Dion Leaving Talk

[newmexicuse]

Many comments in various threads about Dion leaving after this season.

I just do not see it happening. Yeah, if he left Dion probably gets drafted end of first or second round.

But, why would he want to do that when he could come back one more season, be a starter, & also probably be the star & likely move up to mid-first round or maybe even the lottery.

He is just getting to the point of becoming a very good to excellent player, but he will need one more year of seasoning and experience to really shine.

 

[dasher]

all true but the feeling I get is that if he is 1st round, he might well be gone.

 

[SoBristol]

Why? Because sometimes kids don't take the most sensible course (example: Donte Greene).

You would hope that Dion likes his teammates, likes his time at SU, sees the benefits of getting attention in the pre-season, and wants to lead his team to another final four.

But if this team makes a deep run, and Dion has a great second half of the season, Dion could move into the first round, along with Fab. Temptation to leave will be strong.

 

[cpatrocks]

He could be a lottery pick after his Junior Year --- I think he's staying.

 

[SkanSU]

I hear and listen to what everybody says... but I think that both Dion and Fab stay 1 more year and then they both will be gone. Next year will be Dion's chance to run the team ... it will be his team. I hope he listens to Donte who has said that he worst decision he made was to leave school after 1 year. If Dion has a super year next year as everybody expects both he and Fab go go as high lottery picks... meaning lots more money.

 

[jordoo]

If we make the final four and Dion plays at a high level in the torney he could easily raise his draft stock enough for it to make sense to leave. If a kid is going to get a guaranteed contract I don't see how its fair to knock them for taking it.

 

[orangefan13]

I could be wrong but my opinion on Dion is...

Its not about his stats its about his abilities. He really is rounding out his game.
He possibly has top 10 pick potential right now.

Fab doesn't have the isloation offense right now nor the defensive weight. Although he does have the motor. I think he has more of a shot at coming back, and it would be good for him to show leadership before going into the NBA. Look at Donte Greene as a example.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Dion will get drafted eventually but he needs more time at the 1 next season to showcase his best chances for success on the next level, IMO. NBA comparisons...Eric Bledsoe? Baron Davis? One scout in a Chad Ford piece I believe mentioned that he has a bit of Tyreke Evans in his game.

 

[orange2win]

Many comments in various threads about Dion leaving after this season.
I just do not see it happening. Yeah, if he left Dion probably gets drafted end of first or second round.
But, why would he want to do that when he could come back one more season, be a starter, & also probably be the star & likely move up to mid-first round or maybe even the lottery.

He is just getting to the point of becoming a very good to excellent player, but he will need one more year of seasoning and experience to really shine.

Why would he want to do that you ask? Your question confuses me.

Average NBA player salary in 2010 = $5.15 million. Average NBA rookie salary = between $1.05 and $5.3 million (depending on team). Average career length = 6 years.

Hard to make up a years income through a higher draft number and way too risky because of potential injury.

As Sgt Friday said "Just give me the facts Ma'am"

 

[jdubs30]

I could be wrong but my opinion on Dion is...

Its not about his stats its about his abilities. He really is rounding out his game.
He possibly has top 10 pick potential right now.

Fab doesn't have the isloation offense right now nor the defensive weight. Although he does have the motor. I think he has more of a shot at coming back, and it would be good for him to show leadership before going into the NBA. Look at Donte Greene as a example.

This has been discussed in other threads as well. Dion is no where close to a top 10 pick right now. Could that change come March? Sure.

But he has more negatives than positives right now as far as him being a top 10 pick goes.

 

[newmexicuse]

Why? Because sometimes kids don't take the most sensible course (example: Donte Greene).

You would hope that Dion likes his teammates, likes his time at SU, sees the benefits of getting attention in the pre-season, and wants to lead his team to another final four.

But if this team makes a deep run, and Dion has a great second half of the season, Dion could move into the first round, along with Fab. Temptation to leave will be strong.

Love your optimism !!! Hope you have the right crystal ball !!

 

[SUFan44]

Why would he want to do that you ask? Your question confuses me.

Average NBA player salary in 2010 = $5.15 million. Average NBA rookie salary = between $1.05 and $5.3 million (depending on team). Average career length = 6 years.

Hard to make up a years income through a higher draft number and way too risky because of potential injury.

As Sgt Friday said "Just give me the facts Ma'am"

If you're drafted in the first round, there is a huge swing in what a player can make in the Top 10 and at the bottom of the 1st round. If you're the #10 pick, you make $6.2 million over three years.

If you're the #28 overall pick, you make $2.87 million. That's over $3 million over three years, not even accounting the fact that if you're drafted lower in the first round you're going to a team that already made the playoffs and depending on the situation, your role could be diminished.

And if Waiters slips to the second round after coming out early, NOTHING is guaranteed. So unless you are Anthony Davis-esque, I really think you need to stay in school to maximize your earning potential.

Who knows what the rest of the year will hold. Dion might blow up even more than he has this season, and if we make it the Final Four and he's a key cog I can see him riding that wave and putting himself in position to be a Top 20 pick. But I'm not so sure an extra year wouldn't help him with his draft stock. He hasn't even started a game yet, for crying out loud.

 

[orangefan13]

This has been discussed in other threads as well. Dion is no where close to a top 10 pick right now. Could that change come March? Sure.

But he has more negatives than positives right now as far as him being a top 10 pick goes.

Good post
Curious what the negatives people are thinking of are.

If I had to list the positives(and I am not sure what will translate to the NBA), I would list...

He is really up to the speed of the college game. Hes crafty, and has all the dribbling techniques(including sidestep change of direction, and how to hesitate his dribble drive in the lane). He looks to pass, and commands the players around him to get into spots so he can make a play like a leader does. He jumps high for layups in the lane.

He is hitting fadeaway and fallaway jumpers. He shoots jumpers off the dribble .He really has worked on his stroke. When he missed that impossible to convert ally oop and finshed by running to the three point line in the corner (of all places) last game and knocking down a fadeaway three that was simply awesome!

He is a decent free throw shooter, goes left not just right for a righty, blocks shots, and gets a stong not weak hand on people who drive against him. likes to extend his Defense some with a arm out and play SOME lockdown defense. He is a killer on the fast break and is sensing the trailor better.
His sliding defense could be a step quicker, and he could try to take a charge once in a while but the guy is really finding it all offensively.

He hasn't been put in a position to carry the offense like Flynn was. I think alot of people are missing that.
Heck I see alittle Derrick Rose in him after seeing Derrick Roses game winner vs the lakers I thought to myself thats Dion hanging in the air and finger rolling it in.

Just curious to what others see his weaknesses as. If his only weakness is stats that tells absolutely nothing with as much firepower as we have.

 

[Knicks411]

Heck I see alittle Derrick Rose in him after seeing Derrick Roses game winner vs the lakers I thought to myself thats Dion hanging in the air and finger rolling it in.

Gotta say a VERY little Derrick Rose. Rose is I believe bigger and is probably roughly a million time quicker.

I have to say, I am not sure I see Dion with top 10 potential. That's really good.

If you're the #28 overall pick, you make $2.87 million. That's over $3 million over three years, not even accounting the fact that if you're drafted lower in the first round you're going to a team that already made the playoffs and depending on the situation, your role could be diminished.

This is true, but it can also work our better the earlier you hit the league. May be in line for one more big time contract. Of course you could've said the same thing about Donte Greene and he m ay be on his way out of the league.

 

[newmexicuse]

Good post
Curious what the negatives people are thinking of are.

If I had to list the positives(and I am not sure what will translate to the NBA), I would list...

He is really up to the speed of the college game. Hes crafty, and has all the dribbling techniques(including sidestep change of direction, and how to hesitate his dribble drive in the lane). He looks to pass, and commands the players around him to get into spots so he can make a play like a leader does. He jumps high for layups in the lane.

He is hitting fadeaway and fallaway jumpers. He shoots jumpers off the dribble .He really has worked on his stroke. When he missed that impossible to convert ally oop and finshed by running to the three point line in the corner (of all places) last game and knocking down a fadeaway three that was simply awesome!

He is a decent free throw shooter, goes left not just right for a righty, blocks shots, and gets a stong not weak hand on people who drive against him. likes to extend his Defense some with a arm out and play SOME lockdown defense. He is a killer on the fast break and is sensing the trailor better.
His sliding defense could be a step quicker, and he could try to take a charge once in a while but the guy is really finding it all offensively.

He hasn't been put in a position to carry the offense like Flynn was. I think alot of people are missing that.
Heck I see alittle Derrick Rose in him after seeing Derrick Roses game winner vs the lakers I thought to myself thats Dion hanging in the air and finger rolling it in.

Just curious to what others see his weaknesses as. If his only weakness is stats that tells absolutely nothing with as much firepower as we have.

As for a weakness he is certainly not a great three point shooter. Needs work on his J. Also, he has to prove he is past attitude problems. Nobody is gonna draft a guard in the first round w any kind of an attitude situation unless you are talking about a mega-talent, which Dion is not. It is also unclear whether Dion is a one or a two. If he is seen as a two his size & lack of a J will be held against him. I am not sure he has the playmaking skills to be considered an NBA level one. That is a big reason for him to stay a year, be the leader, & show he can be a bona fide PG, which I believe would enhance his NBA prospects.

 

[jordoo]

There are plenty of reasons to stay and improve for an overwelming majority of college players but if you have good info and you are going to be drafted and get a gaurenteed deal then I see no reason to argue with that decision. It may not be the best decision but its a 3-4 year window to get paid a lot of money and work on your basketball skills all the time. If you cannot stick in those 4 years chancs are you would not have stuck longer than your first contract anyways if you stayed and got drafted higher.

 

[moqui]

Dion is having a terrific start to the season, but the talk of him being a first round pick is premature. First, he is undersized for an NBA 2 and he really hasn't shown point guard skills; he is at best a combo guard.

He has become an electric off-the-bench scorer for the Orange, but his skill set does not scream NBA. His 3 pt percentage is middling at the NCAA range, and his shot mechanics are poor; doesn't bode well for deep shooting success at the deeper range and better defenders he'll face at the next level. Also, although he is the best among the current Orange guards, he doesn't draw a lot of fouls. The three point line and the free throw line are the most efficient ways to score in the NBA, but they are possibly the weakest parts of Dion's game.

On the defensive end, he is an unknown commodity. His ability to recognize the passing and driving lanes in the zone and utilize them for steals and breakouts doesn't translate to the pros, where almost every team will play exclusively man to man defense. Syracuse players have a terrible reputation for defense at the next level. Even Jonny Flynn, who made a big deal about his pride in defense and for two years begged JB to play more man to maximize his skills, is considered one of the five worst defenders in the NBA.

An aging team like the Lakers in desperate need of athleticism in the backcourt might take Waiters in the 2nd round, but he doesn't look like a first rounder to me, not at this point.

 

[CorduroyG]

If dion comes back next year he'll have a kemba-like season and will be a lottery pick. He should stay.

But if we make the final four and dion continues to be 1 of our best players, he'll probably go.

 

[jdubs30]

If dion comes back next year he'll have a kemba-like season and will be a lottery pick. He should stay.

But if we make the final four and dion continues to be 1 of our best players, he'll probably go.

I love Dion as much as the next guy but I don't think he has the skill set Kemba does. Also remember that our team will be extremely deep and talented next year.

Kemba got all that attention last year because there was no supporting cast until about late February, he was forced to score 25+ ppg if they had to win. Dion won't have that green light next year and won't be a volume scorer ever here simply because we don't need him to be. I didn't check the stats, but I'd bet Kemba had a lot of games where he played 40 minutes and shot the ball 20 times.

When Dion gets drafted it will be purely on potential (which is what it should be) as opposed to what he did on the college level (although Kemba had both terrific potential and the hardware).

 

[CorduroyG]

My point is dion will be the alpha dog next year, following a similar career path as kemba. More of a bench/role player first 2 seasons like kemba, then takes over as "the man" and has a breakout junior year. Dion is already averaging 12.3 points coming off the bench and playing only 21 minutes per game. Another year of experience plus being a starter and playing 35+ minutes a game, its not a stretch to think he can be a 20ppg scorer next year.

 

[jdubs30]

My point is dion will be the alpha dog next year, following a similar career path as kemba. More of a bench/role player first 2 seasons like kemba, then takes over as "the man" and has a breakout junior year. Dion is already averaging 12.3 points coming off the bench and playing only 21 minutes per game. Another year of experience plus being a starter and playing 35+ minutes a game, its not a stretch to think he can be a 20ppg scorer next year.

I get what you're saying but I can't see him getting that much PT. Cooney will be ready and we'll have MCW. I think the 80 minutes in the backcourt per game will be about 30 Dion, 30 MCW, 20 Cooney. I also don't think he'll get enough shots to score 20 a game, there's no doubt he has the ability to put up those kind of numbers, but between MCW/Cooney/Dion/Fair/Southerland/Grant/Xmas/Fab/Coleman there's gonna have to be enough shots to go around.

 

[NovaOrange]

I get what you're saying but I can't see him getting that much PT. Cooney will be ready and we'll have MCW. I think the 80 minutes in the backcourt per game will be about 30 Dion, 30 MCW, 20 Cooney. I also don't think he'll get enough shots to score 20 a game, there's no doubt he has the ability to put up those kind of numbers, but between MCW/Cooney/Dion/Fair/Southerland/Grant/Xmas/Fab/Coleman there's gonna have to be enough shots to go around.

What the hell they play 80 minute games man I have been missing a lot of basketball then

 

[moqui]

its not a stretch to think he can be a 20ppg scorer next year.

actually, it kind of is a stretch once you realize that JB has only had six 20ppg scorers in his entire career (Owens, Moten, Wallace, Shump, Melo, Hak), and they have all been either forwards or combo wings. JB prefers to build his offense around versatile forwards.

 

[moqui]

I think the 80 minutes in the backcourt per game will be about 30 Dion, 30 MCW, 20 Cooney.

and you didn't even mention next year's senior co-captain, a Boeheim favorite who has started every game of his career - Brandon Triche.

 

[ajcuse]

He has an attitude problem because he's the best player on the team coming off the bench. Everybody says, "starting doesn't mean anything". Well it does when you're used to starting every game in your life.