Craft hopes to prove he can shoot the ball
Aaron Craft is hoping for some kind of Cato June transformation, accomplishing things in the NBA that he hasn't accomplished in four years of college ball. Bad start for him at the combine:
In early testing at the NBA Combine, the results were mixed. Craft was one of just two players to miss all five attempts on a set shot from the left side of the court, and was the worst of guards shooting off the dribble and breaking right (1-for-6). He did, however miss only one attempt from the top of the key (5-for-6).
His tenacity is so gritty.
His grittiness is so tenacious.
Do they test for grit at the combine? If so I'll bet Craft would reset the bar for gritty excellence!
but are teams really gauging guys' shooting ability based on 6 shots they take in a drill? I can see evaluating their form and such, but who cares if in a random 6 shot selection, or 30 shot selection, for that matter, how many shots a guy makes??
For a guy like Stauskas, i doubt it. He balled consistently in college so if he threw up a few clunkers in an isolated moment, i doubt it impacts him. It's not like he would forget how to shoot.
On the contrary, for Craft, he had a career that proved he struggled shooting. Yet if he spent a few months post-tourney working on just his shot, came out and coldly buried jumpers, it might create a good level of doubt in a scout's or GM's mind that you could combine oft-mentioned tenacity with a modest level of shooting ability.
Sounds like he more confirmed what others expected instead of creating the opportunity for something more.
couldn't tackle a cheerleader while at Michigan and then got to the NFL and led the team in tackles!
Turn those machines back on!
My thoughts exactly. I clicked this thread knowing full well that all the Aaron Craft failure gifs would be here.
i will never get tired of watching this epic failure of gritnacity...I'll take some bbq sauce on that chicken wing jumpshot...thanks
pine tar, Mabel.
it was a grit-resistant ball
No foul?!?!?!?!?
Goaltending on GRIII. That ball is clearly on its way down.
But wait! He was his high school's QB! Factor that in!
but then he realizes he's inside
You can't teach grit.
Every NBA team needs a guy to swing towels on the bench and get dunked on in blowouts.
But seriously, Craft is the epitome of a college player who should entertian 0 aspirations on playing in the NBA. Everything he does worked because of how college ball is set up, but an okay athlete without much size or touch is the absolute last guy to play in the NBA. He seems like a nice kid and I'm sure he'll land on his feet, but this doesn't seem like a good idea.
I agree with everything you say, up until the "doesn't seem like a good idea" part. Sure it's unlikely that he gets picked up by an NBA team, but why not try? Better to try and fail than to wonder his whole life whether someone would give him a chance.
Also, while he may not be a good NBA player, his game may work for some lesser team in Europe, the Middle East, or wherever else they need the truest of grit and the reddest of cheeks. I wish him well now that he's no longer playing for the Buckeyes. As you say, he seems like a nice enough kid.
This.
From everything written about him, he's a great guy. Sucks that he played for Ohio, but everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully he makes a roster and can work on not airballing in critical moments.
I, for one, am QUITE glad he played for ohio state. Otherwise, they may have looked in their own backyard at one Alfonso Clark Burke III.
Based on that alone, Craft's chances of making an NBA roster are not that bad, especially if he can improve his shooting.
Why is it not a good idea for someone to try something if their odds of success are low. I remember trying out for my college basketball team as a freshman back in the day. Had virtually no chance but it was a hell of a week of trying. Really it stands as one of my all time best sports memories.
One of my fondest memories and proudest moments was the Detroit Tiger try-outs I participated in when I was in my early 20's---I survived the first cut, so I can say I was better than some of the dudes and duds that showed up. I even still have a baseball I "pilfered" and saved in a ball-holder.
Once it was done, I had no problem coming to grips with the fact I didn't have the talent to play ball at that level. Didn't stop me from enjoying the moment, though.
Sad story bro moment, yet I didn't try out for my team in college and wish I had. One of my life's few true regrets.
Why not go up against most of the best the 2014 draft has to offer and see where the chips fall? He would regret not trying if he just folded his tent and assumed defeat.
Craft might need to pay Dr. Rahmani a visit.
Also, I love this Tayshaun commercial for Wallside Windows:
He'll probably make a good coach.
Not if the role of coach includes teaching how to shoot.
you know the saying, "Those who can't do, teach."
"So since the end of the Buckeyes' season in March, Craft has sought to not only improve the form that resulted in .459 career shooting at OSU, but to prove he has the touch that can thrive at the highest level."
To be fair, Ricky Rubio wants to know how one might achieve a 45.9% shooting percentage.
Both the poses from the Ohio Michigan game and the Dayton Ohio game look similar.
Drew Neitzel
I hope for alot of things that will never come to pass too. Sometimes it's fun to dream.
That being said, you can't blame the guy for trying. He's got absolutely nothing to lose by trying out.