The Big Ticket

#1
The Dog

The Dog

Because I Can
Joined
Jan 28, 2014
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#1
.....is a balla. Yeah, he is 6'5, 150 pounds, but has all the skills. Shot needs a little work, but rebounds, play defense (main 2 criteria to get playing time for Barnes), can pass, scores and most importantly, imo, has no fear. I believe Gaines has passed JJ and expect him to slowly steal JJ's minutes. I know it sounds crazy, but I think after 3 or 4 years at UT, Gaines becomes a star and gets drafted. There's a reason this kid has been committed to UT for 2 or 3 years. Barnes knew what kind of a kid and player he was and Gaines knew what kind of a coaching he needed to reach his goal (the NBA) and they could help each other. I get why everybody loves ON and see the potential in Pember, but when it's all said and done, Gaines will be the the star of this class. Well, the best player in this class, besides James. This recruiting class is criminally underrated. I know I'm known for hyperbole, but at this moment, I think JJJ, Olivier and Gaines all end up drafted. Yeah, my drunk-ass just predicted 3 Vols from this recruiting class getting drafted and I also think Pember has the best skill set for today's NBA.
 
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#2
#2
"Criminally underrated" recruiting class is funny. By mid-January, with some polish added to their game, I think you're really going to be loving the upside to these players. Smart, savvy, hard workers, and good citizens. Just allow your mind to fast-forward to about January 2022 and imagine how good they will be.
 
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#3
#3
as long as there are no big winds that come through the gym he'll be fine...what a beanpole...:D

GO BIG ORANGE!
 
#4
#4
Get some weight on this kid and he's gonna be really good. Love what we've seen from him already. Just need to get him on that 5000 calorie per day diet in the offseason like the Orlando Magic did with Jonathan Isaac
 
#6
#6
He'll be a first-class round-trip non-refundable non-transferable Ticket by the time Barnes is done with him.

All Aboard.gif
 
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#7
#7
I know it will be hard but the kid desperately needs to add weight if he wants to play at the next level. I'm not as high on Gaines as I am ORN, but we'll see how things end up their Junior/Senior seasons. I'm just curious to see how a kid with Gaines size develops.
 
#8
#8
I watched ORN snatch a loose ball from two defenders Wednesday. I've said it before, you can hear his hands rebounding the ball. It's akin to the sound off Bo Jackson's bat, you don't hear it every day.
 
#9
#9
The Big Ticket is excelling where body weight is not needed, Defense. He is a fighter for any loose ball too!
 
#10
#10
The Dog said:
.....is a balla. Yeah, he is 6'5, 150 pounds, but has all the skills. Shot needs a little work, but rebounds, play defense (main 2 criteria to get playing time for Barnes), can pass, scores and most importantly, imo, has no fear. I believe Gaines has passed JJ and expect him to slowly steal JJ's minutes. I know it sounds crazy, but I think after 3 or 4 years at UT, Gaines becomes a star and gets drafted. There's a reason this kid has been committed to UT for 2 or 3 years. Barnes knew what kind of a kid and player he was and Gaines knew what kind of a coaching he needed to reach his goal (the NBA) and they could help each other. I get why everybody loves ON and see the potential in Pember, but when it's all said and done, Gaines will be the the star of this class. Well, the best player in this class, besides James. This recruiting class is criminally underrated. I know I'm known for hyperbole, but at this moment, I think JJJ, Olivier and Gaines all end up drafted. Yeah, my drunk-ass just predicted 3 Vols from this recruiting class getting drafted and I also think Pember has the best skill set for today's NBA.
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That’s good. We need it after Kent, Burns, and Walker.
 
#11
#11
The Dog said:
.....is a balla. Yeah, he is 6'5, 150 pounds, but has all the skills. Shot needs a little work, but rebounds, play defense (main 2 criteria to get playing time for Barnes), can pass, scores and most importantly, imo, has no fear. I believe Gaines has passed JJ and expect him to slowly steal JJ's minutes. I know it sounds crazy, but I think after 3 or 4 years at UT, Gaines becomes a star and gets drafted. There's a reason this kid has been committed to UT for 2 or 3 years. Barnes knew what kind of a kid and player he was and Gaines knew what kind of a coaching he needed to reach his goal (the NBA) and they could help each other. I get why everybody loves ON and see the potential in Pember, but when it's all said and done, Gaines will be the the star of this class. Well, the best player in this class, besides James. This recruiting class is criminally underrated. I know I'm known for hyperbole, but at this moment, I think JJJ, Olivier and Gaines all end up drafted. Yeah, my drunk-ass just predicted 3 Vols from this recruiting class getting drafted and I also think Pember has the best skill set for today's NBA.
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I am tempted to agree with you on Gaines, amd have thought that for about a week or so, now. The only thing that gives me pause is his size and whether or not he'll be able to add weight and strength to his frame. I like everything else about him.
 
#12
#12
Ive said this since day one dog, get with the times! Haha but seriously, I agree. He has josh Richardson level potential on defense. Don’t know if he’ll reach j-rich’s offense that he had his last 2 years at UT,but it’s possible.
 
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#13
#13
Gaines is NOT in desperate need of weight. He's skinny, and that's ok. I'm sure he'll gain a few pounds while he's here, but his lack of mass isn't going to hold his game back.

I get why most people are saying he needs to gain weight, but I vehemently disagree that his success as a UT athlete hinges on his gains. His skill and effort will dictate his success.
 
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#15
#15
Chris4Vols22 said:
Gaines is NOT in desperate need of weight. He's skinny, and that's ok. I'm sure he'll gain a few pounds while he's here, but his lack of mass isn't going to hold his game back.

I get why most people are saying he needs to gain weight, but I vehemently disagree that his success as a UT athlete hinges on his gains. His skill and effort will dictate his success.
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If his primary position is going to be SF, he is going to be relied upon to help rebound and drive the ball. His ability to establish position for rebounds and ability to finish at the rim absolutely can be affected by his level of strength and mass.

I agree his skill and effort will dictate his success, but his ability/inability to add strength could be the difference in good and great. I'd feel less strong about if he were primarily a guard, but if we are moving towards a lineup that utilizes multiple 6-5 to 6-8 guys, he is going to have to do a lot of work at the rim. Fortunately, aggressiveness isn't an issue for him.
 
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#16
#16
Chris4Vols22 said:
Gaines is NOT in desperate need of weight. He's skinny, and that's ok. I'm sure he'll gain a few pounds while he's here, but his lack of mass isn't going to hold his game back.

I get why most people are saying he needs to gain weight, but I vehemently disagree that his success as a UT athlete hinges on his gains. His skill and effort will dictate his success.
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He doesn’t need to gain weight necessarily, but he definitely needs to get stronger. That will happen though.
 
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#17
#17
Kosmalski said:
He's 6'7" 178 with a 7'2" wingspan.

195 would be a good weight for him
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I’d personally have to see him step on a certified scale before I’d believe he weighs 178 lbs.

I agree with many that he may can contribute without changing his slight build. It’s hard to envision if he plays significant minutes and UT continues to play a switching man to man defense that other teams won’t work plays to have him defending the post. If that happens he will get over powered without strength / weight gains IMO
 
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#18
#18
cncchris33 said:
If his primary position is going to be SF, he is going to be relied upon to help rebound and drive the ball. His ability to establish position for rebounds and ability to finish at the rim absolutely can be affected by his level of strength and mass.

I agree his skill and effort will dictate his success, but his ability/inability to add strength could be the difference in good and great. I'd feel less strong about if he were primarily a guard, but if we are moving towards a lineup that utilizes multiple 6-5 to 6-8 guys, he is going to have to do a lot of work at the rim. Fortunately, aggressiveness isn't an issue for him.
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You make very fair points, but we disagree on the significance of the weight. If he regularly gets shoved or knocked out of position for rebounds, I'll definitely cede to your argument. I believe the weight will have even less impact on his driving abilities. Of course, I could very well be completely wrong. In any case, he's been fun to watch so far.
 
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#19
#19
Chris4Vols22 said:
You make very fair points, but we disagree on the significance of the weight. If he regularly gets shoved or knocked out of position for rebounds, I'll definitely cede to your argument. I believe the weight will have even less impact on his driving abilities. Of course, I could very well be completely wrong. In any case, he's been fun to watch so far.
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Definitely been fun to watch. I love his fearless attitude. Rare to see in unheralded freshmen.
 
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#20
#20
Reminds me a little of Louis Orr at Syracuse his freshman year - when they bounced us out of the tourney
 
#21
#21
I been trynna people to watch for him 🤷🏾‍♂️ He’s been my favorite signee of this class since he signed ole boy a New York hooper that’s a different type of breed
 
#24
#24
There is someone by the name of Kevin Durant who is excelling at the NBA level who never added any mass
 
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