[ISUPoker]

Originally Posted by mplscyclone

If he comes back and does more of the same, ISU fans might be happy, but it won't do much for him professionally.

It's WAAAAAAAAAY too early to tell whether he will hurt or help himself by staying. Nearly all NBA scouts/draft experts were saying Blake Griffin wouldn't move up from his project top 10 pick last year, and that it didn't make sense to stay. But he proved them wrong and is now a consensus #1 and his decision saved himself million(s).

Not saying Craig is going to jump from mid-1st to top 5-10 pick, but it's far too early to tell if he decides to stay whether it will help him, hurt him, or have no effect.

[wpicmin]

mplscyclone...dont disgrace minneapolis first of all, second of all why dont you at least try to pretend that you want Brackins to stay or do you just want him out of here??? This forum is for cyclone basketball FANS! Not pessimistic downers

[mplscyclone]

Originally Posted by ISUPoker

It's WAAAAAAAAAY too early to tell whether he will hurt or help himself by staying. Nearly all NBA scouts/draft experts were saying Blake Griffin wouldn't move up from his project top 10 pick last year, and that it didn't make sense to stay. But he proved them wrong and is now a consensus #1 and his decision saved himself million(s).

Not saying Craig is going to jump from mid-1st to top 5-10 pick, but it's far too early to tell if he decides to stay whether it will help him, hurt him, or have no effect.

I don't see him moving past John Wall, Willie Warren, and Cole Aldrich, so you can knock him down 3 spots soley because of those players.

Also, the incoming freshmen next year look to be much stronger than the incoming freshman of last year, so I am sure some more will declare.

Brackins could improve and still move down several spots (or stay in the same position), simply because the draft will be stronger. I really do not see him moving up if he comes back.

Also, Brackins coming back does not mean he will automatically win Big 12 POY like so many on this site assume... You'll have a Kansas team next year competing for a NCAA championship, with a dynamic PG, and a C that gets a double-double every game.

[mplscyclone]

Originally Posted by wpicmin

mplscyclone...dont disgrace minneapolis first of all, second of all why dont you at least try to pretend that you want Brackins to stay or do you just want him out of here??? This forum is for cyclone basketball FANS! Not pessimistic downers

How am I "disgracing Minneapolis?"

Second, I want what's best for Brackins. I do not want him to leave, but in weighing everything out, I think he doesn't have as much to gain by staying.

You see, what I try to do is weigh everything out and form an opinion from there. I think what you want me to do (and what 99% of people on this board do), is they have their opinion and try to make the facts fit. Those are the people who end up getting dissapointed and complain about "getting kicked in the nuts".

How is anything I am saying NOT being a basketball fan?

[cybsball20]

I spot picked a few games off the DVR and fast forwarded through them... I had Brackins at around 70% in the five random games on the mid range jumper, that is darn good...

[Clones85']

Originally Posted by ISUPoker

It's WAAAAAAAAAY too early to tell whether he will hurt or help himself by staying. Nearly all NBA scouts/draft experts were saying Blake Griffin wouldn't move up from his project top 10 pick last year, and that it didn't make sense to stay. But he proved them wrong and is now a consensus #1 and his decision saved himself million(s).

Not saying Craig is going to jump from mid-1st to top 5-10 pick, but it's far too early to tell if he decides to stay whether it will help him, hurt him, or have no effect.

That is 100% false. Every mock draft had Blake Griffin as the #1 pick in the 2009 Draft even last year. Every single one

[Clone5]

Originally Posted by mplscyclone

I don't see him moving past John Wall, Willie Warren, and Cole Aldrich, so you can knock him down 3 spots soley because of those players.

Also, the incoming freshmen next year look to be much stronger than the incoming freshman of last year, so I am sure some more will declare.

Brackins could improve and still move down several spots (or stay in the same position), simply because the draft will be stronger. I really do not see him moving up if he comes back.

Also, Brackins coming back does not mean he will automatically win Big 12 POY like so many on this site assume... You'll have a Kansas team next year competing for a NCAA championship, with a dynamic PG, and a C that gets a double-double every game.

Next year's draft looks like it will be slightly better than this year's so even if Brackins does improve its not likely he'll move up too much. There will be a lot of big men in the 2010 draft.

[Clones85']

Originally Posted by mplscyclone

I don't see him moving past John Wall, Willie Warren, and Cole Aldrich, so you can knock him down 3 spots soley because of those players.

Also, the incoming freshmen next year look to be much stronger than the incoming freshman of last year, so I am sure some more will declare.

Brackins could improve and still move down several spots (or stay in the same position), simply because the draft will be stronger. I really do not see him moving up if he comes back.

Also, Brackins coming back does not mean he will automatically win Big 12 POY like so many on this site assume... You'll have a Kansas team next year competing for a NCAA championship, with a dynamic PG, and a C that gets a double-double every game.

+1

Craig could average 25 and 12 next year and lose some stock in the draft. He will be a year older and NBA scouts typically have their mind made up in advance on who is a top 10 pick.

Brandon Jennings didn't tear up Europe by any means and he is still a top 10 pick. John Wall will be a top 5 pick next year regardless of how he does in college next year.

[Clone5]

In the 2010 NBA Mock draft on NBADraft.net has 8 of the top 13 picks being big men..... This year it is 3 of 13.

[BryceC]

Originally Posted by mplscyclone

Second, I want what's best for Brackins. I do not want him to leave, but in weighing everything out, I think he doesn't have as much to gain by staying.

I don't want what's best for Brackins. I want him to come back. But he'll make his decision and I won't begrudge him for it either way.

I don't think it's wrong to think he'll go pro, I've been of that opinion for months. I could see him getting passed up by some freshman that opted to stay this year as well, like Roe, Samuels, etc. because they'll likely play for good teams and improve a lot as Brackins did between his Freshman and Sophomore years, and they'll be 2 years younger than him.

[isunorth]

I'm admittedly kind of confused by the fact that an NBA GM would compare Brackins to Granger. Am I missing something? Has anyone on here ever watched an ISU game and thought Brackins was similar to Danny Granger?

It's almost as bad as the earlier posts comparing Brackins to KG or Kevin Durant. Seriously, was I watching the same Craig Brackins as the rest of you?

I mean, sure, Brackins will be like Granger when he improves his quickness, ball-handling, and outside shooting by 200%. He'll be like KG when he can knock down a 19 footer consistently and turns into one of the best defensive players in the league. Durant? Not even going to respond.

It's not a knock on Craig...I just don't even see how their skills or style compare.

As for "finesse" 4's making it in the league, I think that if you look at the successful ones you'll notice they have some great strength in other areas that make up for their non-traditional size for that position. Besides a mid-range jumper, what's that calling card going to be for Brackins?

Quickness? Not really.
Outside shooting threat? No way.
Ball handler? Nope.
Lock-down defender? Needs some work.

I wish Craig the best and hope that I'm wrong, but I just don't see his style of play translating well to the NBA at this point in time.

[cybsball20]

The thing is, how is he going to help himself by coming back? Curry and Hansbrough hurt themselves coming back... He isn't going to get to expand his game and play out on the perimeter more if he comes back, if anything he will be down in the post even more... Whatever he does, he needs to make a decision soon so he can commit to it.

[Cydkar]

Granger stumped me as well.

[gocubs2118]

What if he wants to come back because he loves being here so much? There are other factors in his decision than what everyone is talking about.

[dbronco7sc]

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

What if he wants to come back because he loves being here so much? There are other factors in his decision than what everyone is talking about.

+1

Life isn't always about a destination. Maybe Craig wants to experience the NCAA tournament... the excitement of that single elim college tourney, travelling with your teammates to be part of something special.

I don't think the NBA has that special feeling to it... there's not as many teams and I dunno. Just my opinion.

Craig CAN go to the NBA in the future if he stays in college this year.
Craig CANNOT participate in an NCAA tournament ever if he goes to the NBA this year.

Different people value different things, and I have no doubt this is one of the hardest decisions Craig has ever had to make. But I think he's in a good spot no matter what he decides.