Chad Ford: Morris "out" of NJ Draft Workout

Submitted by gebe659 on

Here's Chad Ford's tweet from just 15 minutes ago:

"NJ Draft Workout getting shakier by the day. Tyler Honeycutt & Darius Morris out. Looks like Reggie Jackson will pull out as well."

Does this mean Morris is actually staying in school?

Raoul

May 4th, 2011 at 10:14 AM ^

This could actually be a better indication that he's staying in the draft. There will be more workouts in the weeks to come that he can participate in, and this way he'd have more time to work on his game before working out for NBA teams.

Don't forget that the New Jersey workout was set up specifically to give early entrants a chance to work out prior to the May 8 withdrawal date.

wesq

May 4th, 2011 at 10:14 AM ^

This draft is so weak I am betting the reason he is blowing off these workouts is he has a first round promise by a team at the end of the first round, maybe the Lakers.  

chitownblue2

May 4th, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^

this means one of two things, likely:

1. He's out of the draft.

2. He has a first round guarantee, and sees no benefit to workout.

Either way, it's good for the program. #1 is obvious. #2 puts the lie to "Belein can't develop NBA talent".

readyourguard

May 4th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^

I would love to glean info from his withdraw from the workout and not hiring an agent, but I can't.  If he was returning to school, why not just end all speculation and make an announcement right now?  Is he in denial that his dream may not come to fruition this year?  Is he grasping at any last straw of deparation that he'll get drafted?

 

 

bryemye

May 4th, 2011 at 10:21 AM ^

Is the talent on show just not that impressive? It's sounding more and more like it. Kind of a "why bother?" scenario.

Has John Wall been advising him during this process?

CB2009

May 4th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^

I know we're all pissed that he's leaving, but assuming that he goes in the first round you have to be happy for the kid.  The only reason it's pissing me off is because when we started going on a roll this season there was no talk of morris leaving early.  Trey/Carlton, get ready for a trial by fire.

99bobcats

May 4th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^

No need to do this NJ draft workout if he has already decided to stay in the draft. He has more time now so he will most likely participate and some bigger predraft workouts for multiple teams.

Raoul

May 4th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^

But as I noted above, that workout was specifically designed for players unsure of whether or not to stay in the draft. If you know you're going to stay in the draft, it's probably wiser to continue to work out on your own, improve your game, and then either participate in later group workouts or set up individual workouts with teams that express interest in you.

RONick

May 4th, 2011 at 11:35 AM ^

Except, wouldn't this be a great opportunity to showcase his talents to the league?  If you are that confident in your game, what do you have to lose by playing this weekend?  Hell, you may even be able to play another guard or two into staying in college, or at least out of the first round, thus increasing the likelihood of going in the first round. 

I don't really like this strategy if he is truly going pro.

AlwaysBlue

May 4th, 2011 at 10:42 AM ^

More and more I think we're seeing why Morris was effective at Michigan.  It isn't because of raw talent but because of his brain.  This whole process has been about evaluating the "floor" and deciding what moves will get him the highest percentage shot (at the NBA).  Each phase has been carefully calculated.

He's a smart guy.

gremlin

May 4th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^

Darius should do what he believes is best for him, obviously. 

 

That said, what should be being asked right now is how come our coach can't get solid talent to stick around for at least 3 years, not to mention 4, and yet Evan Turner, Sullinger, Kalin Lucas... why are these players staying around?  Is it something John B isn't doing right?

Erik_in_Dayton

May 4th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^

Off the top of my head, here are players who have left OSU after one year: Kosta Koufos, BJ Mullens, Daquan Cook, Mike Conley, Greg Oden...Also, remember that Kalin Lucas suffered a severe injury. 

 

Edit: This was meant to be a response to gremiln's post.

Tater

May 4th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^

Sam Webb was saying exactly what you are this morning, but without the supporting data.  Because of the current rules, there are a lot of kids in college who see it as the minor leagues for the NBA.  Since the NCAA is the NBA's de facto minor/development league, they certainly have a point.  

I just think it's sad that Darius will probably lose a total of at lesat $2 million over two years by going into the draft now.  I wish there was someone with an ounce of perspective in his "camp."

RedGreene

May 4th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^

Why after reading "WV Man" did the bath salts, women's underwear & dead goat not surprise me?