A dilemma
This is not really a poll question, so the readers can decide, but I've wondered recently what would be a better option: For a school to have O.J. Mayo for a single season or to have a player like Arizona State's James Harden for two years? There's good points on both sides, so I'll let you start the argument.
I'd rather have Harden for two, at least you get some continuity in your program, these one and done guys don't help in any way, unless you get a Beasley or Love, Mayo was a lotta hype and he's been very good but not great. Next year SC could lose THREE players from this team, wanna bet how "good" they will be?
You can't say on the one hand that "these one one done guys don't help in any way" and then make immediate exceptions for Beasley or Love. Fact is coming into the season most recruiting services had either Love or OJ ranked #1 or #2 in the country. It just turned out that Love was a better fit right away for his program.
While I do favor having a slightly less developed player for 2-3 years than O.J. for one year (continuity matters more in the long run) I also think you have to take a chance on the truly elite players even though you might only get them for one year. Who knows you might get a Carmelo Anthony in the deal.
The truth is, no one knows before any kid steps foot on a college court whether they will be a really great immediate impact kid or not.
O.J.'s been very good but if you were expecting him to be at the elite level where he could carry a team by himself he's not anywhere near that. (No one asked Love to carry UCLA though - there were a lot of parts around him - so saying Love's clearly better is a bit unfair) What USC was asking O.J. to do was a lot harder than what UCLA was expecting of Love. Comparing apples to oranges.
Oh and BTW - Beasley has averaged 6 more points than O.J. a game and his team has the same record in a more top heavy conference. I would submit O.J. has been as successful as Beasley in his first year.
Great question. I live in Arizona and have said to my So Cal friends that I would rather have Harden for 2 years than Mayo for one. Also Bayless at UofA. Most think he will stay another year. Mayo is no Love. In the college game, I think Harden and Bayless are as good as Mayo this year alone. Not who will be a better Pro.
Still think OJ is coming back to spread more Mayo in '09. He seems like a great kid who obviously isn't afraid to buck the trend.