4godkingandwol…

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:25 PM ^

kids shouldn't really have to apologize for this.  NCAA basketball is simply a feader into the pros.  The best players leave right away.  this isn't something someone should apologize for.  

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 31376

WolvinLA2

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^

He also might not want to take flack from M fans about this. If his public stance is "I'm jumping at the NBA first chance I get" that won't go over well with M fans. Even if that's the case, he's much better off saying "I love Ann Arbor/UM and the NBA is the last thing on my mind right now."

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

4godkingandwol…

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^

... I just think its stupid that any portion of a fan base would be upset with a kid whose goal is to be one of the best players in college so that he can accomplish his life long dream of playing professionally. Is it happening faster than we thought? Sure. But without the pace, we also wouldn't be undefeated in the big ten going to el. I'm thrilled he is playing lights out ball, and hope he continues to do so, hope it translates into success this year for UM, helps recruiting, and helps nick land as a lottery pick.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 31376

slimj091

January 23rd, 2014 at 6:54 PM ^

he would only take flak from fan's that don't really follow basketball, and are only following it when we make a run at the tournament, or are highly ranked. even then most of those people would have trouble remembering his name after a week. most basketball fan's know the deal here.

Joined: 01/04/2014

MGoPoints: 9542

2Blue4You

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:36 PM ^

What is with ESPN's verbage in regards to this win?  Michigan "stuns" and Michigan "upsets" Iowa?  Come on, I am sure Iowa was disappointed but not stunned and I would hardly call it an upset. 

Joined: 08/28/2008

MGoPoints: 4521

LSAClassOf2000

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:37 PM ^

If anyone is interested, that quote is nestled in the middle of a much lengthier SI piece - you can find it here (LINK) 

To be fair to his dad, he did use qualifiers like "good possibility" and "might be able", and it is obvious that he's very proud of his son (as he should be, of course), but I also wonder if this clarification - which Nik probably didn't need to make - is just to stem the tide of rumor and endless questions that might result from that quote. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130669

MGlobules

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^

criticize his dad for this, since there really wasn't anything wrong with what he said. Maybe this is Nik asserting himself as a young man a little, too--and his dad was speaking in excited terms for him. But it's just unfortunate that anyone would have to feel the slightest bit bad about any of this. 

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 47853

charblue.

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:12 PM ^

put that sentiment more politely, but I'm sure they 've had a conversation and he expressed his feelings directly. The fact that people here have been making assumptions and conjecturing  about his future beyond this season, only makes Nik's comments stronger in terms of eliminating that speculation as a game by game distraction. 

We all want to project how things will be when things are going well and we want them to stay that way based on current results. But all things change. And the team you have now, even if the faces are still the same, change based on confidence, growth and sometimes, the weather. Either way, enjoy Nik while he still wears Maize and Blue. 

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11420

oriental andrew

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^

to be fair, Eamonn Brennan has Stauskas #8 on his Wooden Award watch list.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/93013/brennan…

8. Nik Stauskas, Michigan: How good has Nik Stauskas been for the past two months? So good that his dad is talking about the NBA as a "matter of months." Stauskas apologized for his father's comments after Wednesday night's game, in which he put up what has become a trademark Staukas performance: 37 minutes, 26 points, 8-of-14 shooting, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. The Michigan guard has morphed from a mostly standstill spot shooter to a ballhandling, step-backing, all-court offensive threat and actually become more efficient in doing so. No wonder his pop is excited. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 56208

Rabbit21

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^

This is ridiculous, anyone with half a brain should support this move, if he's ready to go and fulfill a lifelong dream and thinks the time is right then he needs to bounce.  No-one should begrudge him the chance to go to the pros and there is no reason he should have to say anything about what his dad said.

 

 

Joined: 11/12/2009

MGoPoints: 30360

aiglick

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^

I think this is going too far. Begrudge is a strong word. I would say many of us hope he stays in Ann Arbor for another year. Personally, I feel that if he isn't a first round draft pick then he shouldn't go though of course it's his choice and he needs to make the decision best for him. If he is a sure fire first round draft pick which it increasingly seems is the case then he should go. I adamantly feel with Morris for instance that he made a sub optimum move leaving after only two years. Obviously it worked out for us and Morris has made some money but he's had a heck of a time sticking when he could have had another year of buzz on a Tournament team and developed more under this staff which has proved it can develop players. Anyway, I think it's a bit much to ask fans to not want the best for the team in addition to the individual athletes.

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 21563

TrueBlue2003

January 23rd, 2014 at 7:32 PM ^

...this logic.  Morris made a great decision.  Do you really think that playing basketball as his full time job, with all the strength and conditioning and coaching that comes with being on an NBA team actually hurt Darius Morris?

Look, Beilein and his coaches staff are as good at developing players as college coaches can be while their guys are spending large portions of the day in class and studying, limited by NCAA practice time regulations.

If a guy can get drafted and he's confident he can get a contract, it's almost always in his best interest to go pro.  Then he gets to make money an extra year of his career and have an extra year of full-time professional basketball practice which can only help in the long run.  If he ends up not lasting long in the league, it's because he just wasn't good enough.  People always look at these things in hindsight but it's really hard to have a long career in the NBA. Another year in college wouldn't have helped his development more than that year in the pros.

Of course, as fans we'd love our best players to all stay four years for completely selfish reasons.  But if we care at all about the players we have to trust that they're making the best decisions for themselves.

 

 

Joined: 01/05/2010

MGoPoints: 38075

samdrussBLUE

January 23rd, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^

Wow.  I did not think he should apologize at all (everyone knows he wants to get to the league, and if he progresses like he has he will get there, sooner rather than later).  That said, this is great that he wanted to say something.  To point out what his focus and goals are right now with this team.

Joined: 01/21/2012

MGoPoints: 18004

WolvinLA2

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^

That really doesn't answer the question. What is missing from his game that would keep him from being a first rounder? He is a tall and long yet highly athletic SG who is deadly from 3, can drive and finish, and can distribute as well. From an offensive standpoint, he's not missing much.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

Cold War

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:50 PM ^

Not athletic at all by NBA standards. Speed, quickness, jumping ability, lateral movement, strength all lacking. Doesn't get to the basket a lot and isn't a good finisher. Gets beat off the dribble and is mediocre on defense. Fair ballhandler at best.

Joined: 01/15/2012

MGoPoints: -3144

AlwaysBlue

January 23rd, 2014 at 4:25 PM ^

with this. He's not going to beat NBA athletes off the dribble or get to the hoop with any regularity. If he decides to work like Rip and Reggie though and be on a team willing to run that action then I think that midrange shot he's been showing could make him more potent.

Joined: 11/23/2008

MGoPoints: 7854

remdog

January 23rd, 2014 at 4:39 PM ^

describing Larry Bird. We all know how crappy an NBA player he was. LOL Seriously, do you even watch Michigan basketball? Did you go to the Joe Dumars school of NBA drafting? I would be willing to bet a month's pay that Stauskas has a long successful NBA career.

Joined: 05/14/2009

MGoPoints: 3085

WolvinLA2

January 23rd, 2014 at 7:01 PM ^

Doesn't get to the basket a lot and isn't a good finisher?  Are we watching the same guy?  Are you not familiar with Game, Blouses?  I'm not saying he'll be able to do that with as much ease in the league, but he can certainly get to the rack, even against good defenders.  And because he's such a shooting threat with such a quick stroke, guys need to guard him tight.  

 

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

Lucky Socks

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:32 PM ^

He will be drafted 20-30 and have a 10+ year NBA career. Guy is offensively potent in his prime, and will age well as a A+ shooter.

Jon Berry, Kyle Korver, or JJ Redick are comparable. But I think he's much better with the ball as a creator, so maybe a poor mans Ray Allen or JR Smith with better shot selection

I'll bet any amount of money that he has a long successful career.

Joined: 01/18/2012

MGoPoints: 2745

WolvinLA2

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:36 PM ^

I know you're not supposed to compare across races and all, but what about a less-bearded James Harden? Can get to the hoop and finish as well as draw fouls, but is deadly from the outside.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191