AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > February > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIs it one-and-done for Crittenton?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Not surprisingly, inquiring minds already wish to know if Georgia Tech’s Javaris Crittenton will join the likes of Greg Oden and Kevin Durant as one-and-done dribblers in college basketball.
Not surprisingly, Crittenton says that he only is concentrating on the Yellow Jackets’ next “X” or “O.” That is, when he isn’t studying for stuff involving his major in International Affairs.
Not surprisingly, more than a few folks don’t believe him.
I believe him.
“You’ve got to take care of what’s in front of you today, and what’s presenting itself right now,” Crittenton told me recently, with his team in a frantic search to reach the NCAA tournament. His last outing notwithstanding (seven misses in 10 shot attempts, one assist and four turnovers at Virginia on Saturday), Crittenton has been Tech’s catalyst as its latest freshman point guard of significance.
He ranks either one or two in the ACC among all freshmen in scoring, steals and assists. He also continues to mature by the moment as a leader for the young Jackets.
“So if I take care of my business now and take things step by step,” he added, “everything else will fall into place.”
Crittenton’s reference was to life in general. Not necessarily to a trip to the NBA draft this spring.
Still, this needs to be said.
Don’t go.
“I told him that the NBA isn’t going anywhere, and once you go, you can’t come back,” said Dennis Scott, who definitely knows. He bolted the Jackets a year early after the 1989-90 season to enter the draft following that Lethal Weapon 3 spurt to the Final Four.
He stayed in the NBA for a decade to become one of the league’s all-time prolific shooters from long distance. He also became one of the league’s all-time prolific observers.
There was Scott’s stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves, for instance, after he spent the bulk of his career with the Orlando Magic. He noticed Kevin Garnett’s anguish whenever Scott and others discussed their days on campuses.
“You could tell he felt bad about not being able to add anything to the conversations,” said Scott, now a Hawks radio announcer, referring to Garnett’s emptiness after leaping from high school to the NBA. “Finally, I asked him about it, and he said, ‘Yeah, it crosses my mind sometimes that I missed out by not having that college experience.’ “
In contrast, Crittenton already has that college experience, with more to come on the court through the ACC tournament and beyond, but that’s not the point. Just listen to Mark Price, among those who dribbled during the Neanderthal days of college basketball, when great players mostly stayed until graduation day.
So you know what Price wants Crittenton to do when it comes to his alma mater. Or do you?
“Well, I mean, it’s hard to say what he should do, because there is so much money involved these days,” said Price, who spent 12 years in the NBA. “If a guy has an opportunity to get drafted high, it’s hard to tell somebody not to go.”
Then Price quickly added the truth about the former star at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, who already is resembling his predecessors with the Jackets at point guard named Jarrett Jack, Stephon Marbury, Travis Best, Kenny Anderson and, yes, Price.
“I think Javaris is still in that learning curve, so to speak, at that position and at what it takes to really be a great point guard,” Price said. “He came in with more of a shooting-guard mentality, probably at a high school that required him to do a lot of shooting for them to win, but another year or two [at Tech] would really help him tremendously as far as his development in that position.”
Yes, it would, which brings us to a couple of things. First, Anderson is among Crittenton’s idols. “Stephon was great, but I love Kenny, and I watch Kenny Anderson tape all the time,” Crittenton said.
Second, Anderson stayed with the Jackets through his sophomore season. Like model, like disciple?
Which brings us to a final thing. Said a high-ranking NBA scout about the possibility of Crittenton entering the draft now instead of later, “A ton of kids are in his boat. They can roll the dice, and they might go in the first round, or they can roll the dice, and they might go in the second round. But if [Crittenton] sticks around for at least another year, there’s no question he’s a first-rounder, and maybe a high first-rounder.”
Then case closed.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Terence Moore
Comments
By Burdell's Brother
February 26, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
This is a no brainer he and Young both have to stay. Crit has good people around him and I am sure he will do the right thing and come back. Young, who needs the most work, I am not so sure.
Neither one at this point is a top 20 pick, come back, for one more year, get better and then go get the cash.
By Ga_Tech_92
February 26, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
I’m a Crittenton fan, but I think he needs to stay another year. He’s only played PG less than two years (sr year in high school, this year at Tech). PG is a big time position and he has a lot to learn, though he already has great heart…..
MARIO IS THE MAN, WE LOVE YOU DUDE, THANKS FOR ALL THE HEART AND DESIRE
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 26, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Crittenton will get picked in the first round if he leaves this year. Problem is, it will be at the end of the first round, and he probably won’t get a whole lot of minutes with whatever team he goes to. If he stays another year, he’s a surefire lottery pick in 2008. From that point of view, I’d say he’ll probably test the draft waters but ultimately decide to stay. Then again, maybe the lure of a 3-year guaranteed NBA contract will be too much to keep him around.
Young, on the other hand, is much less NBA-ready than Crittenton… but due to his athleticism and versatility, I wouldn’t be surprised if some NBA team overrated him and gave him a promise in the mid-first round. He definitely needs another year of college a lot more than Crittenton, but I think there’s more of a chance he leaves after this year.
By Bill
February 26, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Crittenton will more than likely leave after this year to chase the dream and $$$ of the NBA. However, his last game at GT this year will be the last you hear from him in any significant way for at least 2-3 years.
By Hawaii Dawg
February 26, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
I understand the lure the NBA for these kids, the money and the perks that go with it. However, it is equally as hard to put a price on being a college student and that terrific time of your life. I personally recommend that you enjoy those years, and delay the real world for as long as possible. I had so much fun, spent 6 years for a 4 year degree.
By Connie Lingous
February 27, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this
Good column, T-Mo; but I thought Kenny stayed at GTU through his junior season?
By WFC
February 27, 2007 5:41 AM | Link to this
Crittendon is a marvelous player but comparisons with Kenny Anderson are premature. Anderson got All-American mention as a frosh and was a first team All-American as a soph. JC won’t come close to either. If he waits to go NBA after his junior season, he will be a “brand name lottery pick.” If he goes now, he’ll just be another guy on the bench for a team nobody cares about. That being said, it’s hard to turn one’s back on millions of dollars if some fool wants to throw it at you.
By gt
February 27, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
Kenny Anderson, who is Javaris’ mentor/role model said on 790 this morning that Crittenton should stay at least one more year. This year’s draft is very loaded and he said he was going to recommend to Javaris that he stays. The NBA will be there next year.
By Red Fox
February 27, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
He should leave this year and the Hawks can get him with their pick (somewhere b/w 15-20).
By John
February 27, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
I think he is smart enough to look at the team that is coming back next year. Other than Mario, everyone will be back - and better.
I think he and Young can see the possibilities for a major run next year and the opportunity to seriously improve their draft stock - and have a lot of fun doing it.
By San Antonio Alum
February 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Get Real….Crittenton is currently not NBA talent. Let one not forget that the whole world is the draft pool nowadays. This GT Team is the most inconsistent team that I have seen in many years at Tech. They will not make the NCAA field this year. Where was Crittenton last weekend when we went scoreless at the end of the game and gave up a 5 or 6 point lead or whatever it was. Jarrett Jack was by far a better player than Crittenton when he went into the NBA draft. If all these kids were smart, they would aim towards finishing their degree in 3 years and leave school then. However, I understand the reality of it when millions of $$ is offered to you, but I just don’t see it for this kid.
By Brian
February 27, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Everybody loves to say things like “he’ll be a lottery pick next year if he stays” but there are no sure things. Ask Ronald Steele if his stock has improved by staying an additional year. If Crittenton can get picked anywhere in the 1st round this year, he’s a guaranteed millionaire. I wouldn’t turn that down.
By view from snellville
February 27, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Maybe he will stay another year anbd give the Hawks a chance to get a New GM who understands the need to draft for position and will get a point guard.
Where would the Hawks be this year with one?
By noel malone
February 27, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
dear “john” - what makes you think this bunch will be better next year?
Smith, Dickey and Morrow have been here three years, and they are no better than when they were Freshmen.
By Dr.Doom
February 27, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
NBA-Ni$$er Basketball Association.
By Big Crit Fan
February 27, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
I love the Jackets,I love Javaris but truth be told, the point guard group next year is exceptional. Worst case scenerio he goes late and the he still on the board when the Lakers pick. Phil will snatch him quiker than a Kobe jumper. That is if he gets past the Miami Heat. Both top teir teams are in search of a pg.
By ben
February 27, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
kenny played back when there was a lot more talent in the NCAA. And he dominated in a way that Crit can only dream about.
By ga_tech_92
February 27, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Kenny Anderson was amazing in college. Totally different play style and body type than JCrit. Both guys are great players, but very different. Kenny was 100% real point guard, the best passer I’ve ever seen in person at the college level…simply amazing. JCrit is a better rebounder and defender than Kenny. Kenny a better ball handler and passer, than anyone I’ve ever seen. Kenny was ACC Rookie of the week almost every week of the season…
Those are impossible shoes to fill.
Kenny was also the #1 guy at any position coming out of high school.
There are more differences than similarities.
JCrit is our guy now and he is a great player with a huge heart…keep up the great effort!
By Brad Barton
February 27, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
{Terrence, while I’m in Utah, I’ll admit I’ve always admired your writing. Crittenton, I believe, as a causal observer of ACC games aired on ESPN and CBS, should heed Dennis Scott’s counsel. While I’m not a Georgia Tech fan, I am an NBA and college basketball fan in general, and I know that the NBA will continue to increase in excellence if Crittenton and others like him completely capitalize on the colleigate experience as they really learn how to play the game.
By Navigator
February 27, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Take your desire and want out the question, and I think both Crittenton and Young will go. Crit because he’s good enough to make it, and Young’s ego will make him go. Should that happen, Hewitt could be in trouble with the NCAA. Don’t forget that schools lose scholarships if they don’t meet the minimum graduation standard. This could come back to haunt Hewitt, because he’s not in great shape anyway.