I'm sure I'm not alone on this board in preferring college hoops to the NBA, but I think it's a bit unfair to imply that playing in the NBA is only about money. A lot of kids want to play at the highest level on the biggest stage, etc regardless of the money involved. If Kyrie goes pro I wouldn't necessarily think he's selling out his Duke experience just for money, but fulfilling a lifelong dream to test his skills amongst the best in the world. I'm sure it is a tough decision, but not just college vs money.
Duke's selling point to Austin Rivers (well one of the many) was that he would be on national TV more than the Miami Heat (i.e. Lebron.) Duke still has a lot of positive factors such as this weighing in their favor with Kyrie's decision.
Money is a big issue, but I don't think it is as much to Kyrie as your average lottery pick/high prospect. Just look at the kid on the sidelines!
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think a lockout is pretty close to a foregone conclusion. If so, I think a number of underclassmen will have a much more difficult decision to make. Or perhaps an easier decision!
Tweets:
@stevewisemanNC
Drederick Irving said Kyrie's damaged bones and ligaments in right big toe have healed. Next step is rehab to see how toe responds.
@stevewisemanNC
Kyrie's father was in Durham last weekend, met with doctors and viewed MRI results. "Everyone is optimistic, including me," Dred Irving said
Thanks for linking to those. The next tweet says "Dred Irving said top concern is getting Kyrie "110 percent" healthy before he thinks about playing again. #duke".
My question is does that mean 110 percent healed or that Kyrie is back to 110 percent strength/form in his toe? Based on that somewhat vague first tweet, it sounds like the toe is nearly 100 percent healed. He clearly has lost some flexibility and strength, however, so won't be ready to return. But based on his father's wording, it sounds like he doesn't want Kyrie to play unless he has fully regained 100% strength in the toe (although making that comparison would prove pretty much impossible unless they did toe strength tests before the injury), even if it's technically 100% healed. Just saying there's a distinction between 100% healed and completely 100% "back-to-normal." Am I overanalyzing this? I would hope Kyrie plays when the toe is 100% healed and there's no risk of re-injury, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back to his pre-injury form.
*speculative conspiracy warning*
Didn't his father originally say 100%? Maybe he was surprised that it has healed as well as it has but still doesn't want Kyrie to play, fearing another injury, so he bumped his requirements up to 110%. To me, if it is healed, then it is just a matter of building up the strength in his toes/foot which I think he has time to do and still make a return. Or maybe I'm just overly op(toe)mistic?
I think perhaps you are trying a bit too hard...
I cant blame Dred Irving one bit for looking out for his son's best interest... that's his JOB and his right as a parent. Good for him!
Most of us have different choices to help our kids make...
Do I let my reckless, irresponsible teenage (too redundant?) son get the red sports car he wants... or the used volvo wagon he is less likely to kill himself with..
I'm sure KI wants to be in the game tonight. But you sometimes have to put that aside and do the smart thing.. and your parents should help you with identifying what the "smart" things are.
Well I think in a way, building up the strength and flexibility is all part of the healing process. It helps put less pressure on the once damaged area and helps prevent damage in the future. It's an injury, I don't think a toe or any other part of the human body to heal beyond the normal realm of possibility
So far, so good.
Now let's see if his toe responds to rehab.
But this is very encouraging, no?
Forget 110%. Let's get that thing up to 200% healed!