The estimation of $10 million is, of course, just that. But Derrick Rose should probably give David Stern a huge hug when his name gets called during the first 30 or so minutes of the NBA draft in June. Rose, even if Memphis wins, seems like a one-and-done player, and with his ridiculous NCAA tournament (can you have negative turnovers, like in a positive fashion?) he has not only vaulted Memphis to the title game, but jacked up his draft status as well. And Darren Rovell is estimating that his superb play has made him roughly ten mil.It's hard to say where Rose might have went had the rule not have existed--each guru has his own site -- but let's say, for argument sake, a pre-college Rose would have gone third. Where does he go after tonight's Championship Game? Possibly first. Possibly second. Maybe third. But the fact is that this tournament has given him a great marketing platform that the likes of O.J. Mayo and Michael Beasley obviously won't realize.So before we even start with projecting how far Rose rose and how his rookie scale might have jumped up, I'm saying his shoe deal over a six year contract is up $10 million from the tourney alone. Tonight is a great opportunity for a kid like Rose as a guy like Carmelo Anthony has proven in years past.
TZ points out, and I agree, that Rovell may actually be underselling the loss that Mr. Mayo is going to take as result of this year's college basketball season. Prior to his year at USC, Mayo would have likely been top five in the draft (although not a lock, certainly a high probability), but his relatively under the radar season with Tim Floyd has him dropping a few slots and a potential pay scale.
It's also worth noting (from Ziller again) that Rovell's assertion that Kevin Durant "wasn't on the radar" prior to last year is a bit far-fetched; Durant's season definitely cemented him in the top two and made it a close call between he and Greg Oden for Portland, but people certainly knew who he was before his freshman year. And anyway, if you try and determine where Rose would have gone last year out of high school, you also have to assume that KD and GO are already a year ahead anyway, at which point the whole thing becomes pretty convoluted. Still, though, the basic premise here is dead on -- Rose has made a boatload more money by balling it up in the NCAA tourney.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-07-2008 @ 7:32PM
Ryne Nelson said...
I just couldn't imagine telling Rose to come back for another year after a tournament like this. Soon enough, though, the one-and-done will be a thing of the past.
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4-07-2008 @ 9:01PM
Charles Daley said...
For every five players who leave after one year of college basketball, usually one and sometimes two will make it in the NBA, with the other three being cut, playing in Europe or in the NBDL. Many players cite the need to test the waters for the draft, however if you can't walk on water you had better stay put. Too many one and dones are really done as they were clearly not ready. Case in point: Kevin Love and Tyler Hansborough, who became media darlings, yet faltered when it really counted. Stay in school for the college game, it's not like either one of you really need the money based upon family incomes.
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4-07-2008 @ 9:24PM
TEXANS!!?!?! said...
Yeah, I wouldn't put that whole Love-Hansbrough collapse solely on those two guys - they had teammates who didn't do very well either.
On the other hand, these guys got all of the awards and press all season long so in a way they have to expect to take the blame also.
Which is why I hate individual awards in team sports.
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4-08-2008 @ 12:25PM
frank said...
I sense this Rose is another bust, a superstar in the making ????? thanks to the media but can't shoot free ones ?? Go figure.
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