[MJS Blog] Initial thoughts on Vander Blue's departure

[MJS_Says]

Initial thoughts on Vander Blue's departure
               



The news that Vander Blue will enter the NBA draft is surprising. Personally, I thought Vander Blue needed another year to make himself a better NBA prospect. So did at least one NBA source I spoke to.

               

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/203200151.html
               

[Groin_pull]

Of course he's not ready. Blue is getting horrible advice, but it's his life—and he now needs to deal with the consequences.

There was a time players didn't leave early unless they were guaranteed to be a top five pick...then it was a lottery pick...then it was a first round pick. Now, it's if there's a slight chance you might get picked at the end of the second round. Wow.

Good luck, Vander. You'll need it.

[Markusquette]

Of course he's not ready. Blue is getting horrible advice, but it's his life—and he now needs to deal with the consequences.

There was a time players didn't leave early unless they were guaranteed to be a top five pick...then it was a lottery pick...then it was a first round pick. Now, it's if there's a slight chance you might get picked at the end of the second round. Wow.

Good luck, Vander. You'll need it.

Why so bitter?  You just sound like a butthurt fan. 

[Groin_pull]

Why so bitter?  You just sound like a butthurt fan. 

Bitter???? Don't be silly. I have much more important things to worry about in my life. Sorry, but a 19-year old declaring for the NBA draft doesn't make the list.

I'm expressing my honest opinion. Last time I checked, that was the purpose of this board.

[Galway Eagle]

I think he's older than 19... just saying.

[KipsBayEagle]

Why so bitter?  You just sound like a butthurt fan. 

I think the overarching concern is that vander blue won't get drafted.  I don't think anyone on the board is bitter, if he was a clear first rounder, or even 2nd rounder, most on this board would say great.  But he isn't even a clear 2nd rounder, and if you don't get drafted within the top 10 picks of the 2nd round, history has shown that an nba career is nearly impossible.

[Groin_pull]

I think the overarching concern is that vander blue won't get drafted.  I don't think anyone on the board is bitter, if he was a clear first rounder, or even 2nd rounder, most on this board would say great.  But he isn't even a clear 2nd rounder, and if you don't get drafted within the top 10 picks of the 2nd round, history has shown that an nba career is nearly impossible.

+100000

[reinko]

I think he's older than 19... just saying.

He is 20

[Warriors 79]

+100000000   Yup. His hiring an agent is pure arrogance.  Test the waters?  Sure.

He is not ready.

Have fun in Turkey.  Maybe

# what did JB, WM, JC and DJO do?   # rude awakening upcoming

[dgies9156]

You have got to be kidding?

Look, I think Vander has shown he has matured as a college player considerably from two years ago. But playing at Marquette in the Big East is very different than playing for an NBA team. He's a young man about to enter the world of basketball beasts.

In short, if he goes through with this, I question whether he can make an NBA team -- even the Timberwolves or the Bobcats. He needs another year of tutulage under Buzz and a lot of work on his shooting.

If this is really it for Vander, we all wish him well, hope we're wrong and he develops into the next DWade! Scoop needs to update its banner to thank Vander too!

[reinko]

+100000000   Yup. His hiring an agent is pure arrogance.  Test the waters?  Sure.

He is not ready.

Have fun in Turkey.  Maybe

# what did JB, WM, JC and DJO do?   # rude awakening upcoming

You are the worst kind of fan. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Updated article

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/marquettes-vander-blue-taking-his-shot-at-the-nba-eq9ivqr-203228131.html

[reinko]

Updated article

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/marquettes-vander-blue-taking-his-shot-at-the-nba-eq9ivqr-203228131.html

As always, Hunt never fails.

Williams' best hope is that rising sophomore Todd Mayo, who was academically ineligible for the first semester last season, steps up his game. Mayo, the heir to Blue's shooting guard position, and point guard Derrick Anderson are Marquette's only experienced returning backcourt players. Together, they averaged about 6.5 points last season.

[Bocephys]

As always, Hunt never fails.

Williams' best hope is that rising sophomore Todd Mayo, who was academically ineligible for the first semester last season, steps up his game. Mayo, the heir to Blue's shooting guard position, and point guard Derrick Anderson are Marquette's only experienced returning backcourt players. Together, they averaged about 6.5 points last season.

Hopefully that Derrick Anderson cat has an outside shot.

[brewcity77]

You are the worst kind of fan.

A lot of those coming out in the past 12 hours, though many in lesser degrees.

As far as Derrick Anderson, his wiki page says he's one of the top 2% of players in the world at playing Starcraft

[NavinRJohnson]

Yup. His hiring an agent is pure arrogance.  Test the waters?  Sure.

Test the waters? There is no more testing the waters. After 4/16, your either in or your out. Given that, why would he not hire an agent to help him? Have a thought.

[AirPunches]

You are the worst kind of fan. 

If Van ends up in Germany then that would really be the wurst!

[Stretchdeltsig]

Derrick Anderson????

[TheButlerDidIt]

If Van ends up in Germany then that would really be the wurst!

Awesome. Well done.

[CTWarrior]

As always, Hunt never fails.

Williams' best hope is that rising sophomore Todd Mayo, who was academically ineligible for the first semester last season, steps up his game. Mayo, the heir to Blue's shooting guard position, and point guard Derrick Anderson are Marquette's only experienced returning backcourt players. Together, they averaged about 6.5 points last season.

Not to mention that Todd Mayo is a current sophomore and a rising junior, not a rising sophomore.

[MUCam]

+100000000   Yup. His hiring an agent is pure arrogance.  Test the waters?  Sure.

He is not ready.

Have fun in Turkey.  Maybe

# what did JB, WM, JC and DJO do?   # rude awakening upcoming

Wow. If I didn't know better, I might almost think you are wishing him the worst; I might believe you are hoping he fails miserably to make your point.

But, that can't be true, can it? You wouldn't wish ill on someone from the Marquette community just because they opted, for better or worse, to pursue their dreams in a manner that doesn't fit your shoe horn? Or would you?

Oh, one last thing: You don't need to respond with the typical "I hope he proves me wrong," tag-line. I get it. Everyone needs a way out.

[CTWarrior]

I think in general it's a bad move to go early if you don't go in the first round.  While I understand that the NBA drafts on potential, it is less likely to do so for a 6-3 guy, especially one who has played three years of college ball.

After last season, I thought Vander to the NBA after this season was a pipe dream.  Now, it is a bit of a stretch, but not impossible.  I'm not sure how he is going to significantly improve his stock during workouts, though.  It's not like he going to start drilling 20 foot jumpers left and right.  I guess it boils down to whether or not his handle is what it needs to be to make one GM (and that is all he has to convince) think he has the potential to play the point.

[Groin_pull]

Wow. If I didn't know better, I might almost think you are wishing him the worst; I might believe you are hoping he fails miserably to make your point.

But, that can't be true, can it? You wouldn't wish ill on someone from the Marquette community just because they opted, for better or worse, to pursue their dreams in a manner that doesn't fit your shoe horn? Or would you?

Oh, one last thing: You don't need to respond with the typical "I hope he proves me wrong," tag-line. I get it. Everyone needs a way out.

Settle the hell down. Many people outside this site are expressing the same opinion. He's simply not ready for the NBA. He's not crazy athletic...still has trouble finishing at the rim...and lacks a consistent outside shot. Does he possess one skill that's NBA ready? I don't think so...and I'm not alone. If he beats the odds, great for him. If he doesn't, he needs to live with the consequences. Simple as that.

Guess that makes me bitter and a hater.

[MUCam]

Settle the hell down. Many people outside this site are expressing the same opinion. He's simply not ready for the NBA. He's not crazy athletic...still has trouble finishing at the rim...and lacks a consistent outside shot. Does he possess one skill that's NBA ready? I don't think so...and I'm not alone. If he beats the odds, great for him. If he doesn't, he needs to live with the consequences. Simple as that.

Guess that makes me bitter and a hater.

Do you not see the difference between:

"I don't think this is the right move for him."

and

"Have fun in Turkey. Maybe."

One is an opinion. The other is a selfish dick statement made out of malice.

We can argue the pro's and con's of his early entry all day long. There are good arguments both ways and ultimately, only time will reveal the answer as to whether the decision was right or wrong. However, you'll excuse me if I get annoyed when people bash the kid and make statements such as the one above just because he made a decision that doesn't fit their narrow world view. It is possible to disagree with his decision in a respectful manner, isn't it?

Thanks for the commentary though. I am much more "settled down" now. Can't remember when I called you, specifically, bitter or a hater, but I apologize for it nonetheless.

[77ncaachamps]

If age = maturity, then McGary is a lock for the draft: turns 21 in two months.

We know the draft class is weak this year but what we don't know is what teams are planning on doing with their second round picks: some will draft nuggets (we hope Vander's one) but some with draft Euros and stash them away.

All I know is Vander better wow those scouts in scrimmages and workouts as well as the NBA combine.
With more high profile players declaring soon, it pushes his late first round prospects into the questionable, anything-goes second round.

And if he doesn't, MU's adding another one to Europe or the NBADL and Fleo's wondering what may have been if he stayed.