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Dick Harmon: Cummard is turning NBA heads
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I've got absolutely nothing against Cummard -- in fact I hope he does make the NBA -- but a more apt headline for this story would've been "Cummard weighing his options".
As for Cummard, he has been able to take advantage of having Plaisted take a lot of opposing defenses attention. If Cummard stays, he will face constant double-teams and as a result his stats will drop and so will his draft potential. Lee should leave while his stock is at its highest.
Phoenix Suns coach: Does a double-take when he sees Cummard and asks the guy next to him "who is that?"
Other coach: "That's Cummard he is working out today."
First Coach: "Are you serious? I thought that was the most freakishly skinny ball boy we have ever had."
I don't know why Lee's so stuck on the 1st round. Many players do well coming out of the 2nd round. The NBA is the NBA, after all. There's really nothing left for Lee to prove in Provo, except maybe getting to the 2nd round of the tournament rather than just the 1st. Someone mentioned him disproving the critics, but I'm not sure who the critics are. Everyone seems to agree that Lee is a great player. He was the MWC POY, right?
Finally, with Trent gone, Lee has to realize that after the incident in Vegas, his wife will be the new favorite target of Lobo, Rebel, and Cowboy fans.
Lee: if you read this, don't get itchy feet, stay and play your senior year, your stock will go up considerably next year and being a former coach, I think I have some insight into your talents and how they'll improve with one more year under Coach Rose's system. Be patient, the money will still be there next year and there'll be a lot more chance of a higher draft pick and more money.
Cummard, on the other hand, probably can't improve his game much. He is already very solid in every category. But he can do two important things by staying. He can put on more weight (I read he added 25 pounds but another 20 would really help) and get a lot of attention as "the man" his senior year. I don't think he will be hurt by defenses focusing on him. Next season's team will be a 3-point shooting juggernaut so let them focus on Lee at their own peril. If he takes the skills he has now and showcases them with another MWC POY performance and an average around 20 points then he will get invited to pre-draft camps next season and he may very well be in a different position regarding the draft. I think it really is a win-win for Lee to stay. It would not have been for Plaisted.
What a childish comment from a Ute Fan. At least we have people that the NBA is interested in.
How many college players can be described as having an impressive basketball IQ? Probably no less than a hundred. And how many players are having workouts with teams? A whole bunch more than will EVER play in the NBA.
It doesn't hurt Cummard to explore his opportunities. But there are a number of players with Cummard's talent level in the draft--not to mention above. Another year of college, standout play, and TEAM SUCCESS (as in at least an NCAA Tournament WIN) would help make his case for being a first-rounder.
BTW, Dick Harmon--it's the end of Spring TERM at BYU. Be accurate in your details. A number of readers already think you're more of a cheerleader than a journalist--this doesn't help you. Sorry, man.
The only chance Plaisted has of being drafted in the 1st rd is if old cougar legend Danny Ainge does the school a solid and has Trenty boy playing for the Flash next yr.
Sure BYU basketball has owned Utah for the last 3 seasons, but here is the difference between these 2 programs as far as history goes. Our star player leaves early and is the #1 pick in the draft. Both your players leave early and arent even guaranteed 1st rounders, let alone one of them might not get drafted.
Utah Alums in the NBA: 3
BYU: 0
Both players are very talented, but dont have pipe dreams that either of this guys will do a lick of anything in the NBA. They both however could make great livings in europe.
It's too bad these two will end up in the D League or overseas- they seem pretty cool, seem to treat othes with some respect, unlike the Austin Collie's of BYU. I'd like to see these two succeed, based on how they seem to treat others.
Plasted AND Cummard have done nothing.
There's your reality check.
Just a nitpick, BYU has won both games the last TWO seasons; 2007-2008 and 2006-2007. In 2005-2006, they split the regular season, each team winning at home and then Utah beat the TDS in the conference tourney.
Please name me a C in the east not named Dwight Howard that is better then Bogut?
He and Illgauskas put up nearly identical numbers. Bogut put up an assist better. Bogut had a slow start but since Jan 1 he averaged:
16.1 ppg
10.2 apg
Without a doubt Bogut is a top 10 C in the league and some could argue he is top 5.
Disappointing for a #1?
Oden
Bargani
Bogut
Dwight Howard
Lebron
Yao
Kwame Brown
Kenyon Martin
Where does he stack against the last 8? He is the 4th best in that group and the 3rd best in his draft class. Can you say that about the others not named Lebron, Yao and Howard?
Stop making excuses because BYU players are busts professionally. Sure the 32 yr old RMs can beat up on the MWC, but what do they do in the NBA?
The Reality is that Cummard is not better then the only cougar that had relative success in the NBA and thats Travis Hansen. Who makes a great living now playing for Tau Cremica in the ACB league in Spain.
Is his brother the famous David Cummard out of Adelaide, Australia?
All Cummard is gonna do is earn himself a spot in the 2nd rd. Cummard doesnt have the body or athleticism to be a 1st rd.
Your BYU is showing!
Lee is an outstanding team defender and has fine basketball acumen, however he will have trouble guarding 2 position or 3 position wingmen at the next level because of so so quickness and lateral movement. Although he is a different player, Luke Walton of the Lakers enhanced his quickness by getting in superhuman physical condition. Lee needs that also at the next level.
In the coming season, Cummard should lead the team and score, score, score, especially from 3-point land. If there are other Texas A&M games, Cummard needs to put in a solid 20.
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Good Luck Lee at what ever you chose.