Lottery Pick or NBA Afterthought?

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Say it with me: “The best players play. Talent is all that matters.”

But once again, here I am challenging that mantra with an apples to apples comparison. So, brace yourself. Here we go.

Player A and Player B both play for the same team. They are both combo guards. One, however, is projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft, while the other isn’t projected to even be drafted. Can you pick which is which based on the numbers (all of which are current as of this post)?

After all, the best players play. Right?

Player A is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior.
Player B is a 6-foot-6, 218-pound junior.

Player A plays 35.0 minutes per game.
Player B plays 34.1 minutes per game.

Player A averages 19.7 points per game on 47.7% shooting.
Player B averages 14.8 points per game on 50.9% shooting.


Player A averages 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks while committing 2.0 turnovers.
Player B averages 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks while committing 2.3 turnovers.

Player A has attempted 451 shots (made 215), attempted 215 threes (made 87), and shot 123 free throws (making 95).
Player B has attempted 342 shots (made 174), attempted 109 threes (made 42), and shot 114 free throws (making 84).

So, which player is the “real” talent and which isn’t talented enough to even be considered?

Player B is slightly younger and bigger, a slightly better rebounder, defender, passer, and shooter. Player A scores a few more points, because he shoots at a higher volume.

So, who you got?

If you picked the younger, bigger, more efficient, better all around production of Player B, then you’re clearly not aware of the Caste System ... because Player B is White. Player A is black, and therefore somehow has “dat upside” that is coveted by pro “talent” “evaluators.”

Player A is Ochai Agbaji.
Player B is Christian Braun.

Both play for the Kansas Jayhawks. Agbaji is currently projected to be one of the first 12 picks in the upcoming NBA draft; Braun is not projected to be drafted at all.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

the story continues ...

Player A was unanimously named as the Player of the Year in his conference.
Player B was named second-team all-conference.

numbers don’t matter if they don’t fit the narrative.

 

[icsept]

Obviously, Player B doesn’t pass the “eye test.” Such a damn shame. He’ll have to go UDFA to the NBA. However, a great tournament and/or finals MVP could vault his draft status like it did for Donte Divencenzo.

 

[Bucky]

Good Apple's to Apple's comparison! Here's to a great Tournament Run for Braun and Kansas!

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

below are the stat lines for these two players in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. and remember, Player A is an NBA lottery pick, an All-American, and his conference’s POY; Player B isn’t even considered to be draftable and was merely second team all-conference.
they play on the same team.

Player A scored 11 points on 5-14 shooting (1-5 from 3pt range), had 6 rebounds, 0 assists, 5 turnovers, and 1 blocked shot in 33 minutes.
Player B scored 14 points on 5-12 shooting (4-5 from 3pt range), had 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, and 1 steal in 31 minutes.

“clearly” one player continues to show his “superior” talent ...

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

perhaps i’m beating a dead horse, but the Caste System is so entrenched that documentation is (maybe?) the only weapon to counter it in the minds of those willing to accept the truth.

here are the stat lines for game 2 of the NCAA Tourney for these two players:

Player A scored 15 points (on 5-14 shooting), had 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 1 turnover in 34 minutes.
Player B scored 13 points (on 5-9 shooting), had 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 2 turnovers in 38 minutes.

so, again, based on the numbers it is (apparently to everyone but me) obvious that Player A is All-Everything and Player B is a chump.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

i have neglected to update this thread due to real life being more important than hoops, but here is the continuing comparison:

Game 3 of the NCAA Tourney:
Player A scored 5 points (on 2-8 shooting), had 4 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks, and 1 turnover in 36 minutes.
Player B scored 6 points (on 2-6 shooting), had 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, and 1 turnover in 36 minutes.

Game 4 of the NCAA Tourney:
Player A scored 18 points (8-12 shooting), had 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 0 blocks, and 2 turnovers in 34 minutes.
Player B scored 12 points (4-9 shooting), had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 1 blocks, and 0 turnovers in 35 minutes.

based on these numbers, it seems “obvious” that one of these players has “dat upside” and the other had better get good grades or something. *eye roll*