College "Cool Hand" Luke

[E-Light]

We really can only judge Luke on what he did in college. You people can say he looked really bad at the beginning of the season, but so did Sasha, and AV, however wild thing, and the serbian statue got much better as the season went along, something Luke didn't get the chance to do.

Now, i'm going to go over the kind of player Luke Jackson was, and there is some very interesting numbers that most do not know i'm sure about his play. (drum)

Besides averaging 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per 34.6 minutes a night his senior season..

Luke averaged 6.1 free throws per game (163-189). This is a very telling stat that shows he is much more than a jump shooter. This means he can get to the rim. Luke shot 86% on free throws his senior year.

We all know Luke can bomb, and he's not bashful at all. This is a very important characteristic for a shooter. A prime example is jiri welsh, who is afraid, and lacks confidence in his shot. Thankfully, Luke is the exact opposite, and glows with confidence. A telling stat that he's not afraid to shoot the ball... He averaged in 34.6 minutes per game 5.4 three point shots attempted, connecting on 2.4 threes per game his senior year. Very good sign.

Luke shot 44% on 73-166 on three point attempts.

Also, to show Luke is more than a three point shooter. Luke took 98 more 2-point shots than 3's. He averaged 52% shooting on 137-264 his senior year on 2-point attempts.

Luke is also a very unselfish player. He dished out more than 5 dimes 13 times in 31 games. Only 8 times in 31 games did Luke average 3 or less assists.

And to prove Luke has the Athletic ability he has a 36 inch verticle. Higher than everybodies last draft except Josh Smith. He had a 39, though there was speculation he got 44, though that was probably 'hype'.

Luke is another Larry Bird in the making. Just pray for his back to be okay.

What is it like to have magic, and bird on the same team 80 games a year, TBD. :chuckles:

Luke's college career...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=2707

 

[Rimage]

I am extremely excited about Luke. In that article, he talked about having the same verticle as Josh Smith off one foot

I wish I had seen him play in college because I have no idea what he is capable of. I hope he is hidden jewel that will be a part of this organization for a long time!

 

[King]

Nice post E-Light, good read. I dont think I saw Luke play at all in college. The only thing I saw of him was the college 3point shooting contest where he came in second. In the contest, his shot looked pure. Luke sounds like he is very athletic, but I hope that back injury didn't do anything to permanently limit his athleticism a little.

When we first drafted him, everyone was really excited about him and expecting good things from him. But now with him out the whole season I think a lot of us forget about him sometimes. Luke has the right attitude, work ethic, and talent to be successful in the league. Lets hope all of that translate unto the court in his "rookie year" next season.

 

[Karma]

Lets try and not get too carried away. he will basically be a rookie coming in after not playing for an entire season. There are going to many adjustments to be made from college to senior ball that he hasn't had the oppotunity to do thus far. He has alot of promise and definately has the tools. But he isn't a sure thing to be in this league, but we can all hope and predict. I'll play the waiting game.

 

[CleveRocks]

I like Luke fine and wish him the best, but if you can name a player that has come back from this kind of injury to star, you have one up on me. Larry Johnson is the best example that comes to mind of what happens and he was a chiseled beast. I think at this point we are stuck with him (because no one will take the risk) and all we can hope for is good insurance or a miracle healing..

 

[Rimage]

Okay Karma, play it conservative like always

 

[Karma]

Sorry Rimage. I just am not overly confident that he'll be an immediate impact. I think he has starter potential and the like, but there's plenty of potential out there which has come and gone untapped.

 

[E-Light]

I like Luke fine and wish him the best, but if you can name a player that has come back from this kind of injury to star, you have one up on me. Larry Johnson is the best example that comes to mind of what happens and he was a chiseled beast. I think at this point we are stuck with him (because no one will take the risk) and all we can hope for is good insurance or a miracle healing..

The problem with your statement is most people don't have back surgery in their early 20's. And most people don't have serious back problems until they are retired. So, there are very few people who have had to come back from this type of injury. So because there are very few people who have come back to be a star after back surgery is a weak arguement. It's like using the arguement of a player with a stroke. Very few players have had a stroke in their playing days. Most people who have strokes are over 40. Saying a 22 year old won't be able to recover from back surgery is preposterous!!!!!!chuckles

Luke's back problem has been corrrected. He is having no more pain. Before he couldn't even tie his shoes. He had a sharp pain go up his leg every time he took a step. Not to mention the back pain. :thumbdown There has been lots of come back players of the year, and Luke is mine for next year.

 

[Glen Infante]

Well with all the trade speculations with Jiri and Sasha, Luke wouldn't have a choice to be productive off the bench or not. He will be what Sasha was last season, forced offense.

 

[cavincali]

the time he did practice at the end of the year he was most likely playing against bron so he shouldnt be to bad.

good read though, i had no idea he was that good of an all around player.

 

[Quench23]

Theres no point in talking about Lukes last year... He was hurt, and hurt bad. I hope him the best and I want him to be ready for the next season. This kid has the best release iv seen since MJ and Larry.... in a couple years hes going to be one of the premiere shooting guards in the leauge ... only time can tell

 

[CleveRocks]

The problem with your statement is most people don't have back surgery in their early 20's. And most people don't have serious back problems until they are retired. So, there are very few people who have had to come back from this type of injury. So because there are very few people who have come back to be a star after back surgery is a weak arguement. It's like using the arguement of a player with a stroke. Very few players have had a stroke in their playing days. Most people who have strokes are over 40. Saying a 22 year old won't be able to recover from back surgery is preposterous!!!!!!chuckles

Luke's back problem has been corrrected. He is having no more pain. Before he couldn't even tie his shoes. He had a sharp pain go up his leg every time he took a step. Not to mention the back pain. :thumbdown There has been lots of come back players of the year, and Luke is mine for next year.

I cited an example of an NBA star who had a similar injury at about the same age. LJ was never the 80 million dollar player he was supposed to be after the injury. As I said, I wish Luke the best, and as a Cavs fan, I would love it for him to prove me wrong, but it is whistling in the dark to bank on his full recovery.

Any road we will be carrying him for a while, so either we move him (no takers) or plan for his spot to be occupied while he recovers.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

Larry Bird could only dream of having Luke's athleticism.

The thing the two share most is lack of pigment. Otherwise, there games are pretty much different. Different positions, different skill sets, different heights.

 

[Quench23]

Im just comparing their shot , not the athletism

 

[E-Light]

Larry Bird could only dream of having Luke's athleticism.

The thing the two share most is lack of pigment. Otherwise, there games are pretty much different. Different positions, different skill sets, different heights.

I'd disagree completely from what I saw of Luuke in college. They play a very similar style. Both were able to handle the ball even though they weren't point guards. Both have the ability to make plays for others. Both had a nice stroke, with luke having more range, and will shoot alot more threes than bird ever dreamed he would. Both are white Both were able to rebound their position well. While Larry wasn't the most athletic player, his skill, and fundamentals made him tough to defend, much like Luke. What reminded me most of bird was Luke's decision making with the ball.

They aren't exactly alike, and both have different styles of play, but they both have similar attributes that make both of them comparable. All Luke has to do is be half as good as Larry, and he'll be loved.

I'd agree the only reason you'd compare him to bird is their pigment, but they do have similar skills and that intrigues.

It's like comparing Bron to Magic. Magic was a great passer, and a hybrid at his position. Similar to LeBron, but Magic didn't have LeBrons explosiveness, and athletic ability in the open court. They play a different style, and scheme on the court, but both have similar attributes that make them comparable.