Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB | LONG GONE: As Donte Greene prepares for Thursday's NBA Draft, he's eager to leave Syracuse behind
By Andy McCullough
Posted: 6/24/08, 12:29 AM EST Section: Sports
More importantly, that was before Donte Left. That's when his reputation soured.
Others, of course, knew the score. Jim Boeheim went on ESPN Radio 1260 and said he had seen this coming.
"He made up his mind last year at high school that he was going to put his name in," the Orange head coach said at the time. ". . . It's never been a secret. He had a solid year."
Greene led the Orange in scoring and added 7.2 rebounds a game. One year in the NCAA was all he needed to prove to himself he could handle the NBA.
It's not that complicated. He left because he wanted to. He felt he was ready.
Even if other freshmen declared for the draft - stars who shone brighter last year such as Memphis point guard Derrick Rose, Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley, Southern California shooting guard OJ Majo - Greene wasn't worried.
He likes how he matches up against the other small forwards in the draft, like West Virginia's Joe Alexander.
"I feel like in this draft, I'm the best small forward, hands down," Greene said after the 76ers workout. "I'm not trying to come off cocky or anything, but I'm just that confident in myself."
Others see that - how his mix of sweet shooting and athleticism might mesh with an NBA lineup.
"He's a big-time offensive talent," said Tony DiLeo, the 76ers senior vice president and assistant general manager.
DiLeo liked how Greene could shoot from the outside and take players off the dribble. He needs to bulk up, but in a league that's getting faster and smaller, he could play both small and power forward. The 76ers exec mentioned him in the same breath as Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, not the first person to do so.
Like Greene, Lewis was criticized for leaving for the NBA early - he jumped straight from his Texas high school into the 1998 draft and was selected in the second round. Like Greene, Lewis fit somewhere in the haze between small and power forward. Like Greene probably will, Lewis needed time to develop.
He did. Lewis blossomed after a few years in the league, and signed a $118 million contract with the Magic last summer.
So that's one route.
Another route, the one those on fan message boards seem to see as more likely, would be failure.
But if Greene is chosen in the first round, as per NBA rules regarding guaranteed contracts, he will earn millions even if he does flame out. Not shabby.
And if Greene needed further incentive, he only had to look down the bench last season and check out Devendorf and Rautins, street clothes covering their shredded knee ligaments.
Things happen. Injuries happen. Players leave.
The point is, Greene says he's moved on from Syracuse.
You should let him, he says.
"Ya'll need to let it go up there."
ramccull@syr.edu
Others, of course, knew the score. Jim Boeheim went on ESPN Radio 1260 and said he had seen this coming.
"He made up his mind last year at high school that he was going to put his name in," the Orange head coach said at the time. ". . . It's never been a secret. He had a solid year."
Greene led the Orange in scoring and added 7.2 rebounds a game. One year in the NCAA was all he needed to prove to himself he could handle the NBA.
It's not that complicated. He left because he wanted to. He felt he was ready.
Even if other freshmen declared for the draft - stars who shone brighter last year such as Memphis point guard Derrick Rose, Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley, Southern California shooting guard OJ Majo - Greene wasn't worried.
He likes how he matches up against the other small forwards in the draft, like West Virginia's Joe Alexander.
"I feel like in this draft, I'm the best small forward, hands down," Greene said after the 76ers workout. "I'm not trying to come off cocky or anything, but I'm just that confident in myself."
Others see that - how his mix of sweet shooting and athleticism might mesh with an NBA lineup.
"He's a big-time offensive talent," said Tony DiLeo, the 76ers senior vice president and assistant general manager.
DiLeo liked how Greene could shoot from the outside and take players off the dribble. He needs to bulk up, but in a league that's getting faster and smaller, he could play both small and power forward. The 76ers exec mentioned him in the same breath as Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, not the first person to do so.
Like Greene, Lewis was criticized for leaving for the NBA early - he jumped straight from his Texas high school into the 1998 draft and was selected in the second round. Like Greene, Lewis fit somewhere in the haze between small and power forward. Like Greene probably will, Lewis needed time to develop.
He did. Lewis blossomed after a few years in the league, and signed a $118 million contract with the Magic last summer.
So that's one route.
Another route, the one those on fan message boards seem to see as more likely, would be failure.
But if Greene is chosen in the first round, as per NBA rules regarding guaranteed contracts, he will earn millions even if he does flame out. Not shabby.
And if Greene needed further incentive, he only had to look down the bench last season and check out Devendorf and Rautins, street clothes covering their shredded knee ligaments.
Things happen. Injuries happen. Players leave.
The point is, Greene says he's moved on from Syracuse.
You should let him, he says.
"Ya'll need to let it go up there."
ramccull@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Marc LeVine
posted 6/24/08 @ 10:37 AM EST
Ok. So who's the next big "thing" in SU Basketball? Carmelo left us AFTER a Championship. Donte left us BEFORE one. Before Carmelo there were Derricks, Shermans, and Rony's. (Continued…)
Helen
posted 6/24/08 @ 11:11 AM EST
SU should build a men's ice hockey team- the athletic dynamic is so much different and the game is exciting!!! They athletes stay with the program in vastly larger percentages and they aren't in it just to go pro and make a killing. (Continued…)
John C.
posted 6/24/08 @ 12:43 PM EST
I'm over Donte leaving, but why would he even think he'd get any "love" from us up at 'Cuse? It's not like he left any legacy behind. He ushered in an era of showboating, no defense, and mental lapses, things Syracuse basketball never stood for, until now. (Continued…)
MarkinMaryland
posted 6/24/08 @ 7:39 PM EST
I am sad to see him go so quickly. I see all the problems Melo had his first few years in the pros on a personal level. Now with the DWI, something tells me the guy needed more help maturing. (Continued…)
Michael Rybacki
posted 6/25/08 @ 11:56 AM EST
I don't think Donte will fail. He's a talented kid, and the author of this article is right, he's going to make millions regardless.
That being said, I think this was a really shortsighted decision. (Continued…)
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