Count Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban among the many disappointed with the state of college basketball, as he said the slowed-down style is leaving prospects unprepared for the more high-octane NBA game.

"If they want to keep kids in school and keep them from being pro players, they're doing it the exact right way by having the 35-second shot clock and having the game look and officiated the way it is," Cuban said Wednesday, per Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. "Just because kids don't know how to play a full game of basketball."

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Cuban's points, while harsh, do have some statistical merit. As Brian Phillips of Grantland pointed out last month, college basketball scoring is down to its lowest rate since the pre-shot clock era. Teams nationwide have increasingly slowed down the game, grinding out possessions and taking advantage of the 35-second shot clock.

Three of this year's Final Four teams ranked outside of the top 200 in tempo, per Ken Pomeroy. The lone exception, Duke, ranked No. 114.

"It's horrible. It's ridiculous," Cuban stated. "It's worse than high school. You've got 20 to 25 seconds of passing on the perimeter and then somebody goes and tries to make a play and do something stupid, and scoring's gone down."

By contrast, Cuban said the NBA changed its rules when going through a similar situation. The game's fluidity has increasingly defined NBA basketball since the league eliminated all forms of hand-checking before the 2004-05 season. Backed by analytic data, increases in space and spikes in three-point shooting have also become prevalent across the league.

Brian Blanco/Getty Images
Cuban isn't the only prominent name to throw barbs at the style of play in men's college basketball. Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma called the men's game a "joke" and said college basketball in general is not doing enough to re-emphasize offense.

"The bottom line is that nobody can score, and they'll tell you it's because of great defense, great scouting, a lot of team work, nonsense, nonsense," Auriemma told reporters. "College men's basketball is so far behind the times it's unbelievable. I mean women's basketball is behind the times. Men's basketball is even further behind the times."

While the NCAA has yet to comment on the specific criticisms offered by Cuban or Auriemma, change could be coming sooner than later. The governing body experimented with a 30-second shot clock in the NIT and CBI tournaments.

Then i thought about all the injuries the kids are having as soon as the set foot in the NBA, I'm also thinking about how there was no absoluute stand out rookie this yr, or the previous 3.

Reading the larkin thread it's no wonder he looks absolutely 2 yrs behind as far as pace of the game. He just isn't able to read and react quick enough in todays game.

I'm so oppose to putting more than 1 or 2 youngsters on my team, the college game has made the learning curb in the NBA that much longer.

The NBA game has gotten so much faster that majority of the rookies that came into the league over the last few yr's, clearly don't belong on the floor most nights. I Hope phil listens to every single offer he gets for our pick, especially if it's not 1 or 2.

I can promise you that Towns and OK4 will look nothing like they did in college.

Lets compare tim ducan to OK$, Duncan looks so much more polished and NBA ready, OK4 looks good, but no where near Timmy

BigDaddyG wrote:

foosballnick wrote:Actually in watching/comparing the highlights Okafor looks pretty damn polished especially considering he is being compared to an all time great player.

Yeah. Also, we're comparing junior or senior year highlights of Tim Duncan to freshman year Ok4? That's not an apples to apples comparison.

Thats my point, he's at least 2 to 3 yrs away from where duncan was when he entered, and duncan had Robinson, Eli, elliot, avery and POP teaching him everything he needed to know on and off the court. That was extremely crucial in his growth.

Robinson was 24 when he left the Navy.

I agree, have to watch the legs and injury to back. These guys are not ready.
If your looking for a one year turnaround instant gradification starphuch and blame Phil for being too old then promote trading the pick.
WE'll have to be patient.

Towns could very much be the same player and Ok4 could be a consistent beast...If both dont improve on their weaknesses but slight improvement on their strenghs, then Ok4 would be the better pick. By your Jr year its easier to gage your development speed and predict where you might be after a year of nba experience. Now players that play 4 yrs like Duncan are being passed on for these unproven freshmens.

Thats why i think each year you will see older college players are usually the safer pick and freshmens are the highest risk and the most bust potential. I doubt phil takes on too much risk like trying to get two high freshmen picks. 1 pick surrounded by vets seems like a low risk plan for Phil.

blkexec wrote:What if OK4 and Towns went back to school for two more yrs... would they still be 1 and 1a?

Towns could very much be the same player and Ok4 could be a consistent beast...If both dont improve on their weaknesses but slight improvement on their strenghs, then Ok4 would be the better pick. By your Jr year its easier to gage your development speed and predict where you might be after a year of nba experience. Now players that play 4 yrs like Duncan are being passed on for these unproven freshmens.

Thats why i think each year you will see older college players are usually the safer pick and freshmens are the highest risk and the most bust potential. I doubt phil takes on too much risk like trying to get two high freshmen picks. 1 pick surrounded by vets seems like a low risk plan for Phil.

I think that Towns would get much better while Ok4 will remain pretty much the same. He is pretty advanced already.

Calipari is not helping towns showcase what he has. I would like to see how Towns would play for Duke and how Ok4 would play for Kentucky.

knicks1248 wrote:I was reading the article on cubans thoughts on the state of college ball

Count Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban among the many disappointed with the state of college basketball, as he said the slowed-down style is leaving prospects unprepared for the more high-octane NBA game.

"If they want to keep kids in school and keep them from being pro players, they're doing it the exact right way by having the 35-second shot clock and having the game look and officiated the way it is," Cuban said Wednesday, per Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. "Just because kids don't know how to play a full game of basketball."

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Cuban's points, while harsh, do have some statistical merit. As Brian Phillips of Grantland pointed out last month, college basketball scoring is down to its lowest rate since the pre-shot clock era. Teams nationwide have increasingly slowed down the game, grinding out possessions and taking advantage of the 35-second shot clock.

Three of this year's Final Four teams ranked outside of the top 200 in tempo, per Ken Pomeroy. The lone exception, Duke, ranked No. 114.

"It's horrible. It's ridiculous," Cuban stated. "It's worse than high school. You've got 20 to 25 seconds of passing on the perimeter and then somebody goes and tries to make a play and do something stupid, and scoring's gone down."

By contrast, Cuban said the NBA changed its rules when going through a similar situation. The game's fluidity has increasingly defined NBA basketball since the league eliminated all forms of hand-checking before the 2004-05 season. Backed by analytic data, increases in space and spikes in three-point shooting have also become prevalent across the league.

Brian Blanco/Getty Images
Cuban isn't the only prominent name to throw barbs at the style of play in men's college basketball. Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma called the men's game a "joke" and said college basketball in general is not doing enough to re-emphasize offense.

"The bottom line is that nobody can score, and they'll tell you it's because of great defense, great scouting, a lot of team work, nonsense, nonsense," Auriemma told reporters. "College men's basketball is so far behind the times it's unbelievable. I mean women's basketball is behind the times. Men's basketball is even further behind the times."

While the NCAA has yet to comment on the specific criticisms offered by Cuban or Auriemma, change could be coming sooner than later. The governing body experimented with a 30-second shot clock in the NIT and CBI tournaments.

Then i thought about all the injuries the kids are having as soon as the set foot in the NBA, I'm also thinking about how there was no absoluute stand out rookie this yr, or the previous 3.

Reading the larkin thread it's no wonder he looks absolutely 2 yrs behind as far as pace of the game. He just isn't able to read and react quick enough in todays game.

I'm so oppose to putting more than 1 or 2 youngsters on my team, the college game has made the learning curb in the NBA that much longer.

The NBA game has gotten so much faster that majority of the rookies that came into the league over the last few yr's, clearly don't belong on the floor most nights. I Hope phil listens to every single offer he gets for our pick, especially if it's not 1 or 2.

I can promise you that Towns and OK4 will look nothing like they did in college.

Lets compare tim ducan to OK$, Duncan looks so much more polished and NBA ready, OK4 looks good, but no where near Timmy

boy ... I love Cuban! what a breath of fresh air.

I bet the old schools NBAers hate him.

mreinman wrote:

Vmart wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Differences between okafor and Duncan

Duncan appears to be a longer player--maybe he has him by an inch and half in height and hes much leaner which probably allows him to play more explosively on defense and also grabbing rebounds. Offensively they look about the same in fact Ok4 looks like he has more moves. His fundamentals on offense for a freshmen are really off the charts. If he can streamline his body I think it would help him on D but Ok4 is just a big guy. I think Duncan with that extra inch and half holds his weight much better than OK4. Duncan 20 years later has never gained weight.

Actually Duncan did gain weight. But he decided to change his diet and become leaner. Okafor will lose weight and probably end up playing at 255-60 after the NBA grind.

Al Jeff plays at 265. I can see Ok4 playing at 290/300.

Al Jefferson also came into the league weighing 280-285.

Vmart wrote:

mreinman wrote:

blkexec wrote:What if OK4 and Towns went back to school for two more yrs... would they still be 1 and 1a?

Towns could very much be the same player and Ok4 could be a consistent beast...If both dont improve on their weaknesses but slight improvement on their strenghs, then Ok4 would be the better pick. By your Jr year its easier to gage your development speed and predict where you might be after a year of nba experience. Now players that play 4 yrs like Duncan are being passed on for these unproven freshmens.

Thats why i think each year you will see older college players are usually the safer pick and freshmens are the highest risk and the most bust potential. I doubt phil takes on too much risk like trying to get two high freshmen picks. 1 pick surrounded by vets seems like a low risk plan for Phil.

I think that Towns would get much better while Ok4 will remain pretty much the same. He is pretty advanced already.

Calipari is not helping towns showcase what he has. I would like to see how Towns would play for Duke and how Ok4 would play for Kentucky.

I think they will eventually end up putting up same numbers. One will do his damage on the inside and the other trying to do a little of everything. All I know is the one who sticks to what he does best eventually does it more efficiently.

that is what Tyson did. He can only dunk and he is as efficient as they get. I hope we do better than a one trick (efficient) pony.

Vmart wrote:

mreinman wrote:

Vmart wrote:

mreinman wrote:

blkexec wrote:What if OK4 and Towns went back to school for two more yrs... would they still be 1 and 1a?

Towns could very much be the same player and Ok4 could be a consistent beast...If both dont improve on their weaknesses but slight improvement on their strenghs, then Ok4 would be the better pick. By your Jr year its easier to gage your development speed and predict where you might be after a year of nba experience. Now players that play 4 yrs like Duncan are being passed on for these unproven freshmens.

Thats why i think each year you will see older college players are usually the safer pick and freshmens are the highest risk and the most bust potential. I doubt phil takes on too much risk like trying to get two high freshmen picks. 1 pick surrounded by vets seems like a low risk plan for Phil.

I think that Towns would get much better while Ok4 will remain pretty much the same. He is pretty advanced already.

Calipari is not helping towns showcase what he has. I would like to see how Towns would play for Duke and how Ok4 would play for Kentucky.

I think they will eventually end up putting up same numbers. One will do his damage on the inside and the other trying to do a little of everything. All I know is the one who sticks to what he does best eventually does it more efficiently.

that is what Tyson did. He can only dunk and he is as efficient as they get. I hope we do better than a one trick (efficient) pony.

That is where you are wrong. Duncan, Hakeem and Shaq kept their games around the basket and Duncan and Hakeem didn't stretch their games with in 15 feet in. Okafor can and has hit jumpers consistently out to 10-15 feet. You are comparing Chandler to Okafor which is a joke because Okafor already has more game inside than Chandler. Okafor has foot work and fundamentals that Chandler could only dream of.

"One trick pony" I think you guys are insulting a kid who has worked very hard on the fundamentals of the game. Kid who gets the fundamentals down will learn other facets of the game to a higher level.

I did not compare chandler to Ok4 at all. Read it again.

And if Ok4 can turn in the a Dunkan or Hakeem (on offense) then that would be wonderful though nobody really believes that he will be as good as them.

If I am looking for a mold, I am looking for the new mold types like Anthony Davis.

It seems like all old schoolers who don't buy into advanced metrics and the modern game seem to lean heavily towards Ok4 while the new schoolers who care about efficiency and shot charts want towns.

How do you feel about advanced stats?

fishmike wrote:

Vmart wrote:

mreinman wrote:

Vmart wrote:

mreinman wrote:

blkexec wrote:What if OK4 and Towns went back to school for two more yrs... would they still be 1 and 1a?

Towns could very much be the same player and Ok4 could be a consistent beast...If both dont improve on their weaknesses but slight improvement on their strenghs, then Ok4 would be the better pick. By your Jr year its easier to gage your development speed and predict where you might be after a year of nba experience. Now players that play 4 yrs like Duncan are being passed on for these unproven freshmens.

Thats why i think each year you will see older college players are usually the safer pick and freshmens are the highest risk and the most bust potential. I doubt phil takes on too much risk like trying to get two high freshmen picks. 1 pick surrounded by vets seems like a low risk plan for Phil.

I think that Towns would get much better while Ok4 will remain pretty much the same. He is pretty advanced already.

Calipari is not helping towns showcase what he has. I would like to see how Towns would play for Duke and how Ok4 would play for Kentucky.

I think they will eventually end up putting up same numbers. One will do his damage on the inside and the other trying to do a little of everything. All I know is the one who sticks to what he does best eventually does it more efficiently.

that is what Tyson did. He can only dunk and he is as efficient as they get. I hope we do better than a one trick (efficient) pony.

That is where you are wrong. Duncan, Hakeem and Shaq kept their games around the basket and Duncan and Hakeem didn't stretch their games with in 15 feet in. Okafor can and has hit jumpers consistently out to 10-15 feet. You are comparing Chandler to Okafor which is a joke because Okafor already has more game inside than Chandler. Okafor has foot work and fundamentals that Chandler could only dream of.

"One trick pony" I think you guys are insulting a kid who has worked very hard on the fundamentals of the game. Kid who gets the fundamentals down will learn other facets of the game to a higher level.

this is my beef. OK4 has shown he can make game changing plays on defense. He is NOT a defensive player at this point, but that is more a result of his role than anything else. He's shown the ability to block shots at a high volume and he's an excellent rebounder. His boxing out is text book. He never EVER fails to box out. If you listen to Guns (and lord knows he posts it 500x a day) you would think OK4 stands in a corner bored when he isnt demanding the ball.

But this topic is officially blue in the face. Of the 4 guy drafted at the top its not likely all 4 are stars so I just hope we get the good one. Towns, OK or whoever. Maybe Muiday is the xfactor. Vmart is very high on him and made some good points. I do think Mario will be hard to pass on if OK4/Towns are of the board.

I do not expect more than 2 of them to be stars and even 2 is not a given.

Ok4 does a lot of very good things and he is certainly not a stiff. His ceiling is what everyone worries about. We will still be lucky to get him.

My nigh mare scenario is ending up with the 4th pick (35% so very possible) ... that would really suck ... Mudiay? Oy vey!

I would be very happy with Russell.