I also wanted two years but one is probably good enough. One year of college is more than enough for players like Durant and others. One year of college is also enough to ferret out some of the fake H.S. superstars because the talent level in college ball is enough to expose them. The more I think about it, the more one year of college seems to be the right decision.
I think it's great for the players, but sucks for the college programs. Having players for 2 years makes it more worth recruiting, and less like the players are just biding their time because they had to. Continuity is really helpful, and the one-and-done guys don't help in that regard. That's why I'm thinking two or none.
I never shy away from a player like KD. He is a program changer. Same with a guy like TJ Ford. At worst, out of state players see durant's success and say Texas is a good place to showcase my skills. And I'm not so sure it's that much of a lock Durant bolts this year. I mean i'm planning on it, but to me this isn't a kid looking for the money and the fact is he will be a stud next year if he returned as well and would go 1/2 again barring injury. It's not like he is a fluke. Look at quotes from his family btw, they sure aren't gung ho about the NBA draft. In fact the dad said something to the effect of Kevin wants to bring Texas a natl title. Let's be honest: right now oden is going to go number 1 simply because of the lack of dominant centers in the league. And I can see Durant saying to himself "I'm putting up 25 and 10 and will only be number 2." Furthermore, I can see durant driven by winning a title too, which is unlikely to come this year. To me this would be akin to Vince coming back for his senior season if we hadn't beat USC despite his inhuman rose bowl effort. Either decision he would have made would have been good for him in the long run. And it wouldn't be bad advice for Rick to say you can play in the NBA right now, or after next season, but if you come back, take out a nice insurance policy. Edit: I don't really see next year as a big setback if Durant leaves. DJ Augustin is a stud, AJ is a nice shooter, Mason can do a little of everything, Damion James is finally showing some of his offensive skill, and I can't wait to see Pittman once he gets conditioned to his slimmer body. That's not counting recruits like Gary Johnson, Clint Chapman, Alexis Wangmene(three post guys btw) I just wish we had dexter pittman conditioned now because he is such a mismatch down low with his size.
Durant is gone after this season. Put that in the bank. He will have nothing to gain by staying. By next season, he will be too far above the college game and will need the next level of competition to continue his development as a player. Staying would be pointless from a basketball standpoint. Major, I agree with your point but I'm more of an NBA fan than a college basketball fan. My only concern is to sift out the phony high school "superstars". For the most part, one year of college is enough to do that.
I think you're right on all counts. KD is a very smart kid. If he's made up his mind to leave, he's fooling everyone. Nothing he has said even remotely sounds like he's gone. Either way, as a program, you have to go after these kids. What TJ Ford did for this program is immeasurable. KD just puts them on the elite level, recruiting wise. BTW, the deal with Pittman isn't necessarily conditioning. He has cut so many calories out of his daily diet that he just doesn't have the energy right now. They have to pump calories in him on practice days just so he can get through. The human body simply doesn't like to adjust quickly to losing 90 lbs. in less than 1 year...an trying to lose more (he wants to get down closer to 260). In that respect, I kind of wish they could have redshirted him. They needed him, though, even in the limited minutes he can play. I think he will be an important part of the team next year...especially if KD leaves.
Sorry, but not everything is about "basketball development" and "money" to every player. Durant will go number 1 or 2 any year he were to declare. The top draft pick status and money will be there for Durant whenever he leaves. Unless you think he can't be the best player in america again. It's not going to set him back to stay for a sophomore season, period. He is not perfect at the college game yet. Have you considered we will have nobody important leaving, he is only 18, he is good friends with Augustin and his dad specifically said we have to light the tower orange(natl title) in Austin? Of course he said do it in this tourney, but his parents have both good jobs and are financially secure as is right now. I mean I'm planning on him declaring, but I can see him returning as well. He genuinely likes college and he is the type of talent that doesn't need to say, well this is a weak class my stock will never be higher. Provided he stays healthy he goes number 1 or number 2 in any draft. Also consider Kevin is staying through the 2nd semester classes wise, despite the fact the early entry date is April 29th. Not saying it means anything, but if you knew you were declaring to make millions of dollars would you care about sticking around for finals? Please.
When I said conditioning on pittman, I meant learning how to play at this new weight/get the energy needed. And I definitely see his potential as a low post mismatch if he can play 20-30 minutes.
Wishful think all you want. I was commenting only on the basketball aspect of it. If Durant wants to stay at UT for other reasons, fine with me. I never said basketball and money were all that he cares about. From a basketball standpoint, waiting until he is "perfect" at the college game would be a mistake. Once a player gets to a certain level of dominance, his development slows and only a higher level of competition will accelerate it. I'm saying that Durant will be at that level next season. For a player like him, the strength or weakness of a draft class means nothing. Nobody said it does. Lastly, once the season is over and the decision stares him square in the face, the pull to leave will be much stronger than right now. It's not surprising he has his ducks lined up in case he stays. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and will do what is in his best interests. UT fans should enjoy a very special player while they have the chance.
Uh, I put the odds strongly in favor that he bolts. Like over 90% likely. I mean he clearly could have gone straight to the league from high school. But I can see reasons why he would return as well. And that is all I am saying. I'm just not ruling out the possibility because it's a much more unique situation than the past early entries we have had at Texas.
So you would pass on Durant and Oden if you had a chance at them? I understand what you're getting at, but you if have a shot at the best recruits in the nation, you take them no matter what. If you don't think a one and done Durant is helping us get to a NC, imagine what this team would be like w/o him.
Actually, if I know I am going to have a young team with all freshman, I'm not sure I focus on those guys that are going to be almost guaranteed 1 and done. If I think I am going to have some Jrs and Srs then definitely push hard for them as the final piece. And to be fair to the Longhorns, they didn't know they were losing all their top talent last year.
The game started 1 min before you posted that question. And it's on ESPN2. And there's like 12min left in the 2nd half. Aggies lead by 1 or 2pts.
