My Thoughts on MK
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:15 pmFirst, a few caveats:
1 - I don't know MK personally. I've never played college basketball. I'm not from Philly.
2 - I HAVE played college football. I'm from Memphis. And I am from a lower middle class family.
3 - I'm in my 40s. Been through a lot of struggles and, from most perspectives, have gone on to be very successful now (great family, good money/career, etc etc).
Now, a few opinions:
1 - MK is a special kid. From all accounts, he seems like a great teammate, obviously very skilled on the basketball court, great competitor.
2 - As great as Nic is, MK is the engine for this team. He can get it done on both ends of the court. He is, IMHO, our most valuable player (especially going into next year).
Now, for my thoughts on what he's probably going through right now and his pros and cons:
1 - I'm sure he could go overseas right now and make a decent living. I don't think he's an NBA lottery pick, but maybe he could still be a draft pick and make an NBA roster (this is probably what's being assessed and he has to look at this objectively and not just listen to all those who would have his hands in his pocket - this is the tough part of his decision - I don't know enough about NBA scouting to know the real deal here, just my opinions).
2 - Academics: I don't know what his GPA is or what it's looking like this semester. My feelings would be, if I were him, that if I put this much into it this far I'd want to finish and get my degree but this might not be his perspective (and I've been there - I was on academic probation my second semester but got so spooked I went on and finished with a 3.85 GPA when it was all said and done - I wasn't going to fail, not an option . . . but his situation is different: he has a real opportunity to make good money doing what he loves and has put almost 2 full seasons on tape for others to assess . . . it was almost over before it started for ME, that's not the case for him). If he's at academic risk, he might just feel that it's LESS risky to make a go as a pro now (either good money overseas with a path to the NBA possibly or directly to the NBA now and make a roster ... more risk staying than going now, but he could also see what JMart did - if his GPA is looking ok for now, worst case is he flunks out first semester and then goes pro in January, but that would really suck). He'll also be 24 by the time the season starts, but I'm not sure if that's a huge deal to him. I have no idea.
3 - Maximize Opportunity to go to the NBA: as great as he's been, I think he has the ability to go up to ONE more level and could be a lottery pick. He's got ONE MORE level of fitness he can still get to and with Semi and Tolbert and B Moore (and more guards/shooters), there's a lot of versatility/movement there that could open up the paint for him to operate to showcase his skills. I think he can lose a little more bodyfat, gain a little more muscle and showcase his midrange and rebounding skills and that could get him into the lottery pick conversation, especially with a nice deep run in the tourney next year. Also, you don't want to end your college career the way it happened this year - one more year to get the taste out.
Anyway, that's what I see.
Bottom line: as an SMU alum, I obviously want him to come back (and still think that's ultimately the best option for him - see #3 above), but whatever he chooses I wish him only the best in life. He'll always be a Pony to me, graduate or not. But let's give it one more year, get this team to the final four and go be a lottery pick. With all you've been through, young man, I know it's very seductive to get out now, but you have one more level you can get to and REALLY fulfill all your dreams. Just need to be one more year patient and take the work level up just one more step. Easier said than done, I know.
I guess we'll find out pretty soon either way as I think the date is 4/26 for draft declaration.
I welcome thoughts if you've gotten this far.
1 - I don't know MK personally. I've never played college basketball. I'm not from Philly.
2 - I HAVE played college football. I'm from Memphis. And I am from a lower middle class family.
3 - I'm in my 40s. Been through a lot of struggles and, from most perspectives, have gone on to be very successful now (great family, good money/career, etc etc).
Now, a few opinions:
1 - MK is a special kid. From all accounts, he seems like a great teammate, obviously very skilled on the basketball court, great competitor.
2 - As great as Nic is, MK is the engine for this team. He can get it done on both ends of the court. He is, IMHO, our most valuable player (especially going into next year).
Now, for my thoughts on what he's probably going through right now and his pros and cons:
1 - I'm sure he could go overseas right now and make a decent living. I don't think he's an NBA lottery pick, but maybe he could still be a draft pick and make an NBA roster (this is probably what's being assessed and he has to look at this objectively and not just listen to all those who would have his hands in his pocket - this is the tough part of his decision - I don't know enough about NBA scouting to know the real deal here, just my opinions).
2 - Academics: I don't know what his GPA is or what it's looking like this semester. My feelings would be, if I were him, that if I put this much into it this far I'd want to finish and get my degree but this might not be his perspective (and I've been there - I was on academic probation my second semester but got so spooked I went on and finished with a 3.85 GPA when it was all said and done - I wasn't going to fail, not an option . . . but his situation is different: he has a real opportunity to make good money doing what he loves and has put almost 2 full seasons on tape for others to assess . . . it was almost over before it started for ME, that's not the case for him). If he's at academic risk, he might just feel that it's LESS risky to make a go as a pro now (either good money overseas with a path to the NBA possibly or directly to the NBA now and make a roster ... more risk staying than going now, but he could also see what JMart did - if his GPA is looking ok for now, worst case is he flunks out first semester and then goes pro in January, but that would really suck). He'll also be 24 by the time the season starts, but I'm not sure if that's a huge deal to him. I have no idea.
3 - Maximize Opportunity to go to the NBA: as great as he's been, I think he has the ability to go up to ONE more level and could be a lottery pick. He's got ONE MORE level of fitness he can still get to and with Semi and Tolbert and B Moore (and more guards/shooters), there's a lot of versatility/movement there that could open up the paint for him to operate to showcase his skills. I think he can lose a little more bodyfat, gain a little more muscle and showcase his midrange and rebounding skills and that could get him into the lottery pick conversation, especially with a nice deep run in the tourney next year. Also, you don't want to end your college career the way it happened this year - one more year to get the taste out.
Anyway, that's what I see.
Bottom line: as an SMU alum, I obviously want him to come back (and still think that's ultimately the best option for him - see #3 above), but whatever he chooses I wish him only the best in life. He'll always be a Pony to me, graduate or not. But let's give it one more year, get this team to the final four and go be a lottery pick. With all you've been through, young man, I know it's very seductive to get out now, but you have one more level you can get to and REALLY fulfill all your dreams. Just need to be one more year patient and take the work level up just one more step. Easier said than done, I know.
I guess we'll find out pretty soon either way as I think the date is 4/26 for draft declaration.
I welcome thoughts if you've gotten this far.