Tokoto going pro...
- Thread starter dm4vtdu
- Start date
Nick Pagliuca should enter too
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/unc-s-jp-tokoto-to-declare-for-the-2015-nba-draft-130246490-nba.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/unc-s-jp-tokoto-to-declare-for-the-2015-nba-draft-130246490-nba.html
This has to be a joke.
If not, I would also like to declare that I am eligible for the NBA Draft. Apparently, they have lowered the standard tremendously.
If not, I would also like to declare that I am eligible for the NBA Draft. Apparently, they have lowered the standard tremendously.
this "joke" may help them with Ingram.
Unless his concern truly is the potential fall out from the scandal and not an easy road to PT.
Even with Tokoto gone, absolutely no guarantee he starts if he goes there. Gotta think Jackson and Pinson would have the edge with their year of experience.
Unless his concern truly is the potential fall out from the scandal and not an easy road to PT.
Even with Tokoto gone, absolutely no guarantee he starts if he goes there. Gotta think Jackson and Pinson would have the edge with their year of experience.
Probably does help them with Ingram. I really had no idea where he was going to play with 2 different PGs on the roster, a third PG who plays SG (Paige), 3 SFs (Pinson, Jackson, Tokoto), and then a slew of bigs. Still a lot of competition, but not as absurd -- though losing Tokoto probably does hurt them on the defensive end.
As for the explanation, basically sounds as if he'd rather take his shot at the NBA than stay in school and play his sr. year as team leader / glue guy.
As for the explanation, basically sounds as if he'd rather take his shot at the NBA than stay in school and play his sr. year as team leader / glue guy.
Oh, how sweet it would be if they got their postseason ban starting in 2016, given they're preseason top 5 in most polls and returning almost everyone.
Karma meet UNC. UNC meet Karma.
I read he is not hiring an agent so he's probably just testing the water. It will be interesting to see what the NBA scouts think about him.
I don't like what this does to improve UNCs chances of getting Ingram. But this move makes total sense to me. Tokyo is spot on with what he needs to improve and how to do it. Even if he goes to the DLeague, he'll have all the time he needs to get better. He has the raw tools to be a good 7th man in the NBA.
If that is the case and he's just "testing the water", how will things be for him if he does return next season given his public comments that he doesn't believe Roy has helped him develop his game?Considering that the coaching staff and his teammates will be aware of his comments.
This post was edited on 4/8 11:09 PM by DiehardDukeFan4Life
"I feel like there can be a lot more to me as a player, more than just the defensive player who can occasionally dunk the ball," Tokoto told Yahoo Sports. "I know I can be so much more, but I'm not sure that I'm pushed to be that much more [in college].
"I want to focus on my game, working with trainers and pro coaches over the summer and next year. I think that'll give me the best chance to grow than staying in school and being that player that fit into the mold of my first three years [at carolina]."
Ouch! Roy just took a knee to the groin. Deservedly so too. Williams has gotten the rep of hanging on to elite talent longer than anyone woulda expected AND trashing draft stock. Is what it is.
"I want to focus on my game, working with trainers and pro coaches over the summer and next year. I think that'll give me the best chance to grow than staying in school and being that player that fit into the mold of my first three years [at carolina]."
Ouch! Roy just took a knee to the groin. Deservedly so too. Williams has gotten the rep of hanging on to elite talent longer than anyone woulda expected AND trashing draft stock. Is what it is.
Yep, will allow Carolina to move Jackson to the 3, Paige to the 2 and insert Berry at the point. Not to mention the supposed chemistry and locker room issues that Tokoto was apparently creating.
This post was edited on 4/8 11:37 PM by mbdfan
Tokoto does some things well but I never saw him as a fit there. He's pretty much the same player as when he arrived on campus. Also one of the worst shooters in the country. Some rumors out there that he's kind of a d-bag too and didn't really get along with teammates.
I definitely don't think Roy does a particularly good job developing talent on the wing -- see guys like Barnes, Bullock, McAdoo and Hairston taking multiple years to go far lower than their initial class rankings. With that said, Tokoto's words ring a little to me and speaks to the increasingly unrealistic expectations of some prospects -- rather than the coaching. Tokoto is not a former 5* kid who was pegged for immediate NBA stardom. He was a mid-level 4* recruit with a composite ranking of 64 on 247 sports. The majority of kids ranked in that territory don't ultimately get drafted. The fact that he's actually considered a pretty solid 2nd round pick seems like progress. In my view, this would be about on par with Marshall Plumlee declaring b/c he's not going to get a ton of offensive shots next year -- which, while true, is probably appropriate in view of his talent level.
Coaching the Mind@BethelLearning
Once had a nice conversation with JP about spoken word poetry. He was thoughtful and polite, and I believe he deserves to pursue his dream.
B-Rad Seal of Approval
Once had a nice conversation with JP about spoken word poetry. He was thoughtful and polite, and I believe he deserves to pursue his dream.
B-Rad Seal of Approval
I don't totally disagree. However, Tokoto was only ranked that low because he couldn't dribble or shoot. He picked UNC in part to help him develop those skills.
You would think that 3 years with a hall of fame coach would have put him on the road to learning those skills. Unfortunately for him, it hasn't.
Obviously it wouldn't be fair to totally blame Roy for Tokoto's failure to improve. But when you look at the pattern of even higher ranked wings that hit similar plateaus in development (the severity certainly varies by player) I do think its fair for Roy to shoulder at least part of the blame.
My thing with Carolina now, IF Tokoto leaving makes them better...
Is Pinson, or someone else ready to step into that role? Tokoto was a great defender, though he struggled towards the end of the year (mentally checking out?). He could be huge on both ends of the floor rebounding wise when he wanted, and obviously for the big dunks, slashing to the lane, and transition plays. Though they could arguably be better offensively now, at least shooting wise, I think it's a big loss.
PG - Berry
SG - Paige
SF - Jackson
PF - Brice
C - Meeks
6th Man - Hicks
Offensively? Sure, though it's not exactly an athletic lineup. Defensively? Yikes.
Is Pinson, or someone else ready to step into that role? Tokoto was a great defender, though he struggled towards the end of the year (mentally checking out?). He could be huge on both ends of the floor rebounding wise when he wanted, and obviously for the big dunks, slashing to the lane, and transition plays. Though they could arguably be better offensively now, at least shooting wise, I think it's a big loss.
PG - Berry
SG - Paige
SF - Jackson
PF - Brice
C - Meeks
6th Man - Hicks
Offensively? Sure, though it's not exactly an athletic lineup. Defensively? Yikes.
That was my initial reaction as well. Ingram is probably more skilled offensively than Tokoto now...the question with BI, regardless of where he goes, can he adapt to the physicality of the college game.
I'm somewhat ambivalent on Ingram. In view of how limited our roster looks, definitely would prefer to get him to see how he develops -- but, as others have mentioned, not sure if he's going to be able to make enough progress in the weightroom to be anything but a complete liability on the defensive end. My guess is he ends up playing a lot of 2 or 3 next season, and the question will be whether he's got enough lateral quickness to stay on the floor.
With regards to UNC, I would say that -- while I think Tokoto's decision does marginally help them -- that roster does still seem pretty full -- and they do already have someone very similar to Ingram on the roster (Justin Jackson). UNC doesn't have the elite talent that UK had this year, but it's depth of experienced, highly-rated players is pretty impressive. A backcourt / wings of Berry (Soph.), Paige (Sr.), Britt (Jr.), Pinson (Soph.), and Jackson (Soph.) and a frontcourt of Meeks (Jr.), Brice Johnson (Sr.), Joel James (Sr.), and Hicks (Jr.). Considering that both Pinson / Jackson were both 5* who basically play the same spot on the court, still not sure how Ingram gets a ton of minutes unless he either vaults the pair of older 5* kids on the roster or Roy decides to significantly reduce Paige's role on the team at the 2.
This post was edited on 4/9 11:28 AM by aah555
With regards to UNC, I would say that -- while I think Tokoto's decision does marginally help them -- that roster does still seem pretty full -- and they do already have someone very similar to Ingram on the roster (Justin Jackson). UNC doesn't have the elite talent that UK had this year, but it's depth of experienced, highly-rated players is pretty impressive. A backcourt / wings of Berry (Soph.), Paige (Sr.), Britt (Jr.), Pinson (Soph.), and Jackson (Soph.) and a frontcourt of Meeks (Jr.), Brice Johnson (Sr.), Joel James (Sr.), and Hicks (Jr.). Considering that both Pinson / Jackson were both 5* who basically play the same spot on the court, still not sure how Ingram gets a ton of minutes unless he either vaults the pair of older 5* kids on the roster or Roy decides to significantly reduce Paige's role on the team at the 2.
This post was edited on 4/9 11:28 AM by aah555
That's why part of me thinks he wants to go to UNC, but he's almost digging for a reason not to go. IMO, his heart is kind of on the Heels. But, so was this kid named Quinn Cook. If Roy had offered at the time there's a very good chance Cook jumped at it.
I'm tickled wussy blue that he's declaring. I wish Paige,Johnson, Hicks, Meeks, Jackson, Pinson, Berry , James, White and what's his name would declare too. I want them all gone. Don't want to see any of them again. Not because they're good enough it's just because they are Tar Heels.
OFC
"J.P. and I have had multiple meetings since the end of the season, including one yesterday afternoon," says University of North carolina head coach Roy Williams. "He has made the decision to enter the NBA Draft at this time. We support J.P. in his decision and will continue to assist him as he pursues his dream of playing professional basketball. J.P. has made significant contributions to our program. My staff and I wish him great success as he moves forward."
"Multiple meetings"
"Multiple meetings"
