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The Daily OrangeMBB | Greene will enter NBA Draft
Abstract:
April 9, 2:31 p.m. -- Donte Greene has declared for the NBA Draft, according to a statement released by Syracuse athletics. Greene informed SU head coach Jim Boeheim today of his intent. "After discussing my future plans with my family and Coach Boeheim, I've decided to declare for the NBA draft," Greene said in the statement....
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josh
posted 4/09/08 @ 3:52 PM EST
donte:
have fun watching the orange in the final four next year, unless you're busy working on shot selection, defense, and not pouting.
have fun watching the orange in the final four next year, unless you're busy working on shot selection, defense, and not pouting.
Don't go
posted 4/09/08 @ 3:59 PM EST
Donte should stay another year. He could jump up EASILY to a top 10 pick if he has a good season from start to finish...but now he will be locked into a contract for his first few years that won't compare to what he can get if he waits another year.
John Jamison
posted 4/09/08 @ 4:08 PM EST
What a fool! Donte is a fairly good college player, but lacks consistency. I can't believe that he has deluded himself into believing that he is a hot prospect. Stay in school, Donte! You might develop into an NBA caliber player, but you're not there now.
Gavin, DO Alum
posted 4/09/08 @ 4:08 PM EST
Selfish. Underdeveloped. Not as good as he thinks. Congratulations Donte, you'll be the next NBA journeymen. These kids just don't get it.
Marc LeVine
posted 4/09/08 @ 4:14 PM EST
Taj Smith's decision to enter the NFL Draft, I can understand. Greene's NBA decision is definately flawed. Was this guy even first team Big East? I hope, for his sake, he's not another Pearl Washington, who also rushed his own pro career demise.
With Devo and Rautins returning, other players stepping up and Coach B. adding some fresh recruits, SU will be OK. Greene WAS a bit of a selfish player, at times. But, there is little doubt that we would have done especially well if Greene stayed with the team and contributed valuable minutes. It would also have been better for him, personally, if he took another year or two to hone his basketball skills and mature as a player and young adult. NBA life is rough on a young kid, despite the money they get paid.
I suppose we need to wish Donte well. After all, he always will be linked to his brief playing time at Syracuse. If he succeeds, it helps the University with its national recognition and also in recruiting. If he fails, he becomes a forgotten footnote in SU sports and maybe the bearer of an important message - that it may not always be wise for young and promising players to rush things. And let's not forget that a four year degree is also nice to have - especially if it's paid for in scholarships.
With Devo and Rautins returning, other players stepping up and Coach B. adding some fresh recruits, SU will be OK. Greene WAS a bit of a selfish player, at times. But, there is little doubt that we would have done especially well if Greene stayed with the team and contributed valuable minutes. It would also have been better for him, personally, if he took another year or two to hone his basketball skills and mature as a player and young adult. NBA life is rough on a young kid, despite the money they get paid.
I suppose we need to wish Donte well. After all, he always will be linked to his brief playing time at Syracuse. If he succeeds, it helps the University with its national recognition and also in recruiting. If he fails, he becomes a forgotten footnote in SU sports and maybe the bearer of an important message - that it may not always be wise for young and promising players to rush things. And let's not forget that a four year degree is also nice to have - especially if it's paid for in scholarships.
Dave Melnicoff
posted 4/09/08 @ 4:23 PM EST
He'd better learn to make free throws under pressure (which he doesn't) and understand he's not going to be the #1 gunner (which he was @ SU)on a NBA team if he is selected. We'll probably be better off without him and play as a team more efficiently. It'll be good to have Rautins and Devendorf back plus the new frosh.
M
posted 4/09/08 @ 4:58 PM EST
Disappointing decision. Very, very inconsistent player, though the 17.7 ppg will be missed.
PJ
posted 4/09/08 @ 5:10 PM EST
He hasn't hired an agent yet. These comments should help convince him to stay if he gets injured or somehow falls out of the top 15.
Cuse Fan
posted 4/09/08 @ 6:31 PM EST
Poor Donte...His career is over before it started! He's just not that good...the only thing he has in common with Carmelo Anthony is Baltimore and Syracuse. Carmelo got his team the NCAA championship title! Donte couldn't even pull them through the NIT. What a joke!!!!!
J
posted 4/09/08 @ 8:42 PM EST
Love it... he warms up in a Don'te Leave tee, talks about SU fans being the best in the NCAA, tells us after the Villanova loss that he'll only go as a top 5 pick (CERTAINLY not this year, big guy), and so on.
Anyone else feel played?
I'm just going to go ahead and pretend that all my tuition money is going toward scholarships for Harris, Flynn, and the like...
Anyone else feel played?
I'm just going to go ahead and pretend that all my tuition money is going toward scholarships for Harris, Flynn, and the like...
Pat Brennan
posted 4/09/08 @ 9:33 PM EST
I am not surprised. What a birthday present for Fort Sumner! With the anticipated return of Devendorf and Rautins and with Harris maturing. Donte probably sees a limited chance of standing out next season. He's not even a Demetrus Nichols and what has become of Nicols? This is financial decision and when green is number 1 then oramge is number 2. Donte was his own biggest fan. I'm sorry he didn't deliver the goods this year. How can he possibly deliver them in the NBA?
g33k
posted 4/10/08 @ 11:01 AM EST
I tend to agree with all of you. I think he is a fool. However you can understand where he is coming from. This is another year of the freshman. For some reason the NBA likes the idea of drafting freshman as opposed to established players and its really shameful. The prime example of that (if you guys follow other schools) was when the Portland trailblazers drafted scum bag Sebastian TElfair, although the National Player of the yeear Jameer Nelson a 4 year starter of St. Josephs was unavailable. Of how about Memphis Grizzlies drafting Mike Conley Jr. over Acie Law. Another 4 year starter clutch shooter and carried his team on his back. Dont be surprised if Donte gets drafted in the top 20 over established big men such as Dj. White of Indiana. Its not exclusively his fault the NBA has a way of ruining things as well. IN my opinion as some of you have stated im not really sure he was that much of an asset as people might have perceived. He's not clutch and he just chucks shots. Well see the way it plays out cause he hasnt hired an agent yet so hes not completely done from syracuse....as of yet.
Richard R
posted 4/10/08 @ 8:12 PM EST
Donte is a good player and he brought excitement to SU basketball. Unfortunately for him and Orange fans he had too much success too early. He has unbelievable skills for his height. He may be a 10-15 pick, considering he has more "potential" than John Wallace because of what he has shown as a freshman. I don't like this anymore than anyone else, but NBA scouts sell teams on a player's "potential" than actual skills.
I believe he should test the waters to see where he can go (with teams with bonehead front office folks as the Knicks, Hawks, Clippers... anything is possible). The problem here is that the next time he declares, he is no longer eligible in the NCAAs. If he should read this, I hope he listens to this scouting report. He has a nice shot from outside, though he hit the "wall' over the last half of the season.. which suggest he could use more conditioning. He is a nice player on the break and his shooting ability would need teams to play him honestly. But, that is about where it ends for him. His shot selection and his decision making on when in a game to shoot is probably because of immaturity. Jacking up 3's to get more points can squander huge leads and will take your teammates out of a game faster than any other reason (see UMASS games).
Over the last 5-6 games (that I saw... I am at a disadvantage being an SU fan in Cali) his attempts to go to the hole were weak. His finishes for someone his height are lacking. Either he shoots 3's or dunks (and those aren't a given). He didn't show much in the way of posting up, didn't shoot 15 footers with great accuracy and didn't show a lot of using the backboard for better shots.
His defensive abilities are lacking. Yes he led the team in blocks, but that is because he is long... he wasn't prolific like Coleman, McRae, Hill, Wallace, Brown and Warrick. Teams were not afraid to go at him and many 3 pt shots were made from the corners (where he is responsible for covering in the zone). He and the team struggled on the defensive end in both man to man and the zone.
This critique is an honest one and I think it suggests he spend the summer and next season to improve upon. I thought this over after about the fifth game into the Big East season. Selfishly I would love to have seen Pearl Washington, Billy Owens, Carmelo Anthony and Billy Edelin (I know he didn't leave for the pros) finish ALL 4 years at SU. The value of another year of hard work, practice and game experience can't be overstated. But, at the same time, I would probably be exploring my options if I were him, with his height and skill set. I appreciate the season he gave to the 'Cuse, I would just like to see what they would do in the next 2-3 years when healthy, seasoned and more skilled as a team.
Best of luck Greene and put in the work to be successful!
I believe he should test the waters to see where he can go (with teams with bonehead front office folks as the Knicks, Hawks, Clippers... anything is possible). The problem here is that the next time he declares, he is no longer eligible in the NCAAs. If he should read this, I hope he listens to this scouting report. He has a nice shot from outside, though he hit the "wall' over the last half of the season.. which suggest he could use more conditioning. He is a nice player on the break and his shooting ability would need teams to play him honestly. But, that is about where it ends for him. His shot selection and his decision making on when in a game to shoot is probably because of immaturity. Jacking up 3's to get more points can squander huge leads and will take your teammates out of a game faster than any other reason (see UMASS games).
Over the last 5-6 games (that I saw... I am at a disadvantage being an SU fan in Cali) his attempts to go to the hole were weak. His finishes for someone his height are lacking. Either he shoots 3's or dunks (and those aren't a given). He didn't show much in the way of posting up, didn't shoot 15 footers with great accuracy and didn't show a lot of using the backboard for better shots.
His defensive abilities are lacking. Yes he led the team in blocks, but that is because he is long... he wasn't prolific like Coleman, McRae, Hill, Wallace, Brown and Warrick. Teams were not afraid to go at him and many 3 pt shots were made from the corners (where he is responsible for covering in the zone). He and the team struggled on the defensive end in both man to man and the zone.
This critique is an honest one and I think it suggests he spend the summer and next season to improve upon. I thought this over after about the fifth game into the Big East season. Selfishly I would love to have seen Pearl Washington, Billy Owens, Carmelo Anthony and Billy Edelin (I know he didn't leave for the pros) finish ALL 4 years at SU. The value of another year of hard work, practice and game experience can't be overstated. But, at the same time, I would probably be exploring my options if I were him, with his height and skill set. I appreciate the season he gave to the 'Cuse, I would just like to see what they would do in the next 2-3 years when healthy, seasoned and more skilled as a team.
Best of luck Greene and put in the work to be successful!
cbilzzle
posted 4/10/08 @ 8:29 PM EST
hey donte, you're a re! stop acting cocky and thinking you are all that because you're not--you're not half as good as carmelo and you are an inconsistent waste of money. why SU even recruited you is beyond belief. you have an opportunity here to go to a top school for free [other kids would kill for this you realize] but now you're sitting on your pompous ass just hoping to hit it big
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ben
posted 4/09/08 @ 3:48 PM EST