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Franzez
03-26-2008, 12:21 PM
I wish somebody could tell me for what reasons made him leave early for the NBA.:confused:

The agent who told him to leave early really needs to explain himself for costing us an offensive presence in the post and for ruining this young man's life.

Josh McRoberts Has Played 5 Games For The Portland Trailblazers
Josh McRoberts Has Played 23 Minutes For The Portland Trailblazers
Josh McRoberts Has Scored 10 Points,and collected 4 Rebounds For The Portland Trailblazers

Its absolutely sickening,he hasnt played a game since February 13th when he got in for 3 minutes in a loss to Dallas.

Hes made 2 trips to the Blazers,D-League affiliate Idaho Stampede where if you watched him he plays like he doesnt want to be there by playing unmotivated and making a lot of mental mistakes.

He recently was assigned back to Idaho where hes played solid,8 PPG 7.5 RPG 1.5 BPG

Those numbers have to be improved because with the Portland Trailblazers next season his contract will likely not be renewed due to Portland's players in Europe who are coming over next season and roster spaces for their 4 draft picks in the 2008 NBA Draft.


I dont think I've ever felt as sad for a player as I do for McRoberts:( ,how we would've needed him this year and he would've needed another 2 years at Duke.

Indoor66
03-26-2008, 12:24 PM
I wish somebody could tell me for what reasons made him leave early for the NBA.:confused:

The agent who told him to leave early really needs to explain himself for costing us an offensive presence in the post and for ruining this young man's life.

Josh McRoberts Has Played 5 Games For The Portland Trailblazers
Josh McRoberts Has Played 23 Minutes For The Portland Trailblazers
Josh McRoberts Has Scored 10 Points,and collected 4 Rebounds For The Portland Trailblazers

Its absolutely sickening,he hasnt played a game since February 13th when he got in for 3 minutes in a loss to Dallas.

Hes made 2 trips to the Blazers,D-League affiliate Idaho Stampede where if you watched him he plays like he doesnt want to be there by playing unmotivated and making a lot of mental mistakes.

He recently was assigned back to Idaho where hes played solid,8 PPG 7.5 RPG 1.5 BPG

Those numbers have to be improved because with the Portland Trailblazers next season his contract will likely not be renewed due to Portland's players in Europe who are coming over next season and roster spaces for their 4 draft picks in the 2008 NBA Draft.


I dont think I've ever felt as sad for a player as I do for McRoberts:( ,how we would've needed him this year and he would've needed another 2 years at Duke.

He is making $400,000+ per year. Maybe that is important to him.

Rudy
03-26-2008, 12:29 PM
I am sad for him but from what I heard on campus, no one had to twist his arm to leave. Few had higher opinions of his worth than Josh himself. He was not particularly liked by his teammates. Team chemistry seems to have been much better this year. I didn't see much evidence of a high work ethic in his two years at Duke and that seems to have continued in his pro career.

I wish him well. I hope he gets his head and game together.

Edouble
03-26-2008, 12:30 PM
I wish somebody could tell me for what reasons made him leave early for the NBA.:confused:

\Hes made 2 trips to the Blazers,D-League affiliate Idaho Stampede where if you watched him he plays like he doesnt want to be there by playing unmotivated and making a lot of mental mistakes.

I dont think I've ever felt as sad for a player as I do for McRoberts:( ,how we would've needed him this year and he would've needed another 2 years at Duke.

Maybe he looks like he doesn't want to be in Idaho, but last year he sure didn't look like he wanted to be at Duke. First time I've ever seen a guy act like he was a Carolina player with that attitude he had. He is an extremely talented player, and we sure could have used his talents this year, but he didn't look like he did much for team chemistry. I know the poor play of our team got to him last year, but man, that attitude looked poisonous at times.

BlueintheFace
03-26-2008, 12:35 PM
It is pretty widely accepted throughout the student body that both Josh and the Duke basketball team (including K) were ready to part ways... K wasn't about to fight for Josh to stay after the kid disrupted the "Duke Family"... Not sure if this is entirely true, but this is what the story on campus has been from day one.

Franzez
03-26-2008, 12:35 PM
Maybe he looks like he doesn't want to be in Idaho, but last year he sure didn't look like he wanted to be at Duke. First time I've ever seen a guy act like he was a Carolina player with that attitude he had. He is an extremely talented player, and we sure could have used his talents this year, but he didn't look like he did much for team chemistry. I know the poor play of our team got to him last year, but man, that attitude looked poisonous at times.
He looks like he is upset he is even on a D-League team

The rest of his teammates realize they have to play their asses off every game for them to ever get a call up to a NBA team or a big contract in Europe,they realize what they have to do to get out of Idaho

Hes playing like,"Man this sucks,I hate playing here"

Bluedawg
03-26-2008, 12:36 PM
Any word on what J.J. Hickson is going to do?

rockymtn devil
03-26-2008, 12:38 PM
I guess it is because this will be the only season he earns it.

When he entered the NBA Draft I really hoped he was just going to test the waters like J.J. Hickson to see what he needs to work on to be drafted higher next year.


I could be wrong here, but I believe he has a guaranteed 2-year contract, so he'll get paid next year too.

In terms of why he left, many people were surprised that he opted to come back for his sophomore year (Greg Doyel wrote a scathing column about Coach K on this topic if you like reading columns by a man who harbors irrational hatred for K and Duke). McRoberts's draft stock was probably at its highest after his freshman year (much like Hansbrough, IMO). He decided to come back to Duke but, as has been discussed in this thread and many others, his heart didn't seem to be there and his game suffered. I think he felt it was best for him personally to leave Duke and try to make it in the NBA. Guy has loads of talent so, if he truly works, he'll make it in the NBA as a role player or, perhaps, in a European league making a good living. The same can probably be said for Shav, although, in his situation, he had Josh McRoberts coming in as a freshman to likely eat some of his PT.

Franzez
03-26-2008, 12:44 PM
Any word on what J.J. Hickson is going to do?
Hes just putting his toe in the water to see what the interest is like for him now.

Most Mock sites have him between 25-35 right now in the 2008 NBA Draft,the best move for him is to wait until 2009 where the talent level will be much lower than this year.

However,James Johnson is a guy who from what I've heard could likely enter the NBA Draft soon.

I have a friend who goes to Wake Forest and has a class with him and says he typically shows up late for class or misses class and that his grades are probably pretty horrible.

After looking it up,academics havent been his strong point even in HS and with Top 5 player Al-Farqouq Aminu coming in at SF he very well could be gone soon.

jipops
03-26-2008, 12:45 PM
McRoberts and K both knew when Josh committed that his whole intent was to stay at Duke for two years. His mind was already made up before he ever put on a Duke uni, didn't matter how productive those two years would/would not be.

ClosetHurleyFan
03-26-2008, 12:46 PM
Maybe he looks like he doesn't want to be in Idaho, but last year he sure didn't look like he wanted to be at Duke. First time I've ever seen a guy act like he was a Carolina player with that attitude he had. He is an extremely talented player, and we sure could have used his talents this year, but he didn't look like he did much for team chemistry. I know the poor play of our team got to him last year, but man, that attitude looked poisonous at times.

Act like a Carolina player? Oh, please do elaborate....what exactly does that mean? And who on this years team exemplifies those qualities that Josh displayed while at Duke?

Franzez
03-26-2008, 12:51 PM
I could be wrong here, but I believe he has a guaranteed 2-year contract, so he'll get paid next year too.

In terms of why he left, many people were surprised that he opted to come back for his sophomore year (Greg Doyel wrote a scathing column about Coach K on this topic if you like reading columns by a man who harbors irrational hatred for K and Duke). McRoberts's draft stock was probably at its highest after his freshman year (much like Hansbrough, IMO). He decided to come back to Duke but, as has been discussed in this thread and many others, his heart didn't seem to be there and his game suffered. I think he felt it was best for him personally to leave Duke and try to make it in the NBA. Guy has loads of talent so, if he truly works, he'll make it in the NBA as a role player or, perhaps, in a European league making a good living. The same can probably be said for Shav, although, in his situation, he had Josh McRoberts coming in as a freshman to likely eat some of his PT.
Actually his contract as a 2nd round pick is a 1 year gurantee for this season and a team option for next season.

With his lack of production and Portland's already stacked roster his option will certainly be declined,he'll probably have to try to make a summer league team and impress enough to maybe earn a guranteed contract.

Shavlik Randolph really didnt improve at all in college and in his junior year he lost some playing time and with McRoberts on the way it was certain doom for him.

However he hasnt played much but has been a somewhat decent pro in Philadelphia,he'll likely be in Europe next season but he has made some improvements.

Billy Dat
03-26-2008, 01:04 PM
Financially, McRoberts should have left after his freshman year. Playing in the reflected light of Redick and Williams allowed him to hide his inability to be the #1 guy on the team. Scouts figured he deferred to the All Americans and were ready to make him a lottery pick. That would have paved the way for $6 million guaranteed over 3 years. Contrast that with, "What if he stayed?" I think his stock continues to drop. Last year, it was essentially his team to lead and star on and it was quickly obvious that he wasn't that kind of player. He was plenty good, but not lottery or een first round material. Would that have changed over his junior and senior years, especially knowing now what we think we know about his lack of fire in the belly...unlikely. So, he drops to the 2nd round or undrafted and tries to become Chris Duhon - a 2nd rounder that sticks (let's forget about Boozer in this convo whose skills and fire in the belly were clearly misjudged by the Marty Blakes of the world). Duhon, who clearly has the fire in the belly, despite his penchant for partying, has earned between $5MM - $10MM in his career. So, would McRoberts have done the same had he stayed. I doubt it, so he should have left after his freshman year and banked his $6MM. I guess another option, aside from pro ball, would have been to graduate and try and grab a Wll Street job from a fat cat alumni (of which there are many). If he worked hard, he could have parlayed that into a greater then $400K gig per year, for more then the average NBA career span (3-4 years?). But, again, I don't think he's that kind of kid. He saw himself as an NBA player from the time he was a teenager..anything else was not living the dream. Had he not left last year, that dream probably would have vanished.

jgflava
03-26-2008, 01:14 PM
Act like a Carolina player? Oh, please do elaborate....what exactly does that mean? And who on this years team exemplifies those qualities that Josh displayed while at Duke?

Yeah, what does it mean to act like a Carolina player?

Josh should have not even gone to college. When he came out of high school, he could have entered the Draft because the age limit didn't go into effect until the next year. If he declared in 2005 or after his first year at Duke, he would have been a lottery pick. Instead, he stayed for two years, got picked in the second round, and is now in the D-League. The guy obviously has all the talent in the world, but I have heard a lot of stuff about him being full of himself. He sure looked pretty arrogant in that picture of him with that girl from "The Hills."

killerleft
03-26-2008, 01:20 PM
Just to say something positive about Josh, I thought that (at least in games, don't know about his practice ethics) he played hard and tried hard to be the player that we thought he could be. Somehow that never translated into reality. It was like he just couldn't force himself to believe that his game needed changing, and Coach K and the team should have adapted to him instead.

Hmmm... my post wasn't very positive after all.

Franzez
03-26-2008, 01:24 PM
Financially, McRoberts should have left after his freshman year. Playing in the reflected light of Redick and Williams allowed him to hide his inability to be the #1 guy on the team. Scouts figured he deferred to the All Americans and were ready to make him a lottery pick. That would have paved the way for $6 million guaranteed over 3 years. Contrast that with, "What if he stayed?" I think his stock continues to drop. Last year, it was essentially his team to lead and star on and it was quickly obvious that he wasn't that kind of player. He was plenty good, but not lottery or een first round material. Would that have changed over his junior and senior years, especially knowing now what we think we know about his lack of fire in the belly...unlikely. So, he drops to the 2nd round or undrafted and tries to become Chris Duhon - a 2nd rounder that sticks (let's forget about Boozer in this convo whose skills and fire in the belly were clearly misjudged by the Marty Blakes of the world). Duhon, who clearly has the fire in the belly, despite his penchant for partying, has earned between $5MM - $10MM in his career. So, would McRoberts have done the same had he stayed. I doubt it, so he should have left after his freshman year and banked his $6MM. I guess another option, aside from pro ball, would have been to graduate and try and grab a Wll Street job from a fat cat alumni (of which there are many). If he worked hard, he could have parlayed that into a greater then $400K gig per year, for more then the average NBA career span (3-4 years?). But, again, I don't think he's that kind of kid. He saw himself as an NBA player from the time he was a teenager..anything else was not living the dream. Had he not left last year, that dream probably would have vanished.
If Josh McRoberts had returned this year his stock would not have dropped because he would have likely averaged 15/8/3 per game this season with a better 4 in Kyle Singler playing beside him in the front court.

Having McRoberts would have took a lot of pressure off of Demarcus Nelson who tried to replace Josh McRoberts on the boards this season.

However from what you guys have said our team chemistry really wouldnt be good but with McRoberts I'd say we would have won at least 2 more games in the regular season.

Shammrog
03-26-2008, 01:25 PM
Just to say something positive about Josh, I thought that (at least in games, don't know about his practice ethics) he played hard and tried hard to be the player that we thought he could be. Somehow that never translated into reality. It was like he just couldn't force himself to believe that his game needed changing, and Coach K and the team should have adapted to him instead.

Hmmm... my post wasn't very positive after all.

Yeah - that's a little like describing a blind date by saying "she has a nice personality..."

Billy Dat
03-26-2008, 01:33 PM
If Josh McRoberts had returned this year his stock would not have dropped because he would have likely averaged 15/8/3 per game this season with a better 4 in Kyle Singler playing beside him in the front court.

Having McRoberts would have took a lot of pressure off of Demarcus Nelson who tried to replace Josh McRoberts on the boards this season.

However from what you guys have said our team chemistry really wouldnt be good but with McRoberts I'd say we would have won at least 2 more games in the regular season.

What about his stats when he was playing next to an All American 5 and he got to play his natural 4 during his freshman year? Once NBA stock drops, it rarely turns around. To be a lottery pick, or even a first rounder, you either need to be a physician specimen, or a dominant player. Last year was Josh's year to be that dominant player. He wasn't up to the task. Who is the great 4 playing next to Tyler Hansborough? Marcus Ginyard? The great 4 playing next to Psycho T, Brandan Wright, departed and Psycho T raised his game. Fire in the belly! It's what's giving Shav a chance to stay in the league and will spell McRoberts' quick departure.

Franzez
03-26-2008, 01:36 PM
What about his stats when he was playing next to an All American 5 and he got to play his natural 4 during his freshman year? Once NBA stock drops, it rarely turns around. To be a lottery pick, or even a first rounder, you either need to be a physician specimen, or a dominant player. Last year was Josh's year to be that dominant player. He wasn't up to the task. Who is the great 4 playing next to Tyler Hansborough? Marcus Ginyard? The great 4 playing next to Psycho T, Brandan Wright, departed and Psycho T raised his game. Fire in the belly! It's what's giving Shav a chance to stay in the league and will spell McRoberts' quick departure.
True.

What I dont understand is why he never played with his face to the basket like he did in college,I saw some clips of him being able to shoot a 18 footer with consistency.

But @ Duke I think he stopped caring about his game more than 5 feet from the basket.

Billy Dat
03-26-2008, 01:44 PM
True.

What I dont understand is why he never played with his face to the basket like he did in college,I saw some clips of him being able to shoot a 18 footer with consistency.

But @ Duke I think he stopped caring about his game more than 5 feet from the basket.

Honestly, I think all the kid wanted to do was pass. I think he would have liked playing a more Singler-style 3 pointer and drive game but we needed him to play down low. That's definitely a recurring theme over the past few years, forcing someone to play a the more traditional 5 spot then their body and history suggest is possible. The traditional 5s we've recruited (Boateng, Thompson) don't seem to last long and we wind up forcing traditional 4s to play center, sometimes with great results (Brand, Boozer, Williams, Parks) and sometimes with poorer results (Burgess, McRoberts, Newton). Keep your head up, Franzez. We're all bummed about how the season ended, but MCBOB was not the savior.

Franzez
03-26-2008, 01:49 PM
Honestly, I think all the kid wanted to do was pass. I think he would have liked playing a more Singler-style 3 pointer and drive game but we needed him to play down low. That's definitely a recurring theme over the past few years, forcing someone to play a the more traditional 5 spot then their body and history suggest is possible. The traditional 5s we've recruited (Boateng, Thompson) don't seem to last long and we wind up forcing traditional 4s to play center, sometimes with great results (Brand, Boozer, Williams, Parks) and sometimes with poorer results (Burgess, McRoberts, Newton). Keep your head up, Franzez. We're all bummed about how the season ended, but MCBOB was not the savior.
Im not bummed about this season,im more excited for next season.

As I've said before on this forum,Gerald Henderson will have his #15 jersey retired because next season will be his chance to be the go-to guy hopefully if he returns healthy from wrist surgery.

How far we go next season depends on Brian Zoubek at C,if he can put up at least 11/6 then we should be tough to beat.

EarlJam
03-26-2008, 01:52 PM
I wish somebody could tell me for what reasons made him leave early for the NBA.:confused:

The agent who told him to leave early really needs to explain himself for costing us an offensive presence in the post and for ruining this young man's life.
[/I]


Costing us an offensive presence? Nahhh. Not really.

Ruining his LIFE? I wish I could have my life "ruined" in the same way!

Maybe having his NBA dreams mushed a little (for now). But his life? Dude's got it good.

-EarlJam

rockymtn devil
03-26-2008, 02:39 PM
Actually his contract as a 2nd round pick is a 1 year gurantee for this season and a team option for next season.

With his lack of production and Portland's already stacked roster his option will certainly be declined,he'll probably have to try to make a summer league team and impress enough to maybe earn a guranteed contract.

Shavlik Randolph really didnt improve at all in college and in his junior year he lost some playing time and with McRoberts on the way it was certain doom for him.

However he hasnt played much but has been a somewhat decent pro in Philadelphia,he'll likely be in Europe next season but he has made some improvements.

According to this article, he has a 2-year guaranteed contract (you have to scroll down quite a ways). http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Av2DMOQvEEKzjv3aYw4OV328vLYF?slug=aw-lastshot011808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

A 1-year with an option for the team may be the norm for NBA 2nd rounder draft picks, but it appears The Blazers gave Josh two.

bhd28
03-26-2008, 02:57 PM
Costing us an offensive presence? Nahhh. Not really.
-EarlJam

EarlJam, you don't think Josh would have been a more effective scorer than the 9ppg we got between Lance, Z, and McClure combined?

To everyone, I get he would have hurt chemistry. Do you think that would have translated to losing in the 1st round again this year? Or would results have been similar or better?

Enjoyment in watching the team might be another factor... Though I don't think I would have minded watching the team with him that much (I enjoyed the last year with him on the team, unlike a lot of people). It wasn't to be, obviously, but I think it would have been fun to watch the team this year with him included.

EarlJam
03-26-2008, 03:02 PM
EarlJam, you don't think Josh would have been a more effective scorer than the 9ppg we got between Lance, Z, and McClure combined?

To everyone, I get he would have hurt chemistry. Do you think that would have translated to losing in the 1st round again this year? Or would results have been similar or better?



It's to your latter point that I speak. I think he would have disturbed the team's chemistry to the point that our team PPG avg. would have been lower than it was.

As for Tourney results, well, hard to argue with your point there. With Josh we probably at least make it as far as we did this year, but not much further. Then he would have left and our team would not have developed the chemistry that will serve us so well next year.

-EarlJam

P.S. Has there ever been a Duke player whose early departure has sparked so much conversation? It's like we can't shake this whole "Osh Kosh McJosh" thing.

bhd28
03-26-2008, 03:12 PM
It's to your latter point that I speak. I think he would have disturbed the team's chemistry to the point that our team PPG avg. would have been lower than it was.

As for Tourney results, well, hard to argue with your point there. With Josh we probably at least make it as far as we did this year, but not much further. Then he would have left and our team would not have developed the chemistry that will serve us so well next year.

-EarlJam

P.S. Has there ever been a Duke player whose early departure has sparked so much conversation? It's like we can't shake this whole "Osh Kosh McJosh" thing.

If Lance or Z had been more effective this year, if B. Wright, Patterson, Monroe, or Echenique had come, or if the team had gone Sweet 16 or better, then the Josh sitcheation would likely have gone the way of the dodo. As it stands... hopefully Lance, Z, or Czyz will have people stand up and take notice. If not... expect more of the Josh discussions from people next year.:(

UrinalCake
03-26-2008, 03:19 PM
I'm in disagreement with the first part of the statement, "The agent who told him to leave early really needs to explain himself for costing us an offensive presence in the post...." Despite what we'd like to believe, Duke players do not play for us. They play for themselves, for the enjoyment of the game, and for a chance at making the NBA. The fact that we are entertained by what they do is merely a side effect. Why should McRoberts' agent have any obligation whatsoever to us as fans? I realize that as die-hard fans we feel like we're a part of the team and are vested in all that happens, but we should also try to keep things in perspective.

With regards to the second part of the original poster's statement, that the agent hurt McRoberts's career, it's hard to really say if that's true. Maybe if he stayed another year he wouldn't have gotten drafted at all. And maybe he'll wind up sticking around the NBA after all, with the potential for a larger contract that would start a year sooner than if he had stayed.

nyr484
03-26-2008, 03:27 PM
I wish somebody could tell me for what reasons made him leave early for the NBA.:confused:

Answer:
http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/images/gallery/lauren-conrad-hides_452x392.jpg

That's L.C. from the Hills.

Devilsfan
03-26-2008, 03:42 PM
McClure when healthy can play great D. Lance IS athletic, he merely needs strenth and someone to throw him tons of passes between now Oct., imo.

Richard Berg
03-26-2008, 03:42 PM
Well said, UrinalCake. I love my alma mater, but the idea that I "owe" Duke something is silly.


P.S. Has there ever been a Duke player whose early departure has sparked so much conversation? It's like we can't shake this whole "Osh Kosh McJosh" thing.
Dunleavy.

Jim3k
03-26-2008, 04:11 PM
McClure when healthy can play great D.

McClure would be a 5th year senior next year. He graduates in June. Are we certain he will return?

FerryFor50
03-26-2008, 04:14 PM
I can't say McRoberts didn't play with passion. He always looked like he was playing his butt off. But his body language was AWFUL. He'd make a great pass, the guy he passed to would miss, and he'd roll his eyes, drop his shoulders, etc. Basically, HOW DARE YOU MISS THAT SHOT???

My main gripe with him was, if you hate seeing guys miss shots, then take over. Score. Be aggressive. He wasn't offensively aggressive enough. Had he looked for his own shots more, he could have been a force. But he was content with passing and rebounding.

Funny thing is, that would have been PERFECT this year. He would have had the shooters to pass to. He would have had help down low in Z and Thomas. And he could have come over and played weak-side defense on the post players, swatting shots and grabbing much needed rebounds.

But, he obviously thought he was ready for the big time. Unfortunately, his play hasn't showed that. He's sulking in Idaho, then riding the pine in Portland.

Something tells me he'll be in Europe soon.

moonpie23
03-26-2008, 05:56 PM
it always struck me as odd about the timing of his announcement. It was EXACTLY down to the millisecond for Coach K urgently needing to tell Patrick Patterson "if you come, you will be the man".....


Josh McRoberts - "hey man, where's our next game?"

Joe forte - "i dunno, Debuque i think"

Josh McRoberts - "dood, slide over, you're hoggin the seat"

weezie
03-26-2008, 06:04 PM
P.S. Has there ever been a Duke player whose early departure has sparked so much conversation? It's like we can't shake this whole "Osh Kosh McJosh" thing.


Say it brother. For cripes sake, why can't we bury this carcass?

miramar
03-26-2008, 06:11 PM
True.

What I don't understand is why he never played with his face to the basket like he did in college,I saw some clips of him being able to shoot a 18 footer with consistency.

But @ Duke I think he stopped caring about his game more than 5 feet from the basket.

While he did make an occasional outside shot, watching him shoot during warmups was really striking. He really didn't have an effective outside shot at all, and had a slow release to boot. Brick city basically. Part of the problem may have been that he's not really left handed, although that certainly hasn't hurt Taylor King.

I always thought that a hook shot would have been perfect for him since he really didn't have post up moves either.

Despite all that, with an attitude check he would have been perfect for this team, but that's like saying that with an extra 50 IQ points I would be brilliant.

dyedwab
03-26-2008, 06:13 PM
Say it brother. For cripes sake, why can't we bury this carcass?

I agree with this sentinment....but I think the reason is simple. and his name is Tyler Hansbrough.

Both Duke and Carolina recruited top flight big men who came in the same year. Ours didn't develop as well as we would have liked and went pro after two years. Theirs became a monster in the paint - and is exactly the type of player we don't have. And he became a 1st team all american the same year our guy was riding the bench for the Idaho Stampede.

weezie
03-26-2008, 07:50 PM
Agreed, but the endless twiddling about JMcBob all comes down to this: he didn't want to play for Duke anymore. Whether he would have developed into a deep blue Mr Intensity seems highly unlikely, but, lordy, he just wanted out.
JMcB might love that we're all still chewing on this gristle but I highly doubt Kyle would have had the room to perform as beautifully as he did with a certain someone glowering at him from way up top of the key (and out of position.)
Sorry if this irritates some people.

Exiled_Devil
03-26-2008, 07:54 PM
I'm in disagreement with the first part of the statement, "The agent who told him to leave early really needs to explain himself for costing us an offensive presence in the post...." Despite what we'd like to believe, Duke players do not play for us. They play for themselves, for the enjoyment of the game, and for a chance at making the NBA. The fact that we are entertained by what they do is merely a side effect. Why should McRoberts' agent have any obligation whatsoever to us as fans? I realize that as die-hard fans we feel like we're a part of the team and are vested in all that happens, but we should also try to keep things in perspective.


He wasn't playing for himself, he was playing for the university. The school gave him a scholarship to play basketball. As an amateur player, he didn't have an agent - he had agents wooing him, sure, but you can't hire an agent and still be an amateur.

I don't want players who play for themselves rather than play for the school. As such, I think that getting one-and-doners is a bad idea. You build individual's brands and help market the NBA, but it does little to build the institution. It's not college basketball's job to build NBA brand or careers.

Edouble
03-26-2008, 08:19 PM
Act like a Carolina player? Oh, please do elaborate....what exactly does that mean? And who on this years team exemplifies those qualities that Josh displayed while at Duke?


I think I made it pretty clear: "First time I've seen a guy at Duke act like a Carolina player with that attitude he had". If you're a Carolina fan, you're probably not gonna get it, b/c you're used to your guys acting that way. When a Duke player has that kind of attitude, namely showing disdain for his teammates, with a me (and not my team) against the world mindset, it's really shocking.

dyedwab
03-26-2008, 08:20 PM
Agreed, but the endless twiddling about JMcBob all comes down to this: he didn't want to play for Duke anymore. Whether he would have developed into a deep blue Mr Intensity seems highly unlikely, but, lordy, he just wanted out.
JMcB might love that we're all still chewing on this gristle but I highly doubt Kyle would have had the room to perform as beautifully as he did with a certain someone glowering at him from way up top of the key (and out of position.)
Sorry if this irritates some people.

Word!

Agree completely about Kyle not having had the room to grow as he did if Josh was there.

Edouble
03-26-2008, 08:20 PM
I can't say McRoberts didn't play with passion. He always looked like he was playing his butt off. But his body language was AWFUL. He'd make a great pass, the guy he passed to would miss, and he'd roll his eyes, drop his shoulders, etc. Basically, HOW DARE YOU MISS THAT SHOT???

This is what I mean by "acting like a Carolina player".

bhd28
03-26-2008, 09:12 PM
Word!

Agree completely about Kyle not having had the room to grow as he did if Josh was there.

He might not have reached his stride until Feb or March. But we will never know.

BlueintheFace
03-26-2008, 11:03 PM
I'm not so sure it'd fly on the board, but I'd love to see a poll on whether or not people think Duke would've been better off or worse off with Josh around this year.

JBDuke
03-26-2008, 11:04 PM
I'm not so sure it'd fly on the board, but I'd love to see a poll on whether or not people think Duke would've been better off or worse off with Josh around this year.

No, it would not fly.

geraldsneighbor
03-26-2008, 11:08 PM
Did Josh get along with Greg? Greg never showed any animosity but then again, Josh came off as a bit hot headed at time last year. Would DeMarcus have grown the way he did? I was a McBob supporter for a while, but in the end he seemed like a cancer in a way.

Edouble
03-26-2008, 11:17 PM
Did Josh get along with Greg? Greg never showed any animosity but then again, Josh came off as a bit hot headed at time last year. Would DeMarcus have grown the way he did? I was a McBob supporter for a while, but in the end he seemed like a cancer in a way.

I definitely saw Greg get yelled at by McRoberts many times. I think DeMarcus would have grown as he did... such a long history of Duke guys stepping up for a great senior year, plus I think it was injuries holding Nelson back, and not McRoberts.

I was a huge McRoberts supporter too, but I have to admitt that he was pretty much carcinogenic as you say. So many sources have said the coaches were glad to see him gone.

Jumbo
03-26-2008, 11:32 PM
Folks, there is a lot of rumor-mongering going on here and a lot of teeth-gnashing over something that happened a year ago. I will respectively ask you all to just let this thread die. I don't want to have to lock it, but it is heading that way. Thank you.

EarlJam
03-27-2008, 12:14 AM
Folks, there is a lot of rumor-mongering going on here and a lot of teeth-gnashing over something that happened a year ago. I will respectively ask you all to just let this thread die. I don't want to have to lock it, but it is heading that way. Thank you.

EarlJam approves of this 100 Percent. For God's and Jumbo's sake, can we all just PLEASE move past Josh? He's gone. We're good. He had some good contributions to Duke but let's move ON!

-EarlJam