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Keldon Johnson=James Young

C

CatsPaws270

Heisman
Dec 7, 2015
24,908
65,103
113
I kept thinking of the comparison for Keldon all year. And the James Young comparison stuck. Different games...but similar position.

James was very talented and did big things at time...but just never fully put it together in his freshman year. When he declared....we knew he was good enough and should go...but knew he wasn't ready and it showed in the league.

That's how I feel about Keldon....I think we never really saw him put it all together. Now James had that dunk in the title game that will go down forever. We as fans saw the potential and were waiting for them to break through and be the exciting piece....but it never came. We loved them, but just never had that moment where we bought in...

I think Keldon, like James Young, will get drafted high because he has a pro body and potential skill set....but I don't think he is ready on day 1. Will he last? Who knows?
 
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T

Tampa_cat54_rivals112262

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
25,749
14,375
0
HoptownCat93 said:
I kept thinking of the comparison for Keldon all year. And the James Young comparison stuck.

James was very talented and did big things at time...but just never fully put it together in his freshman year. When he declared....we knew he was good enough and should go...but knew he wasn't ready and it showed in the league.

That's how I feel about Keldon....I think we never really saw him put it all together. Now James had that dunk in the title game that will go down forever. We as fans saw the potential and were waiting for them to break through and be the exciting piece....but it never came. We loved them, but just never had that moment where we bought in...

I think Keldon, like James Young, will get drafted high because he has a pro body and potential skill set....but I don't think he is ready on day 1. Will he last? Who knows?
Click to expand...

That's the comparison I've made on here a couple of times.

That's his floor IMO. It could happen. I don't necessarily THINK that'll happen- but I could see it.

It all depends on fit. I said earlier-

IF he goes outside the lottery, that means he's going to a playoff team.

How many playoff teams have room in their rotation for a rookie to get 25+ MPG and really develop his first couple of years in the league?

That's tough. All people think about is money.

But the truth is, the difference between the lottery and non-lottery is HUGE in terms of playing time, role with the team, and how much that team invests in you.
 
C

Crawfords Corner

Heisman
Jul 9, 2004
93,075
38,060
0
He's not there yet, but I could see Keldon become a similar player to Kawhi Leonard. A guy who will be a two-way player that can rebound and defend 1-3.
 
G

GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
Rupp'sRunt said:
Uhhhh what? James was good at all those things, his weaknesses were passing and defense.

Click to expand...


Driving in a straight line through an open lane for a dunk isn't what teams mean when they talk about a guy being a slasher.

The reason James Young has done nothing in the NBA is because he has no handle. The jumper will never be open if they don't respect your ability to go around them.
 
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Rupp'sRunt

Heisman
Apr 19, 2008
14,675
20,094
0
GonzoCat90 said:
Driving in a straight line through an open lane for a dunk isn't what teams mean when they talk about a guy being a slasher.

The reason James Young has done nothing in the NBA is because he has no handle. The jumper will never be open if they don't respect your ability to go around them.
Click to expand...
That was just an example. JY could do all the things you said at UK. Just bc it doesn't translate to NBA doesn't diminish his play at UK.
MWes11 said:
Did you look at any stats, or is this just your opinion on the eye test?
Click to expand...
Eye test.
Stats
JY: 14.3 ppg 4.3 rbds 1.7 assists 35% 3pt
KJ: 13.5 ppg 5.9 rbds 1.6 assists 38% 3pt

Read into that what you will. Id still rather have JY.
 
DelkBowl

DelkBowl

Heisman
Oct 4, 2015
10,769
11,835
101

James Young's motor
vs
KJ's motor

 
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M

MWes11

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
12,025
10,106
0
SUMMARY SUMMARY
Career Career
Rupp'sRunt said:
That was just an example. JY could do all the things you said at UK. Just bc it doesn't translate to NBA doesn't diminish his play at UK.

Eye test.
Stats
JY: 14.3 ppg 4.3 rbds 1.7 assists 35% 3pt
KJ: 13.5 ppg 5.9 rbds 1.6 assists 38% 3pt

Read into that what you will. Id still rather have JY.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. That is your preference. But to say that JY gave us 10x what KJ gave us seems like a slap in the face and that KJ was some sort of scrub.

KJ also higher in PER and 6% higher 2pt %
 
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C

Crawfords Corner

Heisman
Jul 9, 2004
93,075
38,060
0
Tampa_cat54 said:
Whoaaa. That's quite a jump.
Click to expand...

I said could. Keldon has the skillset to develop in to that. Look at these college stats https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kawhi-leonard-1.html then look where Kawhi was in what would have been his 3rd and 4th seasons in the college https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html

Keldon could very much become a similar player. Obviously, he will get out of what he puts in to the game, but it is said he is a gym rat. I've also read scouting reports that have said they believe KJ could become an all-star caliber player.
 
G

GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
Rupp'sRunt said:
That was just an example. JY could do all the things you said at UK. Just bc it doesn't translate to NBA doesn't diminish his play at UK.

Eye test.
Stats
JY: 14.3 ppg 4.3 rbds 1.7 assists 35% 3pt
KJ: 13.5 ppg 5.9 rbds 1.6 assists 38% 3pt

Read into that what you will. Id still rather have JY.
Click to expand...

Ah, gotcha. I was talking pro level. I actually liked Young as a draft prospect better than I do Keldon. I just don't think he gets anything easy. It's all a tough runner or floater or something ugly, whereas you could see James Young's natural abilities and potential.

But I think he's more likely to be productive as a pro. Not just because Young washed out, but because Keldon is the kind of guy who battles and responds to being challenged. I think he *wants* to be really good and wants to be a professional.
 
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Rupp'sRunt

Heisman
Apr 19, 2008
14,675
20,094
0
MWes11 said:
SUMMARY SUMMARY
Career Career

Fair enough. That is your preference. But to say that JY gave us 10x what KJ gave us seems like a slap in the face and that KJ was some sort of scrub.

KJ also higher in PER and 6% higher 2pt %
Click to expand...
I just felt KJ never stepped into the "alpha" role a lot of people were expecting. He left a lot to be desired on offense IMO and felt he didn't play that well in NCAAT. James Young was consistently playing at a high level (offensively) and in the NCAAT when it mattered (made 1st team NCAA All tournament team IIRC) JY was just the offensive weapon this team could've used we had plenty of Defensive dogs this year, funnily enough maybe KJ could've guarded napier/boatwright
 
R

Rupp'sRunt

Heisman
Apr 19, 2008
14,675
20,094
0
GonzoCat90 said:
Ah, gotcha. I was talking pro level. I actually liked Young as a draft prospect better than I do Keldon. I just don't think he gets anything easy. It's all a tough runner or floater or something ugly, whereas you could see James Young's natural abilities and potential.

But I think he's more likely to be productive as a pro. Not just because Young washed out, but because Keldon is the kind of guy who battles and responds to being challenged. I think he *wants* to be really good and wants to be a professional.
Click to expand...
I can agree with you there. JY had more natural talent, KJ has a top tier motor.
 
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C

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
GonzoCat90 said:
James Young was a freakish athlete who had a great shooting stroke but no ability to drive, slash, or handle.

Keldon is a driving slasher who gets to the rim but isn't an elite athlete or shooter.
Click to expand...
This is put perfectly . KJ is very good athlete and shooter but isn't elite . Young flat out could do nothing but shoot 3' or dunk. He was not a great prospect.
 
ZaytovenCat

ZaytovenCat

All-American
Apr 25, 2013
24,053
8,819
97
GonzoCat90 said:
Driving in a straight line through an open lane for a dunk isn't what teams mean when they talk about a guy being a slasher.

The reason James Young has done nothing in the NBA is because he has no handle. The jumper will never be open if they don't respect your ability to go around them.
Click to expand...
Exactly how is Keldon a slasher when 1.) he rarely drove to basket except for a handful of games and 2.) couldn’t finish because he would get blocked. If he couldn’t get his shot over college players in the lane then he sure as hell won’t in the league.

Also Keldon and James are similar athletically.

They’re very similar overall imo. Both prefer to just float outside to catch and shoot. Both have the ability to slash but don’t do it much. Both could disappear at times and just not be aggressive. This is likely the reason they hangout outside shooting 3’s more than driving.

While I think Keldon has a little better motor or drive to make it in the league, I could very easily see him being right where Young is in 3-4 years.
 
F

FrankUnderwood

Heisman
May 26, 2017
15,912
27,971
0
GonzoCat90 said:
James Young was a freakish athlete who had a great shooting stroke but no ability to drive, slash, or handle.

Keldon is a driving slasher who gets to the rim but isn't an elite athlete or shooter.
Click to expand...


How can someone be a freak athlete but not be able to slash , drive or dribble ?
 
TFCat11

TFCat11

Heisman
Mar 25, 2019
6,170
11,292
108
nssdigitalchumps said:
Bashing our own players (pt 2) in hopes that they will return.

Certainly, this works, right?

/s
Click to expand...
It does appear that way, but that’s how collective frustration works. Everyone but Cal and KJ knows a second year would work wonders for him and BBN, so let the venting continue. Oh, and that Lottery talk? Forgetaboutit!
 
U

UK90

Heisman
Dec 30, 2007
31,460
27,815
0
GonzoCat90 said:
The reason James Young has done nothing in the NBA is because he has no handle.
Click to expand...

That's hardly the only reason. I'm guessing the piss poor shooting percentages, defense and passing have plenty to do with it as well. His handle was far from the worst of his problems here.
 
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S

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
HoptownCat93 said:
I kept thinking of the comparison for Keldon all year. And the James Young comparison stuck. Different games...but similar position.

James was very talented and did big things at time...but just never fully put it together in his freshman year. When he declared....we knew he was good enough and should go...but knew he wasn't ready and it showed in the league.

That's how I feel about Keldon....I think we never really saw him put it all together. Now James had that dunk in the title game that will go down forever. We as fans saw the potential and were waiting for them to break through and be the exciting piece....but it never came. We loved them, but just never had that moment where we bought in...

I think Keldon, like James Young, will get drafted high because he has a pro body and potential skill set....but I don't think he is ready on day 1. Will he last? Who knows?
Click to expand...
No comparasion...JY could only shoot and i think KJ will be more successful because he has a better overall game. Do think another year at UK will/would really increase his stock.
 
TFCat11

TFCat11

Heisman
Mar 25, 2019
6,170
11,292
108
UK90 said:
That's hardly the only reason. I'm guessing the piss poor shooting percentages, defense and passing have plenty to do with it as well. His handle was far from the worst of his problems.
Click to expand...
I’ve lurked here for many many years, and remember around that time, scores of posters were talking about someone being the worst passer UK has ever had. Was that James Young, or am I thinking about Archie Goodwin?
 
G

GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
UK90 said:
That's hardly the only reason. I'm guessing the piss poor shooting percentages, defense and passing have plenty to do with it as well. His handle was far from the worst of his problems.
Click to expand...

It's the worst of his problems in the NBA.

He was never, ever open because teams knew he couldn't handle the ball. He was rarely on the court because he can't handle the ball. He can't pass because he can't create. No one makes great passes standing and waiting for an open shot.

For his career, nearly 70% of his attempts are from three despite him shooting just 27% on those looks. He can't get any other shot because he can't dribble. 97% of his makes are assisted on. Ninety-seven percent.
 
U

UK90

Heisman
Dec 30, 2007
31,460
27,815
0
GonzoCat90 said:
It's the worst of his problems in the NBA.

He was never, ever open because teams knew he couldn't handle the ball. He was rarely on the court because he can't handle the ball. He can't pass because he can't create. No one makes great passes standing and waiting for an open shot.

For his career, nearly 70% of his attempts are from three despite him shooting just 27% on those looks. He can't get any other shot because he can't dribble. 97% of his makes are assisted on. Ninety-seven percent.
Click to expand...

So, if the reason for his crappy shooting percentages is supposedly just because his handle prevents him from getting open looks, then why does he ALSO have crappy free throw percentages (career 56 percent)? ALL free throws are open looks. Can you explain how a poor handle somehow makes one miss free throws?

Young is no longer an NBA player for a lot of reasons that go well beyond just his handle. He's not a good shooter, defender, passer or ballhandler. The reason he was drafted so high is because he had excellent size, athleticism and wingspan for a shooting guard, and a nice looking stroke. Thus scouts thought he had a lot of potential to develop into a much better player in the future.

But that did not happen.
 
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K

kevcat

Heisman
Feb 26, 2007
27,686
32,625
0
Well, neither could defend or pass, so they are similar in that way. When Keldon gets drafted in the top 20, they will also have that in common.

James was drafted 17th and finished his career shooting 27.7% from 3 and 34% overall.

I hope he invested his money wisely.
 
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kevcat

Heisman
Feb 26, 2007
27,686
32,625
0
Well, neither could defend or pass, so they are similar in that way. When Keldon gets drafted in the top 20, they will also have that in common.

Both contributed positively at times.

I think James was drafted 17th.

James “earned” 5.7 million in his career. I hope he invested wisely. Those 48 tattoos can’t be that expensive...can they?
 
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