Patrick O'Bryant Declares for NBA Draft

[AV23]

I think they are clear, but here you go???‚¬?¦

2 - Coach Les has a wealth of personal experience and contacts in the NBA that can and have provided guidance to Patrick. This advice seems to be very sound and absolutely in Patrick???‚¬?„?s best interest. This advice seems to be discounted in favor of undescribed ???‚¬?“research???‚¬?? or agents, who certainly have THEIR best interest in mind and stand to profit from Patrick.

1 - I can understand situations where a family is clearly in financial need. If that is the case, then it might be worth giving up a year your youth to alleviate the financial burden. I don???‚¬?„?t think anyone is debating if Patrick is going to make millions of dollars playing basketball. The question is simply is that money coming in 2 months or 14 months. If his family needs the money now, then I think he should go. If not, then I think it is in his short-run and long-run best interest to stay.

I simply can not imagine twenty years from now that anyone would regret another year in college!

So your pretty much saying his Mom/Step Dad are forcing Patrick hand on this matter. Patrick said it himself that playing in the NBA is a dream and he wants to go for it. As for Coach Les knowing the in/out about the NBA your right. I'm sure there is more to the story about this whole situation so don't try to make anyone in Patrick life look bad (if that is where you are trying to go). The only thing we should be doing is wishing the best for Patrick not bring up BS

[GoBraves]

I did not say that - you said that. I said agents with far less concern for Patrick than Coach Les seem to be very influential. I also said if his family is in financial need, he should go now. I don't believe either of those should be interpreted as making Patrick's family look bad.

I also understand the NBA is Patrick's dream. If this was his only chance, I would absolutely agree he should not miss the opportunity and should go. However, this is NOT his only chance. He is not going to get shorter, he is not going to get weaker, and he is not going to get less talented. The only downside I see is an injury, and I would buy insurance to cover that risk.

[Dallas Brave]

I think they are clear, but here you go???‚¬?¦

2 - Coach Les has a wealth of personal experience and contacts in the NBA that can and have provided guidance to Patrick. This advice seems to be very sound and absolutely in Patrick???‚¬?„?s best interest. This advice seems to be discounted in favor of undescribed ???‚¬?“research???‚¬?? or agents, who certainly have THEIR best interest in mind and stand to profit from Patrick.

1 - I can understand situations where a family is clearly in financial need. If that is the case, then it might be worth giving up a year your youth to alleviate the financial burden. I don???‚¬?„?t think anyone is debating if Patrick is going to make millions of dollars playing basketball. The question is simply is that money coming in 2 months or 14 months. If his family needs the money now, then I think he should go. If not, then I think it is in his short-run and long-run best interest to stay.

I simply can not imagine twenty years from now that anyone would regret another year in college!

So your pretty much saying his Mom/Step Dad are forcing Patrick hand on this matter. Patrick said it himself that playing in the NBA is a dream and he wants to go for it. As for Coach Les knowing the in/out about the NBA your right. I'm sure there is more to the story about this whole situation so don't try to make anyone in Patrick life look bad (if that is where you are trying to go). The only thing we should be doing is wishing the best for Patrick not bring up BS

GoBraves is pretty clear in stating what the thinking behind mixed emotions. Why do you have to spin it into something negative?

I think all Bradley fans wish the best for POB and realize he has a tough decsion ahead of him. And as BU fans, we'll be sad to see him go, just like we have been sad to see other great players like Hawkins, Parker, etc... leave. But, once he does go, we will cheer for his success in the NBA just as we did for his success at BU. Ths is a BradleyFans board - please let Bradley fans be Bradley fans.

[AV23]

I think they are clear, but here you go???‚¬?¦

2 - Coach Les has a wealth of personal experience and contacts in the NBA that can and have provided guidance to Patrick. This advice seems to be very sound and absolutely in Patrick???‚¬?„?s best interest. This advice seems to be discounted in favor of undescribed ???‚¬?“research???‚¬?? or agents, who certainly have THEIR best interest in mind and stand to profit from Patrick.

1 - I can understand situations where a family is clearly in financial need. If that is the case, then it might be worth giving up a year your youth to alleviate the financial burden. I don???‚¬?„?t think anyone is debating if Patrick is going to make millions of dollars playing basketball. The question is simply is that money coming in 2 months or 14 months. If his family needs the money now, then I think he should go. If not, then I think it is in his short-run and long-run best interest to stay.

I simply can not imagine twenty years from now that anyone would regret another year in college!

So your pretty much saying his Mom/Step Dad are forcing Patrick hand on this matter. Patrick said it himself that playing in the NBA is a dream and he wants to go for it. As for Coach Les knowing the in/out about the NBA your right. I'm sure there is more to the story about this whole situation so don't try to make anyone in Patrick life look bad (if that is where you are trying to go). The only thing we should be doing is wishing the best for Patrick not bring up BS

GoBraves is pretty clear in stating what the thinking behind mixed emotions. Why do you have to spin it into something negative?

I think all Bradley fans wish the best for POB and realize he has a tough decsion ahead of him. And as BU fans, we'll be sad to see him go, just like we have been sad to see other great players like Hawkins, Parker, etc... leave. But, once he does go, we will cheer for his success in the NBA just as we did for his success at BU. Ths is a BradleyFans board - please let Bradley fans be Bradley fans.

I'm sorry you feel that way Dallas. To me when someone bring ups or even hints that the kid family members are only thinking about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and not him that gets to me. If any of you have ever meet POB family you would get a very good idea what they are about. There good people and only want what is best for Patrick and his little sister.

[GoBraves]

AV 23, you apparently know Patrick and his family well. Please answer this - do you honestly feel Patrick is physically and emotionally prepared for the NBA now?

[AV23]

AV 23, you apparently know Patrick and his family well. Please answer this - do you honestly feel Patrick is physically and emotionally prepared for the NBA now?

To be honest with you it's going to take him sometime but he will get there both physically and emotionally. I think with the year the team/he had it's the perfect time for him to go

[GoBraves]

I have no doubt he will get there. His is a bright kid with a great attitude and tons of potential. I just feel he would really benefit from another year of growth, his adjustment to the NBA and NBA lifestyle would be much easier, and he would have a better career.

I disagree this is a magical time to go. Patrick had scouts at every game when the Braves were .500, not just in the NCAA tournament. No one is going to forget him.

From your comments, you must think he is at the peak of his development and/or marketability - I strongly disagree on both accounts. Have some faith in the kid - he still improving!

[AV23]

I have no doubt he will get there. His is a bright kid with a great attitude and tons of potential. I just feel he would really benefit from another year of growth, his adjustment to the NBA and NBA lifestyle would be much easier, and he would have a better career.

I disagree this is a magical time to go. Patrick had scouts at every game when the Braves were .500, not just in the NCAA tournament. No one is going to forget him.

From you comments, you must think he is at the peak of his development and/or marketability - I strongly disagree on both accounts. Have some faith in the kid - he still improving!

Patrick is far from reaching his full development. Once he does he is going to be a monster in the NBA. As for his marketability Patrick will do very well. He is a very smart bright and good looking young man so the skies are the limits. As for faith, I have more faith in him/parents than anyone out where

[GoBraves]

Patrick is far from reaching his full development. Once he does he is going to be a monster in the NBA. As for his marketability Patrick will do very well. He is a very smart bright and good looking young man so the skies are the limits. As for faith, I have more faith in him/parents than anyone out where.


From these comments, your position that leaving now is perfect timing makes no sense. In fact, why in the world would he leave now? Take the Joakim Noah approach - Let's enjoy another year of college, get better prepared for the rigors of the NBA and its lifestyle, then get drafted easily in the top-10!

Life passes us by much too quickly - I would encourage the young man to enjoy his college days to the fullest. The NBA will still be there next year....with open arms.

[AV23]

Patrick is far from reaching his full development. Once he does he is going to be a monster in the NBA. As for his marketability Patrick will do very well. He is a very smart bright and good looking young man so the skies are the limits. As for faith, I have more faith in him/parents than anyone out where.


From these comments, your position that leaving now is perfect timing makes no sense. In fact, why in the world would he leave now? Take the Joakim Noah approach - Let's enjoy another year of college, get better prepared for the rigors of the NBA and its lifestyle, then get drafted easily in the top-10!

Life passes us by much too quickly - I would encourage the young man to enjoy his college days to the fullest. The NBA will still be there next year....with open arms.

GoBraves this is the perfect time for POB to leave. Even thought it does not make sense to you

[GoBraves]

I am rather certain that the decision has been made. However, I would very much like to hear why "this is the perfect time." Can you shed some light on that? I offered several reasons why I think another year of college life and college basketball would be beneficial. Why is this the perfect time to leave?

[AV23]

I am rather certain that the decision has been made. However, I would very much like to hear why "this is the perfect time." Can you shed some light on that? I offered several reasons why I think another year of college life and college basketball would be beneficial. Why is this the perfect time to leave?

1. The lack of true centers in this year draft makes it the
perfect time for Patrick.
2. The team lost three key players and I really don't see
anyone steping up to take the roles of Cellus, LWright, and
Tony.
3. By BU getting to the sweet sixteen and Patrick play his
national exposure is at a all time high right now.

Those are some of my reason GoBraves

[GoBraves]

1. The lack of true centers in this year draft makes it the
perfect time for Patrick.
> There is always a lack of true centers. Patrick is secure as one of the very best true center prospects, this year or next.

2. The team lost three key players and I really don't see anyone steping up to take the roles of Cellus, LWright, and Tony.
> I do believe some players will step up, but playing without Cellus makes this Patrick???‚¬?„?s team. He will still have good guards, but will absolutely be the focal point of the team and an even greater opportunity for him to excel. The defense and Patrick???‚¬?„?s contributions at that end of the floor could actually be better.

3. By BU getting to the sweet sixteen and Patrick play his national exposure is at a all time high right now.

> No, his exposure is at a CURRENT high, not an all time high. His exposure next year will be no less. He would be listed in pre-season All America teams and on every NBA scout???‚¬?„?s list. The will not be a game without NBA scouts. The NCAA success brought recognition to the general public, but not to those ???‚¬?“in the business.???‚¬?? They already knew about Patrick.

Almost all of your discussion is based purely on basketball. I am more concerned about the non-basketball issues than the basketball issues. I like Patrick and wish him the best, so don???‚¬?„?t jump on me now as making a personal attack???‚¬?¦however, while ???‚¬?“na????ve???‚¬?? may not be exactly the correct word, Patrick is certainly far from worldly. I am concerned about him traveling with 30 year olds and living the NBA lifestyle. He is far better suited to that today than last year, but another year of ???‚¬?“seasoning???‚¬?? would be helpful. Perhaps I am overprotective..

[AV23]

1. The lack of true centers in this year draft makes it the
perfect time for Patrick.
> There is always a lack of true centers. Patrick is secure as one of the very best true center prospects, this year or next.

2. The team lost three key players and I really don't see anyone steping up to take the roles of Cellus, LWright, and Tony.
> I do believe some players will step up, but playing without Cellus makes this Patrick???‚¬?„?s team. He will still have good guards, but will absolutely be the focal point of the team and an even greater opportunity for him to excel. The defense and Patrick???‚¬?„?s contributions at that end of the floor could actually be better.

3. By BU getting to the sweet sixteen and Patrick play his national exposure is at a all time high right now.

> No, his exposure is at a CURRENT high, not an all time high. His exposure next year will be no less. He would be listed in pre-season All America teams and on every NBA scout???‚¬?„?s list. The will not be a game without NBA scouts. The NCAA success brought recognition to the general public, but not to those ???‚¬?“in the business.???‚¬?? They already knew about Patrick.

Almost all of your discussion is based purely on basketball. I am more concerned about the non-basketball issues than the basketball issues. I like Patrick and wish him the best, so don???‚¬?„?t jump on me now as making a personal attack???‚¬?¦however, while ???‚¬?“na????ve???‚¬?? may not be exactly the correct word, Patrick is certainly far from worldly. I am concerned about him traveling with 30 year olds and living the NBA lifestyle. He is far better suited to that today than last year, but another year of ???‚¬?“seasoning???‚¬?? would be helpful. Perhaps I am overprotective..

I'm not going to jump on you GoBraves about the statement below:

I like Patrick and wish him the best, so don???‚¬?„?t jump on me now as making a personal attack???‚¬?¦however, while ???‚¬?“na????ve???‚¬?? may not be exactly the correct word, Patrick is certainly far from worldly. I am concerned about him traveling with 30 year olds and living the NBA lifestyle. He is far better suited to that today than last year, but another year of ???‚¬?“seasoning???‚¬?? would be helpful. Perhaps I am overprotective.

I'm sure his parents are more overprotective of him than you are I GoBraves (LOL). I do get your point, but every young man enter the NBA has to learn living the NBA lifestyle. Patrick is a good kid and he will stay out of trouble.

[egib52]

Next year and probably the next few years there will be more and more true centers entering the draft. Next year there is a potential for the likes of Oden, Noah and other high schoolers who now have to spend a year in college before declaring to push POB down. So in turn, this is his best year to make the most money (assuming he has a good camp). As for it being his team, there are no other players currently that look like they will be the focus of the other team's defense. This means that POB will be being double possibly triple teamed all game so his production may go down. Unless some people step up to start hitting some major threes, every team will focus on him and collapse there defenses on him. If BU misses the tourney next year, which is always a possibility, his exposure will greatly decrease as people will focus on the big men in the tourney like Oden and Noah. And goes without being said that if he gets injured that could jeopardize his future.

In regards to the non-basketball issues I am sure that POB will make the decision that best fits him. He probably won't be anymore ready to deal with the fame and travels later as he is now. As much as I would like to see him at BU for the next two years I wish him luck, and he will make what he feels to be the best.