Been saying it for the last 2 years and it looks like it's finally coming true. Markel Crawford is really coming into his own...

He's been more aggressive on offense (due in part to coaching) and he's finally living up to his potential. He's an elite athlete, a great defender, a decent-enough ball-handler, and has solid short mechanics...he just lacked confidence.

He's got to keep it up, but if he does watch out...

15 pts. on 51% shooting, 33% from 3 and 80% from the line...3rd on the team in RPG. 4th is APG. 2nd in SPG.

He has the tools to make the league. Age will be a negative factor, but if he can continue to shoot & score efficiently while defending and rebounding at a high level...he'll get some looks with his athleticism and solid frame.

I agree that he's NBA caliber. This short bench has brought out the best in him.

Our starters have played smart basketball for the last month.

Dedric is special, though.

Know who markel reminded me of last night?

"Buckets",

With his diverse methods of scoring, and all around good play.

Markel has been fantastic this season with bigger and better things to come. GO TIGERS!!

(01-06-2017 12:16 AM)bubbapt Wrote:  I agree that he's NBA caliber. This short bench has brought out the best in him.

Our starters have played smart basketball for the last month.

Dedric is special, though.

Kj and Dedrick make a lot of smart basketball plays....


it is cool to have coach's sons on the team, especially tall coaches sons

Markel had definitely made a turn around this year; hope he has a further BB career.

The Lawson boys play well together.
This team is so much better than what I expected.
Still a few difficult games ahead, but I think we wil finish in top 4 of our conference.

I didn't expect us to be 11-4 at this point.

I look forward to our winning a couple games we're not "supposed" to win. Like the old days.

Buckets? Really? I love Markel and he is light years better at defense than CDR ever thought about being---but the divide between Chris's offensive abilities and Markel's is even larger! CDR was an offensive juggernaut!

(01-06-2017 06:29 AM)holyterror Wrote:  Know who markel reminded me of last night?

"Buckets",

With his diverse methods of scoring, and all around good play.

Dedric.

But Markel is playing very well and seems like the emotional leader. He is older, injury free, and doing great.

(01-06-2017 09:18 AM)holyterror Wrote:  I didn't expect us to be 11-4 at this point.

I look forward to our winning a couple games we're not "supposed" to win. Like the old days.

like Oklahoma and South Carolina

Dedric is certainly an NBA prospect - just think is lack of athleticism is a real issue. Length, skillset, and age are all positives though ...

(01-06-2017 09:57 AM)TIGER DENO Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 09:18 AM)holyterror Wrote:  I didn't expect us to be 11-4 at this point.

I look forward to our winning a couple games we're not "supposed" to win. Like the old days.

like Oklahoma and South Carolina

We do have some very good "name" wins in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina (sort of), and UConn. I know that these teams aren't necessarily peaking this year, but they still sound good.

IMO, Crawford is nothing like CDR...Markel is strong, explosive, fast, quick and relies on athleticism and instincts, to me at least. Tenacious on both ends.

CDR was simply a fantastic basketball player who could figure out any situation and succeed at the highest level. Sneaky athletically and an all-American. One of the best college players I've seen in a long time.

Markel may indeed be a better pro prospect, however.

CDR had the ability to score in many different ways. Markel scored in many ways last night. Game before that, too.

That's all I was saying.

(01-06-2017 10:18 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  Dedric is certainly an NBA prospect - just think is lack of athleticism is a real issue. Length, skillset, and age are all positives though ...

He is a younger version of Zach Randolph ... imo ... Just more length ... Offensive moves are similar, and the ability to rebound without jumping out of the gym ... Being in the right position at the right time ...

When he is aggressive on offense, the team is really good.

When he's passive, the team struggles.

(01-06-2017 10:59 AM)DDrum1961 Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 10:18 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  Dedric is certainly an NBA prospect - just think is lack of athleticism is a real issue. Length, skillset, and age are all positives though ...

He is a younger version of Zach Randolph ... imo ... Just more length ... Offensive moves are similar, and the ability to rebound without jumping out of the gym ... Being in the right position at the right time ...

I love Dedric, but I just don't see that comp. Just because they're both not athletic, but still rebound well?

Dedric's stock probably goes down every year he gets older. Plsu, his shot has fallen off this year. IMO, I think he's a great 4-year college basketball player who will make a lot of money oversees after getting a look from some NBA teams.

Just not quick enough to guard modern day 3s or 4s. Not enough offensive versatility to make up for that IMO

(01-06-2017 11:16 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 10:59 AM)DDrum1961 Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 10:18 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  Dedric is certainly an NBA prospect - just think is lack of athleticism is a real issue. Length, skillset, and age are all positives though ...

He is a younger version of Zach Randolph ... imo ... Just more length ... Offensive moves are similar, and the ability to rebound without jumping out of the gym ... Being in the right position at the right time ...

I love Dedric, but I just don't see that comp. Just because they're both not athletic, but still rebound well?

Dedric's stock probably goes down every year he gets older. Plsu, his shot has fallen off this year. IMO, I think he's a great 4-year college basketball player who will make a lot of money oversees after getting a look from some NBA teams.

Just not quick enough to guard modern day 3s or 4s. Not enough offensive versatility to make up for that IMO

Me too - just don't think that's the plan. Folks can argue all they want on a message board, but it won't change minds that are made.

I'd be shocked if DL was wearing a Memphis Tiger uniform as a junior.

If he does, the expectations will be through the roof though.

(01-06-2017 11:20 AM)HoopDreams Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 11:16 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 10:59 AM)DDrum1961 Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 10:18 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  Dedric is certainly an NBA prospect - just think is lack of athleticism is a real issue. Length, skillset, and age are all positives though ...

He is a younger version of Zach Randolph ... imo ... Just more length ... Offensive moves are similar, and the ability to rebound without jumping out of the gym ... Being in the right position at the right time ...

I love Dedric, but I just don't see that comp. Just because they're both not athletic, but still rebound well?

Dedric's stock probably goes down every year he gets older. Plsu, his shot has fallen off this year. IMO, I think he's a great 4-year college basketball player who will make a lot of money oversees after getting a look from some NBA teams.

Just not quick enough to guard modern day 3s or 4s. Not enough offensive versatility to make up for that IMO

Me too - just don't think that's the plan. Folks can argue all they want on a message board, but it won't change minds that are made.

I'd be shocked if DL was wearing a Memphis Tiger uniform as a junior.

If he does, the expectations will be through the roof though.

The questions is; does it really benefit him to come back?

I do not think it does. His draft stock likely does not rise. It reminds me of Will Barton. There was nothing Barton would have done his junior year that would have greatly impacted his draft status in a positive manner. Dedric is likely going to leave and be a second round pick. Hopefully, he will stick in the NBA. I never blame a kid for taking the money though...

Markel is a different story. He has a ton gain from another year. His turnaround has been fantastic and fun to watch. I hope he continues improving.

(01-06-2017 09:01 AM)BinghamptonNed Wrote:  

(01-06-2017 12:16 AM)bubbapt Wrote:  I agree that he's NBA caliber. This short bench has brought out the best in him.

Our starters have played smart basketball for the last month.

Dedric is special, though.

Kj and Dedrick make a lot of smart basketball plays....


it is cool to have coach's sons on the team, especially tall coaches sons

Only thing better would be if they had 2 younger brothers...