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The Daily OrangeMBB | LONG GONE: As Donte Greene prepares for Thursday's NBA Draft, he's eager to leave Syracuse behind
Abstract:
PHILADELPHIA - Don't try calling him.
That cell number you snagged, Donte Greene's number, the one you called him on to say he was a fool for leaving the Syracuse men's basketball team after his freshman season? To remind him that no one would want him when the NBA Draft rolls around Thursday?
Don't bother....
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Helen
posted 6/24/08 @ 11:11 AM EST
SU should build a men's ice hockey team- the athletic dynamic is so much different and the game is exciting!!! They athletes stay with the program in vastly larger percentages and they aren't in it just to go pro and make a killing. Who can blame Donte Green for leaving when the time is right for him? Asking him to stay just to satisfy us is unreasonable for a kid who has one chance to make it big. Build us an ice hockey team!
John C.
posted 6/24/08 @ 12:43 PM EST
I'm over Donte leaving, but why would he even think he'd get any "love" from us up at 'Cuse? It's not like he left any legacy behind. He ushered in an era of showboating, no defense, and mental lapses, things Syracuse basketball never stood for, until now. Overall, he doesn't play all that well in Big East play, and pretty much cracks under pressure. We don't go the NCAAs, and then we can't even succeed in the consolation prize know as the NIT. Yet, he still thinks he'll get some sort of respect/admiration/love from the fans. What did he do for us? Nothing. Absolutely Nothing.
To Donte and the "Dynasty", I say, good riddance.
To Donte and the "Dynasty", I say, good riddance.
MarkinMaryland
posted 6/24/08 @ 7:39 PM EST
I am sad to see him go so quickly. I see all the problems Melo had his first few years in the pros on a personal level. Now with the DWI, something tells me the guy needed more help maturing. Basketball wise Melo was fine. Donte on the other hand has not proved himself on the court or in life. He clearly shows this by saying he is the best small farward in the draft. Yes he has great talent, but a lot of people have great talent. ESPN now has him going 22, and says if he slips past that he might really move down. He was not even seen in the top 10 freshmen in the country by the end of the season. One more year could have really pushed him into a top 5 pick. If I am wrong about his selection, I will know Thursday. I just hope he is not one of those guys who gets spit out of the NBA after a year or two and we never hear from him again.
Michael Rybacki
posted 6/25/08 @ 11:56 AM EST
I don't think Donte will fail. He's a talented kid, and the author of this article is right, he's going to make millions regardless.
That being said, I think this was a really shortsighted decision. Even if he's only in it for the money, don't you think he could have learned something from Jim and Bernie, developed some consistency, and solidified himself as a Top-10, maybe even Top-5 pick next year? A couple million is still a lot of money, but lottery picks earn double what picks at the end of the first round do.
As for the SU hoops team, Donte was quite obviously the most talented player on the floor last year, but I don't think it's going to be that big of a loss to the team overall. In fact, Donte's absence may force the team to be more balanced offensively and also allow them to field a better defensive lineup. I'm still seeing a return to the Big Dance next year.
That being said, I think this was a really shortsighted decision. Even if he's only in it for the money, don't you think he could have learned something from Jim and Bernie, developed some consistency, and solidified himself as a Top-10, maybe even Top-5 pick next year? A couple million is still a lot of money, but lottery picks earn double what picks at the end of the first round do.
As for the SU hoops team, Donte was quite obviously the most talented player on the floor last year, but I don't think it's going to be that big of a loss to the team overall. In fact, Donte's absence may force the team to be more balanced offensively and also allow them to field a better defensive lineup. I'm still seeing a return to the Big Dance next year.
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Marc LeVine
posted 6/24/08 @ 10:37 AM EST
With Donte around, SU was building. We lost 14 games last year, but you could "feel" that there was something special taking place with this group of kids. You felt that things were coming together for a nice run in '08 or '09. That's what the anger towards Donte is really all about.
If SU were really a mediocre team without promise, Donte could have left, leaving us, only, with some disappointment and many fond memories. However, his leaving, now, makes us wonder how much damage he has done to a team that was possibly on the brink of winning big. An important year of young player development is lost and a valuable piece of the puzzle may have been removed.
The good news is the return of Devendorf and Rautins to the team. There are other good players on the squad and the new recruits DO seem promising. The questions remains, though...what if? It's is a BIG "what if?" and it especially hurts as we prepare to begin what we expect to be yet another embarassing football season.
The Lacrosse Championship helped. But reality is that...if you don't win in Football and/or Basketball you aren't a major player in college sports. No one wants to wear your tee shirts!
Donte's leaving us...makes us worry a bit about Coach B's upcoming season. We don't want a third year in the NIT. Been there, done that.