Rodney Stuckey headed to the NBA
.jpg)
As reported by a couple other sources, Rodney Stuckey has hired an agent and will not be returning to Eastern Washington as he takes his shot at the NBA.Dave Trimmer, who writes for the Spokane Review and their EWU Sports blog points out how disappointing it is to look back on Stuckey's tenure as an Eagle.
First, no hard feelings for Stuckey leaving. It's The League and it's big bucks.He does think Stuckey will make it though.
Second, it's a travisty that the Eagles managed just one postseason berth and a 30-29 record in the "Stuckey Era." There is plenty of blame to go around from the coaches, other Eagles and Stuckey, heck, even the recently departed A.D. if you will but only Stuckey is going to the big time. The others will rue the day they let this oportunity get away. A knock on Stuckey is putting up his numbers in a weak league. Shouldn't a team with a player of his calibre accomplished more in a weak league?
Fifth, I think he'll make it. His strength, finishing ability and point guard experience will make him a valuable asset in any back court. And, with him projected in the second half of the first round, he could end up with a better team, which lessons the pressures and demands on a rookie.I'm not sure Stuckey will make it or not, but I find it odd how much value is being placed on this guy. Sports Illustrated has him going at 18 to the Warriors. The main point I have is one that everyone has heard before on Stuckey, how does a player of this calibre fail to make it the NCAA tournament, win the BSC regular season title, or even make it to the Big Sky Tournament championship game?
One completely random thought I've always had is just how much of an effect an NBA star would have on a mediocre college basketball team. For example: If you plucked LeBron James out of the NBA (now, during this coma of a conference final) and put him on the Griz, could he carry them to an National Championship? I don't have an answer, but it's fun to imagine. Rodney Stuckey isn't Lebron James -- and the Eagles aren't the Griz -- but if Stuckey's so good, he should've shown it a bit more.
Back from the tangent, is Rodney Stuckey this valuable? Seriously. According to SI, he is the 18th best player coming out of school this year. 18th best! Go ahead and sip that, swirl it around, and try to give me a reason why he can't carry his team to conference title. His record: 30-29. A single game above .500.
The more I look at it, the more I think whoever did this mock draft is a nut. If Golden State is sitting there at 18 with Arron Afflalo (UCLA!) and Alando Tucker (Wisc., was in POY running) still available, they can't honestly take Stuckey, can they? If you put either of these guys on EWU, I don't think the team goes 30-29 over two seasons.
In a calmer conclusion, Rodney Stuckey is a very good player, but not as good as some (SI) may think. I've looked at a few more mock drafts
and other experts have him going after the two players I mentioned, which would be best. His best shot at NBA success is the end of the first round. If he goes there, to a team like the Suns, he's a role player who could contribute in the future. If he goes at the beginning of the first round to the Grizzlies (that'd be kind of ironic) he's screwed because he's shown he can't lead a mediocre team to success. The player I think he's most like is Flip Murray. It all just depends on whether or not he's Flip on the Sonics -- is impressive on offense but can't play defense or carry a team to wins -- or Flip on the Pistons -- a legitimate bench player who contributes when he's put in for offensive purposes.Either way, he can't get too upset about anything. He's going to the NBA no matter what. The freakin NBA. He's my age and if he doesn't screw up too bad he'll never have to work another day in his life. Seriously, fun everyday. To ensure this goes down, he should find and punch Robert Horry. You know, as a pre-draft gesture of loyalty to the Suns.
