[PaintTouches]Sources: Blue considering NBA draft

[Warriors10]

Russ Smith reminds me of Nate Robinson.

+1

Russ Smith is the better NBA prospect than Vander.  Russ will find a niche, like Robinson, because he can shoot.  Blue's shot isn't that good and his defense is above average, but not the level of JFB or Wes.  Wes and JFB developed their shot in the NBA because of their defense always kept them on a roster.  I don't think that could happen with Blue...

[onepost]

I love watching Russ Smith play. Good talent but you never know what in God's name he's gonna do next. 1 on 5 "fastbreak" at any and all times. Contested 3-pointer when the shot clock just got reset and there's 1:30 left in the National Championship. Has Nate Robinson written all over him. Great call, Lenny.

[MU82]

i guess I wasn't paying enough attention to Indiana this year... Boy did they underachieve.

Musta been coached by the same guy who could only get a Marquette team with two future pros to the NIT.

[NavinRJohnson]

I love watching Russ Smith play. Good talent but you never know what in God's name he's gonna do next. 1 on 5 "fastbreak" at any and all times. Contested 3-pointer when the shot clock just got reset and there's 1:30 left in the National Championship. Has Nate Robinson written all over him. Great call, Lenny.

He was an absolute train wreck for almost the entire game the other night. The fact they won  is a real testament to that team and Pitino.

[77ncaachamps]

Russ is fast and can shoot, but he's too small.

Occasionally, Michigan posted up someone on Russ and he got used.
Russ took ill-advised shots and made pressured (bad) passes.

Yes, he can get hot but he's too small, too short, and too tempermental to be drafted in the first round, much less second.

EDIT:

# of players chosen in the NBA draft 6'0" and under
2012 - 0
2011 - 1 (Isaiah Thomas)
2010 - 0
2009 - 3 (Jonny Flynn, Ty Lawson, Patty Mills)
2008 - 2 (DJ Augustin, Sean Singletary)
2007 - 2 (Aaron Brooks, Taurean Green)
2006 - 2 (Dee Brown (IL), Will Blalock)
2005 - 1 (Nate Robinson)

[brewcity77]

+1

Russ Smith is the better NBA prospect than Vander.  Russ will find a niche, like Robinson, because he can shoot.  Blue's shot isn't that good and his defense is above average, but not the level of JFB or Wes.  Wes and JFB developed their shot in the NBA because of their defense always kept them on a roster.  I don't think that could happen with Blue...

Okay...forget Russ and Vander. While they play the same position, they are completely different players. What about Russ and DJO? If DJO, who is bigger, stronger, a better shooter, and just as good a ball-handler (if not better) than Smith can't stick, why on God's green earth would ANYONE think Russ Smith is going to find some magical niche? There isn't a single thing Russ Smith does decidedly better than DJO. I don't think he's any better at penetrating the lane or defending. Maybe Russ is a better distributor, but it's not like anyone is going to confuse him with being a point guard any time in the next century.

If DJO isn't a NBA player, there is no way in hell Russ Smith is.

[🏀]

Okay...forget Russ and Vander. While they play the same position, they are completely different players. What about Russ and DJO? If DJO, who is bigger, stronger, a better shooter, and just as good a ball-handler (if not better) than Smith can't stick, why on God's green earth would ANYONE think Russ Smith is going to find some magical niche? There isn't a single thing Russ Smith does decidedly better than DJO. I don't think he's any better at penetrating the lane or defending. Maybe Russ is a better distributor, but it's not like anyone is going to confuse him with being a point guard any time in the next century.

If DJO isn't a NBA player, there is no way in hell Russ Smith is.

+1

[ChicosBailBonds]

If DJO isn't a NBA player, there is no way in hell Russ Smith is.

I would agree....follow-up question, is DJO better than Vander?  At this stage, DJO was better senior year than Vander is today end of junior year.  Potential, might be a different story, but I think that's part of what Vander has to figure out and weigh. Does he come out now, maybe get drafted.  Stay in next year, and likely get drafted.  Some people keep saying his stock will never be higher, but if that is the case why are so many in the draft mocking business saying he's a 1st rounder next year and a nondraftee this year...sure seems to me that they think his stock will be higher next year.

[brewcity77]

I would agree....follow-up question, is DJO better than Vander?  At this stage, DJO was better senior year than Vander is today end of junior year.  Potential, might be a different story, but I think that's part of what Vander has to figure out and weigh. Does he come out now, maybe get drafted.  Stay in next year, and likely get drafted.  Some people keep saying his stock will never be higher, but if that is the case why are so many in the draft mocking business saying he's a 1st rounder next year and a nondraftee this year...sure seems to me that they think his stock will be higher next year.

DJO was essentially the same player when he graduated than he was when he started here. You didn't see the leaps and bounds improvement we've seen out of Vander. DJO was also 2 years older than Vander when he entered the draft (if Van were to enter now). I'd say without a doubt Vander would be more attractive to a NBA GM than DJO was when he came out.

[GGGG]

Vander is faster, taller and is a better defender than DJO.  (Might have a better handle too.)  Vander's ceiling is higher IMO.

[jsglow]

Agree that Van has a higher ceiling.  Part of the calculus has to be his year over year improvement.  He had a huge jump between Sophomore and Junior years.  The hard question is to determine how big his jump will be going forward and whether that's better developed at MU or as a pro (although maybe not in the NBA right away).  Given Buzz' ability to maximize talent, I'd like to think one more year at MU enhances his chances of seeing his name called in Rd. 1 next year thereby eliminating the pressure associated with a 'cut' contract at best.

[Marqevans]

So do we have to wait until Monday to know what his decision is?

[GGGG]

No he has until April 28th.

[Lacrosse218]

No he has until April 28th.

I found the following text in an article on ESPN about Russ Smith possibly declaring:

"The NBA's early-entry deadline for the draft is April 28. Per NCAA mandate, however, players with remaining eligibility must withdraw from the draft by Tuesday (April 16) to preserve it."

Really sucks for the college players that they made this rule change.

[dwaderoy2004]

Right, but Vander can declare for the draft up to April 28.  The NCAA deadline is only relevant for a player that has already declared and decides to withdraw.