Finishing The Unfinished Business: Kris Joseph Will Return For Senior Year

by Sean Keeley on Mar 21, 2011 2:15 PM EDT

Here's the good news about Syracuse Basketball. The 2011-2012 team is going to be LOADED. Loaded with talent. Loaded with experience. Loaded with athletes. Loaded with youth. Loaded with depth.

A big part of that was sealed today when Kris Joseph officially made it clear to CNY Central he would not go pro after this season.

Small forward Kris Joseph, a starter on this year’s squad and a third team all-Big East selection, tells CNY Central’s Alex Dunbar and John Evenson that he will return for his senior year. He told CNY Central that he plans to come back for one more shot at a title, and be the leader of the team in 2011-12. Joseph has been mentioned as a possible candidate to leave school early and test the waters of the NBA Draft, but this announcement could put those rumors to rest.

I think we were all pretty sure Kris was returning but it's good to get it out of the way. Kris was almost a foregone conclusion to leave before this season but his erratic play and inability to really step up and lead this team made it clear he's still got work to do.

With Rick Jackson leaving, next year's team is Kris's. If he wants it. It remains to be seen if he can be the leader we expect him to be. Maybe he just needed one more year of seasoning. Whatever it is, it's nice to know he's coming back and brings a ton of experience and athleticism with him. Hopefully he leaves all those charges in this season...

Of course Kris' return also ensures that the roster will be swelled to the limit next year. There's a possibility someone else will have to go in order to make room. We'll see how things develop but for now, it's nice to know we can put that to bed (not that we were too worried...).

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I remember when Paul and Eric and Jonny and Wes said stuff like this too.

Apparently I learned nothing from them, though, because I believe Kris. He had a bit of an off-year. He just seemed… almost lazy out there at times. His draft stock isn’t anywhere near as high as it could be if he comes back next year with a renewed focus.

Go, fight, and win.

by Alex O on Mar 21, 2011 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

He could lose more stock next year

Just for being “too old.” And he’s no Wes Johnson where teams will just overlook that.

"Oh so if he's not Muslim he just gets a pass? That's called profiling mother and I don't do it!" - Sterling Mallory Archer

by Nick Petrilli on Mar 21, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I won't believe shit

Until that deadline passes.

"Oh so if he's not Muslim he just gets a pass? That's called profiling mother and I don't do it!" - Sterling Mallory Archer

by Nick Petrilli on Mar 21, 2011 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

I am pretty sure

that this announcement is not causing NBA draft boards to be turned upside down.

Of course, the NBA jumped the shark 15 years ago. Interestingly, right around the time that they started drafting based on “potential” rather than “performance.”

Dictated, but not read.

by ezcuse on Mar 21, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

He's still projected as a 1st round pick?

So why would the draft boards have to be turned upside down?

"Oh so if he's not Muslim he just gets a pass? That's called profiling mother and I don't do it!" - Sterling Mallory Archer

by Nick Petrilli on Mar 21, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually scratch that

He went from 20’s about 3 weeks ago to completely off the board (Returning) or 2nd round in the newest mocks. Shit, he probably should stay then.

"Oh so if he's not Muslim he just gets a pass? That's called profiling mother and I don't do it!" - Sterling Mallory Archer

by Nick Petrilli on Mar 21, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Meh

I shouldn’t be, but am meh about this announcement.

Am glad he’s back, but wouldn’t be terribly crushed if he left.

Same with Scoop.

Kinda looking forward to seeing Cooney/ MCW/ Christmas, with Riley/ Baye/ Melo all a year older and wiser.

by goober112 on Mar 21, 2011 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think I have been more indifferent to an announcement like this since Donte Green decided to leave.

"Have you ever played?" "Yes, I was a goalie"

by MikeyGreen on Mar 21, 2011 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

Dont-e Heave--- who?

by PickleTJohnstone on Mar 21, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe he'll make a DNich style improvement

Remember, Nichols went from okay to quietly scoring 20-25 points most games his senior year? That was nice.

Other people look, Andy Rautins can SEE.

by FatK44 on Mar 21, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, DNich became an absurd shooter. I guess if Kris improves his 3 as much as he did from last to this year then it is a possibility.

Better D would be nice too, something DNich didnt improve..

"Have you ever played?" "Yes, I was a goalie"

by MikeyGreen on Mar 21, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah DNic went from

13ppg his junior year to 18ppg his senior year.

That would be a marked improvement.

by Pinker on Mar 22, 2011 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

For those who are skeptical, remember that the NBA is headed for massive labor strife this summer; it’s likely going to be worse than what the NFL is going through. So I wouldn’t be surprised if underclassmen stay in school an extra year because of that.

(yes, I know that the NFL had its highest rate of early entrants ever in 2011. But this is different)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

by wildcatlh on Mar 21, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

KrisJo became an enigma.

Was he sloppy due to lack of focus? Did he pull a Lebron, meaning he was almost positive he was leaving and didn’t really care? Do we need him as a leader? Furthermore, CAN he lead?

He shined as a role player, and didn’t have much of a chance to be THE focus with Rick and Scoop. I hope he steps his game up if he will assume the leadership role.

Born in '87, Orange fan since '86

by StealthTurkey on Mar 21, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

I thought

Kris had one of his better games last night. He shot well, rebounded well and was actually aggressive going to the hole. There is something different about seniors vs juniors. The whole “this is my last shot” is a great motivator!

by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Mar 21, 2011 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

Good

Glad he will be returning (or at least says so at this point). For a team that lacks a scoring punch, it’ll be nice to have a guy back that will consistently get double figures and be a threat from the outside. Does his game need to improve? You bet. He needs to figure out how to avoid getting multiple charges a game and turn those into legit scoring opportunities. He absolutely has to work on a pull up jumper, floater and ability to adjust to the defender on the drive. There’s a lot to like about his game, with very correctable or at least improvable shortcomings.

In the two Tourney games and the UConn BET game, he averaged 9.3 rebounds per, most of it on the defensive glass. That’s the area of his game that can improve without a ton of work, and just a better and concentrated effort on getting it done. If he can be a 15-17 and 7-8 type player next year, while improving his penchant for mistakes and becoming more of a leader, he will have a very successful senior season.

Also, I don’t know how “LOADED” this team will be next year. We’re going to have the same scoring question marks, only they’ll be even more profound on the interior. We were supposedly loaded with talent this year, yet half our guys can barely dribble and very few have any legit offensive moves. We have a number of guys who were high or semi-high recruits that still need to develop into basketball players. I think we’re loaded with question marks and guys who need to develop their games. We’re loaded with bodies and potential lineups, as well. I want to be loaded with smarter, more complete basketball players, not loaded with potential!

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Mar 21, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

There was/is talent on this year's team

Unfortunately, a good bulk of it didn’t manifest itself in the right way. Melo was supposed to be freshman of the year and a one-and-done. Keita was supposed to be a project. They kind of both hit a balance between their respective projections. Waiters and Fair are legit players. They both played more minutes as freshmen than is normal for a team returning a fair amount of players.

I've been involved in a number of cults, both as a leader and a follower. You have more fun as a follower. But you make more money as a leader.

by Fly Rodder on Mar 21, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think

There’s a difference between athletic talent and potential, and actual skill. Our guys had plenty of the former this year, yet the latter was lacking. There is a lot to work with, but many of these guys have to take multiple steps forward this summer. All of our bigs, Southerland, Fair and you can throw Mookie in need to work extremely hard at ball handling and developing some kind of offensive moves. We can’t continue to put such limited offensive players out on the court. Southerland can catch and shoot, and that’s it. CJ has a nice in the paint game and can get to the basket once he gets it inside, but will need to work on shooting and more than just going left. Melo, Keita and I guess Riley can’t just be putback and layup bigs. Melo has a good looking jumpshot and has the potential to be an inside/outside type player, at least extended to the FT line. He needs to get stronger with the ball and really learn how to play the game. Keita has some skills worth developing too, but absolutely needs to get that wrist healthy. I don’t see Riley adding much, but he definitely needs to work on his quickness and ratchet up the intensity.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Mar 21, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

We have nothing by way of effective half court offense.

Transition or struggle heavily.

by goober112 on Mar 21, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I love KJo.

I know he didn’t live up to the expectations we set for him this year basketball-wise. But I love his personality and his sense of humor. I think he really brings a lot to the team off the court.

I also look forward to seeing how his game changes from this year to next. But I’ll think he’s great even if he never becomes the NBA lottery draft pick we all hoped he would be.

Go Tartans!

by voteprime on Mar 21, 2011 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

love Kjo

but he seems a lot like McNabb. His relaxed, goofball attitude is great for relaxing the team, but I can’t see him getting pissed off and leading when it’s needed. Very glad he’s coming back (supposedly) though.

by Jeepers44 on Mar 21, 2011 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

On a scale of 10, I'll take a couple points less on athleticism and baskbetll talent, for 2 more on basketball smarts

That half court T by KrisJo was symptomatic of the utter “stupid” that runs through our team.

by goober112 on Mar 21, 2011 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

And Boeheim made it quite clear when the whole world could see him mouth to KJo

“How could you be so stupid?”

Go Tartans!

by voteprime on Mar 21, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

He should have resorted to Latin

As in “Et tu, KrisJo?”

Dictated, but not read.

by ezcuse on Mar 21, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

2 FTs and the ball to Marq was a dagger

Sigh.

by goober112 on Mar 21, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Which Triche created...

Sorry, I like Triche…but i’m a Scoop guy. I know he is very difficult to defend but I see a lot of good things Scoops does too. Brandon makes similar mistakes (numerous charge calls, missed fast break lay ups, dribbles ball off foot and lazy passes) and its all Scoops fault somehow. I like Triche and KJ and i’m glad someone identifies that Scoop didnt single handidly lose the game last night

by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Mar 21, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

look for krisjo to pull the rug out on us cuse fans when the time comes to put your name in the draft...

kris most likely got a lot of not so nice comments on facebook/twitter etc…maybe it will be his way of saying F off by leaving after saying he was staying.

by PointBlankPeriodPeriod on Mar 21, 2011 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

Plenty of Room

They only used 12 of the maximum 13 scholarships this year, including giving one to Reese for the season. Jackson going to a pro career and Reese going back to “walk-on” role next year means three available scholarships for the incoming class.

by DSafetyGuy on Mar 21, 2011 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

I'm happy to hear this.

Its strange to see some neutral or even negative reactions to Kris returning for his Senior year….the guy was only our leading scorer and second leading rebounder this year…both categories that are very much needed with this group. Add the fact that Kris is not a “bad apple” chemistry wise and even very likable, and this is some good news, providing it is true.

Welcome back Kris. Finish the business. It takes a man to come back to finish what he started.

"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde

by StroudFanClub on Mar 21, 2011 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Really

He’s a good kid who has worked on improving his game; a positive representative of the school.

He’ll be better next year and more experienced. The more veterans this team has, the better. Last year’s team was filled with guys who’d been college players 3, 4, and even 5 years. They were pretty good.

If nobody leaves/transfers/gets injured, the future could be bright.

by Cardinal&Orange on Mar 21, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I will be

interested to see who declares, or transfers (Mookie anyone??) .. not enough time to go around for all these kids .. perhaps Scoop will decide to get a head start on his CBA career

by F*CK_DeshaunWilliams on Mar 22, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions