[valentine]

Labissiere is hiring an agent so he’ll be in.
Kentucky will have a crowded frontcourt next season and I understand the pressure on Skal, but just like Dick Vitale said he’s really far from being ready. 
He seems to be a lock for the first round, but he needs a ton of luck to land in a good situation.
It’s hard to say that’s an excellent or a horrible decision. Jeff Goodman wrote Skal and Diallo should come out and get the guaranteed money rather than risking being exposed more. That could be correct, but the only thing I know Cliff Alexander also went undrafted a year ago with the similar formula.
They are both years away from contributing and still college is the best place to develop.

 

[NJHooper95Participant]

Kentucky is not a school to stay and develop because of the talent levels that comes in each year, its forces some players to leave earlier than should.  It is design simply for one and done. 

[PrecociousNeophyteParticipant]

completely agree. He needs playing time. d-league best place for him.

[PrecociousNeophyteParticipant]

completely agree. He needs playing time. d-league best place for him.

[timinator1Participant]

Take a team deep in the tournament and get the coaching he needs. Without knowing much, I’d bet there’s better coaching in college D1 than the d-League. 

[timinator1Participant]

Take a team deep in the tournament and get the coaching he needs. Without knowing much, I’d bet there’s better coaching in college D1 than the d-League. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

The "next class" is always better before they show up.  Dakari Johnson’s decision to enter was defended by some because this freshmen class would beat him out. One can debate whether the guy is better off making a D-League salary with the Tulsa 66ers or returning to Kentucky, but it is now clearly foolish to think he had to go in order to avoid competing for time with Skal. In 12 months, it is likely the same hindsight would take place. 

In the case of Labissiere, it is difficult to tell a guy who grew up in Haiti to put off making money to develop on a scholarship. I think he gets taken in the first round, and I hope it is with a team that has a direct NBDL affiliate, because he is nowhere near ready for the NBA.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

The "next class" is always better before they show up.  Dakari Johnson’s decision to enter was defended by some because this freshmen class would beat him out. One can debate whether the guy is better off making a D-League salary with the Tulsa 66ers or returning to Kentucky, but it is now clearly foolish to think he had to go in order to avoid competing for time with Skal. In 12 months, it is likely the same hindsight would take place. 

In the case of Labissiere, it is difficult to tell a guy who grew up in Haiti to put off making money to develop on a scholarship. I think he gets taken in the first round, and I hope it is with a team that has a direct NBDL affiliate, because he is nowhere near ready for the NBA.

[NJHooper95Participant]

Kentucky is not a school to stay and develop because of the talent levels that comes in each year, its forces some players to leave earlier than should.  It is design simply for one and done. 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

Someone will be dumb enough to draft Skal in the first round.  The question is will he be a lottery pick?  It makes sense for a team to draft him late in the first round because he can go to a playoff team and they can develop him.  If he goes to a non-playoff team and is expected to start and contribute right away, it could be an unmitigated disaster. 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

Someone will be dumb enough to draft Skal in the first round.  The question is will he be a lottery pick?  It makes sense for a team to draft him late in the first round because he can go to a playoff team and they can develop him.  If he goes to a non-playoff team and is expected to start and contribute right away, it could be an unmitigated disaster. 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 & that is a guarenteed contract for millions……. If he stays at Kentucky & has another terrible year then there’s no way any teams will take a chance on him…….. 

The Draft is really a lot about potentional & youth…… It sounds absolutely crazy – especially when one considers that Bigs develop later – but once Skal hits the other side of 20 years old ……. his chances of being drafted purely on potential plummet…..

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 & that is a guarenteed contract for millions……. If he stays at Kentucky & has another terrible year then there’s no way any teams will take a chance on him…….. 

The Draft is really a lot about potentional & youth…… It sounds absolutely crazy – especially when one considers that Bigs develop later – but once Skal hits the other side of 20 years old ……. his chances of being drafted purely on potential plummet…..

 

 

[SpaceghostParticipant]

 SKAL Lebissiere FORT WAYNE MAD ANTS jersery sold here first.

[SpaceghostParticipant]

 SKAL Lebissiere FORT WAYNE MAD ANTS jersery sold here first.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Playing with so many talented players can help hide some of your faults as a player. Many people won’t notice your slow feet on defense because you have 3 7 footers on the roster. Or maybe people don’t notice your handle sucks because you can just spot up shoot off someone else’s drives ect. Kentucky can hide your flaws as a player better than any other university. The downside is that they are a factory. So if you underperform, you will lose time. And every position is being recruited over, every off season. You have to leave when you arn’t ready like Skal or transfer like Kyle.

Many top ranked HS players who go to schools like Arizona State, Seton Hall ect ect get the opportunity to be the man right away. And they can come back and be the man a second year because the schools arn’t recruiting 3-5 MDAA HSers. If you underperform as a pegged one-and-done, you can still stay and grow in your second year. The downside is that you have to carry the team and your flaws will be exposed for all the scouts to see.

Not only do I not blame Skal for leaving, I don’t see any rational reason for him to stay at UK. I just pray my Bulls don’t take him.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Playing with so many talented players can help hide some of your faults as a player. Many people won’t notice your slow feet on defense because you have 3 7 footers on the roster. Or maybe people don’t notice your handle sucks because you can just spot up shoot off someone else’s drives ect. Kentucky can hide your flaws as a player better than any other university. The downside is that they are a factory. So if you underperform, you will lose time. And every position is being recruited over, every off season. You have to leave when you arn’t ready like Skal or transfer like Kyle.

Many top ranked HS players who go to schools like Arizona State, Seton Hall ect ect get the opportunity to be the man right away. And they can come back and be the man a second year because the schools arn’t recruiting 3-5 MDAA HSers. If you underperform as a pegged one-and-done, you can still stay and grow in your second year. The downside is that you have to carry the team and your flaws will be exposed for all the scouts to see.

Not only do I not blame Skal for leaving, I don’t see any rational reason for him to stay at UK. I just pray my Bulls don’t take him.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’ve said all year that calipari wasn’t utilizing skal in a way that would showcase his strengths. He is not and wont be karl anthony-towns but thats how calipari used him all year. He did show some improvement as the year progressed, but from a development standpoint, it makes little sense for him to stay at Kentucky another season. 

He has too much potential not to be picked in the first round and could even wind up in the lottery depending on circumstances. Definitely not going to be a guy who will make an immediate impact though. It may actually help him more to go to a better team later in the first round where the expectations won’t be as high and he can develop at his own pace.

 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’ve said all year that calipari wasn’t utilizing skal in a way that would showcase his strengths. He is not and wont be karl anthony-towns but thats how calipari used him all year. He did show some improvement as the year progressed, but from a development standpoint, it makes little sense for him to stay at Kentucky another season. 

He has too much potential not to be picked in the first round and could even wind up in the lottery depending on circumstances. Definitely not going to be a guy who will make an immediate impact though. It may actually help him more to go to a better team later in the first round where the expectations won’t be as high and he can develop at his own pace.

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

A risk he had to take. Im thinking he could miss that guaranteed money and slide into the 2nd rd.

I just dont see anyone that has a first round pick to just waste like that..

 

 

 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 In this draft… yes, people do have a first round pick to waste. There is a major drop off of talent from the top 2 picks if he waited til next year, he probably wouldn’t get picked. It’s just too good of a draft next year. Teams for sure wouldn’t take a chance on him based on potential alone, this draft is the perfect time for him to declare.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Unfortunately as a KU fan, this applies to Diallo too. I really wanted to see how much he could grow with an off season w/ Self…

[ChewyParticipant]

 Unfortunately as a KU fan, this applies to Diallo too. I really wanted to see how much he could grow with an off season w/ Self…

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 In this draft… yes, people do have a first round pick to waste. There is a major drop off of talent from the top 2 picks if he waited til next year, he probably wouldn’t get picked. It’s just too good of a draft next year. Teams for sure wouldn’t take a chance on him based on potential alone, this draft is the perfect time for him to declare.

[Hype Machine]

A risk he had to take. Im thinking he could miss that guaranteed money and slide into the 2nd rd.

I just dont see anyone that has a first round pick to just waste like that..

 

 

 

 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 I can think of worse people to take late lottery mid first round than him

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 I can think of worse people to take late lottery mid first round than him

[losnopesosParticipant]

 Skal has potential to be a Hasheem Thabeet type bust.  Personally, I don’t see much hope for him in the league, I hope I’m wrong though.

[losnopesosParticipant]

 Skal has potential to be a Hasheem Thabeet type bust.  Personally, I don’t see much hope for him in the league, I hope I’m wrong though.

[BlazermannParticipant]

 I hope he lands in Dallas and plays behind dirk for a season or two

[BlazermannParticipant]

 I hope he lands in Dallas and plays behind dirk for a season or two

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I think an unorthodox method would be best to develop the Haitian. The D-League is not really a great place for Skal to go. The grind of the D-League is demanding and exhausting. Your taking busses across North America in a packed schedule and sleeping in cruddy hotels electricians wouldnt stay in. Coming from 1st class luxary of a 5 star recruit it can be demotivating (although he is from Haiti so it likely wouldnt phase him). Not much time to hone in on your skills or develop strength. Plenty of playing time is provided but on the flip side rotation spots are not earned with quite the same respect it would be on a traditional organization.

Skal would be a great prospect to draft and stash (which won’t likely happen). If he were to develop overseas in a league like the  TBL (Turkey, who offers alot of money), the KLS (Serbia), or the LKL (Lithuania) or many other leagues offering enough money these days he could really give it a solid run to develop as a prospect.

Unfortunately this would almost certainly not be a route he or especially his agent would view as the best way for his career to begin and as a result he will likely use the length of his guaranteed contract (if selected in 1st round) in the D-League and riding pine as a call up and then be forced to develop internationally when that contract expires which happens to most "high upside/not ready" prospects that are drafted into the league without the right support by franchises that seem to think these guys will magically develop themselves.

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I think an unorthodox method would be best to develop the Haitian. The D-League is not really a great place for Skal to go. The grind of the D-League is demanding and exhausting. Your taking busses across North America in a packed schedule and sleeping in cruddy hotels electricians wouldnt stay in. Coming from 1st class luxary of a 5 star recruit it can be demotivating (although he is from Haiti so it likely wouldnt phase him). Not much time to hone in on your skills or develop strength. Plenty of playing time is provided but on the flip side rotation spots are not earned with quite the same respect it would be on a traditional organization.

Skal would be a great prospect to draft and stash (which won’t likely happen). If he were to develop overseas in a league like the  TBL (Turkey, who offers alot of money), the KLS (Serbia), or the LKL (Lithuania) or many other leagues offering enough money these days he could really give it a solid run to develop as a prospect.

Unfortunately this would almost certainly not be a route he or especially his agent would view as the best way for his career to begin and as a result he will likely use the length of his guaranteed contract (if selected in 1st round) in the D-League and riding pine as a call up and then be forced to develop internationally when that contract expires which happens to most "high upside/not ready" prospects that are drafted into the league without the right support by franchises that seem to think these guys will magically develop themselves.

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

I’m going to get in before Euroballer comes in and rips this post to shreds.

He can’t come in to a strong overseas league and get minutes because he’s not good enough. Not even close. He could probably go into a weak league, but the pay would be terrible , especially after relocation costs, agent costs etc and he’d be stuck in a foreign country facing all kinds of cultural barriers. 

I’m going to use the Australian League as an example, which is not as strong as the Turkish League.

The big-men who start are so far ahead of Skal Labissiere that he’d be delegated to garbage time minutes. He’d be in a foreign country, stuck on the bench. In fact, most teams wouldn’t want him because he’d eat into the Salary Cap, take an Import spot which are crucially valuable.  

Take AJ Ogilvy or Nate Jawai for example. Both were at one point either fringe NBA Players, former Euroleague Players, and International FIBA players. This is the level that an import is expected to be better than! Ogilvy was 3-time SEC second team…..and that was when he was younger. 

Going to Europe to make money is not an option for Skal Labissiere, and an insult to the quality of European basketball. 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

I’m going to get in before Euroballer comes in and rips this post to shreds.

He can’t come in to a strong overseas league and get minutes because he’s not good enough. Not even close. He could probably go into a weak league, but the pay would be terrible , especially after relocation costs, agent costs etc and he’d be stuck in a foreign country facing all kinds of cultural barriers. 

I’m going to use the Australian League as an example, which is not as strong as the Turkish League.

The big-men who start are so far ahead of Skal Labissiere that he’d be delegated to garbage time minutes. He’d be in a foreign country, stuck on the bench. In fact, most teams wouldn’t want him because he’d eat into the Salary Cap, take an Import spot which are crucially valuable.  

Take AJ Ogilvy or Nate Jawai for example. Both were at one point either fringe NBA Players, former Euroleague Players, and International FIBA players. This is the level that an import is expected to be better than! Ogilvy was 3-time SEC second team…..and that was when he was younger. 

Going to Europe to make money is not an option for Skal Labissiere, and an insult to the quality of European basketball. 

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

He would have to earn his way onto a Euro team just like on an NBA team I agree. Although I think you are underrating Skals talent. There is a place for a 7-footer with great touch and length in the basketball world. He is a hard worker that should improve as he learns the game and a role is assigned to him that fits. Let’s face it he failed as a traditional Center at Kentucky because he is not a traditional Center. He is also not a primary rebounder which is what he was expected to be.

He reminds me a bit of Alexis Ajinca although more mobile which should work to his advantage.

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

He would have to earn his way onto a Euro team just like on an NBA team I agree. Although I think you are underrating Skals talent. There is a place for a 7-footer with great touch and length in the basketball world. He is a hard worker that should improve as he learns the game and a role is assigned to him that fits. Let’s face it he failed as a traditional Center at Kentucky because he is not a traditional Center. He is also not a primary rebounder which is what he was expected to be.

He reminds me a bit of Alexis Ajinca although more mobile which should work to his advantage.

 

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 Here.

[IlladelphParticipant]

 Here.

[Author]

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