I think Monte could be a backup pg for about a third of the NBA teams. It might not matter if he is a 2nd round pick, he has a good chance of sticking. He could play a few minutes a quarter to give the starter a rest and run the team without making many mistakes.
Monté Morris stays on point when discussing pro options
- Thread starter RobWGray
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A big tourney can help a guy with a small sample size that pulls a Mitch Mcgary, but I agree Monte is a known commodity. The only way it might move the needle for NBA teams is there may be some opportunities to go up against more guys on the draft board and they can see how Monte performs. I also think the teams performance will influence his decision. He will want to go out on a high note.
I don't follow the draft that well, but it seems projections for US players, especially those more like Monte that were excellent in college but don't have ton of room to get to their ceiling, tend to be higher than the actual draft. It seems like there are borderline first round projected guys like that. A few unexpected foreign guys get picked, a couple raw guys with lots of potential get picked higher than expected, and the projections end up way off.
Would love for him to stay, but certainly would understand leaving. The guy is one of the great all time Cyclones and a real class act.
His family, advisors, mentors or whoever. Hopefully they suggest to him that this year's draft is guard heavy. Next year he will be the "Man" for a top 20 team, and will get all sorts of pub from the national media. The key cog in the best backcourt in America. He's also young for his class. Get stronger and showcase yourself next season.
Monte is a smart kid. Hopefully he's at least thinking about some of this.
I'm really not worried about Monte going pro this year because there isn't a scout or nba gm that will tell him he's a lock 1st Rd cause he's not. Love MM and he's a very good college pg who doesn't make mistakes but nba drafts on Rd 1 al out solely on potential. If u are a pg hoping to get drafted in Rd 1 you better have some real athleticism and or are a great scorer and shooter...MM is neither of these....right now. I'm glad he can go try out though and get a perspective on what he needs to do and improve upon. The other thing is Cameron Payne...he came back and developed his game immensely and blew up. Like I said nba drafts on potential...Monte isn't a whole lot different this year than last year. What he has going for him is he's young and will enter next years draft as a senior at 21. Nba pg shoot the three and score today more than ever..
One of those advisors and mentors is Mateen Cleaves if I am not mistaken. Also if I am not mistaken, he came back for his senior season to win it all...............and did. So there is that to take into account on who will be playing a role in MM's decision.
But if some team tells Monte "we really like you, if you're available in the 2nd round we're taking you" I could see him going.
I don't understand why Demetrius Jackson is a first round pick and Monte isn't. A straight comparison between them Monte is better in almost every category. Higher 2pt%, 3pt% rebound rate, steal rate & assist rate, lower TO rate, taller. The only thing Jackson has is about 20 lbs in muscle.
One positive with Monte coming back next year is that he can showcase his ability to score more. With Naz and Thomas being mostly jump/3 pt shooters, Morris and Burton will be the ones that could potentially put up big numbers.
I agree with a lot of this. True litmus test will be after pre workouts and number of other guards in draft. Gotta look at Buddy as a good example of coming back too and the positives.
From what Heft was saying on the radio, Morris and his family won't rush things and if he is projected second round probably come back. But you never know. Some kids just want to get to the NBA and will take the risk
I just don't see him going this year. I'm not even sure he is appearing on ANY mock drafts at this point. It's also his bad luck this year that there are several really good point guards entering the draft that will be chosen ahead of him.
He probably needs to bulk up some, and become a more consistent scorer. I'm not saying he is not a good scorer, but it is not something I think he has really concentrated on much.
His time will come.
He probably needs to bulk up some, and become a more consistent scorer. I'm not saying he is not a good scorer, but it is not something I think he has really concentrated on much.
His time will come.
As a few have already said, I hope he comes back and develops his jump shot a little more. I'm selfish and want him back, but I think an improved jump shot and the fact that it will be "his team" can have a major positive impact on his draft prospects in 2017.
That said, if he's projected as a first rounder this year, he should declare and more power to him.
That said, if he's projected as a first rounder this year, he should declare and more power to him.
Agree that he has to improve his jump shot. I'm no NBA scout, but alot of Monte's offense is tough finishes around the rim and floaters. Those will be tough shots for a guy his size and built to consistently make. Prohm has a great track record developing offensive minded PGs. Another year together, I think he can round out his offensive game. I would say he has late 1st round upside if he can shoot more consistently.
Draft express is regarded as the most reliable site for mock drafts.
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2016/
Morris current at 38. If he has a really good March, he'll probably move up to the first round. Would be a win-win for all involved as it most likely means we have a nice run in the tournament.
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2016/
Morris current at 38. If he has a really good March, he'll probably move up to the first round. Would be a win-win for all involved as it most likely means we have a nice run in the tournament.
