What now? JaJuan Johnson declares for the NBA draft
by BoilerTMill on Apr 12, 2010 2:31 PM EDT
in Men's Basketball
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PrintOur worst fears have been confirmed. JaJuan Johnson is going to declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft. He has yet to hire an agent, so he has until May 8th to decide if he is going to stay or not, but now the tension waits. As I wrote last week, we're a good team without him, but with him we will be one of the favorites to win the National Championship. I feared this when he was non-committal after the loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament. Now we are forced to wait and see what happens.
I don't know how to feel about this. I am never one to stop a guy from pursuing his dreams. If JJ stays in the draft and becomes a first round pick he gets a guaranteed contract. That is one of the main reasons that so many guys have declared early. They want those guaranteed contracts before the NBA gets a new CBA before the 2011-12 season. A guaranteed contract gives JJ financial security even if he flames out after a few years.
Honestly, I think Robbie's injury may have had something to do with it as well. How do we know that JJ didn't see that injury and think to himself, "what if that happens to me next year." If it happens in the NBA he gets his money and a chance to rehab before returning. If it happens at Purdue, he might be forgotten by the time the draft comes around. I wonder if that was part of the reason Devin Ebanks made the same decision at West Virginia.
To editorialize, I think this freaking sucks. We get teased with something like a way too early preseason #1 ranking only to lose one of the biggest keys to that ranking. With JJ back next year, everything was setting up perfectly. This is like losing a great Christmas gift that you have been waiting for. I just wanted wanted one damn National Championship to point at Bloomington so we could tell them to go screw themselves and leave us alone. That's all. With JJ in the mix next year, that banner felt closer than ever. Now, even though we are far more relevant to the world of college basketball than the Hoosiers, our chances of getting that banner are diminished. This is why I don't bark a lot about the Indiana-Purdue rivalry. Historically, they have gotten it done when it matters and we haven't.
All is not lost, however. JJ has not hired an agent and, unlike Ebanks, did not specifically mention that he was going to hire an agent. This means he can still change his mind and come back. Over the next few days we'll start to see JJ's chances as the various draft boards are updated to show his entry status. I think as long as he stays in the second round, we're okay. In the meantime, all we can do is wait. It's not like we weren't waiting for the season to start anyway. This just adds to that wait even more.
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DONT PANIC
Relax, relax. This has been expected all along…
"that banner felt closer than ever."
The season hadn’t even started. In fact, it was 7 months away.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
I know
It just felt so certain. The lineup was perfect.W e could go 10 deep and every position on the floor was covered. We could go Big or small, fast or slow. I was salivating at the possibility of Carroll/Marcius at the 5, JJ at the four, and having Robbie destroying teams at the 3 with E’Twaun at the 2 and LewJack running point.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
Just ask Kansas and Kentucky this year.
Also you’d be making a mistake if you believe that Robbie, E’Twaun and JJ etal. are more hungry than the boys up in East Lansing. With a full Purdue squad we have a really good shot at our first all Big Ten Final since 1976.
I wanted to see this group make the Final Four
because guys like Robbie and E’Twaun deserve it. They’ve put in a lot of hard work and deserve to see it pay off with a trip to Houston. This decision by JJ confirms my view that he is selfish and lazy.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
I wouldn't be that harsh
JJ could get guaranteed money this year and faces the potential of that not being available next year. I can’t imagine being faced with that decision. He did it the right way though and isn’t hiring an agent and will hopefully do the research he needs to do. I still wouldn’t be surprised at all if he ended up coming back.
by ElijahJones22 on Apr 12, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Give me a break
Calling JJ “selfish and lazy” is absolute garbage. He has done nothing but represent Purdue well over the last 3 years. He plays hard and keeps his nose clean. I’m incredibly disappointed to see supposed Purdue fans take cheap shots at him for making a SMART decision. If he gets feedback that he’d be a 1st round pick, he should go after seeing what happened to Hummel and Kalin Lucas this year. Obviously, he is probably not going to get that feedback, and if that is the case, he will have a decision to make. I’d hope he would come back to Purdue, but it would be his decision.
by Bulldogsmoltz31 on Apr 13, 2010 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions
...
Is beating his man down the floor every time lazy? Is sprinting back for the oppurtunity to stuff a guy lazy? Is sprinting up for the oppurtunity to slam one home lazy? You seem to base your opinions on rebounding which is a weakness of his, but I wouldn’t attribute it to laziness, just body type. Some of it also might be attributed to the fact we needed him in there this year so he couldn’t risk getting in foul trouble. If he did then we’d get to see the player that plays too hard and gets nothing to show for it (Bade the Hackmaster).
Settling for long range jumpers is lazy....
Getting torched by Nankivil over and over on screen and rolls is lazy, 2 rebounds against NU is lazy, etc…..
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
Not allowed bad games?
Painter draws up plays to get that long range jumper, and he is pretty efficient with it a lot of the time. Nankivil only hits 3s against Purdue. I’m sure JJ was told to be more concerned with the bigger threat coming off the screen. Kramer got torched in a few games this year as well. Is he a lazy person or did he have a lazy game? Maybe you’ve said stuff like this all year, but to me you sound like a bitter person in the midst of a messy breakup.
Kramer doesn’t turn it off and on like JJ does. JJ has the physical tools to dominate (unlike Kramer) but can disappear for extended periods of time. Getting 2 rebounds against NU when you are 6’10’’ is lazy. Settling for 20 ft jumpshots when you are 6’10’’ with no one left to rebound the miss is lazy. Your personal judgement is off the mark as well.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
Big men disappear sometimes. It’s the nature of the game. Just like wide receivers in football can disappear. They are fed. Also you keep bringing up NU. He played 18 minutes and fouled out. Maybe that accounts for not pulling down more rebounds. Also you seem to be bashing JJ for the game plan. Painter doesn’t get on JJ for taking jump shots, he seems to encourage it by making the motion offense include him coming around the free throw line to catch the ball. Finally, JJ was the fifth leading blocker in the nation. That doesn’t point to laziness, that points to a player who will get less rebounds because they are focused on help defense.
I have to agree with these guys
You’re out on line on this one. Even if we don’t think it’s the right decision for the kid, this development doesn’t give us an open season on his character traits. You can’t fault someone for giving due process to all of his options. He is a fellow Boilermaker and that should count for something. In addition you have to get off T-Mill’s back for being hopeful about next season. I know optimism doesn’t always get along well with Purdue sports, where “there’s always next year” is a year away it seems, but if we want to get our hopes 7 months in advance then who are you to tell us we can’t?
It's a trick, get an ax
Today feels like the day we heard about Robbie being out for the year.
Midday. Massive amounts of Twitter/facebook updates. Feeling of depression.
smart move
If I understand the draft rules correctly, this makes a lot of sense. Assuming he can rescind the decision, why wouldn’t he declare? This way, the pundits will all include him in their mock drafts and he’ll get a much clearer picture of his options. If he doesn’t like the projected positioning and thinks It makes sense to wait a year, he’ll come back. Hopefully.
by knowlesm on Apr 12, 2010 3:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Good point
See Ball, Get Ball. Quarterback Has Ball, Sack Him.
I'll either be a Dead Body or a Winner at the end of the day.
by 7_Painter's_First_Fan on Apr 12, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
This can be a good thing
This give him an opportunity to be evaluated and if the scouts do not think hes first round material yet, they point out what he needs to work on to be successful. That could provide JJ the motivation to hit the weights hard, work on his ball handling, pass better out of the double team, etc., etc. This isnt all bad yet.
Agreed
I am guessing he mostly wants to see where he is positioned in the Draft and get feedback from teams on what he needs to work on.
My guess is that he comes back.
Not good enough...YET
i just don’t see him being good enough yet. He got pushed around by the majority of good big men that he faced. I do think he has the “talent”, I just think it has to be polished more. I like him a lot, and have followed him since high school since I live in Franklin Township, he has made huge strides since then, I just feel he needs one more to be ready. For instance, he can’t put the ball on the floor, and for someone thin who wants to shoot jumpers, he will need that in the NBA. I feel that now, he will end up like one of those guys who entered too early and disappears. I guess thats okay for some guys as long as they get their cash. All I know is that this is a Boilermakers luck, we never get the breaks, and I was waiting for something to derail next year. Well, here it is, let the what ifs start now. I’m going to go lay down and fall asleep……………..
Kramer
Just told everyone to leave JJ alone on Facebook. JJ’s page and his Twitter have blown up the last couple of days with this news.
Mock Drafts....
I haven’t seen any with JJ projected in the first round…many don’t even show him in the 2nd round. If anybody has seen one let me know.
Smart move
Let’s face it, he’ll declare for sure after next year if he comes back. He is taking his one free shot to see what they think of him. I can’t fault him for making a smart move.
I do agree with Boilerbeck in the thought that I don’t see him getting a high enough ranking to actually leave. I think he has too much to work on. He did great this year, I won’t deny that, but the stretch where he didn’t do much at all hurt his draft status, I believe. I think they’ll look at it and see that he can be shut down (part other team/part himself) and that won’t help him out any.
Overall, I think it was something he should have done for sure, just to take all the opportunities available to him. I just don’t see him going high enough to make it worthwhile to leave yet.
Selfish?
I might have called him selfish before Hummel’s injury (and DeSean Butler’s, and Kalin Lucas’…), now I will just call him pragmatic. If he is going to get drafted in the first round, and get guaranteed money/opportunity, then it is the right move for him (though it sucks for Purdue). I just don’t know how you can be certain you will go in the first round, if you are slotted in one of the later picks?
JJ goes in the second round, and he may be a D Leaguer or learning Turkish. Imagine the exposure next year would bring to him, as the go-to guy on a Top Seed, Final 4 team.
Unless the NBA adds 10 teams this off season, a lot of these kids will be looking at the 2nd round or worse, not drafted. That will be sad (and stupid)
Ya... I just don't see him going
I know he’s declared, but I see him just trying out the water. I really don’t think with this years bunch of players will allow for JJ to get into the first round. He just isn’t built right for his position and needs to show his stones in a really deep playoff run. I think that next year Hummel, JJ, Moore and Lucas (MSU) will be all be in the top 10, and I just can’t see JJ throwing away a chance to go in the top of the first for a chance to not get drafted and not be able to go back to school to play. Next year will have Purdue as national champions and you’ll be hearing about the team in the top 5 all year. We thought we had a good team this past year, and they showed they were good (and barring Hummel’s injury Final 4 bound). This next years team is shaping up to be a great team, and Painter has not let them disappoint yet. We lose JJ we can still get to the final four, but we are looking at more than likely topping out in the 5-8 range. With JJ we legitimately could be a lock 1 seed and possible number 1 overall (although, seeing how the committee treated Kansas, I’d be inclined to pull a Duke, i.e. play a soft schedule, lose to some easy opponents, while never really playing any defining games.
So Many Players Declaring
I remember I thought about declaring for the draft and leaving Purdue early when I was in school. After talking it over with my family, we decided the market wasn’t strong for 5’11’ – 155 pound intramural point guards that couldn’t jump, or shoot outside of 15 feet.
Reflecting back, staying in school was definitely the right choice… for me.
Sad and stupid would be JJ leaving early to go in the 2nd round or undrafted.
I think a lot of his “game” is highlighted by the fact that he has a great ‘team" playing around him and is getting him the ball in the right spots at Purdue. Don’t think any NBA team is going to care to much about playing to his strengths, as a 2nd round pick.
I hope to God...
Robbie, Etwaun and Painter are up in JJ’s grille begging and pleading for him to stay one more year. I honestly think it can only help him. Right now he is a mid to late 1st round pick. One more year and he can be a top 10 easy.
JJ is not a guaranteed 1st rounder whatsoever.
If he can get drafted in the first round then he should go, but I seriously doubt it at this point. So many people have declared and I just don’t see him being 1st round on enough peoples board for him to take the chance.
Most outlets so far
saying mid to late second round if at all. The influx of non-seniors entering the draft is going to hurt him.
by ElijahJones22 on Apr 12, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I imagine Painter's already discussed this
I also think that students plan for non-basketball jobs well in advance and go to job fairs. JJ’s is just a bit more publicized. He probably doesn’t want all the scrutiny that comes with this, though he probably knew it was inevitable.
And if you had a $250k a year job if you left college a year early, wouldn’t you have taken it?
Re: begging, Painter, Moore and Hummel also don’t see like the begging types. If you’ve seen Painter on the sidelines, he’s generally pretty quick to give officials an earful but also agree when they’re right or give an explanation.
Anyway, lots of players pulled out of the draft after declaring without an agent. It’s out of fans’ control…tough to admit though.
by Beavis Beefcake on Apr 13, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Why would you do such a thing JJ?
One more year in the Big Ten and you might add that much needed muscle to be effective in the NBA.
There has to be something else factoring into this decision.
Money money money
JJ is testing the waters for the same reason so many others are jumping early this season – changes in the initial contract rules for the NBA draft. This year is the last year they are going to have a shot at the good signing bonuses that guarantee them a great income for 2-3 years even if they fizzle out in their first few seasons. If anything, he’s bluffing just to see where the scouts rank him so he knows where he stacks up. Not hiring an agent lets him be flexible in case someone comes along with a surprise offer, but at the same time it also sends the message that he’s not too serious.
Fact is though, there’s too much talent going into the draft this year, coupled with the fact that JJ won’t play center in the NBA. He’s a power forward at best, but hasn’t really had a chance to showcase any of those skills. (Even when he was out of position taking those 15 ft jumpers, he didn’t look good.) Frankly, he needs one more year with Marcius, Bade or Carroll playing center, and him and Rob playing the forwards. Free him up and let him find his range instead of banging inside. He’s just not comfortable banging inside for too long with NBA sized centers.
BTFU!
Didn't we expect
Moore and Hummel (pre-injury) to do the exact same thing. There is absolutely no harm in declaring for the draft if you don’t sign an agent. Lots of players declare and then come back. Mark Titus for example.
What Position wioll JJ play in NBA?
I don’t know the NBA, so maybe someone can help me. I don’t think he is an NBA center. He doesn’t look like a “Power” Forward, and he doesn’t have the ball skills or shooting range of a Small Forward. Where would he play?
With his leaping ability and length he still was only the second leading rebounder on Purdue’s team (when Hummel healthy).
Its bizarre
Reading this thread after the season we just went through. During the season, a lot of us (myself included) were annoyed/frustrated/pissed about the lack of recognition Purdue got from the national media. We were especially annoyed/frustrated/pissed when the media said we didn’t have any NBA talent.
Now, the conversation seems to have tipped over to where commenters are questioning JJ’s ability to make the leap to the next level. Obviously, a lot of the motivation for these remarks is based on our desire to see the Big Three out there next year so we can make a serious title run. I understand that motivation, but its still odd to read on this site.
Anyway, my guess is he comes back. I think JJ is an NBA player right now, but he will be much less of a project (let’s face it, like Freshmen in the Big Ten, most rookies are projects to one extent or another) next year. However, the guys who have declared so far and the fact that Johnson is a tweener right now makes me think that JJ won’t be a definite 1st rounder and will come back. Also, believing that he will be back makes it much easier for me not to vomit right now.
With that being said, if he does leave, I don’t think I can blame him or be mad at him. He’s helped to give us 5 NCAA wins, 3 great years, 2 titles and 1 rejuvenated program. Additionally, it might actually be better for him to leave this year. There is a very real possibility of a lock-out in the 2011-12 season which could very easily hurt JJ financially.
Like everyone else here, I want JJ back. I want the thrill of watching this team that we have been wacthing build for years and waiting for for much longer cut down nets in March (and April). I want that for myself, but if JJ wants the NBA for himself, I’ve got to thank him for all he’s given me and wish him well.
OK, this has gone on too long and I’ve slept too little. Thanks for the forum as always T-Mill.
Not too long at all
I felt the same paradox—wanting everyone to be very good but not enough to leave early.
He has 4 weeks to ask around. He’s been getting good grades, which implies he will ask the right questions.
Still, selfishly, the more other strong players that declare for the draft, the better.
by Beavis Beefcake on Apr 13, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
history repeating
As a confirmed boiler, I, like everyone else, want JJ to stay. If he’s a lock first rounder. however, he should go. I happened to be at Tim Stratton’s house after the rose bowl season. He was the Mackey award winner, had just won the BigTen, things were good. He had stacks of presentations from agents on his coffee table explaining why it was time to go. (thin draft at TE, good national exposure that year, etc.). I told him that I thought he should stay…this was almost purely selfish on my part. (I know I wasn’t the only one telling him this, but still) As it turns out he wasn’t quite as good with Brandon Hance throwing him the ball and never made the league.
Obviously the Bball program is in much better shape now than the football program was then, but if JJ can get the money, he should. Who knows, maybe he’d send a little TMill’s way to buy the “thunderdunk” trademark.
BTFU and good luck JJ. I hope you make the right decision.
Good point about Stratton
He was pretty much forgotten when Brandon Hance took over and thought Stubblefield was the only eligible receiver.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
Dear JaJuan
I’ve been checking Purdue sports pages the last few days waiting for this announcement to pop up. Of course you have to declare. We all want to hear what the NBA guys start to say in the next few weeks. I know you’re the best power forward in college basketball 2011. Next year, Coach lets the team loose and you and Rob are top-ten guys in the draft. Besides, what’s the rush to get to the NBA these days, anyways. If there’s one thing you would miss at Purdue, it’s the fame we will give you guys for playing 4 years here. But, I know there’s more you’d miss than just that. I say all this w/out really knowing you, personally. If you need money to support your family, go.
Otherwise, be patient and enjoy life.
Signed,
A huge JJ fan
"what's the rush"
The rush is to beat the collective bargaining agreement to guarantee yourself a ton more money before a potential league lockout.
Calm down
I want JJ back as much as anyone but if any of you were offered an opportunity for a multi-million dollar job after your junior year at Purdue, why wouldn’t you at least explore the opportunity? Anyone who is calling JJ selfish is being selfish here. Let the kid see if he can get drafted, it’s an amazing opportunity for him.
Also, he is likely to develop just as much if not more if he is given the opportunity to work with the BEST trainers and coaches in the world even if he isn’t playing much. I love Painter and Purdue as much as anyone but the NBA is a live-long dream and an incredible opportunity for these guys to compete daily against the best players in the world.
Selfishly, I really hope he comes back but his best interests are clearly security of the NBA especially with a potential lockout looming.
.................
I thought I was pretty close. I would debate it. I’d talk to a few people about it. Then one day, I was talking to my dad and the subject came up. He just flat-out said, “You’re not ready.” End of discussion. That was it. I think I would have been able to survive, but I think I was better prepared for my rookie year after going through my senior year.—Danny Manning
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
oh crap on e'twaun
not the way i wanted to start my vacation, guys
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
when r u not on vacation tmill? j/k
anyways, in my opinion, E is more likely to leave if for some reason NBA guys tell him he’ll be their first round pick. J is still far from displaying his fullest potential. However, I am pretty sure NBA guys will be telling him he’s a first rounder this year OR next year. Being the best power forward in college basketball surely gets you a top 5 pick in the old NBA draft. Name a better 4-man for next year. Exactly.
Lots of names - Haywrd Declares too!
I think the list of underclassmen that haven’t declared is shorter than the one that has. It would be really interesting to see what representatives from teams with the likely last 5-6 picks in the 1st round thought of JJ and E’Twaun. Nothing else really matters, because I don’t see them going higher with all the talent available. Though I loathe the Lakers, I could see JJ in a Laker uniform (hopefully not in 2010) dunking on a fast-break.
Hayward declared (projected Top 15) Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! No word yet on Singler or Monroe. Last one to leave… turn out the lights.
I just hope JJ and E’Twaun all of the possibilities and probabilities. Good luck to both of them, whatever they decide. They will always be BOILERS!
To E'Twaun and JJ:
I have all the legendary Pokemon on my Platinum game cartridge. If you guys stay at Purdue next year I will give you guys all my rare Pokemon! I have doubles of Arceus!
…it’s worth a shot.
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