mGrowOld

May 5th, 2011 at 10:39 PM ^

Why does it seem like our iffy draft pick players are in such a rush to leave?  Shazor, Warren, Harris to name but a few left early only to have their hearts broken.  I'm hoping for his sake Morris doesnt follow their lead but everything I read nationally says he's making a big mistake.

 I really LIKED it on campus when i was there, granted i graduated in 1981 but have things changed that much to make these players so eager to leave? Seems the same to me on football Saturday's but what do i know.

SKIP TO MY BLUE

May 6th, 2011 at 2:45 PM ^

I have heard the same reason for Holis Thompson from Georgetown testing the waters after only being a starter for about 1/2 the season (the first half). The lock out and the fact that not many elite players in College this year have pushed some players into the draft or a least to put their name in the ring.

ak47

May 5th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^

Long time lurker first time poster but I keep seeing people mention how morris leaving while sullinger stayed is an indictment of michigan but its not.  Sullinger is a gauranteed 1st round lock next year even if he has a mediocare year stat wise, morris is not.  In all honesty if this team was at its best morris's number would probably have gone down a little as all the other players were able to carry more of the offensive load.  It was the right decision for him to go, it just hurts because it clearly isnt the best for the basketball team but you can't hate on the guy for making the right decision for himself and thats just what this is, not an indictment of michigan at all. I see him around campus and he likes it here but his dream is to play in the nba and thats fair.

jmblue

May 6th, 2011 at 1:43 PM ^

There will be an NBA next year.  The league is not going to repeat the horrible mistake the NHL made by canceling an entire season.  What is far more likely is that there will be a brief (a couple months, tops) stoppage and then things resume as normal.

Picktown GoBlue

May 5th, 2011 at 11:08 PM ^

per interview with his father and everything he's said himself - he's won the championship at every level he's played at and he intends to do the same at the college level.  Trey, as his teammate and friend since they were pretty young, may have also had that same record, so let's hope we do it instead of tSIO and keep Sullinger in school a long time.

CWoodson

May 6th, 2011 at 12:35 AM ^

Also, the fact is that there is an incentive for the top top players this year to stay in college another year because of the uncertainty.  This gives the 1st round-fringe players a big incentive to come in this year, as next year they could a) easily be in the same position, and will b) be dealing with the influx of 10ish top guys who stayed this year because of that uncertainty.

Salinger

May 6th, 2011 at 7:54 AM ^

I think as fans it is easy to get caught up in our desire to see players like Darius stay another year.  It sucks to see our team split up when they made so many improvements last year.  With that in mind, I know I can sometimes forget that for these kids and for professional athletes in general, this is a business.  They play the game for the love, sure, but that passion is feuled by a desire to make it to the big show, to earn the big paycheck, and change their long term financial trajectory in life.  If I were given an opportunity to move from my measely analyst job to a top paying executive position, knowing that my abscense from my current team would make for more work for my co-workers, I would still take the executive position.  (Now THAT is a pipe dream).

J_Wall

May 5th, 2011 at 11:01 PM ^

Many seem quick to point out Morris's flaws -- lacks an outside shot, hasn't shown great ability to go left, and hasn't committed himself to the defensive end of the court.  But he also has the size (at 6'4") and court vision that NBA GMs salivate over.  Outside of Kyrie Irving, he is as close to a "true" point guard as there is in this draft.  Also, Morris is a prospect whose stock will rise as he works out for teams (see, for example, the Chad Ford article from today).  When it's all said and done, I think he will be a borderline lottery pick, getting drafted somewhere in the 15-20 range.  There just aren't that many PGs who have his blend of size and vision. 

From a purely business standpoint, Morris would risk quite a bit from coming back to school.  If he comes back and fails to improve his outside shooting or ability to drive left, he could find his stock slipping, as his flaws and inability to fix them start to trump his potential.  Right now, NBA teams see his dramatic improvement between freshman and sophomore year, look at that as indicative of his work ethic, and figure he can improve the few big flaws in his game with another offseason.  But were he to come back next year and fail to cure those defects in his game, the scouts wouldn't be so forvgiving.  And, as mentioned all over the board this week, next year's draft will be much stronger -- with top freshmen this year who elected to stay in school, next year's loaded freshman class, and potentially high school seniors if the CBA's rules change regarding early entry.  So Darius could become a better all-around player and find himself slotted in worse position on draft day. 

Maize and Blue…

May 6th, 2011 at 8:18 AM ^

but one of the easiest things to work on is improving your shot.  If you can't make the outside shot that makes you easier to defend.  If you predominantly go to your strong hand that also makes you easier to guard.  How many of the point guards Darius played against this year are going to the NBA?  I would venture to say very few.

While I hate seeing him leave this may be the best year for him to go as long as there is a season next year.  I highly doubt he gets picked in the 15-20 range.  I've seen him listed by one service as the eight best PG available.  I suspect the Lakers take him late first round and Darius gets to go home.

PRod

May 6th, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^

With your support of Morris's idiotic decision you have stated eveything that is wrong with todays game.  Go pro early before the scouts can really see you can not play.  Have one nice year and leave your current program high & dry.  Makes sense!

 

This whole thing is a joke and if you think that Morris is a border line lottery pick (despite how bad basketball is today), then maybe Stu Douglass should go pro too!   Morris had a nice year, but he has major flaws in his game and is not that athletic to play point guard in the NBA.  As bad as this year's draft maybe, Morris will be a second round pick at best and then what, after there might not even be a season this year. 

 

 

 

 

GoBlueInNYC

May 6th, 2011 at 12:15 AM ^

Correct me if I'm wrong, but going into the draft, Warren and Shazor weren't "iffy" draft picks. I don't remember where Shazor was projected, but I don't think he was considered borderline. And Warren was projected to be a solid 3rd rounder. Regarding Harris, there were clearly other issues at play with him, as far as fitting with the coaches and scheme.

I think you're falling victim to the availability heuristic. You've named four players (including Morris) from two sports, spanning six years. I'm not sure how much of a pattern that really suggests.

Swazi

May 6th, 2011 at 1:36 AM ^

Bulls need a SG and have two first rounders at the bottom of the first round.  I'd enjoy seeing him and Rose on the court.

Flying Dutchman

May 6th, 2011 at 7:54 AM ^

Darius is not a fit for the Bulls at all.   For the next decade, with good reason, Rose is going to dominate the ball in Chicago, and it needs to be that way for the Bulls to win.   Darius would be lost there, and would never have an opportunity to do anything but grow into a defensive stopper.

He needs a team with a pure 2- guard that needs someone to get him the ball.   An East example might be the Hawks with Joe Johnson.  In the West, Kobe's twilight might be the place for Morris to launch his career.   Darius' career will be about assists.

Mhpangr

May 6th, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^

Darius needs to go to a team with a superstar SG or PF (or both) where he can dish them the ball and not have to be relied on to carry the scoring load.  I see him being a good to great fit for the Knicks because they will probably let Billups walk and they have the Carmelo/Amare combo where they will dominate most shots.  Darius would just have to be the 4th scorer and just dish dimes like he was giving them to bums on the street.  The Heat is also a team where he may fit in decently (if Wade went to the 2, LeBron the 3, and with Bosh as the 5).  Either way, teams without prolific scorers may stay away from Darius.

Needs

May 6th, 2011 at 6:33 PM ^

The Heat \would seem like a good fit but the problem there is that LeBron hasn't ever figured out how to play without the ball (that he hasn't developed a decent post-up game is one of the most shocking failures of player development in recent basketball history, he would literally be unstoppable if he could play with his back to the basket). In Miami, D. Morris would have the same problem he would have with the Bulls, if he isn't the handler, there's very little place for him.

Knicks would be good option, but do they have a pick? Didnt' they deal it in the 'Melo trade? The Hawks would be ideal (even though Teague is looking good) but they don't have a first rounder. Mavs, Spurs, Grizz, Lakers all could be good fits in the second half of the first round.

MichFan1997

May 6th, 2011 at 3:31 AM ^

so I don't know if I am repeating anyone, but I think Darius made a huge mistake leaving so soon. He could have really benefitted from 1 more year of college. Plus selfishly, it would have made the transition to the next PG much easier for us. Here's hoping THJ goes HAM next year to make up for it. Either way, good luck Darius. Thanks for the 2 wins over MSU. I will never forget you for that.

willywill9

May 6th, 2011 at 8:15 AM ^

Well, we got better after losing our 2 best players last year, so hopefully Burke or someone else rises to the occassion.  Tim Hardaway Jr., in many ways, this is now your team.

TheLastHarbaugh

May 6th, 2011 at 9:45 AM ^

As a fan, I'm not happy that he's gone, but it's hard for me to envision Darius having a season better than this last one.

Perhaps I should qualify that by saying; having a season so much better, that it would significantly impact his draft status. Couple that with the fact that this year's draft class is going to be extremely shallow, while next year's might be very deep, and I can't fault him for coming to this decision.

maineandblue

May 6th, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^

Maybe I'm selfish, but I'm still pissed at him. I was looking forward to having the best MBB team we've had in almost 20 yrs on the floor next year, competing for the B1G title, and doing some real damage in the tourney. We would have deserved our ~15ish preseason ranking. Now we're left with less experience and losing arguably our MVP player. I still expect us to make the tournament, but lots of question marks and more growing pains are in our future.  Sorry, but I also think it reflects poorly on the team and his character that he wouldn't want to come back and help us win a B1G title while stepping up to the challenge/opportunity to improve his weaknesses; not to mention getting a degree.

I'll certainly root for him to succeed, but will continue to hold somewhat of a grudge...unless he comes to the Knicks and becomes our PG of the future. I think he'd fit really well with D'Antoni's offense. /selfish.

 

Mhpangr

May 6th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^

I'm just upset that I had such high hopes for our team next year and now I have to temper them.  It's not like we are losing our superstar center and putting in Mr. Bball of Ohio at center.  We are taking the 'QB' of our team and inserting a true freshman.  No matter how great he is, I'm not sure a PG freshman will get us to the promise land next year (i.e. competing for the B1G title).  Look at the performance of Darius in his freshman year compared to his sophomore year (BIG difference).  It takes time for PGs to catch up to the speed/size of the college game, so he will probably have equally frustrating/glorious times next year.

ak47

May 6th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^

The biggest flaw people point out for Morris is lack of outside shooting.  I know he isn't derrick rose or John Wall but that was the biggest complaint about those two guys coming out of college too.  NBA GM's don't care if their pg can shoot the 3 coming out of college, its something that can be taught and improved.  It would have been nice if Morris worked on that in Michigan for us but chances are its not going to drop his draft status as much as the stronger draft would have next year just by virtue of all these guys sticking around entering the draft.  I'm not happy as a michigan fan but pretty much any way you slice it Morris made the right decision for himself.

Hail Beilein

May 7th, 2011 at 5:33 AM ^

Darius needs to go to this team or that team and step in to distribute the ball to this star or that star. Get real. Darius is NOT going to average starter minutes in his rookie campaign. Darius will be better of going to a team who already has a starting point guard, but lacks a quality backup.
<br>
<br>I enjoyed hearing Darius projected to Washington to back up his offseason workout partner, Mr. Wall. He will have a chance to play, the pressure to won won't immediately be squarely on his shoulders, and he will have a chance to work on all those flaws everything loves to point out while at the same time wishing he stayed one more year.
<br>
<br>I also like the idea of Darius landing in SA. No chance in hell he won't end up the best basketball player he can be if he sticks there for the duration of his rookie contract and Pop doesn't retire.