http://shar.es/JX5Ri
I had hopes that a chance to get to a Final 4 might be something to hope Kelly might come back for. In the interview it didn't sound like that matters much. Good luck in the NBA Kelly.
A Gonzaga Bulldog Basketball Community
8 comments:
I keep hoping that Kelly will withdraw before the first date of April 16, but as each day goes by my hopes dwindle. I am with you Gaz, it didn't sound as if Kelly really cared about coming back and having another go at what wasn't accomplished this year.
I also wonder where he was for the interview. If he is at home and not finishing his classes that is another telling sign. Maybe just a quick break before his weekend in California?
At least as a fan I am putting this season behind me and getting excited about the possibilities for next year already. I would be more excited if Kelly would come back, but I get to look forward to hopefully another chance at a Final Four. Unfortunately Elias, Guy and Mike don't get that opportunity.
Well, I don't think he knows what do based on that interview. I think he's being uniquely honest about the whole situation.
Think about it. Who wouldn't be torn at least a little given his situation.
The loss to Wichita State was devastating to me. I am still recovering, lol. (really)
However, a chance meeting at a local Safeway store with a nice lady helped. She was a huge Zag fan, and talking all things Zag to a perfect stranger seemed to help.
Turns out her late mother was a huge Zag fan too, attended games for decades, and sat just behind the players. She was renowned for giving cookies to the players after games. They still honor her seat in absentia. Pretty cool!
Anyhow, back to KO. I watched the interview hoping to glean clues as to his decision. After watching, my gut feeling is that he is gone.
I base it on reasons he might go pro vs the ones that would cause him to choose staying. During his interview I felt his voice inflections, demeanor, and answers to questions might have provided some clues.
His answer to whether he might come back for a chance to finish unsettled business was rather unfavorable. If he doesn't come back for that, what's left?
When asked if he had already graduated he very quickly said yes. I felt the answer was a little too quick. Maybe I just imagined it, but it made me feel as if, at least subliminally, he was trying to distance himself?
When he said he had a couple of other people to talk to, I worried that he was firming up his draft position.
I bet a professional in the "body language" business would have a much better feel. Any jury consultants out there? lol
Of course we all hope he comes back. I just don't see enough reasons for him to do it.
Make a graph. On one side put all the reasons for him staying. On the other side add the ones for leaving. IMO, he is gone.
Next year is going to be very interesting with losing 1/2 our front line, considered one of the best in the nation..it was our strength.
But the off-season can bring surprising changes for the good....After all, who ever thought KO would be doing much this year?
On an important note, lol, Kelly was in full out "I'll be vague so you can guess the answer mode" even with his hair!
When asked if he was going to get his haircut he replied "in the future."
In the future? Well then....we're all clear about that. Hahaha
Was that not a telling sign when the interviewer asked Kelly about the Canadian flag in the background?
KO said he HAD it up when asked if it was up in his college digs. If he were coming back one would think it would still be up. Hmmmmmmm.
I keep thinking back to comments made by Kelly's dad saying if someone guaranteed a top 15 pick Kelly would seriously consider going pro. I don't know if any teams have been in touch with him or even if they can contact him yet. Any teams inviting him for try outs or anything?
I think Kelly has huge upside for a team willing to take a chance on his progress, my god, his growth over two years was incredible. He does still need some teaching in defense however on isolation plays, but with the right coach and training he should improve there. I don't know if another year in college would give him that.
I also remember arguing with Gaz earlier this year how no way would we ever be a 1 seed. Maybe since I was so wrong about that I will be every bit as wrong about my thinking that Kelly will go pro.
If that establishes a pattern about me being wrong about everything then I am going to say right now that there is no way we will make the tourney next year. That should just about guarantee us a championship right?
We weren't arguing....that was just me telling you the facts, lol.
KO is currently projected as the #12 pick in the draft going to Portland and he is already the age of a senior, so staying another year would be looked at as a negative by scouts for potential upside.
Not much to come back for, especially since unfinished business is not high on his list.
He is soooo out of here. But hey, Karno is our next big projected to go pro. He'll be much better next year...hopefully, he'll dominate.
Not as deep in the paint but much improved on the wing.
But still.....losing KO and Elias, whew!
Post a Comment