Tim(Knicks), Trey(Jazz), Morris(76'ers), Manny(Magic), Deshawn(Celtics),
Udoh(Bucks) and Crawford(Clippers) are in very different places in their careers, but all start NBA training camp this week. With the retirement of the last Fab 5 holdout(Juwan) comes an influx of former Maize and Blue talent into the NBA.
Burke will be thrown into the fire in Utah. It's his show, and as a top 10 pick he'll face significant pressure to be "the man" from the second he steps on the court.
Tim Hardaway will have plenty of time to ease into his "Allan Houston" role on the Knicks, as two shooting guards will be teaching him the ropes(while he rides a good bit of pine).
Darius Morris is expected to contribute significant minutes for the 76'ers. I know he loved being at home, but I think Philly is finally going to give him the run he needs to develop..
Manny enters training camp with the Magic just trying to break back into the NBA. From most accounts he is a longshot to stick with the Magic, but you never know who is watching.
Deshawn Sims enters training camp with the Celtics trying to make an NBA roster for the first time in his career. He has dominated the D-League, the Summer League, and he's turned heads overseas, but his dream of playing in the NBA may not come true with the Celtics who return a bunch of really talented forwards. It still amazes me that Deshawn's combination of size and touch haven't landed him a spot somewhere. Maybe this is the year(but probably not with the Celtics).
Brian Ellerbe recruit Jamal Crawford has been in the NBA since the turn of the century, but really didn't become a crossover specializing superstar until 2003 with the Bulls. Since then, he has been a bit of a journeyman, averaging 16ish points for the Knicks, Warriors, Hawks, Trailblazers, and finally last year with the Clippers.
Tommy Amaker Recruit Ekpe Udoh has been a bit of a disappointment since being drafted #6 overall by the Warriors. Now he's averaging 4pts and 3rebounds in 18 minutes with the Milwaukee Bucks.
As a side note, it seems that Dion Harris managed to dodge recent events in Syria(He had been playing with the Al Karameh Homs) and has landed with the Piratas De Bogota(Colombia).
October 1st, 2013 at 11:43 PM ^
Holy huge paragraph, Batman.
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:09 AM ^
October 1st, 2013 at 11:44 PM ^
I haven't seen any update on Darius since the Lakers now have Nash, Farmar, and Blake (that is a seriously blanco point), anyone have an ear to the ground?
October 1st, 2013 at 11:48 PM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:01 AM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 1:01 AM ^
edit: Farmar is actually bi-racial, his dad is African American and his mother is White Jewish American.
October 2nd, 2013 at 1:52 AM ^
this is correct. plus fyi, if he was persian/iranian, that too would be considered white.
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:42 AM ^
JMFC, people.
October 2nd, 2013 at 7:32 AM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:56 AM ^
October 1st, 2013 at 11:47 PM ^
Dion Harris really knows how to pick the right places to play. From Syria to Columbia.
October 1st, 2013 at 11:58 PM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:00 AM ^
Colombia.
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:03 AM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 2:52 AM ^
I lived in Colombia of for 1 1/2 years from '03 to '06 and I can say it is awesome and one of the safer cities in latin america. It's completely insane to compare it to Syria.
Also his home stadium (El Coliseo) seats over 20,000 people and is a badass place to play. I'm sure he is not making much but I can't imagine he is not having a great time playing there.
Hey, no Chris Hunter update?
Also, Morris could not have landed in a better place. The 76ers have very little talent and he only has to beat out a rookie to start. If he doesn't he will still get 15-20 minutes a game. I'm very excited to see what he can do.
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:18 AM ^
Colombia is a city now?
October 2nd, 2013 at 1:53 PM ^
I meant Bogota or Bogotá.
October 2nd, 2013 at 1:57 PM ^
So here's an obligatory Shakira gif-
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^
Colombia is actually doing very very well, I've seen a bunch of my friends who had been living in the US moving to Colombia, and many of them where American, Spaniards, etc. Bogota and a few other cities are great places to live (though I would still definitely not wonder into the jungles)
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:09 AM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 1:08 AM ^
Glad to see Darius Morris getting a shot at signficiant minutes. Michael Carter-Williams seems to be his only compeititon and he's a developmental rookie so hopefully Morris can get some real playing time on this potential record setting loser 76ers.
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:20 AM ^
a few of these guys were. +1 (Informative)...
October 2nd, 2013 at 6:25 AM ^
We get a lot of information on how former Wolverines are doing in the NFL, but it would be interesting to get similar weekly updates like this for former Wolverines in the NBA or elsewhere in basketball. I would think these threads would be widely read as well.
Like others, I also had wondered where some of these guys were, so thanks to the OP for putting this together.
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^
Jamal Crawford became a good player, but its a huge exxageration to suggest he was ever a superstar.
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:07 AM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:20 AM ^
Where he's pushing being a star, but just not quite good enough to stick with any team for too long. He has value as an asset, but he's not indispensable.
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:29 AM ^
Last I heard he had a foot infection that was likely to cost him the rest of his career. Glad to see that he is back out there grinding.
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:29 AM ^
I'm happy for Darius, of course.
But I'm also sad for Darius.
The 76ers will rival their own record for worst record in basketball. Fortunately for them, the Suns, Bobcats, Kings, Pelicans, Celtics, and Jazz (sorry, Trey) are extant.
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:40 AM ^
can really ball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MLVvDyxtyQ
This article says Timmy may see quite a BIT of playing time:
http://bucketsoverbroadway.com/2013/09/28/tim-hardaway-jr-can-rookie-make-rotation/
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:45 AM ^
I dont get how Sims is not in the league. Hes a kid i believe stayed too long and now paying for it. For his size and skill set he can be good in the league especially as a scorer.
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:46 AM ^
Are going to get a thread for each M player when they score a free throw, too?
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:54 AM ^
bag, I see.
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:02 AM ^
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:05 AM ^
God I miss negs right now.
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^
But this is at least on topic, right?
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:46 AM ^
Just to see your reaction.
October 2nd, 2013 at 9:59 AM ^
to suck, right? Overtime pay in order.
October 2nd, 2013 at 8:59 AM ^
Dion Harris must have a thing about playing in safe places...
October 2nd, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^
I think he's got an okay chance to make the Celtics. They only have 14 players with guaranteed contracts, and have just enough room to add one player with a rookie-minimum salary deal and stay under the salary cap. They've also had him in camp before and with their affiliiated D-league team in Maine, so they know his game and like it enough to keep giving him a chance. I think it's between him and Kammron Taylor for an unguaranteed two-year contract with that final roster spot, although the edge goes to Taylor because he's a point guard and Rondo is injured. Whichever player wins the spot will probably be waived in early January, however, before the contract becomes guaranteed for the rest of the year per the CBA.