Damn Agents!!!!!

[LFBall]

I am so sorry for posting non SHU basketball thoughts on this board. Just wondered if I am the only one who feels sports agents need to be regulated better and not allowed to sell false dreams to kids who sure could use an education for a better future and better life. In fact its time to push for a minimum 3 year commitment before a player can go to the NBA after HS.

The latest person to declare Chris McCoulough (sp) of Syracuse, a 6 ft 10 forward who averaged 9 a game before being injured is on a direct path to failure and a return to playing ball with people like Lenny Cook and Omar Cook, two players who made the wrong decisions and decisions that will stay with them forever, in local tournaments inn the NY Tri-State Area with great summers in the Entertainers classic in Harlem! I happen to know his dad who was a good player as well as his Uncle who was even better, and they both are pretty intelligent. I also know the Agent Andy Miller who I always liked a lot from his days as a HS football player at Teaneck HS and a guy who my son adored.

But with this one Andy is doing the wrong thing allowing this kid to step off for a pipe dream to the NBA. Projected 21st pick? Please that says to me he could be a 2nd round pick or even not drafted. Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn this is horrible! Heck I sure hope he proves me wrong but all IO can see is another one hanging on and just hanging out eventually playing in Russia or Japan if he is lucky. I like Andy Miller but DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are not projected top 10 why even take a chance if you are a damn freshmen!!!

This post was edited on 4/2 6:11 PM by LFBall

 

[statenman]

Im no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure the NCAA would never have the legal authority to tell students that they would have to play more years. And if the NBA decided that it would be a good idea which I'm sure owners would also agree, then the the players association would oppose it unless they got a lot in return. In principle though, I agree100%

 

[Stevie_H]

Damn it LF Ball... Why do you come to this site and talk about agents? In 1996, I attended a screening of Jerry Maguire and I sat two rows in front of the guy who played Higgins on Magnum PI. Higgins told me agents are very nice people. Go away you communist!

 

[SPK145]

Unfortunately you can't legislate stupidity!
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[HALL28]

The mentality of these kids and their parents is that they're stars. McCullough was highly regarded, but he didn't have a great season and now with the injury, he's going to try to get drafted while his value is way down. But he's always been a star, so they're not appreciating that the only thing that matters is what his value is in June 2015.

He is actually an example of a player hurt by having to play a year of college. He'd have been a higher pick last June with very little risk attached.

 

[JIMSOULS]

LFBall,

Why do you assume it's the agent's fault? Maybe the kid doesn't enjoy college life or is struggling academically, and wants to get away from it so he can make some money. His declaring could be less about the NBA and more about him not wanting to be a student. Not everyone is cut out for college. And since he's obviously not NBA material, he will need an agent to help him find opportunities to make money playing ball in another country.

 

[LFBall]

I think you make great points! However I know a lot of the agents on the scene today. Some good, some grimy, and some who are even worst. Many have deals with College coaches, AAU coaches, and even grass root sneaker honchos paying all mentioned a percentage of the commission earned. Often those hanger on guys you see around these stars, including SHU potential stars, are also getting money from outside sources for information and keeping them in all conversations and thoughts.

Also, Agents present their case to get kids to declare for the draft. I happen to know Andy Miller very well from the time he was a HS Football player, to his years at The University of Delaware, To his years as an agent runner, to his years of leaving that agent and taking many clients including Kevin Garnett with him, to his signing of Stephon Marbury (he invited my son and me to the draft Party at The Medowlands Race Track), OUTSTANDING and Impressive GUY in many ways but still I know how he and other agents work.

I watched many inner city and some suburban kids make the wrong decisions and get beat badly. I saw Bill Willoughby have to sue Lou Chappelle, who was his and many other NY and NJ ex HS Stars agent, and later an owner with the Miami heat, and win, though it was not publicized, a few million. I have seen the deals made to HS stars based on potential draft status, and I have seen many Lenny Cooks and Omar Cooks who took bad advice ? I have also seen so many leave without a degree and wind up penniless seeking assistance wearing old warmups to parks trying to relive the glory years

I agree that maybe Chris had other issues like grades etc. Or he might have been dismissed without us knowing the real deal. But either way I would have rather seen him attend Hutchinson Community College in Kansas for a year before going to another school and than declaring for the draft. I know he could be a future pro! I also know that after your draft year that window closes and opens for the next years class of potential draftees. Which is why many who do not make a roster that first year rarely ever do.

I hope I am wrong about Chris! I hope he does not become a regular at The Entertainers League at Rucker Park or the Dyckman League in upper Manhattan without any pro affiliation. I hope he does not wind up on the And 1 Tour and most of all I hope he one day obtains a College Degree !



This post was edited on 4/3 9:19 AM by LFBall

 

[Halldan1]

Originally posted by LFBall:

The latest person to declare Chris McCullough of Syracuse, a 6 ft 10 forward who averaged 9 a game before being injured............

Zach Braziller



Chris McCullough Photo: Anthony J. Causi

INDIANAPOLIS - Chris McCullough's torn ACL didn't keep him in college after all.

Syracuse's talented forward from The Bronx announced his intentions to enter the NBA draft on Thursday, a somewhat surprising decision considering the 6-foot-10 freshman played just 16 games before suffering a serious knee injury Jan. 11 against Florida State. He underwent knee surgery Feb. 12.

He reportedly has signed with agent Andy Miller. McCullough told Yahoo Sports his girlfriend is due to give birth this month, which was a factor in his decision.

McCullough, a five-star prospect ranked in the top 20 entering college, got off to a fast start, but slowed before he was hurt, averaging just 4.2 points per game in his final eight games. Overall, McCullough scored 9.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in his abbreviated season with the Orange.

He was projected as the 21st pick in the 2016 draft by NBADraftExpress.com. An NBA scout, speaking on condition of anonymity, expects McCullough to be a second-round pick.

"I think it's a mistake," the scout said. "He'll be halfway through an ACL rehab [at the time of the draft]. I would've liked to see how he was going to be at the end of his freshman year after playing a whole season. It might've been a different deal."

McCullough tweeted a thank you to the Syracuse coaching staff and fan base.

 

[HALL85]

Lost in all this is what would likely prevent so many kids and their families from being taken advantage....it's called an education. I don't know if it's the situation with McCullough, but in too many cases if parents and their kids valued hard work and getting an education they wouldn't be in these situations in the first place. Knowledge is power and there needs to be some personal responsibility.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Sounds like Cuse will be watched a little closer than usual and the 8K to 10K cash pickups at the local YMCA aren't available to Mccullough anymore....good luck to him, appears to be another in the long and getting longer line of way overhyped local recruits in the region.

 

[Halldan1]

Not a bad point. Syracuse and Boeheim are certainly under a microscope right now and business as usual will be most difficult. My gut is that Jimmy Boy will soon say enough is enough and fade into the sunset.

 

[LFBall]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww for so many years people have never even wondered! Chris, like his dad and Uncle, was a tremendous player growing up in NYC. I honestly feel he could be a NBA player.............after his Junior Year at Syracuse. I guess he will earn $100,000 a year in Europe which pays the agent money as well. But after this draft, he is toast if he does not make a team because very few actually beat the odds and make a roster for the first time after their draft year window. But there are a few exceptions!!!