Monday, May 03, 2004
Three's Company
Al Jefferson, J.R. Smith, and Shaun Livingston declared for the NBA Draft today. All three high school phenoms indicated they won't hire an agent. My bet is at least one, probably two, of the three will soon seek representation.Arkansas is now unlikely to make the NCAA Tournament, North Carolina is less likely to make the Final Four, and Duke may soon find itself out of the Top 25. Big news, indeed.
For what it's worth, Livingston's family deserves our respect. Dad and Grandpa both suggested Shaun attend Duke:
"I still think he's going to Duke," Frank Livingston said Monday. "He needs at least a year of maturity. At least. It's not irreparable damage, that he put his name in."
Shaun's dad, Reggie Livingston, also said he thought this decision is not necessarily final. "I think he's trying to buy more time," he said.
Jefferson's a goner while Livingston is the most likely to matriculate -- though Smith ought to, as I predict his stock will slip some before Draft Day.
