Ray Spalding

[shadow force]

Rookie forward Ray Spalding signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, increasing the team’s roster to 14 players plus two additional two-way contracts. The 56th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Louisville, Spalding is the latest power forward to join the Suns on a short-term deal.

Spalding was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers and traded that night to the Dallas Mavericks. The 6-foot-10, 215-pound forward appeared in one game for Dallas and was waived on Jan. 31. He has spent most of this season in the G League, averaging 15.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.6 steals per game with the Texas Legends.

 

[ShortCreek]

Mack and our strength coach would have made Ray a lottery pick. Instead he’s bouncing around teams and riding on a bus in the G-league. Have fun with that.

 

[UL_1986]

Mack and our strength coach would have made Ray a lottery pick. Instead he’s bouncing around teams and riding on a bus in the G-league. Have fun with that.

Dude had to go through a lot at UofL during his stay, I don’t blame him one bit wanting to leave for the league. Proud of Ray.

 

[KerryRhodes]

I dont blame him for leaving, however he needed another year.

Like Creek stated, " Coach Mack would have made him a lottery pick.

 

[UL_1986]

I dont blame him for leaving, however he needed another year.

Like Creek stated, " Coach Mack would have made him a lottery pick.

Idk, I love Ray but he would’ve been a late first rounder at best. Dude couldn’t put weight on.

 

[PushupMan]

I think Ray’s pretty happy bouncing around the D-league while cashing a $58,000 paycheck every two weeks.

 

[ShortCreek]

Dude had to go through a lot at UofL during his stay, I don’t blame him one bit wanting to leave for the league. Proud of Ray.

Really, exactly what “did he go through”, change coaches? He screwed up, shoulda stayed. Again, lotto pick vs bus jumper??? Hmmmm. Yeah, bad move.

 

[ShortCreek]

I think Ray’s pretty happy bouncing around the D-league while cashing a $58,000 paycheck every two weeks.

Chump change. Hope he’s saving it. I’m pulling for him, but every year that you’re not 100% on a roster is another year of newbies to compete with.

 

[UL_1986]

Really, exactly what “did he go through”, change coaches? He screwed up, shoulda stayed. Again, lotto pick vs bus jumper??? Hmmmm. Yeah, bad move.

Yeah, when you commit to play for a coach and they get fired for what he got fired for, the scrutiny put on our program nationally, then have an interim come in last second who’d never coached a collegiate game in his life, let alone at a D1/ACC school, yeah I would take my chances in the draft, especially not knowing the future of the program and who the coach is (which in our case wasn’t until March) too many question marks. I don’t blame him one bit. Agree to disagree. Also, he was never gonna be a lotto pick, not sure why you keep saying that? He has potential, but he was nowhere near a lotto pick, way too raw offensively and was a stick (even if he stayed this season) this years draft is going to be stacked..

 

[CardsFirst]

Really, exactly what “did he go through”, change coaches? He screwed up, shoulda stayed. Again, lotto pick vs bus jumper??? Hmmmm. Yeah, bad move.

Yeah, when you commit to play for a coach and they get fired for what he got fired for, the scrutiny put on our program nationally, then have an interim come in last second who’d never coached a collegiate game in his life, let alone at a D1/ACC school, yeah I would take my chances in the draft, especially not knowing the future of the program and who the coach is (which in our case wasn’t until March) too many question marks. I don’t blame him one bit. Agree to disagree. Also, he was never gonna be a lotto pick, not sure why you keep saying that? He has potential, but he was nowhere near a lotto pick, way too raw offensively and was a stick (even if he stayed this season) this years draft is going to be stacked..

I don’t blame Ray either but as the say hind sight is 20/20. Had Ray stayed he would have improved and he probably wouldn’t be bouncing around. And I doubt he enjoys it. It’s probably pretty frustrating, but as you stated there were to many unknowns. Tough spot to be in. He was just another victim of the situation.

 

[ShortCreek]

I don’t blame Ray either but as the say hind sight is 20/20. Had Ray stayed he would have improved and he probably wouldn’t be bouncing around. And I doubt he enjoys it. It’s probably pretty frustrating, but as you stated there were to many unknowns. Tough spot to be in. He was just another victim of the situation.

Nobody wants to be patient, nobody wants to go to school and hit the books, “microwave society” as CRP once said. IMO Ray would have exploded under Mack and the new strength coach. Have you guys not seen all the before/after picks of our current team when that coach had only worked with them for just a few months?

I realize that Ray was slow to bulk up but another year with that guy and another year of just natural physical maturing would have been huge for him. Ray screwed himself IMO. Let’s not make it like he was spending time in prison somewhere. He wasn’t in some unbearable, intolerable situation. He simply chose to take what he perceived as the easy way out - and IMO he will pay for that lack of judgement (especially financially) possibly the rest of his life.

Hope I’m wrong. I pull for the guy. But, presently he looks like another athlete who was led down the wrong path by who knows (parents, agents, himself alone, etc) and made a bad choice.

It’s funny, I was watching the Rockets-Lakers just last night and Kenneth Faried was playing. The analysts were giving a short bio on him, “Kenneth Faried, obtained recently by the Rockets, a four-year player out of Morehead State, now in his EIGHTH YEAR IN THE NBA.” Who had it better in college? It’s not even close, but Faried was patient, and it’s paying off. You will never hear an analyst say “Ray Spalding, out of Louisville, now in his his EIGHTH NBA SEASON.” If it does, remind me and I’ll put a crow in my crockpot.

 

[nccardfan]

Mack and our strength coach would have made Ray a lottery pick. Instead he’s bouncing around teams and riding on a bus in the G-league. Have fun with that.

Yeah he’s doing wonders for Enoch and Williams... they don’t even have a post up game. Ray is not a 3 pt shooter.

 

[ShortCreek]

Yeah he’s doing wonders for Enoch and Williams... they don’t even have a post up game. Ray is not a 3 pt shooter.

Ray’s ceiling and potential was/is much higher. Was Enoch or Williams recruited by Duke? Well, Ray was. Apples and oranges brother...

 

[nccardfan]

Ray’s ceiling and potential was/is much higher. Was Enoch or Williams recruited by Duke? Well, Ray was. Apples and oranges brother...

Then why to quote you is he bouncing around on a bus?

 

[ShortCreek]

Key

Then why to quote you is he bouncing around on a bus?

key word “potential”, to throw those other two up are again apples & oranges...

 

[nccardfan]

Key

key word “potential”, to throw those other two up are again apples & oranges...

So the nba scouts who say Enoch has a NBA body are grocery store clerks..

 

[ShortCreek]

So the nba scouts who say Enoch has a NBA body are grocery store clerks..

Body, hell yes. Game? Hell no. If you haven’t noticed Enoch doesn’t start, and that’s for a very, very, average team. He’s let toothpick Williams beat him out and you’re taking NBA? Spare me.

 

[Morgantown Card]

Enoch isn't ready for the NBA. Overseas maybe...and there's no shame in that. Dudes can make over a $1MM in a short career and have all their expenses paid while traveling Europe and retire from basketball a young man.

 

[nccardfan]

Enoch isn't ready for the NBA. Overseas maybe...and there's no shame in that. Dudes can make over a $1MM in a short career and have all their expenses paid while traveling Europe and retire from basketball a young man.

That’s what was said about Adel...

 

[Morgantown Card]

That’s what was said about Adel...

You're right!

 

[UL_1986]

Adel is on the Cavs roster and has started some games this year.

 

[ShortCreek]

So the nba scouts who say Enoch has a NBA body are grocery store clerks..

What’s them scouts saying today big guy??? I think I just saw one bagging groceries at Lucky’s. Enoch will be fortunate to get VJ minutes next year. Again KEY WORD “BODY”. Not game, “BODY”.

 

[nccardfan]

They’re saying, “who is coaching this guy?”

 

[ShortCreek]

That’s what was said about Adel...

Signing a 10 day deal for one of the worst teams in the NBA means zero. It doesn’t guarantee anything but 10 days. Adel will never stick.

 

[ShortCreek]

They’re saying, “who is coaching this guy?”

Your boy Padgett had him for a season. You’d think a big could develop a big??? No???

 

[Thecycle27]

These families and kids are in such a hurry they don't take time to look at the landscape. I said it last year he was entering the draft that was loaded with players just like him and loaded in general. This year's draft is weak. With another year of being the guy he would have move up the draft board in a hurry.

There is a huge difference between investing and speculating. Teams are speculating on Ray right now. They are basically saying if he works out great if not oh well. GM's never look bad on the 2nd round picks. With they draft you in the first round especially the lottery they are investing in you. GM's lose jobs on making bad first round picks.

There are no guarantees, but borderline NBA players are better served to stay in college.

 

[nccardfan]

Your boy Padgett had him for a season. You’d think a big could develop a big??? No???

Yes, yes I do. At least get more than 4 pts between two 6-11 guys..

 

[UL_1986]

Signing a 10 day deal for one of the worst teams in the NBA means zero. It doesn’t guarantee anything but 10 days. Adel will never stick.

True, I watch the nba as much as cbb, and he had some great defensive plays the other week. I believe he had 3-4 blocks in a game.

 

[ShortCreek]

True, I watch the nba as much as cbb, and he had some great defensive plays the other week. I believe he had 3-4 blocks in a game.

“The other week”, what the hell does that mean? And, I decided to look up Adel’s stats, quite underwhelming to say the least. Here you go:

Min per game: 13.2
FG %: 30
3 Pt %: 25
FT %: 100
PPG: 2.1
APG: 0.3
BPG: 0.3

Just like I said about Spalding, Adel blew it as well. He should have stayed in school.

 

[UL_1986]

“The other week”, what the hell does that mean? And, I decided to look up Adel’s stats, quite underwhelming to say the least. Here you go:

Min per game: 13.2
FG %: 30
3 Pt %: 25
FT %: 100
PPG: 2.1
APG: 0.3
BPG: 0.3

Just like I said about Spalding, Adel blew it as well. He should have stayed in school.

I watched a Cavs game the other week where he had like 3 blocks. Don’t be an idiot. Homie is playing limited minutes because he’s adjusting to the NBA. Christ, some of you on this board are retarded.

 

[ShortCreek]

I watched a Cavs game the other week where he had like 3 blocks. Don’t be an idiot. Homie is playing limited minutes because he’s adjusting to the NBA. Christ, some of you on this board are retarded.

He had three blocks in a game! Well, let's put him in the Hall of Fame! You, my friend are delirious. I'm a Card fan but I call it like I see it. Look at his stats, he's not "adjusting" he simply is what he is.

 

[UL_1986]

He had three blocks in a game! Well, let's put him in the Hall of Fame! You, my friend are delirious. I'm a Card fan but I call it like I see it. Look at his stats, he's not "adjusting" he simply is what he is.

No one said any of that, you’re just being a contrarian and not recognizing the fact he even made a roster whilst not being drafted last year. Do you realize how many G league players there are? It’s pretty remarkable of him to land a spot on an NBA team is all i’m saying. Ray got paid a pretty good amount for his one year rookie contract with Dallas, and is now getting traded to the Suns, as the Dallas roster isn’t exactly in dire need of a PF. The suns need all they can get, Ray has the potential to split minutes with Bender or Holmes because Ayton will be starting Center.

 

[ShortCreek]

First of all Spalding did not get traded he was released by the Mavs, essentially they cut him. Secondly, getting a 10 day contract is not what I would call “making a roster”. Yes, technically he’s on the Cavs roster but his stats tell the story, and the story doesn’t look to end well. Hey, I’m a Card fan and I pull for these guys but when they screw up I call it like I see it.

 

[UL_1986]

First of all Spalding did not get traded he was released by the Mavs, essentially they cut him. Secondly, getting a 10 day contract is not what I would call “making a roster”. Yes, technically he’s on the Cavs roster but his stats tell the story, and the story doesn’t look to end well. Hey, I’m a Card fan and I pull for these guys but when they screw up I call it like I see it.

Well give them a shot before tearing them down immediately. Sheesh. No one screwed up, it’s their life, you just sound selfish as a fan. If he was cut from the roster, the Suns wouldn’t have picked him up, he would permanently be playing for Dallas G league. They waived him because of the Porzingis trade, it’s a business and they didn’t need another PF/C

 

[flyercard]

Yeah he’s doing wonders for Enoch and Williams... they don’t even have a post up game. Ray is not a 3 pt shooter.

Ray can shoot the 3 well. Since leaving UL, he has focused on the 3. I have seen him in G league games and hitting the 3 is not an issue. To me it looked like he not aggressive enough on the boards.

 

[shadow force]

Ray made the decision he felt was best at the time. I definitely wanted him back for his senior year but that was a fans wants and not his.

We truly don't know how these last few years affected each individual player or how badly. I wish him the best.

 

[ShortCreek]

Ray made the decision he felt was best at the time. I definitely wanted him back for his senior year but that was a fans wants and not his.

We truly don't know how these last few years affected each individual player or how badly. I wish him the best.

They weren’t in Vietnam or Afghanistan fighting a war. They weren’t working midnights @ UPS either, spare me.

 

[UL_1986]

They weren’t in Vietnam or Afghanistan fighting a war. They weren’t working midnights @ UPS either, spare me.

Just stop, you sound like quite the contrarian.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I don't blame Ray for leaving but if would have stayed he would have probably gone in the first round. I think he was becoming a really good college player but he is stil a couple of years away from being a good pro player. The problem now is they might move on before he can prove his worth.

 

[Louis III]

Unless he drastically improves and makes a full time roster, he cost himself money. Don't forget 1st round draft picks receive a GUARANTEED contract for I believe 3 or 4 years. Higher the pick, more money is paid. In 2 years Ray will have lost out on $1m+ by NOT staying. No way around it!