Who's back next year. Hearing from a good source

[Joneslab]

I know its been said but talking about these guys going pro because they wont get better or maybe a scout sees their potential just kills me. I wish some of these guys would see the value not only in a college education but the college experience. I understand if you are a lottery pick maybe you don't need a college education but risking 2nd round or over seas just seems like a good reason to stay. I know they dream about the NBA but but being young and have those experiences as a young person cannot be bought. Preaching to the choir I know.

You can pick up a college education anytime.

And I think a college education is overrated when it comes to these guys. A degree is undoubtedly important, but it's important mainly as capital to enter the job market. I would venture to say that if you've played in the NBA even a short time, you'll have more connections and experience than you would have had you stayed in college for four years.

The only time I believe players should think about returning is if they can UNDOUBTEDLY improve their stock. Most of the time they can get better in the NBA just by sitting on the bench. But Briscoe is one of those rare players who could I think really help himself if he stayed. Someone said he could go to the DLeague. Problem with that is that going that route brands you sometimes and those guys just never come out of the DLeague. He could work himself into the first round by just becoming an average shooter.

Don't think he's in the first round now unless he has a hellacious final month and a half.

[TrueblueCATfan]

The one player I really want to come back is Tyler Ulis,,but having Briscoe back would certainly be a good thing

[Matt Dillon]

If what Lighthouse read (post #14) is true, it sounds as if he's probably gone.

[Joneslab]

He's definitely a point guard.

Problem is we have a point guard who never comes out of the game, so it's unclear if he can actually operate at that position for longer than 90-second bursts. May get a little more run there next season as a combo alongside Fox.

And: point guards in the NBA need to be able to shoot the ball from outside of 2 feet.

He's still being projected in the second round, regardless of what position he'll play. If you're going to go in the second round and you're 19, then that makes the decision brutally tough. The Harrison twins came back and it really didn't help either of them; Willie came back and it definitely helped him. Booker and Lyles went and that was no doubt the right decision. Terrence Jones came back and I think it made a big difference for his maturity.

Briscoe's an unusual player because he can't shoot a lick, but he plays with far more juice in his game than the Harrisons ever did. It'll be a tough call.

[Westtncat]

You can pick up a college education anytime.

And I think a college education is overrated when it comes to these guys. A degree is undoubtedly important, but it's important mainly as capital to enter the job market. I would venture to say that if you've played in the NBA even a short time, you'll have more connections and experience than you would have had you stayed in college for four years.

The only time I believe players should think about returning is if they can UNDOUBTEDLY improve their stock. Most of the time they can get better in the NBA just by sitting on the bench. But Briscoe is one of those rare players who could I think really help himself if he stayed. Someone said he could go to the DLeague. Problem with that is that going that route brands you sometimes and those guys just never come out of the DLeague. He could work himself into the first round by just becoming an average shooter.

Don't think he's in the first round now unless he has a hellacious final month and a half.

Will, not that I can really disagree with any of that but I guess Im talking more of a sentimental point of view. You can go back to college anytime but going as a 40 year old man isnt the same. Thing is, if they dont care I dont know why I care for them. Just think its a time in their life they can only live once.

[Joneslab]

Will, not that I can really disagree with any of that but I guess Im talking more of a sentimental point of view. You can go back to college anytime but going as a 40 year old man isnt the same. Thing is, if they dont care I dont know why I care for them. Just think its a time in their life they can only live once.

NBA players tend to act like kids. Seems like, if you watch SportsCenter, they're in the club every night. It's like college except that they're filthy rich.

But if sentimentality is what we're going by, I wish they'd all stay. I'm a college basketball fan and early entries have really hurt the game. I think it's hurt the NBA game. It's SO much better to follow guys for four years rather than one. We've discussed this a million times.

But just practically, going early has been a good decision for most (not all) of UK's players. The guys who shouldn't have gone were obvious to most UK fans at the time: Orton, Dakari. Other guys were probably never going to be big-time NBA players, so it was going to be tough whenever they went: Lamb, the Harrisons.

Briscoe is a funny player because Kentucky's never had anybody quite like him that I can think of. The one thing he can't do he is not just bad at, he's historically bad. The NBA could overhaul that shot just like UK could, but do you want to risk being a second rounder when you might be a premier player in the game on a great team next year?

[Westtncat]

Briscoe reminds me of Lamb without a shot. Prob a better perpetrator.

[teamchemistry15]

Briscoe reminds me of Lamb without a shot. Prob a better perpetrator.

What exactly about Briscoe reminds you of Lamb?

[Joneslab]

Lamb was sneaky smooth going to the basket. For a guy with almost no athleticism to speak of, he was tremendously good scoring off the dribble. Just knew how to play the game.

Briscoe has that same ability to score off the dribble, but he's almost all power and force where Lamb was finesse and fundamentals.

Briscoe has much more NBA potential because of that liveliness to his game. The guy is a bull. That will translate to the next level once he gets the shooting thing in order (if he ever does).

[Westtncat]

What exactly about Briscoe reminds you of Lamb?

I always thought Lamb could get to the basket with ease, seems he did a lot of his getting to the basket from the corner I guess because he didnt start with the ball in his hands. They both just seem like slick players too me. I think Lamb could score in more ways. If Briscoe could hit the three more often would be a better similarity. Briscoe is a really good finisher and I thought lamb was too. Some guys can get to the basket but not finish. Both these guys know how to finish.

[justford]

Briscoe reminds me of Tony Allen. Goes 110% all the time and in your face defender. But unless Briscoe gets some semblance of a outside shot he will struggle to ever have a long career in the NBA IMO.

[Joneslab]

The only player I can think of at UK who Briscoe reminds me of is MKG.

He isn't nearly as good, but he impacts the game in similar ways. I've mentioned before that a lot of times his fingerprints will be all over a game but he'll not put up crazy stats. That game Saturday was a case in point.

That kind of thing is what keeps him hovering around the first round even with the astronomically bad shooting. Guy is also mean as hell. You look out there a lot of times and he's driving somebody crazy.

He's like Liggins a little in that way. Liggins never stopped talking and was the gnarliest, most ornery dude ever to put on that uniform since I've been watching.

[GOCAT15]

If Ulis were to come back, which I really don't think he will....is there any way you don't start Ulis, Fox, and Monk? Sure is not gonna leave a lot of PT for front court guys, that's why I see Skal and Lee going if they can, and why I also don't see any chance we land Bolden over Duke.

[George]

If Ulis were to come back, which I really don't think he will....is there any way you don't start Ulis, Fox, and Monk? Sure is not gonna leave a lot of PT for front court guys, that's why I see Skal and Lee going if they can, and why I also don't see any chance we land Bolden over Duke.

Not sure I see a connection here. Lee and Skal declare for the draft, leaving...who, exactly, to take minutes over Bolden? Bam and Bolden could both come in and play right away over Humphries and Wynyard.

[Joneslab]

Skal won't be a 5 next year if he stays. Not his position. Will have no bearing on Bolden either way. Guy's as much of a guard as he is a center.