meeks NBA stock risen while Hicks has dropped

[IDUNK4HEELS]

I fully realize that three games don't make a season but Meeks has certainly silenced his season long critics in the last three games, scoring, rebounding and most importantly staying out of foul trouble and giving opponents one more weapon to worry about when playing Carolina. I personally STILL do not think he is ready for the NBA yet but he is making a good showing for himself recently. I cannot be the only one who cannot figure out the funk Hicks is presently. It seems as soon as he leaves the scoring table and steps on the playing floor he is called for a foul. His last three or four games has not been up to his standards and because of that his NBA stock has probably taken a big hit. Hicks improved night and day from last season with the help from West of the NBA but like Meeks he could use another season on the hill to really sharpen his game especially since he is the projected starter.

 

[coryfly]

The fouls on Hicks won't be fouls in the NBA (not a lot of them at least). Hicks may be the best NBA prospect on the team.

 

[Heelicious]

I fully realize that three games don't make a season but Meeks has certainly silenced his season long critics in the last three games, scoring, rebounding and most importantly staying out of foul trouble and giving opponents one more weapon to worry about when playing Carolina. I personally STILL do not think he is ready for the NBA yet but he is making a good showing for himself recently. I cannot be the only one who cannot figure out the funk Hicks is presently. It seems as soon as he leaves the scoring table and steps on the playing floor he is called for a foul. His last three or four games has not been up to his standards and because of that his NBA stock has probably taken a big hit. Hicks improved night and day from last season with the help from West of the NBA but like Meeks he could use another season on the hill to really sharpen his game especially since he is the projected starter.

Neither of them are 1st or 2nd rounders this year, at this point, IMO. I still think Hicks has more NBA upside and potential. Meeks is so darn immobile, can't guard anyone, can't lift, can't run the court. I know it sounds like I'm gigging on him. I'm not. He came through very big for us tonight. He did that mostly right under the rim when he was just bigger, not being guarded, or got great passes. None of that happens in the NBA, and I don't think he can get up and down the court enough for the NBA game. But people in the know say he is hurt. Maybe if he is able to heal after this season, he'll be ready for NBA after senior year.

Hicks just has a sign on his back that says "whistle me". He does some guilty move, looking like he's been caught stealing, then he gets whistled. Still I think he has the physical skills to excel at the next level. They don't play a lot of defense or call a lot of fouls in the post in the NBA anyway.

 

[ChiShankCity]

It's hard to grade any of our big guys' NBA future on this tournament run because we haven't faced any NBA front courts. We've had such an advantage inside every game, it's probably hard to grade each player because we should be dominant inside.

On Hicks' NBA potential... He's going to have to be a PF in the NBA which asks can he defend that position in the NBA? Right now, the answer is probably no. He's only 6'8" but plays more like 6'10" due to his wingspan. I do think being 6'8" will really hurt him.

 

[Spacegrass]

The fouls on Hicks won't be fouls in the NBA (not a lot of them at least). Hicks may be the best NBA prospect on the team.

I wouldn't go that far because Brice is the top prospect on this team. But I think it's a toss up on who is 2nd best between Hicks and Jackson.

 

[Bur-Heel]

It's hard to grade any of our big guys' NBA future on this tournament run because we haven't faced any NBA front courts. We've had such an advantage inside every game, it's probably hard to grade each player because we should be dominant inside.

On Hicks' NBA potential... He's going to have to be a PF in the NBA which asks can he defend that position in the NBA? Right now, the answer is probably no. He's only 6'8" but plays more like 6'10" due to his wingspan. I do think being 6'8" will really hurt him.

His height is the last thing the NBA will be worried about!!

 

[Bubspub88]

Two strong arguments for Meeks returning are Sean May's nba career with similar size but much higher skill set and the explosion that has been Brice this year.

 

[gary-7]

Two strong arguments for Meeks returning are Sean May's nba career with similar size but much higher skill set and the explosion that has been Brice this year.

Actually, those are two of the reasons Kennedy cited for his most recent change of heart (to likely staying). Hoping that doesn't change back with his resurgence.

 

[MWHeels]

I don't think either Hicks or Meeks should leave after this season. They need another year, especially Meeks. Brice is probably the best NBA prospect right now, but if Hicks continues to improve, he can make it at the next level as well.

 

[DSouthr]

I don't think either Hicks or Meeks should leave after this season. They need another year, especially Meeks. Brice is probably the best NBA prospect right now, but if Hicks continues to improve, he can make it at the next level as well.

I agree, I don't think this is the year for either of them, I do not think the NBA looks at Hicks right now as a guy that are overly hot for simply because he can't stay on the court. You don't start for your college team as a Jr does not look great on your NBA application if you are looking to jump after that Jr season.

In meeks, really good to see him working harder but I think in addition to the elevation problem there are some questions about his motor. I honestly feel like he is dealing with a injury and I am not sure if he has told the staff exactly what he is dealing with. Roy doers not talk about him or play him like I would suspect if Roy knew for sure he was hurting, I mean we knew about Marcus's injury situation all last season, Roy tends to talk about injury his players have and yet we have not heard anything since the bone bruise in December. Point being it does not frame meeks in the best light, with no other explaination the default is question the motor if the wheels are ok.

I see Hicks as a reserve in the NBA unless he really extends his jump shooting range.W@atching the way he shoots free throws, I strongly suspect he has better range on jump shots than he has shown but ya have ot be on the court to show that off and foul trouble does not help you stay on the court.

 

[ChiShankCity]

Two strong arguments for Meeks returning are Sean May's nba career with similar size but much higher skill set and the explosion that has been Brice this year.

May also had a devastating micro-fracture surgery a couple years into his pro career than ended it.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Kennedy has had 3 fine games in a row after being underwhelming down the regular season stretch. I hope - and I'm sure everybody hopes - that means he's got his groove back and that we'll see it again on Monday.

Whether 4 good games is enough to make the NBA folks happy is up to them. Since this fade scenario happened last year, too, my guess is that the pros may want to see a complete season from him before they'll spend a very high draft pick on him.

Compare with Zeller. Z had 2 years hampered by injuries and then a good but not great junior year. He needed that solid, injury-free senior year when he addressed his weaknesses to move up in the draft.

I think Kennedy has more to prove even if he delivers again on Monday. But if he does have a good game Monday, and if he really wants to leave, as was previously reported, then at least he will have made a pretty good case for himself.

 

[Steat]

The wind will blow a certain way if the Heels win the title tonight. If the Heels win the title, all bets are off on who will declare for the draft. Hicks does need to develop a 15-foot jump shot to round out his game. With the new NBA free look rule, you just never know who may attend the NBA camp to see what the scouts think of them.

 

[superstar57]

Hicks and Meeks both should stay, but as another poster said, "if we win all bets off". If everyone that can return does are we the favorites again? I would think UK depending on who stays would have some say.

Hicks upside is really high. Love Meeks, but sometimes I think this is as good as he gets. Which is not bad in college.