manchild56

June 25th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^

as much as the next man or woman on here, maybe even more since I live here. But come on the guy is hurt. I don't mind the update but rubbing it in that Ohio big men keep sliding in the draft is a bit much. I expect more from a Wolverine fan I guess. He was a lottery lock no doubt till the injury. I just don't wanna be a Sparty or Domer and not say anything.

robbyt003

June 25th, 2012 at 3:52 PM ^

might want to slap a big OT on that one.  I kind of feel bad for him and how much his stock has dropped due to the reports of his back.  

bluesalt

June 25th, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^

I would be extremely pleased with that pick.  But as for trading, I think they either trade both to move up in the first round, or stay pat/move down a couple slots in the first round.

And even tho I have too few MGoPoints to matter, I too don't understand the potshot behind this post.

Erik_in_Dayton

June 25th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^

I don't think he'll be an All Star, but I'd roll the dice on him if I was a playoff team with a pick in the 20s.  I wish him well given that he's Burke's friend. 

Space Coyote

June 25th, 2012 at 5:03 PM ^

He annoyed me a lot at OSU because I think he whines a lot (but it seems like that is becoming much more the norm in basketball these days, so that may not even be a valid reason).  When people though he was going to be an early draft pick it was because he could be a solid NBA player, not because he would be a star.  People want stars with their early picks, so people thought of him as "bust" material.  Now he is slipping to later in the draft apparently, and someone could pick up a real good player for that value.  I think the risk is there, obviously, but I think later in the first round it would be very worth it for his potential ceiling, especially since those teams later in the round really can take a flyer on someone like him and potentailly give them the steal they need to reach the next level (potentailly getting a solid ~10 ppg 4 man could be huge for a contending team).

KAYSHIN15

June 25th, 2012 at 4:05 PM ^

Of why players should strike while the iron is hot. If college athletes play themselves into the top of a draft in any major sport they should leap at the opportunity whether they are Freshmen or not. I hope playing one more year for the Suckeyes was worth it, because it probably cost him millions.

bluebrains98

June 25th, 2012 at 4:15 PM ^

I agree with you that this is, unfortunately, a good example of why college athletes should "strike while the iron is hot." However, I take issue with faulting anybody who decides to stick around college for another year...or three. He may have cost himself some money, but I can't think of too many valid criticisms for a guy who chose to stay in school.

JeepinBen

June 25th, 2012 at 4:25 PM ^

It depends. Will another year in college help this person in his major source of income? There was a good article recently on if Kevin Durant was a Texas fan. http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8067058/kevin-durant-school-pride-one-done-athlete Bill Gates, the founder of Google, lots of people go to college, reach a point where they will be financially set, and leave college without a degree.

At this point Sullinger "stayed too long" for maximizing his earning power. For most people that takes getting a degree, for him it didnt. There's nothing stopping any person from going to college, leaving to make millions, then finishing a degree and continuing on with life after they make all that money.

That said, I do wish him the best because it's hard to go back to school for a chance at a championship and have it come back to bite you and cost yourself millions. Hopefully he can still have a long productive career.

bluebrains98

June 25th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^

I agree with you 100%. My point is just that it's hard to criticize someone for choosing to stay in school. In hindsight, it was not the best decision for him. But, I can't really call him a moron either for optng for another year of college. Hindsight...

Mister X

June 25th, 2012 at 4:44 PM ^

"Was it over when the... Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!?"

 

Sorry JeepinBen, longtime follower of your comments but can't let that slide especially given your tagline.

 

 

COB

June 26th, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^

Sliding in the draft isn't a bad thing all the time, it would only be a bad thing if he fizzles out in his first contract.  TBD.  If you go on to a long career, it really won't be a huge difference either way.  The difference between the #5 and #15 pick is ~4.4 million over the first three years.  The difference could be made up in year 1 of his second deal if he catches on with a team and plays well.  That 3 year difference is about 2 million less than Andre Blatche makes per season.  If he is going to be good, he will make plenty of money regardless of where he goes in the draft.   Between this and the Troy Smith thread, the butthurt of Michigan past is strong today. 

Butterfield

June 25th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^

What is his most optimistic projection?  A slightly bigger Corliss Williamson but with fewer post moves?  He's one of the most likeable Ohio guys I've seen yet I really don't see him being anything more than a role player in the NBA. 

mGrowOld

June 25th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^

Unfortunately Sullinger will probably become the "Tyrone Wheatley" of the NBA when it comes to the stay or go decisions.  Wheatley was projected as a top 5 pick following his Jr year but elected to come back for his Sr year, got hurt and fell in the draft.  Sullinger was widely expected to go Top 5 last year, came back, got hurt and has seen his draft stock fall as well.

I wonder if his back issues had surfaced before his close friend Burke made his decision to come back if his call wouldve changed.

Hagen

June 25th, 2012 at 4:34 PM ^

Never a fan of kicking a guy while he's down and injured (yes, even from a Michigan sports blog)

Just remember that Sullinger plays with heart and class.  He's a good kid from a very nice family.  And may I remind you of the embrace with Trey after we won in Ann Arbor, where he tells Trey "I love you" and does nothing but show respect after a loss at the hands of his rival.  He's a class act, plays with great emotion, and I would love for him to be on one of my teams, role player or not.

93Grad

June 25th, 2012 at 5:18 PM ^

is that they stop taking Michigan gaurds too early.  Other than that the entire league is dead to me and has been for awhile.  Just a terrible, terrible product in every way shape and form.

Hagen

June 25th, 2012 at 5:50 PM ^

The 12.6 rating for game 5 begs to differ.  Listen, I don't like the NBA for its egomaniancs and me-first athletes either, but the NBA is doing pretty well nationally and globally.  For the last month, my client in Ireland (four brothers who are huge sports fans) have spoken as much about the NBA playoffs as they have about Euro 2012, so the NBA must be doing something right.

bacon1431

June 25th, 2012 at 6:18 PM ^

I just hope he's not invited to the Pistons either.

High floor-low ceiling. He's Tyler Hansbrough. A guy that you can use on your team but I don't think he'll ever be a long term solution for a team as a starter. He'll come off of the bench and give you 8-10 points and 4-5 boards as your backup PF. Can't defend the athletic guys and isn't tall enough to guard a big time C. He's a decent piece to have on your team, but I'm not spending a lottery pick on him when he's pretty much tapped out of his potential.

Tater

June 25th, 2012 at 6:50 PM ^

I detest Ohio as much as anyone, but Sullinger has always seemed to be a class act, and is a very good player.  It appears that he hurt his NBA contract by staying in school.  That could provide more ammuntion to those who are always trying to get kids to declare for the draft.  

It's to the advantage of student-athletes and the NBA if kids stay in school longer.  This is going to make more kids declare sooner, and Michigan isn't immune to the long-term consequences of players like Sullinger falling in the draft.

In other words, I am not celebrating this at all.

bronxblue

June 25th, 2012 at 8:40 PM ^

Any time a kid is passed over because of health issues, you heart has to go out to him.  Yeah, Sullinger seems like a bit of a jerk and all, but nobody deserves to have his body betray him before one of the biggest moments in his life.

I suspect he'll find a good home in the teens and be a good contributor in the NBA, given he stays healthy.

SysMark

June 25th, 2012 at 8:53 PM ^

I always kind of liked him - as much as I can like an Ohio player - so this is unfortunate.  He's not super-athletic to begin with so any falloff could be really damaging.  He played hard, came back for the second year, so no animosity toward him.  If he goes low a good team may get a bargain role player.

bluebyyou

June 26th, 2012 at 9:57 AM ^

I get zero pleasure from this news.  I am sure a lot of sacrifice went into this kid's basketball career and hope things work out well for him.  He seems like a quality individual and wish him the best.

thisisme08

June 26th, 2012 at 10:52 AM ^

Honestly the kid won me over when he whole got ahold of the rival fan (was it Minny??) who had the funny sign calling him a mama's boy and asked if he could actually send it to his mom. 

I hate Ohio as much as anybody and when this news came out I looked at my wife and said "damnit" because I really wish him a good career in the NBA.  Hopefully, he can prove the doubters wrong.