MGlobules

March 8th, 2012 at 8:42 AM ^

The whole long conversation above is often predicated on comparisons between Morris as he matured through the middle and end of last season and Burke as a freshman. Morris's creative potential is his strongest suit for me, but that does not equate to the complete court vision that Burke is rapidly developing. Much of a fan as I was of Morris--and I defended him here and at mgoblog against a LOT of knuckleheads who said he sucked through much of last year--Burke is by next year a better player AND asset to this team, at least if he continues to evolve as he has to date.

Morris sifted a lot of evidence and made a decision. When he landed with the Lakes it looked like a good one. At the moment, not so much. But he may yet pull it off. 

Needs

March 7th, 2012 at 9:57 PM ^

One of Morris's problems is that the Lakers don't really play with a point guard. Everyone they use off Kobe is more of a spot up shooter than a primary ball handler. Add in Mike Brown's primitive offensive sets and the Lakers were a really bad place for him to go.

I do question if he's quick enough to defend NBA point guards.

Needs

March 8th, 2012 at 10:39 AM ^

Absolutely, but it remains true that the primary responsibilities of the point guard in LA's offense are to feed Kobe, Gasol or Bynum in the post and knock down open shots when the D collapses. Most of the pick and roll they run involves Kobe as the primary ball handler. All his life, Morris had played (and thrived) in systems where the point dominated the ball and initiated the offense, he never learned to play without the ball in his hands. 

Kaminski16

March 7th, 2012 at 8:59 PM ^

Don't be a dick. We all wish Darius would have stayed but he did what he felt was best for himself - we can't fault him for that. I can't criticize a guy who played a major role in getting our program to where it is right now. He was just as important to our program's growth as Manny and Peedi were.

BursleysFinest

March 7th, 2012 at 8:26 PM ^

Sucks for him, and him on this team COULD (you never know how everyone would have meshed) have been epic...but I still think he made the right decision, going to the league in a weak draft instead of waiting for this year when the draft will be more stacked.

He'll contribute to an NBA team eventually, as soon as he develops a Left Hand 

WolvinLA2

March 7th, 2012 at 8:32 PM ^

But those weren't his only options.  His best option would have been wait two years, get a degree, improve all his weaknesses, and still have a shot at the league.  Had he stayed all four years, he wouldn't have been worse than the mid-second round pick that he was, and he'd be good enough to stay on the Lakers roster.

BursleysFinest

March 7th, 2012 at 8:43 PM ^

 Yeah, but if you're Morris, do you really put off a 6/7 figure salary now, and hope that you don't get injured in the next 2 years. 

I see your argument, but it's really hard to turn down that money when you don't even know what the draft, the rookie payscale, your draft stock, etc is going to look like 2 years from now 

This is the career he wanted, and he jumped into it the 1st chance he got, I can't really criticize the kid for it 

WolvinLA2

March 7th, 2012 at 8:50 PM ^

I'm not going to criticize him either because it's his life, but I still think it was a dumb decision.  I don't think playing in the D-League is the career he wanted.  And now he doesn't have a degree to fall back on.  He might make 400k this year, and 80k for a couple years in the D-League.  Then he'll be 25, without a job and without a degree.  That amount of NBA money won't last long.

MrVociferous

March 7th, 2012 at 9:12 PM ^

The money doesn't go as far as you think. After taxes and agent fees and buying a few odds and ends like a car and place to live, I wouldn't be surprised if he only has a couple hundred K in the bank. That ain't gonna last long.

R Kelly

March 8th, 2012 at 7:53 AM ^

So if he returns to school after that, he'll be a junior in college with a couple hundred thousand dollars in his bank account.  I don't know about you,  but I would have loved to have that kind of money back when I was in college.  That is more than enough to give anyone a nice headstart in life.  

MrVociferous

March 8th, 2012 at 11:15 AM ^

I seriously doubt he has a couple hundred thousand in the bank.  $150k would be a better bet.  His salary for the year is a reported $474k.  After federal taxes and the high California taxes and his agent fees, that probably drops down to around $250k take home.  And you have to assume he bought a car, rented some place nice to live, and bought some other amenities which should easily drop him below $200k left for the year.

Like I said, he probably doesn't have as much as you would think.  And the money he has left is probably just enough for him to finish his degree at Michigan.

Raoul

March 7th, 2012 at 9:22 PM ^

If Morris doesn't make it in the NBA, he won't be without a job for long. There are tons of opportunities to play pro basketball in Europe and elsewhere around the world and make decent money--maybe not NBA money but probably more than the average American makes.

SysMark

March 7th, 2012 at 9:51 PM ^

Feel like I'm ranting tonight but what the hell.  Overall I agree with you save one point

The injury risk think is way overstated when it comes to college basketball, as opposed to football.  How many players can you think of that really had their draft status diminished by an injury after staying an "extra" year or two.  It happens but it is very rare.  There are many more cases where staying was a big plus.

mgoblueben

March 7th, 2012 at 8:30 PM ^

He's lost in the "system" now.  Going to spend some time in Russia, Turkey, Italy, Russia, Puerto Rico, etc. and no one will ever remember his name outside the michigan community.  Im glad he's gone.  

LSAClassOf2000

March 7th, 2012 at 8:44 PM ^

Darius Morris is an example of someone who probably could have benefited from a couple more years of college hoops and  working on the basics of his game. It isn't as if you can't pick those up elsewhere, although obviously staying in school and getting the degree while doing all that is an ultra-positive as always. I think Morris can get himself onto the roster, but he'll have to work on things in the D-League that he could have done here, even though I dare say that college might have been the better place for that. Certainly, the elements of a good NBA player are there -  I don't want to write him off so blithely. 

WolvinLA2

March 7th, 2012 at 8:47 PM ^

It helps that the Lakers starting PG is 37 years old and almost certainly in his last year on the team, and the Lakers don't have a SF either.  Now, I think the Lakers will go after a PG either at the deadline or in the offseason, but that will simply replace Fisher, and Steve Blake isn't exactly young himself.  If Darius puts in the work, he can stick around and be the #2 or #3 PG on the Lakers going forward.  It also helps his case that the Lakers have so much cap space filled up with the Big 3 that the don't have the dough to pay a good PG.

MrVociferous

March 7th, 2012 at 9:08 PM ^

But this assumes that the Lakers don't draft or trade for another young PG in the next year or so. Getting sent to the D-League this early is a really bad sign. The coaching and (ironically) development in the DLeague are pretty poor. Darius is going to have to find and fix the flaws in his game in the next 6 months to realistically have a shot at an NBA career.

Lionsfan

March 7th, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^

Dude what's your problem? It's people like you that give fanbases bad names, Darius was here for 2 years, helped stop the MSU run, gave us "GTFO my court", and had us the closest to the Sweet Sixteen as we've been in a long long time. Then he makes a personal choice based on what he believes is best for him and your response is "screw him, it's karma, and I'm glad he's gone"? What the fuck? How about respecting the guy who has DONE NOTHING WRONG toward Michigan

WolvinLA2

March 7th, 2012 at 8:58 PM ^

Look, I agree that some of the hate on here is a little strong and probably undeserved. 

HOWEVA, I get why people are discouraged, because I am as well.  It's one thing when a guy like Charles Woodson leaves early for the NFL.  When you're a can't miss prospect, no one will blame you.  But that wasn't Darius.  He gave us one good year and bailed.  Not an All-American year, or a championship year.  He got some "meh" reviews from the NBA and took off, and now that he's failing, it only vindicates the people who said he should stay. 

This is not dissimilar to Donovan Warren.  There was no reason to leave early, and we really could have used him.  When kids are sure-fire pro prospects, I'm all for them following their dreams.  But when kids who are borderline decide to take off, it looks to me like a lack of commitment and respect for the team and University, and I don't like it.  So I'm not going to wish ill upon Darius, but I'm not going to feel bad for him when his bad decision lands him on his face.

Lionsfan

March 7th, 2012 at 9:10 PM ^

I agree with just about everything you said. I mean I think the best choice for Darius would have been to stay here, and I think the team would have been just as good, maybe better; because while Trey really hasn't struggled, I don't think you can discount having an entire court of people who have played together for 2 years, and maybe THJ doesn't play hide and seek for the majority of the season since he's used to playing with Darius. And what you said about Warren is right too.

I mean I'll respect a guy's choice, but sometimes I won't like it, but I (and just about everyone on this blog) will still acknowledging the player is (usually) doing what they think is in their best interests. It just pisses me off when people go into "fuck that guy, he left the school and he's now a d-bag who's dead to me" mode when the players didn't do anything besides leave

mgokev

March 7th, 2012 at 9:30 PM ^

The NBA Developmental League (NBA D-League) is a separate league run in affiliation with the NBA. Teams may assign up to two of their players to an NBA D-League team. Only players with fewer than two years' experience may be assigned to an NBA D-League team, and each player can be assigned no more than three times per season. If an active player is assigned, he is automatically placed on the team's Inactive List. There is no minimum or maximum length of an NBA D-League assignment, and players have 48 hours to report to the NBA D-League team once they are assigned. Players continue to receive their NBA salary while assigned to the NBA D-League.

NBA D-League rosters are normally 10 players, but can expand to 12 to accommodate assigned NBA players. In some cases where one team might be overstocked with assignees or players at a particular position, players might be reassigned to a different team. NBA teams do not control the playing time their assignees receive -- that matter is up to the discretion of the NBA D-League coaches.

Average D-League salary is $35,000 for those without NBA contracts. Darius will continue to earn his $473,604 annual salary.

 

ForeverVoyaging

March 7th, 2012 at 8:48 PM ^

In a way, I imagine that the reasons he can't improve his skills enough to hold down a roster spot are the same ones that led him to make an unwise decision in leaving early.

TheGhostofYost

March 7th, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^

When you don't listen to basically everyone telling you not to go to the NBA, this is what happens.

El Demonio

March 7th, 2012 at 8:51 PM ^

Where is all this ill will towards DMorris coming from? I hope he gets back in the game and wish him luck. To wish him anything else makes you an a$$hole.

market_gunner

March 7th, 2012 at 9:00 PM ^

But I keep hoping the cavs trade Sessions to the lakers & Darius would be included in whatever comes back. Would be a nice fit playing some minutes behind Irving and he has the size to guard 2's while playing with Irving.

Lucky Socks

March 7th, 2012 at 9:00 PM ^

Minor hiccup in his career.  Contrary to what others may thing, Morris is as true of a point guard as they come.  His size, vision, and passing are three of his biggest assets.  He just needs more game experience at that level of competition so the D-League will be good for him.

Also, let's not forget how in love we were with Morris last year.  We wouldn't be here today if it weren't for Morris last year.  He left to chase a dream and maintains a good relationship with the coaches and his teammates.  He's always going to be a Michigan man.  Save the "Morris Who?" comments for guys like Boren.

Michigan J. Frog

March 7th, 2012 at 9:09 PM ^

No. Morris is a terrible human being who personally wronged me by depriving me of what I deserved, what I was entitled to. His enrollment at the University obligates him to act precisely in line with my expectations for how he should plan to pursue his career. He clearly hates Michigan, and that makes him unworthy of my respect.

/s

bacon1431

March 7th, 2012 at 9:11 PM ^

I don't get all the people that still rag on DMo for leaving. I think it was clear he didn't want to stay all 4 years. He has/had weaknesses to his game. But I don't think he was going to fix those and raise his stock in college where he has to balance balling, classes, and the typical distractions of a college social life. And this year's draft is stronger, so he'd just have been drafted in the second round again. He's under LA control and he's from the state. I feel like he is happy with how things turned out.

For his sake, I hope he doesn't stick around in the D League if he doesn't get a call from an NBA team in a couple years. If I was in that situation, I'd go to Europe. See the world, play some ball, don't worry about anything. That is the life. I'd rather do that than sit at the end of the bench on an NBA team. Maybe that's just me.

bacon1431

March 7th, 2012 at 10:18 PM ^

I don't think he left Michigan early thinking he'd be playing in Europe the rest of his career. I'm saying that if it beocmes apparent that he is not going to be on NBA roster ever again, he should go to Europe where he will actually play and get to travel alot and see some cool places. He obviously left early because he thinks he has a future in the NBA. If he didnt' think that he would have never left in the first place. And I don't think he cares much about his degree in the first place. You don't leave early if you're projected as a late first rounder at best after your sophomore year. That said, he will probably have enough money in the future to finish his degree later on.

And almost every Darius thread we have here, there are posters that say "I bet he regrets his decision." or "That was stupid, he should have stayed" or the guy that referenced karma.

SysMark

March 7th, 2012 at 10:37 PM ^

Everything else aside, I disagree that he could not have improved his draft status by improving certain skills, specifically shooting.  His mechanics were seriously flawed and he could have at least become average.

Having said that I disagree with many posters here who think he has true point guard skills.

SysMark

March 8th, 2012 at 1:51 AM ^

Personally I have no opinion on the validity of his decision and don't think anyone else should either.  I was merely opining that he might have improved his draft status with another year at UM.  When you are in the second round the depth of the draft it is pretty much irrelevant - depth ends after around the 20th pick.  Having said that improving those skills, and playing on a high-visibility NCAA tournament team, absolutely could have elevated his status into the bottom of the first round, assuring a better contract.

Rarely do skills significantly improve in the NBA D-league.  They absolutely do in college.  There are the rare exceptions - the Jeremy Lins etc., but they are rare indeed.

bacon1431

March 8th, 2012 at 10:57 AM ^

And I think he improved about as much as he could in college IMO. I think you are underestimating the improvements that can be made in the NBA. It just may not look like there are vast improvements because you're playing against much better players. All improvements in college are made in the offseason, when you have more time to work on your weaknesses. Rarely do you see new wrinkles or big steps made throughout a season. In the NBA you see it all the time. I've seen it in my Pistons this year quite a bit.

SysMark

March 9th, 2012 at 1:46 AM ^

That may be true - he may have gone as far as he could in college, though many NBA talent evaluators would disagree.  I am not underestimating improvement that can be made in the NBA - elsewhere in this thread I cited the example of Jason Kidd as a player who consistently improved over his NBA career.  The difference, and the point I was making, is that he was always on an NBA roster, which Morris is not.  Once players end up in  the D-league, even if they are going back and forth, they have much less access to those resources, and superior competition, and the development stalls.

MilkSteak

March 7th, 2012 at 9:19 PM ^

I was wondering about this today. Does anyone else think that a lot of basketball players might benefit from a draft system like baseball or hockey? One where they get drafted at some point, but it's just the rights to them in the league instead of them immediately jumping to the pros?

This would allow players to develop through the college game and when/if they're ready they can jump to the pros. If they're not good enough yet they can continue playing in college. This way NBA teams get more polished players and the players earn degrees which could help them if basketball doesn't work out (except for those who are good enough to make the jump right away). 

It seems like a win-win situation for the players and the NBA. NBA teams don't have players on their cramped benches who need minutes to develop, and the players have something to fall back on. The D-League could still be used for guys who aren't quite ready even coming out of college, like a minor league baseball or hockey kind of thing. 

 

Edit: Also, good luck to D-Mo. Still have a lot of love for the guy, he did great things here. I see him refining that outside shot and becoming a terror in the future.