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Posted on Mon, Jun. 15, 2009 10:50 PM
Daily download: Draft day could be special for Mizzou NBA hopefuls
More Sports:
The June 25 NBA draft might be a special one for the University of Missouri.
Do I really expect DeMarre Carroll to be a first-round pick, as has been suggested in the last couple of weeks? No, I really don’t. The speculation that Carroll might need a liver transplant has pretty much taken care of that, even though the doctor who’s cared for him the last two years has told Carroll that he probably won’t need a transplant for 20-25 years, if then.
No, what will make this special is that certainly in the second round, Carroll and teammate Leo Lyons will head into the NBA the way they headed out of college basketball — in lockstep, and perhaps teammates. One mock draft has Carroll and Lyons both going to the Detroit Pistons in the second round.
Be that as it may, these were two special players in their final season at Missouri.
Lyons, frankly, is the more talented of the two. He probably has a better pedigree, a better chance of playing longer in the NBA. The kid has skills that are pro-quality — the question is can he deliver those skills on a consistent basis.
As for Carroll, they don’t call this kid the junkyard dog for nothing. He’s all heart; that’s the way he plays the game.
He’s going to be probably a 3 playing a 4 position or a 4 playing a 3 position. I think he’s a true 3, and the thing that makes Carroll stand out is that despite all his medical problems — and yes, two years ago he was diagnosed with a liver disorder — he’s been on medication since, and it’s nothing he has to go in every week for. The big symptom was his legs itched. Go figure that one out.
The real thing is Carroll has put himself on the doorstep of a pro career. His big task will be bringing the energy that he brought every game of his college career to every game of his NBA career, and as we all know, the NBA season is a lot longer.
It’ll be hard, but the kid has a lot of guts. And I really liked his explanation of the outlook he has with the liver disorder. You know, in 20-25 years, maybe by then we can grow a new liver.
Carroll’s already got the heart, Lyons has already got the skill. We’ll see draft night.
To reach Missouri reporter Mike DeArmond, call 816-234-4353 or send e-mail to mdearmond@kcstar.com
Posted on Mon, Jun. 15, 2009 10:50 PM
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