with lots of Justin Cobbs quotes:

http://www.ibabuzz.com/beartalk/2014/01/08/basketball-solomons-preoccupation-with-rebounding-a-boost-for-golden-bears/

I've always been a big fan of Solo's as I saw a lot of potential, if he could just bottle it up and focus, and work hard to get stronger and better every day

Now he is one of the big reasons for our success

Today I just noticed how strong he was. Basically he made Moser look like a weakling freshman. Dude is a baby Dwight Howard (when he was good).

This was on another thread I posted on Solo's chances of being considered 2nd round pick come June... (before Pac12 league began)...

so far 2 games into league play, Solo play has continued to impress me... strong rebounder, good slot selection, and holding down middle along with Kravish on D side of ball... his Sr year play has developed very well...(to say the least)..his FT % has gone up since league play has begun as well!!

Averaging double/double for season as well...(no small feat to accomplish)

Now let's make it 3 and 0 on road in league play this weekend.

gobears;842253345 said:

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Solo has continued to develop as a player this season. Granted, stats do not include league play yet... So, he will have to maintain/improve on his stats in league to get into serious consideration (NBA draft) come June.


PPG, RPG FG %, BPG, all up from last season... ave personal fouls per game down (good)...but FT % is very bad. Solo's shot selection has improved this season and seems much more comfortable with back to basket in low block.

His body continues to develop into NBA type 4 and game and body has not plateaued. May be a hard to get selected in 2nd round, but if not I expect him to sign on for NBA summer league and see how well he shows there... (then D league route that Jorge has taken)

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Great thread and posts. Was going to start my own on Solo but will just chime in here.

I actually think he's a 1st round pick. I attended the Cuse game in NCAA when he went for 22 and 14 or whatever it was. Last night Matthews was awesome but Oregon was doubling Solo every time. Love his game. He might go down as our best big since Imhoff.

Wishful thinking by a long shot in my book.
He still has no bread and butter scoring move down low, and he still commits too many silly fouls and defensive lapses. Quiet consistency is a big deal and he will have to prove that over the course of the next two months in order to be considered NBA material in my book.

Having said that, he has improved in the ways that matter big time and I give him tons of credit. Last night, late, he got a pass under the bucket, gave a mini head fake to move the defender, and then went up and flushed it. Back as a freshman, or even sophomore or early junior year, he would have been all pounding his chest and stuff. I was very critical of that. Now, he gets those dunks every game and just jogs back downcourt like he's been there before. Well, he has. Such a relief to see. Sometimes the break is in the oven, and you just have to W-A-I-T for it to rise. Glad he has!!! Major kudos to Richard.

concordtom;842259073 said:

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Wishful thinking by a long shot in my book.
He still has no bread and butter scoring move down low, and he still commits too many silly fouls and defensive lapses. Quiet consistency is a big deal and he will have to prove that over the course of the next two months in order to be considered NBA material in my book.

Having said that, he has improved in the ways that matter big time and I give him tons of credit. Last night, late, he got a pass under the bucket, gave a mini head fake to move the defender, and then went up and flushed it. Back as a freshman, or even sophomore or early junior year, he would have been all pounding his chest and stuff. I was very critical of that. Now, he gets those dunks every game and just jogs back downcourt like he's been there before. Well, he has. Such a relief to see. Sometimes the break is in the oven, and you just have to W-A-I-T for it to rise. Glad he has!!! Major kudos to Richard.

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I fully understand Solo is not on any mock drafts and another BI thread topic, top draft prospects of Pac12 were listed, Solo was not listed there either.

My point is that he is coming on strong (as I watch the games) and his season to season improvements in stats and his physical development will start to get looks his way.

-3 point attempts are in his rear view mirror. (NBA 4's need to rebound, not take 3's)

-His slot selection has improved... (rarely taking shots fading away)..

-The role of NBA 4's are to rebound, bang in paint, and flush putbacks.

A GSW fan favorite , Larry Smith (Mr Mean) did not have the best shot, but knew exactly what his role was...and did it well.. (rebound)

I am of opinion, Solo is going in right direction and if his league plays continues as it has these 1st few games, will start to gain interest as NBA prospect. (not that I am any expert, just my opinion)

Scouts like players who id areas in off season and work on them during the summer... which Solo looks to have done well... which bodes well that he will continue in this trend of improvement needed to find roster spot on NBA team as a 4.

What I also love about Solo is that he now gathers himself and does not rush the shot inside. Now a big part of that is that he's just stronger than anyone down there so he does not have to rush anymore. But there was also this fast break lay in he did where in the past he would have tried to get fancy, rush and dunk it, and it would have bounced out. But he calmly executed it for the bucket. Love this guy!

concordtom;842259073 said:

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Wishful thinking by a long shot in my book.
He still has no bread and butter scoring move down low, and he still commits too many silly fouls and defensive lapses. Quiet consistency is a big deal and he will have to prove that over the course of the next two months in order to be considered NBA material in my book.

Having said that, he has improved in the ways that matter big time and I give him tons of credit. Last night, late, he got a pass under the bucket, gave a mini head fake to move the defender, and then went up and flushed it. Back as a freshman, or even sophomore or early junior year, he would have been all pounding his chest and stuff. I was very critical of that. Now, he gets those dunks every game and just jogs back downcourt like he's been there before. Well, he has. Such a relief to see. Sometimes the break is in the oven, and you just have to W-A-I-T for it to rise. Glad he has!!! Major kudos to Richard.

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I vividly recall that at the beginning of his last year, people were predicting Devon Hardin was going to be a lottery pick. I could not see it. Somehow he rarely seemed to make the plays when he needed to. Solo, in contrast, is getting no NBA buzz, but he is just a huge difference maker. He is not much shorter than Hardin, I believe, so I don't really understand the lack of buzz. Hardin was seen as a 5 and people seem to feel that Solo is going to have to be a 4, so perhaps that is the basis of this lack of buzz. But I think he has more upside than that. He just keeps improving and he is quick and athletic. I would love to see him in the NBA.

Bearprof;842259149 said:

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I vividly recall that at the beginning of his last year, people were predicting Devon Hardin was going to be a lottery pick. I could not see it. Somehow he rarely seemed to make the plays when he needed to. Solo, in contrast, is getting no NBA buzz, but he is just a huge difference maker. He is not much shorter than Hardin, I believe, so I don't really understand the lack of buzz. Hardin was seen as a 5 and people seem to feel that Solo is going to have to be a 4, so perhaps that is the basis of this lack of buzz. But I think he has more upside than that. He just keeps improving and he is quick and athletic. I would love to see him in the NBA.

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If he continues to average a double-double, he will not be left out of the hype machine. Being one of the best big men in a very good Pac-12 is good resume fodder.

concordtom;842259073 said:

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Wishful thinking by a long shot in my book.
He still has no bread and butter scoring move down low, and he still commits too many silly fouls and defensive lapses. Quiet consistency is a big deal and he will have to prove that over the course of the next two months in order to be considered NBA material in my book.

Having said that, he has improved in the ways that matter big time and I give him tons of credit. Last night, late, he got a pass under the bucket, gave a mini head fake to move the defender, and then went up and flushed it. Back as a freshman, or even sophomore or early junior year, he would have been all pounding his chest and stuff. I was very critical of that. Now, he gets those dunks every game and just jogs back downcourt like he's been there before. Well, he has. Such a relief to see. Sometimes the break is in the oven, and you just have to W-A-I-T for it to rise. Glad he has!!! Major kudos to Richard.

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He's got a drop step and a little hook and his shot has improved. He runs the PNR pretty well. He commands double teams v. quality competition. I think he's getting drafted late 1st but we'll see.