McNeal has a really good shot with the Kings

[ChicosBailBonds]

Best of luck to him

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-03-mcneal-jul03,0,7765543.story

[Markusquette]

I feel for Jerel.  He really did work hard and deserved to hear his named called.  Best of luck to McNeal in Sacramento and I hope he can do well in summer leagues to prove his worth and join the Kings.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

As much as the cynic in me says that Jerel is just too short to play in the NBA (I'm 6'3 and stand taller than him at the crosswalks around campus), I really think he can make it work for at least a couple of years. He's an outstanding defender and Marquette has endowed him with a great work ethic. The best of luck.

[ATWizJr]

Marquette endowed him with a great work ethic?

[Tugg Speedman]

The Trib reporter that wrote this article is Dan McGrath.

He happens to be an MU grad and on the Diederich College of Communication Dean's Advisory Board.

http://diederich.marquette.edu/COC/Dan-McGrath.aspx

Does this fact change your opinion of this story?

[ATWizJr]

Where does Jerel say in the article that MU endowed him with a great work ethic?

While it may be a correct opinion, it is an unsubstantiated one and neglects any input his family may have had in helping form Jerel's work ethic. 

So, no. 

[Skatastrophy]

Where does Jerel say in the article that MU endowed him with a great work ethic?

While it may be a correct opinion, it is an unsubstantiated one and neglects any input his family may have had in helping form Jerel's work ethic. 

So, no. 

"Marquette endowed Jerel with the opportunity to showcase his work ethic and teamwork on a national stage."  That would be a little more accurate

[ATWizJr]

"Marquette endowed Jerel with the opportunity to showcase his work ethic and teamwork on a national stage."  That would be a little more accurate

my point exactly.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Where does Jerel say in the article that MU endowed him with a great work ethic?

While it may be a correct opinion, it is an unsubstantiated one and neglects any input his family may have had in helping form Jerel's work ethic.  

So, no.  

You are right, it is a totally unsubstantiated opinion, but I really didn't think it was necessary to have an in-depth psychological evaluation before I made a post on this board. It was pretty clear that I was offering an opinion on his NBA future.

Additionally I think its a perfectly legitimate thing to say. I played sports with alot of players growing up and through high school, all of whom changed over the course of a season or a couple of years. I know at each ascending level the margin of error becomes smaller and smaller, requiring more preparation and better execution. I'm not saying Jerel didn't have a strong work ethic before he came to MU, but from my observation as a fan its obvious he improved a great deal in his time here and I thus make the conclusion that the basketball program had something to do in fostering that growth.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Is it possible for a coach like Crean or Buzz to help instill and teach better work ethic/habits?  I think so.  My guess is that MU helped him with his work ethic.

[KCmastapeace]

I will be paying extra close attention to the Kings summer team because Brian Roberts who I attended high school with will also be playing for them.  Unfortunately they are similar type players and will be essentially battling each other for a roster spot!  Best of luck to both of them as they both deserve a shot.

[mu_hilltopper]

Sure, he might have had a "work ethic" before he got to MU.  But there is ZERO doubt that playing in the BE has been the most difficult thing any of those kids have ever done in their short lives.   

They have to work, what, 100x harder than they did in High School to succeed? 

No doubt, Jerel and company may have had work ethics .. but they grew substantially in 4 years, due to the enormous challenges that were in front of them.

[ATWizJr]

Sure, he might have had a "work ethic" before he got to MU.  But there is ZERO doubt that playing in the BE has been the most difficult thing any of those kids have ever done in their short lives.   

They have to work, what, 100x harder than they did in High School to succeed? 

No doubt, Jerel and company may have had work ethics .. but they grew substantially in 4 years, due to the enormous challenges that were in front of them.

Wouldn't that have been true for any kid who played for 4 years in the BE or any of the major conferences, not only at MU?  Kinda' like saying a museum made Monet a great painter when all it really did was give him an opportunity to display what he could do.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Wouldn't that have been true for any kid who played for 4 years in the BE or any of the major conferences, not only at MU?  Kinda' like saying a museum made Monet a great painter when all it really did was give him an opportunity to display what he could do.

Not sure I'd agree with that.  Some kids don't get the message and fail to put in the work.  Amo comes to mind.  A few others that transferred out as well.

[Skatastrophy]

Not sure I'd agree with that.  Some kids don't get the message and fail to put in the work.  Amo comes to mind.  A few others that transferred out as well.

Right.  Which supports the fact that it's not the university instilling work ethic.

This is really a "chicken or the egg?" argument.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Right.  Which supports the fact that it's not the university instilling work ethic.

This is really a "chicken or the egg?" argument.

But don't you agree that some kids who also didn't want to put in the work got "religion" from their coaches and finally saw the light? 

[Skatastrophy]

But don't you agree that some kids who also didn't want to put in the work got "religion" from their coaches and finally saw the light? 

I definitely see the point you're making, but I really think that work ethic and motivation has to come from within.

I think that a coach/trainer could be very good at getting an extra 5% out of all of their players (which isn't insignificant).  But the kind of no-quit attitude that turns a player into an elite college specimen that gets a chance to play in the NBA?  I don't think that could be instilled in a young man by a coach/mentor or his peer group.

[StillAWarrior]

Is it possible for a coach like Crean or Buzz to help instill and teach better work ethic/habits?  I think so.  My guess is that MU helped him with his work ethic.

I think this might be one of the sillier issues that has been debated during this slow season, but I'd submit that the highlighted word helps makes the point some here are advancing:  we really don't know whether MU is responsible for Jerel's work ethic, whether he brought it with him or whether it is a combination of the two.

Like is often the case, I suspect the middle ground is a pretty safe bet.

[ATWizJr]

the original question is whether Marquette "endowed him" with a great work ethic. 

Since there are no quotes in the article from Jerel on this subject, no inference can be made that Marquette "endowed him with a great work ethic."

As AWeg stated, this is his unsubstantiated opinion.

And, yes, it is the slow season.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I definitely see the point you're making, but I really think that work ethic and motivation has to come from within.

I think that a coach/trainer could be very good at getting an extra 5% out of all of their players (which isn't insignificant).  But the kind of no-quit attitude that turns a player into an elite college specimen that gets a chance to play in the NBA?  I don't think that could be instilled in a young man by a coach/mentor or his peer group.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree.  I've seen people in all walks of life go from completely lazy to bonafide rockstars after the right people got a hold of them.  The military is a great place to find a ton of people that got religion.  

I suppose you could say it was always there, it just had to be brought out of them, but that's what I'm ultimately getting at....sometimes it takes that special someone to push someone to their potential.  Incidentally, I'm not saying that about McNeal, who seems to be a guy that was always a self starter.  I'm referencing the other folks that really are lost and need to be guided, pushed, pulled, etc.

[MUONTOP]

the original question is whether Marquette "endowed him" with a great work ethic. 

Since there are no quotes in the article from Jerel on this subject, no inference can be made that Marquette "endowed him with a great work ethic."

As AWeg stated, this is his unsubstantiated opinion.

And, yes, it is the slow season.

HAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA.....thank you ATWizJr....you just made my night...start an argument about "unsubstantiated opinions" on a public message board...isn't that kind of the point and perhaps the definition of irony? 

Very clever and hilarious

[oshkoshbgosh]

Here's one MU fan who wishes McNeal had used a little of that reknowned work ethic to cut down on his turnovers.

[Avenue Commons]

Word on the street is that with Ben Gordon gone and Kirk Hinrich on the trading block, that the Bulls are interested in Jerel. I think with 8 European projects drafted but unlikely to land on rosters, that Jerel has a legitimate chance to land on an NBA roster this year.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Word on the street is that with Ben Gordon gone and Kirk Hinrich on the trading block, that the Bulls are interested in Jerel. I think with 8 European projects drafted but unlikely to land on rosters, that Jerel has a legitimate chance to land on an NBA roster this year.

What street? You guys keep talking about McNeal as if he's in great demand. There is no market for him, especially on the Bulls

I appreciate Jerel's contributions to Marquette, but if he makes a roster this year it'll be a surprise. He certainly won't be getting significant minutes and would likely bounce back and forth between the NBA and the Developmental League. To put him on the Bulls as a replacement for Gordon or Hinrich is laughable and delusional.

[TomW1365]

You never know where McNeal may end up.  I happen to believe that he will be picked up after this summer's development league for his defensive ability.  As far as the Bulls picking him up?  I think that would be highly unlikely although they will be looking to have more of a defensive pressence on the wing.  The most obvious place would be the Sacramento Kings, since he's playing for them this summer.  If not there, I could see him filling a somewhat Jannero Pargo like role in the NBA... popping up here and there for 6 years or so.  I wish him well!