It's Official...Semaj Is Gone.

[nuts4xu]

Per Shannon Russell, he has hired an agent and filed his paperwork with the NBA.

Good luck James!

Shannon Russell @slrussell
It's official: @SemajChriston has sent in his paperwork to the NBA and hired an agent. #Xavier

[xudash]

Best of luck to you Semaj.

[paulxu]

At about the same time as the Harrison twins decide to return to Ky.

Good luck Semaj!

[Always Learning]

As Al McGuire said when called at 2 am to be informed that Jim Chones had turned pro, "Why not? I've seen the inside of his refrigerator."
I hope Semaj is the first pick in the draft, gets a zillion dollars, or at least the 30th player selected and gets that 3-year basket of money. But even if he isn't taken in the first round, or at all, he's taking a shot at his dream, something we all have done at one time or another. If he isn't a pro in America, he'll make money playing elsewhere. Who of us wouldn't want to make a living playing a game?

I hope he also comes back in the off season and gets that degree. After his playing days he'll want it. He may not believe that now, but someday he'll wish he had or did.

[XfansinKy]

:headscratch:Players don't seem to want to stay here for whatever reason. Times have sure changed.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Bonne chance mon Semaj!

[SlimKibbles]

:headscratch:Players don't seem to want to stay here for whatever reason. Times have sure changed.

Are you being serious or messing around?

[LA Muskie]

:headscratch:Players don't seem to want to stay here for whatever reason. Times have sure changed.

You're kidding right? This is sarcasm. Gotta be...

[XfansinKy]

You're kidding right? This is sarcasm. Gotta be...
We lost our best player in Lyons whether you liked him or not. Now we lose our 2 best. Both completely eligible to come back right? Neither sure fire first rounders right? Actually SC is being criticized for leaving so early in a loaded draft. Am I wrong here? I'm NOT blaming the coach. I'm just trying to figure out why this is.

[MADXSTER]

Wow!! Never saw this coming.

[LadyMuskie]

We lost our best player in Lyons whether you liked him or not. Now we lose our 2 best. Both completely eligible to come back right? Neither sure fire first rounders right? Actually SC is being criticized for leaving so early in a loaded draft. Am I wrong here? I'm NOT blaming the coach. I'm just trying to figure out why this is.

It's not a mystery. Or a conspiracy theory. The kid has a chance to make millions of dollars in just a few short months. Why not leave? If he stays he could get hurt, start playing worse, lose his starting spot to some brilliant diamond in the rough - any number of things. As a fan of Xavier, of course I want him to stay. But, if he was my son and had an opportunity to play ball and get drafted, I'd probably tell him to go for it. You can always return to college and get your degree when your playing days are over. You can't always get drafted and play in the league. Semaj's choice is not unique to him or Xavier.

[XfansinKy]

Listen I don't just mean at X either. Kids are leaving schools everywhere. I saw one site saying "Well maybe he at least plays in the D-League."

[paulxu]

Don't you young people have something to do on a Friday night?
Party, go out to dinner, see a game, dance, etc.?

[xu82]

We lost our best player in Lyons whether you liked him or not. Now we lose our 2 best. Both completely eligible to come back right? Neither sure fire first rounders right? Actually SC is being criticized for leaving so early in a loaded draft. Am I wrong here? I'm NOT blaming the coach. I'm just trying to figure out why this is.

I don't always do it, but I find it's very helpful to pay attention. You recently joined, did you pay attention prior to last month? This has been beaten to death, repeatedly. Stuff happens, and I'm glad you're not trying to blame the coach.

[LadyMuskie]

Don't you young people have something to do on a Friday night?
Party, go out to dinner, see a game, dance, etc.?

First night of t-ball and grade school baseball around here. We're all deep into being old, boring parents tonight.

[xu82]

Don't you young people have something to do on a Friday night?
Party, go out to dinner, see a game, dance, etc.?

They don't benefit from the early bird specials. They'll head out in an hour or two... Just killing time for now.
(I can do a good early bird, I'm ashamed to say)

[xubrew]

I blame the NBA.

[XfansinKy]

I don't always do it, but I find it's very helpful to pay attention. You recently joined, did you pay attention prior to last month? This has been beaten to death, repeatedly. Stuff happens, and I'm glad you're not trying to blame the coach.
Haven't been on here much lately with the weather being so much nicer. Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse. My intentions were not to stir up anything. I did recently join too.

[xu82]

First night of t-ball and grade school baseball around here. We're all deep into being old, boring parents tonight.

Just don't blink - it will be grand children before you know it! Soak up every second and cherish it. I miss those days dearly. The good news is, with grand kids you can just turn them back in when the time comes.

[xu82]

Haven't been on here much lately with the weather being so much nicer. Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse. My intentions were not to stir up anything. I did recently join too.

Not trying to jump on you. It looks like a long off-season. There were good reasons for some guys leaving. I'm not privy to deep stuff, but I don't question coach Mack. Others may. I'm looking forward to next year and trying not to look in the rear view mirror. The future looks bright.

[BBC 08]

I blame the NBA.

And what good has it done? Ugh. Nothing. Worthless if you ask me.

[smileyy]

Actually SC is being criticized for leaving so early in a loaded draft.

Well, Semaj used to be one of the reasons that the draft was considered loaded.

[xubrew]

I blame Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The NBA was struggling before those guys came along, and it wouldn't have near the money or appeal had it not been for them.

THANKS A LOT FOR RUINING EVERYTHING LARRY AND MAGIC!!!

[Roach]

My reasons for wanting Semaj to stay are entirely selfish. If I were in his shoes, I have a really hard time thinking I wouldn't jump at the money.

[SlimKibbles]

We lost our best player in Lyons whether you liked him or not. Now we lose our 2 best. Both completely eligible to come back right? Neither sure fire first rounders right? Actually SC is being criticized for leaving so early in a loaded draft. Am I wrong here? I'm NOT blaming the coach. I'm just trying to figure out why this is.

The likelihood of this happening more often at X increased with the growth of the program and quality of the recruited players. I'm honestly not bothered by any of it. I'd rather the NBA got rid of it's stupid rule blocking a kid from turning pro right out of HS. Let kids who want to go to college, go to college. If a kid wants to turn pro, let him go pro.

[Masterofreality]

I blame the NBA.

I blame Sonny Vaccaro.

[Masterofreality]

First night of t-ball and grade school baseball around here. We're all deep into being old, boring parents tonight.


Just don't blink - it will be grand children before you know it! Soak up every second and cherish it. I miss those days dearly. The good news is, with grand kids you can just turn them back in when the time comes.

Don't you know it?

And you know what goes faster? Your kids high school careers. Those 4 years felt like an eye blink for each of my kids.

With a 5 year old as our oldest, our Grandparenting years are still early.

[Juice]

Don't you know it?

And you know what goes faster? Your kids high school careers. Those 4 years felt like an eye blink for each of my kids.

With a 5 year old as our oldest, our Grandparenting years are still early.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yT20BZ-pBZY

[wkrq59]

"The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings," with apologies to Wm. S...Before Semaj even took a collegiate shot he was labeled a 1-and-done. Then there were all the constant mock deafts of 2013 in 2012. And it got even bigger with the MDs in 13-14. What does Semaj need to do to improve his draft status?
Never did I hear or read "What is Semaj's major? Will he break the graduation string? In a recent letter in the Xavier magazine, Fr. Graham, listed among the pluses of the 2013-14 season, Xavier's first in the BE, the graduations of Big Stan, Justin Martin and the young walkon. Adding to that were the additional degrees and moving on in the job market of Erik Stenger and Isaiah Philmore. What's the cause of this trend of early departures of our best? Hmmmmmm. No, it ain't only us.
But the decisions made by the Harrison twins to stay at UK set me to thinking. What's the purpose of enrolling in college? Is a degree or no degree but NBA training the primary goal? Can you have a championship team without the experience of four years? Yes, UK a couple of years ago. I do not claim to have the answer. I do believe a three-year period if you enroll in a university before going pro upon no years of college could be one answer ala baseball. But that's the NBA problem and in turn the NCAA (the who?).

[Olsingledigit]

Don't you know it?

And you know what goes faster? Your kids high school careers. Those 4 years felt like an eye blink for each of my kids.

With a 5 year old as our oldest, our Grandparenting years are still early.

Our oldest will be a senior in high school next year. Seems like he just started high school.

[Olsingledigit]

"The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings," with apologies to Wm. S...Before Semaj even took a collegiate shot he was labeled a 1-and-done. Then there were all the constant mock deafts of 2013 in 2012. And it got even bigger with the MDs in 13-14. What does Semaj need to do to improve his draft status?
Never did I hear or read "What is Semaj's major? Will he break the graduation string? In a recent letter in the Xavier magazine, Fr. Graham, listed among the pluses of the 2013-14 season, Xavier's first in the BE, the graduations of Big Stan, Justin Martin and the young walkon. Adding to that were the additional degrees and moving on in the job market of Erik Stenger and Isaiah Philmore. What's the cause of this trend of early departures of our best? Hmmmmmm. No, it ain't only us.
But the decisions made by the Harrison twins to stay at UK set me to thinking. What's the purpose of enrolling in college? Is a degree or no degree but NBA training the primary goal? Can you have a championship team without the experience of four years? Yes, UK a couple of years ago. I do not claim to have the answer. I do believe a three-year period if you enroll in a university before going pro upon no years of college could be one answer ala baseball. But that's the NBA problem and in turn the NCAA (the who?).


So there are about 4,500 college BB scholarship players. Obviously for the majority it is getting an education as the goal, though many may have a professional goal somewhat delusionally. Add to that the money generated by BB and football and many athletes are getting a funded education. The current upheaval threatens the fabric of that system. Only time will tell.

[BMoreX]

So there are about 4,500 college BB scholarship players. Obviously for the majority it is getting an education as the goal, though many may have a professional goal somewhat delusionally. Add to that the money generated by BB and football and many athletes are getting a funded education. The current upheaval threatens the fabric of that system. Only time will tell.

I'm not sure that is the case.

As Coach Mack has said, every kid thinks he can play in the NBA. While that is obviously not true, I think that might be the overarching goal.

[Fireball]

The likelihood of this happening more often at X increased with the growth of the program and quality of the recruited players. I'm honestly not bothered by any of it. I'd rather the NBA got rid of it's stupid rule blocking a kid from turning pro right out of HS. Let kids who want to go to college, go to college. If a kid wants to turn pro, let him go pro.

I wish basketball would go to the baseball rule. Go out of high school, fine...but if you decide to enroll in college, then you're there for 3 years.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[MADXSTER]

I'm not sure that is the case.

As Coach Mack has said, every kid thinks he can play in the NBA. While that is obviously not true, I think that might be the overarching goal.

There are about 350 Div I basketball schools. Less than 100 of those schools really produce pro players at any consistent level. Nichols St is Div I but players who go there probably aren't planning on going pro. It would not be fair to compare Xavier to the majority of NCAA Div I schools.

[Cheesehead]

Semaj had stopped going to glass quite some time ago so I knew he wasn't coming back. I wish him well.

[Xman95]

I wish basketball would go to the baseball rule. Go out of high school, fine...but if you decide to enroll in college, then you're there for 3 years.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Exactly.

[SlimKibbles]

I wish basketball would go to the baseball rule. Go out of high school, fine...but if you decide to enroll in college, then you're there for 3 years.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Yep. That's how it should be.

[nuts4xu]

Semaj had stopped going to glass quite some time ago so I knew he wasn't coming back. I wish him well.
Just curious, did you attend classes with Semaj?

[XfansinKy]

:chin:
Just curious, did you attend classes with Semaj?
I thought he meant taking it to the basket. Maybe he did mean class.

[boozehound]

Just curious, did you attend classes with Semaj?

I think that either Cheesehead or a close friend of his has a kid enrolled at X.

If the rumors about Semaj wanting Dee out so he could play the point are true then I'm really not sure how I feel about his career at X overall or how sad I will be to see him go. It kind of sums up what I don't like about the one-and-done type of players: They are more interested in their development than the team's success and they don't care about the University or going to class.

[Cheesehead]

Just curious, did you attend classes with Semaj?

I know a kid who attends XU and is close to program (not a manager but does behind the scene stuff) and he was in class w/ Semaj. He was pretty clear that Semaj hadn't been around for a while. I am not judging Semaj; just reporting what I was told. If mods want to delete it, they can.

"I think that either Cheesehead or a close friend of his has a kid enrolled at X." I did, she graduated last May. She is not my source on this one.

[bobbiemcgee]

I don't get the whole "going to class" thing if you've already decided to go pro. Spend the time launching three pointers or in the weight room. He obviously did what was required to stay eligible for 3 semesters, now he has to get ready for his "job." I certainly wouldn't blame Semaj. That's how the system is set up.

[nuts4xu]

I don't get the whole "going to class" thing if you've already decided to go pro. Spend the time launching three pointers or in the weight room. He obviously did what was required to stay eligible for 3 semesters, now he has to get ready for his "job." I certainly wouldn't blame Semaj. That's how the system is set up.

I agree. The only reason to continue to go to class is if you wanted to complete the semester, and remain eligible in the event you want to change your mind. Or I suppose, he could want to finish the semester to earn credit for those courses...but if I were him, I would forego the classes to prepare for the draft.

[Masterofreality]

I agree. The only reason to continue to go to class is if you wanted to complete the semester, and remain eligible in the event you want to change your mind. Or I suppose, he could want to finish the semester to earn credit for those courses...but if I were him, I would forego the classes to prepare for the draft.

He could have caught them back up in the summer, if he came back.

[LA Muskie]

This morning is the first I have ever heard the "rumor" that Semaj wanted Dee out so that Semaj could play the point. Is there any verification at all to that rumor, or is this just yet another example of tearing down a Muskie when he moves on earlier than some would have hoped?

[nuts4xu]

He could have caught them back up in the summer, if he came back.

Right, which is why I wouldn't have finished them this spring if I were him.

[94GRAD]

Him not finishing the semester out does effect our APR though.

[nuts4xu]

Him not finishing the semester out does effect our APR though.

Semaj couldn't care less about our APR, but you are absolutely correct.

[boozehound]

Semaj couldn't care less about our APR, but you are absolutely correct.

Which is the problem with the one-and-done mentality, IMHO. The only reason for Semaj to care about our APR would be if he cared about the program's tradition of academics and/or the coaching staff and the potential for APR to negatively impact scholarships etc. down the road.

I'm glad we took Semaj, but in general I would hope for enough loyalty to the program to maintain your eligibility through the end of the semester. I realize that I am being naive, but it would be nice if we had more guys like David West who valued their degree.

[Thor in 204]

Which is the problem with the one-and-done mentality, IMHO. The only reason for Semaj to care about our APR would be if he cared about the program's tradition of academics and/or the coaching staff and the potential for APR to negatively impact scholarships etc. down the road.

I'm glad we took Semaj, but in general I would hope for enough loyalty to the program to maintain your eligibility through the end of the semester. I realize that I am being naive, but it would be nice if we had more guys like David West who valued their degree.



Don't know if it will ever happen, but I'd like to see the APR criteria changed to exclude players who declare for the NBA draft and leave school in second semester. It's not realistic to set a standard for them to stay.

[muskiefan82]

Was the basketball season still going on when he allegedly wasn't going to class?

[Juice]

@GaryParrishCBS: … roughly 80% of college players picked in the 2nd round in the past 5 years have actually played in the NBA. Most folks don’t know that.

[D-West & PO-Z]

@GaryParrishCBS: … roughly 80% of college players picked in the 2nd round in the past 5 years have actually played in the NBA. Most folks don’t know that.

Ha thats awesome.

Thing is, yeah the contract isnt guaranteed, but if you have the talent and ability then it should come through.

[Backyard Champ]

I actually saw a stat that stated 1/3rd of the nba roster at the end of the season had at least some D-league experience. Pretty shocking.

[mistabeecee41]

Watching the combine on ESPNU and the point guards are up. Semaj is wearing #5 if anybody else is watching the drills.

So far, they've talked extensively about Russ Smith and Zach Lavine. Deandre Kane is up next but still nothing on Semaj.

[RealDeal]

Watching the combine on ESPNU and the point guards are up. Semaj is wearing #5 if anybody else is watching the drills.

So far, they've talked extensively about Russ Smith and Zach Lavine. Deandre Kane is up next but still nothing on Semaj.

You have way too much time on your hands.

[mistabeecee41]

You have way too much time on your hands.

Or I enjoy not working while I'm at work.

[xavierj]

A lot of mock drafts are showing Semaj as very late 2nd round or not at all. I wouldn't be surprised if he does not get drafted. But he will be able to make money, more money than most, somewhere next year.

[Masterofreality]

Watching the combine on ESPNU and the point guards are up. Semaj is wearing #5 if anybody else is watching the drills.

So far, they've talked extensively about Russ Smith and Zach Lavine. Deandre Kane is up next but still nothing on Semaj.

He was the very LAST guy they talked about...and then dissed him for his "convenience defense" whatever that means.

In any event, he was not ranked in their Top 5 point guards. But remember...this is ESPN. No credit there.

[PMI]

A lot of mock drafts are showing Semaj as very late 2nd round or not at all. I wouldn't be surprised if he does not get drafted. But he will be able to make money, more money than most, somewhere next year.

Really? The ones I've seen are way different from that. Parrish updated his last week and has Semaj going 28th to the Clippers. NBADraft.net updated today and has him going 31st (1st pick in the second round.) Bleacher Report might not be the best source, but they have him going 26th to the Heat as of two days ago. I literally only found one site that didn't have him drafted but I'm not sure when it was updated. I would be very surprised if he didn't get drafted at all. I guess stranger things have happened but I am very confident he's going to get picked. Semaj is raw but has some pretty special physical skills.

[Milhouse]

He was the very LAST guy they talked about...and then dissed him for his "convenience defense" whatever that means.

In any event, he was not ranked in their Top 5 point guards. But remember...this is ESPN. No credit there.

Well he might not be one of the top 5 PGs drafted....

I'm sure ESPN isn't talking about McDermott at the the combine. Or it was front page news when he opted not to attend the other day....when it comes to the NBA draft I really dont think ESPN is purposely slighting BE players...

[waggy]

Hope ESPN is better at the NBA than the NFL. They talk about the draft every day for 4 months, and can't get the 2nd or 3rd pick correct.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Really? The ones I've seen are way different from that. Parrish updated his last week and has Semaj going 28th to the Clippers. NBADraft.net updated today and has him going 31st (1st pick in the second round.) Bleacher Report might not be the best source, but they have him going 26th to the Heat as of two days ago. I literally only found one site that didn't have him drafted but I'm not sure when it was updated. I would be very surprised if he didn't get drafted at all. I guess stranger things have happened but I am very confident he's going to get picked. Semaj is raw but has some pretty special physical skills.

Yeah, Ive seen the same. I would be absolutely shocked if he does not get drafted. I'd also be surprised if he falls past the middle of the second round at worse. All this given he doesnt have some epic collapse at the combine/in workouts.

[nuts4xu]

Well he might not be one of the top 5 PGs drafted....


David Aldridge of NBA.com ranks him as the 7th best PG in this class and projects him as an "early second" round pick.

7. Semaj Criston | Xavier | Sophomore | 6-3 | 190 > Early second

http://www.nba.com/news/features/david_aldridge/morning-tip-david-aldridge-big-board-point-guards-2014-draft/

NBA.Net also considers Semaj an early second round pick

"Overall: Christon has the benefit of being a point guard in a shooting guard's body, but his point guard skills do still need work. If he can improve his decision-making and shooting, his length, athleticism, and slashing ability make him a very intriguing prospect who could potentially be a lottery pick in next year's loaded draft..."


http://nbadraft.net/2014mock_draft

[kyxu]

Yeah, Ive seen the same. I would be absolutely shocked if he does not get drafted. I'd also be surprised if he falls past the middle of the second round at worse. All this given he doesnt have some epic collapse at the combine/in workouts.

I agree with D-West and PMI, at least to the extent that Semaj *shouldn't* fall that far. It just seems with those projected as fringe 1st rounders/early second rounders, so much is a guess. Many of the mock drafts project based on talent, and don't always take into account team needs and the deluge of Europeans that are seemingly selected in the late first/early second.

[paulxu]

His combine official height is 6'1.5" in stocking feet.

[xu82]

His combine official height is 6'1.5" in stocking feet.

Which makes me wonder what Dee's official height would be. Love him, but it's a factor. Now, hopefully back to Semaj after some jerk lost focus.

[BMoreX]

Dee is not much taller than me and I'm 5 8.

[Masterofreality]

Remember when Tu was 6:0.

Uh, not so much. But that kid's heart was 10 feet tall.

[BMoreX]

Dee is not much taller than me and I'm 5 8.

[Backyard Champ]

Dee is not much taller than me and I'm 5 8.

Is that your listed height, or combine height?

[PMI]

Which makes me wonder what Dee's official height would be. Love him, but it's a factor. Now, hopefully back to Semaj after some jerk lost focus.

It's definitely true that players are listed a little taller than they are. But if everyone is listed as taller, does it even out in the end anyway? Or are 5'9" guys listed at 6' while 6'1" guys are listed at 6'2"? I wonder if there's a give or take figure that they generally add on across the board, or if some players/schools or whatever exaggerate more. I'm about a half inch over 6 feet and standing next to Tu and even Lyons I felt like I was clearly taller. Not quite as good at basketball though.

[smileyy]

His combine official height is 6'1.5" in stocking feet.

IIRC, DraftExpress has noted that the historical difference between height with and without shoes has been about 1.25". With rounding, that means that the difference between barefoot height and "listed" height can be as much as 1.75" -- a guy who is 6'0.25" barefoot could be 6'1.5" in shoes, and then listed at 6'2"

[mistabeecee41]

http://stats.nba.com/draftCombine.html

In a confusing turn of events, Semaj had the 2nd worst 3/4 quarter sprint times but shot the lights out. Shows how athletic all of these guys actually are.

All of this crap can always be attributed to having a bad day, but still interesting.

[nkymuskie]

http://stats.nba.com/draftCombine.html

In a confusing turn of events, Semaj had the 2nd worst 3/4 quarter sprint times but shot the lights out. Shows how athletic all of these guys actually are.

All of this crap can always be attributed to having a bad day, but still interesting.

Zach Lavine is an absolute freak. He has all the physical tools in the world to become a superstar. His game is not anywhere close yet but if he puts it all together, wow.

Also I'm amazed by how athletic Aaron Craft actually is. I wasn't expecting that. I also expected Russ Smith to be quicker than that.

[Milhouse]

Maj shot 21/25 from College 3 (uncontested).



.................................................. ....................................

[xu82]

It's definitely true that players are listed a little taller than they are. But if everyone is listed as taller, does it even out in the end anyway? Or are 5'9" guys listed at 6' while 6'1" guys are listed at 6'2"? I wonder if there's a give or take figure that they generally add on across the board, or if some players/schools or whatever exaggerate more. I'm about a half inch over 6 feet and standing next to Tu and even Lyons I felt like I was clearly taller. Not quite as good at basketball though.

I feel like the smaller guys tend to fudge their height more than the bigger guys. They make it seem like it's a sin to be under 6'0". Hey, the dunker that impressed me the most was Spud Webb. (I was going to say a big guy couldn't impress me, but Vince Carter straddling the 7' Russian was crazy!) And don't sell yourself short on your basketball skills - everyone gets a participation trophy these days!

[Cheesehead]

they are always listed taller than they really are. Derek Strong went from 6'10" to 6'8" in NBA. He still managed a fairly decent NBA career.

[PMI]

Zach Lavine is an absolute freak. He has all the physical tools in the world to become a superstar. His game is not anywhere close yet but if he puts it all together, wow.

Also I'm amazed by how athletic Aaron Craft actually is. I wasn't expecting that. I also expected Russ Smith to be quicker than that.

Interesting how much people routinely mistook who Aaron Craft was as a player. Everyone sold him as the kid who got by just on hustle and doing the little things, and making up for a lack of athleticism with good decision making and smarts (pretty much all the white guy stereotypes). In reality, he was an inefficient, overrated player who is apparently pretty athletic after all.

[XUFan09]

Yeah, he's actually the opposite of the white guy stereotypes:

Poor shooter
Mediocre basketball IQ (on the offensive end)
Athletic
Really good defender

Really the only white guy stereotypes he fulfilled were "hustle" and pale skin/rosy cheeks.

[Emp]

Yeah, he's actually the opposite of the white guy stereotypes:

Poor shooter
Mediocre basketball IQ (on the offensive end)
Athletic
Really good defender

Really the only white guy stereotypes he fulfilled were "hustle" and pale skin/rosy cheeks.

Mediocre basketball IQ....???????? That's a really mediocre and unsupportable analysis, at best, to make a fit for your opposite stereotype theory. Just flat out wrong. He's a coach's son, gym rat, smart in the classroom as well as on the floor. A few players who would tend to disagree: Sullinger, Diebler, DeShaun Thomas...... Why Ohio State lost it's shooting mojo last season is a mystery to many, but questioning Crafts bball IQ is insane.

[XUFan09]

Mediocre basketball IQ....???????? That's a really mediocre and unsupportable analysis, at best, to make a fit for your opposite stereotype theory. Just flat out wrong. He's a coach's son, gym rat, smart in the classroom as well as on the floor. A few players who would tend to disagree: Sullinger, Diebler, DeShaun Thomas...... Why Ohio State lost it's shooting mojo last season is a mystery to many, but questioning Crafts bball IQ is insane.

Ohio State's offensive efficiency was 128th in the country, and a lot of that comes back to the point guard play once those talented players were gone. He just wasn't as good at running the offense as people had made him out to be. The belief in his good basketball IQ was central to him being overrated.

Edit: By the way, my definition of "mediocre" in this case is specific to the high-major level.

[Emp]

Ohio State's offensive efficiency was 128th in the country, and a lot of that comes back to the point guard play once those talented players were gone. He just wasn't as good at running the offense as people had made him out to be. The belief in his good basketball IQ was central to him being overrated.

Edit: By the way, my definition of "mediocre" in this case is specific to the high-major level.

Stats will support about any theory if you look around enough for one. If the ball doesnt go in the basket, "offensive efficiency" is going to be statistically poor. That has nothing to do with point guard play. Any one who watched Ohio State go cold from the floor the second half of last season knows that. Basketball IQ has nothing to do with the poor shooting of the guys the PGis passing the ball to for open looks. Basketball IQ has nothing to do with having a center who went on walkabouts for extended periods. One standard measure of PG efficiency is Assist:Turnover ratio, and in this case the stats contradict your premise. Unless Baskeball IQ = ability to shoot the 3, your analysis is flawed.

Will you please show us combine analysis and commentary that supports your contention that Craft has mediocre basketball IQ?? Your efforts to be an outlier on this "point" fails the reality check.

[ammtd34]

Stats will support about any theory if you look around enough for one. If the ball doesnt go in the basket, "offensive efficiency" is going to be statistically poor. That has nothing to do with point guard play. Any one who watched Ohio State go cold from the floor the second half of last season knows that. Basketball IQ has nothing to do with the poor shooting of the guys the PGis passing the ball to for open looks. Basketball IQ has nothing to do with having a center who went on walkabouts for extended periods. One standard measure of PG efficiency is Assist:Turnover ratio, and in this case the stats contradict your premise. Unless Baskeball IQ = ability to shoot the 3, your analysis is flawed.

Will you please show us combine analysis and commentary that supports your contention that Craft has mediocre basketball IQ?? Your efforts to be an outlier on this "point" fails the reality check.

The three consecutive possessions at the end of the Indiana game where he was the only player to touch the ball kind of sucked.

[GoMuskies]

Aaron Craft blows goats.

[XUFan09]

Stats will support about any theory if you look around enough for one. If the ball doesnt go in the basket, "offensive efficiency" is going to be statistically poor. That has nothing to do with point guard play. Any one who watched Ohio State go cold from the floor the second half of last season knows that. Basketball IQ has nothing to do with the poor shooting of the guys the PGis passing the ball to for open looks. Basketball IQ has nothing to do with having a center who went on walkabouts for extended periods. One standard measure of PG efficiency is Assist:Turnover ratio, and in this case the stats contradict your premise. Unless Baskeball IQ = ability to shoot the 3, your analysis is flawed.

Will you please show us combine analysis and commentary that supports your contention that Craft has mediocre basketball IQ?? Your efforts to be an outlier on this "point" fails the reality check.

Assist-to-turnover ratio does not alone prove a case. Also, I never said he had a poor basketball IQ. A ratio of 1.8 is quite possible for a point guard with a mediocre basketball IQ (relative to the high-major level), as long as he can handle the ball well, which he can.

However, why should I bother though with further argument? The conversation already looks fruitless. It's become obvious that you're going to stick to your position, no matter what, and more than that, you will do so in an aggressive manner that is not productive to any worthwhile discussion. On the other side, I'm probably going to stick to my position. By the way, I'm hardly an outlier on this point, as evidenced by the fact that no one else has come to Craft's defense (and in fact, people have denigrated more than I would). Not saying there isn't a debate or that more people aren't on your side, but it's pretty rich to label someone an outlier when in this context so far you are by yourself.

[nuts4xu]

Aaron Craft does suck. This is a scientific fact.

[Kahns Krazy]

I have done extensive research, and have found that Aaron Craft both sucks and blows.


By the way, do not search for the Bart Simpson quote referenced above if you are anywhere close to work. I came up with a cartoon of Bart giving it to Lisa. Fortunately thought far enough ahead to search on the phone instead of the work computer.

[xu82]

I have done extensive research, and have found that Aaron Craft both sucks and blows.


By the way, do not search for the Bart Simpson quote referenced above if you are anywhere close to work. I came up with a cartoon of Bart giving it to Lisa. Fortunately thought far enough ahead to search on the phone instead of the work computer.

Thinking ahead is how the strong survive and prosper. Or, at the very least, the moderately intelligent remain employed. I'm sure you're in the first group.

[LA Muskie]

I used to like Aaron Craft. But Bill Raftery ruined it for me.

[Juice]

I used to like Aaron Craft. But Bill Raftery ruined it for me.

Dan Dakich was so much worse during OSU games.

[LA Muskie]

I used to like Aaron Craft. But Bill Raftery, Dan Dakich, and virtually every other college basketball analyst/commentator ruined it for me.

[THRILLHOUSE]

NBADraft.net on Semaj as a late bloomer: http://nbadraft.net/2014-nba-draft-late-bloomers

[mistabeecee41]

Looks like the Clippers are holding a mini-combine/mass workout for 40+ mostly 2nd round prospects. DraftExpress posted the rosters here:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BoQcJCGCcAAmhCJ.jpg:large

Interesting to see no Semaj. Curious to find out if he wasn't invited or if he declined. Considering some of the other PG's he will be battling against for draft position (Burton, Kane, Carson, Russ Smith... even Craft and Cotton) are there - would be an absolutely idiotic move for his camp to reject the offer.

[Milhouse]

The clippers and magic do that every year I believe. They do a bunch of 5 on 5 scrimmages with them too, summer league style.