Former Marquette guard Vander Blue says he ready to compete in the NBA

[Spotcheck Billy]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/206616661.html

Former Marquette guard Vander Blue says he ready to compete in the NBA
By Bob Wolfley of the Journal Sentinel May 8, 2013

Former Marquette guard Vander Blue said it was a "really tough decision" to leave the Golden Eagles' program and make himself eligible for the NBA draft.

In an extended interview with the "NY2LA" show on Milwaukee radio station WAUK-AM (540), Blue said he felt it was time to leave MU and pursue his dream of playing in the National Basketball Association.

Blue is in Los Angeles training in preparation for the NBA draft combine May 15-19 in Chicago. Among the players he said he is working out with in L.A. are Detroit guard Ray McCallum, Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Louisville center Gorgui Dieng, all players eligible for the draft on June 27.

"It could have gone either way," Blue said about his decision to leave Marquette. "I was thinking about I have one more year left to get my degree. I want to make sure I still come back and get that. . . . It's been a life-long dream of mine to play in the NBA. I think that I am ready. I think that I really put the team on my back this year and really carried us where we needed to go. . . . I was really happy for our team to make it to the Elite Eight. I did a lot of praying to God. He has never steered me wrong. I never heard him tell me to come back. My mom, my mentor . . . all sat down and they gave me the pros and cons of both (decisions). I ended up making the final decision about what I wanted to do. This is what I'm ready for. If I felt I wasn't ready one ounce, I would have come back to school. I'm totally in. I'm two feet in. I'm working as hard as I can. This is a great opportunity for me. This is a great draft to come out in. I think there are some players who maybe should have come out stayed in. That's helping me. But I can't control that. All I can control is what I do every single day to help prepare myself. Right now I'm just preparing, getting ready for Chicago, so I can impress some scouts. Just try to work myself up. That's what it's all about now. This is my profession. This is my job. I wake up every day and treat it that way. But in the end it was a hard decision. I love Marquette, love our fans. I love everything they have done for me but I just felt it was my time to go."

Blue expressed nothing but gratitude about being coached by Buzz Williams for three seasons.

"I just feel like Buzz helped me a lot," Blue said. "He did everything a player can ask from a coach. He has always been there for me. He never gave up on me, when everybody (else) did. He's an unbelievable person, man. That was one of the hardest parts for me coming out this year because of not being able to play for him again. . . . Buzz was really rough on me my three years there. He never let me get away with anything. He always expected more of me. I had to do more than anybody else. He just made it tough for me, man. It's really helped me in my move. Now as I do workouts here (in Los Angeles) with other guys from other universities, we separate ourselves because we are going so hard. It's just a Marquette thing. Everybody (says) 'You're playing so hard.' I'm like, 'I've been doing this for years. This is how we go about things.' I just want to be better and make every shot. Buzz has taught me a lot on and off the court, how to be a man, to be a professional as well. I talk to him every day, man. He asks me, 'How's it going?' Tells me things I still need to work on. He has helped me through this whole process."

Blue was asked about how it was that his mid-range jump shot improved so much during his junior season.

"I actually did not change much about my jump shot," Blue said. "It was more about what shots to take and what areas I wanted to perfect. . . . I never had trouble shooting the ball until maybe my freshman year in college and a little bit my sophomore year I was shaky as well. It came along my junior year. It's all about confidence. You just need to make sure in your mind and deep down in your heart you can make the shot."

Blue said he needs to demonstrate to NBA scouts and general managers that he can play point guard.

"I have talked to a lot of teams, a lot of scouts," Blue said. "I really didn't play the point at Marquette much because we had guys like Junior (Cadougan) and Darius (Johnson-Odom) who played the point. . . . A lot of teams just want to see me play point. That's actually not a problem. I was recruited as a point guard. I played point guard all the time up until my time at Marquette. I played point guard a little bit in my freshman and sophomore year. Now it is just me adjusting to how the NBA game is. There are a lot of pick and rolls, a lot of mid-range (shots), a lot of things that work to my strengths. A lot of one-one-one. . . . Things I can take advantage of - my speed, my athleticism, my quickness. So I just have to show these guys I can run a team. I think that I can help a team. I can get things going, get the break going. I can guard a one (point guard) through the three (small forward). I have a lot of attributes that people really couldn't see at Marquette because of the role I had to play for that team."

(Photo credit: AP. Marquette coach Buzz Williams (right) is elated that guard Vander Blue (13) made the winning basket with a second left in a second-round NCAA tournament game against Davidson on March 21 in Lexington, Ky.)

[Lennys Tap]

Sounds like he's going into the process with his eyes wide open. Love the credit he gives MU and Buzz for how they prepared him. Since he talks to Buzz every day and seeks out his advice, I think we can put aside the silliness of some sort of rift between them.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I think we can put aside the silliness of some sort of rift between them.

where's the fun in that?

[Marqevans]

Glad he put Marquette on his back!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Glad he put Marquette on his back!

Cura Personalis by Vander...thank you Vander. 

[MUHoopsFan2]

Sounds like he's going into the process with his eyes wide open. Love the credit he gives MU and Buzz for how they prepared him. Since he talks to Buzz every day and seeks out his advice, I think we can put aside the silliness of some sort of rift between them.

There was no rift between Vander and Buzz....but I bet there was one between Vander and the fans here. I am sure of it.

[MUHoopsFan2]

Well first off he was not ready regardless to what his mother, his mentor and even what he thinks.

Vander just wanted to go...saw the draft class and the opportunity and the opening and just left. It is that simple. It had NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD or prayer. He had made up his own mind.

God and a true mentor would have had him look at the whole situation and told him to stay. He needed it. But kids today get up and run because they can and the NBA suffers.

   

I pray too and there is no way it is in God's character and will to tell anyone to leave college on a scholarship and not get a degree and honor that fully.

I think you steered God, God did not steer you in this decision. I am not saying I am one to hear someone else's prayers but I know that was not God's choice. I think he talked it over briefly and made a decision.

I think his only regret was not coming back and winning a title but he is so impatient and impulsive and strong willed that he simply left.

As a fan I think looking at his game he has no position, can only go one way and no consistent shot if he is defended and no experience at running or leading a team. He says he really did not do anything to improve his shot and that it was confidence.

Well guess what, the NBA is not like college. You can say or think you are ready all you want to that does not mean you are. But you have to live with it. He couldn't have picked a better time to have 3 great games when he did.  

But at 6'3 it will be an uphill battle. I think Vander if drafted will be one of the few MU Players to  come here besides Wade who left here before his Senior year and did not stay to finish it out.

That is unfortunate.

[keefe]

Vander Blue was a great player at Marquette and I wish him all the best as he begins his professional life. He gave us some of the best moments in the history of Marquette basketball. I hope he continues to make us proud.

[We R Final Four]

I think Vander if drafted will be one of the few MU Players to  come here besides Wade who left here before his Senior year and did not stay to finish it out.

.... In other words he's leaving early for the NBA draft.

[leever]

Glad he put Marquette on his back!

That comment seemed a bit arrogant, but fairly accurate.

[ChicosBailBonds]

That comment seemed a bit arrogant, but fairly accurate.

Yes, it is fairly accurate that his comment was arrogant.  Not so sure how accurate the actual comment was...there were games he carried us, games he absolutely disappeared, and games where he was on of many reasons the team won.

As some of us stated over the last few weeks, confidence has never been lacking with Vander going back to the day he set foot on campus.  In some cases that has served him well, and in other cases not so much. 

[MU82]

That comment seemed a bit arrogant, but fairly accurate.

I think that I really put the team on my back this year and really carried us where we needed to go.

It's too bad we didn't need to go to the Final Four!

[MUfan12]

Yes, it is fairly accurate that his comment was arrogant.  Not so sure how accurate the actual comment was...there were games he carried us, games he absolutely disappeared, and games where he was on of many reasons the team won.

Glad I'm not alone on that. Thought it was very arrogant, and rubbed me the wrong way. If Steve Taylor doesn't step up against Rutgers, or Davante against Syracuse, that St. John's game doesn't mean dick. If Jamil doesn't hit two threes at the end, Davidson beats us, and we're not having this conversation.

He's gonna get a rude awakening. And frankly, I'm okay with it.

[We R Final Four]

So you are ok(maybe more than ok)with him getting a rude awakening? Why? So, you can see him get knocked down a few rungs? I want another Buzz player in the league. That serves MUBB the best. Some want him to fail so people on here can say--'yeah I never cared for the guy or his attitude anyways'.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think Vander's quote is a little out of line to his team play, which was unselfish. Face it, Vander could have played for "me only" and not given up the rock a lot more often to advance his NBA ambitions, but he didn't.  I think Jerel and DJO were guilty of this at times...trying to do too much alone. Vander played within the offense and defense and made others and the team better. And, at the end, MU DID hand Vander the backpack to strap it on and carry them back from the dead...and he delivered.  At Florida, in that debacle, he was the ONLY MU player who strapped it on and the ONLY MU player who deserved to be on the same floor as Gators.

Fact is, like JFB, Vander could have been more selfish at times, which between Wes, Jae and Jimmy, may be the thing that earns him a spot on the draft board.  The kid has NBA talent and athleticism, just may be a year away on the rawness index.

[Goose]

Dr Blackheart

I agree completely. Vander seldom played selfish ball and did carry the team in some big moments. I believe that unselfish attitude coupled with talent and athleticism is what gets Blue a paycheck. He was playing for NBA contract this year but always put team first IMO.

[Lennys Tap]

I think Vander's quote is a little out of line to his team play, which was unselfish. Face it, Vander could have played for "me only" and not given up the rock a lot more often to advance his NBA ambitions, but he didn't.  I think Jerel and DJO were guilty of this at times...trying to do too much alone. Vander played within the offense and defense and made others and the team better. And, at the end, MU DID hand Vander the backpack to strap it on and carry them back from the dead...and he delivered.  At Florida, in that debacle, he was the ONLY MU player who strapped it on and the ONLY MU player who deserved to be on the same floor as Gators.

Fact is, like JFB, Vander could have been more selfish at times, which between Wes, Jae and Jimmy, may be the thing that earns him a spot on the draft board.  The kid has NBA talent and athleticism, just may be a year away on the rawness index.

Agree, Doc. Vander's play last year was anything but selfish, but at some of our biggest moments (St Johns, Davidson, Butler in the tourney) he DID strap us on his back and carry us across the finish line. That said, I'd be happier if he let me or you say it instead of saying it himself.

[leever]

Dr Blackheart

I agree completely. Vander seldom played selfish ball and did carry the team in some big moments. I believe that unselfish attitude coupled with talent and athleticism is what gets Blue a paycheck. He was playing for NBA contract this year but always put team first IMO.

100% agree with this and the good doctor!  The comment comes across as arrogant, but he is who he is.  We've seen that part of his personality before.  Not sure where all the Vander hate comes from.  He left early.  Many think that was a mistake.  I thank him for his contributions to the last three highly sucessfull teams and wish him well in the future.

[Silkk the Shaka]

100% agree with this and the good doctor!  The comment comes across as arrogant, but he is who he is.  We've seen that part of his personality before.  Not sure where all the Vander hate comes from.  He left early.  Many think that was a mistake.  I thank him for his contributions to the last three highly sucessfull teams and wish him well in the future.

How could anyone possibly hate Vander after he publicly shamed Bucky in the recruiting process, beat them in their buildings, then delivered us buzzer beaters to win the last  legandary BEast and escape a 1st round shaming, then beasting us past Butler where we coasted to the E8 (first time in a decade)?  Happy trails my dude, live long in the NBA and prosper.  Glad we got Mayo and a borderline 5 star JJJ waiting in the wings.

[TempoFree]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INpbD106-LE

I PUT THE TEAM ON MY BACK!

[4everwarriors]

I wish Vander had a stronger back. Having said that, I'm totally behind him in his pursuit of play for pay. And, I think he'll carve out a very nice NBA career.

[Sunbelt15]

I think Vander is going to surprise all of us in the NBA, for the better.

[Marqevans]

Glad he put Marquette on his back!

I should not burn him for that comment because he needs to do the best sell job possible to make it to the NBA.  I hope he does! The more good press Marquette gets the better.  Not sure he will make the impact Jimmy Butler has, but it would be great if he did.

[MerrittsMustache]

It's not every day that you see fans rip on the best player from their Elite 8 team. No matter what Vander says or does, some MU fans are going to dislike him because he didn't live up to the impossible-to-reach expectations that they set for him before he was even finished with HS.

[CTWarrior]

I thought Blue was great this year after being terrible his freshman year and OK his sophomore year.  I think he is going to have a hard time making the NBA, but I think he would have had a hard time making the NBA next year, too.  So leaving early is only a mistake if a) he doesn't make the NBA, and b) he was going to put his MU degree to work should he fail to make the NBA.

I'm sorry he's going, but I think we'll be fine without him, and I hope he has a long and fruitful professional career, and hopefully that career is in the NBA.  I always want all the guys who wore the blue and gold to be happy and successful.