Probably a little of both. This is a way to kill 7 seven birds with one stone with them all together and basically continue to programs "operation".Originally posted by NittPicker:
It's unusual for a coach to make those announcements. Usually the players do it themselves. Calipari's motivation is likely to get his face out there so high school kids see him and realize how important he is supposed to be.
Originally posted by PSURAHJ:
WCS. CWebb called this one on Mike and Mike. He'll hopefully make a bench in the NBA. He has to defense to make a roster. However, comparing him to DeAndre Jordan is so insulting that it's not really funny. I'm so glad CWebb put that comparison on blast. It's ridiculous. I don't think WCS coming back for a 4th year would fix much of what he's lacking so good luck to him.
Some might. John Wall did. In fact, that year after he left when the NBA had the lock out he went back to UK and took a couple of classes. Even now his continues on his journey to his business degree. It will probably take time but many players who have left early found a way to slowly but surely get their degrees; Shaq, Vince Carter, and many others.Originally posted by john4psu:
Won't they wait till spring semester ends to finish out their classes and get their grades?
Bobby Knight, who started a lot of this anti-OAD fire and pitchfork brigade, famously told a crowd at a speaking engagement how the John Wall/Bledsoe group of draftees never attended their spring semester. It got everyone booing and hissing and all riled up. Later, it was exposed as a lie and his apology was ridiculously weak and lame.Originally posted by PSURAHJ:
Some might. John Wall did. In fact, that year after he left when the NBA had the lock out he went back to UK and took a couple of classes. Even now he continues on his journey to his business degree. It will probably take time but many players who have left early found a way to slowly but surely get their degrees; Shaq, Vince Carter, and many others.Originally posted by john4psu:
Won't they wait till spring semester ends to finish out their classes and get their grades?
The most recent UK player to do so was Jodie Meeks[/URL].
I've never understood this argument. Isn't the best way to work on your game doing it 24/7 without having to worry about classes, papers, homework or financial security?Originally posted by 9fold:
Duke's Okafor is also leaving for the NBA. He is a great talent on offense, but his defense needs a lot of work. I think he could have used a year or two more of college to work on his defense.
I simply don't think Okafor is ready for the NBA. He has a long way to go on defense.Originally posted by wentzel25:
I've never understood this argument. Isn't the best way to work on your game doing it 24/7 without having to worry about classes, papers, homework or financial security?Originally posted by 9fold:
Duke's Okafor is also leaving for the NBA. He is a great talent on offense, but his defense needs a lot of work. I think he could have used a year or two more of college to work on his defense.
You are definitely right there. The best thing for him though is not staying in college. It's getting his rookie contract started at the perfect time and even though he will be going to a weak team receiving top notch coaching. No classes to worry about. His first contract will set him up for life and apparently he is very smart. He can get the degree. He is going to make more money in two years than what most the elite of the elite students make in probably their lifetime.Originally posted by 9fold:
I simply don't think Okafor is ready for the NBA. He has a long way to go on defense.Originally posted by wentzel25:
I've never understood this argument. Isn't the best way to work on your game doing it 24/7 without having to worry about classes, papers, homework or financial security?Originally posted by 9fold:
Duke's Okafor is also leaving for the NBA. He is a great talent on offense, but his defense needs a lot of work. I think he could have used a year or two more of college to work on his defense.
I get the point, but while the high level of competition could help him, it could hurt him. He just may not be ready to compete at that level. Some of these 19-year-olds ride the bench because their game just isn't good enough to get them on the floor. Granted, they get paid and get to practice all they want, but it probably isn't good for their psyche to go from being the big man on campus and heavily hyped to riding the pine in the NBA.Originally posted by PSUriseANDfire:
You are definitely right there. The best thing for him though is not staying in college. It's getting his rookie contract started at the perfect time and even though he will be going to a weak team receiving top notch coaching. No classes to worry about. His first contract will set him up for life and apparently he is very smart. He can get the degree. He is going to make more money in two years than what most the elite of the elite students make in probably their lifetime.Originally posted by 9fold:
I simply don't think Okafor is ready for the NBA. He has a long way to go on defense.Originally posted by wentzel25:
I've never understood this argument. Isn't the best way to work on your game doing it 24/7 without having to worry about classes, papers, homework or financial security?Originally posted by 9fold:
Duke's Okafor is also leaving for the NBA. He is a great talent on offense, but his defense needs a lot of work. I think he could have used a year or two more of college to work on his defense.
He can learn on the "job" is my point. Someone in his position would be insane not to go pro.
Originally posted by Evan Ceg:
Tom Izzo recently stated that it's more important from a recruiting standpoint to have one of your players selected in the NBA draft lottery than it is to win a national championship.