AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USYoung, Crittenton need more seasoning
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ll be honest and say at first I was surprised to learn that Thaddeus Young has declared for the NBA draft. I didn’t think he or Javaris Crittenton would.
But I’ve learned more about the process today, and now I’m not surprised. I knew that players could not participate in the NBA’s pre-draft camp in Orlando next month if they weren’t draft eligible.
I did not know that they weren’t allowed to even speak with NBA officials about their draft prospects unless they were in the draft pool (actually, it’s the teams that aren’t allowed to chat; the NBA will fine teams for violations). Translation, Young and Crittenton could not go to the horses’ mouths, so to speak, for information unless they enter the draft. I’m going to assume both submitted their names to the NBA’s committee for underclassmen, and in Young’s case, or perhaps the case of one of his parents, the feedback was not enough to appease all parties. Somebody wants more info. Now, they can get it easily enough.
That said, I won’t be surprised if Crittenton does the same thing.
I’ll still be surprised if either of them are in the draft after the withdrawal date of June 18.
With all the other early entries, Young’s not going to be selected as highly as he would have last year if the one-year rule weren’t in effect. He didn’t have a bad freshman season, but he certainly didn’t dominate, either, other than in a handful of games.
Crittenton, on the other hand, happens to be a point guard in a year where there aren’t a lot of them. I still can’t see him being drafted before the early to mid-20s, but I’m no NBA draft expert. Next year’s NBA draft figures to be deeper in PGs, but then Crittenton would probably be a lot better if he played one more season in college. I think both players can make quantum leaps next season.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
Comments
By GT-Bball
April 24, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
I agreee. They both resemble UNC’s Marvin Williams scenario 2 years ago when he decided to enter the draft after his freshman year. He did not have a dominating season although he did show a lot of talent. He was drafted by the Hawks and still has not reached the point where he could be if he stayed in college a few more years. Both Thaddeus and Crit have a lot of talent but it is still raw. They should both stay AT LEAST one more year and their stock will rise tremendously, especially with the team that could be next year.
By Grant Edwards
April 24, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
They can develop in the NBA while they earn an NBA salary. It’s called on the job training and it is practiced in many professions.
By GT-Bball
April 24, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
My point was that it takes longer to develop in the NBA because they don’t get to play as much. Look at all the NBA players how entered the NBA in the past 5 years, prematurely, and average less than 10 points per game. This is because they haven’t developed enough to make an immediate impact. These guys have the potential to put up big numbers. Staying in college longer will give them more money when they do get drafted and they’ll be playing more.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 24, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
If either one should go to the NBA, it’s Crittenton. There are really only two point guards in this draft who will go ahead of him — Acie Law and Mike Conley. Young’s at a stacked position in this year’s draft, with as many as 5-6 small forwards possibly going ahead of him. And either way, Crittenton is a lot more NBA-ready than Young in my opinion. I could see Crittenton cracking the top 15 with good workouts, but even if Young works out well I’d be hard-pressed to see him taken too much higher than 20.
By Brandon Ford
April 24, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
Young plays a position that is full of studs at the top of the draft. He might have had a better year, but would do better to stay…… Crittenton should declare. He could be one of the top PGs taken…PG is the weakest position in this upcoming draft and a couple of the top prospects at this position have decided to stay in school….He could be a mid 1st round pick and go to a team that needs a PG if he declares…However, he may go lower next year b/c there are several good PGs thought to be coming out and in the draft next year.
By Brandon Ford
April 24, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this
Young plays a position that is full of studs at the top of the draft. He might have had a better year, but would do better to stay…… Crittenton should declare. He could be one of the top PGs taken…PG is the weakest position in this upcoming draft and a couple of the top prospects at this position have decided to stay in school….He could be a mid 1st round pick and go to a team that needs a PG if he declares…However, he may go lower next year b/c there are several good PGs thought to be coming out and in the draft next year.
By Racinoto
April 25, 2007 6:45 AM | Link to this
Of course you’re right and if they stay it would be a win-win situation for both Tech and the players. Neither will be a lottery pick, but how often do you get a chance to sign a multi million dollar contract? Baring injuries, both would be better off in next’s years draft. But that a big IF.
By GT Bob
April 25, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this
More and better “Tickle Piles” are the answer. Since basketball has been over I’ll bet we haven’t had but 6 or 7 good piles. No wonder he leaving!!!
By scooter11
April 25, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Dawggone it. Wish this was a baseball blog so you guys would be talking about how your rank(ed) team did at the Ted last night.
By JohnGTfan
April 25, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
They’ll both be back. Once they find out they’re both projected outside of the top 20, I can’t see them entering. Especially the way they finished the season. If they both have a solid year next season, then both will be lottery picks, with a lot more money coming to them.
scooter11 yes, congratulations…that 15-26 record is amazing.
By scooter11
April 25, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
The record that counts in this discussion is 1-1 (or 5-1 in Turner Field games, or 6-0 on the football field - it goes on and on).
By ben
April 25, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t really matter. College and Pro basketball have been ruined by this insanity. Give Sebastian Telfair more minutes and money so that he can screw up the Pro game. And let Crit and Young go so they can screw up the college game. It’s the fan who suffers.
By GT_NC
April 26, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
this world has changed too much for me to expect anyone or anything to last more than 4 years except taxes and war. You recruit blue chip, you know the consequences (win or lose).
I see where our ball team choked a chicken again last night. It’s all mental all the time. Reggie ball will have a legacy in many sporting events to do w/ UGA / GT for many years to come. Our baseball team is no exception over the past 2 or 3 years.
By gtforever
April 28, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Who are these guys fooling? There is no way that either could make the jump. They both need to get a grip, and just maybe by the end of their four years at Ga Tech, we could see them in the NBA…
By WFC
April 29, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this
Crit and Young both need to stay in spite of their great talent.
Crit hasn’t proven that he can run a team.
Thad is inconsistent on offense and weak on defense.
Both need the practice time that college provides. NBA teams practice less. Unless they are starters, they won’t get much “on-the-job” training in the NBA.