Fred VanFleet & Ron Baker

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They were both good (very good) college players and played well together but I did not expect to see them in The League. So much for my evaluation.

Van Fleet - Toronto Raptors at $543,472 starting salary.
Baker - New York Knicks making same $$$.

Good for them.
 

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Coach said:
They were both good (very good) college players and played well together but I did not expect to see them in The League. So much for my evaluation.

Van Fleet - Toronto Raptors at $543,472 starting salary.
Baker - New York Knicks making same $$$.

Good for them.
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Baker always seemed to have more of an upside simply because he's bigger and had more tools in his tool kit; never seemed like Van Fleet was a lock for the NBA

He seems to be more of a surprise than Baker

FWIW -- i don't believe we have any NBA scouts as member of SycamorePride -- we're all amateurs when it comes to evaluating talent

Even the 'experts' get it wrong... http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...luation-come-long-way-remains-inexact-science
 
I think those of us who watched Bird scrimmage in the Arena during LB's transfer "sit out year" in '75 were firmly aware of his NBA destiny. In a nutshell, there's a few collegiate players that remove any doubt about future greatness.
 
4Q_iu said:
Baker always seemed to have more of an upside simply because he's bigger and had more tools in his tool kit; never seemed like Van Fleet was a lock for the NBA

He seems to be more of a surprise than Baker

FWIW -- i don't believe we have any NBA scouts as member of SycamorePride -- we're all amateurs when it comes to evaluating talent

Even the 'experts' get it wrong... http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...luation-come-long-way-remains-inexact-science
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I always thought FVF had a lot more pro potential than Baker. But his size made him a huge long shot.
 
BankShot said:
I think those of us who watched Bird scrimmage in the Arena during LB's transfer "sit out year" in '75 were firmly aware of his NBA destiny. In a nutshell, there's a few collegiate players that remove any doubt about future greatness.
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And speaking no doubt about future greatness, Robert Parish - Centenary College comes to mind first, and probably of lesser greatness....but who also had a great NBA career was Alvan Adams - Oklahoma

Both played in the Hulman Center against the Trees, and you just knew these guys were destined to play in the NBA.
 

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Yeah these two will bounce back and forth from the NBADL and the league all year. It happens to a lot of fringe prospects, and it'll probably go on for the next two years until they establish themselves.

The NBA is a specialists league. Each team hopes to have 2-3 players that can kind of do it all, but the rest of most teams' rosters are filled out with specialists. Defensive big men, 3 & D wings, slashing SG's, corner 3 off-ball guards, etc. Baker has the chance to have the longest career because he does one thing exceptionally well - shoot the 3 ball. FVV will always have to scrape and claw his way around the league because of his size. Both are exceptional players though, no doubt.
 
It's all relative...

The NBA (and BAA from 1947-1949) has had 70 drafts, consisting of 600+ rounds; 7,840+ players have been drafted with 3,100+ actually making rosters and playing in the NBA...

It's always enjoyable to watch, listen and/or follow Monday Morning QBs who just KNOW player X will be great...

For the Valley's rep -- may they have long careers...

For Wichita City College's rep... may they be busts
 

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4Q_iu said:
It's all relative...

The NBA (and BAA from 1947-1949) has had 70 drafts, consisting of 600+ rounds; 7,840+ players have been drafted with 3,100+ actually making rosters and playing in the NBA...

It's always enjoyable to watch, listen and/or follow Monday Morning QBs who just KNOW player X will be great...

For the Valley's rep -- may they have long careers...

For Wichita City College's rep... may they be busts
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Normally I would totally agree with that 4Q. Call a soft if you want. I will always have a certain respect for Ron Baker. Think back to JO13's last game in Wichita. Jake had fouled out in a great game. As Jake went to the bench Baker waved to the crowd and got the Shocker fans to give Jake a well deserved ovation. Rom Paker made a friend in Indiana that night.
 
Sycamore Proud said:
Normally I would totally agree with that 4Q. Call a soft if you want. I will always have a certain respect for Ron Baker. Think back to JO13's last game in Wichita. Jake had fouled out in a great game. As Jake went to the bench Baker waved to the crowd and got the Shocker fans to give Jake a well deserved ovation. Rom Paker made a friend in Indiana that night.
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Are you sure you're not thinking of the MVC Championship game in St. Louis? Or did he just do it multiple times? I was there in St. Louis and it was nice, cool moment, but seems like his name can't be mentioned here now without someone referencing it. Many players respected Jake.
 
I'm pretty sure it was the game in Wichita. But I have slept since then and I can't be positive. Wherever it was, it was a classy action.
 
Sycamore Proud said:
Normally I would totally agree with that 4Q. Call a soft if you want. I will always have a certain respect for Ron Baker. Think back to JO13's last game in Wichita. Jake had fouled out in a great game. As Jake went to the bench Baker waved to the crowd and got the Shocker fans to give Jake a well deserved ovation. Rom Paker made a friend in Indiana that night.
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I've no problem with Baker or Van Fleet; I heard rumors that we were VERY CLOSE to landing Baker -- if true, it's a damn shame we didn't. Always felt he was a more complete player than Van Fleet.

I don't care for Wichita City; nor Marshall -- felt they were a dirty program when I was at ISU, now -- still not a fan.
 
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