James Blackmon Declares

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,725]

Bleacher Report strikes again.

Lol.

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,725]

Scorned girlfriend. .

You guys are the best.

Anyone that can honestly say JBs career has been about winning basketball versus getting to the NBA hasn't watched the same 2.5 years of basketball I've watched.

Anyway, I hope more than anything he does make the NBA when the time is right. I don't blame him for "testing the waters". It just falls in line with everything I've seen so far.

He is super talented and I think he can do big things if the focus is right. That's all.

[bhaggard89 869]

Anyone knocking on his decision should be ashamed. I hope you never do anything to try to advance in your career or put yourself in a situation to better your chances to do so. This provides some valuable input from nba scouts and execs at the nba combine. Always have to try to get better.

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[Yogi's Picnic Basket 5,004]

I only disagree with this decision, because he just came off a serious injury. I'd be all for this if it made sense for him, but its probably not in his best interest to be competing in as intense workouts that will be coming. Hopefully he stays healthy through this. If I was him I would've used this time to get back to full strength. Good luck JBJ

[Trish 11,408]

I'll take OG over Blackmon , Williams, Byrant , and Yogi in a NBA Draft. OG is the baby version of Kawai Leonard.

[hoosierpap 14,300]

1 hour ago, Yogi's Picnic Basket said:

I only disagree with this decision, because he just came off a serious injury. I'd be all for this if it made sense for him, but its probably not in his best interest to be competing in as intense workouts that will be coming. Hopefully he stays healthy through this. If I was him I would've used this time to get back to full strength. Good luck JBJ

Wait, what workouts has this decision subjected him to?

[Class of '66 Old Fart 80,936]

Interesting tweet.

Steve Risley ‏@srisley34 8h8 hours ago Fishers, IN

Interesting about Blackmon and NBA. Great talent for IU but great chemistry? If he stays which championship is he playing for? NBA or NCAA

[djsalway 4,161]

I was actually surprised it took him this long to declare. Figured everyone who was at least somewhat a next level prospect, including TB, would at least test the waters. But oh well, at least he has finally declared and can get some good feedback to see where he needs to work on his game.

[Gahoosierfan 263]

I think in the future we will see a lot of these types of players enter the draft. The lure of big money is going to be a strong incentive. They see themselves driving around in an expensive new car and living a jet set lifestyle and its irresistible.

[Rookie33 932]

I think he has delusions of grandeur, but that's just me.  He's coming off another knee injury and was nationally critiqued as being one of the worst defenders in the country.  If that's the sort of feedback he's looking for, then i guess it'll be a productive endeavor for him.

[GnarlyTimGarl 1,414]

1 hour ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Interesting tweet.

Steve Risley ‏@srisley34 8h8 hours ago Fishers, IN

Interesting about Blackmon and NBA. Great talent for IU but great chemistry? If he stays which championship is he playing for? NBA or NCAA

I have similar thoughts. But then again, I felt the same about Yogi at this time last year and he surprised me by leading the team to a conference championship.

[Stuhoo 75,559]

10 hours ago, Never Daunted said:

Bleacher Report strikes again.

 

You guys are way too simple-minded!

Bleacher Report has obviously used this picture to illustrate the complexities of the situation:

• Robert Johnson is "pushing off" James Blackmon "to the right" decision. RoJo is "looking down" at the prospect that James might leave.
• RoJo's right foot is in the air as a tribute to James' recovering right knee. It is also a tribute to James' favorite defensive stance!!
• The "RWJ" pink and white sign is clearly an acronym for "Real World  decision for James".
• The dude in the front row of the crowd with the lavender shirt, silver tie, and black shoes? That would be one Phil Jackson III, who is clearly contrasting James to Carmelo, RoJo, LeBron, and Middle School Bob.

I know, I know; y'all feel a bit silly now. Apologies accepted - just pay more attention next time please.

 

[Tom White 1,435]

Interesting tweet.

Steve Risley ‏@srisley34 8h8 hours ago Fishers, IN

Interesting about Blackmon and NBA. Great talent for IU but great chemistry? If he stays which championship is he playing for? NBA or NCAA

Yep.

Always looked at him as an I-ME-MINE kind of player.

I still don't think it was any accident that the team got better with him out.

[chitown hoosier 743]

I personally think it's a smart move.  Any kid with NBA aspirations should declare with the new rules just to get feedback.  It will help them in the long run on what they need to improve to achieve their dreams.  JBJ isn't dumb.  He knows that there's no chance of him getting drafted this year after his injury but maybe it'll light a fire in him to realize just how much he has to improve defensively this next season to achieve his goal.  

[Hardwood83 4,495]

I'm not shocked or upset he's pursuing this.....just not sure what happened over 13 games and an injury that will change from last year?

NBA: "stop hurting your knees and play better defense....oh, and growing 3 more inches and better ball-handling wouldn't hurt either"

[Alford Bailey 12,244]

I would love to hear what the NBA tells him. May be an eye opener for James.

[Yogi's Picnic Basket 5,004]

13 hours ago, hoosierpap said:

Wait, what workouts has this decision subjected him to?

Lol so you think he's not gonna workout for any team? Why even do it if you don't plan on at least offering teams what you look like now after another severe injury. If his interest is real, which declaring makes that very obvious, he will be involved in some kind of workouts or every team he talks to is gonna say show us your healthy first if your even considering someone using a draft pick on you this year. Direct feedback is key, but their going off pretty much the same things he was told last year with only having played an extra half season. I didn't think a workout schedule for him was needed to state the obvious. If he doesn't workout, great that means he will be back for sure. 

[hoosierpap 14,300]

2 hours ago, Yogi's Picnic Basket said:

Lol so you think he's not gonna workout for any team? Why even do it if you don't plan on at least offering teams what you look like now after another severe injury. If his interest is real, which declaring makes that very obvious, he will be involved in some kind of workouts or every team he talks to is gonna say show us your healthy first if your even considering someone using a draft pick on you this year. Direct feedback is key, but their going off pretty much the same things he was told last year with only having played an extra half season. I didn't think a workout schedule for him was needed to state the obvious. If he doesn't workout, great that means he will be back for sure. 

The NBA team has to invite you for the workout...

[MadAboutIndiana 402]

The NBA team has to invite you for the workout...

Isn't this mainly about opening the line of communication to James instead of via just Crean?

[Yogi's Picnic Basket 5,004]

7 hours ago, hoosierpap said:

The NBA team has to invite you for the workout...

Well if he goes through this process and doesn't do a single workout outside of IU, then I will agree with you. 99.9% sure if he wants any chance for solid feedback he will work out for scouts he wouldn't if he didn't declare or a team he wouldn't if he wouldn't have declared. Like I said if he just declares and sits at home waiting for people to call him lol I don't get why he would've done it in the first place, so if you do end up being right it shows how bad of a decision this was. He will be back, so there really isnt a need to waste the thumb muscles to argue this. My points are common sense for any prospect that is declaring and actually serious, which I'm sure JBJ is.