Carmelo Anthony and TJ Ford

[bigdawg2003]

Watching SU blow out OU, I started to think about Anthony. Not about how talented he is, because that's obvious, but regarding his collegiate future. Everybody thinks that he'll jump after this year and become the #3 pick in the draft behind LeBron and Darko. However, for arguments sake, lets say Syracuse reaches the title game and loses. Could that, or even just making the final four, convince Anthony to stay another season. The same sort of applies to Ford, where there has been some speculation of him jumping, but not nearly to the extent. Will deep runs in the tourney convince the underclassmen on these teams to stay.

[ice4277]

From everything I've heard about Anthony, he's enjoying college so much that he might be persuaded to return for another season; it really couldn't hurt him much anyways. Ford I'm not so sure about.

[MrBug708]

It could hurt him....A broken hand and he's out a million dollars. Of course, he could end up on a better team

[RealDeal]

Anthony would be insane to stay in college. Why should the NCAA and Syracuse university get the monetary benefits of Anthony's talent, while Anthony gets basically nothing? Anthony is the #3 pick in this draft; another year will not get him in much better position, while he risks suffering an injury or losing his draft position.

[daedalus]

I don't think that James fella will be in next year's draft so, yeah, he sure could get him in a better position. He could become a better player by learning to play with his teammates. He could get a chance to enjoy college life for another year.

On the other hand, after McGahee's injury and what James had to deal with ON the court - I think he got lowbridge a few times to the point where I don't think I saw him try one dunk in transition when it wasn't a breakaway in the McDonald's game - it's kind of hard to say he should NOT come out. I also don't know how much he'll get out of playing an extra year for Syracuse. Good as Boeheim is as a coach, I don't remember too many of his players improving in college to become a great professional player. I'm probably missing someone but Derrick Coleman and Billy Owen rather sticks out in my mind.

[Radii]

As much as I love college ball and hate the NBA mainly for weakening college ball, I have to say that I totally believe in the Dean Smith philosophy here. If you can confirm that you're going to be a lottery pick in the NBA, you should almost certainly go.

[tucker342]

I have no problem with kids leaving if they're going to be a lottery pick. But what's dumb is that kids leave and they don't even get drafted.

also, Ford shouldn't leave, he needs to improve his shooting some, I don't think he's quite ready yet.

[Ragone]

I've always had a very interesting view on kids leaving early..

What do you go to college to do?.. ok besides drink and party.. you go to learn, and a future career.. Now, Most college basketball players went to learn the trade of basketball, the smarter ones use that skill to get a good education.. but the truely gifted basketball players(such as Carmelo) know that their money will be coming soon from the nba.

If you were going to school for a exobiology degree and some corporation offered you 250k a year after your 1st year to quit school and start work there immediately.. wouldn't you do it?

[IMetTrentGreen]

plus, you learn fast in the nba, and the quality and quantity of teaching is much better. but, its just not for some 18 year olds. even if i was super talented, i wouldn't want to go right away

[Ragone]

I agree totally.. I think high schoolers who want to skip college should be forced to play in the D-League for a season(insured of course)

Or attend college for at least 1 year... I worry about Lebron, his mom is spending his cash before he even has it, I just hope his agent or a advisor manages his money well for him, and keeps his mother away from it.. Otherwise 10 years down the road, we will be talking about Lebron's career as a cautionary tale of what not to do.. I don't want to see that happen, I like Lebron, he seems like a nice kid.

[The_herd]

Ford is gone I believe (just have that gut feeling), however I wouldn't be surprised to see Anthony back next year. He appears to really love college and seems to be a pretty level headed kid (not saying that Ford isn't). Anthony would stand an excellent chance at being the #1 pick in next years draft. I would like to see Ford stay another year and work on his jump-shot, it really is the only hole in his game I see right now.

[Rich1033]

I thought Ford was going to stay because all or most of the starters are returning next season? I have seen that reported many times and I swear I heard it mentioned during the game either friday or tonight.

As for Anthony it would be nice to watch him return for another year in college, but I really see nothing to gain and everything to lose.

[Lathum]

I hope Anthony stays. He seems to love his coach and if he stays mabye he gets him and his coach a national title.

[HornsManiac]

T.J. has already said he will be back regardless of what happens this season.

HornsManiac

[Craptacular]

If the NBA and the union agree to an age minimum of 20 years-old) for the 2004 draft, this draft could be stocked and the 2004 draft could be very thin. T.J. and Carmello could really improve their draft position if they stick around another year. Carmello turns 20 in May 2004, so he would be eligible for that draft.