Lydon to hire agent and enter NBA draft

[007]

College basketball players of Lydon's skill level are majoring in basketball. The entire purpose of playing college ball is to land a professional contract as soon as possible. But there is one big aspect that differentiates a basketball major from, say, a computer science major. The computer science major can earn off his skillset for the rest of his life but a basketball player has a very small window in which to earn. Most of them will be done by the time they are 30; some of them will last 10 years, 15 at the outside. So every year they play in college for free is stealing a year off of that short earnings life. That is why it is important to get out as soon as possible. It is even more important for the guys who are not going to be superstars. A solid player who doesn't make the NBA can still earn 6 figure salaries for a decade or so. A guy like Lydon, even if he never plays a minute in the NBA, can travel the world and build an excellent nest egg by the time he is in his mid 30s. But that window closes so quickly that you have to get through it as fast as you can.

Excellent post, moqui. welcome back

 

[W'boro'Cuse315]

College basketball players of Lydon's skill level are majoring in basketball. The entire purpose of playing college ball is to land a professional contract as soon as possible. But there is one big aspect that differentiates a basketball major from, say, a computer science major. The computer science major can earn off his skillset for the rest of his life but a basketball player has a very small window in which to earn. Most of them will be done by the time they are 30; some of them will last 10 years, 15 at the outside. So every year they play in college for free is stealing a year off of that short earnings life. That is why it is important to get out as soon as possible. It is even more important for the guys who are not going to be superstars. A solid player who doesn't make the NBA can still earn 6 figure salaries for a decade or so. A guy like Lydon, even if he never plays a minute in the NBA, can travel the world and build an excellent nest egg by the time he is in his mid 30s. But that window closes so quickly that you have to get through it as fast as you can.

This post should be tacked



...to certain posters' bathroom mirrors.

 

[CousCuse]

Is Ben Lammers going early, because he can play in the NBA.

 

[Briancuse]

Is Ben Lammers going early, because he can play in the NBA.

With our luck he will be back to torture us next year.

 

[CaptainJ]

With our luck he will be back to torture us next year.

It's funny you guys mention Ben Lammers, as I randomly picked him and posted he was the player who ended our season(granted there were many, but folks like to focus on one thing). How nice would it have been to have gotten that one extra win and finish ahead of Duke in the ACC by tiebreaker, not to mention make the NCAA tournament? Why did this guy have to be possessed for that one game and ruin our season?

As for Lydon, I recall Lammers blocking at least one of his bunnies from behind.

I just like saying the name Ben Lammers for some reason. Not sure why it amuses me, but it does. You guys both get likes, and I plan on giving them to anyone who mentions him.

 

[CousCuse]

With our luck he will be back to torture us next year.

Never hear his name as a NBA prospect. Tyler will have to do a lot of work to be as accomplished as him.

 

[HOFCeluck]

Lammers isn't listed on draftexpress

 

[Fly Rodder]

Lammers isn't listed on draftexpress

Probably because he's an undersized center who is a really good college basketball player and doesn't have elite size or a skill that translates to the NBA. There's a name for these guys in baseball: AAAA guys. They're great in AAA, but can't play in the majors.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Never hear his name as a NBA prospect. Tyler will have to do a lot of work to be as accomplished as him.

Ben Lammers is a very good player but that's exactly why TL is leaving. The NBA feels he has the potential and will be a first round pick and thus be rewarded with a guaranteed million dollar a year contract for three years. If Lammers was getting the same feelers he would be leaving as well.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Probably because he's an undersized center who is a really good college basketball player and doesn't have elite size or a skill that translates to the NBA. There's a name for these guys in baseball: AAAA guys. They're great in AAA, but can't play in the majors.

Luke Harangody. Very good college player. Got some sniffs in the NBA but was a 2nd round pick. Now earns a living in the Turkish league. Not the worst thing to do but that's why some are four year college stars.

 

[Lucid]

I got to watch Lammers live in the game at GT, where it felt like he owned us. He's fun to watch. But as has been stated over and over here and elsewhere, the NBA drafts on POTENTIAL these days. Evidently, they see it in Lydon and not so much in Lammers.

Now there's a trick that would be awesome for the SU staff to replicate... recruit kids that can become really good college players without exciting the NBA's potential meter. A guy can dream.

And as long as we're talking about GT, what about Okogie? He wasn't even in the TOP 50 high school players in Georgia, let alone in the country. Talk about a diamond!

Just luck, tremendous coaching and development, a combination of both, or something else altogether?

 

[CousCuse]

Ben Lammers is a very good player but that's exactly why TL is leaving. The NBA feels he has the potential and will be a first round pick and thus be rewarded with a guaranteed million dollar a year contract for three years. If Lammers was getting the same feelers he would be leaving as well.

You are right. I just can't get my brain around their thinking, it's not like the SU early departures have been terrible but other than Melo and maybe Dion, the rest are very average. There are 350 D1 teams plus D2&3 and Europe and the rest to pick from. I can see teams like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, UNC and UCLA having early exits as they get all of the best players out of high school. It is just a fact as you pointed out and there is no getting around it.

 

[Melancer46]

Is Ben Lammers going early, because he can play in the NBA.

He's not even in Chad Ford's top 100.

 

[Ryand877]

You are right. I just can't get my brain around their thinking, it's not like the SU early departures have been terrible but other than Melo and maybe Dion, the rest are very average. There are 350 D1 teams plus D2&3 and Europe and the rest to pick from. I can see teams like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, UNC and UCLA having early exits as they get all of the best players out of high school. It is just a fact as you pointed out and there is no getting around it.

Agree. I also think the fear of injury plays a big part. Lydon probably keeps thinking about that Achille's injury early this year(along with the ankle), could have been a lot worse.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Lammers can't shoot out to 25 feet. I'm sure once he graduates he will get a look, but he's also older than Lydon. This is why I don't get we keep comparing upperclass production to freshman and sophomores. Juniors and Seniors should dominate them.

 

[CousCuse]

Agree. I also think the fear of injury plays a big part. Lydon probably keeps thinking about that Achille's injury early this year(along with the ankle), could have been a lot worse.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for anybody who can cash in on their talents. Nothing against TL.

 

[PauliePeppas]

Allen and Kennard are "up in the air" about goingpro...u just know theyll be back

 

[UnknownOrange]

You are right. I just can't get my brain around their thinking, it's not like the SU early departures have been terrible but other than Melo and maybe Dion, the rest are very average. There are 350 D1 teams plus D2&3 and Europe and the rest to pick from. I can see teams like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, UNC and UCLA having early exits as they get all of the best players out of high school. It is just a fact as you pointed out and there is no getting around it.

I believe TL and other early entry guys is simple: Will I be a 1st round pick after my junior or senior year? My stock has already declined from freshman year to sophomore year (maybe due to injury but nevertheless). Why not leave now? Do we have an offensive system that is going to make his numbers explode? No. He would be sharing 60% of the offense with Tyus Battle and Taureen Thompson. AT BEST I could see TL averaging 16 a game next year, but then he is 22 going into a draft where the best players will be 19 and 20. Go get it TL. Make your money, find a way to stick.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Allen and Kennard are "up in the air" about goingpro...u just know theyll be back

If that's the case we should be out recruiting against Coach K telling the guys he's trying to get that all they are going to do is sit the bench next year and rot.

 

[PauliePeppas]

If that's the case we should be out recruiting against Coach K telling the guys he's trying to get that all they are going to do is sit the bench next year and rot.

O'Connell will transfer eventually book it

 

[CousCuse]

I believe TL and other early entry guys is simple: Will I be a 1st round pick after my junior or senior year? My stock has already declined from freshman year to sophomore year (maybe due to injury but nevertheless). Why not leave now? Do we have an offensive system that is going to make his numbers explode? No. He would be sharing 60% of the offense with Tyus Battle and Taureen Thompson. AT BEST I could see TL averaging 16 a game next year, but then he is 22 going into a draft where the best players will be 19 and 20. Go get it TL. Make your money, find a way to stick.

He passed up a lot of shots this year, and for the life of me I can't understand why when a very good free throw shooter pump fakes and gets the defender in the air coming at him, doesn't allow contact and take the free throw's. Next year all of Whites shots are available. He should just work on long range 3 point shooting, that alone would push him up the board. And if he can make them at a high percentage, the defender will have to come way out on him allowing him to beat them with the dribble and then penetrate dunk or dish.

 

[RealMcNeil]

I believe TL and other early entry guys is simple: Will I be a 1st round pick after my junior or senior year? My stock has already declined from freshman year to sophomore year (maybe due to injury but nevertheless). Why not leave now? Do we have an offensive system that is going to make his numbers explode? No. He would be sharing 60% of the offense with Tyus Battle and Taureen Thompson. AT BEST I could see TL averaging 16 a game next year, but then he is 22 going into a draft where the best players will be 19 and 20. Go get it TL. Make your money, find a way to stick.

You seem to forget that a players stock can rise and fall due to factors beyond their control - this year is a very deep draft. Benefits to either direction he goes.

 

[UnknownOrange]

You seem to forget that a players stock can rise and fall due to factors beyond their control - this year is a very deep draft. Benefits to either direction he goes.

Okay and put your self in a 21 year olds shoes. Your stock just fell in 1 year, where's the guarantee that it goes back up next year? He'd be crazy not to go lol.

Now i understand your point - it is a very deep draft ... and he's still projected to be a first round pick. Tells you the NBA scouts may think more of him than we do

 

[UnknownOrange]

He passed up a lot of shots this year, and for the life of me I can't understand why when a very good free throw shooter pump fakes and gets the defender in the air coming at him, doesn't allow contact and take the free throw's. Next year all of Whites shots are available. He should just work on long range 3 point shooting, that alone would push him up the board. And if he can make them at a high percentage, the defender will have to come way out on him allowing him to beat them with the dribble and then penetrate dunk or dish.

Where do you think his ceiling is in a draft as a junior? Do you pay attention to the NBA and the draft other than SU guys? Genuinely curious. I think even if he came back and improved his 3 point shooting (he did shoot 39-40% this year) he is still not a lottery pick

 

[CousCuse]

Where do you think his ceiling is in a draft as a junior? Do you pay attention to the NBA and the draft other than SU guys? Genuinely curious. I think even if he came back and improved his 3 point shooting (he did shoot 39-40% this year) he is still not a lottery pick

If he were to return to SU he has to make it about his leadership. He has to say that this is his team and he is coming back to put Coach Boeheim and SU basketball back on top and make a run at the NC. Besides improving his stats and game play.Then a GM could view him as a lottery pick.