[PaintTouches]Sources: Blue considering NBA draft

[GGGG]

Add Ricky Ledo to the list of kids going into the draft.  Never played for Providence.  He'll likely go ahead of Vander too.

[Eldon]

I've long had the thought that if the guy is good enough to make the NBA, he'll eventually make it there, whether it's through the draft or not.  If he's not good enough to play at the NBA level, then he won't, at least, not long anyways.

I remember Ray Jackson from Michigan saying that he regrets not coming out when Rose and Howard did.  I always thought 'well if you were a true NBA talent, you would have been there [NBA] regardless of when you left Michigan'. 

Jackson's comments always sounded to me as sort of implying that the NBA has some sort of inefficiency to it--the league never finds the diamonds in the rough, I need to come out of the draft NOW because it's NOW or NEVER.  I find it really difficult to agree with those thoughts and similar comments.

[JakeBarnes]

Add Ricky Ledo to the list of kids going into the draft.  Never played for Providence.  He'll likely go ahead of Vander too.

Yeah. I just dont see it for vander this year.  I think he has HUGE talent, I just don't see him getting drafted in front of guys like Curry or Oriahki, two guys I see as the last picks in the 2nd round in mock drafts. 2014 will be his year.

[Aughnanure]

If that's the list and they draft 6 SGs in the first round, Vander should absolutely go. The only 3 guys on that list I'd put clearly ahead of Vander are McLemore, Oladipo, and Goodwin. McCollum is a great shooter but probably shorter than Vander and didn't play against high-level competition. Vander is younger than all the first-round projected players except McLemore, Goodwin, and Young. And Young's career already looks to be trending down; he should have declared after last year.

What sets Vander aside is that his potential is proven. His game has been getting markedly better every year and he's still only 20 years old.

But as tower said, we won't really have any meaningful input. I want Vander back, but I wouldn't at all begrudge him leaving and think he might be able to capitalize as I definitely feel he's a top-5 SG of the guys that will be available (my opinion). Hopefully he and Buzz can get a good assessment between now and the end of the month and make the best basketball decision for Van.

Wow. Can't agree at all. Vander is not one of the top 5 sgs available. Plus, Russ Smith is now coming out.

But he COULD be next year. I think he would be throwing away a chance at being a top 25 pick for being a middle-second at best (and remember, NBA teams love to just overdraft the intl players in the 2nd round). He made a huge jump in ability this past year and could be the star of a top 10 team all year - getting more attention, winning the new Big East and potentially having one of the best postseason resumes of any guard available in 2014.

[jesmu84]

Wow. Can't agree at all. Vander is not one of the top 5 sgs available. Plus, Russ Smith is now coming out.

But he COULD be next year. I think he would be throwing away a chance at being a top 25 pick for being a middle-second at best (and remember, NBA teams love to just overdraft the intl players in the 2nd round). He made a huge jump in ability this past year and could be the star of a top 10 team all year - getting more attention, winning the new Big East and potentially having one of the best postseason resumes of any guard available in 2014.

But isn't that what he/his family have to weigh? Right now he is middle-second at best. You're assuming he has another jump in ability to make. You're assuming he would be the star next year. What if he's maxed out and next year he plays worse? Wouldn't it be better to take what you can get now and hope NBA teams think you have that next step and draft on potential?

...just playing devil's advocate here. Selfishly, I want Blue back badly.

[El Duderino]

An undersized SG with a shaky jumper has low odds of being a first round pick. I wouldn't take Vander in the first round if i was an NBA GM unless he went back to Marquette and became a more consistent jump shooter.

[Silkk the Shaka]

An undersized SG with a shaky jumper has low odds of being a first round pick. I wouldn't take Vander in the first round if i was an NBA GM unless he went back to Marquette and became a more consistent jump shooter.

Define jump shooter - he' one of the best midrange jump shooters in D1... is that not valued?  Let's hope it's overlooked, as I think he'll extend that out to 3 point range next year and be an absolute beast for us if he stays.

[brewcity77]

Wow. Can't agree at all. Vander is not one of the top 5 sgs available. Plus, Russ Smith is now coming out.

Russ Smith probably isn't even 6-feet tall and he's definitely a shooting guard. I doubt he goes ahead of Vander. Ledo I can see ahead of Van. Caldwell-Pope too, if he declares.

A lot of my ranking of Vander has to do with proven potential. McCollum hasn't really improved in the past 3 years and is smaller than Blue. Young is going backward. Crabbe, Franklin, Snaer, I'd take Van ahead of all those guys too.

Personally, I think potential means more in a player that has shown improvement. All these guys are 19-22 years old, but which ones have already demonstrated they have the drive, willingness, and capacity to improve their game. Has anyone demonstrated that better than Vander during their college career? Oladipo has, KCP has, McLemore, Ledo, and Goodwin seem like huge upside players, but there's no one else who has done more to prove that their potential is real (and not just pie in the sky) than Blue.

[nyg]

Russ Smith probably isn't even 6-feet tall and he's definitely a shooting guard. I doubt he goes ahead of Vander. Ledo I can see ahead of Van. Caldwell-Pope too, if he declares.

A lot of my ranking of Vander has to do with proven potential. McCollum hasn't really improved in the past 3 years and is smaller than Blue. Young is going backward. Crabbe, Franklin, Snaer, I'd take Van ahead of all those guys too.

Personally, I think potential means more in a player that has shown improvement. All these guys are 19-22 years old, but which ones have already demonstrated they have the drive, willingness, and capacity to improve their game. Has anyone demonstrated that better than Vander during their college career? Oladipo has, KCP has, McLemore, Ledo, and Goodwin seem like huge upside players, but there's no one else who has done more to prove that their potential is real (and not just pie in the sky) than Blue.

And Russ Smith declared today.

[willie warrior]

And Russ Smith declared today.

Good for Russ Smith. Vander shouls stay one more year. Russ Smith leaving Loserville and Vander staying leaves Looeyville weaker and Mu stronger, even if they are not in same conference anymore. Doubt if Smith is a first round pick. He had a better year than Vander, is a better shooter and may even be a better defender.

[El Duderino]

Define jump shooter - he' one of the best midrange jump shooters in D1... is that not valued?

Two thoughts

1. That's still a pretty small sample over this season for Vander on mid-range to long two's and he'll have a tougher time getting those shots off on longer defenders in the pros.

2. Three point shooting is generally valued higher than taking mid-range to long two's for good reason, points per possession. Unless a guy in the NBA is an elite jump shooter inside the three point line, long two's are statistically the worst shots to take and many NBA coaches try designing their defenses in an effort to bait the other team into taking as many long two's as possible.

Keep in mind that making just 33% of three pointers is like shooting 50% on two pointers.

[Aughnanure]

But isn't that what he/his family have to weigh? Right now he is middle-second at best. You're assuming he has another jump in ability to make. You're assuming he would be the star next year. What if he's maxed out and next year he plays worse? Wouldn't it be better to take what you can get now and hope NBA teams think you have that next step and draft on potential?

...just playing devil's advocate here. Selfishly, I want Blue back badly.

Then I don't think he thinks he is ready for the NBA then. Plays worse? Give the guy more credit than that. Also, 2nd round money is not guaranteed! So no you don't take no money when you can get no money next year.

[Aughnanure]

Russ Smith probably isn't even 6-feet tall and he's definitely a shooting guard. I doubt he goes ahead of Vander. Ledo I can see ahead of Van. Caldwell-Pope too, if he declares.

A lot of my ranking of Vander has to do with proven potential. McCollum hasn't really improved in the past 3 years and is smaller than Blue. Young is going backward. Crabbe, Franklin, Snaer, I'd take Van ahead of all those guys too.

Personally, I think potential means more in a player that has shown improvement. All these guys are 19-22 years old, but which ones have already demonstrated they have the drive, willingness, and capacity to improve their game. Has anyone demonstrated that better than Vander during their college career? Oladipo has, KCP has, McLemore, Ledo, and Goodwin seem like huge upside players, but there's no one else who has done more to prove that their potential is real (and not just pie in the sky) than Blue.

Russ would get drafted ahead of him. He can shoot better, has a much better handle, and can penetrate better. I think you have some really blue and gold glasses on when evaluating Vander and puitting him ahead of Hardaway and others. He's so much closer to that potential than he was last year, but he still has plenty to go (can we remember how frustrating his growth was from freshman to sophomore?).

If he is "guaranteed"  a 1st round pick? Sure, go. But there is no way he is getting that guarantee with the new way of evaluations and how quick he has to decide.

[nyg]

Kansas's McLemore just declared.  Like a floodgate opening up today.

[silverback]

Could he really be a first round pick? I know the draft is weak, but he's just not ready. He doesn't shoot well enough to be an NBA 2. He doesn't pass well enough to be a 1 (where his size would probably put him). I'm not ripping him as an NBA prospect. He needs a year to work on those skills.

Then again, if he really is a first round lock because of a weaker draft, make hay while the sun shines.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

Kansas's McLemore just declared.  Like a floodgate opening up today.

Not a surprise, guaranteed top 5 pick.

[🏀]

Not a surprise, guaranteed top 5 pick.

I'll even say a guaranteed top 3 pick.

[🏀]

Russ Smith declared, guess its better for him to strike while the iron is hot, but he is NBA bad.

Vander could have a longer NBA paycheck that Russ Smith.

[El Duderino]

Russ Smith declared, guess its better for him to strike while the iron is hot, but he is NBA bad.

Vander could have a longer NBA paycheck that Russ Smith.

Yea, Smith is a 6' 170 pound shooting guard.

That said, he might be able to carve out an NBA career off the bench, but being with the right team would help. He's a really good defender, but in the NBA would need to defend point guards, while not being a point guard himself offensively.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'll even say a guaranteed top 3 pick.

But were will McGary slot in then?

[🏀]

But were will McGary slot in then?

I'm not sure, but I feel bad for those NBA teams in the lottery this year looking to not return.

Still think McGary could be a top 15 pick, but he should stay one more year to ensure lottery money.

[Niv Berkowitz]

I've long had the thought that if the guy is good enough to make the NBA, he'll eventually make it there, whether it's through the draft or not.  If he's not good enough to play at the NBA level, then he won't, at least, not long anyways.

I remember Ray Jackson from Michigan saying that he regrets not coming out when Rose and Howard did.  I always thought 'well if you were a true NBA talent, you would have been there [NBA] regardless of when you left Michigan'. 

Jackson's comments always sounded to me as sort of implying that the NBA has some sort of inefficiency to it--the league never finds the diamonds in the rough, I need to come out of the draft NOW because it's NOW or NEVER.  I find it really difficult to agree with those thoughts and similar comments.

Politely disagree. Yes, it's about talent. But it's also about timing and fit and opportunity. Say Jackson - to use the same argument, a guy I loved - came out when Rose/Howard did. Was he more of a well-known entity at that time? You could make the argument yes. If that's the case, and if he would have worked out for the right team...the one who had a hole that fit his skill set, who's to say?

I think it's obvious that had there not been any injuries on Utah in Wes' rookie year, he would not be the semi-star he is today. He probably wouldn't have received that much of an opportunity to showcase his talents, and he therefore would never have received his guaranteed contract. So yes, it's about talent, but timingl/luck play just as important of a role.

[🏀]

Yea, Smith is a 6' 170 pound shooting guard.

That said, he might be able to carve out an NBA career off the bench, but being with the right team would help. He's a really good defender, but in the NBA would need to defend point guards, while not being a point guard himself offensively.

Russ Smith has to be one of the dumbest players we faced all season, and the NBA knows that.

Great college player, not so much at the next level.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

I'm not sure, but I feel bad for those NBA teams in the lottery this year looking to not return.

Still think McGary could be a top 15 pick, but he should stay one more year to ensure lottery money.

Chad Ford has him at #12 in his first mock. Could still fall out, but right now he's considered in the lottery.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

ESPN's Ford also has Michigan State freshman Gary Harris at #10 in his mock, possibly another SG to add to the list. Hasn't announced his intentions yet though and it's likely he returns..