I think Craig has shown more in the post as a very good scorer with low position. He takes way more of the shorter shots he made as jumpers last year stronger to the rim this year, and he can shoot those with either hand.. His mid-range game I believe has REALLY improved. The 8-15' shots with a guy in his face have become strong. He is streaky at best from 3 land. I thought he settled for too many outside shots last night at times, but to say he isn't a good shooter is flat wrong. If you want to say he isnt' a good 3-pt shooter, you likely have an argument.
Brackins
- Thread starter gocubs2118
- Start date
I think Craig has shown more in the post as a very good scorer with low position. He takes way more of the shorter shots he made as jumpers last year stronger to the rim this year, and he can shoot those with either hand.. His mid-range game I believe has REALLY improved. The 8-15' shots with a guy in his face have become strong. He is streaky at best from 3 land. I thought he settled for too many outside shots last night at times, but to say he isn't a good shooter is flat wrong. If you want to say he isnt' a good 3-pt shooter, you likely have an argument.
Two points:
1) a 12' fade-away with a guy in his face is not a post shot, and that is what makes him special
2) Below average for a 2-guard, but I would say above average for a 4!
I laughed at his comment about not knowing they were there and if he had known, he would have made more jump shots. Craig was throwing up a lot of 3's last night, I'm guessing the intent was to show off his jump shot to the scouts. I think it was pretty obvious that Craig knew he was trying to impress some people last night.
When he is on, his mid-range jump shots are amazing. I'd still rather have him take it to the basket, but I no longer have a fit when he tries a fade-away or a jump shot. I still don't like him shooting 3's unless he is on (Last night after the first 2 missed horribly, I would have stopped with that---especially since the team was making their 3's). But you could tell that Craig was trying to show the NBA scouts his outside game. I wasn't exactly heartbroken that he wasn't completely on last night.
As one other poster stated, he knows he can't get in foul trouble. That leads to matador defense once in a while. However, I thought he played pretty well and changed some shots. I was impressed with how physical he was trying to be with the two big guys in the post. On TV you don't see as much of the play off the ball, but it was interesting to watch at the game that he was more aggressive that way last night. His defensive rebounding is way more aggressive (ask Kent from K-State!) and I like the way he is getting other people to foul him. A game changer last night was getting fouls #3 & 4 on the the big center last night to start the second half. I am not putting CB in for all big 12 defender, but I think it is better than he is given credit for. He moves his feet better this year.
While true Kansas tried to play him straight up much of the night, they actually doubled him several times, especially in the 2nd half.
Cato unstoppable? He was a great defensive player, but the vast majority of his points were on put backs. He was not a major offensive threat. Craig is. Cato could jump outta the gym for blocks, but wasn't nealry as heavy physically as he became later in the NBA. Fizer had a tweener body. He was the height of a 3 but with the pipes of a 4. Craig will likely never look like Fizer, but he is taller and has the frame to add weight.
I think Craig is made for the high post pick and roll in the NBA. In that respect, he has the kind of game that can be copared to Odom or Mailman. To be effective, you need a guard that is a threat to get to the hole, stop and pop, or even step back and hit the three. We don't have one that is a threat for all three (heck Tinsley was only good at a couple of those!) KG hit to 10-12' J's last night, and that would change this team if he could even hit that shot consistently.
By outside, are you saying 3s? His mid range game is what makes him so tough compared to just a low post threat. I think his mid range 8-12 foot J is a strength, but agree his is a very streaky 3 shooter, not a good 3 shooter. It just so happens that he goes unconcious on national TV more than most!
I'm gonna try and be a bit kinder to you and try not to make you look like the idiot. First, I would like you to reread your post. "Craig makes quite a few passes out of the post in most games...last night he made at least 2". 2 freakin passes!? Someone sign Mr. Brackins up for NCAA Passer of the Year Award. Next I would like you to reread my statements. "...this inability (to pass) forces him to take reckless shots. 3 pointers? He is 0-9 in the last two games and 9-31 in the last 10 games." Once again, youre telling me there was no one open for a better shot than his 30% 3pt shooting average? Not only that, but in the past 5 games, his field goal shooting percentage is 41%. At 41% this means that less than half of his shots are going in. Now of course you can't expect anyone to shoot 100%, but when more half of your shots arent falling and you are shooting 30% from beyond the arch, you seriously want to tell me that there isn't a better option on at least half of those plays?
Brackins is a great YOUNG player with lots of potential. I am impressed with his inside presence and his rebounding abilities. He has lots of room for growth.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
1) When he takes the shot after posting his defender up, by definition, that is a post shot. Jordan used to post his man up 15 feet from the basket and make fadeaways. Still a post shot.
2) That doesn't mean good. Most power forwards who shoot less than 30% from 3 don't shoot them. I believe someone posted that we're 11th in the Big 12 in 3 point percentage, or at least we were at one time. Of our players who have shot at least 20 three pointers, Craig is the second worst on our team behind Diante. No matter how you spin it, 28% is not good.
Yes by outside I mean 3 pointers or long two pointers. He looks good shooting 8-15 foot jumpers.
NBADraft.net
Looks like Brackins is projected in the lottery now...Hope he finishes his career here strong. He was definitely one of the best we have ever had, wish he would have been on a better ISU team
Looks like Brackins is projected in the lottery now...Hope he finishes his career here strong. He was definitely one of the best we have ever had, wish he would have been on a better ISU team
Bottom line in this whole thing. IF he is lottery we should not even want him to come back. If he is late first round he has a decision to make on whether he thinks he can improve his stock. I bet he gets advice, goes to the pre draft camps and then decides. It would be the prudent thing to do.
Look at the shooting percentages for the rest of the team. There really isn't anybody that is shooting any better of a percentage on any of their shots. That is a fact.
