Kansas Crimson

Mario Chalmers, Kansas
Measurements: 6’1”, 190lbs., Age 22
Draft Express Rank: 5
ESPN Rank: 5
Projection: First Round
Synopsis: As the only guard in the draft to have a Gary Roberts Wednesday in his honor, Chalmers has a lot going for him, obviously. Like a few other guards here, he’s definitely been given the combo guard tag, despite not really having shooting guard size.

The knocks against him are numerous, hence the mention of a big talent drop off after Augustin, as he has a poor mid-range game, struggles to make his own shot, and projects as a back-up. Still, he might be the best defender in the entire draft class, is intelligent and fearless in his shot selection, and he has run the point for a National Champion.

He is a gamble in the lottery but has incredible value later in the first round, as his best fit is on a strong team as an instant contributor.

Interesting Fact: DX has him going 27th to New Orleans and ESPN has him going 12th to Sacramento—the largest difference in the two mocks.

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:35 am

jfish26 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:32 am Value is in the eye of the beholder, right?

I think there's a certain type of fan who thinks that our recruits and players should "value" KU just like the fan does/did.

That's simply unrealistic. The recruiting waters we swim in are filled (generally) with kids who see basketball (and, by extension, playing basketball in college) as transactional.

You can say you want fewer of those kids, and more kids whose "values" align with your own. But you're not going to compete for Big 12 titles with those, much less bigger prizes.

KU is a weird-ass program to choose to follow if you're in this for the purity of the game.

I think you might be talking more about the families and handlers and advisors surrounding these players than the players themselves.

If you loved riding roller coasters, and you got invited to ride them all the time and got to go the greatest roller coasters in the country, and then everyone convinced you that you should be getting paid to ride these roller coasters, you'd probably agree.

Doesn't mean you'd stop enjoying getting to ride amazind roller coasters.

BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:40 am

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:32 am

BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:17 am

You don't remember Chalmers being protected lotto?

Iirc espn had him like 13th. Almost everywhere that i remember had him top 20.

I remember him being projected as a 2nd rounder and thinking he was making a huge mistake by declaring.

Mario Chalmers, Kansas
Measurements: 6’1”, 190lbs., Age 22
Draft Express Rank: 5
ESPN Rank: 5
Projection: First Round
Synopsis: As the only guard in the draft to have a Gary Roberts Wednesday in his honor, Chalmers has a lot going for him, obviously. Like a few other guards here, he’s definitely been given the combo guard tag, despite not really having shooting guard size.

The knocks against him are numerous, hence the mention of a big talent drop off after Augustin, as he has a poor mid-range game, struggles to make his own shot, and projects as a back-up. Still, he might be the best defender in the entire draft class, is intelligent and fearless in his shot selection, and he has run the point for a National Champion.

He is a gamble in the lottery but has incredible value later in the first round, as his best fit is on a strong team as an instant contributor.

....

I can't find ESPNs mock draft, but i think they had him top 20.

jfish26 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:42 am

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:35 am

jfish26 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:32 am Value is in the eye of the beholder, right?

I think there's a certain type of fan who thinks that our recruits and players should "value" KU just like the fan does/did.

That's simply unrealistic. The recruiting waters we swim in are filled (generally) with kids who see basketball (and, by extension, playing basketball in college) as transactional.

You can say you want fewer of those kids, and more kids whose "values" align with your own. But you're not going to compete for Big 12 titles with those, much less bigger prizes.

KU is a weird-ass program to choose to follow if you're in this for the purity of the game.

I think you might be talking more about the families and handlers and advisors surrounding these players than the players themselves.

If you loved riding roller coasters, and you got invited to ride them all the time and got to go the greatest roller coasters in the country, and then everyone convinced you that you should be getting paid to ride these roller coasters, you'd probably agree.

Doesn't mean you'd stop enjoying getting to ride amazind roller coasters.

Not sure I disagree. But I think the analogy misses the "stepping stone" aspect of this.

For most top-100 recruits, basketball is a way to get from point A to point C (even though getting to point C is hardly assured).

There are lots of point Bs. KU is one of them, arguably one of the best. For most top-level recruits (particularly ones without ties to the program or area), it's really not all that distinguishable (on the whole) from the other top-shelf college point B options.

So what are guys choosing on? At the top of the list would be coaching, exposure, team success, fan base, system fit, etc.

No matter what some folks around here want to believe, the intrinsic specialness of Lawrence or the KU experience (whatever that is) isn't going to move the needle with most top-100 recruits.

BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:45 am Interview with Chalmers...

QUESTION:

How close are you to making your final decision on whether to stay in school or stay in the draft?

CHALMERS:

I’m very close. I’ll probably make my final decision next week… I’m leaning towards staying (in the draft). I’ve been hearing a lot of good things, so I’ll probably stay in. (If I determine that I will be taken) in that top first round, anywhere between 15 and 25, I’m going to stay in (the draft).

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:47 am

jfish26 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:42 am

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:35 am
I think you might be talking more about the families and handlers and advisors surrounding these players than the players themselves.

If you loved riding roller coasters, and you got invited to ride them all the time and got to go the greatest roller coasters in the country, and then everyone convinced you that you should be getting paid to ride these roller coasters, you'd probably agree.

Doesn't mean you'd stop enjoying getting to ride amazind roller coasters.

Not sure I disagree. But I think the analogy misses the "stepping stone" aspect of this.

For most top-100 recruits, basketball is a way to get from point A to point C (even though getting to point C is hardly assured).

There are lots of point Bs. KU is one of them, arguably one of the best. For most top-level recruits (particularly ones without ties to the program or area), it's really not all that distinguishable (on the whole) from the other top-shelf college point B options.

So what are guys choosing on? At the top of the list would be coaching, exposure, team success, fan base, system fit, etc.

No matter what some folks around here want to believe, the intrinsic specialness of Lawrence or the KU experience (whatever that is) isn't going to move the needle with most top-100 recruits.

I wonder what they'd say if you asked them, say 5 years into their pro career?

About 80 or so of those top hundred spend most of their time overseas or in the G-league.

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:48 am

BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:45 am Interview with Chalmers...

QUESTION:

How close are you to making your final decision on whether to stay in school or stay in the draft?

CHALMERS:

I’m very close. I’ll probably make my final decision next week… I’m leaning towards staying (in the draft). I’ve been hearing a lot of good things, so I’ll probably stay in. (If I determine that I will be taken) in that top first round, anywhere between 15 and 25, I’m going to stay in (the draft).

That's not in the lottery.

And again, Where was he ACTUALLY drafted?

BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:53 am

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:48 am

BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:45 am Interview with Chalmers...

QUESTION:

How close are you to making your final decision on whether to stay in school or stay in the draft?

CHALMERS:

I’m very close. I’ll probably make my final decision next week… I’m leaning towards staying (in the draft). I’ve been hearing a lot of good things, so I’ll probably stay in. (If I determine that I will be taken) in that top first round, anywhere between 15 and 25, I’m going to stay in (the draft).

That's not in the lottery.

And again, Where was he ACTUALLY drafted?

How'd it work out for him?

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:56 am

BasketballJayhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:53 am

PhDhawk wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:48 am

That's not in the lottery.

And again, Where was he ACTUALLY drafted?

How'd it work out for him?

It worked out well.

I was correct that he'd be drafted in the second round as many had predicted.

I was wrong about it being a mistake to declare.

NotGutterGutter wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 5:31 pm Shit ton of girls basketball players in the city for the Nike National Invitational Tournament.
Was told they are not allowed to wear college gear of any kind. Anyone have any idea why?