Hype

skyvue · 01-12-2021, 09:36 PM

Late during the ku-oswho broadcast, color man Lance Blanks all but proclaimed Cade Cunningham the best player in the country. Cunningham ranks in the 90s nationally in points per game, in the 180s in assists per game, in the 340s in assists-to-turnovers ratio, somewhere worse than 350th in the country in steals, and I stopped there.

I'm not knocking the kid -- I've no doubt he's a quality player. But I hate the way sports media hypes a guy like him so much more than what his performance on the court (so far) merits. Shades of Marcus Smart.

Trae wasn't a perfect player and I know he got plenty of hype, but he was at least delivering stats that warranted the hype. At this stage, Cunningham's hype, like Smart's, feels predetermined, scripted. You want to say he's playing very well for a freshman? Great. Maturity beyond his years? Fair enough.

Best player in the country? Right now (and barring a major surge on his part down the stretch), that's just over the top. I know the NBA loves his potential, but that's not what Blanks said.

pnkranger · 01-12-2021, 09:46 PM

If we’re talking freshmen, give me jalen Suggs.

skyvue · 01-12-2021, 09:50 PM

I waited for him to specify "best freshman" but he didn't.

Eielson · 01-12-2021, 09:52 PM

He's pretty damn good; definitely an all-american candidate. Not sure how you rank him above a guy like Garza at this point, though.

skyvue · 01-12-2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eielson

He's pretty damn good; definitely an all-american candidate. Not sure how you rank him above a guy like Garza at this point, though.

If you'd never heard of him before oswho's first game, would still you rate him as an All-American? I suspect you wouldn't. The stats just aren't there, and oswho isn't so vastly improved that he can be credited with some amazing turnaround, stats aside.

SoonerinNC · 01-12-2021, 10:43 PM

the hype crap is why I usually have the sound turned down.

oudna · 01-13-2021, 02:10 AM

legit all-conference player

i don't see best player in the country

steverocks35 · 01-13-2021, 07:47 AM

If he could get his flopping down pat he could possibly be in Marcus Smart hype territory

BCSooners · 01-13-2021, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steverocks35

If he could get his flopping down pat he could possibly be in Marcus Smart hype territory

He's possibly the most talented player in the country, & probably best freshman. Best player right now imo is Garza, but he definitely won't be drafted near as high.

BoulderSooner · 01-13-2021, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCSooners

He's possibly the most talented player in the country, & probably best freshman. Best player right now imo is Garza, but he definitely won't be drafted near as high.

this is correct ..

Eielson · 01-13-2021, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyvue

If you'd never heard of him before oswho's first game, would still you rate him as an All-American? I suspect you wouldn't. The stats just aren't there, and oswho isn't so vastly improved that he can be credited with some amazing turnaround, stats aside.

Four of their past five games have been against top 15 teams, and they didn't lose a single game by more than 3. This OSU team would blow out last year's OSU team. In fact, you might have to go back 4 coaches to get to a previous OSU team that would be clear favorites.

Saying he's not an All-American candidate is almost as silly as saying he's the best player in the country.

Eielson · 01-13-2021, 07:16 PM

I will say that Gonzaga may be able to put a full starting 5 of All-Americans above Cade, but that's more a compliment to Gonzaga than disrespect to Cade. I think this is finally Few's year.

mict085 · 01-13-2021, 07:57 PM

Why is osu listed in espn Bracketology? I thought they were banned from postseason this year.

skyvue · 01-13-2021, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mict085

Why is osu listed in espn Bracketology? I thought they were banned from postseason this year.

They're appealing. Dick Vitale threw a hissy fit on their behalf last night. I'm confident he wouldn't have done so if Cunningham weren't on their team. The hype machine at work again.

Soonerinkc · 01-13-2021, 08:35 PM

Sports and hype.... is there a better partnership out there?

I doubt it...

CoachTalk · 01-13-2021, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mict085

Why is osu listed in espn Bracketology? I thought they were banned from postseason this year.

They will Play in March madness if they keep winning.

Appeal likely won’t be heard on postseason ban anytime soon.

StatGeek · 01-13-2021, 10:55 PM

Too many people struggle to separate NBA potential from college production and value, its not a linear equation.

WichitaSooner · 01-13-2021, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StatGeek

Too many people struggle to separate NBA potential from college production and value, its not a linear equation.

Precisely. Plus, he is a pretty darn good college player anyway.

soonersailor · 01-14-2021, 01:52 PM

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2...pect-rankings/

skyvue · 01-14-2021, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StatGeek

Too many people struggle to separate NBA potential from college production and value, its not a linear equation.

Not sure if that was directed toward me or toward TV announcers, but I have no trouble whatsoever distinguishing between the two -- as a college fan, I just don't care very much about NBA potential because I don't care very much about the NBA. When I watch college hoops, I want the announcers to call the game that is happening in front of them, not parrot the preseason hype or blather on about good the guy will be in the NBA.

scrybe · 01-14-2021, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyvue

Not sure if that was directed toward me or toward TV announcers, but I have no trouble whatsoever distinguishing between the two -- as a college fan, I just don't care very much about NBA potential because I don't care very much about the NBA. When I watch college hoops, I want the announcers to call the game that is happening in front of them, not parrot the preseason hype or blather on about good the guy will be in the NBA.

Amen, sky!