Holiday presser quickies
In talking to UCLA coach Ben Howland and Jrue Holiday's father, Shawn, the feedback Holiday is getting from the NBA is he will be drafted anywhere between No. 10 and No. 25 in the draft.
He can begin working out for NBA teams April 30, and plans to go to the pre-draft camp May 27-31.
Shawn Holiday said one of the overwhelming factors in declaring for the draft was how former UCLA standout Russell Westbrook saw his stock increase during workouts last season. Like Holiday, Westbrook spent his final season at UCLA playing off-guard, but was drafted to be a point guard.
It looks like Jerime will be our only PG next year. I think Holiday wont know what hes doing till June. We won't have an opportunity to recruit anyone else.
Abdul Hamid?
Looks like its time to pull the Brandon Rush tactic
10-20.. that sounds pretty guaranteed gone, no?
If he is going to go, then Go. You can not have one foot in the door and another outside...to much is riding on this (other people)....between #10 and #20 bet not.....
I would like to bet he goes higher than 20, at best around 23, anyone know where you can bet on draft selections?
You can't compare Holiday with WEstbrook. At least Westbrook honed his skills another year and proved he was a Lottery pick. Holiday proved NOTHING.
Anon at 9:08 took the words right out of my mouth! Westbrook was an incredible athlete with tremendous potential and really showed those things his sophomore year. There is no way he would've been drafted #4 after his freshman year. To compare Holiday to Westbrook is a joke. I can count on one hand (and probably with fingers left over) the times I've been impressed by Holiday the ENTIRE YEAR. The dollar signs in his family's eyes are making them delusional.
I'm sorry Shawn, but I know Russell Westbrook. I've seen Russell Westbrook play. Jrue Holiday is NO Russell Westbrook.
Can your son do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g3S1maawYs
or this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FP0ua5xFw4
or EVEN this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5m2nURvE6s
I think not. That's right Russ, LET'S GO!!!! Man do I miss this kid. I was sure hoping Jrue would be this kind of player. He sure looked like he would be in HS games, but I guess HS talent isn't quite the NCAA is it?
The sad truth is, Jrue doesn't have the swagger or presence to be this type of player. That's why I say, why not come back Jrue? Why not come back and work your tail off in the summer and see if you can become that player, like Russell did? See if you can develop your jump shot, your slashing abilities, and your defense. See if you can become that leader and that go to guy when we need a shot or a stop. See if you can earn that top five draft pick. You will certainly have every opportunity. This will be YOUR team next year. You will be playing PG with every opportunity to shine. Think about it Jrue. Why not come back and make on your promise last year that "UCLA will win it all"?
Shawn and Toya, as educators and level headed parents, I hope you will give Jrue the proper guidance. This kid deserves better than 10-25. Bring him back. Let him mature and etch himself in the annals of Bruin lore.
GO BRUINS!!!!
So we all know or assume that he will be drafted in the 20s... all it takes is one unscrupulous agent to tell him that he "has it on good authority" that he will be taken 7th and the kid is gone. He's not looking for validation that he's not ready, he just needs a sniff.
The NCAA/NBA Player's Assoc. has GOT to implement the College Baseball rule for Basketball. You want to go pro out of High School? Good luck and God Bless. You want to go to college? You play for at least 3 years. Even two years is a joke. This rule is LONG overdue.
Seriously, how the hell do build a team like in this environment with a bunch of rent-a-cops?