Something to consider regarding HB's decision...

**Klubber** · 11-13-2009, 05:33 PM

I think one thing we really haven't talked about during this whole circus is the state of ISU basketball during the time HB developed into the #1 player in the country. I mean, people, it's been anything but stable during that time.

First we have the LE fiasco which then became the WM fiasco. Both could have been handled better by the university. At the same time, these things really set ISU hoops back temporarily.

Enter GMac. Now I'm as optomistic as anyone about the current state of the program and this year in particular. But, the last few seasons have been pretty painful with again, no NCAA Tourney trips to speak of. If you're HB and you want to win a Nat Champ, you can't say we look like a possible bet for that when the last few years are taken into account.

Ultimately, maybe it was just bad timing in terms of events around our program. But always remember: when one door closes, another opens up. We will get back to being a solid program and I believe more. And that starts tonight...

**Cycsk** · 11-13-2009, 05:35 PM

I think HB may have made a mistake. National Championships are nice, but NBA career$ are better! He could get lost in the crowd at UNC. At ISU, he would have kept his star shining right from high school into his first year of college.

He is taking a chance with UNC. Hopefully, it works out well for him. It does give him the opportunity for both a National Championship and an NBA career. We only offered the latter.

**CycloneErik** · 11-13-2009, 05:38 PM

Any school with HB would be a title contender.

**Cycsk** · 11-13-2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

Any school with HB would be a title contender.

Would you put him in the LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett category? He is great, but I'm not sure he is that great. Perhaps because I have only seen him against Iowa HS competition and they always win big without him having to excel.

**CycloneErik** · 11-13-2009, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Cycsk

Would you put him in the LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett category? He is great, but I'm not sure he is that great.

Thought about that this week. No, I wouldn't. But I think he makes the guys around him better, and just looking at the guys that we will have around next year (assuming Craig's not one of them), I thought he fit in uniquely to take that group to a whole crazy level.

Some of that may have been daydreaming during this week, but I think it would have been something to behold. As it stands, I still think we're going to have some real fun next year as well.

But I'm not real worried about next year. We have a battle for the I-State Trophy tonight!

**gogagig** · 11-13-2009, 05:44 PM

If I was him, I too would have chosen North Carolina. But without putting Roy Williams on a massive screen in Ames, Iowa.

**cy2win** · 11-13-2009, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Cycsk

Would you put him in the LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett category? He is great, but I'm not sure he is that great. Perhaps because I have only seen him against Iowa HS competition and they always win big without him having to excel.

If he is that great and cracks the starting lineup his freshman year, he will have NBA contracts raining down from every direction. Then we will see a real challenge to that 3 year college commitment.

**tiberius** · 11-13-2009, 05:47 PM

Didn't Tinsley get the scholarship that was going to Hinrich before Roy stole him? Maybe we can pull something like that out again.

**Cycsk** · 11-13-2009, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by cy2win

If he is that great and cracks the starting lineup his freshman year, he will have NBA contracts raining down from every direction. Then we will see a real challenge to that 3 year college commitment.

This is my big concern. He could go to UNC and not play very much right away. If he came to ISU, there is no doubt he would play lots right away and have the NBA waiting for him whenever he wanted it. He may have fallen to the allure of a national championship rather than his NBA goal. Or maybe he will get both.

Now that I think about it, I have not heard him say much about the NBA. Today, when asked, he just said that he looks forward to the possibility of that opportunity someday.

**CycloneErik** · 11-13-2009, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by tiberius

Didn't Tinsley get the scholarship that was going to Hinrich before Roy stole him? Maybe we can pull something like that out again.

That's the thing with disappointment. You never know what will actually happen.
Maybe HB does turn out to be one-and-done. Maybe a really good player fills "his spot" here at ISU for 2-4 years, and gives us more memories and things to cheer for.

Never know what's on the other side. Sure, it's not what I was pretty plainly looking forward to, and the ol' gut was wrong on this one, but it just might turn out OK.

**ICclone23** · 11-13-2009, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Cycsk

Would you put him in the LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett category? He is great, but I'm not sure he is that great. Perhaps because I have only seen him against Iowa HS competition and they always win big without him having to excel.

Not KG, Lebron, or Kobe..... I would compare him more to Paul Pierce. Or a more slashing version of Ray Allen.