It was announced Wednesday that 5 players from the University of Kentucky declared for the NBA draft. Departing stars John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Patrick Patterson were joined in leaving by freshmen Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton. I'll pause a second for everybody that isn't a Kentucky fan to say, "Daniel who?"
...and we're back. Wall, the likely #1 pick, has the makings of an NBA star (check out this monster slam), while Cousins, though flush with character issues, is an extremely talented ball player who will be a lottery pick. Junior Patterson nearly left for the NBA after last season, but chose to remain with the team and work on his game. While his numbers are down across the board, that can be attributed more to the arrival of Wall and Cousins than to any regression in skill. Patterson impressed scouts by using this season to add an outside shot, making 24 threes after not making any in his previous two seasons.
I have no qualms about the departure of these three players, however Bledsoe and Orton cause me to scratch my head. Bledsoe has talent, averaging 11.3 ppg this season, and will likely be a first round pick, however he could benefit greatly from another year on campus. A great example for Bledsoe to follow is Ohio State's Evan Turner. Turner averaged similar numbers to Bledsoe his freshman year, yet he stayed for another two years, improved both his game and his mentality to become the 2010 Naismith Award Winner. I'm not saying that Bledsoe could win player of the year honors, but he has areas in his game the would benefit vastly from staying another year at Kentucky, such as decision making and cutting down on turnovers.
Orton's decision to enter the draft just seems moronic. What NBA team would draft a player who averaged a whopping 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds? Sadly, when the person averaging those stats is a 6-10, 255 lb man-child, then numerous teams are willing to take a chance on that tantalizing mystery that is 'potential'. NBA teams are starving for big-men, and so a player who only played 13 minutes per game in college can be selected in the NBA draft. It appears that Orton may have gotten caught up in all the success that the Wildcats had this year and didn't want to be left at school while Wall and co. jumped to the NBA, a la Taurean Green. Green left the University of Florida after his junior season and back to back national titles in 2006 and 2007. Also leaving that year were current NBA players Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Corey Brewer, and it is my speculation that the sole reason Green left was because he didn't want to be left alone at Florida after all of his buddies went to the NBA. Green was drafted 52nd overall in the draft, got sent to the NBA-Developmental League just a few months into the season, and was cut after only a year in the league. In all likelyhood Orton will spend next year, and possibly many more years, in the D-league and probably end up in Europe, where failed NBA players, like Green, play.
With this as his most likely destination, why would Orton leave the situation he was in at Kentucky to for an outside shot at the NBA? Obviously money is a large factor in this decision, but Orton could make much more if he stayed in college, developed his game, and declared for the draft in a few years when he has a more realistic chance of making, and contributing to, an NBA team. It makes much more sense to me to stay and be 'the man' at Kentucky for a year or two. He wouldn't be playing on depleted teams either; Coach John Calipari has proven that he has no trouble recruiting talent (legally or otherwise) and he has another top class coming to campus next fall. Doesn't it make more sense to star on teams that are competing for SEC titles, if not national titles, every year? Not to mention Orton would be playing at a school with one of the richest basketball traditions in the country and one of its largest fan bases. He would have a chance to be a player that Kentucky fans remember, rather than a 'one and done' player who even the most die-hard fan will easily forget in 5 years.
Alas, we have to wait until the draft on June 24 to learn the fate of Orton and his fellow Wildcats, but I suppose I can wish them good luck in the draft.
And Daniel Orton, welcome to the D-League.
I think a lot of this jumping early is due to the NBA lockout possibility in 2011. It is looking increasingly likely and lots of guys are jumping early. Part of the reason I'm worried about Durrell.
ReplyDeletedurrell going pro would destroy what i think will be an awesome season next year. im not sure if we have a replacement for him. if lucas had not been injured and jumped i wouldnt be as worried... in fact getting to watch Appeling more would just excite me
ReplyDeleteThat is still a stupid reason to go early. It just means that you will be out of a job for that year instead of still playing at college. And since a surprising number of NBA players are living paycheck to paycheck, especially young players, having a lockout in your second year would be terrible. I also think a lot of guys jump early because they have poor information on when they will get drafted, like Marcus Taylor. He thought he would go in the 1st round and he dropped to around 52nd.
ReplyDeleteDan your right about Appeling Izzo is gonna have a very hard time keeping him on the bench even with Lucas Summers Allen and Lucious returning. He's gonna take someone's minutes
ReplyDeleteMost of these guys haven't hired agents. It's not uncommon to see them "test the waters" and then come back next year. Half of these kids that declare early end up back in school.
ReplyDeleteNo need to overreact until:
a) The deadline to withdraw from the Draft has passed, or
b) They have hired an agent
That's a solid point, but everything I have heard indicates that none of them will be returning. Although, Patterson is thinking about it: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5074042
ReplyDelete