Tekele Cotton

[im4wsu]

That, to me, is valuing possessions, not creating via spectacular passes. Less than 2.5 assists per game is not going to get it done as an NBA PG, which was the supposition of my post.

2.5 A/TO ratio would, as of today, put him as the 26th best ratio of those leading the NBA in assists

[Aargh]

It's hard to get a lot of recognitioon when you're playing a 3-guard set, the SG is a projected top-20 NBA pick after his Jr, year, the PG is an AA and the league MVP, and you're the other guard. I don't think Tekele minds, or even notices, that he doesn't get as much attention. But how many guys, going into their Sr season, have an SI cover?

I think Cotton is going to get more recognition this year. Baker and VanVleet are going to be a national story all year. There are going to be plenty of looks at the 3rd guard on the squad - and plenty of recognition of what he brings.

I'd love to get a count of how many times his dunk gets aired next year.

[shockmonster]

I think that it is safe to say that Tekele is an under the radar NBA talent at this time (for whatever reasons). At least he isn't showing up on any draft lists. Maybe with scouts attending WSU games to see Ron this year, that will change.

[wufan]

2.5 A/TO ratio would, as of today, put him as the 26th best ratio of those leading the NBA in assists

I'm not arguing his great A:TO ratio. I'm talking about his lack of total assists from a PG at the NBA level. He doesn't turn it over because he doesn't make high risk passes. His ability to make excellent passes is a place he could improve if we are going to not-pick his ability. This would be reflected with a higher total # of assists and probably a lower A:TO ratio.

[Dave Stalwart]

I think that it is safe to say that Tekele is an under the radar NBA talent at this time (for whatever reasons). At least he isn't showing up on any draft lists. Maybe with scouts attending WSU games to see Ron this year, that will change.

This is where I'm at also, and part of the reason I dug up the thread. We don't talk about Tekele enough, even though we do very respectfully when he does come up. When I look at Tekele Cotton, I don't see a player with a glaring weakness. In fact, if I had to debate who I would select as a starter on my all Marshall era team, I would have a tough time picking between him and Toure. Well, Toure is in the NBA, folks. Tekele can make it, too, but I thought it would be fun to kick around what he really needs to do this year to make that happen.

[Aargh]

I doubt Cotton has any NBA potential. Cotton is a great 3-guard, but that position doesn't exist in the NBA. Converting him to PG would be a long process, and he may not possess the skills or mentality to make that adjustment.

In college ball, he's guarded 6'8" guys and made them look foolish. That's not going to happen in the NBA. He's kind of Warren Armstrong type, but doesn't have the passing skills Armstrong had. Armstrong never made it to the NBA.

[shockmonster]

I don't know exactly what the NBA looks for but I wouldn't have thought that Toure was an NBA talent either (although he is a very long 6'5 and Tekele isn't). Toure almost willed himself to be there. Who knows.

[wufan]

I doubt Cotton has any NBA potential. Cotton is a great 3-guard, but that position doesn't exist in the NBA. Converting him to PG would be a long process, and he may not possess the skills or mentality to make that adjustment.

In college ball, he's guarded 6'8" guys and made them look foolish. That's not going to happen in the NBA. He's kind of Warren Armstrong type, but doesn't have the passing skills Armstrong had. Armstrong never made it to the NBA.

I believe Warren Armstrong/Jabali had a very successful career in the ABA...which basically merged with the NBA.

[Dave Stalwart]

TKO obviously won't be in the NBA as a 3. He needs to be a 1 or a 2. I'd like to see him show up this season with some tricks up his sleeve that make him interesting at those other two positions. He will certainly be our starting 3 and get his minutes there, but maybe he will still develop properly to play a different role later on in his career just like Toure.

I'd like to see him start the 3 to set the tone, sub out while somebody like Evan or Zach Brown comes in at 3 and then come back in as a PG or SG a lot this season. His career needs that. What if he can be good at it but we just haven't seen it yet because he's so good at his current position that coach just wants him on the floor. The fact that he plays 3 for us doesn't HAVE to mean he's bad at 1 & 2. It just means he is the one more able to play and guard 3 than Fred or Ron. Well, Fred and Ron are incredibly good at 1 and 2 also, so there is zero need for Tekele to play those spots while they are fresh but he still needs to be on the court so he plays 3. I bet he would start as a 1 or 2 at a lot of other schools out there

[Dan]

TKO obviously won't be in the NBA as a 3. He needs to be a 1 or a 2. I'd like to see him show up this season with some tricks up his sleeve that make him interesting at those other two positions. He will certainly be our starting 3 and get his minutes there, but maybe he will still develop properly to play a different role later on in his career just like Toure.

I'd like to see him start the 3 to set the tone, sub out while somebody like Evan or Zach Brown comes in at 3 and then come back in as a PG or SG a lot this season. His career needs that. What if he can be good at it but we just haven't seen it yet because he's so good at his current position that coach just wants him on the floor. The fact that he plays 3 for us doesn't HAVE to mean he's bad at 1 & 2. It just means he is the one more able to play and guard 3 than Fred or Ron. Well, Fred and Ron are incredibly good at 1 and 2 also, so there is zero need for Tekele to play those spots while they are fresh but he still needs to be on the court so he plays 3. I bet he would start as a 1 or 2 at a lot of other schools out there

Unfortunately Tekele lacks what is coveted in the NBA and that's height. It's what has helped Toure get in and its what will keep Tekele out.

[im4wsu]

I'm not arguing his great A:TO ratio. I'm talking about his lack of total assists from a PG at the NBA level. He doesn't turn it over because he doesn't make high risk passes. His ability to make excellent passes is a place he could improve if we are going to not-pick his ability. This would be reflected with a higher total # of assists and probably a lower A:TO ratio.

Yes, he does not have the assists per minute of an NBA point guard. But he plays the 3 position. Just for comparison, Tekele's assists per 48 minutes played of 3.89 ties him for 70th in the NBA regular season for assists per 48 minutes, with guys named Carmelo Anthony and Gerald Henderson.

Certainly with the ball in his hand directing the team, his assist number would increase. By how much, no one knows. Heck, TC's assists would increase dramatically if he would slow down and pass the ball to a teammate when he steals it and has the brerakaway dunk.

[wu_shizzle]

If Tekele has a shot at the NBA it will be as a Point Guard. He has NBA size and defensive skill at the position.

The best thing going for Tekele is that he has someone on the team right now with NBA PG skills to learn from.

If he can learn to create and distribute like Fred and can continue to refine his jump shot, he'll get a chance.

[wufan]

Yes, he does not have the assists per minute of an NBA point guard. But he plays the 3 position. Just for comparison, Tekele's assists per 48 minutes played of 3.89 ties him for 70th in the NBA regular season for assists per 48 minutes, with guys named Carmelo Anthony and Gerald Henderson.

Certainly with the ball in his hand directing the team, his assist number would increase. By how much, no one knows. Heck, TC's assists would increase dramatically if he would slow down and pass the ball to a teammate when he steals it and has the brerakaway dunk.

I will buy that argument, but I still feel that if I am looking for some sort of improvement from a guy that is an all around stud, I personally would still like to see him as a better passer. BTW, thanks for the statistical breakdown!

[Kung Wu]

If he doesn't make it into the NBA, somebody please call Andy Reid and tell him there is a little known free agent running back with the ability to leap an entire defensive line available. Seriously, he's the type of guy that would get that extra 2-3 yards by laying out and getting it done. I bet he'd make a killer RB. Or boxer, but I like him to much to see him get punched.

[WuShock16]

I will always remember a friend's tweet during the Pitt game when Tekele used and abused Tray Woodall so much that Tray cried.

The tweet was, "Tekele Cotton just stole your user name and password."