That is certainly a key thing. Does he stand around on D or have a feel for where his man is and where he should be? Defense isn't just guarding your guy when he's got the ball. How quick is he to react and help when a guard beats JBo off the dribble into the lane? Is he a fouling machine or can he play without doing that? I think the defensive end is what'll decide how soon he'll be ready to go pro. The offensive side he is who he is. He might get a little better shooting mid range jumpers but that isn't going to be what gets him paid at the next level.
Who wants to get ahead of themselves...
- Thread starter Hawkfnntn
- Start date
Awfully good looking lineup there! I like it!
mopkins
King Kong
Cook never came across to me as fundamentally sound...typical of someone who has relied upon his immense physical talents, and didn't need to be sound. Often pivots the wrong way, doesn't block out, doesn't help out much on defense when the man he is covering is away from the ball, not a good jump shot or free throws...good thing is...he is aware of this and wants to improve...as a recent article stated.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Jaylen Brown averaged 14/5 and went 3rd in the 2016 Draft.
Marquese Chriss averaged 13/5 and was the 8th pick in the 2016 Draft.
Taurean Prince averaged 10/4 and went 12th in the 2016 Draft.
DJ Wilson averaged 11/5 and went 17th in the 2017 Draft.
OG Anunoby averaged 11/5 and went 23rd in the 2017 Draft.
Plenty more examples out there.
Again I don’t know if you didn’t read @Hawkfnntn s post or just don’t agree with it. The NBA draft is based on potential, not necessarily college stats. TC will certainly need to show some improvement this year.
As far as a wager I don’t what I would care to wager with someone on an internet board. I am about 75% TC will put his name into the draft this year w/o an agent. My guess is that Fran will advise him to do that. You’d basically be dumb not to the way the rules are written if you are a borderline NBA prospect.
Following his junior season I would think it would be time for him to make that leap. There are statistics out there that show players that stay four years in college generally have a tougher time in the NBA Draft. Now if he wants to stay around and get a degree and try to win a B1G title I am certainly all for that.
mopkins
King Kong
I read it and understand it completely. The thing is there are 60 players drafted each year. Last year 10 of them were from overseas so didn't even go to college. Not to mention the second round of the NBA draft is not guaranteed
Is Tyler Cooks potential right now in the top 50 in college? I would say most certainly not. You could look at him like a Thomas Bryant from Indiana. He was good at Indiana but not a standout. He went in the second round this year and hasn't seen the court. Again though...Bryant hit 38% from 3.
Guess I'm not sure where you guys see all this potential after Cook's freshman season. He wasn't a rim protector and he has shown zero outside shot. Not meaning to rip on the the kid...he is a stud. But I watch a ton of NBA basketball and I don't know what his role would be right now on an NBA team.
tksirius
HN's Love Doctor
Exactly. He'll never get drafted if he can't hit the 15-18 footer consistently, not to mention the defensive aspect.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Hold on for a second here. I think we are now arguing two different things.
I do not think Tyler Cook is by any means NBA ready. What I am saying is he has the potential to be drafted to a point where he may believe it would make sense for him to try it. I said not following this season but likely after next. Look at those guys on my list. A couple to my knowledge aren’t even in the league, but they got guaranteed money by being selected in the first round.
You are comparing him to Thomas Bryant and Caleb Swanigan. I think you are vastly underrating TC’s athleticism.
Do I think he is a top 50 NBA prospect right now? Absolutely. Just a quick run through of the B1G in my head and I have him at 3rd/4th behind Bridges, Justin Jackson, and maybe Moritz Wagner. Vince Edwards and Amir Coffey probably up there. There may be a freshman or one or two other guys I missed, but I have to imagine if he is top 5 or so in the B1G, he is pretty close to top 50 in the country.
mopkins
King Kong
I just think our opinions differ and that's fine. Cook is a freak athlete but if he can't play defense and he can't shoot from outside of 6 feet then there's no place for him in the NBA. The NBA isn't lacking 6'9" guys who can dunk.
Cook can get there, and I hope he does, but its going to take time. If he shows me something this year and then improves again the following year...sure...he might leave after his Junior year. I personally just don't see it happening at this point. If he changes my mind this season I couldn't be happier.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I actually don’t think our opinions are all that much different. To a man I don’t think Tyler Cook will ever stick in the NBA. That league is just a different animal right now. There are a handful of athletic 6’10-7’ guys who can stroke it from mid range and all the way to the 3 point line. I don’t think his shot will ever develop to that level. Here’s the thing though, why would staying in college help someone’s jump shot more than going pro where you are going to be taking thousands of shots a day with coaches whether it be in the G league or where have you? As I said earlier, NBA teams feel they can develop players shots better than they would at the college level.
Where I differ is that I still think he will ultimately give it a shot after his junior year, regardless of it ultimately is the right decision or not. Basketball players are just wired a little bit differently. They have been built up there entire lives, more times than not they think they are a little bit better than they actually are. Look at this Herro kid who de-committed from UW because people are telling him he is a one and done player. Is he that good? I doubt it, but time will tell.
As I said in my first response to you, he would hardly be the first player to ever leave for the NBA draft before he was ready.
In any event if the NBA thing doesn’t work out Tyler should be able to make a nice living overseas for several years if he so chooses.
Many of these decisions to leave early for the NBA are driven by the reality of whether they have or have not attended classes, are approaching a degree, want to receive a degree or not...if not...professional ball is the option, come what may, or may not. This is the reality. It isn't college students playing basketball...it is basketball players playing basketball.
mopkins
King Kong
Guess we'll have to see what this year brings. With Jok gone I don't think 18 points per game is unreasonable for TC. I also think that having a true center like Garza should help open Cook up more inside to show what a monster he can be. Cook just really needs to improve his other areas.
I just try to find a comparable to Tyler Cook in the NBA draft and its tough. Sam Dekker, OG Anunoby, DJ Wilson, Markkanen...all forwards who left school early, but they shot 3s.
John Collins from Wake Forest I guess could be the goal for Tyler Cook? He shot zero 3's but his sophomore year he averaged 19.2, 9.8, and 1.6 blocks per game. Best PER in all of college bball. He isn't as muscular as Cook, but he's a better rim protector. Both excel at post-ups, although Tyler needs to work on his fades and hooks.
FirstDownHawkeyes
Well-Known Member
Cook’s best shot to stick in the NBA is to develop a game like Draymond Green. I think he could develop the handles and when he plays his true position maybe he will be able to exert his will more like DG does.
1hawkeye1
Well-Known Member
Weiskamp will start from day 1.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Tyler Cook has 30 pounds on John Collins and is likely more athletic.
But again, if I were a betting man I would guess that Tyler Cook never makes it in the NBA. As I will continue to say I am of the belief that he will test the market this year before returning and then head to the draft after his junior year. Whether that is the right or wrong decision at the time would likely be a topic for another discussion.
BigD
Well-Known Member
The NBA plays defense???
From things one of his friends has said it appears he wants to go pro at the end of this season. In my opinion his talk of being unstoppable is likely his way of building his brand.
There are many good points made on this thread and whether Cook can have a break out year or not will be seen. If he does he likely will go pro. If he shows improvement but not a glaring great improvement he will put out feelers and indirectly comunicate with NBA scouts to see where he stands. I wish him nothing but the best either way.
From things one of his friends has said it appears he wants to go pro at the end of this season. In my opinion his talk of being unstoppable is likely his way of building his brand.
There are many good points made on this thread and whether Cook can have a break out year or not will be seen. If he does he likely will go pro. If he shows improvement but not a glaring great improvement he will put out feelers and indirectly comunicate with NBA scouts to see where he stands. I wish him nothing but the best either way.
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HawkGold
Well-Known Member
Actually considering the rules they do play D,
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
My gut feeling is that Tyler thinks he is on the cusp of being ready and is counting the days, but I wholeheartedly agree with those that are pointing out that he is nowhere near ready, and may never be. He plays out of control, and is miles away in terms of footwork and anticipation.
Yes, he is explosive and moves well for his size, but as someone pointed out, those guys are a dime-a-dozen at the next level. The comment about "feel for the game" is very relevant. The NBA, like any pro sport, goes in cycles. Feel for the game was emphasized back in the 80's through the mid 90's, then it became more about power down low and pick and roll at the perimeter. That would have been more suited to Cook's strengths, but right now, the league is placing a heavy emphasis on being multi-faceted and position flexible. Cook has a lot of work to do, but he does have the right attitude and I'm pulling for him.
If I had to compare him, I would probably point to Anunoby, but Anunoby is a better defender and has a better perimeter game. He's nowhere near Draymond Green, who's light years ahead of Cook in terms of the "feel for the game" trait.
Yes, he is explosive and moves well for his size, but as someone pointed out, those guys are a dime-a-dozen at the next level. The comment about "feel for the game" is very relevant. The NBA, like any pro sport, goes in cycles. Feel for the game was emphasized back in the 80's through the mid 90's, then it became more about power down low and pick and roll at the perimeter. That would have been more suited to Cook's strengths, but right now, the league is placing a heavy emphasis on being multi-faceted and position flexible. Cook has a lot of work to do, but he does have the right attitude and I'm pulling for him.
If I had to compare him, I would probably point to Anunoby, but Anunoby is a better defender and has a better perimeter game. He's nowhere near Draymond Green, who's light years ahead of Cook in terms of the "feel for the game" trait.
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