Still cant believe Dakari Johnson declared

[GOING FOR #9]

College sports in particular basketball are no longer about college. It's all about basketball. When you see the dakaris and aaron Harrison's of the world go to the nba as sophomores and risk undrafted or second rounder then we have big problem that has to be addressed

 

[GOING FOR #9]

And I stand by what I said earlier but I will say it in a different way he made a terrible decision and yes he is not the smartest guy in the world for gambling his chance at a free education. He may make a million dollars over his career idk but that's not going to sustain these guys over the long haul. That's why I made the comment and I would make it to his face or anyone who devalues an education and gambles on it

 

[BlueRunner11]

I don't blame them for going to get the money. The twins and Dakari leaving doesn't bother me, because they are what they are, and that wasn't really anything that was not realistically replaceable. Lyles and Booker were the two that possibly could have gained something by coming back, and you could even argue that Booker could easily drop if he didn't come back and show he could be something other than be a guy who spots up and comes off screens. We have Poythress so Lyles leaving just opens up the starting spot for him, but we could have really used Booker.

Booker is the player most wanted to return (and me too) but I think he did the right thing. Booker's main strength which is permitter shooting was dropping from mid season on. Who's to say that doesn't continue through next year? Maybe, maybe not....especially now that he'll be a defensive point of emphasis on the perimeter. I think he benefitted from the platoon system as well which will be gone. Too much uncertainty...It's just too much of risk imo when you're stock is as high as his is. You have to cash in at some point.

 

[BlueRunner11]

And I stand by what I said earlier but I will say it in a different way he made a terrible decision and yes he is not the smartest guy in the world for gambling his chance at a free education. He may make a million dollars over his career idk but that's not going to sustain these guys over the long haul. That's why I made the comment and I would make it to his face or anyone who devalues an education and gambles on it

No reason for it to effect his education unless he lets it and doesn't use it. There is no gamble. Their scholarships are still "waiting" for them according to Cal. Only thing he'll lose is bball eligibility.

 

[thebluestripes]

I think the decision had alot to do with his families situation. I wish the kid the best

 

[Hoskins91]

And I stand by what I said earlier but I will say it in a different way he made a terrible decision and yes he is not the smartest guy in the world for gambling his chance at a free education. He may make a million dollars over his career idk but that's not going to sustain these guys over the long haul. That's why I made the comment and I would make it to his face or anyone who devalues an education and gambles on it

How is he gambling on it? It won't be free, but it is always there waiting for him to go back if he chooses to. His ability to make money off of his ability will not. If he actually makes it, he will easily be able to pay for whatever degree he wants.

 

[W_Heisenberg]

And I stand by what I said earlier but I will say it in a different way he made a terrible decision and yes he is not the smartest guy in the world for gambling his chance at a free education. He may make a million dollars over his career idk but that's not going to sustain these guys over the long haul. That's why I made the comment and I would make it to his face or anyone who devalues an education and gambles on it

flat out wrong...you think he will be a top 10 draft pick someday?? He's making the right decision, period. Stand by whatever you want but it's wrong.

 

[bbsanders]

Be a man and tell him to his face. Thought so...

Are you 12???

 

[KennyCardinalPowers]

I love Dakari but the guy was just far far far too slow. Every single time i saw the ball down dish to him I knew it was gonna go out of bounds or get blocked. To be honest I'm not sure really how anyone could see anything other than that. I'm all about the guy's best interest but I just don't see where he would possibly be a valuable assessment for any NBA team.

 

[UK90]

And I stand by what I said earlier but I will say it in a different way he made a terrible decision and yes he is not the smartest guy in the world for gambling his chance at a free education. He may make a million dollars over his career idk but that's not going to sustain these guys over the long haul. That's why I made the comment and I would make it to his face or anyone who devalues an education and gambles on it

This is such dumb reasoning. Sorry, fella, but you got it reversed, he'd be taking a bigger "gamble" by coming back.

If he wants to finish his degree, the money he pockets in his first year alone will easily enable him to do so any time he wants. The education will still be there waiting for him IF he wants it. However, if he comes back school and suffers a devastating injury, he might never be able to cash in on NBA riches. An NBA contract is a rare opportunity that doesn't last forever, it's reserved only for the young and healthy, and can evaporate in an instant. That's why it's wise for these guys to strike while the iron's hot.

 

[fatguy87]

Teague, Orton, and Goodwin are prime examples of inferior players who declared for the draft anyway in recent seasons. Johnson's decision shouldn't be a surprise at all.

 

[Arrogant Blue]

Orton proved to be a genius going pro when he did. He never would have been a first round pick after coming back.

Him getting drafted with the last pick of the first round was a sign of things to come..... The power of playing under Cal at Kentucky.

 

[Arrogant Blue]

.... and Lamb wouldn't have improved his stock at all coming back. He proved that with the effort he put in after getting to the NBA. Even Jodie Meeks' decision turned out to be right for him in the long run.

In my opinion, only Teague has made a mistake by going too early..... but hindsight is 20/20, who knows what happens if he does come back.

 

[caneintally]

If ANY GM takes Johsnon in the first round they need their job yanked draft night.

It won't happen.

Sorry but it will. Kid is a very good offensive player and is a 7 footer . he will late 1st but go 1st and make a ton of money over around 10 years. He should of come back and been a lottery pick but you can never blame a 1st round pick for leaving .

 

[akers65]

Had he stayed his stock would likely have went up some, but as they say on draft day "when its late in the draft and in doubt, draft big"
He will be drafted and likely sign a contract, then go D League for a while to improve.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

He is late first round projected pick. I never blame a kid for trying to get paid.

To me it goes by a case by case basis and I think Dakari made a mistake because I don't think he had hit his ceiling in college. I look at it like this...just because you are projected as a 1st round pick does not necessarily mean that its a wise choice to declare. Doesn't mean that its not either. For me, it comes down to the business decision of can you improve your stock and make MUCH MORE money? I think the answer for Dakari is yes. The twins, I would say no. As for Dakari, he will likely be drafted by a very good team (if 1st rounder) who will most likely have a good player or players in front of him and will spend a lot of time in the D-League to either develope or to just wait until he is traded, which was possibly the teams reason for drafting him to begin with. Now, if he comes back I think he greatly improves as a player next year with more minutes and not on Cal's shortest of short leashes next year. I'm sure it was difficult for him to be yanked out at the very smallest mistake. But that's just how our team was this year. But anyway, he comes back and improves and thus improves his draft stock into the lottery at least and IMO a top 10 draft spot. Now, that seems like alot better decision to me than possibly falling into the 2nd round without a guaranteed contract and without a team all together. I just think this was a bad business decision for him to declare this year. Its definitely a risk to return but everything is when you're talking money. Its just like any other money decision, you weigh out the pros and con's and make a smart decision based off that but the reward for a return is worth the risk for Dakari, IMHO. I hope I'm wrong but we will see. I really don't like the idea of just because you're "projected" as a 1st rounder then that means you go for sure. It should be on a case by case basis to make a smart decision for the player.

 

[kyboy1998]

Dakari is tall and has a durable build. I bet there is a good chance he spends as many years on an NBA roster as any of the group that declared.

He's good enough offensively to give a couple minutes, rebounds at an efficient rate, has decent shot block timing and has a big body to screen with.

As long as he's humble and doesn't want to be the man (orton?) he will bounce around the league and play for a long time.

 

[cats#1again]

They butchered it because the younger you are, the more money you make. If a player comes back more times than not their draft position faulters.

 

[Bkocats]

I say, "Go on, take the money and run"... "hooh, hooh, hooh"

and now, I'll be singing that in my head for the rest of day

 

[KyFaninNC]

Truth be told, the only ones who could have improved their stock by coming back were Lyles and Booker, but they're late lotto to mid-first round picks, but terrible fans don't want the cold hard truth.

^ This. You nailed it. But anyone that says this, and it is the truth, gets bashed on this board. Some people just refuse to accept facts.

 

[TrustinCal]

You shouldn't be. MKG said before Dakari stepped on campus that he would be surprised if he was at UK for more than one year. Kid has done all that the staff has asked of him since he's been here. He's going to have a long career in the NBA.

 

[C1180]

If he can get first round money he better run not walk out the door at UK. The kid is just big and truthfully not very athletic or talented. IMO if he stays at UK he would only be exposed more.

I also heard that he didn't like school which would be another reason for him to not stay at UK.

I will be truthful saying that of the players declaring he will be missed the least. If Cal can get a big 3 star banger inside he will be missed not at all. I was never able to understand why he was rated the best center coming out of high school and a five star.

 

[BlueRunner11]

IMO if he stays at UK he would only be exposed more.

One thing I think gets overlooked sometimes is player weaknesses that the platoons often covered up. While we looked at player efficiency and imagined what that would yield for each player over the course of 40 minutes, we didn't do the same with their shortcomings, mental lapses and/or mistakes that would've been more exposed over the course of more minutes played. I think that started sort of showing up more individually later in the season as we went away from platooning and subbing as much when it came to some of the players.

 

[UK90]

To me it goes by a case by case basis and I think Dakari made a mistake because I don't think he had hit his ceiling in college. I look at it like this...just because you are projected as a 1st round pick does not necessarily mean that its a wise choice to declare. Doesn't mean that its not either. For me, it comes down to the business decision of can you improve your stock and make MUCH MORE money? I think the answer for Dakari is yes.

Sorry, but why should Dakari believe that based upon what happened his first two years at UK, which only HURT his draft stock instead of helping it? When Dakari came out of high school he was nation's No. 1 rated center and being widely projected as a future lottery pick, now he's being projected as either a second round pick or very bottom of the first. Draft stock wise, all his two years at UK did was expose his weaknesses and make scouts realize he's slower and more limited than they originally realized, and caused him to LOSE money in the end.

So the longer he's stayed at UK the further his stock has fallen, and the more money he's lost, yet you somehow think staying for yet another year will cause him to make "MUCH MORE money?" Yeah, right. Why? He's still gonna be slow and have the athletic limitations that caused his stock to drop the last two years, he's still gonna be a non-starting backup playing limited minutes behind Skal, and he's gonna be a year older (which scouts dislike because it means less future potential).

The kid made the right choice. The odds of his stock dramatically rising are quite slim, too slim to risk the possibility of devastating injury by coming back. Get your money while you still can, Dakari.

 

[Hoskins91]

To me it goes by a case by case basis and I think Dakari made a mistake because I don't think he had hit his ceiling in college. I look at it like this...just because you are projected as a 1st round pick does not necessarily mean that its a wise choice to declare. Doesn't mean that its not either. For me, it comes down to the business decision of can you improve your stock and make MUCH MORE money? I think the answer for Dakari is yes. The twins, I would say no. As for Dakari, he will likely be drafted by a very good team (if 1st rounder) who will most likely have a good player or players in front of him and will spend a lot of time in the D-League to either develope or to just wait until he is traded, which was possibly the teams reason for drafting him to begin with. Now, if he comes back I think he greatly improves as a player next year with more minutes and not on Cal's shortest of short leashes next year. I'm sure it was difficult for him to be yanked out at the very smallest mistake. But that's just how our team was this year. But anyway, he comes back and improves and thus improves his draft stock into the lottery at least and IMO a top 10 draft spot. Now, that seems like alot better decision to me than possibly falling into the 2nd round without a guaranteed contract and without a team all together. I just think this was a bad business decision for him to declare this year. Its definitely a risk to return but everything is when you're talking money. Its just like any other money decision, you weigh out the pros and con's and make a smart decision based off that but the reward for a return is worth the risk for Dakari, IMHO. I hope I'm wrong but we will see. I really don't like the idea of just because you're "projected" as a 1st rounder then that means you go for sure. It should be on a case by case basis to make a smart decision for the player.

I wanna know in what world do you think Dakari would ever be a lottery pick. He'd have to be bombing threes or something ridiculous to even get a sniff at going in the lottery, and with how terrible of a shooter he is, that isn't happening. His best case scenario is a late 1st rounder, if he is confident that is where he is going, I don't have a problem with it.

 

[23jumpboy]

Dakari and Booker both should have stayed in school.

 

[Hoskins91]

They butchered it because the younger you are, the more money you make. If a player comes back more times than not their draft position faulters.

That happens when someone does not perform as well against top competition as they originally projected. You are not going to see a guy who is an obvious future stud drop if they decide to come back. The problem is there is no reason for a guy like that to come back. The guys who come back are the guys that the NBA doesn't want.

 

[Poetax]

And I stand by what I said earlier but I will say it in a different way he made a terrible decision and yes he is not the smartest guy in the world for gambling his chance at a free education. He may make a million dollars over his career idk but that's not going to sustain these guys over the long haul. That's why I made the comment and I would make it to his face or anyone who devalues an education and gambles on it

First I don't think Johnson was going learn to jump higher or get quicker by coming back, he is what he is. And if he makes only a million dollars, it will be more then you and I can make in a lifetime so I'm sure if he wants like others have done, can come back and get his degree later.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

I wanna know in what world do you think Dakari would ever be a lottery pick. He'd have to be bombing threes or something ridiculous to even get a sniff at going in the lottery, and with how terrible of a shooter he is, that isn't happening. His best case scenario is a late 1st rounder, if he is confident that is where he is going, I don't have a problem with it.

What is the world has he done yet to earn a late 1st round pick? I would say not much but the scouts see something in him. He does has qualities that scout pounce on in a heart beat. Just like Daniel Orton a few years back who only played like 5 mins a game. There is a big market in the NBA for his their low post player type who can control the paint and own their space. If Dakari can get into the 1st round with as little as he has done then what makes you think he can't improve his stock with a lot more mins and with improved play on the low block? The kid does have skill on the block and would only get better next year around the rim. Its just logic if you ask me. Lots of people sell him short on here and only see the mistakes he made and not the skill and basketball worth that he possesses.

 

[Dreklie]

How exactly is he projected as a first round pick? No athleticism, gets blocked constantly, can't dribble ...

 

[ZZBlueComet]

I found Dakari to be a huge disappointment this season. Last season, he progressed as the season went along, he stepped up big time when WCS went down, lost weight and was setup to have a good season - he regressed. Wish him the best but if he doesn't make the NBA, I won't be too surprised.

 

[Hoskins91]

What is the world has he done yet to earn a late 1st round pick? I would say not much but the scouts see something in him. He does has qualities that scout pounce on in a heart beat. Just like Daniel Orton a few years back who only played like 5 mins a game. There is a big market in the NBA for his their low post player type who can control the paint and own their space. If Dakari can get into the 1st round with as little as he has done then what makes you think he can't improve his stock with a lot more mins and with improved play on the low block? The kid does have skill on the block and would only get better next year around the rim. Its just logic if you ask me. Lots of people sell him short on here and only see the mistakes he made and not the skill and basketball worth that he possesses.

I expect him to get better, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him play in the league for a few years, but that doesn't equate to being a lottery pick. If he makes it, it will be as a big bodied reserve who comes in and busts his ass in limited minutes. His quickness and athleticism are always going to be an issue, and he has no touch. The only reason he has a shot is because of his frame and the fact he is seven feet tall. His stock has done nothing but drop since he has been here. I don't know why you think another year here would help, especially since there is a good shot he wouldn't even start.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

I expect him to get better, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him play in the league for a few years, but that doesn't equate to being a lottery pick. If he makes it, it will be as a big bodied reserve who comes in and busts his ass in limited minutes. His quickness and athleticism are always going to be an issue, and he has no touch. The only reason he has a shot is because of his frame and the fact he is seven feet tall. His stock has done nothing but drop since he has been here. I don't know why you think another year here would help, especially since there is a good shot he wouldn't even start.

Well, I guess we will just have to disagree. I stated why I think he COULD improve his stock to the lottery. I don't think he had a good year this year playing behind Karl and Willie, not to mention he had the shortest leash by far of any if the players(along with Marcus). I never said he was a freak athlete but I do think some of his weaknesses can and would've been addressed with another year here. With a lot more minutes for him this year, starter or not, he could greatly improve his footwork and low post game and I think that would move him up to lottery material. That's just my opinion, its OK to disagree with it. I think there are quite a few who feel as you do but there are also lots that feel he had not reached his ceiling yet. That's the question, has he reached his ceiling yet in college? Its not like he has far to climb to reach the lottery. If you feel that he hasn't reached his ceiling yet then why is it so hard to believe that he could climb into the lottery with a stellar year? Like I said, he doesn't have that far to climb. I guess its just a difference of opinion and that's fine too. I do respect your opinion and I can see why you came to that conclusion but I just think otherwise.

 

[BengalWACO]

If ANY GM takes Johsnon in the first round they need their job yanked draft night.

It won't happen.

Yes, but that is the current state of the NBA. Drafting for the future, sometimes future 3 years later.

 

[Nebelmeister]

If Roy Hibbert can be an All Star, then Dakari is a serviceable 10 year NBA center. Give him a couple of years. At least he'll get paid well to develop.....can't fault him there.

 

[whhs22]

You're terrible.

Also, Dakari wasn't going to get more explosive, and that's what keeps his stock where it is. Teams know what they're getting, they've seen him in extended stretches for two years, and that wasn't going to change with more minutes.

He'll be drafted in a solid spot, and what he develops and improves on from there will decide how long he plays and for how much money. Kendrick Perkins makes several million a year to sit on the bench, and Dakari is already better offensively than Perk ever was. We've seen that he plays hard and works to get better and will accept a role on a team. At 7' 260 pounds, that'll keep you around.

It's a money choice. Even if he never plays a min in the NBA . He will have made a nice chunk of cash.

Not sure it has anything to do with being the best player he can be. I do not know Dj personal situation , but if I had a chance to better my families life now , I would. Taking a chance on coming back and possibly bettering my draft position . Knowing I am getting drafted this year , I would probably go to.

Dj Wil be able to make good money playing this game. Money that some of us will never be in the position to make. Good luck to the young man. I do hope he comes back for his degree.

 

[ArmyWildcat81]

Love Dakari and wish him the best, but he's not even an NBA role player. Produced 0 points in final four.

 

[Hoskins91]

Well, I guess we will just have to disagree. I stated why I think he COULD improve his stock to the lottery. I don't think he had a good year this year playing behind Karl and Willie, not to mention he had the shortest leash by far of any if the players(along with Marcus). I never said he was a freak athlete but I do think some of his weaknesses can and would've been addressed with another year here. With a lot more minutes for him this year, starter or not, he could greatly improve his footwork and low post game and I think that would move him up to lottery material. That's just my opinion, its OK to disagree with it. I think there are quite a few who feel as you do but there are also lots that feel he had not reached his ceiling yet. That's the question, has he reached his ceiling yet in college? Its not like he has far to climb to reach the lottery. If you feel that he hasn't reached his ceiling yet then why is it so hard to believe that he could climb into the lottery with a stellar year? Like I said, he doesn't have that far to climb. I guess its just a difference of opinion and that's fine too. I do respect your opinion and I can see why you came to that conclusion but I just think otherwise.

Think what you want, but I'm not stating an opinion. We pretty much know what Dakari will be at this point, so do NBA scouts. That guy can be a serviceable NBA player, but it isn't a guy someone is wasting a lottery pick on. What is keeping him from being a lottery pick are things that aren't going to change.

 

[USMC Cat]

This is such dumb reasoning. Sorry, fella, but you got it reversed, he'd be taking a bigger "gamble" by coming back.

If he wants to finish his degree, the money he pockets in his first year alone will easily enable him to do so any time he wants. The education will still be there waiting for him IF he wants it. However, if he comes back school and suffers a devastating injury, he might never be able to cash in on NBA riches. An NBA contract is a rare opportunity that doesn't last forever, it's reserved only for the young and healthy, and can evaporate in an instant. That's why it's wise for these guys to strike while the iron's hot.

You say he can come back if he wants..
Then throw out IF he gets injured.

Well maybe he could come back and IF he played better, be a top 5 pick. All he needs to do is not travel when he touches the ball and he's an instant lotto pick.

Terrible decision IMO.

He must really have thought he couldn't improve. That's a joke. He definitely could have.

 

[USMC Cat]

It's a money choice. Even if he never plays a min in the NBA . He will have made a nice chunk of cash.

Not sure it has anything to do with being the best player he can be. I do not know Dj personal situation , but if I had a chance to better my families life now , I would. Taking a chance on coming back and possibly bettering my draft position . Knowing I am getting drafted this year , I would probably go to.

Dj Wil be able to make good money playing this game. Money that some of us will never be in the position to make. Good luck to the young man. I do hope he comes back for his degree.

He could have made more in one year as a lotto pick than his entire rookie contract as a #29th pick.

So... It was pretty dumb.

Same with Lyles. Had he come back one year and improved his stock from, say #17 to #8 (reasonable) he could have made an additional $5m over the next four years.

They're essentially taking $20 a week for a month now or $100 a week for 6 months in a year.

The instant money is cool, but its not that much in the grand scheme of things and considering how much money they potentially cost themselves... Well....

Bad decisions all around.