DJO to the NBA

[AZWarrior]

I've been missing the "will DJO declare early" threads from last year.  I hope his recent performance means we can start them up again.   

[Skatastrophy]

Even though you're being sarcastic, you're the one that thought enough of his performance tonight to bring it up.  He's a junior.  There's no reason he shouldn't go through workouts and everything over the offseason all the way up to and not including hiring an agent.  It will be interesting to follow what NBA teams think about his talent once they've put him through some workouts.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Even though you're being sarcastic, you're the one that thought enough of his performance tonight to bring it up.  He's a junior.  There's no reason he shouldn't go through workouts and everything over the offseason all the way up to and not including hiring an agent.  It will be interesting to follow what NBA teams think about his talent once they've put him through some workouts.

Were people saying he'd leave early? I don't remember that. I guarantee he'll get a look, though. He's a MUCH better prospect than James or McNeal were.

[Golden Avalanche]

Were people saying he'd leave early? I don't remember that. I guarantee he'll get a look, though. He's a MUCH better prospect than James or McNeal were.

You must not have read this board once during the months of July, August, and September.

[willie warrior]

DJO still has areas he must work to get ready for the next level. His defense and ball handling have to improve. If he works on those and improves, there is no reason he cannot be a 2nd round pick next year. We need to keep him here through his last season, so he can help us kick some BEast butt. He is a stud!

[AZWarrior]

Even though you're being sarcastic, you're the one that thought enough of his performance tonight to bring it up.  He's a junior.  There's no reason he shouldn't go through workouts and everything over the offseason all the way up to and not including hiring an agent.  It will be interesting to follow what NBA teams think about his talent once they've put him through some workouts.

Agreed.  And all sarcasm aside, I want DJO to continue to play at a level that results in "will DJO declare early?" threads.  I think he's a legit pro prospect, though hopefully not til post senior year. 

The more NBA players that come out of MU, the better I like it!

[esotericmindguy]

He'll be in the NBA.

[StillAWarrior]

DJO still has areas he must work to get ready for the next level. His defense and ball handling have to improve. If he works on those and improves, there is no reason he cannot be a 2nd round pick next year. We need to keep him here through his last season, so he can help us kick some BEast butt. He is a stud!

As I mentioned during the game-time thread last night, I really liked the play when DJO passed the ball back to Butler on a breakaway.  It was a good decision and an improvement for him.  We've all seen him refuse to give up the rock on breakaways and either miss shots or get an offensive foul.  That pass last night was a "little thing" but it was a really good sign.

[g0lden3agle]

As I mentioned during the game-time thread last night, I really liked the play when DJO passed the ball back to Butler on a breakaway.  It was a good decision and an improvement for him.  We've all seen him refuse to give up the rock on breakaways and either miss shots or get an offensive foul.  That pass last night was a "little thing" but it was a really good sign.

Also in the "little thing" category was a play pretty late in the game where DJO could have tried to drive all the way to the hole, but instead pulled up for a jumper free throw line extended and sunk it.  The announcer said Buzz winked and DJO and pointed to his head indicating "smart play".  It seems sometimes DJO is too dead set on getting to the hole that he ends up in bad situations.  The pull up jumper is definitely something that will need to occur more if he wants to jump to the next level.

[StillAWarrior]

Also in the "little thing" category was a play pretty late in the game where DJO could have tried to drive all the way to the hole, but instead pulled up for a jumper free throw line extended and sunk it.  The announcer said Buzz winked and DJO and pointed to his head indicating "smart play".  It seems sometimes DJO is too dead set on getting to the hole that he ends up in bad situations.  The pull up jumper is definitely something that will need to occur more if he wants to jump to the next level.

I think early in the season when he wasn't scoring, he was trying to hard to put up points (see charge in the Duke game).  Now that he's playing well, he's more inclined to take what comes naturally, and to not push too hard.

[warriors1991]

He has the talent potential to play at the next level but he's short height-wise by NBA standards and he's not a PG. I'm afraid for him that will hurt him. I'm happy for us that it means a good probability he'll be here next year. IMHO.

[APieperFan3]

As I mentioned during the game-time thread last night, I really liked the play when DJO passed the ball back to Butler on a breakaway.  It was a good decision and an improvement for him.  We've all seen him refuse to give up the rock on breakaways and either miss shots or get an offensive foul.  That pass last night was a "little thing" but it was a really good sign.

+1.

I was thinking the same thing after they showed the replay.

Definately the right play.

[MU B2002]

ANyone else freak out a little bit when the announcer said, "Darius Odom is injured."

[willie warrior]

ANyone else freak out a little bit when the announcer said, "Darius Odom is injured."

I did. Hope he gets that "injury" more often--I think he drained at least two more threes after that elbow knock. (Just kidding)

[wojosdojo]

ANyone else freak out a little bit when the announcer said, "Darius Odom is injured."

I was too for a second. It was nice to see him check out the guy he hit in the face.

[lab_warrior]

There's no reason he shouldn't go through workouts and everything over the offseason all the way up to and not including hiring an agent.  It will be interesting to follow what NBA teams think about his talent once they've put him through some workouts.

+1  Absolutely.  It's win-win for DJO to do this in the offseason, the scouts will reiterate what he needs to work on, and he gets to go through the draft/workout process.  After last night, there's no doubt the kid is a GIFTED shooter.

[GGGG]

He has the talent potential to play at the next level but he's short height-wise by NBA standards and he's not a PG. I'm afraid for him that will hurt him. I'm happy for us that it means a good probability he'll be here next year. IMHO.

This is going to be an issue.  At 6'2", he is going to be in the role of a Daniel Gibson type spot up shooter...he's not big or quick enough to put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket.  He doesn't have the ball skills to play point.

Gibson was a second round pick.  That is probably the best DJO can hope for at this point, which means he should come back to MU without the guaranteed money.

I do think he should go through the workouts though.