Tyler Cook not invited to NBA combine

[HawkIDrummer]

You sound like one of those guys who likes to pass the buck. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their own development and future. “Mostly”? I don’t think so.

OK, partially...not mostly.

When a 17 year old kid chooses a program, he's expecting a certain level of coaching, development and mentoring from the adults in charge...especially when they're highly compensated. (Fran bringing in a defensive specialist last year is essentially an admission that he couldn't get it done...at least in that area. As many have pointed out, the defensive numbers are pretty clear.)

It's on Cook to do the work, no doubt. But it's on them to assess, put together a plan and motivate the young man to be his best. I have a hard time believing he was being coached up and pushed on all his weaknesses for 3 years and just didn't try hard enough. Possible? Sure. Likely? no.

 

[anon_wic6m41528ao4]

Mostly because he got shitty coaching at the college level

alrighty then. thanks for the take!

 

[texas twister]

Mostly because he got shitty coaching at the college level

With observation of his game, yeah, he tried to do things he should not have been doing and not focused enough around the basket. Him trying to be a point guard just wasn't a good coaching move. He just wasn't utilized properly. He should have just been a "around the rim hammer". That is on the coaches.

 

[Hawkatheart]

With observation of his game, yeah, he tried to do things he should not have been doing and not focused enough around the basket. Him trying to be a point guard just wasn't a good coaching move. He just wasn't utilized properly. He should have just been a "around the rim hammer". That is on the coaches.

Do you really think the coaches pushed him to try to be a point forward? I think Tyler was trying to showcase for next level and took it upon himself to do that. I am sure the feedback he received last year from the NBA eval. was to work on handles, passing, and shooting.

 

[Jizzer]

OK, partially...not mostly.

When a 17 year old kid chooses a program, he's expecting a certain level of coaching, development and mentoring from the adults in charge...especially when they're highly compensated. (Fran bringing in a defensive specialist last year is essentially an admission that he couldn't get it done...at least in that area. As many have pointed out, the defensive numbers are pretty clear.)

It's on Cook to do the work, no doubt. But it's on them to assess, put together a plan and motivate the young man to be his best. I have a hard time believing he was being coached up and pushed on all his weaknesses for 3 years and just didn't try hard enough. Possible? Sure. Likely? no.

Seriously, people really think it's on a coach at this point to improve? Tyler jogged back in transition defense every play. Possibly the laziest transition defensive player I can remember, watching Iowa basketball the last 20 years. You think this was coaching? If you want to improve your shot, you go to the gym and take 2000 shots a day. A coach can't make you go to the gym outside of practice time. That didn't happen either.

 

[Pepperman]

Do you think the staff encouraged him to leave?

No. Or at least I would hope they weren't telling him he had a shot at the NBA.

Has nothing to do with Iowa's staff, at all.

Oh, it absolutely does. Iowa's staff allowed him to do many of the stupid things he did (bringing the ball up the court and "showcasing" his turnovers) and apparently didn't encourage him enough to focus on only the things he's good at. Or worse yet, they told him what to focus on and he ignored them, but still got rewarded with playing time. You can pick which one you think it is, but my mind is made up - they didn't know how to coach him and allowed him to get away with so many stupid plays, which didn't help Tyler or the team.

 

[RocknRollface]

This. He should of focused on being a Reggie Evans type player - rebound on both end of the floor and be the defensive specialist every team needs down low.

That's not something you can coach a player to do.

It's in their DNA or it's not.

Cook doesn't have that instinct to mix it up against bigger players.

 

[RocknRollface]

With observation of his game, yeah, he tried to do things he should not have been doing and not focused enough around the basket. Him trying to be a point guard just wasn't a good coaching move. He just wasn't utilized properly. He should have just been a "around the rim hammer". That is on the coaches.

Maybe, we all see that but we don't know the situation completely.

Obviously Cook is delusional about his own game so maybe it took allot of coaching to get him inside at all. We don't know.

We do know he often played with lack of effort and was taken off the court for it.

 

[unIowa]

IMO I don't think Tyler was going to be able to improve his game much more at Iowa and if he wants to go play professionally and doesn't have a burning desire to get his degree done now vs later then this is probably his best year to go start living his dream.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Seriously, people really think it's on a coach at this point to improve? Tyler jogged back in transition defense every play. Possibly the laziest transition defensive player I can remember, watching Iowa basketball the last 20 years. You think this was coaching? If you want to improve your shot, you go to the gym and take 2000 shots a day. A coach can't make you go to the gym outside of practice time. That didn't happen either.

So you pull him at the next dead ball. Challenge him, tell him you expect him to set the tone. Don't coddle him. That's coaching. Same with the shots, you can't force him to do it...it's ultimately on TC to make that commitment. But you challenge him to be his best, give him the proper guidance and teaching, and hold him accountable. That's leadership. It is ultimately up to TC to do the reps, but coaching most definitely plays a role.

Great coaches get the best out of their players.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

The idea that Tyler didn’t get a lot better at Iowa is laughable

 

[unIowa]

The idea that Tyler didn’t get a lot better at Iowa is laughable

He certainly got better and was a hell of a player and representative for the Univerity of Iowa. I do wonder though if he could have gotten much better if he stuck around for another year, I think he may have hit his peak under Fran and it will be good for him to get some different coaching if he is going to take another step forward if he even has another step forward.

Mostly I think he just needs to embrace the type of player he is and can best be, do a bit more dirty work under and around the basket and do that at the best of his abilities.

 

[CentralIAHawk]

Mostly because he got shitty coaching at the college level

After seeing this list, I feel like the opposite is true. Frankly, I feel great about the season the Hawks had...and their performance in the NCAA tourney, recognizing that the coaches are competing with a bunch of players that the NBA is not interested in.

Frankly, if I'm a team that has a player on this list...or 2 players...or especially 3 players...and we weren't in the elite 8/final 4...then someone needs to be fired.

Go Hawks!

 

[anon_wic6m41528ao4]

Oh, it absolutely does. Iowa's staff allowed him to do many of the stupid things he did (bringing the ball up the court and "showcasing" his turnovers) and apparently didn't encourage him enough to focus on only the things he's good at. Or worse yet, they told him what to focus on and he ignored them, but still got rewarded with playing time. You can pick which one you think it is, but my mind is made up - they didn't know how to coach him and allowed him to get away with so many stupid plays, which didn't help Tyler or the team.

If Fran pulled Tyler Cook after every turnover then posters would have lost their collective minds about Fran's rotations. Damned if he does damned if he doesn't.

 

[Ronman]

I was surprised that ISU's Shaylok wasn't on the list. And didn't Wiggington choose this route as well? Two years ago, he was supposedly a "can't miss" prospect.

 

[Titanhawk2]

The agent part doesn't matter anymore.

I think it still does, partially. I believe there are NCAA approved agents, that if you sign with one of those you don't automatically lose eligibility. But I also think there is still a deadline to decide things, like you can't wait until after the draft.

 

[bojihawk44]

I think it still does, partially. I believe there are NCAA approved agents, that if you sign with one of those you don't automatically lose eligibility. But I also think there is still a deadline to decide things, like you can't wait until after the draft.

Yes, there's a deadline. But it no longer means you can't return is what I was trying to say.

 

[blhawk]

He certainly got better and was a hell of a player and representative for the Univerity of Iowa. I do wonder though if he could have gotten much better if he stuck around for another year, I think he may have hit his peak under Fran and it will be good for him to get some different coaching if he is going to take another step forward if he even has another step forward.

Mostly I think he just needs to embrace the type of player he is and can best be, do a bit more dirty work under and around the basket and do that at the best of his abilities.

Good post. I think he could use some new coaching but I'd be surprised if anyone can get him to improve the touch on his shot or handles no matter how much he practices. He's obviously practiced that stuff a ton...he just doesn't have the finesse. Was a good player overall but very limited. If he embraces who he is and accepts it won't be an overly glamorous role he might have a chance eventually. I just don't see it anytime soon

 

[Pepperman]

If Fran pulled Tyler Cook after every turnover then posters would have lost their collective minds about Fran's rotations. Damned if he does damned if he doesn't.

I think he averaged about 2-3 turnovers per game, so it wouldn't be that big of a deal. And maybe he wouldn't have kept turning the ball over if he knew he should let others handle it? As an example, let's take the Minnesota game - he tries to go coast to coast, and none of our staff is screaming for him to pass it to a guard. They allowed this to happen.

 

[RocknRollface]

IMO I don't think Tyler was going to be able to improve his game much more at Iowa and if he wants to go play professionally and doesn't have a burning desire to get his degree done now vs later then this is probably his best year to go start living his dream.

I doubt his dreams are anything close to what will actually happen.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

If Fran pulled Tyler Cook after every turnover then posters would have lost their collective minds about Fran's rotations. Damned if he does damned if he doesn't.

Welcome to big time coaching and multi-million dollar salaries. (ignoring the "after every turnover" angle...we both know you handle it more strategically than that)

I understand what you guys are getting at...it's ultimately the player who has to make it happen. Don't disagree. Maybe I'm spoiled by the example we have in the football facility where so many guys are developed beyond their projected ceiling.

 

[Eternal Return]

If only some of us had predicted this! I'm shocked!

What still bothers me is Tyler either doesn't listen to his coaches/advisers or his coaches/advisers are equally clueless.

Or he just wants to play for money in Europe. He wasn't going to be drafted by the NBA even if he stuck around for his senior year.

 

[coreyzbizkits]

I wonder how many of his decisions are based on his friend Jayson Tatum and how he jumped to the NBA so quickly. Has to be a little jealous of Tatum's trajectory. Yes, I know Tatum was the higher level prospect, but still.

 

[DewHawk]

So you pull him at the next dead ball. Challenge him, tell him you expect him to set the tone. Don't coddle him. That's coaching. Same with the shots, you can't force him to do it...it's ultimately on TC to make that commitment. But you challenge him to be his best, give him the proper guidance and teaching, and hold him accountable. That's leadership. It is ultimately up to TC to do the reps, but coaching most definitely plays a role.

Great coaches get the best out of their players.

I do absolutely agree with the above comments and not just on TC.

 

[Hawksfor3]

https://dearoldgold.com/2019/05/07/iowa-basketball-tyler-cook-faces-uphill-battle-make-nba-roster/

It's been a long time since I looked at "The Morning Bark", but I saw this yesterday. It talks about Cook not being invited to the Combine, but it also talks about him getting a shot at the G-League Combine on May 12-14.

 

[owenhawk]

This. He should of focused on being a Reggie Evans type player - rebound on both end of the floor and be the defensive specialist every team needs down low.

Totally agree but do people know that the staff didn’t have that discussion with him? It seems pretty obvious that Cook has wanted to be the man.

 

[owenhawk]

Mostly because he got shitty coaching at the college level

Like you would have any clue on this. If Cook really wanted to be a Reggie Evans-type or a specialist in the NBA, he could have taken some initiative. Shame on him for not figuring it out and instead trying to showcase skills he doesn’t have.

 

[Hawksfor3]

I was surprised that ISU's Shaylok wasn't on the list. And didn't Wiggington choose this route as well? Two years ago, he was supposedly a "can't miss" prospect.

From the looks of it, Shayok and Wiggington will be at the "Other" combine.

https://pr.nba.com/2019-nba-gleague-elite-camp/

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Like you would have any clue on this. If Cook really wanted to be a Reggie Evans-type or a specialist in the NBA, he could have taken some initiative. Shame on him for not figuring it out and instead trying to showcase skills he doesn’t have.

I don't disagree. But that's what coaches are for. Fran and his staff have years and years of experience... they recruit 17 year old kids. They're precisely the ones that should be helping him to "figure it out". (seems painfully obvious...that's what "coaching" is). Whether the player shows the initiative and drive to better himself determines the outcome, for sure. But Coaches have a lot to say about it.

 

[owenhawk]

I don't disagree. But that's what coaches are for. Fran and his staff have years and years of experience... they recruit 17 year old kids. They're precisely the ones that should be helping him to "figure it out". (seems painfully obvious...that's what "coaching" is). Whether the player shows the initiative and drive to better himself determines the outcome, for sure. But Coaches have a lot to say about it.

I do get what you are saying. Coaching is important and they do have somewhat of a say. I get the feeling that Fran and staff hoped that Cook could step up and be the man when they brought him in. But it seemed all to clear that Cook wanted nothing to do with being the type of player most people seem to think would have fit him best.

 

[HawkSTL]

Let’s all remember that Cook was rated by Rivals as the 74th best recruit in his class. Only 60 players are drafted every year and thats across multiple years of college recruits and overseas players. Cook was hardly some sure fire NBA prospect.

He was a good player for us. 3rd team all big ten. That’s probably a pretty decent result for kids ranked in the 70s out of high school.

 

[TheCDiggity]

Let’s all remember that Cook was rated by Rivals as the 74th best recruit in his class. Only 60 players are drafted every year and thats across multiple years of college recruits and overseas players. Cook was hardly some sure fire NBA prospect.

He was a good player for us. 3rd team all big ten. That’s probably a pretty decent result for kids ranked in the 70s out of high school.

This is spot on

 

[hawkjt]

For the record Tyler made 2nd team all-league.
Reading fans comments on here, one would think he was one of the ten worst players in the league, not one of the ten best,as voted on by coaches....must be a bunch of idiots when it comes to their chosen profession...fans know more about BB, clearly.

 

[fivecardstud14]

For the record Tyler made 2nd team all-league.
Reading fans comments on here, one would think he was one of the ten worst players in the league, not one of the ten best,as voted on by coaches....must be a bunch of idiots when it comes to their chosen profession...fans know more about BB, clearly.

Don't you get it?! Cook was a terrible player at Iowa & SHAME ON HIM for being so terrible!

 

[Jizzer]

So you pull him at the next dead ball. Challenge him, tell him you expect him to set the tone. Don't coddle him. That's coaching. Same with the shots, you can't force him to do it...it's ultimately on TC to make that commitment. But you challenge him to be his best, give him the proper guidance and teaching, and hold him accountable. That's leadership. It is ultimately up to TC to do the reps, but coaching most definitely plays a role.

Great coaches get the best out of their players.

So it's Fran's fault for TC not getting back on defense consistently? Pretty sure I've seen many blowups on the sideline by Fran, you seriously think he coddles? White improved his shot tremendously by his Senior year, White made that decision.

 

[anon_bb9wlf9kj42py]

I was surprised that ISU's Shaylok wasn't on the list. And didn't Wiggington choose this route as well? Two years ago, he was supposedly a "can't miss" prospect.

Shayok's 24. Wigginton was never more than a 2nd round prospect.

 

[doughuddl2]

Mostly HawkIDrummer shitty

FIFY

 

[mazda1]

My GUESS is Tyler was given development points from the NBA and when he was so long in deciding what to do abt coming back last year he and Fran likely had a conversation about how he could focus on those areas. When it became obvious to everyone that trying to do those things was hurting his draft status the decision was made to use him for his strengths. I thought his effort level dropped once the point forward part of his game was taken away. IMO he mailed it in and started to protect himself from injury.

 

[owenhawk]

My GUESS is Tyler was given development points from the NBA and when he was so long in deciding what to do abt coming back last year he and Fran likely had a conversation about how he could focus on those areas. When it became obvious to everyone that trying to do those things was hurting his draft status the decision was made to use him for his strengths. I thought his effort level dropped once the point forward part of his game was taken away. IMO he mailed it in and started to protect himself from injury.

Agreed.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Do you really think the coaches pushed him to try to be a point forward? I think Tyler was trying to showcase for next level and took it upon himself to do that. I am sure the feedback he received last year from the NBA eval. was to work on handles, passing, and shooting.

Who's supposed to be in charge of the team, the coaches or players? Cook never should have been allowed to try to be point guard and do some of the things he was trying to do. That's on the coaches no doubt.