already cringing at the "melo should come back" posts

[Timonen]

guys like bismack biyombo get picked early. what's the upside of fab coming back from his perspective? obviously, he's prone to academic and legal trip-ups, too. go make a couple million dollars and good for you.

 

[jordoo]

I know but another year in college will really help us . . . . . I mean him.

 

[pfister1]

guys like bismack biyombo get picked early. what's the upside of fab coming back from his perspective? obviously, he's prone to academic and legal trip-ups, too. go make a couple million dollars and good for you.

I may be able to better tell you whether he's ready for the NBA after the Noel visit next weekend.

 

[edowd26]

I may be able to better tell you whether he's ready for the NBA after the Noel visit next weekend.

Word. I would 100% rather have Fab come back if it truly is only a 50/50 for Noel.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Don'te leave

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I may be able to better tell you whether he's ready for the NBA after the Noel visit next weekend.

Yup.

 

[NineOneSeven]

From a non-bleed orange perspective, it is pretty obvious Fab is leaving, especially given everything that has happened this yar.

 

[Section 314 Row C]

Fab is no where near polished enough offensively to be an immediate impact player in the NBA...IMO. That said, he would likely be a top 10-15 pick based solely on his physical attributes, defensive prowess, and potential alone. I also agree with previous poster that this year's academic issues will likely be a motivating factor for Fab to turn pro.

On the flip side of the coin, if he were to come back next year and improve his low-post game (also spend another year in the strength/conditioning program), he would improve his draft stock tremendously and likely be a top 5 pick.

Ultimately, I feel strongly that he will enter the draft this year, especially if he shows well in the NCAA's.

 

[realorange]

Word. I would 100% rather have Fab come back if it truly is only a 50/50 for Noel.

So if Noel doesn't come and Fab leaves, you would be scared of a Coleman, Christmas, Pace line?

 

[edowd26]

So if Noel doesn't come and Fab leaves, you would be scared of a Coleman, Christmas, Pace line?

pace lol fruedian slip? Not scared of it, would just be happy to have Fab back. He is a great player.

 

[realorange]

pace lol fruedian slip? Not scared of it, would just be happy to have Fab back. He is a great player.

LOL. Fair = new improved Pace.

 

[mountaincuse]

If Fab leaves his new NBA team will be just as upset at his game as we were last year. And then they will love him. He's just a work in progress, but the NBA drafts on potential.

 

[Nicknack]

May be a good move for Melo, mostly due to his off-court crap and the possibility of these kinds of issues tripping him up and costing him some serious $ in the NBA. However, if it weren't for the off-court crap and if he has confidence that he can take care of his , no question staying another year or two would benefit him. I see him as one G I A N T bust if he goes to the NBA now. If he goes, I certainly will be rooting for him, but he isn't even close to being ready.

 

[cap2nine]

guys like bismack biyombo get picked early. what's the upside of fab coming back from his perspective? obviously, he's prone to academic and legal trip-ups, too. go make a couple million dollars and good for you.

Perhaps, from his perspective, there is little or no upside to coming back. But that doesn't mean that an upside does not exist. Continued academic growth, along with athletic development, are likely to earn him more in the long run. There have been countless college athletes that have completed their education despite opportunities to leave early and make big money sooner rather than later. And, many more that used their athletic ability as a vehicle to earn an education (at no cost I might add) and propel themselves into postgraduate life whether it be in or out of sports. I'm not saying that Fab is or will be one of these people but I am certain that because of the "academic and legal trip-ups" you mentioned, he would actually benefit more than most by taking his time, maturing and continuing, if not completing, his college career. There is actually a tremendous upside for him, should he choose to return after this year. The real question is: What are Fab Melo's goals and which opportunities can he best apply to reach them?

 

[Timonen]

And, many more that used their athletic ability as a vehicle to earn an education (at no cost I might add) and propel themselves into postgraduate life whether it be in or out of sports.

well, "at no cost" doesn't factor in how much he'd make in year 1...and how he'd more quickly get to his second contract. So, the cost is actually quite substantial...more so when you factor in the risk of injury.

 

[kcsu]

he's gone

 

[cap2nine]

well, "at no cost" doesn't factor in how much he'd make in year 1...and how he'd more quickly get to his second contract. So, the cost is actually quite substantial...more so when you factor in the risk of injury.

Point taken. There is an "opportunity cost" associated with his decision, should he choose to leave school for a big pay check. But, it still boils down to what Melo's long-term goals are, if any. I'm not saying that he will definitely be leaving or staying. Just saying that there are distinct benefits from either choice. And, that he would probably earn and protect more money in the long run by spending more time in school.

 

[ORANGEsPHK]

I'm with the camp that Fab would be best served coming back. Yes, he does have tremendous potential, but another year in college will further his confidence. The NBA can be cruel, and developing and getting play time is tough if you're not ready. Besides, the dude loves playing basketball for Syracuse - he gets pumped. And don't forget, he hasn't been playing basketball all his life and he's having a great time playing at this level; playing for SU is big time for him and he's having fun.

If he were to bolt, I would not be surprised, but its going to depend who we're getting in the future and whether room needs to be made. I, for sure, really hopes Fab comes back and gets experience playing good minutes versus sitting on a bench because he's not ready.

As always, JMHO.

 

[44cuse]

May be a good move for Melo, mostly due to his off-court crap and the possibility of these kinds of issues tripping him up and costing him some serious $ in the NBA. However, if it weren't for the off-court crap and if he has confidence that he can take care of his , no question staying another year or two would benefit him. I see him as one G I A N T bust if he goes to the NBA now. If he goes, I certainly will be rooting for him, but he isn't even close to being ready.

Agreed. Isn't even close is the truth. I want Fab to stay for selfish reasons. Followed 1/2 inch behind by Fab needing to stay to get better.

Dwight Howard would destroy Fab Melo. And before I hear about there only being on Dwight, there are other good C that will technically take him apart.

Fab will do himself an immensely positive amount by staying.

This is not a Chandler Jones situation.

44cuse

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Dwight Howard would destroy Fab Melo. And before I hear about there only being on Dwight, there are other good C that will technically take him apart.

I know this is hard for a lot of people to believe, but that's basically irrelevant.

 

[OttoMets]

There are too many plays that send up red flags about Fab's potential jump. How about that sequence in the first half where he caught a good lob pass, got stuffed by the rim, brought it down, and got blocked by Harkless?

Jumping after this year is a roll of the dice for Fab. He could leave, get drafted 15th by the right team, and develop into a good NBA player and earn a second contract. He could leave, get drafted 15th, be neglected by a team who's impatient with his inability to produce right away, and not get that second contract. He could also slip to 33rd and be looking at no guarantee at all.

One thing's certain: he's not an NBA-ready player at this stage. We gush over him because he's improved tremendously and he makes our team much better. More realistically, he's 13th in the NCAA in blocks per game, he's a below-average defensive rebounder, and he has very little offense. And his penchant for drawing charges won't work in the NBA.

None of that means he can't be a successful pro. He's a gifted passer and I don't doubt that he can develop into a very good offensive player, if given the opportunity. Right now he has that opportunity, but there's no guarantee an NBA team will be patient with him. If he wants to gamble on this decision, I hope SU offers him every bit of support so he can find his way into the best organization.

 

[Timonen]

Jumping after this year is a roll of the dice for Fab. He could leave, get drafted 15th by the right team, and develop into a good NBA player and earn a second contract. He could leave, get drafted 15th, be neglected by a team who's impatient with his inability to produce right away, and not get that second contract.

if he goes in the first round (which he WOULD based on a very simple study of recent picks of 7 foot foreigners with ZERO track record, much less a decent one in college), he makes a couple million dollars. that's WORST CASE. he would get a second contract, because he will still be a project at that point.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

As a big man...you want them to draft you on potential. If he comes back next year and is essentially the same guy...he probably drops a rung or two in the first round. Go while everyone thinks the sky is the limit. Don't give them reasons to doubt the potential.

Edit to add: Time is limited..make that big money while you can. Don't play for free if you don't have to.

 

[Knicks411]

'One thing's certain: he's not an NBA-ready player at this stage. We gush over him because he's improved tremendously and he makes our team much better. More realistically, he's 13th in the NCAA in blocks per game, he's a below-average defensive rebounder, and he has very little offense. And his penchant for drawing charges won't work in the NBA.'

One thing to defend him, he's 13th in blocks per game, but 3rd in block%. He's legitimately an outstanding shot blocker. But the bigger part is both the offense and the rebounding. He's not good on the defensive glass, and for a guy with his size and his limited offensive game, even 58% shooting seems a tad low.

 

[44cuse]

I know this is hard for a lot of people to believe, but that's basically irrelevant.

I agree with 100%. But it has no bearing on anything related to what he should do. I am the first person to say "go get your money" if that is what you want. By all means. But, if Fab wants to maximize his potential $, he needs to stay a year (or two).

He is way too raw offensively and not quick enough yet to be a significant contributor in the NBA. Look at how productive Greg Monroe is this season. He and Fab have similar vision and passing abilities, but Fab has nowhere near his post game. The NBA is a different game and unless you are someone who is going to make an immediate impact (LeBron, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, KD...ie" the best player on your team and your conference in most cases), history sise it's not wise to make the jump. Unless of course you just want to get paid. In that case, if that is your goal, then go to the NBA.

But Fab is not competing with Greg Monroe, Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Bynum, Chandler, Horford, etc.

44cuse