Grade D'Angelo Russell season

[victor2111]

We do it every year, grade all the players that play. We will start with Russell.

For me, easy A. Special year as a freshman. I'm not going to write a lot, I've said enough about him in the past year. I think highly of Russell. I think he can be an all star at the NBA level. I hope he stays but I think it is best he goes for himself. His stock is at a high level, go get paid. If he does comeback, I will not complain.

Russell is one of the best players we will see wear the S&G...

[Deleted]

HBM summed it up pretty well. How Russell goes, so go the buckeyes.

[angrybaldman]

I think he is an A, but still think HE would be better served by staying another year.

[Deleted]

Mar 21, 2015 21:21:35 GMT -5 angrybaldman said:

I think he is an A, but still think HE would be better served by staying another year.

I'm not debating you on it but rather offering a point of view I have heard come up more often lately that has really started to sway me a bit because I used to fully be in your camp.

A lot of NBA people(some that I've come in contact with and some I've just read) will tell you that a player is going to develop much more at the NBA level than at the college level, from a skill standpoint.

The reason being is that they don't have to worry about schoolwork or NCAA practice restrictions. They can live in the gym with their coaches and teammates if they so choose. That, coupled with the chance to consistently go up against a much higher level of talent, is what really pushes that point across.

I used to fight that point but I have heard it from too many sources now to ignore it. The maturity(off the court stuff) is a different thing though. Some guys aren't built to make that jump early on.

[angrybaldman]

Mar 21, 2015 21:35:14 GMT -5 @theurbaneffect said:

Mar 21, 2015 21:21:35 GMT -5 angrybaldman said:

I think he is an A, but still think HE would be better served by staying another year.

I'm not debating you on it but rather offering a point of view I have heard come up more often lately that has really started to sway me a bit because I used to fully be in your camp.

A lot of NBA people(some that I've come in contact with and some I've just read) will tell you that a player is going to develop much more at the NBA level than at the college level, from a skill standpoint.

The reason being is that they don't have to worry about schoolwork or NCAA practice restrictions. They can live in the gym with their coaches and teammates if they so choose. That, coupled with the chance to consistently go up against a much higher level of talent, is what really pushes that point across.

I used to fight that point but I have heard it from too many sources now to ignore it. The maturity(off the court stuff) is a different thing though. Some guys aren't built to make that jump early on.

I can see that and don't necessarily disagree, but how many guys come out a year or two early, struggle, ride the pine or go to the D league? He's a special talent, no doubting that. But playing up to a million dollar contract when you are not really ready and playing for a million dollar contract against guys who aren't three, four times better than you is quite a difference.

I want him to do well and be special (like Conley who has really blossomed).

[Deleted]

Easy A. Wish he would stay another year, but that's me being a selfish fan.

[victor2111]

Most of the guys are not lottery picks, or top 5 picks.

If they are, the team will usually give them some time. Mike Conley is a good example. He wasn't ready for the NBA when he left, he left when his stock was very high after a great end of the year run. He wasn't great early on, in fact, after a few years, people say he wasn't worth the contract Memphis was giving him. But he kept improving and became the most underrated PG in the game and a steal at his contract.

Mike Conley wants to prove he’s worthy of the contract extension

After signing a contract extension before the deadline on Monday 1 November, Michael Conley has heard a lot of criticisms, saying that he is not worthy of the extension that was given to
him.

Conley, who signed a five-year extension worth $40 million, has heard enough, and made a declaration that he is going to prove that Memphis Grizzlies made the right decision by making him
a part of their long-term plans.

[angrybaldman]

Yes, exactly my point. Conley persevered, but had a lot of things to his advantage (coach's son, more consistent shooter, played better against tougher competition)

[mauricxe]

A-

[Deleted]

Duh...

[BuckeyePaul]

Puuhleaaase come back for 1 more year! The only bright note from the year aside from Tate to a lesser extent.

[WANG]

What he did on such a lack luster team is amazing.

It's a shame that OSU wasted his year with such a sh!tty supporting cast.

Get that money young man!