M2N to the Draft?

[Johnny B]

Will markus play in the NBA? Yes. Will he last..imo not.long. guys under six feet dont have a good track record as of late. Larkin was quicker and better with the ball and he was out of the league quick. We have seen elite college shooters reach the nba and the jumper doesn't translate as well as you would think. I don't markus being able to guard tall guards or create a shot for.himself. just not quick enough.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Will markus play in the NBA? Yes. Will he last..imo not.long. guys under six feet dont have a good track record as of late. Larkin was quicker and better with the ball and he was out of the league quick. We have seen elite college shooters reach the nba and the jumper doesn't translate as well as you would think. I don't markus being able to guard tall guards or create a shot for.himself. just not quick enough.

Markus is significantly better than Isaish Thomas (5'8") at the same age and IT finished top 5 in MVP voting while averaging 29 ppg less than 2 years ago

[4everwarriors]

If MH wuz like Tiny Archibald, he'd bee a shoo-in. Den again, if Uncle Joe had a 'gina, he'd bee Aunt Mary, hey?

[MU82]

This article about Kemba Walker's dismantling of the Bulls over the weekend, combined with a quick view of the highlight video within it, gives an idea of what a little guy needs to do to succeed in the NBA.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article225085915.html?#emlnl=Sports_Newsletter&id=bWlrZW5hZGVsQHNiY2dsb2JhbC5uZXQ=

Can Markus convince a few NBA execs/coaches that he can be the next Kemba, to whom he has been compared by some Scoopers (including me)? That's still to be determined.

On another note ... Jordan has been criticized, and rightly so, for many of his draft picks. But he pounded the table for Kemba, and many thought the Hornets (then Bobcats) had picked him too early (9th overall). So maybe it's a case where even a blind squirrel ...

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Can Markus match Kemba's measurements?

5-11.5 barefoot
6-3.5 wingspan
32 inch vertical/39.5 inch max vertical

I don't think Markus can match those measurements.  A smaller, slower, less athletic Kemba Walker would not be the same NBA player.

[MU82]

Can Markus match Kemba's measurements?

5-11.5 barefoot
6-3.5 wingspan
32 inch vertical/39.5 inch max vertical

I don't think Markus can match those measurements.  A smaller, slower, less athletic Kemba Walker would not be the same NBA player.

I won't dispute a thing you say here, and in the past I have referred to Markus as "Kemba Lite."

I'd even allow he might be Kemba Very Lite.

Just saying this is the way Markus needs to play if he has hope for any kind of NBA career.

I have been on the record as saying that although I love Markus' game for the college level and I'm thrilled we have him, I have trouble seeing his game translate to the NBA. Too short, not quite enough handle, not quite enough "PG court vision," and (as you say) not as athletic as Kemba.

[GOO]

I am usually all for players going pro early if they can. If they can make an NBA roster, I don't want to see a first rounder or even a high second rounder who is sure they'll be on the bench of an NBA team back at MU.  I want them to take advantage and get that first contract in the NBA as soon as possible.

However, in Howard's case, I don't see coming back as hurting him.  Sure he could have a terrible season or he could get hurt.  But, in reality everyone knows his limits and those limits really can't be worked on or changed.  I don't think he is harmed by coming back, unlike a guy like Ellenson, who could have been exposed with another season at MU as unable to shoot the ball and entering a draft with better players if he came back. 

So, unless something happens where Howard blows up and is a hot item.  I hope he does come back after exploring his NBA potential. Unlike most players, I don't see much harm in coming back for another season.  However, I also don't see much upside, either.

[MU82]

I am usually all for players going pro early if they can. If they can make an NBA roster, I don't want to see a first rounder or even a high second rounder who is sure they'll be on the bench of an NBA team back at MU.  I want them to take advantage and get that first contract in the NBA as soon as possible.

However, in Howard's case, I don't see coming back as hurting him.  Sure he could have a terrible season or he could get hurt.  But, in reality everyone knows his limits and those limits really can't be worked on or changed.  I don't think he is harmed by coming back, unlike a guy like Ellenson, who could have been exposed with another season at MU as unable to shoot the ball and entering a draft with better players if he came back. 

So, unless something happens where Howard blows up and is a hot item.  I hope he does come back after exploring his NBA potential. Unlike most players, I don't see much harm in coming back for another season.  However, I also don't see much upside, either.

Fair points here.

Henry leaving was an absolute no-brainer. Markus ... all kinds of things for him to think about. Whatever he decides, it will be very interesting to hear his decision (and reasons for it) when the day comes.

[4everwarriors]

Knot sew interestin', Nads. Follow da bread, aina?

[PGsHeroes32]

Markus is significantly better than Isaish Thomas (5'8") at the same age and IT finished top 5 in MVP voting while averaging 29 ppg less than 2 years ago

So 1 guy? Lol.

Plus that 1 guy while he could score was long considered a liability in other aspects. Thus played a 6 man role a lot of the time, was traded a lot. Ultimately the celts got rid of him. And now his career is already potentially finish by 30.

He's easily the best of the lot. But the little body isn't holding up.

[JWags85]

So 1 guy? Lol.

Plus that 1 guy while he could score was long considered a liability in other aspects. Thus played a 6 man role a lot of the time, was traded a lot. Ultimately the celts got rid of him. And now his career is already potentially finish by 30.

He's easily the best of the lot. But the little body isn't holding up.

Also, not for nothing both IT and a similar guy like Nate Robinson, are both much more athletic than Markus. They can throw down hard at the rim. Unless he's hiding something we've not seen, Markus doesn't have that vertical. Which is a very useful tool for shooting over longer defenders and exploding up and past your man when you lack height and/or length

[goldeneagle91114]

Love Markus, but this game demonstrates why i don't think he would get drafted first round this year. The NBA is full of long guards, quick guards like STJ. Hey have had Markus' number this year. I think another year honing he PG skills will get him drafted early second round next year.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Love Markus, but this game demonstrates why i don't think he would get drafted first round this year. The NBA is full of long guards, quick guards like STJ. Hey have had Markus' number this year. I think another year honing he PG skills will get him drafted early second round next year.

I agree with this. Guards with long wingspans are Markus' kryptonite.

[Cheeks]

Love Markus, but this game demonstrates why i don't think he would get drafted first round this year. The NBA is full of long guards, quick guards like STJ. Hey have had Markus' number this year. I think another year honing he PG skills will get him drafted early second round next year.

Draftexpress already said next year, no reputable outfit has this year first round.

[goldeneagle91114]

Draftexpress already said next year, no reputable outfit has this year first round.

do they have high second round? and at what point does the guaranteed money stop? - legit questions, not loaded or leading

[Vander Blue Man Group]

do they have high second round? and at what point does the guaranteed money stop? - legit questions, not loaded or leading

No guaranteed money after the first round, depending on what kind of deal a team signs you to if you're a 2nd rounder or undrafted. 

[goldeneagle91114]

Is ponds in the first round? i really don't want to play him again haha!

[Smokin' Jae]

Is ponds in the first round? i really don't want to play him again haha!

No he's a second round pick if drafted, but it's fairly common knowledge that this will be his last season of college

[JoeSmith1721]

Is ponds in the first round? i really don't want to play him again haha!

Neither of them have a legitimate shot in the NBA or are getting drafted in the first round this year.

[goldeneagle91114]

No he's a second round pick if drafted, but it's fairly common knowledge that this will be his last season of college

Thank god!

[BCHoopster]

Ponds is much more NBA ready then Markus, one reason, taller, second reason, stronger p

[Johnny B]

Ponds is much more NBA ready then Markus, one reason, taller, second reason, stronger p

Third way more athletic.

[tower912]

All Markus will face in the NBA is  guards who are 6 inches taller and more athletic.

[BM1090]

All Markus will face in the NBA is  guards who are 6 inches taller and more athletic.

True. He also won't be a primary option and won't see double teams very often.

[MU82]

True. He also won't be a primary option and won't see double teams very often.

This is a fine point. If even one NBA GM and/or coach convinces himself that Markus will be a viable floor-spacer who can just stand at the arc waiting for a pass on the PG's drive-and-kick, he has a chance to get drafted. There is such a premium on shooting 3s and spacing the floor now.

If the GM/coach also can convince himself that Markus' defensive shortcomings can be hidden and that Markus can improve his handle enough to play a little PG himself, all the better for Markus. Maybe he can be a better-shooting version of J.J. Barea -- and I say that as a compliment not a slight. Barea is in his 13th season in the NBA and has made $33 million!