Originally Posted by
devildownunder
College isn't right for everybody and neither is Duke University but Avery was already at Duke and in his particular case, I think staying in school would have been best for him. Avery was talented but at his height his skills were (as we have seen) no guarantee of success at the NBA level. Therefore, to make it, he needed to be as polished as possible. He really needed to master the ideals of running a team at the pg postion, both offensively and defensively. Had he stayed around for two years, he chances of doing so would have been greatly enhanced. He would have been much more productive right out of the shoot and -- in my opinion -- stood a good chance of signing a lucrative second contract. As it stands, he spent the duration of first contract trying to figure out how to play in the league and did not make it. It's unfortunate.
Just a couple other related thoughts. Elton Brand left and I don't think there was any reason, careerwise, that he shouldn't have. It seems that he's a bright guy, so he would have benefited in personal development and enrichment from remaining in school and embracing academics but the real world is a classroom, too, so good for EB. He's made it as a player and appears to be well-adjusted. That's a great outcome and the only reason I was disappointed when he left was because I knew Duke basketball would miss him. Never thought it was a bad decision for him.
In contrast, I think Avery leaving was the best thing for Duke basketball and the worst thing for him. With Jason Williams coming in and the conflicts that would have created, I'm not sure Duke would have won the NC in 2001 had Avery stayed with the program. More talent doesn't always equal more success. The 2001 team had a completely different look from the 99 one. Who's to say how that unit would have developed if Avery were still there.
OTOH, to counter my own arguments for why he should've stayed, maybe he wouldn't have had the chance to develop his game as much if he had to compete for playing time with jason williams and chris duhon.