Shocker - Braden Smith named Cousy Finalist
- Thread starter boilerzz
- Start date
Has Harper played enough for results being a factor rather than potential which shouldn't be rewarded IMO
edit below
"Cousy" was known for his ball handling and playmaking and in that light...this list with Braden on it gets a lot smaller....
Last edited:
The four that stand out to me are Sears, Nembhard, Jones, and Smith with Jones and Smith probably being to top 2 in either order. I suspect that both will end up first team All American along with Flagg, Broome, and one other.
I haven't see enough of the others. Kam is certainly a great player and Sears can shoot it, but who actually represents closest to Bob Cousy's ball handling and passing if this is truly about a player most closely representing Bob Cousy? That would separate Kam from Braden. Braden's assists are also different than Kam's...much more directly leading to a basket in that he creates so much of the conditions
I'd probably put Zeigler up in that top area too, but then they just blew out Florida without him.
If being like Cousy is really what the award is about out these days Smith should win it. Smith would need to work on that baby hook on the move to be even more like Cousy!
yeah, but the most famous was his ball handling and dribbling and Braden would be the best I've seen to represent Bob Cousy...especially since I'm unaware of anyone other than Zavier Simpson in at least the last decade that shot a hook from the one spot
Sears has sat out an entire half in one win for bama in conf play due to Oats thinking others gave them a better chance to win and Sears also sat out a majority (if not all) of the second half vs illinois where he went 0fer and his team still dominated without him. So he’s out in my book.
Comes down to Kam Jones vs Braden. Jones is very good, so not sure who is going to get the nod.
I dont want to be impressed by Flagg, but Flagg is as good as advertised, atleast at the college level. But I agree, I think Smith has a great shot at the Cousey award.
No question, but what is the meaning behind the Cousy Award? I assume it is different than a Jordan Award and would not share the same list since Jordan's role was to score and Cousy's role was to facilitate and control a game. two great players, but with entirely different roles.
Last edited:
I know, but was responding to the all American quotes, and I do think Smith is all American, maybe first team.
But Cooper is probably the player of the year this year.
Am I not allowed to talk about Cooper Flagg in this thread just because its about a PG award?
That shot in the first gif...wow. Over the shoulder, off the glass, no-look hook shot. Cousy's childhood friends probably HATED playing horse with him.
BTW, that shot is mildly reminiscent of the shot Loyer hit against Nebraska a couple weeks ago...
Understood.
Regarding Flagg as the POTY, I'm waiting to see how he responds when Duke gets punched in the mouth. The ACC is historically weak this year, which certainly helps Flagg. Real champions show their true colors when their back is against the wall, and I'm not convinced Duke has been there yet.
To win this award Braden needs a few more memorable games against some ranked teams like MSU. I hate to say it but many times awards such as this go to the best player on the best team.
There were some controversies in the past where the pg award seemed to go to a shooting guard rather than a true point guard. So I guess scoring a bunch of points also helps.
There were some controversies in the past where the pg award seemed to go to a shooting guard rather than a true point guard. So I guess scoring a bunch of points also helps.
It’s him vs Kam Jones and then a huge gap after them for everyone else. If Braden continues his streak of in conf play of avg 17 ppg, 9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 4 steals, he should have a verrrry good argument to win it. And this is all while he’s not shooting it well from 3. If he just hits ONE more 3 pointer a game, he bumps it up to 20 and 9, which should give him the award.
Kam Jones also needs to keep producing, which he should, but doesn’t have near as many opportunities against “good teams” left as Braden does.
Last edited:
I believe Brandon will have some great opportunities to prove his skills against some very good teams. And that is what it will take to win the award.
As I look at the Big 10, There are some teams like UW, Maryland, Illinois, OSU, Nebraska that are starting to get some national attention. And then you add teams like Oregon and MSU with teams like Iowa and IU lurking in the shadows. unlike many others, Purdue and Brandon will have a lot of opportunities ahead to prove they are worthy.
Just take care of business and win as a team and the individual awards will follow. I’d rather have Purdue win as a team than have players being selfish going after individual awards.
Braden isn’t selfish and if you actually are a Purdue fan, you’d already know that after his freshman year. He’d rather have 15 assists and 0 points as long as it meant they win. He stops scoring and looks to pass more to get others involved ESPECIALLY when Purdue is in control (from an interview Paint had).
Last night work for ya? His stat line was amazing and with Kam jones in foul trouble and not putting up much stats in a loss at St John’s, this shows this award is Braden’s to lose.
This is where I elbowed softly the guy on my left and just shook my head...and thought I wouldn't want to defend Braden as sometimes he makes a fool out of you!
This was one of the first times I’ve seen him use the Euro. And it was like he was in slow motion.This is where I elbowed softly the guy on my left and just shook my head...and thought I wouldn't want to defend Braden as sometimes he makes a fool out of you!
Also, do you remember the pass he had to burgess in the first half where it looked like he almost lost control between two defenders but he almost push passed it and it got through to burgess? I saw it and was like HOW DID THAT GET THROUGH!?
I've seen a LOT of passes (and do recall that one as well) that amaze me and that game had a few. I knew he would be a really good player for Purdue the first time I saw him in high school, but he continues to elevate his game and it isn't an accident as he has spent a lot of time honing his skills and endurance. Knowing the effort he has put in to improve his game makes it harder to surrender. This is his team and it appears the Mackey crowd are his fans as well.
Here is him making one of the no looks when he and Fletcher played vs one another in high school :
I believe that was the game that there was a loose ball that Fletcher was going after and Braden jumped on the ball hard and Fletcher was a bit shocked how this future teammate was so physical to try to obtain the ball. I seem to remember Fletcher's look towards Braden. Matt knew what he had early as the freshmen got their playing time and learning curve under fire...
Said early on Kam Jones was better......simply because he was by far a better defender.
Braden Smith has had a remarkable jump on that side of the ball. Incredible anticipation leading to steals. He always has been a better 3 pt shooter and facilitator......so for me he has passed Kam Jones as of now.
