Coach K Says Lance Thomas Will Play in the NBA

[airowe]

http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/11/25/c...ay-in-the-nba/

Coach K also said he believes senior forward Lance Thomas, a former St. Benedict’s Prep standout who chose Duke over Rutgers, could make an NBA roster.

“All of a sudden someone’s going to really like Lance, whether they draft him or bring him to camp and keep him because he’s almost 6-9, he’s got great energy. He’s really improved offensively. He’s a glue guy and he can play defense and he can defend multiple positions,” he said

Coach K said Thomas has shortcomings as a player, but has developed into a tremendous defender.

“I think he’s our most versatile defender,” he said. “We have him guarding from centers to point guards.”

[FireOgilvie]

I would love to see Lance play in the NBA, just like any other Duke player, but he needs to improve in multiple categories before that's going to happen. He needs to become the rebounder that everyone thought he could be. He needs to start consistently hitting that 15 foot jumper he takes. He needs to stop turning the ball over so much (he leads the team in TOs). He needs to become a better passer. He needs to stop fouling so much (he's right behind Zoubek for team leader in PFs). He also needs to become a shot-blocker (he has zero on the year). Overall, I would say he needs to improve his "basketball IQ." He is almost always near the bottom of the team for +/-. If he can improve in these categories, he has a shot. Otherwise, no one is going to draft him.

[roywhite]

If Lance is a future NBA player, I'd hope that he would be able to average at least 10 pts/game, 5 rebs/ game, and hit at least 70% of his foul shots in his senior season. That's not asking too much, is it?

[phaedrus]

"If Lance is a future NBA player, I'd hope that he would be able to average at least 10 pts/game, 5 rebs/ game, and hit at least 70% of his foul shots in his senior season. That's not asking too much, is it?"

Probably. It's significantly more than Shav ever averaged, isn't it?

[Tim1515]

LT needs to prove a lot this year if he's going to get a shot in the nba even as a 12th man. The guy just doesn't have a feel for rebounding. Gets out of position...jumps at the wrong time...etc. He may continue to improve in that area (he has significantly since his freshman year) but i'm not sure he'll ever be great at it. Unfortunately for a defensive specialist that is something he will need in the NBA.

[DevilHorns]

Remember, he said make an NBA roster, not become an NBA star. I think he could make a roster based on improving an already strong defensive game through the year. If he can improve in ''basic'' aspects of the game, such as passing, not committing overly zealous fouls, and being able to hit the open 10-footer.

I would love to see Lance make a roster, though at this point, he may struggle to collect minutes for a stocked Duke team if Mason pans out well as a freshman.

[roywhite]

"If Lance is a future NBA player, I'd hope that he would be able to average at least 10 pts/game, 5 rebs/ game, and hit at least 70% of his foul shots in his senior season. That's not asking too much, is it?"

Probably. It's significantly more than Shav ever averaged, isn't it?

An interesting point, and you are right about it,

though, Shav's stats for his 3 year career:
http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketba...p?playerid=298

are better than Lance's stats for his first 3 years:
http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketba...p?playerid=519

[jipops]

I think K's point may be to motivate Lance here.

[CameronBornAndBred]

It looks to me like he said "could play". Lance would be an interesting one to watch if it happens, but I foresee Europe, maybe NBADL.

[feldspar]

After Shav, I will never doubt anyone's ability to get an NBA contract.

[Tim1515]

I would guess this is where playing at Duke is a big advantage. There have to be 20 + Lance type players in college basketball...but there's a good chance Lance is more well known then any of them.

[cspan37421]

Let's not forget that just because Lance has only had to do certain things for Duke basketball, perhaps yielding some of the spotlight for the good of the team, that doesn't mean that's all he can do.

But yeah, I think it's also motivational at core.

[BlueDevilCorvette!]

Lance has a high octane motor. I hope some NBA team recognizes his defensive capabilities and give him a shot. All one can ask for is a chance...the rest is up to them.

[FireOgilvie]

Let's not forget that just because Lance has only had to do certain things for Duke basketball, perhaps yielding some of the spotlight for the good of the team, that doesn't mean that's all he can do.

But yeah, I think it's also motivational at core.

Uh, no. If he could do more, he would be doing more. What, in particular, do you think he's not being allowed to do right now because of his role? If he was a better shooter/rebounder/passer/SF/whatever, we would have seen it sometime in the last 3.5 years.

[Devilsfan]

Hopefully we will get to see that potential realized this season.

[CDu]

http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/11/25/c...ay-in-the-nba/

For what it's worth, that link says Coach thinks he "could" play in the NBA - not that he "will" play in the NBA. That's not an insignificant difference.

I'm not holding my breath on Thomas playing in the NBA. That being said, if he can learn how to play with aggression AND control (he's not shown an ability to avoid silly overzealous fouls) and develop a jumpshot, he could find a spot on somebody's bench in the NBA. Athletically, there's no reason he couldn't be a decent defensive player at the 3 spot in the NBA.

I don't think he'd ever have a major role on an NBA team, and I'd be very surprised if he plays in the NBA at all. But with a good deal of work and catching the right break, he could find himself on somebody's bench someday.

But I suspect this is more motivational talk for Thomas than it is actual belief that Thomas will play in the NBA.

[darthur]

Remember, he said make an NBA roster, not become an NBA star. I think he could make a roster based on improving an already strong defensive game through the year. If he can improve in ''basic'' aspects of the game, such as passing, not committing overly zealous fouls, and being able to hit the open 10-footer.

The jump shot is the real thing Thomas needs to have a chance in the NBA. He would likely play the 3, which means rebounding isn't too big a deal, but he needs a jump shot. The prototypical defensive 3 in the NBA (think Battier) is also an excellent 3-point shooter, so Thomas has some work to catch up.

[DevilWolf]

I wish he'd complimented Lance on his ability to think and play at the same time. That would have been classic.

[cspan37421]

Uh, no. If he could do more, he would be doing more. What, in particular, do you think he's not being allowed to do right now because of his role? If he was a better shooter/rebounder/passer/SF/whatever, we would have seen it sometime in the last 3.5 years.

I'll answer that when you explain to me how Shav and McBob have jobs in the NBA.

There's a lot of talent on the Blue Devils and I'm saying that it's possible that if he were called upon to carry the load for a team - let's say he played for College of Charleston, or Butler, etc. - we might see more of what he could do. I'm NOT saying other players like Singler, Scheyer, Smith, Plumlee, etc., should defer to him, I'm just saying that he's not being asked to shoulder the scoring load. (not even close). But that doesn't mean he couldn't do more if he had to. He doesn't have to at Duke.

[mj2345]

I love Lance but he is not getting drafted. It's just not happening. If you can't make an impact at the college level you will be hard pressed to do it in the NBA or even get a shot at the NBA. Coach K will have to call in every favour under the sun to get Lance into the private workouts. Hope i am wrong but I just don't see him wearing an NBA uniform.