Brackins

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Originally Posted by gocubs2118

So was Brackins defense...

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As one other poster stated, he knows he can't get in foul trouble. That leads to matador defense once in a while. However, I thought he played pretty well and changed some shots. I was impressed with how physical he was trying to be with the two big guys in the post. On TV you don't see as much of the play off the ball, but it was interesting to watch at the game that he was more aggressive that way last night. His defensive rebounding is way more aggressive (ask Kent from K-State!) and I like the way he is getting other people to foul him. A game changer last night was getting fouls #3 & 4 on the the big center last night to start the second half. I am not putting CB in for all big 12 defender, but I think it is better than he is given credit for. He moves his feet better this year.

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Originally Posted by StLouisClone

I didn't see CB get doubled that much tonight. Plus, he didn't get doubled at all when he went for 42 against KU.

The only reason I'm nitpicking is to add some perspective on here. I've seen Cato, Fizer and now Brackins all play a lot of games at ISU. I think all 3 will have made a lot of money in the NBA before it's all over. But right now Brackins isn't nearly as ready as Cato the Senior or Fizer the Junior. Those guys were practically unstoppable on a nightly basis. Brackins isn't there yet. I'd like to see him shoot half as much from the outside and work some more on his post game. If he does that, then he's almost certainly a lottery pick next year.

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While true Kansas tried to play him straight up much of the night, they actually doubled him several times, especially in the 2nd half.

Cato unstoppable? He was a great defensive player, but the vast majority of his points were on put backs. He was not a major offensive threat. Craig is. Cato could jump outta the gym for blocks, but wasn't nealry as heavy physically as he became later in the NBA. Fizer had a tweener body. He was the height of a 3 but with the pipes of a 4. Craig will likely never look like Fizer, but he is taller and has the frame to add weight.

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Originally Posted by mwitt

Let me rephrase. Taking his man off the dribble and getting to the rim.

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I think Craig is made for the high post pick and roll in the NBA. In that respect, he has the kind of game that can be copared to Odom or Mailman. To be effective, you need a guard that is a threat to get to the hole, stop and pop, or even step back and hit the three. We don't have one that is a threat for all three (heck Tinsley was only good at a couple of those!) KG hit to 10-12' J's last night, and that would change this team if he could even hit that shot consistently.

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Originally Posted by mwitt

No, I want you to use some logic when you discuss Craig Brackins.

You say he's a good outside shooter. Why don't the stats support that?

The only thing you can cite for Craig being effective outside is the Kansas game when he couldn't miss a shot. That's like saying Mike Cameron is an elite HR hitter because he hit 4 HR in a game one time. You're focusing on the exceptions and acting like they're the rules. He was poor from the outside tonight, he was poor from the outside against Kansas State, and the full body of work shows that he is not a very good player from the outside at this point in his career. He has the tools to be, but they're not there yet.

You're praising the ground he walks on because he is our best player. The things he does well, he does REALLY well. That doesn't mean he does everything well.

Just for the record, is there anything that you think he's not great at?

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By outside, are you saying 3s? His mid range game is what makes him so tough compared to just a low post threat. I think his mid range 8-12 foot J is a strength, but agree his is a very streaky 3 shooter, not a good 3 shooter. It just so happens that he goes unconcious on national TV more than most!

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Originally Posted by jsb

That is just so false. There are a lot of idiots on this board. Craig makes quite a few passes out of the post in most games. Last night he made at least 2 pretty nice ones which then resulted in someone (I think Hamilton) biffing a layup. I think his passing ability is pretty good right now.

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I'm gonna try and be a bit kinder to you and try not to make you look like the idiot. First, I would like you to reread your post. "Craig makes quite a few passes out of the post in most games...last night he made at least 2". 2 freakin passes!? Someone sign Mr. Brackins up for NCAA Passer of the Year Award. Next I would like you to reread my statements. "...this inability (to pass) forces him to take reckless shots. 3 pointers? He is 0-9 in the last two games and 9-31 in the last 10 games." Once again, youre telling me there was no one open for a better shot than his 30% 3pt shooting average? Not only that, but in the past 5 games, his field goal shooting percentage is 41%. At 41% this means that less than half of his shots are going in. Now of course you can't expect anyone to shoot 100%, but when more half of your shots arent falling and you are shooting 30% from beyond the arch, you seriously want to tell me that there isn't a better option on at least half of those plays?

Brackins is a great YOUNG player with lots of potential. I am impressed with his inside presence and his rebounding abilities. He has lots of room for growth.

Just found this on yahoo

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Some NBA scouts have said that standout Craig Brackins could be a lottery pick if he choose to leave school early. Brackins has struggled a bit with his shooting in recent weeks, making just 31 of 80 field goal attempts (38 percent) in his last four games. (11)

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Originally Posted by jsb

That is just so false. There are a lot of idiots on this board. Craig makes quite a few passes out of the post in most games. Last night he made at least 2 pretty nice ones which then resulted in someone (I think Hamilton) biffing a layup. I think his passing ability is pretty good right now.

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Yeah, it is. He's also a very nice passer from the high post, as witnessed Tuesday night as well as much of last year. Yiri ate up passes from Craig at that position.

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Originally Posted by johnsonjj

Two points:
1) a 12' fade-away with a guy in his face is not a post shot, and that is what makes him special
2) Below average for a 2-guard, but I would say above average for a 4!

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1) When he takes the shot after posting his defender up, by definition, that is a post shot. Jordan used to post his man up 15 feet from the basket and make fadeaways. Still a post shot.
2) That doesn't mean good. Most power forwards who shoot less than 30% from 3 don't shoot them. I believe someone posted that we're 11th in the Big 12 in 3 point percentage, or at least we were at one time. Of our players who have shot at least 20 three pointers, Craig is the second worst on our team behind Diante. No matter how you spin it, 28% is not good.

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Originally Posted by johnsonjj

By outside, are you saying 3s? His mid range game is what makes him so tough compared to just a low post threat. I think his mid range 8-12 foot J is a strength, but agree his is a very streaky 3 shooter, not a good 3 shooter. It just so happens that he goes unconcious on national TV more than most!

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Yes by outside I mean 3 pointers or long two pointers. He looks good shooting 8-15 foot jumpers.

NBADraft.net

Looks like Brackins is projected in the lottery now...Hope he finishes his career here strong. He was definitely one of the best we have ever had, wish he would have been on a better ISU team

Bottom line in this whole thing. IF he is lottery we should not even want him to come back. If he is late first round he has a decision to make on whether he thinks he can improve his stock. I bet he gets advice, goes to the pre draft camps and then decides. It would be the prudent thing to do.

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Originally Posted by PGreen ISU '92

Did Virginia go the final four with Ralph Sampson? No. They went to the Final Four the year after Sampson left.

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Uh, yeah they did - Sampson's sophomore year - '80-'81 season.

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Originally Posted by Cybyassociation

Once again, youre telling me there was no one open for a better shot than his 30% 3pt shooting average? Not only that, but in the past 5 games, his field goal shooting percentage is 41%. At 41% this means that less than half of his shots are going in. Now of course you can't expect anyone to shoot 100%, but when more half of your shots arent falling and you are shooting 30% from beyond the arch, you seriously want to tell me that there isn't a better option on at least half of those plays?

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Look at the shooting percentages for the rest of the team. There really isn't anybody that is shooting any better of a percentage on any of their shots. That is a fact.

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Originally Posted by cyclonepower

NBADraft.net

Looks like Brackins is projected in the lottery now...Hope he finishes his career here strong. He was definitely one of the best we have ever had, wish he would have been on a better ISU team

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Is Hansbrough going to play overseas?