(07-15-2014 02:37 PM)Rob Wrote: None of our guys looked like NBA players. It has nothing to do with Josh's "softness", just about talent. Funny that a thread about Geron brought out Josh bashing since he gave Geron an 18th chance and helped turn his life around. Assuming he stays on the right path, I believe Geron has a bright future ahead of him in whatever he decides to do.
This quote says it correctly.
We had an elite team with elite college talent that was always going to be a hard slog to the NBA:
- JJ: too small to get in the lane in the NBA, will make major money in euroball and be a HUGE success as an international
- CC: too inconsistent with his one potential NBA skill (shooting) and not an NBA level athlete. Will play for money, but likely overseas.
- Dixon: kind of a mix between JJ/CC, but not a real point and too small to play the 2 in the NBA, slight and can get banged around. Will play for money as well, likely overseas.
- Geron: physically probably the best bet, not as skilled, but if he goes to Europe and continues to develop, can come back as a 'D and 3' type and become a Ariza type off the bench in the NBA.
If we are defining success as being an NBA player, that is a VERY narrow definition. All four of these guys will play a kids game for a good living and then be set up via degrees and personal discipline to be elite leaders in business, their communities, whatever they work toward.
I am immensely proud of our '14 class and think they represent our city and fan base very well considering. They are all already successful and will continue to be successful as long as they put in the work (not just on the court, but in life).
I am certainly welcome to criticizing Pastner, but criticizing him for not making NBA players out of these four elite college (but not quite NBA caliber) players rings incredibly hollow. Put these guys on Duke/UNC/UK and they still aren't in the association at this point.