My synthesis is that if he gets really good at #1, it lessens the need for #2 because he can then punish teams who try to stay big against us.
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Think Bond could be one of the few who actually sticks around 5 years using the redshirt?
I feel like if 1 doesn’t happen in short order this could be a possibility
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Bond is a modern Branden Dawson. He won’t need to be a wing to dominate in college.
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I love that comparison. Branden Dawson was an awesome college player and destroyer of our dreams on multiple occasions.
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Why. The charge rule has changed. Run through the middle that mufukka
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Dont mind me just randomly posting Matisse Thybulle highlights here
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Officially on the @HoozGotNext wagon about watching Bond’s trajectory with fascination. Like, even if he was 6’8 with same skill set he’d have NBA questions about outside shooting. But he’s 6’5 and awesome at what he does.
I really hope he can add those guard skills and become a true wing. He’d be insane. If not, it’s the Gardner trajectory - awesome college player.
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Yeah his floor might be Jayden Gardner with better defense. That’s wild and for the record I think he’ll definitely exceed that
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I’m in a weird space where I’m firmly team Leon but don’t think I’d change his usage at all
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Never considered this but you may be right
I don’t buy the Gardner comparison. I think the only thing they have in common is that they can hit a midrange jumper. But Gardner was mostly a face-up offensive player. He wasn’t particularly fluid with his back to the basket. Bond has shown a turnaround, a stepback, and and a one- or two-dribble pull-up. He’s not as strong as Jayden (who is?) but is obviously quicker and already a better defender.
I can’t think of anyone recently as a comparison. I’m going to go way back in Virginia history. He reminds me a little of Mel Kennedy.
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Said another way Gardener was a little bit of a black hole even…
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Great pull. I kinda love that Bond doesn’t fit into a box. McKneely is Guy 2.0 with slight differences. Dunn is like Dre and Key mixed together.
Bond is just…Bond. He’s not comparable and that fits with his personality. I think we’ll look back at LB as one of our favorite Hoos for a lot of reasons
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Like the Mel Kennedy comparison.
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Yeah, Bond might be the first player I’ve ever thought this about, but I think his odds of making the NBA are actually better for being 6’4”-5” than 6’8”.
Because if he was 6’8”, he’d be an awesome big with his current skill set and have a great college career. But, as you say, the NBA would say “yeah, but he can’t really shoot from outside, can he?” At least, not well enough, so he’d always have that struggle to make it.
At 6’4-5”, he can’t QUITE just comfortably be a big. There’s tension because he’s too short, so there’s constant pressure to work on other skills and those other skills, if they come together, are what will get him over the hump.
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I note Bond has zero assists on the season so far.
Bond and Minor were the only scholarship players last night w/o an assist which is kind of wild.
After the last few years of roster turnover, it’s very refreshing to see a guy like Bond so bought in after a redshirt year. He is up on his feet constantly cheering when he’s on the bench. First one to greet a teammate with a high 5 during time outs. Could’ve pouted with his limited minutes against Florida but was the most engaged player on the sideline the entire game.
Love his leadership
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He’s like if Zay and AG had a baby. Don’t think he’s got 100% of either skill set but he’s somewhere in the middle
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I’ve always thought the comp for Leon was Branden Dawson from Michigan St. Similar bodies/frames out of HS (though maybe Dawson was a little thicker). Similar games in that they are really undersized bigs with a bag of tools and a ton of length/athleticism.
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