Quote:Is that too harsh? Perhaps even mean? OK, guilty as charged. It's also true.

Look over the list of the top 10 prospects in the class. If you think signing No. 2 means you get this year's Kevin Durant, or No. 10 is the next Tristan Thompson, you're going to be disappointed.

Let's put it this way: In a great class, the best 2015 player ? Ben Simmons of Florida's Montverde Academy ? would be a strong No. 3. In this group, the only player who'd even challenge him for the top spot is 6-7 wing Jaylen Brown of Marietta, Ga.

In a great class, 6-11 Ivan Rabb of Oakland, Calif., would be 10th or 12th. In this group, Scout.com has him at No. 3.

The good news is basketball has survived similar droughts. The classes from 2008-2010 were dismal enough that Samardo Samuels, Abdul Gaddy and Mouphtaou Yarou were all top-10 prospects.

The bad news is if your program requires an annual infusion of elite talent to thrive, or needs one in this particular recruiting year, your coach will need to land exactly the right guys to make it work.

(07-23-2014 02:11 AM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  Its an interesting alternative view of things in light of what I've been hearing about this class.

The 2015 class is loaded with eilte bigs. And its a lot of true centers and true PF's. Ivan Rabb, Diamond Stone, Ben Simmons, Stephen Zimmerman, Elijah Thomas, Thomas Bryant, Skal Labissiere, Henry Ellison, Cheick Diallo, Chase Jeter, Carlton Bragg. In fact, ESPN and Rivals only have 2 guys in the top 11 who are not a PF or C. (Malik Newman and Jaylen Brown)

I've heard a lot of respected people rave about these prospects and how it may be the biggest infusion of true bigs that college BB has seen in years.

(07-23-2014 04:07 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 02:11 AM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  Its an interesting alternative view of things in light of what I've been hearing about this class.

The 2015 class is loaded with eilte bigs. And its a lot of true centers and true PF's. Ivan Rabb, Diamond Stone, Ben Simmons, Stephen Zimmerman, Elijah Thomas, Thomas Bryant, Skal Labissiere, Henry Ellison, Cheick Diallo, Chase Jeter, Carlton Bragg. In fact, ESPN and Rivals only have 2 guys in the top 11 who are not a PF or C. (Malik Newman and Jaylen Brown)

I've heard a lot of respected people rave about these prospects and how it may be the biggest infusion of true bigs that college BB has seen in years.

I agree. This class is full of bigs at the top, some of whom can be great. It just doesn't have the normal distribution of good players, by position. If you're looking for guards and wings, this is the wrong class.

As for DeCourcy's comments about Dedric, he's right, based strictly on Peach Jam. Dedric did not have a good tourney.

(07-23-2014 09:57 AM)80sTiger Wrote:  My days of over expecting are, well, over. I'm tired of being told how great we're supposed to be to have it substituted with a million excuses at the end of the season. And that goes for players as well. Last season is your textbook example at multiple levels. Just going to be happy if we're good and roll with it.

(07-23-2014 10:15 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 09:57 AM)80sTiger Wrote:  My days of over expecting are, well, over. I'm tired of being told how great we're supposed to be to have it substituted with a million excuses at the end of the season. And that goes for players as well. Last season is your textbook example at multiple levels. Just going to be happy if we're good and roll with it.

Sadly I'm in the same boat.

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

(07-23-2014 10:40 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

I'm sure Tony Harris, Earnest Shelton, Robert O'Kelley, Antonio Burks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen, Shawne Williams, Randy Culpepper, Thadeous Young, Elliot Williams, Lester Hudson, Jarnell Stokes, Joe Jackson, Austin Nichols, and many others would strongly disagree with you about production.

(07-23-2014 10:40 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

I'm sure Tony Harris, Earnest Shelton, Robert O'Kelley, Antonio Burks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen, Shawne Williams, Randy Culpepper, Thadeous Young, Elliot Williams, Lester Hudson, Jarnell Stokes, Joe Jackson, Austin Nichols, and many others would strongly disagree with you about production.

(07-23-2014 02:59 PM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 10:40 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

I'm sure Tony Harris, Earnest Shelton, Robert O'Kelley, Antonio Burks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen, Shawne Williams, Randy Culpepper, Thadeous Young, Elliot Williams, Lester Hudson, Jarnell Stokes, Joe Jackson, Austin Nichols, and many others would strongly disagree with you about production.

There are some non tigers on there. Not sure who they are. But seriously, how many of those are in the NBA right now? 4? Take out Jarnell, it's really 3. young is a decent role player. Elliot Williams, well, not so much. I'm a Memphian through and through, but I'm also a realist as to the talent our city puts out. Unfortunately for all of us, the last 5 years of relying heavily on Memphis grown kids has led to mediocrity.

(07-23-2014 02:59 PM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 10:40 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

I'm sure Tony Harris, Earnest Shelton, Robert O'Kelley, Antonio Burks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen, Shawne Williams, Randy Culpepper, Thadeous Young, Elliot Williams, Lester Hudson, Jarnell Stokes, Joe Jackson, Austin Nichols, and many others would strongly disagree with you about production.

There are some non tigers on there. Not sure who they are. But seriously, how many of those are in the NBA right now? 4? Take out Jarnell, it's really 3. young is a decent role player. Elliot Williams, well, not so much. I'm a Memphian through and through, but I'm also a realist as to the talent our city puts out. Unfortunately for all of us, the last 5 years of relying heavily on Memphis grown kids has led to mediocrity.

(07-23-2014 02:59 PM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 10:40 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

I'm sure Tony Harris, Earnest Shelton, Robert O'Kelley, Antonio Burks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen, Shawne Williams, Randy Culpepper, Thadeous Young, Elliot Williams, Lester Hudson, Jarnell Stokes, Joe Jackson, Austin Nichols, and many others would strongly disagree with you about production.

There are some non tigers on there. Not sure who they are. But seriously, how many of those are in the NBA right now? 4? Take out Jarnell, it's really 3. young is a decent role player. Elliot Williams, well, not so much. I'm a Memphian through and through, but I'm also a realist as to the talent our city puts out. Unfortunately for all of us, the last 5 years of relying heavily on Memphis grown kids has led to mediocrity.

(07-23-2014 04:05 PM)smoothsouthpaw Wrote:  Article was written by the same guy that ranked Adonis #1 in that class.

(07-23-2014 10:42 AM)Easterwood Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 10:40 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

I'm sure Tony Harris, Earnest Shelton, Robert O'Kelley, Antonio Burks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen, Shawne Williams, Randy Culpepper, Thadeous Young, Elliot Williams, Lester Hudson, Jarnell Stokes, Joe Jackson, Austin Nichols, and many others would strongly disagree with you about production.

(07-23-2014 10:31 PM)TigerTimmy Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 10:42 AM)Easterwood Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 10:40 AM)QDoodle Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 07:43 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  Memphis High-schools haven't turned out a good producing class since the Cedric Henderson days. Let's hope the Lawson brothers flip that script.

I'm sure Tony Harris, Earnest Shelton, Robert O'Kelley, Antonio Burks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen, Shawne Williams, Randy Culpepper, Thadeous Young, Elliot Williams, Lester Hudson, Jarnell Stokes, Joe Jackson, Austin Nichols, and many others would strongly disagree with you about production.

And Tarik Black.