NCAAbbs

According to this list CP is staying in the NBA draft, dated today at 10am

http://cgi.cnnsi.com/2008/basketball/nca...index.html

Interesting.....I didn't think he would stay in it. I think it may be a mistake, but I wish him well.

If this is true a very poor decision on CP's part. I don't see anyway he is going to be drafted.

I hope he enjoys Eastern Europe in the winter time.

I`m hoping this is just a mistake in paperwork, but who knows. Maybe he the idea of playing in the NBDL or in Europe is more appealing then coming back to school.

From what I have been told this is not true at all.

ETSU's modern and timely athletics website should have the real scoop in a few weeks.

Forget that, this shows how terrible the media is around here.

There's no mention in the Johnson City Press on this. There's no mention I can see from super sleuth Brian T. Smith.

But furthermore, I'm listening to the Morning Monster today from about 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Joe Avento, the ETSU beat writer for the Press, is on. So, naturally, is ETSU announcer Don Helman, the primary host of the show.

Not one mention that I heard. ETSU's best player- maybe the best athlete locally- is going away a year early.

Don't you HAVE COURTNEY ON to discuss this? What about Murry Bartow, or an NBA Draftnic?

If there's a process that you have to have approval for guests, they need to give the hosts freedom so they can get a guy like that on in a situation like this.

But even without guests, there's no excuse to not mention this.

If he is dumb enough to think that he can play in the NBA, im not sure I would have wanted him back.

Buc- Welcome to basketball in 2008.

The sport has something like a 33% graduation rate. A guy like Pigram, who was Prop 48, is probably not going to go to a major school because of that, so he comes to ETSU.

ETSU gives him a chance and he leaves for a chance to play in Europe like this because books aren't his thing.

Now, there isn't really anything wrong with Pigram leaving school early to look for a job.

Legitimately, Pigram isn't really relying on being drafted. Sports Illustrated did a story about 10 years ago about players like Pigram who declare like this, and the truth is by declaring for the draft now it makes them a bit more attractive to foreign teams.

Once upon a time the appeal of mid-majors was that you knew the players on the team would be around for four years. Can't say that now, and it's just another reason why basketball is unwatchable.

Actually I'm hearing he is coming back.

Why don't we wait until we find if it is true that he isn't coming back before we start blasting the local press for not covering it.... Oh wait.. its Pitt the sky is always falling. NM.


R

Rod, I will tip my hat to you.

Because according to nbadraft.net, Pigram withdrew-

http://www.nbadraft.net/2008withdrawals001.asp

However, don't you think that would be a good story?

SO- 22- WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE???????

Seriously, though, since we're talking NBA, maybe that in itself is why the local media ignored the story of Pigram's potential departure.

It is, after all, the NBA.

I went through the play-by-play of Game 5 of the Finals. Seems the Celtics, midway in the fourth quarter, went on a 16-2 run to tie the game at 90 with 4:35 left.

During this time Boston does not make any fouls.

But then, with the prospect of the series ending in five games, a funny thing happened.

The Celtics started getting called for fouls. A lot.

Nine of the final 13 points the Lakers would score came from the charity stripe. While I realize a team trailing in basketball is going to foul, it is less likely in the pro game with the 24 second shot clock. There's no need to foul when you have the momentum and there is 4:35 left in a tie game.

In a one-point game, with with 3 1/2 minutes left, for the next three minutes the Lakers score all their points on the free throw line. Five of them.

And you're going to tell me that this league isn't scripted?

I'm glad he's returning. I have no doubt that playing against the best college players in the country will improve his game.

Excuse for what????????

I'm teasing you, 22.

Don't get like Rod or the longwinded one, now, that can't take a joke.

Help me understand your comment. Playing in the A-Sun is akin to playing against the best college players in the country????

Sorry, it did read that way. I meant that by participating in pre-NBA draft workouts, he's had the opportunity to play with some of the best college players in the country. If he wouldn't have declared, he would have not been invited to practice with the Bobcats, for example.

Thanks!

So on this whole subject of players leaving early, etc., Dick Vitale (whom annoys the crap out of me) said something very insightful and intelligent on Mike and Mike Monday during his weekly interview. He mentioned how ridiculous it is that a player can hold a college hostage up until Mid June, coaches, for instance Roy Williams didn't know if the majority of his starting five was even coming back or not until this week. I think Courtney waiting this long, WHETHER HE KNEW HE WAS COMING BACK OR NOT, NOR WHETHER THE COACHES KNEW is very selfish. If you're in, then be in.

I know I'm outside of the mainstream with my opinion, but I don't feel a bit of sympathy for Roy Williams. He (and all coaches) should be recruiting college players and not allow his University to be used as a NBA development league.

It's not Williams fault that the players leave after one season. The NBA either needs to change their rules to mirror the NFL's rules, or drop the one and done altogether. Develop the D-League into something more than what it is like baseball and hockey. Or maybe let the NCAA pass a rule that states when a player commits to intercollegiate basketball, they should have to play somewhere at that level for atleast three years (and yes, a redshirt year can count). Some of these schools are going to start taking beatings on the APR over players like Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, etc...

Some of these schools are going to start taking beatings on the APR over players like Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, etc...

As long as these Rhodes Scholars are leaving with the magic numbers in place (6 hrs per semester, 18 in fall/spring, gpa, and percent rule) the NCAA gives these future Bill Gates'ers a professional exemption on the APR.

Now, what are the chances that all those chips are falling in place for the big schools?

The APR is a bigger threat to college athletics than "gender equity" ever was!

It's Williams' fault for signing them knowing they will most likely leave. If the NBA won't change, then the NCAA should and has made the rule changes necessary. Looks as if the APR is doing exactly what it was designed to do.

I don't see the APR as a threat to college athletics. I see it as a way to return college athletics to student athletes and leave the pros to the pros. Again, I'm in the minority, but I don't see that as a bad thing.

This might be true of players like those from North Carolina who might really be leaving and have a legit shot at being drafted. But for CP who said up front he wasn't I don't agree. Being able to play againist those type players and get instruction from the coaches that he practiced with should only make him better. I don't think Bartow lost any sleep over wether or not CP was coming back. Ever since smoe first posted this you have tried every angle you could think of to bust on CP for doing this. I don't understand why, it wasn't a bad thing at all, like we said way back when he did it, all upside no downside. CP got his name out, now more people now about him, will track his progress his senior year and it gives him a better shot at landing some place next year.


R

Its not the kids fault, The NBA passed a rather stupid rule. If the NBA tried to make a tougher rule or the NCAA tried passing your 3 year rule it would just lead to more kids going overseas or the actual formation of a some type of minor league or perhaps even a league to compete with the NBA. Stay in school for 4 years and get your degree son, never mind the fact you can play pro baskeball for those 4 years and make more money then you could probably earn with that 4 year degree in the next 50 year. The NCAA has already had thier talent pool depleted they aren't going to do a thing to stop these 1 year wonders from coming in and watering down the talent even more.

caught the last 5 minutes of the morning monster. They mentioned about CP coming back and sounded like they had been talking about during the show. One comment I thought interesting was That lots of people around the area were concerned yesterday about wether CP was coming back or not. Hmmm makes you wonder if those guys don't read this board because where else was this concern voiced?

R

I am the most influential member of the sports media in the Tri-Cities.

How are you in the media?

Marcus, Marcus, Marcus- We worked together!

And besides, there are numerous publications I contribute to, as well as Scout.com.

That beats spinning some hot wax, wouldn't you say?

But let's also discuss this board. As the moderator, I would hope that you would understand this is a very unique forum that isn't just a bunch of people telling jokes about the arch rival or crying out "We're No. 1!" the way most other boards are.

This is the place where coaches post. Where members of the traditional media look to and can't resist commenting.

I am the one that drives so much of the media.

This is the barometer of the Tri-Cities sports scene.

And in many ways, it's purer than traditional media outlets. Radio stations are heavily influenced by advertising- Bill Meade has interviewed professional wrestlers on his show because Meadowview bought some advertising in the past.

And do you honestly think Don Helman would talk about horse racing every weekend if Colonial Downs hadn't bought sponsorships?

Most of Tri-Cities Sports content is influenced by what the sponsors want.

Don't you think this board has become "the media?"

Its not a contest. I am just asking. All those publications you write for, are not in the Tri-Cities.

That's not true.

I am covering local football for a statewide publication that will hit the newsstands in the coming weeks.

I'd rather not say what it is. I don't want Mike White going to the editors and backstabbing me again.

Pitt - you are hilarious. I don't really care what you do, but the fact that you promote your own worth on an internet message board is just sad. You could be freakin Murray Bartow for all I care, and the way you pimp own importance would still be pathetic. Get over yourself buddy.

Pigram was told to enter the draft by Bartow so he could get his name out there. Looks like Pigram is not such an idiot after all.

It seems like people on here were crushing Pigram for leaving the team hanging. He withdrew his name a couple of weeks ago.

OHHHHHHHHHH MIKE WHITE IN THE PARKING LOT!!!!!! OHHHHHHH THE NHL IS SCRIPTED!!!!!!! OHHHHHHHHHH MEDIA GENERAL!!!!! OHHHHHHHHH KENNY HAWKINS!!!!!! OHHHHHHHHHH ORGASM!!!!

I agree with you KennessawBasketball. Pitt does need to be more professional if he is a sportswriter.

I think CP should go out and see what he can do in the NBA or overseas. CP seems like he does not fit in with the other player styles at ETSU or Bartow tries too hard to change his conservative coaching style of play to suit CP's run style.

bucfan99,

Maybe....but to publicly side with an apposing fan in reprimanding a fellow buc....is considered traitorous in most parts.

Huh?? Have you ever seen a ETSU basketball game in the last 3 years.
CP fits in just fine. POY of the fine in fact. He can and has fit multi-roles. Bartow is a conservative coach? He has no half court offense at all, zip nada, zero. It is all run and gun.

ETSU in half court. Pass it around the perimeter and if they haven't turned it over by then who ever has the ball with 5-6 seconds left
take some kind of a shot.

Thats it in total.

Really man, borrow a tape, watch the team play a couple of times before you comment.

My professionalism is not an issue (insert Groucho Marxesque line here).

However, 99, if you cared about professionalism, you wouldn't be backing ETSU, now, would you?

Some people aren't drones like you Gold :) I had joked around in other threads that CP should stay in the draft, but it obviously would have been a huge mistake for him to do so. He has a chance to finish his education, win the conference (that is if Kennesaw doesn't roll over everyone! hehe), and THEN go play professional basketball for many years (in a foreign market of course..I don't see him as having NBA talent, but that is just me).

CP has always seemed to me to just play the game and not get involved in trying to 'get his' or show up the other team. I have always respected his game, and while I would have loved to not see him suit up for the Bucs next year it would have been a trajedy for him to quit his schooling before he finished when it is obvious to everyone that he would never be drafted in the NBA. He could catch on with an NBDL team if he wanted to, but he would make more money overseas, and I don't see him ever suiting up in the NBA - so overseas makes a whole lot more sense once he graduates.

CP's attitude comes from his coaching in high school White Station has won several state titles but the coach used a 10-11 man rotation even with his stars. Same program produced Dana Bradshaw at Tennessee and our very own Travis Strong.

It's amazing to me that opposing fans respects/appreciates our players more than some of our own fans. Its disgusting to me that CP has been criticized the way he has on this board.

Could be worse, Ty Lawson received death threats from angry UNC fans

RodShaw2:

All totally accurate.


And Goldfinger...........sigh............

It sure sounds like you're defending Pittiful, if I read you right. If that is the case, then shame on you. He is a blight on this board, and has been shown to be so repeatedly. A defender of Pittiful is no friend of the truth. Truth trumps being a Buc fan (if indeed Pittiful is that) every time. Always. Remember that. My apologies if I've somehow misread your intent, but after several re-readings, I don't think so.

Article on the tournament in Canada; also posted on that thread, and the Rocky Top thread:

Canada tournament, with comments by CP on his pro workout

RodShaw2:



Quote:
Huh?? Have you ever seen a ETSU basketball game in the last 3 years.
CP fits in just fine. POY of the fine in fact. He can and has fit multi-roles. Bartow is a conservative coach? He has no half court offense at all, zip nada, zero. It is all run and gun.

ETSU in half court. Pass it around the perimeter and if they haven't turned it over by then who ever has the ball with 5-6 seconds left
take some kind of a shot.

Thats it in total.

All totally accurate.

I agree and that exactly proves my point. We have several run and gun players but when the game is on the line and we have a lead the pace is slowed down! Why? Conservative coaching style. Nothing wrong with that. We just need disciplined players who can perform that way. Which I think Coach Bartow is doing. Just like when we did have football - Coach Hamilton tried to pass a lot but his line was better at blocking for a run game. You either have to recruit within your style or adapt your style to the area you recruit from. It is tough to teach Big Brown dressage.

I will say CP tried to become more disciplined last year. That should help next year and will help with a chance of playing after graduation.

You truly hate me, don't you?

I disagree that Bartow is a conservative coach. I peg him as more of a clueless coach. When the other team adjusts to our playing style and slows us down so we are forced to play half court Bartow doesnt' know what to do, Therefore the players don't know what to do so they stand around the perimeter flat footed while Bartow kneels on the sideline with that oh crap, not again look on his face glancing up at clock hoping it will run out before he blows anothe lead & game.

We need to get everyone here to put a positive rating up for Gold after that!

One trait I admire greatly is loyalty.