Darius Johnson-Odom Projected to go First Round

[lab_warrior]

Where would we be this year without DJO?  Circling the toilet.

More like a clogged, unflushable toilet.    

[MU82]

Jae may not get drafted, but he'll definitely play in the association some day.  At the very least, I'd envision him as a role player a la Steve Novak.  He's got the body and the long-range shot to develop into a solid 3 on most rosters, but he's not speedy enough to play 30+ mpg and it's going to be a major transition from his current role(s).  If he's not drafted, I'd look for him to spend next year in the D-league or bouncing around on a several-day contract or two, but if he is able to adapt, he shouldn't have problem finding a reserve role somewhere within a couple years.

Novak is one of the best shooters in basketball history and he gets very little playing time.

[GOMU85]

Hoping you were being facetious.

I hope it's not "hating" just to be part of a discussion about a player's pro potential.

I used to go round and round with my Illinois friends about Dee Brown. They insisted he was going to have a long, glorious NBA career. I was equally sure he would have little to no NBA career. "You're such a hater!" they'd say. "Hate" had nothing to do with it. It was all about trying to be an objective observer and using the information readily available to reach an informed conclusion.

Might DJO and/or Crowder get drafted? Sure. Lots of experts said McNeal would get drafted in the first round in his year and Butler wouldn't get drafted at all in his year. The opposite happened. All kinds of things can happen on draft day; it's just fun to speculate.

As to whether DJO and/or Crowder will be contributing NBA players, well, that's a different subject.

Crowder is not as talented as Hayward, and Lazar is going to have a difficult time putting together an NBA career. Crowder is a real long shot for all the reasons other posters have mentioned.

DJO, meanwhile, has a lot in common with McNeal -- physically, type of game, strengths, shortcomings. And McNeal isn't an NBA player.

I thought to be an NBA player, DJO really had to improve his 3-point shooting. Then, at least, NBA GMs might see him as a spread-the-court designated shooter. Unfortunately (for Marquette and DJO's longterm prospects) his 3-point pct was 100 points better his sophomore year than it is now. Put that together with his poor ballhandling and mediocre passing as well as his relative lack of size, and I'm not seeing it.

Of James, Matthews and McNeal, Matthews had by far the least productive college career. But he had the best NBA body, best size and, it turns out, best skill set for that league. That's what matters. Lots of college superstars don't make it in the NBA, and DJO is no superstar.

Glad we have both DJO and Crowder. They have been effective players for our beloved Golden Warriors.  But they aren't NBA players.

That's right. I'm such a hater.


I'm sorry, you're not a true fan. Which mean you're an undercover hater. Is that good enough?

[esotericmindguy]

Let me take off your blinders...

Has he PLAYED like a first rounder?

Zar and Butler were 1st rounders. Does he do the things they do to keep this team going?

Other than scoring, no.

What's your point, have you watched the NBA? It's a completely different game, he's ridiculously quick, strong, can finish at the rim and can shoot....there aren't many guys who can do all those things very well. He'll play in the NBA, and I bet he'll produce way more then lazar.

[GOMU85]

I'm sorry, you're not a true fan. Which mean you're an undercover hater. Is that good enough?

[GGGG]

I'm sorry, you're not a true fan. Which mean you're an undercover hater. Is that good enough?

So in order to be a "true fan" you have to have over-the-top beliefs in the abilities of your team's players?

Seriously, grow up.  I mean, you can't even quote a post correctly.

[GGGG]

What's your point, have you watched the NBA? It's a completely different game, he's ridiculously quick, strong, can finish at the rim and can shoot....there aren't many guys who can do all those things very well. He'll play in the NBA, and I bet he'll produce way more then lazar.

I don't think DJO is "ridiculously quick."  In fact, I think he's movements are way too "mechanical" to be effective in the NBA.

[4everwarriors]

Who's he gonna check at the 2?

[wadesworld]

This "explosive athlete" is averaging 7 pts/3 rebs per game.  Should've stuck to the volleyball. 

Yes.  In his 3rd year in the NBA.  That's not bad.  He averaged 10 points and 3 rebounds as a rookie and 9 points and 4 rebounds as a 2nd year player.  This year is still very young.  Not everyone's going to be Lebron or Durant and come in and produce immediately.  Let's be honest, Budinger is a "tweener" between the SG and the SF and stands 6'7", while Crowder is a "twenner" between the SF and PF and stands 6'6".  Not to mention Crowder has nowhere near a 40" vertical.  I'm just saying, including Chase Budinger in a list of unathletic tweeners to show Jae could make it to the NBA was not a good choice.  Chase is extremely athletic and is between 2 positions that Jae is not between.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df7nNs6ZPFw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edqiFn34pTs
The net is 8' high.  His chest is at about 8'.  And this was him before he even got into a college weight lifting program.  If you think he's anything less than an explosive athlete then there's really nobody out there who is an explosive athlete in your book.

[JD]

I don't think DJO is "ridiculously quick."  In fact, I think he's movements are way too "mechanical" to be effective in the NBA.

Agree.

DJO reminds me of a robot in mans body.  I'm sure he could win a dancing competition.

[CTWarrior]

Thank you. They're not even close. Crowder is more like Hayward, but I don't think that comparison favors Jae. I love Crowder...and I loved Lazar...but I don't think either one fits the NBA mold.

Agree with you here.  At the time of their graduation, I could see Wes in the NBA and I could see Butler.  Hayward really surprised me.  6-5, not NBA quick, strong but not overwhelmingly so, flat-footed jump shooter.  Just couldn't imagine his role in the NBA (still can't).

[AZWarrior]

This "explosive athlete" is averaging 7 pts/3 rebs per game.  Should've stuck to the volleyball. 

I'll bet his 7 pts/3 rebs per game is translating into greater financial success than a career in volleyball would have.   

[avid1010]

shocked to see him as a projected first rounder...i'm not sure anyone can say they deserve it more, so i'd love to see it happen, but i just don't see it in his game.  maybe his supporting cast is at a level that is allowing teams to focus on him more than i understand, and the scouts recognize that.  would be a big deal for mu to put another player in the league as well.  i've compared him to ben gordon as well.  he's not at that level right now, but i do think the way he approaches/plays the game is similar.  the fact that he's listed at 6'2" just scares me...

[77ncaachamps]

What's your point, have you watched the NBA? It's a completely different game, he's ridiculously quick, strong, can finish at the rim and can shoot....there aren't many guys who can do all those things very well. He'll play in the NBA, and I bet he'll produce way more then lazar.

Have YOU seen the NBA?

His dribble is so high and loose that even low-tier NCAA teams can pick his pocket.
He drives to the hole when it's loaded with posts.
He drives to the paint...only to pick up his dribble!!!
His shot fake...doesn't fake anyone that much anymore.
And he's been blocked on fast break opportunities more than any Eagle I can recall in recent memory. (So much for explosiveness.)
He doesn't mix it up with the bigs (even for an "explosive" guy) and loves the perimeter so much, his momma gets jealous.
Unlike Lazar, he hasn't showed ANYTHING of a post-up game on a smaller defender.

He can shoot, but that's pretty much it.

[muwarrior69]

So they don't make the NBA. They'll probably wind up playing for a team in Europe making more money than you or I coming right out of college.

[bamamarquettefan]

No Jae Crowder in the first or second round according to that mock draft. Where do you see him going?

While I do believe Jae is the greater college player - really nice when you have both DJO and him to decide which is EVEN greater - i would understand the hesitancy on the old "tweener" question.  If he is really 6-foot-5 on the official NBA measurement, then I believe him making the NBA would mean that the only two forwards in the league were him and Lazar.  He is such a great athlete and so versatile I think he can make it - but i can understand a scout saying he is not quite quick enough to be an NBA guard in the league and not quite big enough to be a forward.

As for DJO, last year I rally didn't know if his defense would ever be good enough to make it, but I really think he is vastly improved there, so hope it is enough.  Again, his true height seems the biggest issue, if the NBA measures him closer to 6-foot than 6-foot-2, but you hope the athleticism, touch and improved defense make up for it.

[GGGG]

While I do believe Jae is the greater college player - really nice when you have both DJO and him to decide which is EVEN greater - i would understand the hesitancy on the old "tweener" question.  If he is really 6-foot-5 on the official NBA measurement, then I believe him making the NBA would mean that the only two forwards in the league were him and Lazar.  He is such a great athlete and so versatile I think he can make it - but i can understand a scout saying he is not quite quick enough to be an NBA guard in the league and not quite big enough to be a forward.

See, Jae isn't someone that I would call "athletic," at least in the Division 1 basketball sense of the word.  I mean, he's not particularly quick and there isn't much in the way of elevation to his game.  He's smart...tough...and relentless.

[bilsu]

In the Marquette madness scrimage Butler, Matthews and Hayward were noticeably quicker and more explosive jumpers than Jae. We should give Jae credit for doing so much with less athletic skill. He is a true warrior, but I be surprised if he plays in the NBA outside of a 10 day contract.

[slingkong]

I never known a bunch of "Fans" who can be so critical of their own players. I'm sick of reading negative crap on here. DJO is a first round caliber player whether you guys like it or not.

Then stop reading?

[damuts222]

 Because of the threat of the NBA lockout last season I can think of at least 10 players that opted to stay in school rather than to enter last years draft. Therefore, I do not think DJO will be selected in the first round because of the amount of talent in NCAA basketball this year that will enter the 2012 draft.

[Clam Crowder]

Jae is not that athletic, and is not that fast. He is not an NBA player IMO. He is a great college player, but if Zar can't be very succesful in the NBA with superior athletic ability to Jae's I don't think Jae will have any success

[brewcity77]

Because of the threat of the NBA lockout last season I can think of at least 10 players that opted to stay in school rather than to enter last years draft. Therefore, I do not think DJO will be selected in the first round because of the amount of talent in NCAA basketball this year that will enter the 2012 draft.

This is a really bad year to come out. This draft is probably the best looking NBA draft since 2003, when Wade, LeBron, Bosh, and Carmelo hit the league. At least 6-8 guys in this draft would have been picked ahead of Kyrie Irving had they declared last year.

[RJax55]

This is a really bad year to come out. This draft is probably the best looking NBA draft since 2003, when Wade, LeBron, Bosh, and Carmelo hit the league. At least 6-8 guys in this draft would have been picked ahead of Kyrie Irving had they declared last year.

This 2012 draft is overrated. There's more overall depth than a typical draft, but I don't know if the top-level guys are superstar material. In 2003, you knew before the draft that both Anthony and James were going to be mega-stars.

I wonder if this draft will be as good as 2008 (Rose, Westbrook, Love, E. Gordon).

[wadesworld]

At least 6-8 guys in this draft would have been picked ahead of Kyrie Irving had they declared last year.

6-8?  Like who?

[dwaderoy2004]

anthony davis, andre drummond, jared sullinger, perry jones III and harrison barnes for sure.  I think Irving would have been picked ahead of everyone else.