Comments on: Really?

By: C. Michael

C. Michael — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:00:51 +0000

Just to play devil’s advocate, if I remember correctly, mock drafts in 2007 had Ty about the same as the did this year, in the 12-20 range. However, the difference difference in 2007 was that the only PG ahead of him was Conely, whereas this year there were 4-5, so it is possible, if not probable that he would have been drafted a little higher. Even if he were to have been drafted a couple of slots higher in 2007, the difference in total salary over his first contract would probably be modest ($1-$1.5 M). The real hit to his earning potential comes later. Entering the NBA at 19 allows you to sign a max contract (6-years) at 22. The importance of this is that said player then becomes a free agent again at 28, and can legitimately seek a SECOND max contract. A player who enters the league at 21 will be 30 after his first contract expires, making it unlikely he will get a SECOND max contract (with Isiah Thomas coaching FIU, few, if any GMs are going to want to pay max money when a player is 35-36). So in that regard, entering the league 2 years earlier can have enormous financial ramifications.

Diclaimer: This is a simple model (no extensions) and it doesn’t take into account development (which I find to be more about the person, than whether it is in college or the NBA; I also think college development is more important for centers than it is for guards), but it does illustrate the financial incentive for leaving early.

By: uncgirl50

uncgirl50 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:46:10 +0000

“Should have”? This silly boy just won a national champioship and was named ACC POY, and he says he should have left? I’m sure he said he said that the wrong way and I’m not gonna love him any less for it, but it’s a little scary to think about.

By: badbadleroybrown

badbadleroybrown — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:45:29 +0000

It’s hard to tell where he is coming from but I think with anyone as talented, skilled and recruited as he was you have to believe. Believe that you were ready in high school, after the first year in college, whenever. Sometimes you get some crazy people due to their skills and ability warping their sense of reality. I do think that Ty is a great player at the NBA and NCAA level, it will be interesting to see what he does in the NBA. He took control over the last few games in the NCAAs and I’ll never forget it.

By: L8N

L8N — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:13:06 +0000

http://thecrossoverwithtylawson.com/

By: scl11

scl11 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:18:26 +0000

Ty would most likely be a better NBA player now (after 2 years in the league), but he is definitely better prepared to contribute in his rookie year now than he would have been 2 years ago.

By: Jordan8027

Jordan8027 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:56:33 +0000

this is hilarious! we have all seen ty in interviews, and his interviews really have always made me laugh. not in a mean way either, he really just says exactly what is on his mind at that time without giving any thought to what his “handlers” would tell him to say. i love how direct and unfiltered he is. great points by the commenters above about the fact that this is a fact of life. top players, whether they make it or not, want to get to a top program, play well, get tons of media attention, have a great career for 1,2, 3, or 4 years and as soon as they’re a lottery pick, they bounce. it works out for only a small percentage of people, but it’s all in their mindsets.

i’ll still cheer for ty. and i know in my heart of hearts that his nba stock was helped by him returning all 3 years either developing his game, his presence, his maturity, or whatever.

By: rathskellar68

rathskellar68 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:43:33 +0000

I’m pretty sure Lawson benefitted from staying as long as he did. At the outset, he was a great talent. By the end, he was a great talent who took responsibility for the team, and not just in the sense of running the plays. That’s what rightfully made him ACC POY.

C.Michael — I viewed college as a stepping stone to avoid having to do anything nasty, like getting a job. Fortunately, my parents went along with it, and continued to fork over tuition for two years in grad school and then three more in law school.

By: PRGuy

PRGuy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:38:15 +0000

Sort of an odd statement to make, considering that his draft status in 09 is way above what it would have been in 07. I don’t take this as a slight against UNC by any means, just a player expressing an afterthought about possibly entering the NBA sooner. I expect Ty will be one of the many pros who return to Chapel Hill every summer to scrimmage with other current and former Heels.

By: Heels Perspective

Heels Perspective — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:29:07 +0000

“I just got scared of being in the NBA”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad, that as a fan, he stayed and took the Heels to the National Championship. However, the NBA was little “scared” to draft him early as well, particularly after the Georgetown game where Lawson and Ellington were outplayed by the GT backcourt down the stretch in that game.

By: C. Michael

C. Michael — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:12:32 +0000

The bottom line is that college is a stepping stone for a professional career for every, single, person who attends college. It just so happens that those who have aspirations in professional athletics occasionally have the option to leave early.