Neat article on Dakari

[MuEvans]

....
http://www.ridiculousupside.com/201...d-league-stud-dakari-johnson-okc-blue-thunder

SIAP, couple of months old....

This is why kids leave early, even if they deep down know they will most likely go in second round ....D league is not viewed by NBA GMs like it used to be. A kid like Dakari can go focus on bball 24/7/365, get better, and know NBA GMs are still going to be looking at them and give them a fair shake.

It puts it in perspective, because i think a lot of us second guess some of our players for leaving early since Cal got here, only to watch them flail around D league or Europe, then bounce out of bball altogether. At that point our fans say they should have come back. Absolutely not (at least from their perspective), just because they didn't make it over the hump into the league for any appreciable time, they are putting themselves in the best position to get there.

 

[eku69]

Good article. I probably should know, but what's the D-League salary scale?

 

[Nubb16]

They don't pay much but I do remember knowing a guy who played for a nbdl team years ago when it was new. They even got endorsement deals and he ended up making good money.

 

[Bkocats]

here is what I found - not sure how accurate now:
http://www.ridiculousupside.com/201...ague-player-pay-and-standard-league-contracts

 

[eku69]

here is what I found - not sure how accurate now:
http://www.ridiculousupside.com/201...ague-player-pay-and-standard-league-contracts

Thanks for the info.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

That's hard to argue with. But.... there's that little thing called a college education. It's what I continue to carry the banner for. And they're getting it to do something they love anyway. Kind of seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[TrustinCal]

That's hard to argue with. But.... there's that little thing called a college education. It's what I continue to carry the banner for. And they're getting it to do something they love anyway. Kind of seems like a no brainer to me.

Kids can go to school in the summer if they really value an education.

 

[anon1763419335]

Good article. I probably should know, but what's the D-League salary scale?

more than college. let college kids get endorsement deals greater than d leauge pawhile in school...they might choose to stick around and develop while completing their degree. but as it is right now...rolling the dice and staying in college a 3rd and 4th year likely wont get you drafted in the first round and you are going to the D league no matter what. the sooner you get there...the sooner you get on the right path.

major difference is...cal just doesnt get in these kids way from doing what they really want to do

 

[kyboy1998_rivals34276]

What the article doesn't say is that Dakari would have been a featured piece on this years team and could have showcased to the world the skills he has. That coupled with a perceived weak draft and you have a top 20 draft slot.

So essentially he cost himself money. Guaranteed money.

 

[anon1763419335]

What the article doesn't say is that Dakari would have been a featured piece on this years team and could have showcased to the world the skills he has. That coupled with a perceived weak draft and you have a top 20 draft slot.

So essentially he cost himself money. Guaranteed money.

says you....not anyone associated with the NBA

 

[UKCatNnc]

Wish we had him this past year. Go Cats!!

 

[Sithlyone]

says you....not anyone associated with the NBA

I'm not sure he would be a top 20 draft pick, but I'm sure he'd go higher than what he did. Most likely in the 1st round. In fact, can you name or even imagine 25-30 better players in THIS draft that would get picked before a Junior Dakari? I mean he would have a been the player that beat out the vaunted Skal Labissiere. Think of how that would have played. Had Dakari played and Skal didn't (or had his role diminished) Skal's Weaknesses wouldn't have been shown and it would have made Dakari "Look" that much better because everyone thought Skal was at least in the running for #1 pick in the Pre-season. If he couldn't get on the floor because of Dakari then Dakari's "Brand" would have been boosted.

Speaking of "Brand" you know that even had Dakari gone in the 2nd round he would have had a better Brand by staying here. BBN is everywhere and are very loyal. Building his brand here would have benefited him in the long run. Plus had he came back here after his BB days were done he would have had that much more support.

Not to mention that he certainly would have gotten a lot more attention by playing on national TV every night opposed to slumming it in the D-league. And could you imagine him with Tyler, Jamal, Isaiah and Derek? That lineup would be deadly. An interior presence along with the outside shooting and fantastic passing is exactly what this team needed to make a deep run.

 

[MuEvans]

I'm not sure he would be a top 20 draft pick, but I'm sure he'd go higher than what he did. Most likely in the 1st round. In fact, can you name or even imagine 25-30 better players in THIS draft that would get picked before a Junior Dakari? I mean he would have a been the player that beat out the vaunted Skal Labissiere. Think of how that would have played. Had Dakari played and Skal didn't (or had his role diminished) Skal's Weaknesses wouldn't have been shown and it would have made Dakari "Look" that much better because everyone thought Skal was at least in the running for #1 pick in the Pre-season. If he couldn't get on the floor because of Dakari then Dakari's "Brand" would have been boosted.

Speaking of "Brand" you know that even had Dakari gone in the 2nd round he would have had a better Brand by staying here. BBN is everywhere and are very loyal. Building his brand here would have benefited him in the long run. Plus had he came back here after his BB days were done he would have had that much more support.

Not to mention that he certainly would have gotten a lot more attention by playing on national TV every night opposed to slumming it in the D-league. And could you imagine him with Tyler, Jamal, Isaiah and Derek? That lineup would be deadly. An interior presence along with the outside shooting and fantastic passing is exactly what this team needed to make a deep run.

This is hilarious sith. Players first, you still haven't learned what it's all about after these years. I am going to address some of your ridiculous takes head on....here we go:

1) would have gotten a lot more attention if stayed.

This is ridiculous with the way the d league is structured now. Nba GMs are aware, the aren't tuning into watch seth Greenberg break down top college players. Yes, he would have had a lot more attention to the average fat 50 year old on the couch but then, that really doesn't matter to dakaris future career does it

2) yes, I would have loved to see him with this years team, but how his college team does has zero effect on his pro future

3) support from BBN? Nice to have but isn't gonna get you far when rent is due

4). Would have gone higher in draft....yes most likely could have though even the back half of the first round doesn't guarantee your future. Look at James young, went 17th and is about to get bounced. He is t gonna have a pile of money to fall back on.

5). Dakaris brand? Dude, nba doesn't draft and sign on "brand", they pay players based on results.

 

[MuEvans]

here is what I found - not sure how accurate now:
http://www.ridiculousupside.com/201...ague-player-pay-and-standard-league-contracts

Thanks BKO!

 

[MuEvans]

That's hard to argue with. But.... there's that little thing called a college education. It's what I continue to carry the banner for. And they're getting it to do something they love anyway. Kind of seems like a no brainer to me.

Like sith, I find it hard to believe there are still folks out there like you. Yeah, it sucks as a fan, because we are more incentivized as a fan of Kentucky to want the to stay to have a better team which translates to winning. Though these guys are the top athletes in the world that truly have a once in a lifetime shot to make a career out of doing something they love. If it busts in four to five years, boom, scrap it, and come back to college and do it the way the rest of us did, no big deal. But to say, no son, don't go follow your dream and put yourself in the best environment possible to do that, you should stay in school and spend time doing something that you will always be able to do no matter the situation.

Crazy I say

 

[DCFseattle]

That's hard to argue with. But.... there's that little thing called a college education. It's what I continue to carry the banner for. And they're getting it to do something they love anyway. Kind of seems like a no brainer to me.

I remember reading somewhere that UK's athletic scholarships are lifetime scholarships. If they leave early, they can come back whenever and finish their degrees.

So if my memory serves me correctly, they're not missing out on that education unless they actively choose to.

 

[Sithlyone]

This is hilarious sith. Players first, you still haven't learned what it's all about after these years. I am going to address some of your ridiculous takes head on....here we go:

1) would have gotten a lot more attention if stayed.

This is ridiculous with the way the d league is structured now. Nba GMs are aware, the aren't tuning into watch seth Greenberg break down top college players. Yes, he would have had a lot more attention to the average fat 50 year old on the couch but then, that really doesn't matter to dakaris future career does it

2) yes, I would have loved to see him with this years team, but how his college team does has zero effect on his pro future

3) support from BBN? Nice to have but isn't gonna get you far when rent is due

4). Would have gone higher in draft....yes most likely could have though even the back half of the first round doesn't guarantee your future. Look at James young, went 17th and is about to get bounced. He is t gonna have a pile of money to fall back on.

5). Dakaris brand? Dude, nba doesn't draft and sign on "brand", they pay players based on results.

Who are you again? Post less, read more.

If you think an NBA player makes his most money through his NBA contract then you are delusional. Players (Highly touted ones at least) want a "Brand". That brand will get them endorsements and those endorsements will pay the "rent" long after he has spent his NBA money. If you don't know that then I am truly wasting my time.

Getting more attention and a bigger piece of the spotlight is ALWAYS better for your brand. Had he stayed here and played another year he would have certainly gotten more of that attention or name recognition. (How many times did his NBADL team play on national television again? I forgot...) Thus he would become more appealing for future endorsements and thus he would be able to charge more and get better endorsements. Thus he would make more money. Playing in the D-league only makes him visible to the hard core NBA fans and the GMs/Coaches. Thus his name recognition would be less, thus he is less appealing and can't charge as much for the endorsements he gets, thus he has less money to pay his "rent".

If you thought I said he needed to stay here just because of my fandom then you are very silly indeed. I can't believe there are fans like you still out there, that don't look at the bigger picture. I'm talking about life outside of the NBA. And had he stayed here and become truly beloved to the BBN, well just ask all of the former players who have moved back to the area how their endeavors work out. Almost all of them are treated like royalty and their businesses prosper more times than not. So yes, that support DOES pay the rent...

Think of it this way, in a few years if you owned a Lexington business who would you hire to rep your company first, Alex or Dakari? Alex has become extremely beloved to BBN and so could have Dakari. Alex NBA career probably won't be that much better than Dakari's but he has a fantastic "Brand" here and if he wanted he could come back and be very successful here after his playing days are done. I'm not sure Dakari would be able to have as much success. Now imagine if he had been the key to us getting to a FF or a Championship.. He'd be able to write his own ticket here.

Now on top of that, his national brand would increase drastically because he would be on national television every single game. I'm sorry, if you don't understand this I don't know what to tell you. Coming back was his best financial option.

 

[TrustinCal]

Branding is not something Dakari needs to worry about. Guys like Wall, AD, etc., yeah, but not guys like Dakari. I mean how hot is Marquis Teaques' brand right now? There would be opportunities for endorsements in the city he plays in the NBA, but that would be there irregardless of the decision he makes. Sure there would be local appearances in Kentucky, but they don't pay very much money. There is usually a trade off, rather than a large amount of money, and the opportunities are limited.

 

[Sithlyone]

Branding is not something Dakari needs to worry about. Guys like Wall, AD, etc., yeah, but not guys like Dakari. I mean how hot is Marquis Teaques' brand right now? There would be opportunities for endorsements in the city he plays in the NBA, but that would be there irregardless of the decision he makes. Sure there would be local appearances in Kentucky, but they don't pay very much money. There is usually a trade off, rather than a large amount of money, and the opportunities are limited.

I think some are vastly underestimating the amount of money that are made by these kids on the side after school. And that's not including commercials, endorsements and showings or their NBA deals. I'm not sure what Teague has to do with this conversation. Him coming back would have helped him too. He is actually in the same exact boat that Dakari is in. Both would have shined the next season.

If you want to take the endorsement portion out of the argument then I would still argue that Dakari made a huge financial mistake by leaving last year. Last year he was a late 2nd round pick. Had he come back then he would have improved to some degree due to experience and extended playing time this season. Plus playing with two sharp shooters and Tyler the interior would have opened up quite a bit and he would have had a lot more room to operate down low and he would have "looked" a lot better. His production would have skyrocketed.

With that said I could easily see him in the first round. Like I said earlier, I really can't think of 25-30 players I would take before a Junior Dakari. This year was his time to shine and he would have made tons of money.

 

[TrustinCal]

I think some are vastly underestimating the amount of money that are made by these kids on the side after school. And that's not including commercials, endorsements and showings or their NBA deals. I'm not sure what Teague has to do with this conversation. Him coming back would have helped him too. He is actually in the same exact boat that Dakari is in. Both would have shined the next season.

If you want to take the endorsement portion out of the argument then I would still argue that Dakari made a huge financial mistake by leaving last year. Last year he was a late 2nd round pick. Had he come back then he would have improved to some degree due to experience and extended playing time this season. Plus playing with two sharp shooters and Tyler the interior would have opened up quite a bit and he would have had a lot more room to operate down low and he would have "looked" a lot better. His production would have skyrocketed.

With that said I could easily see him in the first round. Like I said earlier, I really can't think of 25-30 players I would take before a Junior Dakari. This year was his time to shine and he would have made tons of money.

That NBA side money would be there if he went to Drexel. Has nothing to do with UK.

A boost in production is never guaranteed. Injuries happen, guys lose their confidence and can regress, etc. If he comes back basically the same player but slightly improved, there are concerns that he has already hit his ceiling to the NBA scouts and his stock suffers like a James Michael McAdoo.

And production in college does not=high draft pick. Look at Skal projected to go in the lotto and a guy like Perry Ellis who was 2nd team all-american and probably won't get drafted. NBA likes who it likes and lumbering centers with limited athleticism are not in high demand.

 

[Sithlyone]

That NBA side money would be there if he went to Drexel. Has nothing to do with UK.

A boost in production is never guaranteed. Injuries happen, guys lose their confidence and can regress, etc. If he comes back basically the same player but slightly improved, there are concerns that he has already hit his ceiling to the NBA scouts and his stock suffers like a James Michael McAdoo.

And production in college does not=high draft pick. Look at Skal projected to go in the lotto and a guy like Perry Ellis who was 2nd team all-american and probably won't get drafted. NBA likes who it likes and lumbering centers with limited athleticism are not in high demand.

True, I agree with a lot of your points. There is risk in coming back, but we all knew this year's draft was going to be weaker than last years. Baring injuries (which can't be planned for) and even the slightest bit of improvement he would have climed into the first round at worst. As far as confidence goes, if he didn't lose it last season playing against KAT, WCS and Lyles then I don't see Skal affecting it.

Being in BBN's hearts is vastly different than NBA side money. We remember our favorites and we support them in all of their endeavors even after BB. I'm saying that having the extra year here would've helped him a lot more than being in the DL has.

 

[MuEvans]

True, I agree with a lot of your points. There is risk in coming back, but we all knew this year's draft was going to be weaker than last years. Baring injuries (which can't be planned for) and even the slightest bit of improvement he would have climed into the first round at worst. As far as confidence goes, if he didn't lose it last season playing against KAT, WCS and Lyles then I don't see Skal affecting it.

Being in BBN's hearts is vastly different than NBA side money. We remember our favorites and we support them in all of their endeavors even after BB. I'm saying that having the extra year here would've helped him a lot more than being in the DL has.

This might be the looniest post i have ever read on the rafters....being in the BBNs hearts would have helped him a lot more than going to D league and improving his game for the best shot possible to get to the league? huh? i am ashamed you are part of our fanbase.

 

[MuEvans]

True, I agree with a lot of your points. There is risk in coming back, but we all knew this year's draft was going to be weaker than last years. Baring injuries (which can't be planned for) and even the slightest bit of improvement he would have climed into the first round at worst. As far as confidence goes, if he didn't lose it last season playing against KAT, WCS and Lyles then I don't see Skal affecting it.

Being in BBN's hearts is vastly different than NBA side money. We remember our favorites and we support them in all of their endeavors even after BB. I'm saying that having the extra year here would've helped him a lot more than being in the DL has.

hilarious.....hmmm, stay in school, help a team get further in a tournament so the fans can be happy, come back to lexington, sell cars or insurance, make a good though only slightly above average living off your fame in a small town in kentucky or.....

Chase your dreams of going to the league by putting yourself in the d league right now, and setting yourself and future generations up for life potential financial stability. Oh yeah, i will know if it isn't going to happen in 3-5 years, i will still be about 23-24 years old. i could then go back to school, or honestly still probably cash in locally on my fame.

yeah, tough decision! ha

i bet you really struggle with a lot of the things cal says and does.

 

[Sithlyone]

hilarious.....hmmm, stay in school, help a team get further in a tournament so the fans can be happy, come back to lexington, sell cars or insurance, make a good though only slightly above average living off your fame in a small town in kentucky or.....

Chase your dreams of going to the league by putting yourself in the d league right now, and setting yourself and future generations up for life potential financial stability. Oh yeah, i will know if it isn't going to happen in 3-5 years, i will still be about 23-24 years old. i could then go back to school, or honestly still probably cash in locally on my fame.

yeah, tough decision! ha

i bet you really struggle with a lot of the things cal says and does.

Do yourself a favor and stop posting, your reading comprehension is pretty low. Obviously I'm not saying to forgo an NBA career. Whether he went last year or this year he was always going to the NBA. His career however would have been helped out by staying an extra year. Did you not even read? I never said that I wanted him to stay to satisfy the fans, don't project your own feelings onto me. I said that he would gain further exposure and with this weak draft he would have gone higher in the draft (most likely much higher) and he would have possibly gotten a guaranteed contract. Which would have been more money. The last I checked, more money is better than less money. On top of that life AFTER his playing days were done would have been better here.

Please let those complex thoughts roll around in your brain for a few minutes before replying. It will help you out.

 

[Sithlyone]

This might be the looniest post i have ever read on the rafters....being in the BBNs hearts would have helped him a lot more than going to D league and improving his game for the best shot possible to get to the league? huh? i am ashamed you are part of our fanbase.

Try re-reading a few of yours then.

 

[MuEvans]

Do yourself a favor and stop posting, your reading comprehension is pretty low. Obviously I'm not saying to forgo an NBA career. Whether he went last year or this year he was always going to the NBA. His career however would have been helped out by staying an extra year. Did you not even read? I never said that I wanted him to stay to satisfy the fans, don't project your own feelings onto me. I said that he would gain further exposure and with this weak draft he would have gone higher in the draft (most likely much higher) and he would have possibly gotten a guaranteed contract. Which would have been more money. The last I checked, more money is better than less money. On top of that life AFTER his playing days were done would have been better here.

Please let those complex thoughts roll around in your brain for a few minutes before replying. It will help you out.

It's really easy sith...if you believe playing at UK another would have fundamentally prepared dakari better for a long term life changing NBA career vs playing a year in the d-league as a professional against men, then you're argument wins. If not, which is the side I am on, as well as Cal, then I am right. The article I originally posted agrees with me as well

 

[Sithlyone]

It's really easy sith...if you believe playing at UK another would have fundamentally prepared dakari better for a long term life changing NBA career vs playing a year in the d-league as a professional against men, then you're argument wins. If not, which is the side I am on, as well as Cal, then I am right. The article I originally posted agrees with me as well

I love the fact that you put Cal on your side of the argument. How many conversations have you had with him regarding this? I'm pretty sure you've had the same number as I have. Zero. So that means that we can only speculate and base our arguments on common sense and what Cal has said publicly. We know he said recently that there have been 4 players that left to soon and should have stayed. Dakari was not specifically mentioned but looking at the position he is in now you have to think Cal was referring to him as one of the ones that left to soon. So it appears that Cal does not agree with your statements.

Edit: I forgot to answer your question. Yes I do feel that coming back to play an extra year at UK would have been better for his future. He most likely would have ended up with a guaranteed contract and that would have prepared him financially for the future.

 

[Blueaz]

What the article doesn't say is that Dakari would have been a featured piece on this years team and could have showcased to the world the skills he has. That coupled with a perceived weak draft and you have a top 20 draft slot.

So essentially he cost himself money. Guaranteed money.

very possible. But, he may have thought with Alex back ,Skal here and Lee improving, that his playing time would have diminished.
Agree, that in hindsight staying probably would have been better for him and most likely better for UK. Damn that hindsight

 

[TrustinCal]

True, I agree with a lot of your points. There is risk in coming back, but we all knew this year's draft was going to be weaker than last years. Baring injuries (which can't be planned for) and even the slightest bit of improvement he would have climed into the first round at worst. As far as confidence goes, if he didn't lose it last season playing against KAT, WCS and Lyles then I don't see Skal affecting it.

Being in BBN's hearts is vastly different than NBA side money. We remember our favorites and we support them in all of their endeavors even after BB. I'm saying that having the extra year here would've helped him a lot more than being in the DL has.

That's not necessarily true. An increase in production doesn't change the fact that Dakari had the worst vertical jump and 3/4 sprint at the draft combine. Who knows how he would've looked being the primary post option playing a LOT more minutes than he ever has.