DJ Carton going Pro

[dgies9156]

We're all Monday morning quarterbacks coming from the perspective that we wanted a good DJ Carton on our team next year. To a person, this board is full of disappointment and angst over the decision.

Give the guy credit for dreaming. We don't know what was said to him, what some true experts think or what's in DJ's heart. If the guy is a 4.0 student and he liked Shaka, then I don't get it. But, if DJ went to college as a jumping off point for the Show, then, go get 'em DJ. Best of luck to you. The Quad Cities needs a hero!

Many of us debated Henry Ellenson's departure, which I thought at the time was a huge mistake. Those of you who criticized me suggested the money was significant enough that Henry needed to jump. After that debate, I mostly gave up trying to play God in a field where my emotions often overtake my sensibility and I really don't know about the ins-and-outs of talent development nor do I have a full packet of data on which to evaluate a move.

[Its DJOver]

Guess I'm in the minority as this doesn't really surprise me.  There was always the rumor that if he didn't get a waiver to play in the 20-21 season, he would have declared right away, way too much reading of the social media tea leaves the last few weeks. 

Agree with those that think he's not ready for the NBA yet, but I've also seen the improvements in the development process in the G-League since Vander.  If you know you're going to develop for a year, why not get paid?

Also find it hilarious watching people try to blame Wojo for this. Not sure how you would ever come to that conclusion but I understand that he'll continue to be the boogeyman for anything bad with the program for the foreseeable future. 

[Uncle Rico]

The same people who feign outrage anytime someone speaks badly about two brothers who quit the Marquette program for other college basketball programs are now asking "DJ who?" about a kid deciding to make money playing rather than entertaining us for free.

Ironic.  But very predictable.

Well, that’s different.  That was Wojo’s fault.  This is DJ’s fault because he posted something on social media instead of writing a letter

[Skip Intro]

I actually think this is a good move by DJ.  Even if it's undrafted and straight to G-League, he's going to be working exclusively on the skills that will be required to make it in the NBA (and getting paid to do it).  Wins and losses take a backseat to individual development.  College ball won't give him that.  If you're athletically gifted enough to even be considered for the NBA, do what it takes to get you there.

I'm also curious if this opens the door to a PG transfer, someone who hasn't even entered the portal yet, or wasn't even considering it until this "job" came up?  There are starters minutes available on a potentially exciting team, and your competition is young and unproven. 

[Herman Cain]

The G League is not necessarily the best venue to develop skills .

Case in Point Vander Who primarily chose the G League over Foreign . Here are Vanders career G League stats

https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/b/blueva01d.html


Vander can drive it to the hoop at a very good level. Is 6-4 and will fight for boards and hustles on defense. Great attitude for winning.  Offsetting this, He cannot shoot the 3 at the NBA Level and has not shown himself to be an NBA level point guard.

Vander, a g-league MVP,  is now out of basketball.

Just sayin.....

[#UnleashSean]

The G League is not necessarily the best venue to develop skills .

Case in Point Vander Who primarily chose the G League over Foreign . Here are Vanders career G League stats

https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/b/blueva01d.html


Vander can drive it to the hoop at an elite level. Is 6-4 and will fight for boards and hustles on defense. Great attitude for winning.  Offsetting this, He cannot shoot the 3 at the NBA Level and has not shown himself to be an NBA level point guard.

Vander, a g-league MVP,  is now out of basketball.

Just sayin.....

Just so wrong. Vander is a very good overall player. He never developed into enough to be a 1-7 guy on an nba roster. The 8-12 guys all need a single elite skill. (EG Novak 3s) Vander never made rosters because he was never a master of a single skill.

[4everwarriors]

Different deal...Henry was a 1st rd pick, hey?

[JakeBarnes]

Wishing the best for DJ. Loved his energy on the court. As TAMU said, I was the most excited to see what a year with Shaka and more specifically Haynes would do for his development.

Hoping for nothing but success for DJ. Hope he hears his name called on draft day and represents Marquette well in his professional endeavors.

[Skip Intro]

The G League is not necessarily the best venue to develop skills .

Case in Point Vander Who primarily chose the G League over Foreign . Here are Vanders career G League stats

https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/b/blueva01d.html


Vander can drive it to the hoop at an elite level. Is 6-4 and will fight for boards and hustles on defense. Great attitude for winning.  Offsetting this, He cannot shoot the 3 at the NBA Level and has not shown himself to be an NBA level point guard.

Vander, a g-league MVP,  is now out of basketball.

Just sayin.....

Or, the G-League is the best venue to develop NBA skills, but there's no guarantee that you're going to get there. 

One more year at MU wasn't going to make Vander stick in the league.  It would have made us fans happy, that's it. 

[Uncle Rico]

Or, the G-League is the best venue to develop NBA skills, but there's no guarantee that you're going to get there. 

One more year at MU wasn't going to make Vander stick in the league.  It would have made us fans happy, that's it.

Vander coming back his senior year may have helped, may not have helped.  We’ll never know.  I have a hard time believing another year with Buzz Williams helps Vander more than it would have helped Buzz

[Dr. Blackheart]

Vander coming back his senior year may have helped, may not have helped.  We’ll never know.  I have a hard time believing another year with Buzz Williams helps Vander more than it would have helped Buzz

It may have got him drafted and earned him more lifetime cash. That said, Vander was worried about academics progression and being put on the shelf by Lars as occurred with Mayo.

[Stretchdeltsig]

For most of us four years at Marquette was a big part of our lives where we learned and grew up. It left a mark on me that I never forget.  They were great years. I feel sad for kids that drop out, no matter what reason. They're missing out on a good thing.

[Jockey]

The G League is not necessarily the best venue to develop skills .

Case in Point Vander Who primarily chose the G League over Foreign . Here are Vanders career G League stats

https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/b/blueva01d.html


Vander can drive it to the hoop at an elite level. Is 6-4 and will fight for boards and hustles on defense. Great attitude for winning.  Offsetting this, He cannot shoot the 3 at the NBA Level and has not shown himself to be an NBA level point guard.

Vander, a g-league MVP,  is now out of basketball.

Just sayin.....

Vander was never going to make it in the NBA. Lacked the basketball skills and it wasn't the fault of the G League. He was not elite either physically or skills-wise.

I doubt DJ makes the League, but even if he does, it is only to hold down the end of the bench.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

The G League is not necessarily the best venue to develop skills .

Case in Point Vander Who primarily chose the G League over Foreign . Here are Vanders career G League stats

https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/b/blueva01d.html


Vander can drive it to the hoop at an elite level. Is 6-4 and will fight for boards and hustles on defense. Great attitude for winning.  Offsetting this, He cannot shoot the 3 at the NBA Level and has not shown himself to be an NBA level point guard.

Vander, a g-league MVP,  is now out of basketball.

Just sayin.....

How would this have been different had he stayed at MU?

[WarriorFan]

Vander is somewhat of a comp, but DJO is probably a better comp skill wise. Vander couldn't shoot and everyone knows it. He also couldn't survive overseas.  Probably no seven year pro has ever made less money than Vander. 

IF DJ can raise his shot and improve his PG skills, and stay humble, and take criticism, he could easily have more than a DJO style cup of tea in the NBA.  He can definitely go and make money somewhere now if all he wants is money. 

[PointWarrior]

I guess I will miss this board getting all enraged about Carton’s mother’s tweets this upcoming season.

[pacearrow02]

Name some.

Would love if we could fill in the spot with someone like daejon davis or Rasir Bolton.

Established guard with scoring and decent shooting. 

[Galway Eagle]

For most of us four years at Marquette was a big part of our lives where we learned and grew up. It left a mark on me that I never forget.  They were great years. I feel sad for kids that drop out, no matter what reason. They're missing out on a good thing.

I don't feel bad that Ellenson has millions of dollars before turning 21, no student loans and a guaranteed lifetime scholarship.

I do feel bad Bailey is a dad in his early 20s with no college degree and no legit pro prospects.

[WarriorPride68]

I guess I will miss this board getting all enraged about Carton’s mother’s tweets this upcoming season.

Funniest part is I noticed just last week she was tweeting with MU fans how exciting it will be to play with a fellow Iowa player this year and can’t wait for October already to get going.

Just odd after he’s been so involved in off season. Oh well, onto the next

[Dr. Blackheart]

I do feel bad Bailey is a dad in his early 20s with no college degree and no legit pro prospects.

https://basketball.eurobasket.com/North-Macedonia/news/670076/TFT-Skopje-signs-rookie-Brendan-Bailey-in-his-first-year-in-pro-basketball

[Mu8891]

Yah ...

Whatever happened to Bailey?
Is he playing in the G league ? In
Portugal ?   Anywhere?

Cuz THAT was a bad decision

[MU1980]

I am certainly in the minority here, but I was not surprised or disappointed to see DJ go.  It confuses me when so many people are saying he was a high energy guy.  He literally showed some good energy for maybe 5-10 minutes a game and that was it.  That energy and enthusiasm should be there for the entire game.  I think because he was so low energy most of the game, when he would all of a sudden decide to turn it on for a few minutes, it was more noticeable.  His stats were good, but not great.  He was not a consistently good three point shooter and he turned the ball over too much and was not a great passer.  He is absolutely very athletic and will get better now that he can devote to basketball full time and could possibly make it to the NBA some day if he can continue to work on becoming a better basketball player.  Lots of athletic players never make it to the NBA. 

DJ did not appear to be a great team leader and had he stayed at Marquette another year, I think he would have been more focused on what he could do to increase his chances at the NBA, as opposed to being a leader to the younger guys on the team, which would be understandable.  Just as I think having Henry Ellenson for one year made Marquette a little better team that year, it made us worse in the next couple of years, I think it would have been the same to have DJ for one more year. I am excited to see the new guys develop, guys that are obviously excited to play for Shaka and his system.   I very sincerely wish DJ the best of luck and hope he is able to make it to the NBA someday and if he does, I will be cheering for him. 

[Herman Cain]

Just so wrong. Vander is a very good overall player. He never developed into enough to be a 1-7 guy on an nba roster. The 8-12 guys all need a single elite skill. (EG Novak 3s) Vander never made rosters because he was never a master of a single skill.

Modified my post to reflect your comment.

[Galway Eagle]

https://basketball.eurobasket.com/North-Macedonia/news/670076/TFT-Skopje-signs-rookie-Brendan-Bailey-in-his-first-year-in-pro-basketball

Has been getting weird spotty playing time only 4 games by my count. One bad one two average one good.

But I stand corrected. Not sure it was worth leaving a year early for that North Macedonian league money but I could be wrong.

[MuggsyB]

I am certainly in the minority here, but I was not surprised or disappointed to see DJ go.  It confuses me when so many people are saying he was a high energy guy.  He literally showed some good energy for maybe 5-10 minutes a game and that was it.  That energy and enthusiasm should be there for the entire game.  I think because he was so low energy most of the game, when he would all of a sudden decide to turn it on for a few minutes, it was more noticeable.  His stats were good, but not great.  He was not a consistently good three point shooter and he turned the ball over too much and was not a great passer.  He is absolutely very athletic and will get better now that he can devote to basketball full time and could possibly make it to the NBA some day if he can continue to work on becoming a better basketball player.  Lots of athletic players never make it to the NBA. 

DJ did not appear to be a great team leader and had he stayed at Marquette another year, I think he would have been more focused on what he could do to increase his chances at the NBA, as opposed to being a leader to the younger guys on the team, which would be understandable.  Just as I think having Henry Ellenson for one year made Marquette a little better team that year, it made us worse in the next couple of years, I think it would have been the same to have DJ for one more year. I am excited to see the new guys develop, guys that are obviously excited to play for Shaka and his system.   I very sincerely wish DJ the best of luck and hope he is able to make it to the NBA someday and if he does, I will be cheering for him.

I understand your points here.  I think part of the reason I and others are disappointed is that our backcourt is a real question mark now.  Say what you want about DJ but he was extremely talented and capable of scoring the ball.  I thought he could have a real breakout year as a Jr.