Motiejus Krivas

[arxpert]

Let's talk about this kid and what Tommy is thinking here..

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/37661297/top-international-prospect-motiejus-krivas-commits-arizona

[arxpert]

Adama Bal, Top International Recruit, couldn't even buy a minute on the court. Henri Veesaar, Top International Recruit got forced to sit and watch too.

What does Krivas bring to the table that will impact the team? Or is there some sort of unspoken agreement that he is just going to be there to *get beat up* - I mean, *help train* Ballo, Henri, and Dylan in practice for a year or 2? At what point and to what end is Tommy going to bring in players like this only to see them or others walk out the door on purpose due to lack of usage above financial considerations?

The team has roster spots to fill, but this one doesn't seem like it will amount to anything.

We need at least 1 SF - Art Kaluma

[arxpert]

Adama Bal, Top International Recruit, couldn't even buy a minute on the court. Henri Veesaar, Top International Recruit got forced to sit and watch too.

What does Krivas bring to the table that will impact the team? Or is there some sort of unspoken agreement that he is just going to be there to *get beat up* - I mean, *help train* Ballo, Henri, and Dylan in practice for a year or 2? At what point and to what end is Tommy going to bring in players like this only to see them or others walk out the door on purpose due to lack of usage above financial considerations?

The team has roster spots to fill, but this one doesn't seem like it will amount to anything.

We need at least 1 SF - Art Kaluma

I think there is a massive identity crisis with UofA Basketball right now. Sean Miller had no choice but to get creative and recruit internationally. Tommy is doing it on purpose.

I don't see any appeal for Dylan, Bradley, Boswell, or Lewis --- or even Phillips, Bryant, or any other American to want to be on this team. I don't think we will ever see all 6 of them play together at any point either. This could also impact future commitments too. Especially if we are about to land Paulis.

I say pick an identity and go with it, don't let the identity pick you.

As in, decide if we are an International Semi-Pro team or an American Basketball program that utilizes the strengths of 1 or 2 talented foreign players like inserting a token Lauri or Ristic to provide a unique attribute.

[KansasCityCats]

Lloyd is providing future depth to the frontcourt.  Dylan and Henri both needed a year to learn the system and work on their conditioning/strengthening. 

It doesn't hurt to add an athletic forward with a 7'5" wingspan.  He'll likely wait patiently on the bench because he isn't a typical 5* homegrown recruit that holds 30 offers.  Krivas will embrace the guidance from our experienced staff and hopefully contribute sooner than later.

[arxpert]

Lloyd is providing future depth to the frontcourt.  Dylan and Henri both needed a year to learn the system and work on their conditioning/strengthening. 

It doesn't hurt to add an athletic forward with a 7'5" wingspan.  He'll likely wait patiently on the bench because he isn't a typical 5* homegrown recruit that holds 30 offers.  Krivas will embrace the guidance from our experienced staff and hopefully contribute sooner than later.

Tucson is not a country club for Europeans to come and sit for 3 years before getting productive minutes. We are a Major program with Championship level aspirations. I am not following where you think this identity crisis is a good thing.

[KansasCityCats]

Why can't foreign player s excel at a major division 1 program?  European basketball has made huge strides and the talent pool is vast. Look at the NBA draft; it's full of versatile bigs...that aren't bred in the AAU circuit.

We need talented freshmen with upside and these players are hungry to play hard.

[arxpert]

Why can't foreign player s excel at a major division 1 program?  European basketball has made huge strides and the talent pool is vast. Look at the NBA draft; it's full of versatile bigs...that aren't bred in the AAU circuit.

We need talented freshmen with upside and these players are hungry to play hard.

Because we are supposed to be a College Basketball Institution, not a late 2nd Round NBA Draft Foreign Stash pool.

These type of players have a chance to be great NBA rotational players when they are 25-30 years old much more than making an impact at any competitive American level before that. Lauri Markkenen was not an exception. He wasn't considered that good up until This season literally. If he were that great he wouldn't have been bounced around the league as trade fodder.

Azoulas Tubelis is not an exception either. He scored a lot in the Soft12 Conference and is now fighting to be a 1st round pick. He didn't develop hardly any NBA level skills worthwhile at Arizona. He didn't show he could defend. He didn't show he could shoot the ball. I believe he can be a lot like a 6'8" Jokic if given a chance, but there's a reason Jokic is the best example and that is his size. Tubelis is not even close to the size he is listed at in all these years at Arizona. BUT I do like his overall ability. I like his passing a lot more than he was ever allowed to show in Tommy's system. Tommy isn't really training these kids for the next level by coaching Moonball Lobs against smaller competition. Everyone should know innately that you need a high motor for Pro Basketball. That's not a "coaching skill" in my humble opinion.

Fun Fact -
Adem Bona is 6'8" and was "7ft Tall at UCLA"

Zoo Tube is 6'8.75'' with a wingspan of only 6'11". I said this for years. Tube is not big at all in terms of the NBA. It's a joke. What is he going to do against Giannis and Lebronnis. CMON Now. I like Zoo Tube, but he will need Many years before he is ready to make an impact.

[KansasCityCats]

Lauri was first team all-rookies in the league. He's been amazing since day one but was on an awful team when drafted by Chicago.

Tubelis was always athletic but never had the mid range game or diverse post moves that were recently developed. Regardless, he needs one more season to solely focus on D and perimeter shooting. Scouts won't like his lack of a 3 point shot but it'll eventually develop.

Ironically...he may have a better outside game if he played euro ball...and didn't play in college. Just playing devils advocate.

[arxpert]

Lauri was first team all-rookies in the league. He's been amazing since day one but was on an awful team when drafted by Chicago.

Tubelis was always athletic but never had the mid range game or diverse post moves that were recently developed. Regardless, he needs one more season to solely focus on D and perimeter shooting. Scouts won't like his lack of a 3 point shot but it'll eventually develop.

Ironically...he may have a better outside game if he played euro ball...and didn't play in college. Just playing devils advocate.

See I disagree. I think Zoo Tube has a great shot. He just wasn't allowed to display it because of Tommy. I don't think this Combine / Draft Process is going to show enough to scouts. Tommy did Zoo Tube no favors. The Scouts don't care that he averaged 20ppg in the Soft12. They see he is 6'8, not 6'11 as advertised. They look at his 6'11" wingspan and know he can't stay in front of any NBA SF or PFs. Forget about SGs and C's. I am close to thinking Zoo will go undrafted or maybe will be 55-60th and stashed somewhere. It's a bit disheartening.

On the flipside - Dalen Terry had no business going pro, but his measurables are what propelled his stock. Koloko is a far better player and he had a great shooting combine, but went #35 I believe. If Tommy would have let him rip 3pt shots throughout the year when we were winning every game (Year 1 of Tommy) then I think Koloko would have been a Lottery Pick.

As we enter Year 3 of TommyBall I demand to see Tommy let players over 6'8" take 3pt shots or at least mid range shots. Tommy needs to evolve as a coach and stop his Mid Major Mentality of trying to just stuff the team with tall players that can't be defended on Moonball lobs.