Yeezus

April 8th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^

Is it too crazy to think that he's like a younger, slightly 'watered down' version of the NBA's Paul George?

Relatively under-rated coming out of high school and college, respectively.  Grew a bunch.  Very long, lanky frame.  Can score from anywhere.  Plays in your face defense.  

I'd rate Caris as a slightly better shooter (based on FG% - George is the better FT shooter) and George as the better defender.  

Also, I am NOT saying that Caris is going to be Paul George in the NBA.  Just saying that both came from relatively nowhere to be near the top of their respective leagues in the third year.  

Joined: 01/02/2014

MGoPoints: 2437

drewro02

April 8th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^

Of people comparing people to Rip Hamilton... A lot of times this year people compared Nik to him too.. Do people not remember how good Rip was? He was unbelievable in college (and won a national title), and was out of this world in the NBA during the Pistons run. Nik is pushing that realm where Rip was, but let's not put Caris anywhere near that level just yet.

Joined: 06/20/2009

MGoPoints: 1452

reanimator

April 8th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^

Rip is an off the ball player. Caris is an on the ball player. Rip is a SG strictly. Caris can see time at the point. Rip has limited 3 point range. Caris is automatic. Not really seeing that comparison.

 

As for offseason improvement, I hope Caris focuses on 1. strength 2. off the dribble pull-up jumpers 3. pick N roll reads. He would have no weaknesses if all 3 are addressed. 

Joined: 02/01/2014

MGoPoints: 826

WolvinLA2

April 8th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^

I was thinking that too, but Caris is far more athletic than Rip.  Did you ever see Rip throw it down like Caris does?  Rip could take it to the hole and finish, but Caris can take it to the hole and throw it down.  With ease.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

Michigania

April 8th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^

I'd have thought that a 1st Team Big Ten would be the future prediction..... but to hear a jump predicted as 1st Team All-American ?   This assumes yet another offseason improvement, which is very reasonable... its also saying that he will thrive as the man, just like Stauskas did when Burke was gone....   LeVert has elite body control and is a good shooter and an elite defender... assuming he improves in offseason combined with Stauskas gone?    And figure all the players entering the draft this year... LeVert is easily a top fifteen player in the country.....

And then...looking at that ESPN list..... LeVert is better than all of those guards, in my opinion...    so maybe the ESPN guy is SPOT ON..

Gotta love how this sticks it up Groce's arse, too... what a chump...

Joined: 01/25/2011

MGoPoints: 2001

Avon Barksdale

April 8th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^

The 2015 NBA Mock Draft list has three U-M players in the 1st round. That would be huge for the program, especially since neither Walton nor Irvin are included on that list and in my personal opinion - Chatman will be a star also in the coming years.

Joined: 04/27/2013

MGoPoints: 12859

Hugh

April 8th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^

John Calzano, sports columnist for the Oregonian, talks about the influence of Creative Arts Agency representaive, William "Worldwide Wes" Wesley. The column described Wes placing Kenny Payne, first as an assistant at Oregon and then moving him to Kentucky.

The paragraph that caught my eye was Wesley placed Detroit area players in Eugene like he was re-arranging Ernie Kent's furniture.

Then doing the same thing at Kentucky.

Sounds a little like the Fab Five days.

Joined: 10/03/2011

MGoPoints: 2

Mr. Yost

April 8th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^

But I don't see it...I just don't think he's going to get significantly better than he already is. Which isn't a bad thing, but I think we've seen a good amount of what he can do. Unlike Robinson, who I think will continue to get better. I think Caris and even Nik have shown just about everything they're going to show. It doesn't mean they're not GREAT...Stauskas is a top 15-20 draft pick, that's pretty damn good. But I think most of us agree he's not going to get THAT much better.

I see Caris in the same light, I think he obviously needs to return to have a main role, to get bigger and to get experience. But talent wise I don't see him going to some crazy level...I just see him refining his skills and raising his draft stock in other areas (notably, experience in a leading role and size).

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

WolvinLA2

April 8th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^

I couldn't disagree more.  I think we're just scratching the surface of what LeVert can do.  He's an outstanding athlete who can dribble, pass, shoot, defend, everything.  And he's 6'6".  

It's funny you think Robinson will continue to get better (though he hasn't much in the last couple years) but LeVert won't, though he's already gone from a nobody to a great player.  I would argue LeVert is already better than GRIII and is trending higher upward.  Both of those guys have a super-star celing, and I think LeVert has shown us more reason to think he'll reach his than Robinson has.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

repole

April 8th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^

Making comparisons with Caris seems odd, because he's frankly unlike really anyone I've seen at an NBA level. His skill set is sort of at odds with itself. He's a very good ball handler who can get where he wants on the court, but he's a poor shooter off the dribble, his finishing inside isn't anything special, and his playmaking ability as a passer isn't either.

I see the appeal, he's got a ton of upside, and if he can improve on his finishing, playmaking, or shooting off the dribble he becomes incredibly dangerous, but at this very moment his greatest strength isn't optimally complemented by his other skills.

 

Joined: 04/03/2010

MGoPoints: 359

reanimator

April 8th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^

I agree with the off the dribble shooting (though he started to show glimpses at the end of the season) but Caris had the highest shooting percentage at the rim for players not named Robinson III, Morgan and Horford and those 3 guys had 3 x amount of shots there assisted, meaning Caris was getting to the rim in iso and finishing at a high rate http://hoop-math.com/Michigan2014.php

 

He also had the same assist % as Walton and Nik. He isn't the PnR passer as Nik but he is by far our best transition passer and great at getting two feet in the paint and kicking out http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/michigan/2014.html

Joined: 02/01/2014

MGoPoints: 826

alum96

April 8th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^

Reminders - the entire NC game starting team plus Caris have a chance to be 1st round picks, esp if Mitch and GR3 come back next year.  That's astounding.  And all will leave early assuming Caris leaves after 2015.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82301

Eastside Maize

April 8th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^

It has been a great transformation from ''Careless'' LeVert to the complete player, who has a high ceiling. If McGary comes back to the team then we are top ten next year.

Joined: 06/09/2013

MGoPoints: 48036

funandgun

April 8th, 2014 at 2:36 PM ^

I really like him and he has come a long way, but I just have a hard time seeing him as a top 5 player in the country.  He is very effective and has made huge progress, but he still seems like he is close to a turnover a lot of the time.  He just doesn't have to composure of a Stauskus or Burke at this point.  Those two were both All Americans...I get that, but people think LeVert will do the same.  I really hope so, but his game was still a ways from that level this year in my opinion.  Adding strength and working more on his ballhandling and shot making will certainly help. 

 

Joined: 09/27/2010

MGoPoints: 157