Gregg Doyel Is An Asshole

Gregg Doyel (CBS Sportsline) came out with his top 10 list of knuckle-headed underclassmen who shouldn't have declared for the NBA Draft.

1. Daequan Cook, Ohio State: Cook sulked, his mother complained, and now Cook is showing the world how talented he is by joining freshman teammates Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. in the draft. Difference is, Oden and Conley will be drafted in the first round. Cook? Get your passport, baby.

Let's see. Cook is a 6'5, 210 pound wingman who can shoot the lights and and is uber-athletic. He's the exact type of player that scouts fall in love with during individual workouts. He's currently listed as 22 on ESPN's list of top 100 prospects, which puts him securely in the first round. But I will agree with Doyel on one thing. He will need a passport. No matter where he ends up, he'll most likely have to go to Toronto to play against the Raptors once or twice next season, and those pesky Canadians require passports for entry now.

7. Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech: He was a disappointment this season, when he averaged 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and two assists. Think about that: an ACC freshman putting up those numbers and being a disappointment. But he was.

He was such a disappointment that he's only a top 15 draft prospect, only likely to be drafted in the lottery, and only likely to sign a contract for 8 figures. Why do sportswriters insist on saying it's a bad decision for these underclassmen to go pro? Not only will Young's checkbook benefit from early entry, his development as a player will, also. Who will be a better basketball in one year? Thaddeus Young playing against Josh Smith in practice every day...or Thaddeus Young playing against Random White-Walk On Person in practice all year?

9. JamesOn Curry, Oklahoma State: Curry owes OSU, and he owes Sean Sutton.

I actually don't consider JamesOn Curry much of an NBA prospect at this point, and I think he would be better served to come back to Oklahoma State. I don't see any scenario where he gets taken in the first round. That being said, HE OWES NEITHER HIS SCHOOL NOR SEAN SUTTON ANYTHING. Doyel's argument is that Curry was so "radioactive" that Sean Sutton was the only coach that would have given him a chance. That argument, to be blunt, is batshit insane. Almost ANY coach would give JamesOn Curry a chance if they thought it would mean MORE WINS. And those same coaches would kick JamesOn to the curb when his eligibility ran out. The way NCAA athletes are exploited makes it absolutely ridiculous to think an athlete owes his school anything. High horse, you have a new rider, and his name is Gregg Doyel.