I think his thought process was simple. He realizes he will be a lottery pick next year no matter where he goes. He could either go across the country and play for a better team with more of a following, but with smaller shot-taking demand. Or he could stay closer to home and play with his brother for a year while also being THE GUY for ASU. Sure, fewer people will follow him but he still likely gets more shots and usage there.
Yeah, Iām skeptical what anyone knows about DDJ. However, I never quite saw the direct link between JC and DDJ. Weāre going to play three guards about 25-30mpg so worst case for DDJ is that they start Eli and JC but DDJ still plays 25-30mpg as the 6th man. Maybe that was enough for him to leave, but Iām not sure what school that isnāt a low-major he walks into a more significant role without also having to prove himself.
So the Ja Morant pathā¦ Take all of the shots and be the star even if youāre on a mediocre team that no one watches. I guess thatās as good of a theory as anything.
I do think he would have walked into 30mpg for Michigan and plenty of shots. That got Jordan Poole and Iggy drafted despite having a lot of good players around them.
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Too many spurned lover takes here.
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Has anyone considered that he and his family loved when the flaming bag of Duke appeared on their front doorstep?
Sold them day one.
I donāt think he made the right choice either, but I believe that was his rationale for why heās going to ASU. Itās similar to when James Harden was at ASU. Harden had 28% usage his last year at ASUā¦
Taking a bunch of shots wonāt increase his draft stock, being efficient and showing improved shooting is how heāll increase it.
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It is a let down. Time to make the best of it. I am seeing the way Coleās shots were so pure and clean in mop-up time. He may be the big winner here. Shooting can cover up a lot, and three years of it might be a good trade for a one and done. A lot of recent success was with developmental players, which hopefully can still be the case.
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Cole and Zeb are definitely the beneficiaries here. I also think Mike Smith having to take more usage is a possible outcome as well. The concern is that while all three of those guys have skills that may shine for us, who is driving the offense? Whoās facilitating it? Whoās your late-clock guy? We already had concerns about replacing Simpson in that role and now those concerns are magnified with one fewer bullet in the chamber. Hoping for a Stauskas-like blow up from Wagner next year.
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We see that, but it may be hard for an 18-year-old kid to see it. Especially one who is clearly aware of his following and notoriety. In the Athleticās article about his commitment, his father didnāt even know that ASU has never won the Pac-12.
His father also touted how he waited all day to announce and that he āhad the whole world on locks.ā Josh wants to play with his brother and try and be the guy.
Well at least the entire Michigan coaching staff wasnāt duped into going to his announcement like a certain Clark Kellogg did to Johnny Orr and company.
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Seems like to me the reasons were probably:
- Brother
- Close to home (covid)
- Weather
- Wanted to surprise everyone
- Wants to be the main guy, not potentially share the spotlight, so he has the best chance to impress NBA scouts and get drafted as high as possible making the most $
Really sucks for UM. Iāve never followed recruiting this closely before this year, and I immensely regret it. Oh well, moving on.
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I totally agree with this. Joshās brother being given a scholarship was a ploy to get Josh in no question about that.
I think him staying at Mayfair was the same thing. Werenāt they ousted early in their hs tourney?
Ja Morant didnāt have the luxury of being a top recruit. He ended up at Murray St bc a coach randomly saw him play at a local YMCA
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Anybody else have their deep-seated, early '90s Duke hatred resurrected with Hurley getting a victory over the Fab Five one more time in this recruitment?
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It has never left. My loathing of Duke burns bright every day.
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Really would like to see Duke in the ACC/Big Ten challenge this year. Juwan needs revenge.
Iāll pass. Probably wouldnāt go well for us
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Yep. Not looking forward to Kentucky anymore either. Defending Askew, Boston and Clarke sounds scary and we donāt have the offensive firepower to keep up.
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