Manny Decision Monday Comment Count

Brian

Rumors flying, with an official decision Monday:

"I'm going to make my decision on Monday," Harris told The Daily this afternoon in a phone interview.

He declined to comment further.

General feel is that this presages a departure, possibly an irrevocable one. I'd think Manny would at least leave the door open for a return based on the returns from predraft camps. If he doesn't, that says a lot about his relationship with Beilein, IME.

Comments

MGoAndy

March 26th, 2010 at 7:14 PM ^

Regardless of whether leaving is a good or bad idea, Manny leaving just makes me sad. I followed him at Redford when he was beating up on Renaissance, was so happy when he came to Michigan and then stuck around. I've enjoyed watching Fresh play more than any Michigan basketball player.

gpsimms not to…

March 26th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^

I swear the Beilein-Manny 'relationhip' thing has been so overblown here.

Beilein just likes benching people. I can't remember the game this year, but I remember Beilein yanking Peedi after some pretty poor effort plays. Beilein has said Deshawn was "one of his all time favorite personalities" to coach.

There's plenty of evidence Beilein and Manny have a pretty good relationship. I remember some articles over the summer in which Manny talked about Beilein a father type figure, who he trusted, and how Beilein was the guy he went to to learn about getting his first credit card.

Also some quotes from Isaiah Sykes after conversations with Manny seem to be both endorsing and respectful of Beilein. (things about going to class being important, etc).

If Manny "burns the boats" and goes NBA without leaving the door open to come back, it says most about where he think the team is, where he thinks it will be next year, how much DeShawn was his best friend, etc etc.

champswest

March 26th, 2010 at 8:51 PM ^

Often what I think or you think are the key issues, turn out to be way off base. It is usually all about the money, although more and more I think guys these days feel inferior if they don't leave early.

As for next year's team, I think that if Manny returns, next year's team has a better record than this year's team.

ckersh74

March 26th, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^

Something's wrong.

It's been (to me, a nobody) apparent for a while, even before his benching. I can't describe, nor am I able to put my finger on it. The body language wasn't right, and that was the biggest sign for me. To say that everything's fine just doesn't pass the smell test to me.

I certainly don't want to kick the man on the way out the door, but I always had the feeling this year that while Manny had, far and away, the most talent on the team, Deshawn Sims was Michigan's best player this season. Maybe I'm nuts, but that's what I seemed to see.

If I had to guess, I'm in the "He's Gone" camp. There's too much smoke for there not to be a fire.

wiscwood

March 26th, 2010 at 9:23 PM ^

The Wolverines will be fine. If Baylor can go from players killing player U to a #2 seed in this year's tourney, Michigan will be fine.

Our problem is that we, the fan, are never satisfied. If Michigan wins one championship, we want two and back to back at that.

Don't worry the Wolverines will eat after while!

wiscwood

March 27th, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^

No, what it means is that Michigan is bigger than any one person. Michigan will be fine regardless of what Manny does. I want Manny to stay. Fans are the ones that are never satisfied. We worry too much. Besides we can't effect the outcome of anything.

Regarding Baylor, it was messed up a few years ago (2003). Really messed up. One player killed another player. Now they are playing to get in the Final Four. Michigan will be there too soon, playing for a championship that is. Things for them are not that bad.

I've learned some times you have lose something to gain something. If Michigan loses Manny, who is to say what type of player may come to Michigan because of it. I may seem apathetic, but really I'm trying to be optimistic. Maybe I am preparing myself for what Monday may bring.

In 1989, when Michigan's Head Coach Bill Freider left for ASU. The assistant coach led the team to the championship. I'm trusting in fate and destiny. Those type of things are bigger that any one player. I wish Manny well in whatever he does. Maybe his action will nudge something wonder Michigan's way.

Things are not as bad as they seem.

MGoRob

March 26th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^

What's the deal with players announcing in some future date that they'll be announcing something? I would think this would obviously lean towards him leaving (like he needs the weekend to talk to an agent, etc. and make it official). I mean, if you're staying, just say it, right?

Well, it was fun while it lasted, but there will always be other players and on the brighter side that frees up one extra scholarship to recruit!

G Money

March 26th, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^

...to 3rd team big ten.

Whether or not he'll be drafted this year, he has to decide if spending another year at UM will affect his draft status.

He has had plenty of time to think about it.

Zone Read Left

March 26th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^

Brian, I usually love your stuff, but please stop insisting that Manny and Beilein do not like each other. There have been multiple quotes throughout the past couple years from Manny about how much he loves JB. In fact, this week there was a quote from Michigan recruit Isiah Sykes in which he said Manny told him "Michigan is a great school and John Beilein is a great coach". Manny would not be telling Sykes this if he did not like Beilein. In this case, I'm sorry to say that your insistence of some imaginary Manny-Beilein tussle makes you no better then the main stream media.

gpsimms not to…

March 27th, 2010 at 3:21 PM ^

false. Yes more to the story. No, it has (likely) nothing to do with Beilein. He can go makes 100,000 in Europe. Maybe he feels he has hit a wall. Maybe he feels M has hit a wall. Maybe he doesn't want to play for M without his best friend. I think it is prefectly reasonable to move on. He might improve more in Europe, and make money doing it. Maybe he doesn't like school anymore.

Just like any other sports writer, Brian has some theories. He believes there is something 'off' between Manny and Beilein. Like everyone, Brian would like to be correct. So any piece that supports his theory is suggested as evidence he is correct.

IMO, he's stretching (a lot) for this one. Also, he is the most reasonable, logical, best sportswriter in the business and I agree with 99% of what he writes.

michfan4borw

March 27th, 2010 at 12:06 AM ^

might be the change in NBA salaries after this upcoming draft. I think it has something to do with the collective bargaining agreement and Stern wanting to have the salaries reflect the economy. I'm too lazy I guess to get you the exact information, but this could be another reason Manny is considering leaving. That and the fact that our team just lacks size and he may not want to deal with the inexperienced size we'll have next season. I wish him well if he leaves, but he think he benefits LONG TERM by staying b/c he still has things in his game that need work.

rb4kb8

March 27th, 2010 at 12:30 AM ^

He looked like he was having fun during that last game. He didn't appear to me to enjoy this season, but that game was totally different. Of course maybe he's just the kind of kid that doesn't show his feelings on his face. I'm hoping he stays but not expecting it. Good luck to him either way.

UMfan21

March 27th, 2010 at 3:32 AM ^

Trey posted on a Q&A on Twitter that's he'd rather play alongside Manny than take Manny's minutes. Creepy stalkerish, etc.. but it's straight from the source.

I still hope Trey ends up here regardless of what Manny does.

From Manny's perspective I don't think he has anything to gain by signing with an agent this early and closing any chance of a return. I think every potential draft pick should enter their name and test the waters. But I think it's foolish to commit until you know your position.

ypsituckyboy

March 27th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^

Couldn't have said it better, jonny_GoBlue. I'm actually glad Manny is leaving in some ways. I think we're going to have another bumpy year next year, but at least we're starting with somewhat of a clean slate with such a young team. I'd love to see Zach Novak step up in a C.J. Lee-type leadership capacity and really make the team his own. That kid might not be the most talented in the world, but I'd take him as my team captain any day of the week. I just don't think Sims and Harris had the drive/desire that Novak has. Hopefully next years young team can really gel and develop an identity of its own.

champswest

March 27th, 2010 at 3:41 PM ^

Harris and Sims were both very good players, but neither one was a leader. It just wasn't in their makeup. I think that Novak is a leader (and also Stu to a lesser degree) and now that he is a Junior, it puts him into a position to assume that role.

I would love to see him move to the 2 or 3, now that we have more bigs, and really take over this team.

SysMark

March 27th, 2010 at 12:38 PM ^

Seems like there is at least some friction...he has been benched in several key situations and suspended once.

Whatever the situation at some point you have to move on for better or worse.

His productivity will be missed but I'm optimistic for the team as a whole...maybe he will evaluate his draft prospects and come back for one more...could happen

Bando Calrissian

March 27th, 2010 at 9:56 AM ^

Manny is as talented as any player I've seen come through Michigan basketball since, probably, LaVell Blanchard. That being said, he's also one of the most frustratingly inconsistent.

I wish him the best in the NBA, I just wish there was more Michigan basketball could offer him next year to improve his draft stock. Seems like the wrong system at the wrong time for a player that should have been a first-round lock when the time came.

brianshall

March 27th, 2010 at 9:57 AM ^

Yeah, he's gone -- and I certainly hope for the program's sake it's not because of something (bad) with Beilin. (Which I doubt)

I'm one who strongly believes if you can be a legit pro, then leave, even if it means my beloved Wolverines will suffer.

But in this case, I just don't see him being ready for the NBA.

Either way, good luck to him. He helped bring the program back from its death spiral.

MGoBender

March 27th, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^

This is probably the right decision. There's very little Manny can gain by staying another year. Anything he can gain (improved jump shot, for example) he's better off gaining it with an NBA or NBDL team where his practice hours are not limited.

There's a limited window to make money in professional sports, and I think all Manny does by coming back is trim his window by one more year.

dahblue

March 27th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^

A couple posters have commented on how this might affect Trey's recruitment. Before I heard about Manny's jump to the NBA (although no one at this point seems to know if he's hired an agent or not), I asked a very good source how things were looking for Trey. Mock if you will, but I've never given bad info. My source said things look good. That's not a lock, but it's an improvement from the previous sentiments of the same source. Cross fingers.

joeburner82

March 27th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^

I wish Manny the best, but he will be playing in Europe with Lavell Blanchard and the other Michigan stars of the last decade if he leaves. Good luck Manny!

bronxblue

March 27th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^

It is pretty likely that if Manny left, he would be stuck in the NBDL or Europe for at least the next couple of years, if not his career. By sticking around, though, he can at least nab a college degree, which would give him a leg up over other players in his same situation. For that reason alone, why not just stick around and play?