Tar Heels explains draft decision
Posted: Thursday May 29, 2008 08:03AM ET
Danny Green can't figure why a North Carolina fan would see what he's doing as irresponsible. To Green, exploring ways to help his family financially is perhaps the most responsible thing he's ever done. It was a surprise when he made himself available for the NBA draft. At best he is No. 4 among current Tar Heels in pro potential. The most prominent of that group, Tyler Hansbrough, isn't even flirting with the draft. But as Green explained Wednesday at the NBA pre-draft camp, his family circumstance is very different from that of Hansbrough. Green's family has financial challenges, and though he didn't go into detail, the background is common knowledge. Green's father spent three months in jail after a drug-related conviction. Hansbrough's father is a surgeon.






Comments (29)
He's hoping to impress the right team. All it takes is one team to give him that guarantee.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 05/29/08, 08:59 AM
Report Offensive Commentirresponsible.....what a joke! do your thing danny........folks don't know what its like to struggle. of course, he would be better off staying in college but he has an opportunity to make some big $$ fast. that is hard thing to pass up when ma doesn't have enough gas in the tank to go to work
Al_Cheese | 05/29/08, 09:18 AM
Report Offensive Commenthe has an opportunity to make some big $$ fast. that is hard thing to pass up when ma doesn't have enough gas in the tank to go to work
Al_Cheese | 05/29/08, 09:18 AM
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The problem is he isn't going to make big $$ fast. He will be a second rd draft pick (if he's lucky) and struggle to make an NBA team. He would be better off to stay, even if its financially difficult now in the hopes of improving his status is upcoming years and really be able to help his family then, rather than bolting now and probably ending up in Europe.
James The Aussie | 05/29/08, 10:54 AM
Report Offensive CommentJames-
couldn't ahve said it better myself-
I would NEVER criticize a kid for trying to go pro to make $- as an athlete their window of opporunity is short.
For him though- I think his draft status will significantly improve with 1 more year........a year of STARTING. And I doubt it would go down- esoecially because NC will be a good team
he would likely go from a low 2nd rd pick (non-guaranteed deal) to a mid 1st.....MUCH BETTER & a guaranteed 3ys
jgb | 05/29/08, 10:59 AM
Report Offensive Commentif you have nothing and your Mom needs help to maintain a place to live and yuo can make $1,000,000 pver the next two years; guess what? You can really help yuor Mom a lot.
Jabril1217 | 05/29/08, 11:21 AM
Report Offensive CommentNo doubt he would help his mom ALOT.....
but after agent fees, taxes, buying some stuff, a house for mom, etc.....
What will that leave him in 5 years- (if he doesn't make it) working a regular job
If he stays 1 more year- can get a Guaranteed 2-3mil deal....
he'd be MUCH better off in 5 years (if he doesn't make it)
- I personally think he'll be a sub in the league for 5-7 years-
and do very nicely for himself & his family
jgb | 05/29/08, 11:42 AM
Report Offensive CommentToo many guys hopping in the barrel this year.... if it's there this year, it'll be there better next year.... borderline guys really better be very careful this time....
Sir Robin (as himself) | 05/29/08, 11:58 AM
Report Offensive CommentPeople don't get making a living in the NBA at ANY LEVEL (whether a lottery pick or as an undrafted free-agent) brings in a LOT of bread. It's a job that pays more than what most of us make at any level of our careers, let alone what we get paid right out of college.
Even European leagues pay very very well. I think people underestimate how popular pro basketball is abroad...it's HUGE in a lot of European countries...right behind soccer.
BruinsWin! | 05/29/08, 12:16 PM
Report Offensive Commentjames the aussie
i'm not saying the guy is going to be stud in the league and be a major impact. quite honestly i think he'll be an average role player at best. do you honestly think his stock is going to be that much better with another year of college. i don't think so. he's a 2nd to 3rd rounder this year and would be the same next year. you said the key words "in the hopes of improving his status" there is no guarantee. he feels like he can help his family now and 2nd and 3rd $$ is big and it is fast compared to waiting another year. probably a lot more than most of us are use to.
Al_Cheese | 05/29/08, 12:54 PM
Report Offensive CommentAccording to the Suntimes, the Bulls are looking at him for their Rd. 2 pick.
Athletic careers are short. Make the money while you can and help out your family if necessary. Anyone who has a problem with that views you as a racehorse.
duany | 05/29/08, 01:02 PM
Report Offensive Commentjgb
i can tell you don't know what its like to struggle. when you're barely making it.....you're not thinking about what happens in 5 years especially when the opportunity comes up to make more $$ then you've ever seen. in his case, he has a chance to make a pretty good chunk of change and have the OPPORTUNITY to fulfill his lifelong dream. i just think its a chance he's gotta take.
but don't get me wrong i feel like most young players leave too early but i definitely will not knock them for it if a family money situation is involved.
Al_Cheese | 05/29/08, 01:08 PM
Report Offensive CommentAl Cheese,
There are only two rounds in the NBA draft so his chances of getting drafted are very slim if he doesnt have a good showing at the Draft Camps plus he is reportedly battling a spained ankle for the past 3 weeks.
Larglin | 05/29/08, 01:12 PM
Report Offensive Commentlarglin
ok....im sure that its been explained to him by Roy that he's got an uphill battle to having a productive nba career or any type of nba career for that matter. like i said even if he stayed i don't think his draft stock would improve that much to make that much of difference.
Al_Cheese | 05/29/08, 01:25 PM
Report Offensive Comment". . . Anyone who has a problem with that views you as a racehorse."
duany ,
I have a problem understanding your sentence. Are you saying the University is acting like the own Green, like he's a horse?
This is his decision isn't it?
Anyway, it sounds like he's making a desperate decision and it's hard to argue with desperate. The best we can hope is that a team picks him up in the second round (which I doubt).
Why can't Hansborough's dad loan the kid's family some money, or does that break an NCAA rule?
Petey024 | 05/29/08, 01:36 PM
Report Offensive Commentthere you go petey.....that's thinking out of the box......LOL
Al_Cheese | 05/29/08, 01:39 PM
Report Offensive CommentDanny Green would have been a starter on most teams this past year. It just so happens he plays at UNC where he was a very good 6th man. He has to do what he thinks is right for him and his family. If one team thinks he's worth picking than he's done his job
badgerfan07 | 05/29/08, 02:52 PM
Report Offensive Commentduany ,
I have a problem understanding your sentence. Are you saying the University is acting like the own Green, like he's a horse?
This is his decision isn't it?
Anyway, it sounds like he's making a desperate decision and it's hard to argue with desperate. The best we can hope is that a team picks him up in the second round (which I doubt).
Why can't Hansborough's dad loan the kid's family some money, or does that break an NCAA rule?
Petey024 | 05/29/08, 01:36 PM
Excellent suggestion, but I am sure the NCAA would frown upon such a humanitarian act of kindness from one human being to another.
Jabril1217 | 05/29/08, 03:17 PM
Report Offensive CommentMaybe he should have played at southern Cal so that he could stay in school and still get paid :)
jtl1979 | 05/29/08, 03:28 PM
Report Offensive CommentI can't argue with doing it for his family but the fact is you know he won't be happy sitting on the bench.
c note | 05/29/08, 03:38 PM
Report Offensive Commentthem the breaks, cnote. there are plenty of millionaires riding the pine. he hasn't hired an agent so he still has the opportunity to go back to school if he doesn't get drafted
Al_Cheese | 05/29/08, 03:55 PM
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