The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Suede27 Wrote:I think just the fact that he's there and being noticed will put him in a better position for next year. No doubt in my mind he'll improve in the off-season and in games. Being a senior and having the scouts see the improvements he's likely to make will make him a first-rounder next year in my opinion.

On a side note, has anyone thought about what kind of recognition UAB is going to get next year with Cousins, and maybe one or two more in the McDonalds All American game? And THEN, IF Vaden goes in the first round? And what about Delaney? Anyone think he'll be a draft candidate? Personally, I think he's got NBA talent. But could he be a true PG in the NBA is the question? I don't think he could play the 2. Maybe, but doubtful.

BTW, there's no draft camp anymore after this year. NBA thinks it's not worth the money spent on it, and is killing it after this year.

I think Delaney has NBA talent. If Rajon Rondo made it for the Celtics then surely PD3 has a shot.

nah, pd3 is not THAT quick. He is basically a 6'2 shooting guard that cant shoot, not a lot of those in the nba. I love the guy, but his best asset for us is ability to use his strength to get to the hole against, smaller, weaker guards. The NBA doesnt have a lot of them either.

Go watch the tape of our loss to kentucky squeaky's senior year. Rondo dominated squeaky, made him back down from guarding him close, and basically shut squeaky down on both ends of the floor.

If Vaden comes back, we are basically going to be a drive and kick team next year that will be hard to stop when our shots are falling. But with no post presence, we will lose a few games we should win on nights when they are not falling.

If Vaden doesnt come back, we are going to be worse next year than we were this year.

Shaping up to be a much tougher season than anyone would have expected if Vaden is gone.
Delaney is a good player but he is NOT an NBA player. Not close ... yet. Could get a shot if he works on his shooting and ballhandling quite a bit.
Of course, I doubt Vaden is an NBA player, either.

Anyone seen PDIII shoot lately? I have. Night and day, night and day.

BlazerMatt Wrote:nah, pd3 is not THAT quick. He is basically a 6'2 shooting guard that cant shoot, not a lot of those in the nba. I love the guy, but his best asset for us is ability to use his strength to get to the hole against, smaller, weaker guards. The NBA doesnt have a lot of them either.

Go watch the tape of our loss to kentucky squeaky's senior year. Rondo dominated squeaky, made him back down from guarding him close, and basically shut squeaky down on both ends of the floor.

If Vaden comes back, we are basically going to be a drive and kick team next year that will be hard to stop when our shots are falling. But with no post presence, we will lose a few games we should win on nights when they are not falling.

If Vaden doesnt come back, we are going to be worse next year than we were this year.

I agree. If Vaden & Sharpe are back, we'll be in the Tournament. If neither are back, I feel the best we can hope for is the NIT. Hopefully they'll both be here, it would benefit both the players and the team.

Grammar-Nazi Wrote:Absolutely and honestly speaking as an academic, I think every athlete who leaves school early without a degree is doing himself a disservice.

I have never bought, nor will I ever buy, the argument that "I'm doing what's best for my family." O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush are proof if you are a professional-quality athlete, your family is being taken care of. For every athlete caught, hundreds more exist under the surface.

And I would disagree with you because athletes that are in a position to have a professional career should be their priority. They can always comeback to get their degree if they so desire.

I know the argument can be made that once they leave they probably will not return but nevertheless the opportunity will be there. That can't always be said about a professional sports career where an injury can jeopardize or end such an opportunity.

Grammar-Nazi Wrote:Absolutely and honestly speaking as an academic, I think every athlete who leaves school early without a degree is doing himself a disservice.

I have never bought, nor will I ever buy, the argument that "I'm doing what's best for my family." O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush are proof if you are a professional-quality athlete, your family is being taken care of. For every athlete caught, hundreds more exist under the surface.

Their families may be taken care of, but considering the time-value of money, it's still a horrid financial decision to return to school if you're a guaranteed top pick. There's no way the under-the-table money can match the signing bonuses and endorsement deals that the top-flight players get.

Flying Mouse Wrote:Shaping up to be a much tougher season than anyone would have expected if Vaden is gone.
Delaney is a good player but he is NOT an NBA player. Not close ... yet. Could get a shot if he works on his shooting and ballhandling quite a bit.
Of course, I doubt Vaden is an NBA player, either.

And I disagree if this tough season is being based off Vaden returning or not. I think Vaden is a NBA player but I will admit that he is looking even better in this camp than he did with UAB. That said, UAB will have some pretty good shooters on this squad.

What everyone should be concern with is our low post game. That will determine what type of season UAB will have.

TMcCarty Wrote:

Grammar-Nazi Wrote:Absolutely and honestly speaking as an academic, I think every athlete who leaves school early without a degree is doing himself a disservice.

I have never bought, nor will I ever buy, the argument that "I'm doing what's best for my family." O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush are proof if you are a professional-quality athlete, your family is being taken care of. For every athlete caught, hundreds more exist under the surface.

Their families may be taken care of, but considering the time-value of money, it's still a horrid financial decision to return to school if you're a guaranteed top pick. There's no way the under-the-table money can match the signing bonuses and endorsement deals that the top-flight players get.

+1

HiddenDragon Wrote:

Flying Mouse Wrote:Shaping up to be a much tougher season than anyone would have expected if Vaden is gone.
Delaney is a good player but he is NOT an NBA player. Not close ... yet. Could get a shot if he works on his shooting and ballhandling quite a bit.
Of course, I doubt Vaden is an NBA player, either.

And I disagree if this tough season is being based off Vaden returning or not. I think Vaden is a NBA player but I will admit that he is looking even better in this camp than he did with UAB. That said, UAB will have some pretty good shooters on this squad.

What everyone should be concern with is our low post game. That will determine what type of season UAB will have.

The lack of low post game is what i was referring to ... vaden would be needed to stretch the court. Without him, world of hurt.

Suede27 Wrote:It would be interesting to see how he would run the point actually having more scoring threats on the floor. We've only seen him run the point when the cupboard was bare.

A.J. will be running the point.

Fox 6 had a small interview with him on the news tonight with him saying he's really been working on his defense.

bigpoppablazer Wrote:

Suede27 Wrote:It would be interesting to see how he would run the point actually having more scoring threats on the floor. We've only seen him run the point when the cupboard was bare.

A.J. will be running the point.

That's why I said would and not will.

BlazerMatt Wrote:Why I think Vaden will go pro:

He knows if he comes back, he is not going to get anywhere near the same number of shots per game that he got this year. PD3, a full season of Toney, an improved AJ, and T-Rod are all going to cut into his shots, and therefore his numbers are sure to go down.

Why I think he won't:

Only first round draft picks get guaranteed contracts. Right now, Vaden is not first round material.

Flying Mouse Wrote:The lack of low post game is what i was referring to ... vaden would be needed to stretch the court. Without him, world of hurt.

We didn't stretch the court with Vaden last season. Once teams figured out all we had was an outside game they "D" our shooters and dared us to go inside. Nothing is going to change that strategy if we don't get some type of a scoring inside presence.

MC Blazer Wrote:

BlazerMatt Wrote:Why I think Vaden will go pro:

He knows if he comes back, he is not going to get anywhere near the same number of shots per game that he got this year. PD3, a full season of Toney, an improved AJ, and T-Rod are all going to cut into his shots, and therefore his numbers are sure to go down.

Why I think he won't:

Only first round draft picks get guaranteed contracts. Right now, Vaden is not first round material.

And in another thread it was mentioned that Vaden would still be interested in the NBA even if he was projected as an early 2nd pick.

HiddenDragon Wrote:

MC Blazer Wrote:

BlazerMatt Wrote:Why I think Vaden will go pro:

He knows if he comes back, he is not going to get anywhere near the same number of shots per game that he got this year. PD3, a full season of Toney, an improved AJ, and T-Rod are all going to cut into his shots, and therefore his numbers are sure to go down.

Why I think he won't:

Only first round draft picks get guaranteed contracts. Right now, Vaden is not first round material.

And in another thread it was mentioned that Vaden would still be interested in the NBA even if he was projected as an early 2nd pick.

And thats the rub. Every year the NBA tells about 90 guys that they are going to be "Late first round, early second round picks."

HiddenDragon Wrote:

Flying Mouse Wrote:The lack of low post game is what i was referring to ... vaden would be needed to stretch the court. Without him, world of hurt.

We didn't stretch the court with Vaden last season. Once teams figured out all we had was an outside game they "D" our shooters and dared us to go inside. Nothing is going to change that strategy if we don't get some type of a scoring inside presence.

What changes is that if they stretch the D to cover our shooters next year, PD3 or T-Rod get themselves a dunk.

BlazerMatt Wrote:

HiddenDragon Wrote:

Flying Mouse Wrote:The lack of low post game is what i was referring to ... vaden would be needed to stretch the court. Without him, world of hurt.

We didn't stretch the court with Vaden last season. Once teams figured out all we had was an outside game they "D" our shooters and dared us to go inside. Nothing is going to change that strategy if we don't get some type of a scoring inside presence.

What changes is that if they stretch the D to cover our shooters next year, PD3 or T-Rod get themselves a dunk.

We will not have a post game with or without Vaden. Our two most talented big men (Sharpe and Mayfield) play best facing the basket. The difference from last year is we will have three-four good scoring options on the court. A player like Toney or T-Rod will face face a teams third or forth best perimeter defender. Due to the quickness of A.J and Delaney, there will be games that Vaden will be covered by the 3rd best perimeter defender. If not A.J and Delaney will make a career at FT line.

bigpoppablazer Wrote:

BlazerMatt Wrote:

HiddenDragon Wrote:

Flying Mouse Wrote:The lack of low post game is what i was referring to ... vaden would be needed to stretch the court. Without him, world of hurt.

We didn't stretch the court with Vaden last season. Once teams figured out all we had was an outside game they "D" our shooters and dared us to go inside. Nothing is going to change that strategy if we don't get some type of a scoring inside presence.

What changes is that if they stretch the D to cover our shooters next year, PD3 or T-Rod get themselves a dunk.

We will not have a post game with or without Vaden. Our two most talented big men (Sharpe and Mayfield) play best facing the basket. The difference from last year is we will have three-four good scoring options on the court. A player like Toney or T-Rod will face face a teams third or forth best perimeter defender. Due to the quickness of A.J and Delaney, there will be games that Vaden will be covered by the 3rd best perimeter defender. If not A.J and Delaney will make a career at FT line.

Yeah, and option number 2 there (Mayfield) spends a lot of time looking up and head faking up towards that basket... :muttering: