So Is McKay Gone For Real?....

[NavinRJohnson]

Well, it's been reported that his decision to leave the team was based on playing time and position.  If this information is indeed correct I think that it is fair to critique his decision.  I would go so far to say this reeks of ODB and Maymon. 

I agree with this. If we know the reason, we can draw a conclusion. Right now all we have is speculation, but people are happily labeling the decision with all kinds of negative terms.

[brandx]

Well, it's been reported that his decision to leave the team was based on playing time and position.  If this information is indeed correct I think that it is fair to critique his decision.  I would go so far to say this reeks of ODB and Maymon. 

Speculation on an internet forum does not constitute "reported" to me.

[willie warrior]

Yeah, Buzz recruits only quitters and also can't coach a lick. Don't know how we'll ever win any NCAA games with this coach running this program.

You said, I didn't.

[ceh]

Speculation on an internet forum does not constitute "reported" to me.

Go ahead and wait for Hunt if you like, but the "sources" posting this information are reputable.

Sorry, didn't see this, I guess Hunt did report it...

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/228235201.html

[Dr. Blackheart]

Again, that assumes he has any interest in college, and the he will actually end up transferring to another school. Logical assumption, but by no means guaranteed in my mind.

No, just quoting his Twitter and own quotes in the press about him transferring.

[We R Final Four]

Maybe after individuals, boot camp and a week or two of practice, he and the coaching staff came to realize he couldn't hack it. Maybe they came to realize that he was never going to play.

I find this part of your piece highly doubtful. Didn't Strotty say that the coaching staff considered this a "crushing blow"?  I don't think that they would have this opinion if they thought he couldn't hack it. Secondly, someone is going to play on the front line next year-- even if JM can't play......next year he was gonna play.
I hope he thinks about this over the weekend and has his own personal coming to Jesus.

[NavinRJohnson]

I find this part of your piece highly doubtful. Didn't Strotty say that the coaching staff considered this a "crushing blow"?  I don't think that they would have this opinion if they thought he couldn't hack it. Secondly, someone is going to play on the front line next year-- even if JM can't play......next year he was gonna play.
I hope he thinks about this over the weekend and has his own personal coming to Jesus.

Perhaps. Wasn't suggesting it was the reason. Just a couple possibilities among a list of possibilities, used to illustrate the point that none of us knows.

[GGGG]

Speculation on an internet forum does not constitute "reported" to me.

It isn't speculation.  Trust me.

[bilsu]

I wonder how many of McKay's family members & friends purchased season tickets they no longer want?

[mu03eng]

I wonder how many of McKay's family members & friends purchased season tickets they no longer want?

Interesting, there were a ton of McKay family/supporters at Madness or I assume they were since they were all wearing MU tshirts with McKay's face on them.  Seems like an awful quick turn around to change his mind and bail.

[StillAWarrior]

Well, it's been reported that his decision to leave the team was based on playing time and position.  If this information is indeed correct I think that it is fair to critique his decision.  I would go so far to say this reeks of ODB and Maymon. 

Ok, but what are his goals?  If his goal is to play a certain position and have a lot of playing time...and if he wasn't going to achieve his goals at Marquette...then his decision might be completely logical.  If you don't know what his goals are, then it's pretty hard to determine whether his decision makes sense.

[GGGG]

Ok, but what are his goals?  If his goal is to play a certain position and have a lot of playing time...and if he wasn't going to achieve his goals at Marquette...then his decision might be completely logical.  If you don't know what his goals are, then it's pretty hard to determine whether his decision makes sense.

He would have played next year.  He could have redshirted, probably played a ton next year AND the year after.

As it stands, he doesn't play until January 2015 and only plays a season and a half.

The decision makes no sense from even a playing time issue.

[brandx]

It isn't speculation.  Trust me.

My thinking is that it was a playing time issue. If news from practice is true, then OTule and DG could well consume more than just the 40 minutes at the '5'.

But until Buzz gives a reason (won't happen) or McKay talks about it, we really don't know.

[Lennys Tap]

He would have played next year.  He could have redshirted, probably played a ton next year AND the year after.

As it stands, he doesn't play until January 2015 and only plays a season and a half.

The decision makes no sense from even a playing time issue.

I don't know what was discussed but your scenario makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, when you mix youth, pride and maybe some bad advice (all speculation on my part) a common sense solution isn't necessarily the outcome.

[chapman]

He would have played next year.  He could have redshirted, probably played a ton next year AND the year after.

As it stands, he doesn't play until January 2015 and only plays a season and a half.

The decision makes no sense from even a playing time issue.

+1.  Where is he going to get a ton of playing time after not having ever played any D1 basketball, not having played any college basketball for a year and a half, and becoming eligible for a team mid-season?  Probably a low/mid-major...and if his decision revolved around not playing the 5, well, not a ton of schools in that category with 6'8" players at positions other than the 5.

[StillAWarrior]

It seems to me that the consensus here is either he's an idiot, or we don't know what he wants out of the balance of his college career.  I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  There's something about the opportunity at Marquette that apparently isn't what he's looking for.  Maybe it was playing time; maybe it was the position he would be playing; maybe it's something else entirely.  But he presumably knows what he wants, and he doesn't think he's going to get it at Marquette.  Whether or not he can get what he's looking for wherever he ends up remains to be seen, but that doesn't mean that he's wrong to leave Marquette.  Good luck to him, and hopefully Buzz can find a great player to fill the scholarship.

[brewcity77]

It seems to me that the consensus here is either he's an idiot, or we don't know what he wants out of the balance of his college career.

Making poor decisions doesn't make one an idiot, but it is consistent with being young. Maybe it all works out for McKay, he pulls a Maymon and goes somewhere to immediately dominate, and ends up making it to the league. But anything less than that, when you consider Buzz's track record, certainly warrants questioning.

I think too many of these kids look at the short term and not the long term. Did Lazar or Jimmy freak out when they were thrown in at the 5 despite it being painfully obvious that their best positions were either the 2 or the 3? No, they put their heads down, worked, and made it to the league. This staff knows what it takes to get their guys playing professional ball. If they feel McKay can best help the team and show off his skills at the 5, my guess is Buzz and company know what it will take a TON better than McKay himself.

Quite simply, has Jameel McKay ever got anyone else to the NBA himself, or got their on his own? Obviously not. Or what about Mike Anderson? Should McKay look at the career of Demarre Carroll as proof positive that Arkansas' coach will map out a better route to the NBA than the guy that sent Wes Matthews, Lazar Hayward, Jimmy Butler, Dwight Buycks, Jae Crowder, and (briefly) DJO to the league, with Vander Blue still sniffing at the door?

I wish the best for Jameel. I really hope he is getting the right advice and listening to the people that both care about him and know what he wants and how to get there. However reading his Twitter feed of late and listening to the grapevine, I have very strong doubts that is the case.

[Lighthouse 84]

It would not surprise me at all if he changed his mind, because the decision does not make any sense to me. I do think he was smart enough to know, if he was only going to play center that meant he was not going to play. There are no minutes a center for him, except if the team wants to press.

I'm hopeful he changes his mind.  I was picturing Buzz using JK on the top of a press, similar to how he used Yous a few times.  With JK's athleticism, he'd have been very good in that role.

[StillAWarrior]

Making poor decisions doesn't make one an idiot, but it is consistent with being young. Maybe it all works out for McKay, he pulls a Maymon and goes somewhere to immediately dominate, and ends up making it to the league. But anything less than that, when you consider Buzz's track record, certainly warrants questioning.

I think too many of these kids look at the short term and not the long term. Did Lazar or Jimmy freak out when they were thrown in at the 5 despite it being painfully obvious that their best positions were either the 2 or the 3? No, they put their heads down, worked, and made it to the league. This staff knows what it takes to get their guys playing professional ball. If they feel McKay can best help the team and show off his skills at the 5, my guess is Buzz and company know what it will take a TON better than McKay himself.

Quite simply, has Jameel McKay ever got anyone else to the NBA himself, or got their on his own? Obviously not. Or what about Mike Anderson? Should McKay look at the career of Demarre Carroll as proof positive that Arkansas' coach will map out a better route to the NBA than the guy that sent Wes Matthews, Lazar Hayward, Jimmy Butler, Dwight Buycks, Jae Crowder, and (briefly) DJO to the league, with Vander Blue still sniffing at the door?

I wish the best for Jameel. I really hope he is getting the right advice and listening to the people that both care about him and know what he wants and how to get there. However reading his Twitter feed of late and listening to the grapevine, I have very strong doubts that is the case.

I would agree with you that if he is making this decision based on what he thinks gives him the best chance of making it to the NBA, I'd question his decision.  But I have no idea if that is what he's basing his decision on.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

i just dont get it. From what I saw at Madness he was having a great time. Announcing the dunk contest with Steve, getting excited with his teammates. Its just a really odd situation because he seemed to love it here.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I would agree with you that if he is making this decision based on what he thinks gives him the best chance of making it to the NBA, I'd question his decision.  But I have no idea if that is what he's basing his decision on.

Bingo.

The kid might end up playing at (insert school), and never make the NBA. That doesn't mean leaving MU was an incorrect move. He might be much happier someplace else.

[keefe]

Speculation on an internet forum does not constitute "reported" to me.

The mainstream press has cited lack of playing time behind others as his reason for leaving.

[We R Final Four]

The mainstream press has cited lack of playing time behind others as his reason for leaving.

He knew the playing time situation almost a year And a half ago. Nothing has changed. He'd play this year some and ALOT next year. Not to mention we are now assuming more minutes for both DG and CO--two guys with injury histories.  I think more to it.

[Archies Bat]

He knew the playing time situation almost a year And a half ago. Nothing has changed. He'd play this year some and ALOT next year. Not to mention we are now assuming more minutes for both DG and CO--two guys with injury histories.  I think more to it.

I'm not sure he knew when he committed that CO would be still here.

[GGGG]

He knew the playing time situation almost a year And a half ago. Nothing has changed. He'd play this year some and ALOT next year. Not to mention we are now assuming more minutes for both DG and CO--two guys with injury histories.  I think more to it.

Actually there really isn't.