ESPN's "Freshman Focus"

[kAzE]

I'm starting to get really sick of it . . . it's like they don't acknowledge that there are 11 other guys on the team. Almost every highlight tape of our games only shows Jabari highlights.

No, seriously: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=102...espnapi_public

The first sentence of the AP recap is "No. 7 Duke proved it's anything but a one-man show." Somebody needs to tell the guy putting together the highlight reel that.

I'm not sure if it's this way for the other teams with high-profile freshmen, but it seems like the worst sell-out move possible. Basketball, especially college ball is about team play, and this is calling way too much attention to individual stars. What are little kids who are learning to play the game thinking when they watch this stuff? I love Jabari, but this disgusts me.

[Dukehky]

I'm starting to get really sick of it . . . it's like they don't acknowledge that there are 11 other guys on the team. Almost every highlight tape of our games only shows Jabari highlights.

No, seriously: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=102...espnapi_public

I'm not sure if it's this way for the other teams with high-profile freshmen, but it seems like the worst sell-out move possible. Basketball, especially college ball is about team play, and this is calling way too much attention to individual stars. What are little kids who are learning to play the game thinking when they watch this stuff? I love Jabari, but this disgusts me.

While I completely agree that it is obnoxious, these freshman and the hype surrounding them are the only reason your average joe watches games on ESPN. Look at ratings from the past few years, before MM, they are so far down. This is a way to get people to watch, I don't like it, but I understand. It's a business, ESPN anyways, the NCAA to most extents as well.

Also, college basketball is not the ultimate team game. Basketball is about stars at every level, and in college they can have even more of an impact if they're outstanding. If we surrounded Jabari with Todd, Nick, Debbie, and a manager and filled the bench with 5 Cameron Crazies who won the lottery, that team would win games, that team would win some games, not in the ACC but at in mid to low major conferences because Jabari would just do everything. You see that kid score 100 points in D-3? He scored all the points, as long as people pass you the ball, you can win. I wouldn't exactly call that teamwork in the Krzyzewski dictionary.

Of course, that was hyperbolic, but basketball can be played without strong teamwork and can be done at a high level without it as well. It's just not optimal and I would NOT WANT DUKE TO PLAY LIKE THAT, but stars draw audiences, which is what ESPN is trying to do. I apologize if the previous paragraph was a little snarky, but I'm still kind of crabby thanks to last night.

[TexHawk]

I'm not sure if it's this way for the other teams with high-profile freshmen, but it seems like the worst sell-out move possible.

From a fan of another team with high-profile freshmen, it certainly is weird, but understandable. Joel Embiid has been amazing for KU over the last month, but since he doesn't fit ESPN's preseason narrative of Wiggins-Parker-Randle, he doesn't seem to mentioned much at all. Some folks over there are noticing, but it hasn't hit the mainstream yet.

[flyingdutchdevil]

From a fan of another team with high-profile freshmen, it certainly is weird, but understandable. Joel Embiid has been amazing for KU over the last month, but since he doesn't fit ESPN's preseason narrative of Wiggins-Parker-Randle, he doesn't seem to mentioned much at all. Some folks over there are noticing, but it hasn't hit the mainstream yet.

I think a lot of people are noticing about Embiid's potential. He's the #1 and #4 picks on nbadraft.net and draftexpress, respectively. If Jabari is the next Melo, Wiggins the next Paul George, and Randle the next Chris Webber, then Embiid is the next Olajuwon. At least that's what people are saying.

[FerryFor50]

I think a lot of people are noticing about Embiid's potential. He's the #1 and #4 picks on nbadraft.net and draftexpress, respectively. If Jabari is the next Melo, Wiggins the next Paul George, and Randle the next Chris Webber, then Embiid is the next Olajuwon. At least that's what people are saying.

I see more Serge Ibaka in Embiid than Olajuwon, personally. Embiid will need a lot of work to reach Olajuwon's status.

Also, Randle is way more physical than Webber was. Maybe more Karl Malone than Chris Webber. But I see him as more of a Dajuan Blair type. Better in college than the pros.

[flyingdutchdevil]

I see more Serge Ibaka in Embiid than Olajuwon, personally. Embiid will need a lot of work to reach Olajuwon's status.

Also, Randle is way more physical than Webber was. Maybe more Karl Malone than Chris Webber. But I see him as more of a Dajuan Blair type. Better in college than the pros.

I agree with you on all points. My post was merely pointing out how the media loves these lofty comparisons.

[TexHawk]

I think a lot of people are noticing about Embiid's potential. He's the #1 and #4 picks on nbadraft.net and draftexpress, respectively. If Jabari is the next Melo, Wiggins the next Paul George, and Randle the next Chris Webber, then Embiid is the next Olajuwon. At least that's what people are saying.

Oh, no disagreement. The question was couched under the "ESPN Freshman Focus" stuff. If you watch the ESPN ticker, you will always see the KU score, followed by Wiggins stats, even if Embiid outplays him.

[flyingdutchdevil]

Oh, no disagreement. The question was couched under the "ESPN Freshman Focus" stuff. If you watch the ESPN ticker, you will always see the KU score, followed by Wiggins stats, even if Embiid outplays him.

Yeah. It's a shame, because I feel like Cook, Hood, (now) Dawkins, and many of our other stat guys deserve a lot of credit nationally (everyone deserves credit, but according to the media, stats tell the best story). I'm sure you feel the same about Embiid and Perry "Vice President of the I-Look-40-Years-Old Club" Ellis (Oden is still president of this club).

[Indoor66]

Isn't amazing that the most ardent Duke fans found Andre to be the player of the game? We love us some Parker, but we know he is but a cog in a much bigger wheel. An important cog, be sure, but only a cog. I bet if you asked Jabari about this, he would agree with me.

[BD80]

... Perry "Vice President of the I-Look-40-Years-Old Club" Ellis (Oden is still president of this club).

You are referring to Oden when he was in high school? If not, you should/could bump that number a decade or two.

[JasonEvans]

You are referring to Oden when he was in high school? If not, you should/could bump that number a decade or two.

-Jason "he could easily pass for 50 or maybe even 60" Evans

[Gthoma2a]

-Jason "he could easily pass for 50 or maybe even 60" Evans

And he's got the knees/ankles to prove it.

[ricks68]

I had originally thought that he had acromegaly. Seriously. It seemed to fit. Since he hasn't changed much after entering the pro's, I don't know what the deal is.

ricks

[tommy]

I think a lot of people are noticing about Embiid's potential. He's the #1 and #4 picks on nbadraft.net and draftexpress, respectively. If Jabari is the next Melo, Wiggins the next Paul George, and Randle the next Chris Webber, then Embiid is the next Olajuwon. At least that's what people are saying.

I don't see most of those comps. Jabari has the body of Melo, but at this point Jabari has a more well-rounded game than did Melo, and more importantly, is a far better team player. Randle isn't nearly the passer that Webber was, but he is both strong and nimble with the ball. I see Zach Randolph. As for Embiid, comparing him to a Hall of Famer before he's played what, a dozen college games and started less than that -- well, that's unfair to the kid. Lots of potential, starting to realize a little of it lately, much further along defensively than offensively, and I think it's too early on him to make any meaningful comps.

[Des Esseintes]

I don't see most of those comps. Jabari has the body of Melo, but at this point Jabari has a more well-rounded game than did Melo, and more importantly, is a far better team player. Randle isn't nearly the passer that Webber was, but he is both strong and nimble with the ball. I see Zach Randolph. As for Embiid, comparing him to a Hall of Famer before he's played what, a dozen college games and started less than that -- well, that's unfair to the kid. Lots of potential, starting to realize a little of it lately, much further along defensively than offensively, and I think it's too early on him to make any meaningful comps.

They're both tall Africans. Play center. Rock-solid likeness if you asked me. Idi Amin was a big guy, generally in the middle of stuff. I suppose he's another possible comp. Then there's the baobab tree: thick-bodied, grows to an imposing height. It's less mobile than Embiid, but I will point out that neither the kid nor a baobab tree have ever been in my kitchen. So they have that in common.

[tommy]

They're both tall Africans. Play center. Rock-solid likeness if you asked me. Idi Amin was a big guy, generally in the middle of stuff. I suppose he's another possible comp. Then there's the baobab tree: thick-bodied, grows to an imposing height. It's less mobile than Embiid, but I will point out that neither the kid nor a baobab tree have ever been in my kitchen. So they have that in common.

I remember the Amin kid. About 6'4" out of, what was it, Koboko? Dude had some guns. Would just abuse people inside. Took no prisoners.

[Des Esseintes]

I remember the Amin kid. About 6'4" out of, what was it, Koboko? Dude had some guns. Would just abuse people inside. Took no prisoners.

"IDI AMIN WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE!"

[kAzE]

I don't see most of those comps. Jabari has the body of Melo, but at this point Jabari has a more well-rounded game than did Melo, and more importantly, is a far better team player. Randle isn't nearly the passer that Webber was, but he is both strong and nimble with the ball. I see Zach Randolph. As for Embiid, comparing him to a Hall of Famer before he's played what, a dozen college games and started less than that -- well, that's unfair to the kid. Lots of potential, starting to realize a little of it lately, much further along defensively than offensively, and I think it's too early on him to make any meaningful comps.

Totally agree here. Jabari has Melo's game with the added bonus of being able to make his teammates better. However, I see Jabari developing into a better defensive player than Melo. He's slightly bigger than Melo, and with longer reach. Neither of them are the quickest laterally, so they will always have problems guarding smaller, quicker players, but I see Jabari as a more legitimate combo forward than Melo. It's probably blasphemous to describe a college freshman as a strict upgrade over someone who is considered basketball royalty, but I'm fine with it. He's a better, more versatile version of Melo.

Also agree with the Randle/Randolph comparison, although Randle is way more athletic, and just as much of a bull. He's not as skilled or as smooth as C-Webb, but he does have some crazy athleticism, and above average skill for a big guy. He's an underrated passer, actually. I think he and Parker are surefire perennial all-stars if they stay healthy.

As for Embiid, the Hakeem comparisons actually kind of work. It's obviously not fair to compare him to a hall of famer, but he might just become a poor man's Hakeem. First of all, he's gigantic (7'1", 250), but he moves like a guard. That's rare. Also, he's got a pretty good jumper for someone who is still so new to the game. And then obviously, he's already equipped the Dream Shake in his growing arsenal of moves. Too early to tell, but he's got the potential to be the best pro out of this whole group when it's all said and done.

[kAzE]

And after having trashed ESPN's obssession with college freshman, I've just created and contributed towards another thread of freshmen-worship. This thing is out of control.

[CBecker]

Yeh it's really annoying. But it is what it is. As said, it's a great way for them to get casuals excited in the college basketball season. Was watching highlights of an Arizona win a while back, and Aaron Gordon had a quiet game, but they showed like every one of his highlights even if they weren't his usual high flying dunks etc. Whilst some other guy dropped 25 and didn't get a mention.
I don't think it's all bad though, will get a bit tiring to hear them only talk about Jabari, but as a college AND NBA fan, it's pretty exciting for all this talent to be around this season as well.