SG Daequan Cook (Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona - Israel)

[FriscoBuckeye]

I think Cook should stay ... he wasn't the only one who struggled everbody struggled down the stretch.

I did not see many of the games you are talking about apparently. When I was watching, the only struggles that I saw that could be classified as such would be Oden's foul trouble and his ability to stay on the court. Maybe Butler's 3-point shoooting at times if you really want to split hairs. Everyone struggled? I just don't see that one.

 

[UpNorthBuckeye]

hey, good luck to Daequan. I hope he can make it. It will depend on what team gets him; some coaching staffs in the NBA just roll the ball out and hope they are players, but there are a few who work to develop their young players.

The veterans in the NBA, in my opinion, do NOT mentor the younger players very well. At least, a helpful attitude is the exception. The veterans are making big bucks and the younger guys are trying to take it away.

I see Cook having a decent NBA career but never being a starter. I HOPE I am wrong!!

 

[Golferdow01]

Although I don't think Daequan's skills are developed enough to start in the NBA, I think the NBA style of play will suit his game more. Slash and put up jumpers on offense, sleep on defense.

We knew since the day Cook verballed (starting the whole recruiting bonanza) that he had NBA aspirations, even moreso than Oden or Conley. This decision should be no surprise to anyone.

Best of luck to Daequan.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

Actually, to the shock of many of you, most NBA teams play pretty stifling defense. If Cook were to go to a team like Dallas, San Antonio, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, or even Phoenix, his defensive lapses would get him benched in no time.

It isn't that defense isn't played in the NBA(one of the biggest misconceptions in modern professional sports), it's that the rules favor the offensive players. Offensive players almost always get the benefit of the doubt, and the hand checking rules have really hurt defensive players.

Cook won't play in his first year, because if he can't understand basic defensive principles like when and how to double or how to defend the pick and roll, he'll get abused in the NBA.

Let's put it this way, Cook is a worse defensive player than JJ Reddick was coming out of college.

 

[DeRoy0610]

i wish best of luck to the kid, but he is making the wrong decision here, how can he even think he is ready for the NBA ? he couldnt even make it through one season of college ball playing consistent the whole year, this kid disapeared the 2nd half of the season, he has all the talent and the tools in the world but watching him 2nd half of the season, played disinterested on defense, (i told all my friends to watch this as well) almost every time the ball went into his hands he either shot the ball or turned it over, it was a miracle when he passed the ball. if i were cook i would save my contract money because i dont see this kid at all having a productive NBA career, ive seen way more better college players than him amount to jack in the NBA when they left college early.

 

[hutch]

He hasn't signed with an agent. If his positioning in the draft, maybe he'll come back. If he gets word he'll be in the first round, I think you can anticipate he'll go...

Heck, weren't we supposed to have "official" word by now?

And I jinxed up the whole works...

 

[bukIpower]

Well when Cook doesn't get drafted I wouldn't be surprised to see him come back. I mean is he good? Yes he's good, but no where near ready for the NBA. He had a chance to come back and have the team be HIS TEAM, but opted for money. I sure hope the kid the best, but definatly could've used 2 more years of college ball. A lot of these college basketball kids act like its an insult to their basketball skills to stick around regardless if they actually need improvement. There's no shame in staying in the college ranks till you're ready. None at all, and I believe Cook is coming out because he wants to be known as a 1 and done player because that'll somehow reflect that he was better than the level of play at OSU. He's just not ready but good luck DC!

 

[Best Buckeye]

Well when Cook doesn't get drafted I wouldn't be surprised to see him come back.quote]
Sorry But I respectfully disagree. please remember that in the pros they play a style more suited to the wide open game he likes to play. He tore em up before the Bucks changed style when Greg became available. So don't be too fast to sell him short.

 

[seewhy14]

Yeah i wish the best for him all the mock drafts i've looked at doesn't have him getting drafted. Both Oden and Conley are top 10 picks then they have Lewis in the 2nd round. I hope he can take advantage of the workouts and get his stock up but honestly i think its win win for him. He can go workout with the big boys see where his talent is at if he doens't like what he's hearing he can come back to school and work on his game. Either way i think he's going to have a bright future in basketball.

 

[Bestbuck36]

Actually I think Daequan's style of play might mesh better with Koufos down low than Oden. Koufos is the type of center that will take guys off the dribble. I don't see Thad clogging the middle with him down there as when Greg was in the game. This allows Cook to create more, instead of the standing still jump shot, which is where he excels. His defense came in spurts last season as he didn't put himself in the right position off of the ball. His rebounding is excellent so just being in the right place most of the time should drastically improve his overall defense.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

I agree with that. I think Cook's defensive problems stem from poor coaching at the high school level. I haven't heard anything about Cook's work ethic at Ohio State(either good or bad), but anyone that follows basketball knows that playing good defense is all about effort. You can't play effortless good defense. You always need to be paying attention, you need to be willing to fight through screens and run around the court following your man. Cook didn't always show an understanding of that IMO.

I think it will come though as he matures as a player.

I also think he'd benefit with Othello and Kosta as our post players next year. Kosta is a guy that will get the ball probably more in the high post or on the wing, and Othello will probably get a play ran for him maybe one or two times a game(hopefully he works on his post moves this offseason and we can feed him even more, but that's a different topic for a different thread). Our offense will definitely be perimeter oriented next year in my eyes. I could honestly see Cook, if he comes back, averaging 20-25 points a game, 8-10 rebounds a game, and a handful of assists. I think Kosta is an incredibly deft passer of the ball that will get our perimeter players easy looks at the basket.

 

[LitlBuck]

I agree with that. I think Cook's defensive problems stem from poor coaching at the high school level. I haven't heard anything about Cook's work ethic at Ohio State(either good or bad), but anyone that follows basketball knows that playing good defense is all about effort. You can't play effortless good defense. You always need to be paying attention, you need to be willing to fight through screens and run around the court following your man. Cook didn't always show an understanding of that IMO..

I will say this for the last time, the NBA does the care about the defensive ability of a college player. As long as he can ball, and Cook can, he will be fined if he gets drafted. As was stated above his game is more suited to the wide-open offenses of the NBA.

 

[Bestbuck36]

I will say this for the last time, the NBA does the care about the defensive ability of a college player. As long as he can ball, and Cook can, he will be fined if he gets drafted. As was stated above his game is more suited to the wide-open offenses of the NBA.

Damn, how does that work!? Does the player start off owing the team money?

 

[Ttown]

I will say this for the last time, the NBA does the care about the defensive ability of a college player. As long as he can ball, and Cook can, he will be fined if he gets drafted. As was stated above his game is more suited to the wide-open offenses of the NBA.

I agree, Cook will do ok in the NBA.

 

[LitlBuck]

Damn, how does that work!? Does the player start off owing the team money?

Yup haved his salary