What's Greivis up to?
Here are notes from Greivis Vasquez's world as the junior guard begins the process of working out for a series of NBA teams. I've filed a story about Vasquez's schedule, which includes attending a pre-draft camp in Chicago on May 27-31. Here are some items not in the story:
*The pre-draft camp is more of a combine than a camp. It's about getting weighed and measured and doing drills. Players typically do agility tests and sprints and get their body fat indexed. Participants are not scheduled to play actual games this year.
The NBA says the testing is "anthropometric." That's AN-THRO-POM-ET-RIC, meaning related to bodily proportions. Thanks, NBA. Miss Myers, my eighth-grade english teacher, would be so delighted I learned a new word.
So what is the camp's point, you ask? It's just more information for the NBA teams. Supplemental data, really. I don't think teams make decisions based on these combines, but the data might steer them in one direction or another.
*Schools like Maryland are in an odd position. Obviously Maryland would like for Greivis to stay for his senior season. At the same time, the school says it is helping Greivis make an informed decision -- the right decision for him. Can Maryland do both those things at once? You be the judge.
*Is it significant that the Wizards told me they're interested in Greivis? Not so much. The Wizards didn't say they were interested in drafting Greivis, but rather in bringing him to Verizon Center for a workout. The team is likely to bring in dozens of players before the draft. They brought in four players Wednesday and they've scheduled more workouts for next Monday, Thursday and Friday.
*The last word is yours. Do you think The Excitable One is coming back?
Comments
Without knowing about whatever financial hardships his family might be facing, I think Greivis will come back. He's not going to be selected in the first round, at least not until he shows more consistency with his ballhandling and better defense.
Games like the one he had against NC are great, but he's not going to do that in the NBA and teams aren't going to ask him to do that. He needs to show that he can knock down a jumper and not throw the ball away on some wildass pass. With a (hopefully) meaningful inside presence this year, Greivis won't have to do it all himself and start displaying pro-style skills.
Posted by: GPT | May 14, 2009 8:03 AM
There is almost zero chance that Vasquez is not in a MD uniform next year.
If you are projected as a mid to late 2nd round pick on basically every mock-draft as Vasquez is... and you do not have the opportunity to raise your value in pre-draft games... how can you come out?
If he was set on leaving, he would not be going to class.
If he is willing to go to Europe, Europe will still be an option after his Senior season.
He comes back after learning what the NBA wants him to work on, so he can force himself into the 1st round after next year, and a guranteed contract.
He comes back, because with him... MD can be anywhere from a bubble team to a team capable of an Elite 8 run.
Posted by: Chris | May 14, 2009 8:57 AM
He really needs to come back, he will only help his cause/family. Lets hope he has smart people around him to convince him of this. He's very NBA capable, but he's not ready yet. He will end up out of the league if he goes pro this year & may never return. Be smart Grevis, you only get one chance to make this decision.
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | May 14, 2009 9:32 AM
Love to see Vasquez back at MD but I'm surprised he's only projected as a mid-second round pick. Unlike Ty Lawson, etc., Vasquez has an NBA-body at 6'6" and has international experience. Remember, playing for Team Venezuela, he dropped 15 pts against the USA Dream Team.
Posted by: Josh | May 14, 2009 10:46 AM
I hope Greivis will come back, but he seems pretty serious about the draft. The Terps could be a solid ACC team next year if he comes back, but yet he may need the money for his family.
Posted by: Max | May 14, 2009 11:33 AM
I would be inclined to say he's coming back, but one more question would influence my thought on that: Does anyone know if he's even attending classes right now?
Posted by: Hugh | May 14, 2009 12:03 PM
In a word, "YES."
Posted by: csquare | May 14, 2009 12:19 PM
While Vasquez was the only reason the Terps got where they got last year.....I hope he does NOT come back. I think this team will be better off without him. It will do them good to have to rework who will be the center of the offense to someone who can penetrate and dish better.
Vasquez just is not a good enough ball handler or shooter. I do think he will be better in the NBA because of his size.
I would rather see Mosley take over as the slasher. Bowie as the drive and dish off or dump into the big men.
Posted by: Ryan | May 14, 2009 2:53 PM
I think he's as good as gone. If he's not drafted in the NBA I can see him going overseas to play for pay. I do not see him coming back to Maryland.
Posted by: Stew' | May 14, 2009 6:09 PM
No way he makes it to the pros. He is a decent college player but he is too slow and way too inconsistent of a shooter for the pro level. He would be lucky to be a middle second rounder,
Posted by: Kevin | May 14, 2009 8:12 PM