Gallon says he's not sure if he's coming back

[Seymore Cox]

If he continues to play like he did against Baylor then he is more than likely gone. Like a previous poster said, all it takes is one team saying they will draft him (ex. Jameson Curry). He should come back, but some kids think they would rather get paid to develop their game.

Maybe he can bounce around between the D-league and 10 day contracts and pee in parks like Jameson did.

 

[DFWHoopster]

there were 3 NBA scouts watching the Baylor vs OU game. They came to see Udoh but I'm sure they left impressed with Gallon. I know it is only one game, but he showed great pro potential in that game.

I said it preseason, but he projects in a similar way to Zach Randolph. A lot of people thought Zach was crazy for leaving Michigan State early. But he has had a pretty good NBA career.

 

[p230]

I would think Thabeets recent demotion to the D-league might figure into teams looking at taking on a "project". I don't keep track of the NBA but have many of the foreign players announced if they are entering the draft? This could also make a big difference. As a GM I sure would be careful right now...but I guess that is why I am not a GM in the NBA.

 

[sys]

he projects in a similar way to Zach Randolph. A lot of people thought Zach was crazy for leaving Michigan State early. But he has had a pretty good NBA career.

college bball fans tend to think that everyone not a top 5 lock is crazy for declaring.

a lot of players have long, very lucrative careers, in and out of the nba, without ever being a star. or anything close to one.

 

[Krugerfan52]

I think he'll join Keith Clark in the NBDL.

 

[NMSooner'80]

I guess if he doesn't want to be in college, he should just go ahead and declare.

But, I pity the fools in the NBA who'd draft a guy whose freshman year stats were about on par with what Al Beal did 33 years ago. And at least Beal was a "team guy."

 

[p230]

Just out of curiosity how do you guys think it will change possible recruits minds about coming to OU? Could be postive or negative depending on the recruit.

 

[Shooterms]

college bball fans tend to think that everyone not a top 5 lock is crazy for declaring.

a lot of players have long, very lucrative careers, in and out of the nba, without ever being a star. or anything close to one.

True, but if you look at the improvement Tiny has made in the last couple of games and even remotely project that through another year, he could dramatically change his draft potential for the better.

 

[seniorsooner]

Every time I think this season couldn't possibly get any worse it does.

 

[Salt City Sooner]

Korleone Young II.

 

[Sooner23]

True, but if you look at the improvement Tiny has made in the last couple of games and even remotely project that through another year, he could dramatically change his draft potential for the better.

Yeah, just think about Tiny with another year of offseason conditioning to get stronger/quicker, to go along with a year of experience this year under his belt. He could be a beast next year. I could see him averaging 18-20 a game and somewhere around 10-12 boards and moving his stock well into the first round. Maybe a late lottery pick type.

 

[AdaSooner]

Yeah, just think about Tiny with another year of offseason conditioning to get stronger/quicker, to go along with a year of experience this year under his belt. He could be a beast next year. I could see him averaging 18-20 a game and somewhere around 10-12 boards and moving his stock well into the first round. Maybe a late lottery pick type.

No doubt about it! There is a huge difference between entering the draft based on projections and proving you're worthy of a first round pick. Tiny has NBA size and potential. But he is far from ready to play at that level right now.

Another season at OU would boost his stock tremendously, and add a few extra million to his bank account. I hope he realizes that and decides to return next year. A few weeks ago I would have said he was gone, too. But he appears to be happier now and more excited about playing at a high level. Sure hope I'm reading him right.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Yeah, just think about Tiny with another year of offseason conditioning to get stronger/quicker, to go along with a year of experience this year under his belt. He could be a beast next year. I could see him averaging 18-20 a game and somewhere around 10-12 boards and moving his stock well into the first round. Maybe a late lottery pick type.

Or, you could look at it another way, another year of complacency and a "I think I'm better than I really am" attitude and he's far from a beast because he's shooting (and missing) 3's and fouling a lot. Not to mention pouting, missing meetings and practices...

This is just as likely as the scenario you painted. Just sayin.

 

[Soonerri]

No doubt about it! There is a huge difference between entering the draft based on projections and proving you're worthy of a first round pick. Tiny has NBA size and potential. But he is far from ready to play at that level right now.

Another season at OU would boost his stock tremendously, and add a few extra million to his bank account. I hope he realizes that and decides to return next year. A few weeks ago I would have said he was gone, too. But he appears to be happier now and more excited about playing at a high level. Sure hope I'm reading him right.

Which causes me to wonder who is the person Tiny has in his life who has some influence over him. A mom or dad or who? These people need to not be the yes men and fuel his NBA hopes. Someone needs to get thru to this kid what another year of college will do for him. But we are dealing with the entitlement generation. these kids think different than kids used to. They see all these headlines and hear all these things and begin to believe them. Its a shame because he is still really JUST A KID even though he is a giant. I hope whoever tiny has that has some influence on him leads him in the right direction because the talent and potential are obvious.

 

[Sooner23]

Or, you could look at it another way, another year of complacency and a "I think I'm better than I really am" attitude and he's far from a beast because he's shooting (and missing) 3's and fouling a lot. Not to mention pouting, missing meetings and practices...

This is just as likely as the scenario you painted. Just sayin.

No doubt that could happen. On the flip side, this is the kid who lost like 30 pounds since he got to OU so it's not like he's completely void of discipline or motivation toward a goal.

I think if the NBA scouts tell him he's not a first round pick, that he will dedicate himself again in the offseason and come back a better player next year.

Tiny has had his lapses, no doubt, but when he is on the floor I think he gives it everything he has (save the Gonzaga meltdown) for the most part. And I think lately we've seen him cut back on his fouling so he's learning.

Just my two cents, but I see your side too.

 

[IBleedCrimson&Cream]

All he has to do is look at Blake Griffin. After his frosh year, Blake might have been ready for the NBA. He decided to come back and improve his game and after his soph year, you knew he was ready. Tiny isn't ready, he hasn't shown himself to be ready. If Tiny thinks he's ready, then he's an idiot and has an enormous ego, to put it bluntly. He needs to come back, work extremely hard during the off-season, and prove that he is ready. Losing the attitude would really benefit him, too.

 

[Big Old Booger]

No doubt that could happen. On the flip side, this is the kid who lost like 30 pounds since he got to OU so it's not like he's completely void of discipline or motivation toward a goal.

I think if the NBA scouts tell him he's not a first round pick, that he will dedicate himself again in the offseason and come back a better player next year.

Tiny has had his lapses, no doubt, but when he is on the floor I think he gives it everything he has (save the Gonzaga meltdown) for the most part. And I think lately we've seen him cut back on his fouling so he's learning.

Just my two cents, but I see your side too.

I agree. It could go either way. From my view, I've seen nothing that leads me to believe he will return with a good attitude. From what I can see, he doesn't like discipline and he doesn't like being on a team with other good players.

I hope I'm wrong, believe me, I really do.

 

[AdaSooner]

Which causes me to wonder who is the person Tiny has in his life who has some influence over him. A mom or dad or who? These people need to not be the yes men and fuel his NBA hopes. Someone needs to get thru to this kid what another year of college will do for him. But we are dealing with the entitlement generation. these kids think different than kids used to. They see all these headlines and hear all these things and begin to believe them. Its a shame because he is still really JUST A KID even though he is a giant. I hope whoever tiny has that has some influence on him leads him in the right direction because the talent and potential are obvious.

I think it's possible Tiny may not have anyone outside of his coaches and teammates. Some of us are quick to criticize a kid like him. But we have no idea what his life was like growing up, or if he had the right kind of guidance that would prepare him to make important decisions like staying in school. Far too often, kids like Tiny take the advice of a fast-talkin' agent who fills their heads full of false promises and dreams.

If I'm right about the influences in Tiny's life, I hope Coach Capel, his staff and his teammates can convince him to do what's best for him and his future. IMO, he should take Ryan Wright's advice from the Tulsa World article pinned at the top:

""I would tell him that he still has a lot to learn. He has to keep being eager to work and develop," Wright said. "He has so much physical and natural ability, with his size and his quickness. I tell him all the time, 'You have to be willing to learn and willing to take coaching and willing to work on your game, and work hard."

 

[NickZepp]

I think we are better off without him and Warren because they don't play with the team. Neither one wants to be here so why keep them here?

 

[NickZepp]

All he has to do is look at Blake Griffin. After his frosh year, Blake might have been ready for the NBA. He decided to come back and improve his game and after his soph year, you knew he was ready. Tiny isn't ready, he hasn't shown himself to be ready. If Tiny thinks he's ready, then he's an idiot and has an enormous ego, to put it bluntly. He needs to come back, work extremely hard during the off-season, and prove that he is ready. Losing the attitude would really benefit him, too.

Blake showed improvement as the year went on. And he showed that he wanted to get better all year. He knew he wasn't ready to be an NBA player his first year. Gallon is a complete 180. He thinks he was ready for the NBA before he got here. He didn't think he had to improve.