Let's talk Lauri...

[Steat]

Back to topic, who agrees with me that we get Lauri ? No inside info, but my gut is screaming we get this kid. I would love to see us develope a little euro pipeline to counter the one & doners stateside that are looking elsewhere.

And ya know what, this kid could in the end be a bigger value guy than the likes of Ingram, Giles, dennis, or Bam. Reason being, those one & done fellas best game will NOT be in college, they will be gone after a single season. But if we get Lauri he will not just be with us a while (likely 3 and maybe 4) but he is a bit like Kaminsky was last season, gets better each season and all the sudden becomes a Wooden canidate. He and Bradley are rocks we can build off of that have HUGE upsides.

Dave, I agree that the Heels will get Lauri. I think he may be a more crucial recruit than Bradley. And if a Lauri signing leads to the start of a Euro pipeline that would be a brilliant coup by Roy. On the other hand, if Duke wins back-to-back titles with essentially the same strategy as last year the natives will get more and more restless. If K signs Giles, that gives him Giles, Tatum and Jackson for next year with the same strategy in 3 consecutive years. IMO, this is why the Heels need to win the NCAA title this year to even things out and change the "perception" that many have that you must have several one-in-dones to win titles. This year may be the Heels best chance in the next few years to win the NCAA title. They just need to get it done this season.

 

[Archer2]

Agreed Steat. Like Cal, Knight Lite has abandoned any pretext of the student athlete and has gone all in on the OADU approach.

I liken it to the Barry Bonds situation. Already a first ballot HOF'er and one of the very best in the game, he couldn't stand to see McGuire and Sosa getting so much attention for their HR exploits. So he gave in to the dark side and roided up too. His massive ego wouldn't allow him to do anything else.

And yes, I realize becoming a OADU isn't illegal. But it is selling your soul to the devil and abandoning academics entirely. If we ever follow suit and begin having OAD's every year, I'll stop following UNC basketball. I could name a half dozen posters here that would gladly go that route if it meant contending every year. Winning is all that matters to many and that attitude is becoming more prevalent in a society that has lost it's moral compass.

 

[keysersosay#1]

K will do anything for wins

 

[DSouthr]

Dave, I agree that the Heels will get Lauri. I think he may be a more crucial recruit than Bradley. And if a Lauri signing leads to the start of a Euro pipeline that would be a brilliant coup by Roy. On the other hand, if Duke wins back-to-back titles with essentially the same strategy as last year the natives will get more and more restless. If K signs Giles, that gives him Giles, Tatum and Jackson for next year with the same strategy in 3 consecutive years. IMO, this is why the Heels need to win the NCAA title this year to even things out and change the "perception" that many have that you must have several one-in-dones to win titles. This year may be the Heels best chance in the next few years to win the NCAA title. They just need to get it done this season.

steat, you mentioned duke winning back to back titles? I am wondering, do you see the dukies as being a real contender for the final nets this season?

I see a duke team with one and only 1 PG, they are totally screwed if that freshman PG gets hurt. I see talented jump shooting with Allen/Kennard/Thomas. I am not sold that Ingram is all the dukies dramatically need him to be, he is talented but really really thin. Does the front court of Jefferson/Obi/Plum 3 really strike fear in anyone? The core of what they did last season is gone, that trio of freshman gone, Cook gone, their back up PG gone? Literally Ingram would have to become Kevin Durant over night in order for duke to have anything close to what they are being hyped right now.

What do you see that I don't?

 

[Archer2]

Don't forget Chase Jeter Dave. While not as dominant as their freshman big guy from last year, he's very good in his own right. IMO, he starts from day one. They'll be good this year but next year they'll be loaded.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Only question I have about the dukies is this ...................................

How many transfer out from no PT?

 

[grillheel]

Anybody know anything about Lauri's timetable on committing?

 

[mikeirbyusa]

You know the dates for his visits right? After that, who knows!

 

[DSouthr]

Don't forget Chase Jeter Dave. While not as dominant as their freshman big guy from last year, he's very good in his own right. IMO, he starts from day one. They'll be good this year but next year they'll be loaded.

You right, thanks arch, I was working on my first cup of coffee for the day, I am not good till about cup #4! LOL

 

[Steat]

steat, you mentioned duke winning back to back titles? I am wondering, do you see the dukies as being a real contender for the final nets this season?

I see a duke team with one and only 1 PG, they are totally screwed if that freshman PG gets hurt. I see talented jump shooting with Allen/Kennard/Thomas. I am not sold that Ingram is all the dukies dramatically need him to be, he is talented but really really thin. Does the front court of Jefferson/Obi/Plum 3 really strike fear in anyone? The core of what they did last season is gone, that trio of freshman gone, Cook gone, their back up PG gone? Literally Ingram would have to become Kevin Durant over night in order for duke to have anything close to what they are being hyped right now.

What do you see that I don't?

I don't think Duke will win it but I do see them getting at least a #2 -3 seed. K will take no chances with players outside his top 7-8 beginning Day 1. The #1 Seed in the East is the ultimate prize that he wants.

 

[tarh33ls]

Don't forget Chase Jeter Dave. While not as dominant as their freshman big guy from last year, he's very good in his own right. IMO, he starts from day one. They'll be good this year but next year they'll be loaded.

Jeter is solid but his O is dramatically worse than Okafor's. I could say that about any big man following him but Jeter has trouble scoring against bigger bodies in the post. He needs to add strength, even in the lower body. He will become a nice player though, he's a smooth athlete. Just being objective.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

puke lost waaaay more than they gained and they might be distracted by the overblown expectations for G Allen! I don't see them as a 2 seed at all, I would put them at 4-5, but ratty is a great coach ( horrible person though)

LM could be a lynch-pin recruit for us that solidifies OUR chances to make a splash several years in a row! If Mr. Markkanen chooses us, he and our subsequent success should reopen the recruit floodgates. (along with the infernal NCAA getting off the pot)

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

This young man would be 5* recruit in my opinion, trust in Roy goes a long way

 

[DSouthr]

Jeter is solid but his O is dramatically worse than Okafor's. I could say that about any big man following him but Jeter has trouble scoring against bigger bodies in the post. He needs to add strength, even in the lower body. He will become a nice player though, he's a smooth athlete. Just being objective.

Jeter is a solid guy but not sure it is 100% that he will start for them. K has been fortunate in having his senior big men play better as seniors than any of season with them. I suspect the last Plum will get every shot to take the starting role. But considering they are coming off back to back seasons with Parker and then Ochafor, this front court is not nearly as potent.

I really think you will see K go more small line up, maybe even moving Ingram to the 4 and running Allen & kennard at the 2 & 3 and try to spread the court and kick to the open shooter. That will put a lot on Thorton their frosh PG, will have to see how that works out, K has made it work in the past, it worked for a title for them in the past but that title team did not feature as many freshmen as this team will have to, IMO.

 

[aah555]

Jeter is a solid guy but not sure it is 100% that he will start for them. K has been fortunate in having his senior big men play better as seniors than any of season with them. I suspect the last Plum will get every shot to take the starting role. But considering they are coming off back to back seasons with Parker and then Ochafor, this front court is not nearly as potent.

I really think you will see K go more small line up, maybe even moving Ingram to the 4 and running Allen & kennard at the 2 & 3 and try to spread the court and kick to the open shooter. That will put a lot on Thorton their frosh PG, will have to see how that works out, K has made it work in the past, it worked for a title for them in the past but that title team did not feature as many freshmen as this team will have to, IMO.

I think that is fair. Jeter should add value as a freshman and probably will turn into an above average ACC player by year 2, but there's really no comparison between him and Okafor. This Duke team has as much pure talent at the guard / wing spots (i.e., the 1-3 spots) as any squad its fielded in years (including last year), but the front court is going to be far more limited offensively than it was with Okafor last year or even Mason Plumlee a couple years ago. With that said, I don't think the frontcourt will be bad -- as they've got decent young talent and Amile / Plumlee, as seniors, should be good on the glass, defensively, and finishing easy plays around the rim. The challenge will be that they're not going to have much of a back-to-the-basket post-up game and, if they go small to spread teams out, they may not be very good on the offensive glass.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

This thread is about Lauri, let's get back there.

 

[Ozheelfan]

This thread is about Lauri, let's get back there.

Agreed Mike.
I'm on the Finnish bandwagon. I reckon if this kid was playing HS ball in the states he'd be considered uber elite!
Forget stars and rankings, Lauri would take the '16 class from good to great.

 

[Sk1310]

Agreed Mike.
I'm on the Finnish bandwagon. I reckon if this kid was playing HS ball in the states he'd be considered uber elite!
Forget stars and rankings, Lauri would take the '16 class from good to great.

Agreed! I read somewhere that if he were playing HS ball in the states rivals would have a 5* top 25 recruit!

 

[DSouthr]

Agreed! I read somewhere that if he were playing HS ball in the states rivals would have a 5* top 25 recruit!

He is a 4 and while I agree that in most classes he could well be a 5 star but this class with the likes of Giles, Bam, and a couple others, not sure I could assume him to be a 5 star for THIS loaded class. That is nit picking however, he is a really solid talent and one I want at UNC.

Not sure how many folks will understand or agree with me on this but lauri may be the best FIT for what our needs actually are and how we play (over the other 5star talents like Giles). He strikes me more as a system guy than a guy looking to go one on one and take over a game. Not so unlike Jackson in that respect. Understand, sometimes the best fit is not the most talented guy.

As many know by now, I consider the best player in the state to be Bam but Bam is being a bit steered by a handler and maybe that does not make him the best fit for us. LOVE to have Bam but not if we have to meet his handlers demands.

 

[Sk1310]

He is a 4 and while I agree that in most classes he could well be a 5 star but this class with the likes of Giles, Bam, and a couple others, not sure I could assume him to be a 5 star for THIS loaded class. That is nit picking however, he is a really solid talent and one I want at UNC.

Not sure how many folks will understand or agree with me on this but lauri may be the best FIT for what our needs actually are and how we play (over the other 5star talents like Giles). He strikes me more as a system guy than a guy looking to go one on one and take over a game. Not so unlike Jackson in that respect. Understand, sometimes the best fit is not the most talented guy.

As many know by now, I consider the best player in the state to be Bam but Bam is being a bit steered by a handler and maybe that does not make him the best fit for us. LOVE to have Bam but not if we have to meet his handlers demands.