jmblue

March 3rd, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^

I don't know of too many Michigan guys that have graduated in three years.  Four years, yes.  But three is tough when you're an athlete and often can't even take certain classes during the regular school year because of your schedule - to say nothing of the time demand.

 

 

nappa18

March 3rd, 2015 at 1:11 PM ^

Huh? You don't understand? A top 15 pick is guaranteed 3.6 million, 30 th pick is worth 1.6 mill. What if he blows his knee out in his senior year? Or hurts his foot again? Smart move is to submit your name. I would agree there is a question if a Junior should leave school for a second round selection, but for a first rounder, a no brainer. If serious about a degree, one can always go back and obtain a degree.

DMill2782

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:33 AM ^

because if he isn't strong enough to play, he's going to be riding the pine. Game experience is necessary to get better in the league. He may not get enough minutes to build his career successfully if he is not strong enough to compete at the NBA level.

Yes he will have access to great facilities, but what would be the point in spending a year on the bench while trying to get strong enough to play?

JCV16

March 3rd, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^

There is no way you are going to get as strong, or as good, playing college basketball with time limitations and an academic courseload as you will focusing on basketball all the time, with better resources. There are plenty of guys who don't play much their first year, improve, and then have great NBA careers. 

There are also plenty of guys who play 4 years in college and then have great NBA careers. There are lots of good reasons for Caris to stay, including having another great year of his life in school, having a shot at championships, getting his degree now, and the chance of making more money by moving up enough in the draft (although that's no sure thing, it's possible). It's also possible he thinks he'll benefit more from JB and his staff's coaching than he will from NBA coaching  (I find that unlikely given the time restraints and that they've already spent 3 ears with him but it's possible).

But the notion that his physique or fitness will improve more by playing amateur sports is simply wrong, and the idea his skills will improve more that way is dubious at best.  

DMill2782

March 3rd, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^

his physique will improve more by staying in college. I'm simply saying that his physique is not ready for the NBA game. 

Sure he can go to the NBA next year and play limited minutes while working on getting stronger. He can stay in college and add another 10-15 pounds while getting plenty of minutes of game experience. Is it the same game experience as the NBA? Of course not, but I would rather be playing than riding a bench. That's just my opinion. 

rc15

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^

If he is smart he WON'T go based on the $$$. As a late first round pick he will make $1 million per year, as a top 10 pick you make $2+ million. If he comes back and goes as a top 10 pick like everyone expects next year, he will have the same amount of money in his pocket after the 2016-17 NBA season and be making twice as much per year for the remainder of his contract. Not to mention he is still to skinny to be a factor in the NBA and needs to bulk up some more.

ak47

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:51 AM ^

GRIII is on an NBA roster making more money than most of us ever will.  He didn't make a huge leap between years while here and didn't believe Beileins system suited his game to raise his stock profile. He believed in his ability to make a roster even without a gauranteed contract and he was right.  GRIII made the right call for him.

JeepinBen

March 3rd, 2015 at 12:56 PM ^

But it's sure a lot more than I made as a 21 year old.

If we're doing math, it sure makes a lot more sense to take the guarantee and make as much as possible as a 20, 21, 22 year old (a few million in the NBA) then go back to college, get a degree, and earn whatever.

Staying guarantees your income at 20, 21, 22 = $0 (*Kentucky), for a chance at more later. Or Caris could break that foot again and never make a million.

 

 

umumum

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:45 AM ^

There is no reason to think Caris would go higher next year.  As someone else pointed out, NBA teams don't particularly value seniority.  Just take a look at the school years for those projected to be in this year's lottery--freshman and international players comprise the top 10-12 spots and Kaminsky may be the first senior drafted somewhere between 20-25.

rc15

March 3rd, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^

His whole decision has to be made on speculation. Before this season and before the injury he was projected as a top 10 pick (9th overall). I would think he would have enough confidence in himself to expect to perform at least as well his senior year as people expected him to perform this year. Another year in college would allow him more time to bulk up, which could only help his draft stock. He is not a pure shooter, and needs to add weight to get to the rim at the pro level.

Powderd Toast

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^

How crazy is it that we are falling over ourselves for Caris to stay when just a year or so ago many people refered to him as Careless LaVert because he was so green and unpredictible? Hat tip to Coach B.

M-Dog

March 3rd, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^

Gotta feel sorry for Beilein.  He doesn't do the One-and-Done's, but he always gets stuck with the Two-and-Thru's.  

He takes all these marginal guys who don't have anything near the equivalent of a Michigan offer, developes them and builds them up, and then loses them right as they become productive.  

He's like the poor guy at the bar who buys drinks and chats up the girl in the corner who's being ignored all night . . . and then she leaves with the drummer in the band.

 

CoachBP6

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^

First round grade = he gone Very much hoping he will come back and help this team get back to success in the tourney / big ten.

Yooper

March 3rd, 2015 at 12:10 PM ^

That's the problem with the NBA.  Once the season starts you very seldom see someone improve their position in the rotation, especially on a good team.  I am not sure how much you can improve your game. 

Yes it's a financial gamble if you get hurt or don't improve your draft stock but being a late 1st round or 2nd round choice can often mean you will be buried on the bench for some time.  Better to build and demonstrate skills with one extra year so you can be a part of the rotation from the get-go.

Michigan4Life

March 3rd, 2015 at 9:26 PM ^

in the off-season, assistant coaches before games, working out on your own with the set regimen schedule. You have all the time to improve unlike NCAA where you have to deal with restricted practice hours, classes, exams, homework, etc.

amaizenblue402

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^

He's just trying to keep his options open and see what feedback he will get for submitting his name. It's hard to say what he will do. I am hoping he returns for another year but wouldn't be surprised if he leaves.

copacetic

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:40 AM ^

He submitted his name last year too, and after getting the results, he was 100% back. This year he'll likely get a much better grade, and depending on how good the grade is he'll have a tough decision to make. I think he'll be graded as a first round pick, but outside the lottery. 

HarbaughorBust

March 3rd, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^

i know I'll take some heat for this but, I don't think Levert going pro hurts this team as much as some are making it out to be.   Levert, as a go-to guy, is not a good fit in JB's offense.  In this role, he is a guy that needs to go off script with the ball in his hands in order to be effective.  Far too many times I saw the offensive flow killed because Caris was dribbling the air out of the ball.   Love Levert as a role player.  Frustrated with him as the go-to.

Furthermore, we were not a good team with Levert healthy this year.   

I hope Caris declares and has a long career in the NBA.   

I truly believe we will be a better team without Levert as the go-to guy.

HarbaughorBust

March 3rd, 2015 at 11:27 AM ^

Stauskus atleast made guys around him better when he had the ball in his hands.   I'm not sure you can say that about Caris.   In fact, far too many times I saw guys just standing around watching Caris dribbling around trying to find his shot.  

I don't want to make it sound like I'm piling on Caris either.  I think he's a darn good basketball player.  I just don't think he's a good fit as the go-to guy in JB's offense.   We haven't recruited well enough for this to change if he comes back next year.

Go Pro Caris.  Get paid.