Quotables: Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee
Tyler Honeycutt
On the draft:
"I'm very excited, ecstatic - there weren't many teams I would've have fit better with. First of all, Tyreke is one of the best point guards in the league. He had an off-season this last year, but people will tell you his potential through the roof. Young team, good foundation, good owners, great coach. I'm going to go out there to try to show a lot of teams they made a mistake today. But I'm not doing it for them, I'm doing it for me."
On potentially not having the summer league because of lockout:
"Not a concern at all. I have great confidence in my ability and what I can do. What I know I can do. It might be a blessing in disguise for me. They've seen me work out, and I can only show them more as far as my athleticism. I think I'm the most athletic people in this draft."
On his draft preparation:
"I don't think I could've done anything better. I did everything to my ability. I was very confident."
Malcolm Lee
On the draft:
"Mixed feelings. I definitely thought I would squeeze in there. I kinda hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. I thought I was going to get in the first. But it is what it is. You can't dwell on it."
On choosing to go to the movies instead of watch the draft:
"Nerves, basically. Just the whole suspense, the feeling of suspense, people hearing their names called. I feel my nerves would be better if I didn't watch it."
On regretting his decision:
"Not at all, I believe everything happens for a reason. Eveyrthing is a blessing in disguise. I'm not a regretful man. I look at it as the perfect situation, believe it or not."
"I thought I was going to get in the first"
All I can say is: Really? Did anyone have him going in the first? He's been on every "Bad Decision" list since he declared. Who is in this kids ear telling him he's a first rounder?
Who's to say? A couple of second rounders with their lives in front of them. What would another year in school have given them? More maturity, a little polish, maybe a move up the draft in '12 but also maybe a blown out knee and a lost career. Nope, these are absolutely personal decisions. I hope they both stick. It's always nice to see a Bruin doing well. Good luck to both of them.
Areed, I thought both could have positioned them themselves a little better with one more year. But, I think they both made good choices...next years draft will be loaded and given the system they play in I doubt very seriously if their stock would have improved.
IDIOTS!!!! Both of them. They should have stayed in school another year. They both looked horrible in the camps and workouts. Both of them were easily in the bottom half of their positions. This was the WEAKEST draft in decades. I can't remember a weaker one. I don't see a single star in this group. And this is the best they could do?
Honeycutt was getting MANHANDLED out there, against College SF's and PF's. What does he think will happen against NBA size? No way he can play NBA SF anytime soon. He's a SG until he get's bigger. They are both going to have to bring it, to even make a roster. Good Luck.
"Areed, I thought both could have positioned them themselves a little better with one more year. But, I think they both made good choices...next years draft will be loaded and given the system they play in I doubt very seriously if their stock would have improved."
That "system they play in" took Russell Westbrook from an unrecruited nobody to the #4 pick in the NBA draft.
Quote of the Day:
"I thought I was going to get in the first." Based on what? Blind hope? You were so confident that you refused to watch the Draft? I hope you're a better NBA player than Draft Analyst.
Don't get me wrong, I'll be rooting for both of these kids. It just REALLY PISSES me off that people with ulterior motives get in their ears and give them the wrong advice.
Maybe both kids were thinking: "why stay in the school one more year if I can make millions right away?"
So eager to get rich that jumped the gun...we heard this story before and I will hear more in the future again...
But good luck to both kids... we may not agree with you,but being bruins, we are rooting for you.
Second rounders don't get guaranteed money. If they thought they were making millions right away, they are truly screwed now.
Look, these two guys had a one track mind - to get to the NBA (as quickly as possible???). And in my opinion did NOT utilize their time at UCLA to their utmost advantage. I'm sure John Wooden's definition of success was heard and seen by most every athlete that goes through UCLA, regularly (daily???) - ...knowing that you did your best to become the best that you're capable of becoming.
If Lee and Honeycutt were striving and using every opportunity to make themselves the best, well, they sure fooled us.
Honeycutt was projected as a first rounder. If that's what the word on the stree was, then how did he end up in the second round? By giving it his very best shot? Obviously not. And if he was suppose to be that good, then what happened at UCLA? In my opinion, he had a couple of good games last season, and the rest of the rime was just going through the motions, at best.
Did he do his best to become the best????
Unfortunately, to me, Honeycutt (and to lesser degree Lee) did not do much at all to uphold the honor of being a UCLA Bruin Basketball player and "alum."
Too bad how these kids can be so persuaded for temporary glitzes and glamour, when they could have done alot more with the opportunities that were offered.
The bottom line is these two got sucked in by bad advice after bad advice. No one leaves early for that second round spot! Whoever told them that they were a "lock" for the first round is equally a numbskull. Adn I don't buy that it was "still the right decsion." These two jumped to the NBA because they were sold (by themselves or someone else) that they were first rounders and would get guaranteed money. Tyler will make a roster but will ride the pine for two years before ending up in Europe. Lee better get his passport updated. If they had stayed, there is still no guarantee that they would have made it in the NBA, but at least they would have been in a much better position. It's just ashame that these atheletes don't learn. If it is all about the money, then don't complain when I chastise these "student atheletes" when the make a bonehead move like this. I am tired of hearing 'They were great Bruins!' Great Bruins are more loyal to the team and the opportunity a D1 scholarship brings them, then da bling of da NBA. How does that "Den" cheer go? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Most of you guys have NO clue what you are talking about!
When will you guys understand that Westbrook was just a under recruited late bloomer who took advantage of his opportunity and worked hard to improve his game and to say that the SYSTEM or anyone one other than RW himself is most responsible for everything he has achieved is a slap in the face to RW and discounts all the hard work he put in to improve his game. Defensive specialist does not get drafted #4!
I love BH's commitment to defense but the offense does not promote showcasing the skills that would have help TH or ML improve their draft stock. The same goes for most great coaches in the NCAA!
You guys complain about the kids while there here and then crucify them when they leave. I know you still believe they are Student Athletes but the reality is that they are Athletes who happen to be students.
Lee was the guy who demonstrated improvement over the last year. So having him around another year would possibly help both himself and the team.
Honeycutt, however, would just meander along another year teasing us with what-ifs and could-have's. Not sure if he has the will to contribute to the team, skill-wise or leadership-wise. Something he has clearly failed to demonstrate over the last two years given his gifts as a player. If I were BH I would really have to think about investing playing time in this selfish NBA-bound guy if he actually stayed.