Chad Ford Updated Big Board Today
Chad Ford, one of the more respected "draft gurus", updated his Big Board tonight. Don't want to post the whole thing, but Michigan players are here:
Nik Stauskas. Ranking: #19 (#4 SG, behind Wiggins, Harris, and PJ Hariston (DLeague))
"Stauskas hasn't declared for the draft yet, but all signals point in that direction. He's an excellent shooter with deep range and has such a quick release on his jumper. Many scouts believe he could be a better version of J.J. Redick, which should land him somewhere between 15 and 25."
Glenn Robinson III. Ranking: #34 (#11 SF)
"Robinson III started the season as a potential lottery pick but has watched his stock fade while struggling to prove to scouts that he can hit enough perimeter shots to play the 3 in the NBA. He actually was 6-for-10 from 3-point range in the tournament and played some of the best basketball of his career, which has moved him back into the discussion as a late-first-round pick. Another year at Michigan, however, could move his stock up higher. Scouts are intrigued by him; they just want to see more skill development."
Mitch McGary. Ranking: #49 (#10 PF)
He hasn't updated his analysis of Mitch since he had his surgery, but it just says, "McGary will miss the rest of the season to have back surgery. This should hurt his chances of being a first round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft."
($) http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/story/_/id/10746971/2014-nba-d…
Personally, I still feel like it would definitely be best for Glenn and Mitch to come back for another year. As for Nik, I don't think he can make a bad decision either way he goes. I see a lot of positives to both choices, along with a couple risks to both. He's in a good position.
I remember the days when we were looking into Mel Kiper's big board and couldn't give a crap about basketball... Man, the times are a changin
Also, Brian has been really down on football for a while and it is weird to see him really, really optimistic about something.
Makes sense since Mel Kiper's big board is for the NFL draft.
Thanks for seeing the point in my comment.
Old days Football > Basketball.
Current situation Basketball > Football
Correction:
Current situation: Basketball > Swimming > Diving > Soccer > Lacrosse > Badmington > Curling > Cross Country > Field Hockey > Rowing > Ultimate Frisbee > Hackey Sack > Football > Ping Pong
Leaving out SolarCar around here is a bannable offense in my epinion.
wooooooooooooooooooooooooosh
Nik in my opionion needs to make the jump to the next level. He was incredible this year, and it's highly unlikely that his value inceases if Mitch is back. Best of luck to the young man.
Robinson was in the same situation as Nik last year? Who are you kidding?
Holy shit.
Improved Walton, improved LeVert, hopefully healthy Mitch, GRIII with experience and something to prove....man that is beautiful to think about.
I love John Belien.
Don't sleep on Irvin
If Irvin goes to the "Nik Stauskas and Caris Levert Summer Camp", puts on some muscle mass, and becomes more "not-just a shooter"-y, he could be a very, very good player.
I think that is pretty accurate. I could see mitch being taken earlier in the 2nd round though. I think GR3 and Mitch should both stay. I hope stuaskas stays, but I also understand if he doesn't.
If Nik does go I would love for the Bulls to take him. They need a shooter and he could immediately contribute. Wouldn't replace JBuckets at the 2 but could definitely see him help mob the bulls to a title
I would really hope Stuaskas is not taken by the bulls. Thibs never utilizes rookies and stuaskas would just be sitting on the bench all year.
That's not necessarily true. Snell gets plenty of time for a rook. Just gotta prove you can ball
Todd McShay > Mel Kiper
My worry about GR3 is he will be a workout warrior ala THJ (but even better) so if he is borderline 2nd/1st he is the type who will shoot up late into the 1st based on his athleticism that you would see in those type of workouts and his measurables. By "worry" I am saying that on a purely selfish level of wanting him and Mitch to come back (Nik should go).
But guys I keep repeating it - it is filthy to think if GR3 and Mitch come back we potentially are going to have 6 first round draft choices in 3 years, including the entire starting 5 of last year's NC game! And the way this staff develops wings it would not surprise me if Irvin is in this boat in 12 months. He is a better shooter than Caris and GR3 already and we actually saw a dribble drive to the lane in the NCAA tourney. #NotJustAShooter
If he comes back with that to his game next year and the usual freshman to sophomore jump we are now spoiled with.... then "here we go again".
GRIII is a guy who I could seeing wowing scouts at workouts. He's a great athlete and if his jumper is falling during workouts he could move up the board.
I haven't heard too many people mention Donnal. From what I've been hearing, the kid is an absolute beast and can easily grab that stretch 4 spot allowing GRIII to slide down to the 3 where he wants to be anyway. That could be a huge factor no one seems to be mentioning. Maybe I missed it.
Tough call.
Last year they burned Caris' shirt because he was displacing Vogrich/Akunne.
Would they burn Donnal's just so they could get a freshman on the floor instead of one of Nik/Caris/GR3?
The allure of playing in the NBA will probably draw Stauskas into the draft - especially after the season he just had - but I think he'd be better off staying another season. Short of serious injury, its doubtful his stock would drop at all, considering this draft is probably pushing him back 5-8 slots due to the top being so full of talented players.
Another thing - and I wonder how often this is brought up to these guys - is that next season at Michigan will probably be the last time in his life he's the best player on his team. The last time he'll ever get to be the man and control the offense. He's also going to be competing for every title imaginable next year if he stays at Michigan. If he goes to the NBA, more than likely he'll be playing a bit for a mediocre playoff team or playing a bit more for a lottery team.
If his family doesn't need the money, I think he'd be better off to stick around, enjoy one last great college season and go pro (and probably end up higher in the draft than this year anyway) next year.
It's his dream to play in the NBA. And you can say "family doesn't need money" as much as you want, but turning down a year of earning in the NBA is not a good financial move, especially when he'll go in the lotto.
Stauskas should and will go. Even if he wants to stay and "be a star," there's no guarantee of any title runs. That's the nature of the NCAA tourney.
And Nik's a competitive guy. I doubt he's accepting only being a role player in the association.
Good news for GR3. I'm hoping (for his sake) that he has some great workouts. There will be some GM that will be high on him and it's certainly not out of the question for him to still go in the first round.
I'd be shocked if he returned. I doubt he's back if there's any notion of him having to play the 4 again (If McGary doesn't come back), so him and MM could still be a double package, but more because of the depth chart next year.
Good luck to all of them at the workouts. Even if all three go pro, In Beilein We Trust.