LoVett Future

[Class of 72]

the other side of this is that when you are traveling your nut is bigger. So $100k (assuming you make that much) may sound like a lot to a 19 year old, figure in your expenses and it may not be. Play in Korea and make $100k and you won't even be able to get a tiny apartment (to RENT) without a huge down payment. Heck in Silicon Valley you have $100k annual and you are eating ramen every night.

Everyone talks about not begrudging kids from making a paycheck but a paycheck is there for the rest of your life and most of these kids that are the rare exceptions to make a big paycheck are too immature to hold on to it. For most playing overseas won't get them enough income to change their life or their extended families. College is a good life and 4 years to live in a bubble of fun, learning and security. You can grow and become a better version of yourself. Professional is dog eat dog forever no turning back. You have kids and the NCAA is screwing you. OK go get a paycheck. If you don't, enjoy college life for as long as you can.

Just to point out that most overseas professional teams provide room and some if not all board expenses in addition to salary.

That is certainly true and great if you are playing in Italy, France, Turkey and Spain. Not so great if you are playing in certain cities in Russia during the winter. I know someone that earns 15 times their US salary in Russia but hates the weather and the food.
Someone like Lovett would earn more money in China than Europe but culturally would have a hard time adjusting. It's a shame none of the players we seem to recruit value a college education but once they surround themselves with basketball brokers their future is set.

 

[SJU85]

the other side of this is that when you are traveling your nut is bigger. So $100k (assuming you make that much) may sound like a lot to a 19 year old, figure in your expenses and it may not be. Play in Korea and make $100k and you won't even be able to get a tiny apartment (to RENT) without a huge down payment. Heck in Silicon Valley you have $100k annual and you are eating ramen every night.

Everyone talks about not begrudging kids from making a paycheck but a paycheck is there for the rest of your life and most of these kids that are the rare exceptions to make a big paycheck are too immature to hold on to it. For most playing overseas won't get them enough income to change their life or their extended families. College is a good life and 4 years to live in a bubble of fun, learning and security. You can grow and become a better version of yourself. Professional is dog eat dog forever no turning back. You have kids and the NCAA is screwing you. OK go get a paycheck. If you don't, enjoy college life for as long as you can.

Just to point out that most overseas professional teams provide room and some if not all board expenses in addition to salary.

And in most cases, the club will offset a player's taxes as well, so his salary would essentially be tax-free.

I do believe that Lovett would be able to get a contract around 200k in Europe. I can't fault him whatsoever if he chooses to go get his money. Fact of the matter is, 100k-200k is worth much more than the value of SJU tuition. As a basketball period he has a short period of time to cash in on his talents, and if his family isn't in a great financial situation you can't fault him one bit for wanting to support them. He can go make 6-figures in Europe and save a bit of that money each year and go back to school to get his degree once his playing career is over.

In fact, more and more schools are starting to pledge lifetime scholarships for athletes (its a good recruiting tool). Selfishly I want him to come back but can't at all fault the kid if he wants to go make some actual money which exceeds the value he's getting at SJU.

You qualified "tuition" I'd still say that your college time is a special one that can't be replaced even with some bling and relatively insignificant cash so I think the value proposition is definitely debatable especially in the reality of where most professional athletes end up no matter how much money they make. This from someone that grew up poor OG latchkey kid, and started working when I was 9 years old all the way through high school and 4 years at St Johns. Aside from that, pretty easy to burn through that kind of money especially living abroad and if you have a posse leaching off you.

We just make all of these rational arguments of how college life is so good, and they aren't incorrect. If I had to guess, for a kid who has had academic problems, he may not have a high interest in cracking the books AND playing college bball without a salary. I couldn't imagine trying to play a demanding D1 sport like bball that spans most of 2 semesters AND have to do school work. When I worked at SJU my office was in the Academic Computing Lab. Most basketball players came in at the end of the semester with an entire semester's work of mandatory assignments that had to be handed in. Usually they asked student workers to give them lots of assistance completing them. In my time working there, only one ball player actually came in regularly to do his assignments on his own during the school year.

Yes, 100K for those of us that know doesn't go far. For kids who sometimes come from a life of public assistance, or a single parent who earns far less than that, It sounds like and to some extent is, a fortune. But being a professional basketball player is some far flung exotic place in Europe, Asia, or South America sounds like a really cool deal to kids who have grown up poor. And it is. I do agree that a college degree changes the trajectory for any kid, so for that alone I hope he stays.

I think of guys like Reggie Carter, Frank Gilroy, George Johnson, Rudy Wright, Charles Minlend at their commencements. I saw one or two of them in cap and gown. I think of D'Angelo, Pointer, Greene, and that group at their commencement and can only imagine their ear to ear grins at earning their degrees. I actually feel good for them that there was, is, and will be a better life after basketball partly because of that degree. I hope Lovett is in that group - not for the points and wins he would provide for us along the way, but for him and his family.

If I remember correctly, Carl Beckett came here as a prop 48 kid and wound up leaving with a Master's degree. Lets not forget Rob Thomas. Having said that, the window for making money playing ball is short. The opportunity to get a college degree is always there, as Walter showed when he went back and got his years later. So I get it.

Carl was far from a Prop 48. He was a very good student who was even being recruited by Navy. Unfortunately, one year while he was here, Carl decided he didn't need to go to all his classes nor apply himself which caused him to become academically ineligible. He sat out the next year but got back on the right track.and got his grades up to where they were before.

 

[Class of 72]

NBA Draft referenced in his father's basketball training group twitter post

WE WIN WEST

@WeWinWest

@NBADraft will make it's decision on @Marcus_LoVett...not our opinions of him as a student athlete...#sjubbpic.twitter.com/vZO5ETlVR2

12:03 PM - 9 Mar 2017

Could be a good sign actually. Maybe means he wont leave SJ for Europe, only for a legit NBA opportunity. Which would be smart.

Contrary to what some here may think, Lovett does have strong NBA caliber potential. I personally think he can even be a pretty good player in the league. However, pull the trigger too early and he could miss an opportunity at a long NBA career by faltering out of the gate before he is ready. He's still inexperienced. Really nothing to lose by waiting one more year.

I love Marcus Lovett as a college player and think he would improve his stock by playing an additional year.
I disagree with your opinion of his NBA potential. He can't guard any good players in college ball. The pros, who would all be 4 to 5 inches taller at his position would eat him up. He does have the passing and scoring ability but would rarely see any playing time and that would be in the D league. No way he ever suits up for a regular NBA team other than short stints if he makes the D league cut.

 

[Red.Fans]

NBA Draft referenced in his father's basketball training group twitter post

WE WIN WEST

@WeWinWest

@NBADraft will make it's decision on @Marcus_LoVett...not our opinions of him as a student athlete...#sjubbpic.twitter.com/vZO5ETlVR2

12:03 PM - 9 Mar 2017

Could be a good sign actually. Maybe means he wont leave SJ for Europe, only for a legit NBA opportunity. Which would be smart.

Contrary to what some here may think, Lovett does have strong NBA caliber potential. I personally think he can even be a pretty good player in the league. However, pull the trigger too early and he could miss an opportunity at a long NBA career by faltering out of the gate before he is ready. He's still inexperienced. Really nothing to lose by waiting one more year.

I love Marcus Lovett as a college player and think he would improve his stock by playing an additional year.
I disagree with your opinion of his NBA potential. He can't guard any good players in college ball. The pros, who would all be 4 to 5 inches taller at his position would eat him up. He does have the passing and scoring ability but would rarely see any playing time and that would be in the D league. No way he ever suits up for a regular NBA team other than short stints if he makes the D league cut.

He has some potential but he would really need to assert himself to a much more hard core mindset and I agree with you about some of his issues and that is why I used the John Linehan example. That is the kind of model he needs to pursue if he wants to be taken seriously for the NBA discussion. On the O side, as talented as he is as a ball handler he still makes a lot of bad decisions. About three games into the season it was clear that every team we faced had read him and was waiting for him to drive the middle trying to split defenders and he got stripped over and again.

He's a great Freshman with a lot of upside that played like a sophomore (most games included bad decision making) this season. I don't think we even saw his full potential because of our front court deficiencies. But he is a lot of seasoning away from being in any serious discussion about NBA which on his size alone would make that a longshot even if he were at this most mature.

 

[austour]

That's all well and good but Linehan was not drafted and never appeared in an NBA game.

 

[Red.Fans]

That's all well and good but Linehan was not drafted and never appeared in an NBA game.

Right, as I said earlier he has some upside over Linehan including a few inches so if Lovett who would be a "longshot even if he were at this most mature" thickened up a bit, and developed that type of non-stop, every moment on the court effort mindset that is where he could get into the discussion - as Linehan was.

 

[bk8664]

NBA Draft referenced in his father's basketball training group twitter post

WE WIN WEST

@WeWinWest

@NBADraft will make it's decision on @Marcus_LoVett...not our opinions of him as a student athlete...#sjubbpic.twitter.com/vZO5ETlVR2

12:03 PM - 9 Mar 2017

Could be a good sign actually. Maybe means he wont leave SJ for Europe, only for a legit NBA opportunity. Which would be smart.

Contrary to what some here may think, Lovett does have strong NBA caliber potential. I personally think he can even be a pretty good player in the league. However, pull the trigger too early and he could miss an opportunity at a long NBA career by faltering out of the gate before he is ready. He's still inexperienced. Really nothing to lose by waiting one more year.

I love Marcus Lovett as a college player and think he would improve his stock by playing an additional year.
I disagree with your opinion of his NBA potential. He can't guard any good players in college ball. The pros, who would all be 4 to 5 inches taller at his position would eat him up. He does have the passing and scoring ability but would rarely see any playing time and that would be in the D league. No way he ever suits up for a regular NBA team other than short stints if he makes the D league cut.

Tell that to current 5'9'' star Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics.
Three college years at Washington:
Fr: 15.5 pts per game. 42% from the field, 29% from 3pt line; 69% from FT Line, 2.6 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 2.6 Turnovers per game.

So: 16.9 Pts per game. 42% from the field, 33% from 3pt line; 73% from FT Line, 3.2 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 2.4 Turnovers per game.

Jr: 16.8 Pts per game. 51% from the field, 35% from 3pt line; 72% from FT Line, 6.1 Assists, 1.3 Steals, 3.0 Turnovers per game.

He's 28 years old right now and is a star in the league.

LoVett Redshirt- Freshman Year:
15.9 Pts per game. 46% from the field, 38% from 3pt line; 80% from FT Line, 3.8 Assists, 1.3 Steals, 2.6 Turnovers per game.

I have no idea if LoVett will make the league. However to say he has no shot is ridiculous. He's played in less than 30 college games (wasn't he injured?). He's a special talent.

If I were him, I would bulk up, keep on working on his stroke, play bball for another season and re-assess. With regard to your vocation, you always want to re-assess with additional information. Waiting a year before going pro might make sense.

 

[TobinGrad]

NBA Draft referenced in his father's basketball training group twitter post

WE WIN WEST

@WeWinWest

@NBADraft will make it's decision on @Marcus_LoVett...not our opinions of him as a student athlete...#sjubbpic.twitter.com/vZO5ETlVR2

12:03 PM - 9 Mar 2017

Could be a good sign actually. Maybe means he wont leave SJ for Europe, only for a legit NBA opportunity. Which would be smart.

Contrary to what some here may think, Lovett does have strong NBA caliber potential. I personally think he can even be a pretty good player in the league. However, pull the trigger too early and he could miss an opportunity at a long NBA career by faltering out of the gate before he is ready. He's still inexperienced. Really nothing to lose by waiting one more year.

I love Marcus Lovett as a college player and think he would improve his stock by playing an additional year.
I disagree with your opinion of his NBA potential. He can't guard any good players in college ball. The pros, who would all be 4 to 5 inches taller at his position would eat him up. He does have the passing and scoring ability but would rarely see any playing time and that would be in the D league. No way he ever suits up for a regular NBA team other than short stints if he makes the D league cut.

6-4 PGs are big for their position. 6-1 and 6-2 is pretty normal. Lovetts speed is elite on any level and he is a legit good long range shooter and passer. His defense sucks but he has the tools to be a least average in that area. Kemba Walker is 6-1 and Lovett is a much better shooter than he was when in college. 5-9 Isaiah Thomas is a star and Tyler Ulis and Kay Felder will have long careers baring injury.

I think this year is too early and not worth the risk but if he stays in school until he is truly ready, I predict we will see the guy have a good career in the nba

 

[monte]

NBA Draft referenced in his father's basketball training group twitter post

WE WIN WEST

@WeWinWest

@NBADraft will make it's decision on @Marcus_LoVett...not our opinions of him as a student athlete...#sjubbpic.twitter.com/vZO5ETlVR2

12:03 PM - 9 Mar 2017

Could be a good sign actually. Maybe means he wont leave SJ for Europe, only for a legit NBA opportunity. Which would be smart.

Contrary to what some here may think, Lovett does have strong NBA caliber potential. I personally think he can even be a pretty good player in the league. However, pull the trigger too early and he could miss an opportunity at a long NBA career by faltering out of the gate before he is ready. He's still inexperienced. Really nothing to lose by waiting one more year.

I love Marcus Lovett as a college player and think he would improve his stock by playing an additional year.
I disagree with your opinion of his NBA potential. He can't guard any good players in college ball. The pros, who would all be 4 to 5 inches taller at his position would eat him up. He does have the passing and scoring ability but would rarely see any playing time and that would be in the D league. No way he ever suits up for a regular NBA team other than short stints if he makes the D league cut.

Tell that to current 5'9'' star Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics.
Three college years at Washington:
Fr: 15.5 pts per game. 42% from the field, 29% from 3pt line; 69% from FT Line, 2.6 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 2.6 Turnovers per game.

So: 16.9 Pts per game. 42% from the field, 33% from 3pt line; 73% from FT Line, 3.2 Assists, 1.1 Steals, 2.4 Turnovers per game.

Jr: 16.8 Pts per game. 51% from the field, 35% from 3pt line; 72% from FT Line, 6.1 Assists, 1.3 Steals, 3.0 Turnovers per game.

He's 28 years old right and is a star in the league.

LoVett Redshirt- Freshman Year:
15.9 Pts per game. 46% from the field, 38% from 3pt line; 80% from FT Line, 3.8 Assists, 1.3 Steals, 2.6 Turnovers per game.

I have no idea if LoVett will make the league. However to say he has no shot is ridiculous. He's only played in less than 30 college games (wasn't he injured?) He's a special talent.

If I were him, I would bulk up, keep on working on his stroke, play bball for another season and re-assess. With regard to your vocation, you always want to re-assess with additional information. Waiting a year before going pro might make sense.

In addition to refining his game, IMO the single most important thing LoVett needs to do to increase his chances of making the NBA is to thicken up.

 

[Class of 72]

NBA Draft referenced in his father's basketball training group twitter post

WE WIN WEST

@WeWinWest

@NBADraft will make it's decision on @Marcus_LoVett...not our opinions of him as a student athlete...#sjubbpic.twitter.com/vZO5ETlVR2

12:03 PM - 9 Mar 2017

Could be a good sign actually. Maybe means he wont leave SJ for Europe, only for a legit NBA opportunity. Which would be smart.

Contrary to what some here may think, Lovett does have strong NBA caliber potential. I personally think he can even be a pretty good player in the league. However, pull the trigger too early and he could miss an opportunity at a long NBA career by faltering out of the gate before he is ready. He's still inexperienced. Really nothing to lose by waiting one more year.

I love Marcus Lovett as a college player and think he would improve his stock by playing an additional year.
I disagree with your opinion of his NBA potential. He can't guard any good players in college ball. The pros, who would all be 4 to 5 inches taller at his position would eat him up. He does have the passing and scoring ability but would rarely see any playing time and that would be in the D league. No way he ever suits up for a regular NBA team other than short stints if he makes the D league cut.

6-4 PGs are big for their position. 6-1 and 6-2 is pretty normal. Lovetts speed is elite on any level and he is a legit good long range shooter and passer. His defense sucks but he has the tools to be a least average in that area. Kemba Walker is 6-1 and Lovett is a much better shooter than he was when in college. 5-9 Isaiah Thomas is a star and Tyler Ulis and Kay Felder will have long careers baring injury.

I think this year is too early and not worth the risk but if he stays in school until he is truly ready, I predict we will see the guy have a good career in the nba

I would love to see Marcus turn out half as good as Tyler Ulis. Thomas, at 5'9, is a rare exception but is a much better player than Marcus at both ends of the court. Anyone who has been up close with Marcus would say he is closer to 5'10 or 5'11 so I would not compare him to 6'4 point guards. 6'1 is not normal for an NBA point guard. 6'3 is around the average height. If Marcus measures at 5'11 that is a 4 inch disadvantage at minimum. Many NBA guards are 6'5 and taller. Caught on switches Marcus would be at a tremendous height disadvantage. As I said, his biggest disadvantage is in defense but he overpenetrates too often and that is a no no in the NBA.
Bottom line is he is not ready for NBA level competition and needs at least another year.

 

[Section3]

If Marcus Lovett, or any of this friends or family reads this post then please acquaint yourselves with the lonely nomadic life which former high school phenom and St. John's freshmen Omar Cook has lead.

Omar was a point guard that was ranked higher coming out of high school than Marcus.

Omar was the RSCI #11th ranked player in the high school class of 2000.
Marcus was RSCI #76 in the class of 2015.

Omar had a solid freshmen with comparable numbers to Mr. LoVett.

Omar led his St. John's team in scoring with 15.3 ppg,
Marcus averaged 16.0 pig.

Omar finished second in the country in assists 8.7 assist per game,
Marcus averaged 3.7 assists per game.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3938917/marcus-lovett

Omar thought that he had a career in the NBA. He bolted from St. John's after his freshmen year being drafted as the 31st pick in the NBA 2d round. Before the draft, there was talk that Omar Cook would be the first point guard off the board.

Omar was quickly traded from the team that drafted him, and shuffled between the NBA Development League and 2 NBA teams but never spent any meaningful time with either NBA team. Omar headed over to Europe and according to the below 2014 article he played for ten ( 10 ) different teams in 10 years throughout Europe.

A few month ago when speculation about Mr. LoVett returning to St.John's first arose I posted an article which indicated that after 2014, Omar transitioned to China. The post 2014 article described Omar sitting in a small hotel room in China scanning Facebook. Certainly sitting in a small room in China was not the pro basketball career which Omar Cook contemplated when he bolted from St. John's in 2001 after just 1 season of college play.

Omar Cook now admits that the one year of college play didn’t prepare him for the NBA.

So yeah, if you know Marcus Lovett please tell him that if he believes he is a "can't miss" in the NBA, then Omar's experiences confirm that Marcus he can miss.

If Marcus believes that playing in Europe will be exciting ad financially lucrative then tell him about Omar's lonely nomadic experience from team to team 10 times in ten years which nomadic journey has brought him to China.

Most of all, please inform Marcus that Omar Cook now admits that the one year play of college didn’t prepare him for the NBA.

Thanks.

http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/st.../omar-cook-history-st-johns-europe-no-regrets

Being nomadic appears to be his thing

 

[panther2]

Why can't we just wait until Lovett and his family make a decision and then support him no matter what. Remember, this young man committed to St. Johns when we had nothing. He sat out last year and stayed when other schools tried to entice him to leave after one semester.

This year he played very well for us and now I see people trying to find fault with his game and his attitude. It is very easy to sit back and talk about what someone should or should not do. The same people who are talking about how he needs to stay are also talking about how we need to get rid of a couple players who are currently here, lol.

I would be very happy if Lovett decided to stay because I believe that it would help our chances to be very competitive next year and also allow him to improve his game and draft stock. However, if he decides to leave, I will appreciate what he meant to the team this year and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

 

[we are sju]

Why can't we just wait until Lovett and his family make a decision and then support him no matter what. Remember, this young man committed to St. Johns when we had nothing. He sat out last year and stayed when other schools tried to entice him to leave after one semester.

This year he played very well for us and now I see people trying to find fault with his game and his attitude. It is very easy to sit back and talk about what someone should or should not do. The same people who are talking about how he needs to stay are also talking about how we need to get rid of a couple players who are currently here, lol.

I would be very happy if Lovett decided to stay because I believe that it would help our chances to be very competitive next year and also allow him to improve his game and draft stock. However, if he decides to leave, I will appreciate what he meant to the team this year and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

What he said!

 

[MCNPA]

Why can't we just wait until Lovett and his family make a decision and then support him no matter what. Remember, this young man committed to St. Johns when we had nothing. He sat out last year and stayed when other schools tried to entice him to leave after one semester.

This year he played very well for us and now I see people trying to find fault with his game and his attitude. It is very easy to sit back and talk about what someone should or should not do. The same people who are talking about how he needs to stay are also talking about how we need to get rid of a couple players who are currently here, lol.

I would be very happy if Lovett decided to stay because I believe that it would help our chances to be very competitive next year and also allow him to improve his game and draft stock. However, if he decides to leave, I will appreciate what he meant to the team this year and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

I think everybody supports Lovett in what he wants to do and all want him to succeed. It doesn't mean the folly of his impending decision shouldn't be up for discussion. He's not near ready for the NBA, as good as he is. Let the NBA people tell his father. I'm sure Mullin as a former player and GM can get plenty of them in there, including scouts, to tell him what they think.

 

[prjohnnies]

Most everyone agrees with what you said Panther.

People are speculating because that is what fans do for players they like. And I think many who have gotten to know Marcus, even second or third hand, want him to make a good decision. Hence why there are so many opinions being stated. We shall see.

Why can't we just wait until Lovett and his family make a decision and then support him no matter what. Remember, this young man committed to St. Johns when we had nothing. He sat out last year and stayed when other schools tried to entice him to leave after one semester.

This year he played very well for us and now I see people trying to find fault with his game and his attitude. It is very easy to sit back and talk about what someone should or should not do. The same people who are talking about how he needs to stay are also talking about how we need to get rid of a couple players who are currently here, lol.

I would be very happy if Lovett decided to stay because I believe that it would help our chances to be very competitive next year and also allow him to improve his game and draft stock. However, if he decides to leave, I will appreciate what he meant to the team this year and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

 

[cappy105]

top 10 backcourt! Keep Batman & Robin together! Go johnnies!!

 

[MainMan]

This team goes nowhere next year without Lovett.

 

[Class of 72]

Why can't we just wait until Lovett and his family make a decision and then support him no matter what. Remember, this young man committed to St. Johns when we had nothing. He sat out last year and stayed when other schools tried to entice him to leave after one semester.

This year he played very well for us and now I see people trying to find fault with his game and his attitude. It is very easy to sit back and talk about what someone should or should not do. The same people who are talking about how he needs to stay are also talking about how we need to get rid of a couple players who are currently here, lol.

I would be very happy if Lovett decided to stay because I believe that it would help our chances to be very competitive next year and also allow him to improve his game and draft stock. However, if he decides to leave, I will appreciate what he meant to the team this year and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

I think everybody supports Lovett in what he wants to do and all want him to succeed. It doesn't mean the folly of his impending decision shouldn't be up for discussion. He's not near ready for the NBA, as good as he is. Let the NBA people tell his father. I'm sure Mullin as a former player and GM can get plenty of them in there, including scouts, to tell him what they think.

If Marcus has professional goals overseas I have no issue with his decision. He is a 21 year old man. This talk about the NBA is idealistic at best. Your response to Panther is logical. There are three NBA experienced professionals on this team. Mullin has connections. If everyone is telling him he is not 1st or 2nd round ready and he leaves then his one year stint becomes no more an historical footnote than Omar Cook. Sorry but at Marcus's talent level I want us involved with 4 year players or activate Slice, fire Matt and go after 5 star talent because if we recruit 4 star kids who leave frequently this program is dead in the water.

 

[Red.Fans]

I was not trying to find fault with his game and have never talked about getting rid of players. I was presenting a side of the argument that no one ever makes any more. Everyone is always saying take the money and makes these "no brainer" arguments but those arguments are superficial at best. I would not have any discussion with or about a St John's player's future without the same kind of consideration that I'd give to my own kid and I have never pushed my kids to pursue money but instead to be better people.

The quick cash even in abundance, isn't always the best choice and now we have historical stats that show that it is an overwhelmingly bad, long term choice. Go to college. Develop yourself as a human. Then when you make some cash you will be more mature and capable to deal with it and other things in your life that come along because rich or poor, they surely will.

 

[monte]

Why can't we just wait until Lovett and his family make a decision and then support him no matter what. Remember, this young man committed to St. Johns when we had nothing. He sat out last year and stayed when other schools tried to entice him to leave after one semester.

This year he played very well for us and now I see people trying to find fault with his game and his attitude. It is very easy to sit back and talk about what someone should or should not do. The same people who are talking about how he needs to stay are also talking about how we need to get rid of a couple players who are currently here, lol.

I would be very happy if Lovett decided to stay because I believe that it would help our chances to be very competitive next year and also allow him to improve his game and draft stock. However, if he decides to leave, I will appreciate what he meant to the team this year and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

I think everybody supports Lovett in what he wants to do and all want him to succeed. It doesn't mean the folly of his impending decision shouldn't be up for discussion. He's not near ready for the NBA, as good as he is. Let the NBA people tell his father. I'm sure Mullin as a former player and GM can get plenty of them in there, including scouts, to tell him what they think.

If Marcus has professional goals overseas I have no issue with his decision. He is a 21 year old man. This talk about the NBA is idealistic at best. Your response to Panther is logical. There are three NBA experienced professionals on this team. Mullin has connections. If everyone is telling him he is not 1st or 2nd round ready and he leaves then his one year stint becomes no more an historical footnote than Omar Cook. Sorry but at Marcus's talent level I want us involved with 4 year players or activate Slice, fire Matt and go after 5 star talent because if we recruit 4 star kids who leave frequently this program is dead in the water.

If Marcus leaves in spite of the fact that he is not projected to get drafted, then he would be the exception not the norm. In any event when Marcus commited to us we were in no position to not take risks. To some degree every team takes risks, while at the same time weighing the team's need(s), and the potential reward. See Zach Brown as a point of reference. . I trust that the staff will continue to balance the roster moving forward so that early departures, which are part of the game, , have a less negative impact on the team from year to year.