Boatright still undecided on 2014 NBA Draft

[scrappy2.0]

Boat is no where on NBA radars right now. He has to show he can be "the guy" on a tournament team and prove that he can play point. I think he needs to average 5 apg next year. Otherwise, he is worthless to an NBA team. If he can do those two things, he may find himself in the first round.

Daniels is in a different spot. He is older, there appears to be some NBA interest in him, and I don't see what he can do next year to really move the needle much beyond where it is now. I think it really comes down to whether he thinks this draft is too deep or not.

What Daniels can do next year is average 18-8-2 shoot 50% put a few more pounds on and move up to a lottery pick instead of a fringe 1st rounder/2nd rounder
Daniels could be a high lottery pick with a biog year. Ryan needs a lot his actual numbers were the worst of his career--NBA different animal than defending guards for 6 games in a college tourney. Hes a 5-10 guard who plays out of control without a great jumpshot. He has a lot of work to do. He could settle with this is as high as I can get in college--but if so--then take your degree with you!!!! Its free right now. Listen to KO he wont steer u wrong.

 

[auror]

I'll be stunned if Boat leaves.

It wouldn't be a good decision, but it wouldn't surprise me, honestly. He's been dying to declare the last few years.

 

[Kitaman]

Boat is still unproven running a team. However that may not matter. Bazz proved he can do it without Kemba, it would be special (or maybe selfish) to see if Boat can do it without Bazz.

On the other hand he is a 'household' name now and a hot NCAA commodity, but is he NBA commodity?

 

[Nostical]

I have a feeling that Kevin Ollie will give him the most genuine advice. As a guy who bounced around the league he has a great perspective on what it takes. There will be lots of folks trying to influence Ryan for a variety of reasons, some of them often self serving. But it only takes one respected voice to make all the difference. For KO that voice was Larry Brown. For Boatright, it just may be KO.

 

[amory]

I get all the "we don't know his situation!! Ryan needs to do what's best for himself and his family!!" stuff that everyone is always saying, but it would be pretty silly for him to declare this year. He had a great tournament but overall last season he was very inconsistent, and he's obviously not an NBA-sized guard.

I hope Boat has a long career playing professional basketball, but he's the kind of player that should consider a college degree to be extremely important.

Obviously if he goes, you thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best. But he should come back next year.

 

[CAHUSKY]

I get all the "we don't know his situation!! Ryan needs to do what's best for himself and his family!!" stuff that everyone is always saying, but it would be pretty silly for him to declare this year.

Unless he decided he was in a position to make hundreds of thousands of $$$ overseas and didn't want to put it off another year.

 

[amory]

Unless he decided he was in a position to make hundreds of thousands of $ overseas and didn't want to put it off another year.

leaving college early to go play overseas has always seemed like a pretty shortsighted move to me. if the money's there now it'll be there next year, and he'd already have his degree to fall back on plus another year of experience. could even get him into the NBA.

 

[djct1999]

I love boat but he ain't getting drafted unless he has a huge combine

I believe the NBA pre-draft camp is in Chicago. I doubt Ryan gets an invite.

 

[mauconnfan]

Both could stand solid years with Bazz in the NBA…….Boat needs to prove he can run the point and shoot it a bit better and DD needs to have a more consistent year where he is showing that skill set he seems to show come tourney time. The fall away jumpers, the post up jump hooks and some more rebounding is what will get him some more money and some guarantees……..for now neither are close no matter how well they did end of year.

DD needs to work the body hard this summer and add………he can have a huge year

 

[nomar]

No, I was being facetious. But it's true that if Boat does make the NBA, he'd be one of the 5 shortest guys, most likely.

With huge hops. Could be a speedy slot receiver who can go up and get it. Not saying he could make the NFL (he hasn't been playing football) but he has the physical skills of a pro WR. Speed, good hips, good hands, good vert. I'm glad he's been on the basketball court and not the football field, though!

 

[pj]

Under Kevin Ollie is the last time Boat will have the coach working for him. In the pros, you are working for the coach. All anyone wants to know is what you can do for them; they won't sacrifice to help you. Boat still has room to develop further as a point guard in college under Ollie's tutelage. It's a valuable opportunity you can't go back and get again. Boat is young enough that he can have an 11-12 year pro career even if he comes back another year. For Boat it seems to make all the sense to return. But, you have to follow your heart in life. Like KO said, whatever course they choose, they should be fully committed to it.

 

[nomar]

What Daniels can do next year is average 18-8-2 shoot 50% put a few more pounds on and move up to a lottery pick instead of a fringe 1st rounder/2nd rounder
Daniels could be a high lottery pick with a biog year. Ryan needs a lot his actual numbers were the worst of his career--NBA different animal than defending guards for 6 games in a college tourney. Hes a 5-10 guard who plays out of control without a great jumpshot. He has a lot of work to do. He could settle with this is as high as I can get in college--but if so--then take your degree with you!!!! Its free right now. Listen to KO he wont steer u wrong.

I think DD can get better but I don't see him making the lottery. (OK, never say never. I would never count DD out on anything.) Payne is a good comparison: A dominant senior year, NBA body, but still unable to crack the top-15. GMs don't want to draft 22- and 23-year-old guys because they think their ceiling is already defined. DD can move up in the draft and solidify himself as a mid-to-late 1st rounder, and improve his skills which will help him make an impact as a rookie, but I don't think we can see him turn himself into a lottery pick as a senior. Even with 18-8-2. It rarely happens.

 

[aceboon]

Unless he decided he was in a position to make hundreds of thousands of $ overseas and didn't want to put it off another year.

if that money overseas is there for him then I could understand, but I don't see Boat walking into that kind of money at this point in his career right now. There are still major questions on him as a lead guard that would be brought up at the highest levels of Euro ball where you see that type of money being handed out. Plus the guards overseas are usually the big and physical type, PGs over there are 6'2"-6'3" too.

 

[CAHUSKY]

leaving college early to go play overseas has always seemed like a pretty shortsighted move to me. if the money's there now it'll be there next year, and he'd already have his degree to fall back on plus another year of experience. could even get him into the NBA.

To play devils advocate....
If he can make $500,000 a year for 8 years (wild guess) why put it off another year and lose a year of earning potential? Wouldn't it be more prudent to go now and bank an extra $500,000? He will have plenty of time and money to finish his last few classes when he's done playing ball

Ps. This scenario is predicated on Ryan making the assumption that he's not likely to make it in the NBA and I'd think that's got to be a difficult one for a strong minded kid who has always dreamed of playing in the league.

 

[Rico444]

I get all the "we don't know his situation!! Ryan needs to do what's best for himself and his family!!" stuff that everyone is always saying, but it would be pretty silly for him to declare this year. He had a great tournament but overall last season he was very inconsistent, and he's obviously not an NBA-sized guard.

I hope Boat has a long career playing professional basketball, but he's the kind of player that should consider a college degree to be extremely important.

Obviously if he goes, you thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best. But he should come back next year.

If he's not an NBA guard like you say, then shouldn't he leave now and start making money in Europe (or wherever) a year earlier? He can always come back and get his degree, but he only has so many years of basketball left.

 

[Rico444]

To play devils advocate....
If he can make $500,000 a year for 8 years (wild guess) why put it off another year and lose a year of earning potential? Wouldn't it be more prudent to go now and bank an extra $500,000? He will have plenty of time and money to finish his last few classes when he's done playing ball

Ps. This scenario is predicated on Ryan making the assumption that he's not likely to make it in the NBA and I'd think that's got to be a difficult one for a strong minded kid who has always dreamed of playing in the league.

What's that they say about great minds?

 

[amory]

To play devils advocate....
If he can make $500,000 a year for 8 years (wild guess) why put it off another year and lose a year of earning potential? Wouldn't it be more prudent to go now and bank an extra $500,000? He will have plenty of time and money to finish his last few classes when he's done playing ball

Ps. This scenario is predicated on Ryan making the assumption that he's not likely to make it in the NBA and I'd think that's got to be a difficult one for a strong minded kid who has always dreamed of playing in the league.

If he's not an NBA guard like you say, then shouldn't he leave now and start making money in Europe (or wherever) a year earlier? He can always come back and get his degree, but he only has so many years of basketball left.

If there's half a million on the table it's tough to pass up. At the same time, this is the only chance he'll have to be "the guy" on a UConn team, worshiped by 20,000 people on campus, and get the extra media attention that comes with being the defending National Champion. That's tough to pass up too, and a good year could net him more money in the long run.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

To play devils advocate....
If he can make $500,000 a year for 8 years (wild guess) why put it off another year and lose a year of earning potential? Wouldn't it be more prudent to go now and bank an extra $500,000? He will have plenty of time and money to finish his last few classes when he's done playing ball

Ps. This scenario is predicated on Ryan making the assumption that he's not likely to make it in the NBA and I'd think that's got to be a difficult one for a strong minded kid who has always dreamed of playing in the league.

I think Boatright can't make the jump to as high as #20 with a big year next year. Those drafting at the end of the first round are drafting less on potential and more on who can help now. Boatright needs to finish next year as an NBA ready point guard, and he can have a long and very lucrative career as a backup. If he leaves for Europe now, he probably makes much less than $500k next year and basically precludes the chances of him ever making the League.

 

[bmayuc]

I love Boat for his tenacity, heart, toughness. But at his size, the NBA Draft is not what he should be concentrating on. Whether he comes out this year or not, his focus should be on the European market.

Gage his value there, weigh that against another year of development/enjoyment of college, and make your decision.

Like I said i am a HUGE BOATFAN. But i don't see his future in the NBA at his size/skill level. I would love to be proven wrong, but he's just so slightttt.

 

[cohenzone]

They are both intelligent enough to not seek the boneyard for advice.
.

Nooooo, say it isn't so. You've squashed a reason for living.

 

[James]

"Boatright needs to come back and learn how to run a team " --- did you guys miss the NCAA tournament ? Boatright could without a doubt kill it in eurobasket. If he feels like he wants to get a paycheck go for it he's earned it. I don't think staying another year will necessarily launch him into the first round . Napier was liked a lot by gms right after his frosh year . Boatrights problems stem from his diminutive stature

 

[Mike Honcho]

With huge hops. Could be a speedy slot receiver who can go up and get it. Not saying he could make the NFL (he hasn't been playing football) but he has the physical skills of a pro WR. Speed, good hips, good hands, good vert. I'm glad he's been on the basketball court and not the football field, though!

If anything I'd see him as more of a corner. Great reaction time, quickness, toughness.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

"Boatright needs to come back and learn how to run a team " --- did you guys miss the NCAA tournament ? Boatright could without a doubt kill it in eurobasket. If he feels like he wants to get a paycheck go for it he's earned it. I don't think staying another year will necessarily launch him into the first round . Napier was liked a lot by gms right after his frosh year . Boatrights problems stem from his diminutive stature

I disagree with that. Boat is a better athlete and better defensively than Napier right now. He has to show he can play the 1, which I think he can do.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Boatright has to prove he can a true PG. He has to get his assist up. He has to improve his decision making. Most importantly, he has to prove he can stop bigger guards consistently cause that he will face those type of guards in the NBA daily. He still has many question marks. I don't believe he will get drafted, but he will get a chance to play in Europe or China. He can make a living, but not NBA style living. Anyway, I hope he comes back for another year because it would be a mistake to declare for the draft this year.

 

[mauconnfan]

"Boatright needs to come back and learn how to run a team " --- did you guys miss the NCAA tournament ? Boatright could without a doubt kill it in eurobasket. If he feels like he wants to get a paycheck go for it he's earned it. I don't think staying another year will necessarily launch him into the first round . Napier was liked a lot by gms right after his frosh year . Boatrights problems stem from his diminutive stature

Let's be honest he played great in the tourney but did he "run the team" for more than a couple of minutes a game? I mean reality is he needs to prove he can play 30-35 minutes at point and make the team GO……..not an inaccurate statement at all.

 

[Huskybass]

Nate Robinson is the same height as Boat and has been in the league for 9 years. Just sayin. Don't count Boat out, he is a fantastic athlete and as tough as they come.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Dear Boat and DD,

Please know that there aren't any Boneyard posters qualified to advise you. Ignore this board and seek advice elsewhere.

The Boatright and Daniels that I saw throughout the entire season don't need "qualified" or "unqualified posters" to advise them because both absolutely, positively need to come back for their senior year. Neither is ready. Neither is anywhere near the level of consistency that we've seen from a Napier or a Kemba . . . . . or any one else who jumped early (see Hashem T for further proof).

Having said that, both were impressive in the tourney. Boat got away from forcing shots on offense and his defense was . . . . . absolutely terrific. But in the NBA he'll need more offensive firepower. Daniels? Is he the 20 point guy we saw against Michigan State (I believe . . . unless it was Florida) or is he the guy that would "go off the grid" and forget to show up at the arena with the rest of his teammates from time-to-time. Consistency is the key with him. He needs to be able to replicate his big games on a regular basis.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Nate Robinson is the same height as Boat and has been in the league for 9 years. Just sayin. Don't count Boat out, he is a fantastic athlete and as tough as they come.

Nate Robinson is a freak. Huge vertical, really built for his size and playing rb in either high school or college. Boat is a good college player but he needs to work on a lot if he wants to make the big leagues

 

[Huskyforlife]

The Boatright and Daniels that I saw throughout the entire season don't need "qualified" or "unqualified posters" to advise them because both absolutely, positively need to come back for their senior year. Neither is ready. Neither is anywhere near the level of consistency that we've seen from a Napier or a Kemba . . . . . or any one else who jumped early (see Hashem T for further proof).

Having said that, both were impressive in the tourney. Boat got away from forcing shots on offense and his defense was . . . . . absolutely terrific. But in the NBA he'll need more offensive firepower. Daniels? Is he the 20 point guy we saw against Michigan State (I believe . . . unless it was Florida) or is he the guy that would "go off the grid" and forget to show up at the arena with the rest of his teammates from time-to-time. Consistency is the key with him. He needs to be able to replicate his big games on a regular basis.

I see your point but you can't blame Thabeet for leaving when he's the second pick in he draft. For most kids lottery/5-10 is the goal and Thabeet go there.

 

[G0UCONN]

I love them both. No NC without Daniels and Boatright. Simple as that. And they both came up HUGE in March.

Really hope they come back. For selfish reasons, as a UConn fan, I hope so. And to be honest, because I don't see either of them as good/long term NBA pros. Both real good college players who hopefully play four years and then maybe get a shot in the NBA or if not there---then I see long good careers in Europe ala Khalid El-Amin.

But if they go---will wish them well and have nothing but great memories of what they meant to UConn.