Sorry Wes, Comes With The Territory
by Sean Keeley on Mar 3, 2010 1:36 PM EST
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Wes Johnson is going pro. You know it. I know it. Despite his comments about not thinking about it, he knows it. When he finally does make that announcement a few days or weeks after the season is over, it won't be any kind of shocking revelation. But of course, we can all dream. And until he actually says he's leaving, he's going to get asked about it.
Sorry Wes, that's the rules. And now that Wes has played what we all assume to be his final game in the Dome, the questions are coming full-force. So, Wes, are you leaving?
"Nah," Johnson said when asked.
A minute-long moment of awkward stalling ensued. Members of the media badgered the star forward. One reporter suggested that this was the same answer they'd heard from Carmelo Anthony and Jonny Flynn in year's past.
Johnson just sat with his back to his locker and laughed.
"It's not," he reassured a few minutes later. "It's a wonderful feeling playing for this crowd. I saw the 34,000 come out for (Villanova), and with all the fans giving me that support, who wants to leave?"
Very kind, Wesley. You're a nice guy. I get why you have to say that, lest one of the reporters takes one of your quotes and makes a story out of it.
While Wes continues to be a mainstay on NBA mock draft boards, the rationalization has begun by some. I mean, Wes isn't putting up the numbers he was in December, right? His hand injury set him back...maybe he does need another year of fine-tuning...
Johnson, 22, is projected to be a top-10 NBA pick in several mock drafts (DraftExpress has him going 8th overall to the Pistons and NBADraft.net lists him as the No. 3 pick), even though he has struggled since injuring his right hand during the game against UConn on February 10.
Earlier this season, former Orange star Derrick Coleman pointed out a potential weakness in Johnson's game. "Love him. He’s explosive, or he can be. He’s got a great upside to him. One thing, though. I would like to see Wes take that ball out there on the perimeter and drive it to the basket," "Coleman said.
It sounds like a decent theory to get behind until you realize too many players have already bolted for the NBA with far-worse deficiencies in their arsenal. Enjoy the good times ahead over the next month (and then-some). The less expectations you put on Wes beyond that, the more you'll appreciate his time here.
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Yea, he isn't staying.
It’s plain and simple. If he is projected Top 10 I don’t think Boeheim will even let him stay. I won’t allow anyone to give me a reason to believe he won’t go to the Draft. I’m gonna enjoy his presence on the team while I can and if he does actually come back, icing on the cake.
Correct
Why wouldn’t we want another high draft pick out of ‘cuse? makes us all feel better. I’d hate to see him stay and get hurt, or have his draft stock plummet for some reason. Go forth, young Wes, and do well.
And if he stays, icing on the cake doesn’t begin to describe it.
New Shirts
are out now that say on the back Real Men Stay 2 Years and on the front i think it had the #4 but i can’t recall. Some guy had them at the game last night he said he got from some shop. I couldn’t get a picture but I’d love to see it if someone can find it.
Great
Let’s bully Wes into staying. That always works.
Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician - The Syracuse blog that cares.
Nah, that usually ends up with both sides feeling angry and bitter, and the player having to lock his Facebook page.
Wait, you were being sarcastic….
Maybe he'd stay if he were 19 or 20
but he’s already 22 going on 23. Probably best for him move on with no hard feelings and all the mem’ries in owr harts.
On top of it, doesn't he get a degree this year?
He did 2 years at Iowa St, plus this is his second year at SU — if he’s got a college degree, and he’s a projected top 10 pick, why would he stay for grad school?
I mean, there’s no guarantee he’s done with school, but he seems like a smart guy and with not playing most of his sophomore year due to injury and all of last year because he transferred, I would certainly think the school thing is wrapped up.
My usual complaint when they leave early is that they don’t stay and get degrees. The NBA doesn’t last forever!
He's gone. I say good for him!
He is projected in the top 10, easily. He has made a huge contribution to the team this year and even last – I’m sure his presence in practice drove that team to be better. Wes seems like a great, humble guy with his head firmly attached to his shoulders.
You see players coming back for one more year and getting hurt and can’t help but think they made the wrong decision. Especially with his fall and his hand injuries this year, he has to go – one serious injury can cost a young man and his family millions of dollars. No Cuse fan will truly bemoan his impending decision to go pro – especially if Cuse goes all the way, but also even if they don’t. He’ll be loved in Syracuse forever, I’m sure. People gave Melo a hard time when he left, but no one expected him to actually stay and no one held a grudge when he didn’t.
It's possible that we should just get used to this feeling.
Because we seem to be reeling in the recruits. Maybe some of them will stay more than a year, but I imagine we’ll be seeing more and more guys going pro before they graduate. If they do something with their abundance of talent in Syracuse before they leave, then I’d say this is a good thing.
And I’d say Wes being here has been a very good thing, regardless of what happens the rest of the season, and what happens next year. I just kinda wish we’d had him for longer, because he seems like a very fun guy.
Sad to see him go.
But I sure as hell will enjoy our last month with him in the Orange.
That smile from Wes is always so refreshing…
Go Orange(men)!
Unlike a certain one-and-done guy from a couple of years ago
Wes has never looked like his number one concern was getting his 17 and 7 every night.
He’s always put the team first, has always carried himself with dignity and humility, and will never be accused of doggin’ it on the court.
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