Rumors: Collison, Shipp May Test NBA Waters

by guttylittlebruins on Apr 2, 2007 2:36 PM PDT Comment 12 comments

According to multiple sources we spoke with today, it's not only Arron Afflalo that UCLA will almost certainly be losing, despite his quotes just moments after their loss in the Final Four to Florida, but also the rest of their starting backcourt. Sophomores Darren Collison and Josh Shipp are both expected to put their names in the draft this year, without hiring an agent in order to preserve their college eligibility. Collison is on pace to graduate next year as a junior, but will take a look at where his stock lies in order to gauge whether he should come back and complete his degree.

I think Collison is as good as gone. I think, even now, he's a first round pick. Shipp might be too as he's probably got a bigger upside than Afflalo. I don't know if Shipp'll get a first round guarantee but I think it would be funky as hell if Collison doesn't get one.

Obviously, this would suck for next year. RW is our only point guard, meaning we would probably have Abdul-Hamid backing him up (a walk-on). We REALLY NEED Collison back and I think he could use another year to get stronger and improve even more. With Afflalo gone, Shipp would probably be our best pure scorer. Can you imagine if Afflalo, Shipp, and Collison left?

That would make our starting five: Love, Mata, Luc, Westbrook, and Roll. hmmmmm. oy.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Draft Express

Any info. coming from that garbage site ... please treat it accordingly. I edited the title of your post.

There is nothing really new in this news. Not a surprise that DC or Shipp may do some info. gathering and find out how thay might fare in the deep 08 draft. After getting the info. I expect them to back.

So no need to push unnecessary panic buttons here on BN. Remember this is not a message board where PHS's of the world lose their lunches over every single detail.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Apr 2, 2007 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

whoops

didn't know it was a garbage sites. I knew it was one of two main nba draft sites.

by guttylittlebruins on Apr 2, 2007 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeap

I would take anything coming from those guys with a grain of salt. Like I said it won't be a surprise at all if DC test the NBA waters (just like AA did last year). Shipp would be silly if he does it. But he is a kid ... so he may. So I won't be totally surprised. So its not a leap for those guys to write that just to gin up a story.

Right now I feel pretty good about the core of the team coming back next season.

I am not paying much attention to what these BS sites are writing. I'd stick with BRO (Pierson and Hicks) and may be Burlison and Dohn in the traditional media to get a sense of what is going on.

by Nestor on Apr 2, 2007 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Draftexpress is a rumour mill...

By the way Nestor, I am still trying to figure what you BRO handle is =P. Your referance to PHS was is quite funny.

by justwatching on Apr 2, 2007 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be dissapointed if they leave

Especially Collison because he can potentially rise into the lottery by next year. Is it a weak draft for point guards? Yes. But that doesn't automatically mean that DC will be a top 20 or even first round pick.

I have to say I'll be a little dissapointed in Howland if these guys all start leaving. He needs to tell them that they should leave in the peak of their draft stock and not just when they feel like they can get drafted. Long term, we won't be very successful if guys keep bolting before they're truly ready. Ariza happened to be a 2nd round steal, but Howland couldn't convince him to stay for more than one measly year, which was a little shocking considering the guy couldn't even get a guaranteed contract at the time. Farmar, jury is still out on. He can look good on some days and bad on other days. Those guys didn't set a good precedent for the current guys and that worries me a bit.

by ucla21 on Apr 2, 2007 3:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whoa Nellie....

Collison & Shipp are going nowhere. They're just doing it to get feedback. Look, Shipp will be a 4th yr. JR next year. At the end of next year, he'll be the only one left from the Farmar/Afflalo/Mata class remaining. I'm sure he wants to see where he stands should the opportunity present itself for him to make the jump next year. Shipp is at best a 2nd rounder this year. Although Collison could be a 1st rounder, he knows that he can be one of the top PG's available in next years class. In addition, he knows that he needs to get much, much stronger (needs to gain some weight too). Love will allow them to show other aspects of their game and another extended run in the tourney will only enhance their stocks.

Don't read too much into all this. They'll be back. Remember that Ariza was a Lavin recruit. Neither of us knows in detail why Ariza left. Ariza & Farmar ultimately did what was best for them which nobody can fault. Also, being disappointed at Howland is absurd. Howland provides all the information needed for these kids to make whatever decision they wish/need to make. That is all he can and should do.

by BlueReign on Apr 2, 2007 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

silly

it's silly to think josh and darren will do anything beyond testing the water. Arron is 51/49 to me, with my impression that he will be back.

by ranelar on Apr 2, 2007 4:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

100% Agree

by rfirpo on Apr 2, 2007 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No biggie

I would be surprised if Shipp and Collison didn't test the waters. I'm sure it's a huge learning experience; working out for different teams. We can think of it as a step towards a great season next year.

by jatteratious on Apr 2, 2007 4:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i have a hard time

believing that we'll lose all 3.

if anyone leaves, the least surprising to me would be shipp. although we know he played on 2 bad ankles all season, that last game's effort against florida really helped propel jordan farmar into the first round. shipp REALLY showed a lot of game, even against brewer when afflalo went out of the game. although it might not be wise for shipp to jump, i wouldn't be surprised if he did...

also, it's not a surprise at all that DC would test the waters. it's hard to believe that he would be here past next season, and so why not test it this year, and then likely come back and jump next year after we bring home banner number 12? i don't think it's worth reading too much into him testing the waters.

if he DOES leave, RW has more than shown enough to step in and be our starting point guard next year...then the backup PG spot would be a big issue, but RW will undoubtedly be a fine player here...

and finally, my heart tells me Afflalo's coming back. Jordan didn't have a backup his freshman year and as long as Coach is here, we'll always find a way to adjust...

matsumoto class of '05

by matsumoto720 on Apr 2, 2007 4:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am huge on Westbrook

but I think he will have much more success next year at the 2. I envision a lot of time on the floor with DC and filling the wing on the KLove fastbreak. It will hurt him if he has to play the entire season as the primary ballhandler.

I'm so excited about him I almost hope AA does go this year. Of course I'll welcome AA back with open arms, and he does deserve to go out better than this, but I really want to see RW get a ton of minutes next season. I see Gilbert Arenas potential for the kid.

DC, JS, and RW on the recieving end of the outlet pass is going to put a lot of points on the board.

by TCbruin32 on Apr 3, 2007 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs