Luc's Calculations

by Nestor on Apr 19, 2008 9:34 AM PDT in Basketball

While some UCLA fans are intent on over-reacting to this past week's news (relying on "Star Trek" based "teaching"), let's look at the reasons behind Luc's decision to put his name in the draft.

From Brian Dohn on why LRMAM's move makes sense for him (emphasis added):

[T]he calculated move has merit, since Mbah a Moute is not hiring an agent, will remain in school and keep his eligibility, and a new rule allows for NBA teams to pay for travel to team workouts.

Mbah a Moute said anything short of learning he will be a first-rounder in the June26 draft will likely facilitate his removal from the draft and a return for his senior season at UCLA. He is currently projected as a second-round selection.

"If I get good feedback from teams, I'll probably go ahead and keep my name in the draft," Mbah a Moute said. "I'm trying to work myself into the first round and try to get a guaranteed contract. If that doesn't work, then I'll probably weigh my options as to whether to come back to school or not."

LRMAM is doing exactly what AA did after his sophomore season. He is just doing it a year later. He basically has one shot to test the NBA draft waters and he is taking it. If he doesn't do it now he is somewhat wasting this opportunity, just like Roy Williams did when he was clinging to his TOs when his team was getting blitzed by Kansas.

If LRMAM did this at the end of last season, I would have some sympathy for fans being upset at the decision. But to be upset with LRMAM for doing this at the end of his junior year is just selfish and nothing else. LRMAM has every right to do this. This is his last chance before he finishes college.

Here was Coach Howland on LRMAM's decision in the LA Times:

When asked whether he advised Mbah a Moute to enter his name into the draft, Howland said, "I supported him because I knew this is what he wants to do. I didn't say, 'Luc, go put your name in the draft.' "

More from Coach Howland on what LRMAM needs to do get himself in the NBA:

"He doesn't have to be a 3-point shooter at the NBA level. Just be a consistent 18-foot jump shooter," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "He really has to work on getting his rotation. Sometimes his rotation gets a little off, and that's a consistency (thing) ... as he gets his rotation to be consistently perfect, I think his shot will improve." [...]

Mbah a Moute is a stellar, versatile defender who can guard a number of positions, which could elevate his value.

"He's the only player I had who can guard the point guard at the college level, or a (center)," Howland said. "He can guard the Lopezes (7-footers Brook and Robin from Stanford), or he can guard a point guard on a switch. He's unbelievably versatile in that area. He's already there, and I think when he really puts his mind to it, he's an NBA rebounder.

"So it just comes down to him being consistent on his jump shooting, and he's going to be in the NBA."

If he blows up in these workouts and gets himself into the first round, then great for him, and I wouldn't blame him for not coming back. But if things don't work out for him at these tryouts, it will be awesome for our team to have him back.

Either way this is a calculated win-win move for LRMAM, and no one here should be bitter over it.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

He gave his all in every game for three years.

I'll be really sad if he goes. But if he can be a first-round pick, I'll be happy for him.

by Chandler on Apr 19, 2008 10:49 AM PDT 0 recs

Best of luck, Luc

When he's healthy, Luc's been my favorite Bruin to watch, because he does all of the dirty (I mean that in a good way) work that makes the difference between winning and losing- whether it's diving for loose balls, helping out his teammates defensively, or worming his way in for offensive rebounds.

If scouts study tape they'll see that, but I don't know how much of that will shine through in an individual workout.

In either event, thanks for all of the hard work, Luc.

by insomniacslounge on Apr 19, 2008 11:35 AM PDT 0 recs

He's just exercising a free option

as any NBA-minded junior who hasn't yet declared for the draft should do (without hiring an agent, of course). He gets a free look and feedback from NBA scouts and teams. I expect Josh Shipp and DC to do the same this year, and Keefe to do the same next year.

I don't buy the naysayers argument about not wanting to show NBA scouts and teams your weaknesses a year early by exercising this free option.

First, by exercising this free option, you will get great feedback on what you need to work on. Why on earth would anyone want to be surprised a year from now about their weaknesses when it is then too late to work on them?

Second, there is not need worry about getting a "reputation" by NBA scouts and teams about your weaknesses in tryouts. Why? Because next year, when you are committed to going to the NBA, you will still tryout for them, and you won't be able to hide your weaknesses then. What are you going to tell them? "Gee, Mr. GM, I didn't realize that was a weakness of mine, but I can definitely fix it." They aren't going to buy that crap.
Either the player fixes those weaknesses, or he doesn't. IMO, it's better to let the NBA guys see how much you've improved your weaknesses over the year. If you haven't imporved on those areas, then you probably aren't NBA material, anyways.

by bornagainbruin on Apr 19, 2008 11:59 AM PDT 0 recs

Luc putting his name is isn't a problem.

He's coming back. I personally don't think Luc is a first rounder (and I don't think it is even close). That is without any disrespect to him, cause he's a fine college player. But I just don't see it.

His shot needs to get A LOT better, not just a little. It's unfortunate that the last two years we read all the stories about how his shot improved, but then it really didn't pan out. Injuries have hurt him for sure. And he hasn't showed outstanding athleticism recently. Luc is a smart player and a hard worker, however, so he could make it in the NBA someday.

Anyway, I'm fine with Luc putting his name in. He doesn't have much to lose in doing it.

By the way, I don't think it is a problem if people are upset that Luc or anybody else is putting his name in the draft. Even if someone wants to call it selfish, I still couldn't care. Fans want good players, and a good team. Plus, sometimes players do leave and it turns out to be a bad decision (J. Rush), so hoping a player comes back could actually be good for the player. Afflalo could have come back, won a title, and been a top 10 pick for all we know. Anyway, it's not always selfish to want a player to come back. And even if it were, that's fine with me, you wouldn't be a fan if you treated all this with the stoic and divorced mind of an agent.

by rfirpo on Apr 19, 2008 6:27 PM PDT 0 recs

LUC IS A WARRIOR

and I love him come or go. He's put in MAD work for the blue and gold and short of coming back to develop that mid-range, bang with Jrue and Drew and up his stock for next year, I'd love nothing more than to see him do the damn thang in the NBA.

GO BRUIN BLUE.

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Apr 19, 2008 6:38 PM PDT 0 recs

Luc's Best chance

If Collison, Westbrook and Love all go, we probably will not be a final four team, and Luc will lose all that exposure. This is probably his best chance to go high. He's such a great team player, that I can't help but wish him the best. Go Bruins.

by 75NatChamps on Apr 19, 2008 8:33 PM PDT 0 recs

Disagree

When you're on a high profile program, you get plenty of exposure. That is a non-issue IMO.

by Tydides on Apr 19, 2008 9:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yeap

If he comes back and becomes the "Captain" of a UCLA team that leads few youngsters to a 4th consec. Pac-10 title, it will only give him even more exposure.

by Nestor on Apr 20, 2008 8:17 AM PDT up 0 recs

Best of Luck, Luc

You've been an absolute joy to watch. For my own selfish reasons, I will be sad if you don't come back for one more year, but I will always be proud of you and grateful for all you've done.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 20, 2008 7:17 AM PDT 0 recs

Cameroonians

Sat with a dozen or so Cameroonians at church today, and they were all shorter than I am. Until today, I assumed everyone from Cameroon was 6-8 or so. Go figure.

by Fox 71 on Apr 20, 2008 8:28 PM PDT 0 recs

Smart decision

I don't understand why anyone would fault Luc for testing the waters. He'll get to go through the process, get some honest feedback about what he needs to work on next year and get some free trips to workouts around the country. Great for him. I can't imagine he would go in the first round this year, but if he can, by all means he should take the opportunity. I agree with the earlier poster that Shipp and DC probably will (and should) test the waters as well. And hopefully for us fans, they all decide to come back for one more run. Only time will tell.

by TempletonPeck on Apr 22, 2008 1:25 AM PDT 0 recs