MUScoop

Former Marquette star Vander Blue still hoping to catch someone's eye in the NBA


Source: Former Marquette star Vander Blue still hoping to catch someone's eye in the NBA (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/former-marquette-star-vander-blue-still-hoping-to-catch-someones-eye-in-the-nba-b99697867z1-374227591.html)

Matt, well researched, written and provides an excellent perspective on Blue. Great work!

Another great article. I have been closely following Vander and he has been having a fantastic year. He has an excellent attitude. I think when his time comes he will make the most of it. In the meantime nice that he and Lazar are on the same team.

What a great surprise to wake up and read this excellent article with my morning coffee.   Matt, well done and thank you for your continued excellent writing on all things related to MU basketball.   I am rooting more than ever for Vander to make the NBA for more than a flash.    And, I love everything I read about his mom's character.    Who can ever knock a kid for pursuing his dreams?

Excellent article, Matt.  Really amazing work.  We are all lucky to have you covering Marquette. 

Hope Vander keeps plugging away.  He will get his shot.

Really enjoyed the article on Vander. Nice to see MU get a big story and Matt did great job. Hoping VB gets a real chance in the NBA in the near future. Looks like he has earned it big time.

Very well done article. Kid is a helluva player. I hope he finds a team where he can stick.

So sad.....He would be approaching his second contract soon if he just listened to the 99%.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 01, 2016, 09:36:09 AM
So sad.....He would be approaching his second contract soon if he just listened to the 99%.

Had he stayed at MU, he'd still currently be a D-League All-Star hoping to latch on to an NBA roster, but with fewer frequent flyer miles.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 01, 2016, 09:36:09 AM
So sad.....He would be approaching his second contract soon if he just listened to the 99%.

Don't know if he'd have been drafted, but Vander is one of the rare few who may have really benefited coming back. When he latched on with the Lakers, he was basically playing a combo guard position. I fully believe part of the reason he wasn't drafted was because he was only viewed as a 6'3" shooting guard. If he comes back, he would have had plenty of time on the ball and may well have been our starting point guard (similar to Dwight his senior year). If he could have done that, it might have opened eyes.

Not sure he would have had any more successful of a career, but he may have had better opportunities early on.

Also worth noting that this year there have only been 30 players called up from D League versus 47 last year. Hopefully, Vander can get another cup of coffee with the Lakers.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 01, 2016, 09:36:09 AM
So sad.....He would be approaching his second contract soon if he just listened to the 99%.

Shoulda woulda coulda.  Spilled milk.  Let's let it go and rally behind him.

Also, great article Matty V.

Guess I'm missing the "feel good" part of this story. I see a guy who made a short-sighted, poor decision. He has no degree and has been bouncing around the minors for three years.

Quote from: Groin_pull on April 01, 2016, 11:06:08 AM
Guess I'm missing the "feel good" part of this story. I see a guy who made a short-sighted, poor decision. He has no degree and has been bouncing around the minors for three years.

Who said it was feel good...I think I agree with most comments that it was a very good article though -- depth of research/interviews/broad understanding of a long 'debate' across MUBB fans. 

Hey I am pulling for him. 

Quote from: Groin_pull on April 01, 2016, 11:06:08 AM
Guess I'm missing the "feel good" part of this story. I see a guy who made a short-sighted, poor decision. He has no degree and has been bouncing around the minors for three years.

Let's face it, Blue wasn't going to do anything with a college degree unless he wants to become a college coach. If that's the case, he'd be able to finish his credits online or in some other form. Do we even know if he was going to finish had he stayed his senior year?

I'm actually impressed with the love that Blue has for MU. Once MU "stole" him from the Badgers, many, many fans placed unrealistic expectations on him and then ripped him to shreds for not meeting those expectations. For as talented and productive as he was while at MU, the fans didn't exactly treat him with the respect he deserved.

Quote from: MerrittsMustache on April 01, 2016, 11:44:34 AM
Let's face it, Blue wasn't going to do anything with a college degree unless he wants to become a college coach. If that's the case, he'd be able to finish his credits online or in some other form. Do we even know if he was going to finish had he stayed his senior year?

I'm actually impressed with the love that Blue has for MU. Once MU "stole" him from the Badgers, many, many fans placed unrealistic expectations on him and then ripped him to shreds for not meeting those expectations. For as talented and productive as he was while at MU, the fans didn't exactly treat him with the respect he deserved.

Well he did punch one of them... I mean the guy deserved it but it didn't help Vander's PR message. 

Quote from: Marquette Fan In NY on April 01, 2016, 10:52:25 AM
Also worth noting that this year there have only been 30 players called up from D League versus 47 last year. Hopefully, Vander can get another cup of coffee with the Lakers.

Given Vander's play on the court this year, it is quite surprising that he hasn't been called up. Clearly, he has been among the top handful of players, at least in terms of production. In following Vander's performance this year, I had concluded there must be a stigma or red flag, real or perceived, that is preventing teams from bringing him up. The article, which I agree was very well done, certainly touched on that issue in terms of a perception of attitude issues. I think sometimes highly driven competitive people who may not have a warm and fuzzy persona get misjudged when people don't get past the surface.

I do admire Vander's drive and belief in himself, and genuinely hope it pays off for him. To his credit, whether he ever achieves his dream of sticking with an NBA team, he'll never have to wonder "what if" he had pursued his dream. 

Quote from: MerrittsMustache on April 01, 2016, 11:44:34 AM
Let's face it, Blue wasn't going to do anything with a college degree unless he wants to become a college coach. If that's the case, he'd be able to finish his credits online or in some other form. Do we even know if he was going to finish had he stayed his senior year?

I'm actually impressed with the love that Blue has for MU. Once MU "stole" him from the Badgers, many, many fans placed unrealistic expectations on him and then ripped him to shreds for not meeting those expectations. For as talented and productive as he was while at MU, the fans didn't exactly treat him with the respect he deserved.

Vander was on track to graduate.  And I'm not writing off any 23 year old with a college degree about what he may, or may not do with it. 

Your second paragraph is 100% spot on.

---

Quote from: MerrittsMustache on April 01, 2016, 09:59:26 AM
Had he stayed at MU, he'd still currently be a D-League All-Star hoping to latch on to an NBA roster, but with fewer frequent flyer miles.

Nope.  He would almost assuredly been drafted, and once you're drafted you have a leg up on folks because a team thought you were good enough.  You get more 2nd, 3rd, 4th, chances than an undrafted player.  Just the way it works with the NBA, MLB, etc.  There's a reason why Draft Express folks were dumbfounded as were many NBA GMs.  Shame.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 01, 2016, 12:44:12 PM
Nope.  He would almost assuredly been drafted, and once you're drafted you have a leg up on folks because a team thought you were good enough.  You get more 2nd, 3rd, 4th, chances than an undrafted player.  Just the way it works with the NBA, MLB, etc.  There's a reason why Draft Express folks were dumbfounded as were many NBA GMs.  Shame.

First of all, we don't know that he would have been drafted.

Second of all, your point about drafted players getting more chances simply isn't true. You're using a point that your "friend" made concerning baseball personnel decisions, where each club has 6 levels of minor leagues and there are 1500 players drafted every year, and attempting to apply it to the NBA, which has a half-assed minor league system and 60 players drafted every year. It's just not the same thing.

Worth noting...

Of the 25 non-international 2nd Round picks in the 2013 NBA Draft, only 8 are currently on NBA rosters.

Of the Undrafted players from the 2013 NBA Draft, 7 are currently on NBA rosters.


Of the 24 non-international 2nd Round picks in the 2014 NBA Draft, only 11 are currently on NBA rosters.

Of the Undrafted players from the 2014 NBA Draft, 10 are currently on NBA rosters.

IOW, there are 17 undrafted players from those classes in the NBA and 30 second round picks out of the NBA. How could that be? No 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances for those guys?

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 01, 2016, 12:44:12 PM
Nope.  He would almost assuredly been drafted, and once you're drafted you have a leg up on folks because a team thought you were good enough.  You get more 2nd, 3rd, 4th, chances than an undrafted player.  Just the way it works with the NBA, MLB, etc.  There's a reason why Draft Express folks were dumbfounded as were many NBA GMs.  Shame.

Your assumption here is that Vander would have improved from his junior to senior year like he did from his sophomore to junior year. A BIG assumption, IMO. I think he had maxed out his abilities here. Getting into the D-league likely improved his skills more than another year of college ball.

Didn't realize that we haven't been back to the tournament since Vander left.  Does this mean we have a Vander Curse?  considering he hasn't been back to a game since he left.  maybe just like the goat at Wrigley, we need to get Vander back in the BC to lift the curse.

Wait a minute - I am starting to see a pattern here between the article and the narrative on Scoop. 

Chicos is clearly Vander's Mom?

Quote from: Eldon on April 01, 2016, 11:05:51 AM
Shoulda woulda coulda.  Spilled milk.  Let's let it go and rally behind him.

Also, great article Matty V.

I hope he makes it, that's a given.  I just find the whole thing somewhat sad.  He didn't like school, one of the reasons he wanted to stop.  Having to "endure" basically one more semester is not asking much, but some of these kids (and yes, Vander was a kid and young for his class) sometimes make some decisions that make you scratch your head.  He won't be the last, he certainly wasn't the first.   But I truly hope he makes it, I think we all do.  He certainly has taken a journey that has been a winding road....let's hope the dream is achieved.

Quote from: Eldon on April 01, 2016, 11:05:51 AM
Shoulda woulda coulda.  Spilled milk.  Let's let it go and rally behind him.

Also, great article Matty V.

The one thing that I am most certain of in this world is when someone brings up VB--Chicos will once again use it as his platform to express his sentiments on Vander's decision. We have heard it hundreds of times and will hear it hundreds more. Strange.

But letting it go is something that simply will not happen. 

http://painttouches.com/2013/06/27/strotman-blues-own-mistakes-land-him-undrafted/

In the greater scheme of things, this whole experience is actually turning out well for Vander.  He is learning how much effort it takes to realize his dream, is not backing down from the challenge or blaming others,  and  had to adapt to living a modest life just like what an ordinary non Marquette athlete would do after they graduate. He is working hard to develop his craft, has earned respect of many people and if he does not realize his NBA dream, his body of work to date has ensured that he can have a pretty nice career at the higher levels of the Euroleague and have a comfortable financial existence for many years. 

He is diligently keeping his connection to MU alive and we all want the best for him as well.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 01, 2016, 05:59:20 PM
http://painttouches.com/2013/06/27/strotman-blues-own-mistakes-land-him-undrafted/

Any chance you get.

Quote from: We R Final Four on April 01, 2016, 04:06:32 PM
The one thing that I am most certain of in this world is when someone brings up VB--Chicos will once again use it as his platform to express his sentiments on Vander's decision. We have heard it hundreds of times and will hear it hundreds more. Strange.

But letting it go is something that simply will not happen.

If a story is going to be brought up about how he is STILL chasing a dream, why wouldn't one mention the dream was there if a proper decision had been made.

There's a reason why Buzz was so pissed and stunned (his words) at the decision.   

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 02, 2016, 10:56:47 AM
If a story is going to be brought up about how he is STILL chasing a dream, why wouldn't one mention the dream was there if a proper decision had been made.

There's a reason why Buzz was so pissed and stunned (his words) at the decision.

Is that a question?
It just so happens that the ONE is you.  We are all aware that you disagree with VB's decision to leave early.....but he did. As others have said.....let it go.

There is nothing that you can say on the topic that you havent already said.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 02, 2016, 10:56:47 AM
If a story is going to be brought up about how he is STILL chasing a dream, why wouldn't one mention the dream was there if a proper decision had been made.

There's a reason why Buzz was so pissed and stunned (his words) at the decision.   

He was pissed because VB was his best returning player.  He was stunned because it was unexpected.

He wasn't pissed or stunned because it didn't meet your definition of "proper."

Quote from: We R Final Four on April 01, 2016, 06:45:33 PM
Any chance you get.

"He had a lot of people at that time that weren't supporting him on his decision to leave Marquette," Rita said. "That bothered him because he liked Marquette, he loved Marquette....

"People who hide behind a computer, to me I think that they are cowards....What they fail to realize, it's still hurtful. As his mother and to see my son go through this process — it affected our entire family."

-Rita Blue

Chicos continues to crap on a guy that started on S16/S16/E8 teams during his 3-year tenure, won us our only Big East title, and embarrassed UW during the recruiting process. Blue will remain one of my favorite players forever for all of those reasons. Chicos will remain one of our most embarrassing alumni for reasons Rita Blue stated above. Straight up coward.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 02, 2016, 10:56:47 AM
If a story is going to be brought up about how he is STILL chasing a dream, why wouldn't one mention the dream was there if a proper decision had been made.

There's a reason why Buzz was so pissed and stunned (his words) at the decision.

So, other than mock drafts (over a year out, and based on the HUGE assumption that he would have continued to improve), what evidence is there that blue would have been drafted? How accurate are mocks >1 yr out?

Quote from: Ellenson Family Reunion on April 02, 2016, 12:42:53 PM
"He had a lot of people at that time that weren't supporting him on his decision to leave Marquette," Rita said. "That bothered him because he liked Marquette, he loved Marquette....

"People who hide behind a computer, to me I think that they are cowards....What they fail to realize, it's still hurtful. As his mother and to see my son go through this process — it affected our entire family."

-Rita Blue

Chicos continues to crap on a guy that started on S16/S16/E8 teams during his 3-year tenure, won us our only Big East title, and embarrassed UW during the recruiting process. Blue will remain one of my favorite players forever for all of those reasons. Chicos will remain one of our most embarrassing alumni for reasons Rita Blue stated above. Straight up coward.

Well I'm sorry that she is upset that people on a basketball message board talking about basketball think he made a poor decision, a decision that has impacted him and his family's life. I guess we're all cowards for being on our computers and not towing the company line.  Whatever.  I get it, that's her son and a parent's instinct is to protect your child. God Bless her.

You do understand I want him to succeed?  I don't think you do, so I'll say it again.  I want him to succeed and get there.

He didn't win our only Big East title...the team did.   He was a very good player his junior year.  He was an average player his freshman year, and one that had sparks of very good his Sophomore year and downs....like many kids that are in their second year. 

I better return one of the MU alumni awards I received then, heeyna? 

Quote from: jesmu84 on April 02, 2016, 02:05:16 PM
So, other than mock drafts (over a year out, and based on the HUGE assumption that he would have continued to improve), what evidence is there that blue would have been drafted? How accurate are mocks >1 yr out?

I'm pretty close to the several guys at Draft Express.  They're paid to do this stuff.  He would have had a much better chance if he stayed.

As for Sultan's comments.....Buzz was initially pissed.  Sure, he changed his tune because that's one of his guys, but he knew like many knew it was not a sound decision.  If that hurts people here or the family, I'm sorry...it is what it is.  I'd rather someone tell the truth about it than pretend it didn't happen.

We R Final Four....you realize there are some subjects here that are brought up 1000's of times a year....even 8 years later.   

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on April 02, 2016, 03:19:12 PM


We R Final Four....you realize there are some subjects here that are brought up 1000's of times a year....even 8 years later.

Your obsession with VB's decision is very strange. 8 years on one topic is something that you can do. Same material. Same opinion. Same topic. But you will continue to push your agenda on this topic. Sad.

Quote from: We R Final Four on April 02, 2016, 03:28:59 PM
Your obsession with VB's decision is very strange. 8 years on one topic is something that you can do. Same material. Same opinion. Same topic. But you will continue to push your agenda on this topic. Sad.

If it was an obsession, I would start threads on it.  I don't....ever.  I responded to the thread, just as others did and their opinions have been well known also.  But apparently because mine is a little different, I'm the obsessed one.  LOL.

My point on the 8 years comment had to do with another popular topic here that is constantly brought up all the time....you seem to be silent on their "obsession"....which is "very strange" to use your words.  Or sad...whichever you decide.

Yeah--since VB hasn't been gone for 8 years I know exactly of whom you speak.
What I said was when it gets to the 8 years--you will certainly be obsessing about Vander's decision. Which is strange and sad.