Barstool Basketball Mailbag: The Worst Players To Play With, Arizona Recruiting, Draft Predictions & More

Basketball is a year round sport, so due to that we’re going to do a year round mailbag. We’re still going to run this every Friday like we do during the season, but we’ll be talking about college hoops, transfers, NBA Draft, NBA and recruiting questions. That’s right you get an NBA and college hoops mailbag all rolled into one every Friday. Reminder you can always submit questions on Twitter @barstoolreags

First things first. Let’s piss off some of the big guys. They are the worst. Specifically the big guy who just puts his ass in the post calling for the ball and refuses to leave. Hey, pal, get out of the lane, come set a pick and 90% of the time you’re getting a layup or short jumper on the roll. That guy is the worst.

Next is his cousin. The big man who thinks he’s a guard. I’m not talking about the big man who can stretch the floor. The guy who wants to bring the ball up. The guy who is like 6’7″ in pick up, can’t shoot a lick but refuses to step inside of 15 feet just letting his guy stand at the rim.

Then there’s the obvious – the chucker. No need to explain that.

My fourth starter is the guard who refuses to shoot open shots. Whether he can’t shoot or think he’s John Stockton out here trying to rack up assists, you make the extra pass and it’s a wide open three and he starts to dribble into the paint where everyone is. Just shoot it when you’re open.

Finally the guy who takes defense too serious. I’m not talking defending his ass off. But, the guy that goes Bruce Bowen on you and tries to grab your shirt and stick a foot under yours. We’re playing pick up. I’m not trying to get hurt.

If Chris Mack wasn’t at Louisville he’d be my answer. But, fuck Louisville. As much as I like Chris Mack, it’s Louisville. I’ll also rule out my favorite mid major guys like John Becker, Will Brown, etc. So give me Mike Brey. The dude is one of the 15-20 best coaches in America. I’d like to see him finally get a Final Four.

It won’t. There’s enough out there that people remember from the opposite side. People will remember Zion and RJ more than the fight with Semi’s family. It’s also just more of a pit stop to the NBA. Guys are going to Duke because of K, Team USA, exposure and Duke. It’s that combo that outweighs all the negative shit that’s happened.

Pretty simple. The NCAA hasn’t done anything to Arizona yet. There are no sanctions. There is nothing happening at the moment to deter a NCAA Tournament bid or that you won’t be playing for Sean Miller. So you’re still recruiting like you have in the past. That’s just how it’s going to be until there’s an NCAA investigation going on that’s big news. Right now it’s all in the court stuff. We don’t know when the NCAA will rule anything. So until there are sanctions and we know what they are I wouldn’t be surprised to see decent recruiting classes come in.

The first part of the question is a bit irrelevant right now until we know what their roster looks like. But, it’s Pop. So probably make the playoffs and win 45-50 games. That’s just what they do. As for their draft picks (19/29). I think you see them go with a big and another wing or just go two frontcourt players since the backcourt is set. At 19 they could target guys like Nic Claxton, KZ Okpala, PJ Washington (if he falls) or could reach for Matisse Thybulle. At 29 I think you see them go for a Grant Williams, Thybulle (if he falls), or Daniel Gafford. It’s going to be an interesting draft for them and vital. The Spurs are starting to get younger and with that backcourt set, need to start working out from there.

I think he could potentially be in the talks with the Hawks and No. 10. It obviously depends what happens in terms of guys falling, reaching, etc. But, he showed the ability to step out and shoot the ball while protecting the rim. We know the Hawks value guys that can shoot, just look at their draft last year. So there’s potential there. MAYBE the Wizards at 9. I also think the Hornets at 12 is a logical landing spot.

I think Lonzo would be worth a top-5 pick this year. I know people like to clown him because of the name, but I’m still bullish on him. He was hurt this year and he’s not going to shine on a team that features LeBron. That’s just not the best setting in terms of team set up for him. He needs to be the playmaker and in Phoenix especially can do that. I also think he’s a decent enough defender to pair with Booker out there.