Brackins

**jakecovo21** · 01-18-2010, 09:05 AM

he will turn it around.. give it time..
no chance he's stayin.. hes gone.. jus like Gilstrap and Mcdermott

**Mowilly** · 01-18-2010, 09:05 AM

Speaking w/ several NBA scouts in Chicago last week, Brackins WILL be drafted and they believe that he projects as a much better pro than college player. His supporting cast (guards) in the NBA will be better and he won't be asked to do as much. Additionally, defenses will not be geared to stopping him.

Based on that, for me to think CB is coming back (at this point) is silly. He is gone.

Two of the scouts that I spoke w/ were guys w/ ties to the state of Iowa and another guy is somebody w/ Floyd connections.

**chuckd4735** · 01-18-2010, 09:08 AM

Craig Brackins Stats, News, Photos - Iowa State Cyclones - ESPN

If you look there you will see that a majority of his stats are up this year. His Points Per Game and Rebounds are down. but with Gilstrap coming in, anyone who did not expect that is a fool. His Field Goal % and Points Per Shot are down as well, which is a little disappointing. His Assists, Turnovers, Assist/Turnover Ratio, Steals, Blocks, Fouls, Free Throw %, & 3 point % stats have all improved so far this season.

**cyclonestate** · 01-18-2010, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by bawbie

When you are a 22 yo Junior, there is almost nothing you can do to increase your draft stock by coming back for a senior season, because the NBA draft is all about potential and being a 23 yo at the draft, you have very little potential left.

I have no idea if Brackins will be a first round pick or not, but if he wants to make money in the NBA, he needs to go after this season.

There was a time when the NBA draft was all about potential, but that's not the case anymore. Too many teams have invested too many millions of dollars in a player's potential, only to be left high and dry. NBA teams want a sure return on their investment.

The difference between being picked in the 1st or 2nd round is HUGE. We're talking millions and we're talking guarenteed money vs. not guarenteed money. If CB's stock has dropped to 2nd round by the end of the season, I think there's a very good chance he will return for his senior year. Even though it would mean one less year in the NBA, it could improve his career earnings dramatically.

Right now, I'd say the odds are against him returning, but I don't think the odds are nearly as remote as you claim them to be.

**CycloneErik** · 01-18-2010, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by ISUonthemove

I think he would still make a lot more money if he goes in the 2nd or 3rd round, as opposed to staying for his senior year?

There is no 3rd round.

**bawbie** · 01-18-2010, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonestate

The difference between being picked in the 1st or 2nd round is HUGE. We're talking millions and we're talking guarenteed money vs. not guarenteed money. If CB's stock has dropped to 2nd round by the end of the season, I think there's a very good chance he will return for his senior year. Even though it would mean one less year in the NBA, it could improve his career earnings dramatically.

I just don't see the scenario where he wouldn't be a 1st round pick this year, but would be next year. Unless he could pack on 30 pounds of muscle, but that isn't going to happen.

You can not like it all you want, but 22 yo juniors don't improve their draft status by coming back, unless there is an extenuating circumstance (i.e. injury).

**lakeliving** · 01-18-2010, 09:16 AM

As a Cyclone fan I will be forever appreciative of what Craig did for ISU basketball. Craig turned down mega$$$$$$ to return to ISU. How many people would make a similar decision in their job??? Craig's importance to the team is not measured entirely by statistics. He has the skills to succeed at the next level and make lots of money doing it. CB is an outstanding passer into the post, probably the best we have (and I am NOT knocking DG when I say that) MG does not have the type of stats he has without CB taking all of the extra traffic.
Some of us are looking too much into stat lines to measure his success at the next level. The most disappointing thing is some fans actually calling CB out, he is an outstanding representative for ISU and that is how we support the face of our program? Has CB played flawlessly, no, but look at it in the big picture of what he is faced with each and every game. CB deserves our respect and our support,not us as armchair coaches telling him he is not meeting OUR expectations.

**bawbie** · 01-18-2010, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I guess I just don't get the age prejudice in the NBA. Players continue to play up until they're in their upper 30's. Not sure what's wrong with a 15 year career potential.

Um, not they don't. At least not most players. There are roughly 450 players on an NBA roster (30 teams; 15 players each).

Exactly 9 of them are over the age of 35 right now. And most of them were all-stars at some point.

The average, run of the mill player does NOT play into their upper 30's.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-18-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by bawbie

Um, not they don't. At least not most players. There are roughly 450 players on an NBA roster (30 teams; 15 players each).

Exactly 9 of them are over the age of 35 right now. And most of them were all-stars at some point.

The average, run of the mill player does NOT play into their upper 30's.

Maybe I'm thinking of the NBA as it used to be when I actually watched in the late 80's.

**Tre4ISU** · 01-18-2010, 09:27 AM

The age thing is a joke. Even if it actually does make a difference to scouts, that's stupid. How many players that are not elite players spend more than 5-7 years with one team. I think in the NBA you need to draft the best available player, I don't care if he is 18 or 24.

**Cloned4Life** · 01-18-2010, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by kg-cyclone

Not sure why everybody is so worried about Brackins.

AGREE. I laugh when people keep pointing to the numbers...

He's averaging 3 less points, 1 less rebound, yet he's averaging TWICE as many assists while shooting better from the stripe and nearly 50% from 3pt range.

HAVING GILSTRAP WAS SUPPOSED TO REDUCE HIS SCORING AND REBOUNDING NUMBERS! Everyone knew and hoped for this - it's called "taking the load of Craig"

I've been hard on Craig for some things, no doubt, but his numbers are frickin fine. Teams literally GAMEPLAN around him. Once they realize Quez needs to be stopped too, Craig's numbers will go up just like they did last year in conference...

Remember, few thought Craig looked all that special until the KU game last year anyway.

**jtdoyle1** · 01-18-2010, 09:37 AM

I'm not banging on Craig. I think he is doing fine. I just don't think he is doing "leave early for the NBA" great.

**swiacy** · 01-18-2010, 10:23 AM

I saw both the Texas & Neb. games. Sat a few rows behind our bench @ Neb. Craig is getting doubled every time he gets the ball plus the off guard drops off his guy to shade the freethrow line. He is doing all the right things but not shooting particularly well away from the basket, and I detected frustration on his part when huddled up. Lucca is a defensive problem and Christopherson is getting his chance because of this. Christopherson made a huge drive and pass off to Craig for a big dunk at the end of the game which was crucial. Craig almost never gets open looks off an assist. Dendy's improvement has been huge these past two games. Looks like, right now, at crunch time in the last ten minutes its: Brackins, Gilstrap, Garret, Dendy & Christopherson. Craig is a stud and the other players benefit from the other team's def. plan.

**oldman** · 01-18-2010, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by ISUonthemove

I think he would still make a lot more money if he goes in the 2nd or 3rd round, as opposed to staying for his senior year?

I don't believe there is a third round. Oops, Erik beat me to it.

**oldman** · 01-18-2010, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by lakeliving

As a Cyclone fan I will be forever appreciative of what Craig did for ISU basketball. Craig turned down mega$$$$$$ to return to ISU. How many people would make a similar decision in their job??? Craig's importance to the team is not measured entirely by statistics. He has the skills to succeed at the next level and make lots of money doing it. CB is an outstanding passer into the post, probably the best we have (and I am NOT knocking DG when I say that) MG does not have the type of stats he has without CB taking all of the extra traffic.
Some of us are looking too much into stat lines to measure his success at the next level. The most disappointing thing is some fans actually calling CB out, he is an outstanding representative for ISU and that is how we support the face of our program? Has CB played flawlessly, no, but look at it in the big picture of what he is faced with each and every game. CB deserves our respect and our support,not us as armchair coaches telling him he is not meeting OUR expectations.

I couldn't agree more. Great post.