Jermaine Lawrence asks for release

[rallie25]

I picture JL like a Perry Jones type PF. KD as a outstanding jump shot and had that in high school. JL is a stretch PF with his type of skill set. I hope he does well where ever he goes.

 

[ucswais]

The people around them are convinced that that's where the money is.

They're right though. JL has virtually 0 shot of playing NBA 4. Just doesn't have the body for it. He's either going to develop his floor game enough to play NBA 3, or play overseas. The problem is, major college basketball isn't exactly the spot they want you to try new things and try to develop.

 

[bearcatty]

Who cares whether he was a 2,3,4 or 5. Plenty of players in Hugg's and Mick's systems played out of position and were productive. Maxiel, Hicks and Flint come to mind. Heck, JL averaged only 2 points and 1 rebound per game more than Connor Barwin while playing more minutes. Connor Barwin, you talk about playing out of position!. Watched him in Indy playing center against Oden.

 

[TheLongHaul]

JJ and JL are two different players. I suggest you go back and read his scouting reports. His freshmen year he was never comfortable and his entire game suffered. He was being asked to play a position he was totally unfamiliar with. It will be a huge loss if he leaves.

I've seen his scouting reports. In addition to scouting reports, I've seen him play. While I'm very disappointed JL is leaving, that still doesn't make him a 3.

 

[[email protected]]

Hope he proves us all wrong as I'd like nothing more than for him to develop into an all American caliber talent. Nothing he showed last year indicated that is the direction he is headed. There were no flashes of 5 star skills and not only was he not in the same class as many other top recruits in his class, he wasn't even close to the top freshman on his team. Is the weight room closed for repairs or did JL get directions to it from Shaq Thomas?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I've seen his scouting reports. In addition to scouting reports, I've seen him play. While I'm very disappointed JL is leaving, that still doesn't make him a 3.

the point i'm making is do not base your opinion on last years performance. Lots of things to consider. Injury,change in role,recovering from a injury filled senior in HS season lots of issues. He has talent that there is a good chance he hasn't shown yet. Would hate to miss out on it benefitting the cats. What got him so highly rated wasn't his post play.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I picture JL like a Perry Jones type PF. KD as a outstanding jump shot and had that in high school. JL is a stretch PF with his type of skill set. I hope he does well where ever he goes.

He hasn"t gone anywhere yet.

 

[Bulldog01]

Didn't he break his hand or arm? When is he going to leave? Still think he stays.

 

[HoosierCat]

I believe he missed most of his Senior season with a hand injury. I think the rust from that showed last year. Seemed he started to finally get in a groove, then came down with the turf toe injury.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

They're right though. JL has virtually 0 shot of playing NBA 4. Just doesn't have the body for it. He's either going to develop his floor game enough to play NBA 3, or play overseas. The problem is, major college basketball isn't exactly the spot they want you to try new things and try to develop.

I completely agree with this. As I said in a previous post, we could not sacrifice a top 10 ranking to let JL find himself at the 3. Especially after his injury. Giving him an immediate bigger role may have been better for all in the long run, but it wouldn't have been fair to our seniors this season. It's not like we had a lot of margin for error in our wins.
I'm sure JL is very far from where he thought he'd be going into his soph season, but I wish he'd put his head down and work to get himself back on track. It feels like he wants to skip steps of his development and go straight to having an ultimate green light. His HS scouting report might have said he's a 3 all day long, but he needed to show at least some of those skills in a Bearcat jersey before Mick gives him total freedom. Everyone agrees its unfortunate that it didn't happen this year, I just wish he'd leave that in the past and have the patience and maturity to keep moving forward in our program.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I believe he missed most of his Senior season with a hand injury. I think the rust from that showed last year. Seemed he started to finally get in a groove, then came down with the turf toe injury.

I thought it was his wrist?

 

[TheLongHaul]

the point i'm making is do not base your opinion on last years performance. Lots of things to consider. Injury,change in role,recovering from a injury filled senior in HS season lots of issues. He has talent that there is a good chance he hasn't shown yet. Would hate to miss out on it benefitting the cats. What got him so highly rated wasn't his post play.

It's a lot better to base the opinion off of watching him play against collegiate players than on highlight tapes in high school. He may one day be a 3 if he seriously develops his shot, his handles, and his quickness. He isn't even near that today. And I never said he doesn't have talent nor do I want him to transfer, as I've said multiple times. Also, just because he isn't a post player doesn't mean he isn't a 4. He is a face up 4. Now, over the years as he gets better and better maybe he can eventually become a 3, but again, he is nowhere near that right now.

 

[rallie25]

Just think if JL stayed and got his wish. How about this starting line up?
Troy Caupain
Shaq Thomas,Cobb
Jermaine Lawrense
O Ellis
DeBerry

 

[[email protected]]

Just saw that Mick anounced that UC will grant JL's release. I truly believe this team will be very good next year even without him. I wish him well wherever he decides to transfer to.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Just think if JL stayed and got his wish. How about this starting line up?
Troy Caupain
Shaq Thomas,Cobb
Jermaine Lawrense
O Ellis
DeBerry

They'd have no outside threats besides Caupain. Very easy to guard.

 

[ucswais]

Just think if JL stayed and got his wish. How about this starting line up?
Troy Caupain
Shaq Thomas,Cobb
Jermaine Lawrense
O Ellis
DeBerry

If people thought some of Mick's past teams had no outside shooting, you don't want to see a season of that lineup.

 

[HoosierCat]

I thought it was his wrist?

You're right, I believe it was a wrist injury.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

If people thought some of Mick's past teams had no outside shooting, you don't want to see a season of that lineup.

Where's KJ!?!? He gets no respect.

 

[[email protected]]

Lineup without JL next year:
TC
Cobb
Shaq Thomas
Gary Clark
Ellis

 

[Robert]

Just think if JL stayed and got his wish. How about this starting line up?
Troy Caupain
Shaq Thomas,Cobb
Jermaine Lawrense
O Ellis
DeBerry

Only if Lawrence improved his handles in the offseason. It is an absolute necessity in college basketball to have 3 guys on the floor who can handle the ball against pressure, and a lot of teams play 4 (like UConn). I do believe Lawrence is capable of playing the 3 with some work, but there's no way he could have played that position last season.

As others have said, I believe his future in the NBA will be as a stretch 4, which isn't a bad thing at all. NBA teams tend to play small ball more often than ever and you'll often see guys like Melo, LeBron, and Durant playing the 4. I was watching the Heat-Nets game last night and both teams played small most of the game. The Nets would run with Deron Williams, Shaun Livingston, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. The Heat were rolling with Mario Chalmers, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, James Jones or Ray Allen, and Chris Bosh. Whether Jermaine likes it or not, he will often play the 4 in the NBA even if he is listed as a small forward.