Dear Spencer
Dear Spencer Hawes,
You don't know me. We've never met and I've only seen you play in person once. I'm also not a basketball expert; I am merely a Husky alum with a casually read sports blog. You may take all of this letter with that grain of salt in mind, but I wanted to write to implore you to return to UDub next season.
I'm not going to win you over by making any argument about money. You are a first round pick. Guaranteed money. Financial security for the rest of your life. Patrick O'Bryant was taken 9th overall last year. A similar type player, Bryant is a 7-0 center, slightly undersized, with good outside touch. O'Bryant signed a two year deal with Golden State with a club option for the second two years. 3.56 million for each year. You figure that the price goes up for you because of standard inflation and the fact that you are much more skilled than he and going up to 4 million a year is probably legit. So, 8 million dollars and two years guaranteed. Not bad. With the right investments, that seed money could provide you with a life of comfort by itself.
Now, I'm not going to win any argument about money, but let me see if I can put a dent in it. Coming back next year will put your health and long-term security back into question. I can't help that, just the facts. However, if you do come back and continue to improve, you will be a lone wolf in next year's draft. While you project as a similar player to Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Brandan Wright, Julian Wright, Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, Joakim Noah, Al Hortford, and Hasheem Thabeet, next year's draft is shaping up to be short on big men. Tyler Hansborough appears to be the only elite big man returning to school next year and his skill set doesn't come close to yours. You will be THE elite post player in next year's draft. Since 1997, the top big man in the draft has been taken number one, with the exception of Lebron, and dude's 6-8. Conceivably, should your game continue to improve and you put on 20-25 pounds of muscle, which I'm sure you're already at work on, Spencer, you will be the number one pick in the draft. Andrea Bargnani was made the top pick by Toronto last year and signed a two year contract with a club option for two more years. Bargnani makes 7.78 million per. 2 years, 15.56 million guaranteed.
Double the money if you come back. It's a thought.
But I don't think money is what drives you. Like I said, I don't know you, but you're a competitor. You're fiery on the court and it seems that there is no where else you'd rather be. I don't think you want to be good; I think you want to be the best. And I think you know that the NBA draft is littered with cautionary tales of prospects coming out too early. Big men especially seem to fall pray to this. Even number one overall pick Kwame Brown. You don't improve faster by sitting in the pros, you improve by playing anywhere. And that anywhere is Washington. Ask Brandon Roy. Tim Duncan stayed all four years. Elton Brand three. One more year of improvement will cement your game and allow you to play meaningful, competitive minutes in the NBA your rookie year. I cannot believe that you'd be happy sitting for most of an 82 game season, despite the cash in your pocket.
However, as a fan, I want you to know that whatever your decision, we were damn lucky and glad to have you. I know that Husky pride runs deep within you, the familial connections to the school have been well documented. I wonder if that pride may be what you heard from that the voice in the back of your head, keeping you from hiring an agent.
I wonder if you don't want your one year as a Husky to be a year where the team didn't even make the NIT.
I wonder if playing with your buddy Brock and becoming one of the elite frontlines in Pac-10 history is something that you think about with each no-look you throw each other in pickup games.
I wonder if you want number 10 in the rafters at Hec Ed for eternity.
I wonder if March Madness kept you up at night, seeing USC go so far.
I wonder if you wonder what means the most to you, to your heart and soul.
Spencer, go to the camps and play against the others the teams will pick from. Play your best. Play like a Husky. And when all of the evaluations are through, think about Hec Ed, the Dawgpack, and your love for the school. Think about these, and then make the right decision, whichever it may be. Thank you for your time, Spencer.
Sincerely,
TheUglySpectator.blogspot.com
You don't know me. We've never met and I've only seen you play in person once. I'm also not a basketball expert; I am merely a Husky alum with a casually read sports blog. You may take all of this letter with that grain of salt in mind, but I wanted to write to implore you to return to UDub next season.
I'm not going to win you over by making any argument about money. You are a first round pick. Guaranteed money. Financial security for the rest of your life. Patrick O'Bryant was taken 9th overall last year. A similar type player, Bryant is a 7-0 center, slightly undersized, with good outside touch. O'Bryant signed a two year deal with Golden State with a club option for the second two years. 3.56 million for each year. You figure that the price goes up for you because of standard inflation and the fact that you are much more skilled than he and going up to 4 million a year is probably legit. So, 8 million dollars and two years guaranteed. Not bad. With the right investments, that seed money could provide you with a life of comfort by itself.
Now, I'm not going to win any argument about money, but let me see if I can put a dent in it. Coming back next year will put your health and long-term security back into question. I can't help that, just the facts. However, if you do come back and continue to improve, you will be a lone wolf in next year's draft. While you project as a similar player to Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Brandan Wright, Julian Wright, Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, Joakim Noah, Al Hortford, and Hasheem Thabeet, next year's draft is shaping up to be short on big men. Tyler Hansborough appears to be the only elite big man returning to school next year and his skill set doesn't come close to yours. You will be THE elite post player in next year's draft. Since 1997, the top big man in the draft has been taken number one, with the exception of Lebron, and dude's 6-8. Conceivably, should your game continue to improve and you put on 20-25 pounds of muscle, which I'm sure you're already at work on, Spencer, you will be the number one pick in the draft. Andrea Bargnani was made the top pick by Toronto last year and signed a two year contract with a club option for two more years. Bargnani makes 7.78 million per. 2 years, 15.56 million guaranteed.
Double the money if you come back. It's a thought.
But I don't think money is what drives you. Like I said, I don't know you, but you're a competitor. You're fiery on the court and it seems that there is no where else you'd rather be. I don't think you want to be good; I think you want to be the best. And I think you know that the NBA draft is littered with cautionary tales of prospects coming out too early. Big men especially seem to fall pray to this. Even number one overall pick Kwame Brown. You don't improve faster by sitting in the pros, you improve by playing anywhere. And that anywhere is Washington. Ask Brandon Roy. Tim Duncan stayed all four years. Elton Brand three. One more year of improvement will cement your game and allow you to play meaningful, competitive minutes in the NBA your rookie year. I cannot believe that you'd be happy sitting for most of an 82 game season, despite the cash in your pocket.
However, as a fan, I want you to know that whatever your decision, we were damn lucky and glad to have you. I know that Husky pride runs deep within you, the familial connections to the school have been well documented. I wonder if that pride may be what you heard from that the voice in the back of your head, keeping you from hiring an agent.
I wonder if you don't want your one year as a Husky to be a year where the team didn't even make the NIT.
I wonder if playing with your buddy Brock and becoming one of the elite frontlines in Pac-10 history is something that you think about with each no-look you throw each other in pickup games.
I wonder if you want number 10 in the rafters at Hec Ed for eternity.
I wonder if March Madness kept you up at night, seeing USC go so far.
I wonder if you wonder what means the most to you, to your heart and soul.
Spencer, go to the camps and play against the others the teams will pick from. Play your best. Play like a Husky. And when all of the evaluations are through, think about Hec Ed, the Dawgpack, and your love for the school. Think about these, and then make the right decision, whichever it may be. Thank you for your time, Spencer.
Sincerely,
TheUglySpectator.blogspot.com
Labels: Draft, Hawes, NBA, Spencer, Washington
posted by Justin Graden at 8:30 PM
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