SSR #8 Malik Dunbar

[Denim Vest]

No youngster has moved up my ranks faster than this hulking specimen. Partly due to some uncertainty at the 3 but mainly due to the demeanor of this stud. Whether it be the isle seat and a teammates leg space in the team photo, Academic honor roll, or the entirety of the rim on a thunderous dunk this Adonis takes what he wants with no remorse. I suspect a typical day in the life of Malik goes something like this:

Wakes up has a bowl of cereal. Has a 2nd bowl finishing the milk his roommate bought.

Goes to class. Gets an A on his exam. Taunts some nerd for getting an A- that spent way more time studying.

Practice time. Teammates constantly ask him to “calm down its just practice”

Goes home. Bangs some dudes girlfriend. Sends her on her way but not before borrowing $20.

Walks in the living room. Steals the remote from his roommate. Watches what he wants. Passes out on the couch with the remote securely tucked under him so his roommate has to get up and manually change the channel.

Strengths: 6’6 230 specimen. Relentless competitor, defender and rim attacker. Solid ball handler and facilitator.

Weaknesses: Unknown quantity at this level. May not have the strongest outside shot and remains to be seen how his game will translate in big time D1 ball.

Contribution: Another outstanding role player that will bring a tenacity we sorely lacked last year. Could be a starter depending on Danjel’s eligibility but he’s a guy I thought could compete for the gig regardless if Danjel doesn’t pick it up on the defensive end.

The GREG Ranking: #10

 

[MomentInTheSun]

Hoping he has a decent enough handle and quick first step to effectively negotiate his way to the lane. I'm not expecting much at all from his perimeter shooting, but would be huge to have another guy that can reliably get to the rim. Sort of Dunnans that plays defense and is a good teammate would be great with me.

 

[Harvey Specter]

A Day in the Life was a great addition

 

[WDE_Tarp]

If Purifoy is out, I assume Malik is our starter at the 3. What other options at the 3 do we have?

 

[CowardlyToaster]

Another absolute STUD in Bruce's cadre. How embarrassing the riches are.

 

[Fatz Geronimo]

Regretfully, MALIK was slotted 11th in my rankings... admittedly, a lot of that is because he reminds me of all the Shaq Johnson / Earnest Ross / New Williams types who are undeniably explosive athletes who “just need to learn how to play basketball on this level”... it’s probably an unfair comparison, but I don’t want to put unrealistic expectations on him

Malik can contribute greatly without making a single shot outside the paint all year, if his defense and toughness are as advertised... I’m just keeping expectations tempered and expecting a lot of growing pains once we hit the meat of our schedule

The benefits Malik has over those other guys are:

better talent around him
lower team dependence on his performance
better scheme fit
BRUCE

I expect some flashes in non conference, but very little scoring in SEC play... if it turns out Danjel is done and Malik is a starter and a solid 8/5 guy in SEC play, then I’ll gladly admit I unfairly judged him, and I’ll also be looking at host sites for Sweet 16/Elite 8 weekend

 

[Denim Vest]

If Purifoy is out, I assume Malik is our starter at the 3. What other options at the 3 do we have?

Mustapha could slide over there. Assume Desean could play 3. Got pretty good depth at every position.

 

[JB0401]

If Purifoy is out, I assume Malik is our starter at the 3. What other options at the 3 do we have?

I think he will start, but we will likely see Heron play a lot of 3 as well with Bryce at the 2. Heron will likely play 30-32 minutes a game out of necessity if Purifoy is out and he may average close to 20 PPG this year. Going to have a huge year.

 

[Fatz Geronimo]

If Purifoy is out, I assume Malik is our starter at the 3. What other options at the 3 do we have?

in a perfect world, Malik could handle it... I’d start Bryce but rumor has it Mustapha has balked at playing the 3 - and understandably so... as Demim said, Desean is an option, but I think you could slot Bryce at the 3 and depending on how much we press, it could still work

depending on how fluid Chuma is, he’s a possibility there as well, with Desean / Mac / Horace at the 4

plenty of options for BRUCE, and he’ll probably tinker a bit or play matchups before settling on 1 guy

 

[Denim Vest]

Regretfully, MALIK was slotted 11th in my rankings... admittedly, a lot of that is because he reminds me of all the Shaq Johnson / Earnest Ross / New Williams types who are undeniably explosive athletes who “just need to learn how to play basketball on this level”... it’s probably an unfair comparison, but I don’t want to put unrealistic expectations on him

Malik can contribute greatly without making a single shot outside the paint all year, if his defense and toughness are as advertised... I’m just keeping expectations tempered and expecting a lot of growing pains once we hit the meat of our schedule

The benefits Malik has over those other guys are:

better talent around him
lower team dependence on his performance
better scheme fit
BRUCE

I expect some flashes in non conference, but very little scoring in SEC play... if it turns out Danjel is done and Malik is a starter and a solid 8/5 guy in SEC play, then I’ll gladly admit I unfairly judged him, and I’ll also be looking at host sites for Sweet 16/Elite 8 weekend

Yeah. Not needing him as a primary scorer makes me more optimistic. Feel pretty confident he'll defend, rebound and get to the goal. Our boy Rothstein has him as a top 10 impact JUCO:

https://www.fanragsports.com/10-impact-juco-transfers-2017-18-cbb-season/

 

[Denim Vest]

in a perfect world, Malik could handle it... I’d start Bryce but rumor has it Mustapha has balked at playing the 3 - and understandably so... as Demim said, Desean is an option, but I think you could slot Bryce at the 3 and depending on how much we press, it could still work

depending on how fluid Chuma is, he’s a possibility there as well, with Desean / Mac / Horace at the 4

plenty of options for BRUCE, and he’ll probably tinker a bit or play matchups before settling on 1 guy

I'm hoping that stuff was more Staph's dad getting too involved. Feel like if we really need him to slide over to the 3 for 10-15 mins a game it won't be an issue. Still have the same role on O just need to defend some guys his size which he'll need to do in the lig anyway.

 

[WDE_Tarp]

I don't love the lineup of Bryce at 2 and Mustapha at the 3. Obviously they could prove me wrong, but I just feel like that grouping will have trouble generating offense, because Bruce seems to prefer a slasher at the 3. Bryce's handles aren't great, and that just doesn't seem like Mustapha's game. I feel like this is what slowed us down a bit last year because Purifoy got to where he wanted to be a spot up shooter too.

 

[EverythingGucci]

I think you're too high* on this young man and quite frankly this ranking calls your entire process* into scrutiny. he's an unknown quantity and as a star gazer myself he doesn't quite get my rocks off. I demand you do what any sensible mod would and post cancellation instructions for the GREG




*insert Sean White
*insert Saban

Spoiler

I guess its fine just think this bourde is too hAUrmonious and needs some adversity

 

[Denim Vest]

I think you're too high* on this young man and quite frankly this ranking calls your entire process* into scrutiny. he's an unknown quantity and as a star gazer myself he doesn't quite get my rocks off. I demand you do what any sensible mod would and post cancellation instructions for the GREG




*insert Sean White
*insert Saban

Spoiler

I guess its fine just think this bourde is too hAUrmonious and needs some adversity

I'm not overly sensitive and emotionally unstable like the mods of tbb. If you're unhappy with our coverage here at the GREG just know you will not be getting a refund.

 

[Denim Vest]

I don't love the lineup of Bryce at 2 and Mustapha at the 3. Obviously they could prove me wrong, but I just feel like that grouping will have trouble generating offense, because Bruce seems to prefer a slasher at the 3. Bryce's handles aren't great, and that just doesn't seem like Mustapha's game. I feel like this is what slowed us down a bit last year because Purifoy got to where he wanted to be a spot up shooter too.

I actually really like that lineup. Our O is gonna be really good. If it can be elite comes down to Jared/ PG play I think. We got shooters and scorers galore. Having Danjel and Austin available would be nice as well.

 

[Boytano]

this pic just gave me the vapors and thus prompted me to clutch my PEARLS a few times. Cant wait to see this kid in press , steal some guyz lunch and then take it to the house