Is Jake Gonna Go Pro?

[WillieWatanabe]

I would never capitalize my handle.  

wow, like this guy/girl already

agreed...this could be a good rivalry to keep an eye on 

[ZmoneyKSU]

heard that jacob pullen is already in talks with every lottery team in the draft and has already signed a shoe deal with starbury 

Sweeeeeet, I could rock some bball shoes with little beards on them!!!  Also, they'd be dirt cheap.

[Pett]

Someone I know texted him, he said he's not getting an agent but he will test out the waters. Most likely he will not go

GREAT news. If he does in face "test out the waters" he will come back. They will tell him that he is a mid second round pick.

[wetwillie]

If Jake has a chance to make some scrilla by leaving early for the draft I wish him the best.  Would love to see him climb the all time scorers list and help us bring down KU next year, but I can't blame him for wanting to get paid.

[goldenticket]

i dont blame him for wanting to play in the nba its prob been his dream forever but it doesnt make a ton of sense to come out this year. he isnt even shown on a lot of the mock drafts online. he can come back and be a star on a top 10 team and work on his game and improve his draft stock

[_33]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=As5OwgqQ1SXSeiFkpdLPQALevbYF?slug=ys-ncaateams040610

[yoga-like_abana]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=As5OwgqQ1SXSeiFkpdLPQALevbYF?slug=ys-ncaateams040610

pretty much says he is done. this years mario chalmers.

[Pexikan]

Chalmers won a nat'l title, plus the issues surrounding his dads job all probably triggered his early exit. On the other hand, Jake has done well to make it on KSU's all-time scoring list and help us to have our best season since God knows when and reach an elite 8 in Franks 3rd year as HC. Pretty good. Good enough?   Its his choice what happens now. I personally think he could play in the NBA someday soon. Its gonna take time for him to get used to the differences between collegeBB and proBB. How long will that be? Who knows. I only know that a lot of what people say are Jakes weakness' will still exist, even if he stays with us his last year.  He's not going to grow any taller, he isn't going to all-of-a-sudden become a premier ball handler and he will still have the same foot speed as he did this year. If all these  negatives keep him out of the first round now, why will next year be any different? If he stays, I'm happy for us. If he opts to turn pro, I'm happy for him. IMO, Jake has what it takes. A beard, ice water in his veins and range like a f'n cowboy. TIA

[WHAT?]

how many points did he have in the first half against butler?

[Panjandrum]

If he does, he got advice from, like, Korleone Young.

?  Korleone Young most likely made over a million dollars playing basketball professionally.  Going pro out of high school was likely the best decision he could have ever made.  His draft status would have done nothing but fall as his game/work ethic was exposed.  Dude fizzled out of Europe before the market there really started to saturate with American players. 

Really wish KSU fans wouldn't take such selfish positions on our player's future.  Makes us look petty (thankfully it's a problem with all fan bases so we don't look as bad).  Jake's given us 3 years and now some of you want to massa Self him and talk down his game to try and get him to stay?  He's got millions of $'s there for the taking in Europe anytime he wants to take it.  People need to shift their focus from the NBA draft being the end all of a basketball player's career choices.  Ballers are getting paid overseas now.  Get rich and spend 5-10 years living in Milan/Barcelona/Madrid/Paris?  Sign me up.  Massey's making a mil per season now (after taxes and not including all his living expenses being paid by his club). 

I highly doubt that Korleone Young has made a million dollars playing basketball in the CBA, Australia, and Israel.  If he has, they have highly overvalued his worth.

When have I ever talked down Jake's game?  I think he's extremely talented.  However, the NBA wants certain physical attributes in their shooting guards that he doesn't have.  And, don't be mistaken...Jake has been a shooting guard in his time at Kansas State.

If Jake wants to go pro in Europe, so be it.  However, his bargaining power would be a LOT higher if he had some sort of tag like 'All-American' or NBA experience to go with it.  Do you think some European club is going to pay top dollar right away for a kid that's never even had a cup of coffee with an NBA team?  Or was first-team All Big 12 after his junior year?

If Jake wants to think about long-term earning power, he NEEDS to go to the NBA or at least try.  It will up his value to a club if he's played in the NBA.

And Massey is an exception and DEFINITELY not the rule.

[threadkiller]

If he does, he got advice from, like, Korleone Young.

?  Korleone Young most likely made over a million dollars playing basketball professionally.  Going pro out of high school was likely the best decision he could have ever made.  His draft status would have done nothing but fall as his game/work ethic was exposed.  Dude fizzled out of Europe before the market there really started to saturate with American players. 

Really wish KSU fans wouldn't take such selfish positions on our player's future.  Makes us look petty (thankfully it's a problem with all fan bases so we don't look as bad).  Jake's given us 3 years and now some of you want to massa Self him and talk down his game to try and get him to stay?  He's got millions of $'s there for the taking in Europe anytime he wants to take it.  People need to shift their focus from the NBA draft being the end all of a basketball player's career choices.  Ballers are getting paid overseas now.  Get rich and spend 5-10 years living in Milan/Barcelona/Madrid/Paris?  Sign me up.  Massey's making a mil per season now (after taxes and not including all his living expenses being paid by his club). 

I highly doubt that Korleone Young has made a million dollars playing basketball in the CBA, Australia, and Israel.  If he has, they have highly overvalued his worth.

When have I ever talked down Jake's game?  I think he's extremely talented.  However, the NBA wants certain physical attributes in their shooting guards that he doesn't have.  And, don't be mistaken...Jake has been a shooting guard in his time at Kansas State.

If Jake wants to go pro in Europe, so be it.  However, his bargaining power would be a LOT higher if he had some sort of tag like 'All-American' or NBA experience to go with it.  Do you think some European club is going to pay top dollar right away for a kid that's never even had a cup of coffee with an NBA team?  Or was first-team All Big 12 after his junior year?

If Jake wants to think about long-term earning power, he NEEDS to go to the NBA or at least try.  It will up his value to a club if he's played in the NBA.

And Massey is an exception and DEFINITELY not the rule.

The million $ figure is a guess.  Might be high, he only got one season of NBA $ and crashed so quickly in Europe he might not have hit that.  That's one more then he would have likely gotten had he not declared out of high school.  That was the point of the statement.     

The talking down his game line was not aimed at you.  It was a general comment about many of the posts I've read about Jake and his decision to go pro or not. 

Jake would likely have to start somewhere (maybe at a lesser club) for 150-250k.  Again, Eurpoean salaries are figured after taxes, so that's take home money, and most of the clubs pay their players living expenses on top of salary.  Realy though, the only way he would up that initial figure much is if he does play on an NBA roster for a few seasons.

I don't think you want to go to the long term earning potential argument.  Whether Jake starts in the NBA or Europe, he's going to be playing the first couple seasons to get the "big" money.  So staying another season in college cuts out a year from his prime earning potential (not from the "low" end ininital deal he's going to have to sign either way).  The only way his staying another season benefits him financially is if it makes the difference between him getting a second NBA contract or not.  My opinion is that senario is unlikely.

In 08-09 over 60 players made a million $ or more playing in the european leagues.  The trend is that number will continue to rise.  There were 4 clubs in Europe that same year that had operating budgets in excess of 46 mil (so the whole roster is getting paid well).  Massey is an exception only in that he is one of a few players on that mil+ list who is American and did not play in the NBA at all.  There are lots of Americans who have much less of a resume then Jake who are making 400+k per season though. 

[weird roberts foam finger]

Chalmers won a nat'l title, plus the issues surrounding his dads job all probably triggered his early exit. On the other hand, Jake has done well to make it on KSU's all-time scoring list and help us to have our best season since God knows when and reach an elite 8 in Franks 3rd year as HC. Pretty good. Good enough?   Its his choice what happens now. I personally think he could play in the NBA someday soon. Its gonna take time for him to get used to the differences between collegeBB and proBB. How long will that be? Who knows. I only know that a lot of what people say are Jakes weakness' will still exist, even if he stays with us his last year.  He's not going to grow any taller, he isn't going to all-of-a-sudden become a premier ball handler and he will still have the same foot speed as he did this year. If all these  negatives keep him out of the first round now, why will next year be any different? If he stays, I'm happy for us. If he opts to turn pro, I'm happy for him. IMO, Jake has what it takes. A beard, ice water in his veins and range like a f'n cowboy. TIA

Can he improve his ball-handling some?  I guess that's a big question for me.  Because I agree not much else will change for him with another year at Kansas State.

Other thing to keep in mind -- will next year be a more favorable year to come out thanks to a weaker crop of players leaving?  It's a gamble, but if the NBA gets its crap together, he'll potentially be poised to improve his draft stock simply be entering the league with a group of scrubs instead of the likes of Wall and so forth.

At the end of the day, I agree with the bolded part.  I'm no Bill Self.

[Panjandrum]

If he does, he got advice from, like, Korleone Young.

?  Korleone Young most likely made over a million dollars playing basketball professionally.  Going pro out of high school was likely the best decision he could have ever made.  His draft status would have done nothing but fall as his game/work ethic was exposed.  Dude fizzled out of Europe before the market there really started to saturate with American players. 

Really wish KSU fans wouldn't take such selfish positions on our player's future.  Makes us look petty (thankfully it's a problem with all fan bases so we don't look as bad).  Jake's given us 3 years and now some of you want to massa Self him and talk down his game to try and get him to stay?  He's got millions of $'s there for the taking in Europe anytime he wants to take it.  People need to shift their focus from the NBA draft being the end all of a basketball player's career choices.  Ballers are getting paid overseas now.  Get rich and spend 5-10 years living in Milan/Barcelona/Madrid/Paris?  Sign me up.  Massey's making a mil per season now (after taxes and not including all his living expenses being paid by his club). 

I highly doubt that Korleone Young has made a million dollars playing basketball in the CBA, Australia, and Israel.  If he has, they have highly overvalued his worth.

When have I ever talked down Jake's game?  I think he's extremely talented.  However, the NBA wants certain physical attributes in their shooting guards that he doesn't have.  And, don't be mistaken...Jake has been a shooting guard in his time at Kansas State.

If Jake wants to go pro in Europe, so be it.  However, his bargaining power would be a LOT higher if he had some sort of tag like 'All-American' or NBA experience to go with it.  Do you think some European club is going to pay top dollar right away for a kid that's never even had a cup of coffee with an NBA team?  Or was first-team All Big 12 after his junior year?

If Jake wants to think about long-term earning power, he NEEDS to go to the NBA or at least try.  It will up his value to a club if he's played in the NBA.

And Massey is an exception and DEFINITELY not the rule.

The million $ figure is a guess.  Might be high, he only got one season of NBA $ and crashed so quickly in Europe he might not have hit that.  That's one more then he would have likely gotten had he not declared out of high school.  That was the point of the statement.     

The talking down his game line was not aimed at you.  It was a general comment about many of the posts I've read about Jake and his decision to go pro or not. 

Jake would likely have to start somewhere (maybe at a lesser club) for 150-250k.  Again, Eurpoean salaries are figured after taxes, so that's take home money, and most of the clubs pay their players living expenses on top of salary.  Realy though, the only way he would up that initial figure much is if he does play on an NBA roster for a few seasons.

I don't think you want to go to the long term earning potential argument.  Whether Jake starts in the NBA or Europe, he's going to be playing the first couple seasons to get the "big" money.  So staying another season in college cuts out a year from his prime earning potential (not from the "low" end ininital deal he's going to have to sign either way).  The only way his staying another season benefits him financially is if it makes the difference between him getting a second NBA contract or not.  My opinion is that senario is unlikely.

In 08-09 over 60 players made a million $ or more playing in the european leagues.  The trend is that number will continue to rise.  There were 4 clubs in Europe that same year that had operating budgets in excess of 46 mil (so the whole roster is getting paid well).  Massey is an exception only in that he is one of a few players on that mil+ list who is American and did not play in the NBA at all.  There are lots of Americans who have much less of a resume then Jake who are making 400+k per season though. 

What I'm saying is that being an 'All-American', which Jake has a good chance of being if he stays, will command a higher salary because some European club will be able to try and sell tickets by saying, "Hey, we have an All-American'.  It's something that he'll be able to carry around with him for a very, very long time.

European teams want to sell tickets.  They sell tickets by bringing in players of interest.  Being an All-American makes you a player of interest.

That's my argument and why I say it's better for his long-term earning potential if he stays.

[kso_FAN]

Also sounds like Jake is from a nice middle/upper class family.  Could factor in, ie. doesn't have the same pressures of money other guys have had to go league. 

I agree that if Jake can get drafted 1st round or early 2nd, he should go, but I don't know how likely that is. 

[Panjandrum]

Also sounds like Jake is from a nice middle/upper class family.  Could factor in, ie. doesn't have the same pressures of money other guys have had to go league. 

I agree that if Jake can get drafted 1st round or early 2nd, he should go, but I don't know how likely that is. 

Right now, Jake, to me, is AJ Abrams.  He's an excellent college player who can score in bunches, but he's an undersized shooting guard.

Obviously, he's a better player, defensively, than Abrams.  But he's still a shooting guard.  If he wants to play in the NBA, he needs to show he can run the point.  Kind of like Dee Brown did.

Jake can make an NBA roster, but to do so, he's going to need to improve his resume.  I really think it's in his best interest to come back.

[threadkiller]

What I'm saying is that being an 'All-American', which Jake has a good chance of being if he stays, will command a higher salary because some European club will be able to try and sell tickets by saying, "Hey, we have an All-American'.  It's something that he'll be able to carry around with him for a very, very long time.

European teams want to sell tickets.  They sell tickets by bringing in players of interest.  Being an All-American makes you a player of interest.

That's my argument and why I say it's better for his long-term earning potential if he stays.

You're really reaching here.  Jake was 3rd team AA this season.  Not that it matters, I highly doubt Euro teams are signing American players based on whether they were 1st or 3rd team AA (or marketing them as such).  Maybe you have a better handle on their season ticket advertising strategies then I do.  You must not have a great handle on earning potential though.  To earn more money over the course of his career by staying he would have to sign contracts that would make up for loosing one prime season of his career.  Give him an 8 season pro career and he'd have to make an average of more then 12% more per season then if he left now.  Again, the ONLY way that happens is if he signs a second NBA contract.  Lot's of things have to go really well for Jake next season for him staying not to cost him money in the long run.  Hope he stays though.  I'm selfish, but willing to admit my reasons for wanting him back are based on what is best for KSU (and as a result, me), not him. 

[Panjandrum]

What I'm saying is that being an 'All-American', which Jake has a good chance of being if he stays, will command a higher salary because some European club will be able to try and sell tickets by saying, "Hey, we have an All-American'.  It's something that he'll be able to carry around with him for a very, very long time.

European teams want to sell tickets.  They sell tickets by bringing in players of interest.  Being an All-American makes you a player of interest.

That's my argument and why I say it's better for his long-term earning potential if he stays.

You're really reaching here.  Jake was 3rd team AA this season.  Not that it matters, I highly doubt Euro teams are signing American players based on whether they were 1st or 3rd team AA (or marketing them as such).  Maybe you have a better handle on their season ticket advertising strategies then I do.  You must not have a great handle on earning potential though.  To earn more money over the course of his career by staying he would have to sign contracts that would make up for loosing one prime season of his career.  Give him an 8 season pro career and he'd have to make an average of more then 12% more per season then if he left now.  Again, the ONLY way that happens is if he signs a second NBA contract.  Lot's of things have to go really well for Jake next season for him staying not to cost him money in the long run.  Hope he stays though.  I'm selfish, but willing to admit my reasons for wanting him back are based on what is best for KSU (and as a result, me), not him. 

Maybe I am reaching, but you're making an assumption on how much he'd make next year when you calculate the 12%.

Here's how I see it play out in two scenarios: leave early vs. come back

Leave Early: Minimal chance at the NBA, immediately go overseas to Europe.  Average salary?  Unknown.  Probably at least 100K.  I highly doubt someone would be willing to give him more than 250K, but hey, he might have a good agent.

Stay Another Year: Probably have a really good season.  End with All-Conference/All-American honors (AP All-American; not Sporting News).  Shot at being a finalist for all meaningful awards (Wooden, Naismith, etc.).  All-time scoring leader at KSU with 2000+ points.  Most likely will lead his team to it's first conference title in over 30 years.  Leads one of a handful of teams with a realistic shot of winning a title.  Heavy press all season long.  Most likely shifts over to the true point and proves his worth in the position he'll most likely play professionally.

Now, if I'm his agent, and I'm negotiating a contract, and the team, NBA or European, is fighting to keep the costs down, what position would you rather be in?

If Jake has someone out there telling him he can make $500K in Europe next year, and it actually happens, fine.  So be it.  I'm not turning down $500K.  I may not even turn down $200K.  However, kids that leave early for that kind of money usually do so because their family needs it (his doesn't), they struggle with school (he doesn't), or they just don't like being in school (I have no idea).

But, if I'm Jake, and I'm obviously not, I'd rather have my year of glory on ESPN and take a realistic shot at the NBA before I sign up to go live in Europe for the next 10-15 years of my life.  Maybe I'm projecting on him, but if he intentionally left early to go make a few hundred thousand dollars in Europe one extra year of his life, he'd be a pioneer.  Because there is no way, right now, that this kid is getting a guaranteed contract as a 6' shooting guard in the NBA.  It isn't happening.

[threadkiller]

What I'm saying is that being an 'All-American', which Jake has a good chance of being if he stays, will command a higher salary because some European club will be able to try and sell tickets by saying, "Hey, we have an All-American'.  It's something that he'll be able to carry around with him for a very, very long time.

European teams want to sell tickets.  They sell tickets by bringing in players of interest.  Being an All-American makes you a player of interest.

That's my argument and why I say it's better for his long-term earning potential if he stays.

You're really reaching here.  Jake was 3rd team AA this season.  Not that it matters, I highly doubt Euro teams are signing American players based on whether they were 1st or 3rd team AA (or marketing them as such).  Maybe you have a better handle on their season ticket advertising strategies then I do.  You must not have a great handle on earning potential though.  To earn more money over the course of his career by staying he would have to sign contracts that would make up for loosing one prime season of his career.  Give him an 8 season pro career and he'd have to make an average of more then 12% more per season then if he left now.  Again, the ONLY way that happens is if he signs a second NBA contract.  Lot's of things have to go really well for Jake next season for him staying not to cost him money in the long run.  Hope he stays though.  I'm selfish, but willing to admit my reasons for wanting him back are based on what is best for KSU (and as a result, me), not him. 

Maybe I am reaching, but you're making an assumption on how much he'd make next year when you calculate the 12%.

Here's how I see it play out in two scenarios: leave early vs. come back

Leave Early: Minimal chance at the NBA, immediately go overseas to Europe.  Average salary?  Unknown.  Probably at least 100K.  I highly doubt someone would be willing to give him more than 250K, but hey, he might have a good agent.

Stay Another Year: Probably have a really good season.  End with All-Conference/All-American honors (AP All-American; not Sporting News).  Shot at being a finalist for all meaningful awards (Wooden, Naismith, etc.).  All-time scoring leader at KSU with 2000+ points.  Most likely will lead his team to it's first conference title in over 30 years.  Leads one of a handful of teams with a realistic shot of winning a title.  Heavy press all season long.  Most likely shifts over to the true point and proves his worth in the position he'll most likely play professionally.

Now, if I'm his agent, and I'm negotiating a contract, and the team, NBA or European, is fighting to keep the costs down, what position would you rather be in?

If Jake has someone out there telling him he can make $500K in Europe next year, and it actually happens, fine.  So be it.  I'm not turning down $500K.  I may not even turn down $200K.  However, kids that leave early for that kind of money usually do so because their family needs it (his doesn't), they struggle with school (he doesn't), or they just don't like being in school (I have no idea).

But, if I'm Jake, and I'm obviously not, I'd rather have my year of glory on ESPN and take a realistic shot at the NBA before I sign up to go live in Europe for the next 10-15 years of my life.  Maybe I'm projecting on him, but if he intentionally left early to go make a few hundred thousand dollars in Europe one extra year of his life, he'd be a pioneer.  Because there is no way, right now, that this kid is getting a guaranteed contract as a 6' shooting guard in the NBA.  It isn't happening.

Pan, you seem to be missing the point.  It really doesn't matter how much he makes next season in regard to his total earning potential.  Where ever he starts, he's going to sign an initial contract that is much smaller then his prime potential salary.  He is going to have to play a couple seasons at that lower rater whether he stays or goes (and pretty much no matter how well he plays next season, it's not going to greatly affect that first couple season's salary).  Staying obviously moves that 2nd contract out another season and cuts a season out of the highest potential salary window.  Much of your post is working off the faulty assumption that he's leaving for whatever salary he would make next season. 

Many of your (and other's) arguments are based on "ifs".  If Jake ups his scoring average a bit, if he hits an even better % from 3pt range, if he proves he can play the point, if the Cats do better and go farther in the tournament.  Still, the consensus seems to be even if all these things happen, he might be able to slip into the 1st round.  That would be great, 2 years of guarenteed NBA money, but how likely is it really that all of that happens?  Jake's position is difficult, because the things that would really raise his NBA stock (grow 4 inches and become an explosive athlete) he can't do.  The things we're talking about him doing better (outside ball handling/distribution), he did very well this season. 

Mostly, what I'd like to come from this is a great appreciation for Jake Pullen should he decide to come back.  I hope that our fans realize that he is more likely to hurt himself financially by coming back then he is to help himself.  I hope that if he comes back we all realize that he has put the program (coaches and teammates) ahead of his own personal gain.  That the response from the fan base isn't "he made the right choice", "it would have been a mistake for him to leave", "he wasn't ready", etc.

[steve dave]

Let's not be Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!) here folks:  Jake isn't leaving early to bounce around Europe.  Career earning aside, he's just not. 

[kso_FAN]

Let's not be Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!) here folks:  Jake isn't leaving early to bounce around Europe.  Career earning aside, he's just not. 

Yeah.  If he leaves he'll have good advice that he can get drafted, at least in the 2nd round.  This isn't Mark Young we're talking about here.

[Dr Rick Daris]

What I'm saying is that being an 'All-American', which Jake has a good chance of being if he stays, will command a higher salary because some European club will be able to try and sell tickets by saying, "Hey, we have an All-American'.  It's something that he'll be able to carry around with him for a very, very long time.

European teams want to sell tickets.  They sell tickets by bringing in players of interest.  Being an All-American makes you a player of interest.

That's my argument and why I say it's better for his long-term earning potential if he stays.

You're really reaching here.  Jake was 3rd team AA this season.  Not that it matters, I highly doubt Euro teams are signing American players based on whether they were 1st or 3rd team AA (or marketing them as such).  Maybe you have a better handle on their season ticket advertising strategies then I do.  You must not have a great handle on earning potential though.  To earn more money over the course of his career by staying he would have to sign contracts that would make up for loosing one prime season of his career.  Give him an 8 season pro career and he'd have to make an average of more then 12% more per season then if he left now.  Again, the ONLY way that happens is if he signs a second NBA contract.  Lot's of things have to go really well for Jake next season for him staying not to cost him money in the long run.  Hope he stays though.  I'm selfish, but willing to admit my reasons for wanting him back are based on what is best for KSU (and as a result, me), not him. 

Maybe I am reaching, but you're making an assumption on how much he'd make next year when you calculate the 12%.

Here's how I see it play out in two scenarios: leave early vs. come back

Leave Early: Minimal chance at the NBA, immediately go overseas to Europe.  Average salary?  Unknown.  Probably at least 100K.  I highly doubt someone would be willing to give him more than 250K, but hey, he might have a good agent.

Stay Another Year: Probably have a really good season.  End with All-Conference/All-American honors (AP All-American; not Sporting News).  Shot at being a finalist for all meaningful awards (Wooden, Naismith, etc.).  All-time scoring leader at KSU with 2000+ points.  Most likely will lead his team to it's first conference title in over 30 years.  Leads one of a handful of teams with a realistic shot of winning a title.  Heavy press all season long.  Most likely shifts over to the true point and proves his worth in the position he'll most likely play professionally.

Now, if I'm his agent, and I'm negotiating a contract, and the team, NBA or European, is fighting to keep the costs down, what position would you rather be in?

If Jake has someone out there telling him he can make $500K in Europe next year, and it actually happens, fine.  So be it.  I'm not turning down $500K.  I may not even turn down $200K.  However, kids that leave early for that kind of money usually do so because their family needs it (his doesn't), they struggle with school (he doesn't), or they just don't like being in school (I have no idea).

But, if I'm Jake, and I'm obviously not, I'd rather have my year of glory on ESPN and take a realistic shot at the NBA before I sign up to go live in Europe for the next 10-15 years of my life.  Maybe I'm projecting on him, but if he intentionally left early to go make a few hundred thousand dollars in Europe one extra year of his life, he'd be a pioneer.  Because there is no way, right now, that this kid is getting a guaranteed contract as a 6' shooting guard in the NBA.  It isn't happening.

Pan, you seem to be missing the point.  It really doesn't matter how much he makes next season in regard to his total earning potential.  Where ever he starts, he's going to sign an initial contract that is much smaller then his prime potential salary.  He is going to have to play a couple seasons at that lower rater whether he stays or goes (and pretty much no matter how well he plays next season, it's not going to greatly affect that first couple season's salary).  Staying obviously moves that 2nd contract out another season and cuts a season out of the highest potential salary window.  Much of your post is working off the faulty assumption that he's leaving for whatever salary he would make next season. 

Many of your (and other's) arguments are based on "ifs".  If Jake ups his scoring average a bit, if he hits an even better % from 3pt range, if he proves he can play the point, if the Cats do better and go farther in the tournament.  Still, the consensus seems to be even if all these things happen, he might be able to slip into the 1st round.  That would be great, 2 years of guarenteed NBA money, but how likely is it really that all of that happens?  Jake's position is difficult, because the things that would really raise his NBA stock (grow 4 inches and become an explosive athlete) he can't do.  The things we're talking about him doing better (outside ball handling/distribution), he did very well this season. 

Mostly, what I'd like to come from this is a great appreciation for Jake Pullen should he decide to come back.  I hope that our fans realize that he is more likely to hurt himself financially by coming back then he is to help himself.  I hope that if he comes back we all realize that he has put the program (coaches and teammates) ahead of his own personal gain.   That the response from the fan base isn't "he made the right choice", "it would have been a mistake for him to leave", "he wasn't ready", etc.

if he goes then good for him and if he stays then good for him. he's not some kind of martyr if he chooses to come back though. gmafb.

[OregonSmock]

If Pullen's gonna go, he should go now.  Never again will he average 22.8 ppg in the NCAA tournament and play alongside a guy like Clemente.

[michigancat]

:sleep:

[1992]

I heard Jake won the Kansas Lottery!

[Panjandrum]

Pan, you seem to be missing the point.  It really doesn't matter how much he makes next season in regard to his total earning potential.  Where ever he starts, he's going to sign an initial contract that is much smaller then his prime potential salary.  He is going to have to play a couple seasons at that lower rater whether he stays or goes (and pretty much no matter how well he plays next season, it's not going to greatly affect that first couple season's salary).  Staying obviously moves that 2nd contract out another season and cuts a season out of the highest potential salary window.  Much of your post is working off the faulty assumption that he's leaving for whatever salary he would make next season. 

Many of your (and other's) arguments are based on "ifs".  If Jake ups his scoring average a bit, if he hits an even better % from 3pt range, if he proves he can play the point, if the Cats do better and go farther in the tournament.  Still, the consensus seems to be even if all these things happen, he might be able to slip into the 1st round.  That would be great, 2 years of guarenteed NBA money, but how likely is it really that all of that happens?  Jake's position is difficult, because the things that would really raise his NBA stock (grow 4 inches and become an explosive athlete) he can't do.  The things we're talking about him doing better (outside ball handling/distribution), he did very well this season. 

Mostly, what I'd like to come from this is a great appreciation for Jake Pullen should he decide to come back.  I hope that our fans realize that he is more likely to hurt himself financially by coming back then he is to help himself.  I hope that if he comes back we all realize that he has put the program (coaches and teammates) ahead of his own personal gain.  That the response from the fan base isn't "he made the right choice", "it would have been a mistake for him to leave", "he wasn't ready", etc.

I'm not missing the point.  My main point is that unless a kid really hates college, he's not leaving to go play in Europe.  That's nearly unheard of.

We can talk about earning potential all day long.  It just makes no sense for a kid to leave for a career in Europe unless he's only in it for the money.  If he is, fine.  Whatever.  But Jake would do more to help his NBA chances (if he wants to play there) if he comes back and plays point guard for a full season because that's what he's going to play in the NBA or overseas.