Michael Wilbon Verified account @RealMikeWilbon Am I crazy to want to take Brice Johnson of North Carolina over anybody else in college basketball?
Michael Wilbon on Brice
- Thread starter mikeirbyusa
- Start date
Michael Wilbon Verified account @RealMikeWilbon Am I crazy to want to take Brice Johnson of North Carolina over anybody else in college basketball?
He is up there with Jamal Murray Buddy Hield Valentine and maybe Ingram.
I don't like Simmons' attitude.
Def big guy i'd choose out of anyone.
I don't like Simmons' attitude.
Def big guy i'd choose out of anyone.
DSouthr has been all over this..
Am I crazy to want to take Brice Johnson of North Carolina over anybody else in college basketball?
Lottery pick for sure, could be our next NBA star if he lands with the right team. Brice made himself a ton of money by coming back for his senior year. Kennedy, Isaiah, and JJ should take note. I believe they will.
I have because Brice has pro tools, he has great elevation and a long wing span but what makes him so double tuff is that he is consistent with his mid range jumper out to the foul line extended. He can spin move, jump hook, or drop step back to the basket style or he can face pick & pop and he hits his free throws. Not to mention he can get his shot off over defenders and rebounds the ball hard on both ends.
Brice, Brogden, and Simmons are walking mis-match type guys, guys that can get what they want on their own. Brice plays over the top of most defenders because he is not only able to elevate strong but he elevates extremely quickly. That is hard to handle for a defender, he may need to add some more muscle but Brice has some really rare tools.
I do think in A way Brice is penalized by having so many weapons on our team and he is un-selfish enough to distribute and allow them to get their own scoring ops, Brice is a very under rated passer.
Then you deserve props for calling it. As you mentioned, Brice has the tool set required to be a lottery pick. Heck he always has had those tools, polished or not. The main thing that concerned me when it came to where he might get selected in the draft was always his attitude. No big surprise there. Well, that just didn't come up this year for him really. Not in any way that manifested itself into some long drawn out saga where you would wonder if Brice would show up today. Just didn't happen. And that right there is a lesson for some kids. There is always one more thing you can develop and make better. In Brice's case, it was maturity. I realize it's not right for every kid to stay until their senior year, but it has worked out for Brice. And it will payoff too.
Last edited:
Spot on '92. The only thing limiting Brice was between his ears. He matured this year, cut back on his fouls, and gave consistent effort. I'm very proud of him.
I would take Brice over Ingram or Simmons right now. I know I am bias and trying as best to remove that I still think Brice brings more than those. The short jump shot he has added brings the entire package to a new level. Foul trouble is going to be a challenge for him. Simmons has just not impressed me and I don't know what everyone is talking about. Yes, potential is more important that present impact but he does not look ready to me. Of course, the right team, the right amount of playing time always matters in the development of the NBA players and will be important for Brice. But at the very least I think Brice has as good a chance as those others to be a star on the next level.
Brice is very polished for a college big. His skill set will be very attractive to NBA decision makers. I hate to say it but guards who can score are a dime a dozen. Bigs with a good motor, very athletic and a with a polished skill set are few and far between.
You called it Dave and you deserve props. Of course it remains to be seen where Brice will be drafted, but when Wilbon talks people listen. Perhaps Willbon was listening to you!
Not crazy, but playing GM for a moment you almost have to take Simmons #1 simply because if your wrong and Simmons becomes the star he is projected to be your going to get the booth. Ingrams potential is way to high also not to take at #2.
I think Brice becomes a real option at #3. Murray's age favors him a lot as he is becoming dominate as the year has gone on, but he is not a big man and Brice is (Big men are just not out there). Heild has had a special season, but I wonder if the speed of the NBA takes him some time (reminds me of Joe Johnson who is a good NBA player) I would take Brice over him. Valentine is a iffy pick to me (He is good just not a big fan of his game) feel like he has reached his potential. I would take Brice over him, but Brice has to stretch his offensive game further out.
My prediction Brice goes #4 and becomes a healthy Kenyon Martin, still room for Brice to improve and he is prolly good enough to contribute right away with rebounds and blocks. Double Double machine with struggles on offensive end but will score off offensive rebounds and hustle plays.
I think Brice becomes a real option at #3. Murray's age favors him a lot as he is becoming dominate as the year has gone on, but he is not a big man and Brice is (Big men are just not out there). Heild has had a special season, but I wonder if the speed of the NBA takes him some time (reminds me of Joe Johnson who is a good NBA player) I would take Brice over him. Valentine is a iffy pick to me (He is good just not a big fan of his game) feel like he has reached his potential. I would take Brice over him, but Brice has to stretch his offensive game further out.
My prediction Brice goes #4 and becomes a healthy Kenyon Martin, still room for Brice to improve and he is prolly good enough to contribute right away with rebounds and blocks. Double Double machine with struggles on offensive end but will score off offensive rebounds and hustle plays.
nbadraftnet has Brice #14
draftexpress has Brice #30 ????
I would guess he goes in the 11-15 range.
I see the combine being the final call on Brice. If he shows potential or form to hit an outside jumper you almost have to take him top 7. I could see Brice being 11-14 IMHO he is not a franchise player, but should be a special piece and at 11-15 they are looking for pieces and with his age he could contribute right away.
Euro big men always factor into draft and with emergence of Porzingas in NY, GM's could get back on that kick.
Euro big men always factor into draft and with emergence of Porzingas in NY, GM's could get back on that kick.
Yeah, pretty much agree, as a GM I would absolutely take Simmons, his ability is really rare for a kid his size. Ingram is a hard call for me, he just has to fill out that frame to really know what ya getting but his tools for 6'9" are special. His upside is vast, don't think he is any where near his ceiling but not sure he helps a team for at least a couple years. Having said that and considering this draft is not loaded with can't miss talents, yeah, I could see taking him at 2. Hield, love him as a college guy, maybe in a Kemba Walker way but not sure there is much upside left, Valentine kinda the same. Dunn is a guy you look at if you need a PG, Murry has big upside IMO so either would be a take if I need PG.
personally, I could care less where the NBA draft sites project Brice, I think when you look at front court guys there is not a lot to chose from in this draft, there could be some euros come in here but I am discussing NCAA players draftable. I just don't see another 4 in the college game I would take over Brice, I think he is the most NBA ready 4 man in the college game.
I think you guys are setting yourself up for disappointment on Brice in the draft, although I agree he will have a good pro career. I don't see anyone taking him until the last 10 picks of the first round at best. The only team with a potential early pick I would even want to see him get drafted to is Boston, with the Nets potential top 5 pick, but even Boston has 3 total first round picks, so there's no good reason to take Brice at 4 or 5 even if you like him a lot. Otherwise, I'd rather see him slide and go somewhere like San Antonio where I know he's getting the best possible coaching. I think his success will be 95% dependent on where he plays and who coaches him.
I'd love to see the Celtics take Brice with the Mavericks pick that they have - which should either be one of the last picks of the lottery, or one of the first ones after the lottery depending on how the Mavs finish the year. Get him paired up with Zeller.
I agree with you about people going way to high on Brice. Top 5 is way too optimistic seeing how kids get drafted less off of their displayed skill and more off of their potential. That being said, a "late first rounder at best" is definitely too low.
I think nbadraft.net has the most realistic pick for him at 14 right before Zimmerman. He could easily move up a few spots depending on how well he does in the tourney. Skal is at #11. So a UK/UNC matchup would be a good demonstration of his skills + potential
Disappointment no, honestly, I don't really care where a kid goes in a draft to the extent I will lose sleep over it. I am just saying I do not see another more ready to produce big man in the college game today than Brice. I do find the suggestion that skal is slotted to be drafted before Brice as a joke, those the same experts that called him the unquestionable over all #1 pick before they got to see him play for Ky? LOL
So it more depends on what a team needs, there are some guards in this draft that may be able to help a team, Dunn for sure should, Murrey may. Personally, if I am a GM and needed a guard, I would have a hard time passing on Brogdon, he is a terror on both ends of the court and I am not going to have to worry about him in the locker room. But if I need a big man and I don't see a euro I like more (qualified by I do not know what is out there for euros so I can not factor them) then I am taking Brice over a couple other interesting guys. MNaybe a particular team values a stretch 4 over a mid range shooting 4m then maybe you look away from Brice. Me personally, I like my bigs to play more inside than out so I personally value Brice more than a stretch 4 guys, the NBA does tend to not agree with me on that.
I wonder if the Spurs would consider him if he were available by the time they get to pick. Tim Duncan is going to be retiring soon, so they are going to need a big man. Given Brice's development over the past 4 years, I think Pop could turn him into a stretch four if needed. Not many people can develop a player better than Pop can.
