Michael Beasley will definitely do a Carmelo, just sans an NCAA Championship. He's gone. He could have skipped college ala LeBron. Beasley has an NBA body, post dominance and he can't be intimidated. Love probably has one more year. It used to be that the top high school players went to college with skills but needed to develop that "NBA body and mentality". Not anymore. Point guard is a skillful position so size is not as important and you need more than one year, but it seems like instead of the long, lanky, concave-chested freshmen that used to lumber on the court as forwards and centers, you have veritable beasts. Manchildren. After LeBron and Greg Oden, shaving since 8 years of age, check this out
Michael Beasley - 6'8, 251 Freshman
A.J. Ogilvy - 6'11, 250 Freshman
Kevin Love - 6'10, 271 Freshman (damn!)
Luke Harangody - 6'8, 251 Sophomore
What are high school prospects going to look like 10-15 years from now? When will we see the first Middle School to NBA prospect? Maybe there's one out there now. Can you imagine? Picture this.
PA Announcer: "Welcome to the Staples Center where your LA Lakers meet the Phoenix Suns. At guard...at guard...at forward...at forward...at center, 7'2" 335 lbs with 5% body fat a 58' vertical leap and a 3.8 forty, from Sunny Side Bluffs Middle School. Triagolous Arpithicus Jr".
It could happen. If not, I guarantee there is really some kid walking around with the first name Triagolus who is going to play college ball.
He can be intimidated....and frustrated inside. He does not have the spark, smile, gleam in his eye that I used to see. I hope he is having fun still. I think another year would do him good to learn how to handle the inside pressure better but I guess he would not be triple or quadruple teamed in the NBA. Any ideas on the late in the game shooting percentage?
I love Mr. Beasley and wish he would stay another year at KSU....and Mr. Walker, too. They could set their minds to have a great time next year, win the conference and make it at least to the Elite Eight or the Final Four, then bail. Pullen, Brown, Kent and Anderson plus others current and new recruits could pour it on if they BELIEVE!!!!!
this just happens to be the 20th anniversary of the KU-KSU matchup in Detroit... where KU beat KSU to move on to the final 4 and eventually beat OU. Is it a coincidence that this year - in the 20th anniversary season - that KU and KSU could - if all played out - meet in the elite 8 - in Detroit - with a chance to meet up with another league foe - this time Texas - for a Big 12 NCAA title. All things happen for a reason.... KSU over TX for the title.
I meant he could have skipped college like LeBron. Meaning he had the talent to if he could have. Should have been more clear, point taken. Of course the middle school reference was a joke but things do change.
The more I think about it, the more I like Love. It is hard to stop a team with great scorers and a really good big man inside. Post, if it isn't there, kick out, shoot, repost. This is in the half court but UCLA loves to run. It's got to be hard to prepare for.
Let me just say that I am a proponent of a college athlete staying all four years. I know that money and fame are a lure and that possible injury down the line could make you less attractive. I understand, I just don't like it. Take my MSU Spartans.
Magic was a phenonemon. Once in a generation. He left after 2 years. Fast Forward to 2000, MSU wins the NCAA and brings back a very good team. 2001 Sophomores Zach Randolph and Jason Richardson run roughshot over opponents and the team gets to the Final Four but falls to defeat (I believe to NC). Randolph and Richardson elect for the NBA draft and have had very good careers, All Star games and the like. 2001-2002 team lead by point guard Marcus Taylor. His line - 16.8ppg, 5.3apg. He's a junior and decides to bolt to the NBA. Doesn't get drafted, was maybe offered a tryout but toiled away in the CBA a few years never to be heard of again. Next year comes. What do you know Ager, Brown and Davis show up. Each stay 4 years and are 2nd round NBA draft picks. You may think I am rambling but if Randolph and Richardson stay 4 years, Taylor stays 4 years. In some way shape or form, the Spartans could have won a few more championships.
I know it may be unrealistic to think that great players are going to stay in school. If it were my son, I would ask that he stay 3 years unless his skills are so sick that he can be a high first rounder after sophomore year, and promise me that you will go back after year or two and resume classes in the off season (ala Vince Carter). How many really go back though? I know, I know money talks, I am just one of those who think that an education is just as important. Don't leave so early, make tons of cash, hire a shady manager, and get caught up in a nightclub somewhere shot or caught beating up on someone, stopped for doing 140 in a 40 mile zone, spend a few good years in the NBA until Michael Beasley comes along and your expendable. Stay 3 or 4, mature and make your money and impact then. Magic is the exception, not the rule.
