The thing about Andre...

[dogpause]

First let me say that he seems like a really awesome person in addition to being a great athlete. I also think it's the right move for him to go to the NBA since he's all but assured of being a high pick.

If he stayed at UConn, I expect that he would improve tremendously, but he'll improve as a pro too. I really believe Andre needs more than coaching, he needs intensive tutoring in some of the most basic aspects of big man play. In college, his practice time is much more limited than it is in the pros, where he'll get lots of attention. Also, there's the slight chance that his stock could drop a little if he stays in college, or that he gets injured. The odds of either are small, but they do exist, IMO.

He's making the right move, the same right move regardless UConn's eligibility for the post season. I wish him luck and think he's going to do well even if it takes a couple years. He's got a huge upside and a big heart. He's also going to be popular with fans, I think.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

He is more suited for the NBA game than the NCAA game anyway. His skills that are most developed are his shot blocking, running the floor for a big man, and dunking. That is about all you need to be able to do in the NBA as a center these days anyway. With those skills and the lack of talent at the Center position in the NBA, I wouldn't be surprised if he is an NBA All-Star within 4 years.

 

[Huskies4ever]

First let me say that he seems like a really awesome person in addition to being a great athlete. I also think it's the right move for him to go to the NBA since he's all but assured of being a high pick.

If he stayed at UConn, I think he would improve tremendously, but he'll improve as a pro too. I really think Andre needs more than coaching, he needs intensive tutoring in some of the most basic aspects of big man play. In college, his practice time is much more limited than it is in the pros. Also, there's the slight chance that his stock could drop a little if he stays, or that he gets injured. The odds of either are small, but they do exist, IMO.

He's making the right move, the same right move regardless UConn's eligibility for the post season. I wish him luck and think he's going to do well. He's got a huge upside and a big heart. He's also going to be popular with fans, I think.

I agree with the way you view him as a person. And I, like you, wish him the best. I have questions about how ready he is for the pros. Will he make an instant impact and help redeem a crappy team? In other words, will he be worth the money that a top 5 pick will pay him? I don't know. Nobody does. I don't blame him for leaving and totally understand the circumstances. The pros draft on potential and Andre's got plenty. I just think he could use more college seasoning.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

How does any one of us know if this was entirely Andre's decision or if JC needed to convince him to make this move? It is very possible that that AD could have done very little next year to improve his stock in the eyes of those who make draft choices but could have hurt his standing with a less than stellar sophomore season. Also (and perhaps more important than any other issue) as faar as developing his game, we don't exactly have a quality big man coach at the moment (I believe that Miller has now replaced Blaney in this role). It isn't unreasonable to think that an NBA team could teach him a bit more quickly than we could.

 

[CL82]

Andre had a choice of learning the game as college player or learning it while someone made him a millionaire. I'm sure JC told him that it wasn't in his best interest to turn down the money.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Andre had a choice of learning the game as college player or learning it while someone made him a millionaire. I'm sure JC told him that it wasn't in his best interest to turn down the money.

Just look at Greg Oden. If he had stayed all four years at OSU he literally would be penniless from a basketball career.

Andre, and any other player who is considered a top-5 pick, has to go.

I think his low ceiling in the pros is a Tyson Chandler type player. Someone who doesn't develop the offensive skills for a center at the NBA level but can still rebound and block shots.

His high end is somewhere above Bynum but below Howard.

I can see him averaging 17 pts, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks 3-4 years from now.

 

[Huskies4ever]

His high end is somewhere above Bynum but below Howard.
I can see him averaging 17 pts, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks 3-4 years from now.

I hope you are right, but is he a center or a power forward at the next level? The center position isn't what it used to be, but with his athleticism and his build, I see him more as Amar'e Stoudamire if he can improve his jump shot.

 

[Ts5034]

The thing that gets me is that i dont think AD really wanted to leave. He loved being here and playing for Calhoun. He was probably peer pressured to make the jump. It just makes you wonder again if this garbage with the tournament ban didnt happen, maybe he stays?

 

[Huskies4ever]

It just makes you wonder again if this garbage with the tournament ban didnt happen, maybe he stays?

I wonder about that. I think Lamb still goes, but if the team could come back with the potential to make a deep NCAA tourney run.......
Stupid NCAA and changing on-the-fly APR rules.