Is it even feasible Portis will be here next year?

[hogz11]

I'm trying not to jump ahead and just enjoy him this year playing for the Razorbacks and being a cornerstone for this team. But you just have to think if he keeps playing at this level, his draft stock will only keep rising. Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts. Personally, I hope he stays four years but I know I'm probably dreaming.....

[rwspear]

we will miss him next year

[Hawg Red]

Becoming less and less likely with each game and each 3 pointer made.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Becoming less and less likely with each game and each 3 pointer made.

Cauley-Stein and Harrell from Louisville both came back when they could have gone in the 1st round last year. Nothing like being a centerpiece of the Hogs resurgence by the hometown hero. It could happen.

[40MINSOFHELL]

Always a possibility

[Hawg Red]

Cauley-Stein and Harrell from Louisville both came back when they could have gone in the 1st round last year. Nothing like being a centerpiece of the Hogs resurgence by the hometown hero. It could happen.

Sure. It could. I could even see Bobby doing it. But we have to be honest with ourselves that it is still unlikely. Not impossible but improbable.

[poloprince]

Very feasible he returns.

[MountieDawg]

The kid has to do what is best for him....

[Danny J]

The kid has to do what is best for him....

I agree and I wouldn't blame him a bit for leaving if he is a projected lottery pick or close.

[popcornhog]

I agree and I wouldn't blame him a bit for leaving if he is a projected lottery pick or close.

He's currently projected as top 10.

[rzrbackramsfan]

The answer to your question is yes, it is feasible.

[elksnort]

You certainly can't blame a guy for taking the money. But the NBA is so very uninteresting to me. They play 162 games or whatever, players change teams like some of us do clothes and many of the guys get paid big money and do very little.

Anyway, I digress. I just don't care for the NBA, except for the playoffs.


whoops, I should have typed 82 games.....

[snf6278]

IMHO I think it all hinges on his mother's wishes. I believe he has said his mom wants him to get his degree before he takes his talents to the league.

[popcornhog]

You certainly can't blame a guy for taking the money. But the NBA is so very uninteresting to me. They play 162 games or whatever, players change teams like some of us do clothes and many of the guys get paid big money and do very little.

Anyway, I digress. I just don't care for the NBA, except for the playoffs.

162 is baseball. NBA is 82, but I assume you're being sarcastic.

Nba season is long, I agree. And I'd lost interest between about 1999-2008 or so. But now -- wow! The amount of HOF talent in the nba right now is amazing.

[McKdaddy]

Feasible? Yes.  I don't know how likely it is he stays.

[elksnort]

162 is baseball. NBA is 82, but I assume you're being sarcastic.

Nba season is long, I agree. And I'd lost interest between about 1999-2008 or so. But now -- wow! The amount of HOF talent in the nba right now is amazing.

No Popcorn, I was'nt being sarcastic. That was a dumb error on my part! In fact, I'm vain enough to go correct it.

The NBA just doesn't interest me much and it takes away from the college game I think. Not many teams can just reload like Kentucky does every year.

[wholehog92]

It's feasible which is of course different than likely.  Would obviously love to see it though.

If we have a chance to keep him, it's school pride combined with a mother's influence.  He certainly put some faith in Mike Anderson committing here when this year's team wasn't really anything but a promise.  Being an AR kid must have had something to do with it.  I remember his mother is very influential and I swear I remember her making a comment she wanted him to get a degree from his recruitment.

Honestly, if he were my child, I'd probably advise him to go if he's a likely top 10 pick.  At a minimum, he needs to take out an insurance policy.

[Hawg Red]

Honestly, if he were my child, I'd probably advise him to go if he's a likely top 10 pick.  At a minimum, he needs to take out an insurance policy.

I would have to think that was done before last season. I would hope, anyway.

[wholehog92]

I would have to think that was done before last season. I would hope, anyway.

If they could afford it, no doubt.  Those policies aren't inexpensive though.  I have no idea what their financial outlook is.

[azhog10]

Not that he reads hogville, but if he does Portid owes us nothing. Whatever his decision he has been a true hog!

[ErieHog]

Barring injury, no, it isn't remotely feasible.

The absolute worst case, non injury scenario is being a Top 20 pick; the best case scenario is playing his way into the mid-level lottery.


With the CBA as it is,  it behooves a player to enter the league as soon as possible;  if for no other reason, Portis will want to get as many seasons as possible under his belt before the new TV money kicks the salary cap up.    No one wants to be operating under their rookie deal while everyone else's salary explodes.

His game is already much better suited for the pro game, and the primary limitations now put on him by scouts, relate to his athleticism, which isn't going to improve much.

[TomBigBeeHog]

I could definitely see him leaving but it's not a stretch to think he might stay, Fayetteville seems to suit him just fine. Only a college kid once, NBA is all business.

[opineonswine]

NO

[elksnort]

I could definitely see him leaving but it's not a stretch to think he might stay, Fayetteville seems to suit him just fine. Only a college kid once, NBA is all business.

THIS^^^^^
But he's not my age, so he likely doesn't think this way.

[ErieHog]

I could definitely see him leaving but it's not a stretch to think he might stay, Fayetteville seems to suit him just fine. Only a college kid once, NBA is all business.

It is an immense stretch to imagine him staying.

If presented with the choice of:

'You can slightly enhance your image in a state that already loves you,  risk your future earnings potential - but hey, you can partially indemnify yourself against the worst case scenario-- and get to spend an additional year of your prime earnings potential operating under a contract that you could be free of sooner.   Oh!  You also get to spend another year being a broke college student!"

-- it really is not a question.   If you are a guy with a super limited ceiling,  or who can change their status to the point of earning a lot more money, then sure.  If you are Bobby Portis, you are counting the hours to the draft.

[rzrbackramsfan]

Yea but Bobby is not a robot, his heart might make him stay , unlikely, but it is feasible.

[Atlhogfan1]

It is an immense stretch to imagine him staying.

If presented with the choice of:

'You can slightly enhance your image in a state that already loves you,  risk your future earnings potential - but hey, you can partially indemnify yourself against the worst case scenario-- and get to spend an additional year of your prime earnings potential operating under a contract that you could be free of sooner.   Oh!  You also get to spend another year being a broke college student!"

-- it really is not a question.   If you are a guy with a super limited ceiling,  or who can change their status to the point of earning a lot more money, then sure.  If you are Bobby Portis, you are counting the hours to the draft.

And hoping to not suffer catastrophic injury. 

It is selfish to hope he returns for another season with what he will risk and possibly sacrifice.  Be appreciative of his loyalty to come to the UA and what he has given and how he has represented the university and program. 

[TomBigBeeHog]

It is an immense stretch to imagine him staying.

If presented with the choice of:

'You can slightly enhance your image in a state that already loves you,  risk your future earnings potential - but hey, you can partially indemnify yourself against the worst case scenario-- and get to spend an additional year of your prime earnings potential operating under a contract that you could be free of sooner.   Oh!  You also get to spend another year being a broke college student!"

-- it really is not a question.   If you are a guy with a super limited ceiling,  or who can change their status to the point of earning a lot more money, then sure.  If you are Bobby Portis, you are counting the hours to the draft.

but we see guys projected in the first round come back all the time (Harrell & Cauley-Stein, for example). guys even do it in football, where the risk of injury is far more likely.

[ErieHog]

but we see guys projected in the first round come back all the time (Harrell & Cauley-Stein, for example). guys even do it in football, where the risk of injury is far more likely.

Guys who have a ton more to prove, or who can radically alter their draft stock, sure.   There isn't a ton of room for Bobby to move up.

[Rawker]

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2015/
Good news is Q is not in 2 rounds there.

Or here....but bad news BP is 6:
http://www.nbadraft.net/2015mock_draft

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2015/story/_/id/11624170/2015-nba-draft-jeff-goodman-mock-draft-10

http://hoopshype.com/draft_2015.htm

No matter where you look, BP is top 20 to top 10.  He's outta here.  Might keep Q though.

[Beaverfever]

I still don't see how he is a lottery pick but more power to him if he is.  He still can't dominate under the basket at the SEC level.  There are plenty of guys like Jarnell Stokes who wander between the NBA and D-League who would still punk him.  Maybe his body just needs some time to catch up with his talent. 

[ErieHog]

I still don't see how he is a lottery pick but more power to him if he is.  He still can't dominate under the basket at the SEC level.  There are plenty of guys like Jarnell Stokes who wander between the NBA and D-League who would still punk him.  Maybe his body just needs some time to catch up with his talent. 

He's not going to play anywhere near the rim at the next level.  That is not why an NBA team want him, and if he tries to work on that part of his game primarily, it will do far more harm to his NBA future than good.

I don't get why people don't understand he's an NBA guy today, no questions asked.

[Beaverfever]

He's not going to play anywhere near the rim at the next level.  That is not why an NBA team want him, and if he tries to work on that part of his game primarily, it will do far more harm to his NBA future than good.

I don't get why people don't understand he's an NBA guy today, no questions asked.

Guys that are 7 feet who can't bang shoot WAY better than he currently does.  They shoot about as well as the guards in the NBA.  If that's what he's going for then he's got just as far to go.  I think he's amazing with a ton of talent but I still don't see where he fits in the NBA in the next couple years.  They don't pay me for my opinion though so I'm probably wrong. 

[ErieHog]

Guys that are 7 feet who can't bang shoot WAY better than he currently does.  They shoot about as well as the guards in the NBA.  If that's what he's going for then he's got just as far to go.  I think he's amazing with a ton of talent but I still don't see where he fits in the NBA in the next couple years.  They don't pay me for my opinion though so I'm probably wrong. 

They don't shoot 'way better';  Portis is among the best shooting prospect big players in the last decade of college ball.   He has the handles already to be more than any NBA team expects from a stretch 4, has shown the ability to run the floor and fill well.    He contests shots outside the restricted area extremely well, even if not a banger.

I'm not sure what player you have watched.  You don't get better at 6'10" from 15-18 feet than Bobby Portis has shown, without being Kevin Durant- and now he's even showing 3 point range and the capacity to both grow his game *and* work within the confines of the offense, without sacrificing efficiency.

His primary NBA limitation is that he's never going to be a Wiggins-like athlete.   That's it.

[Hawg Red]

Portis is Garnett Lite, and that's good enough to be a lottery pick.

[Richard_white]

I hate comparing people to their game but Portis is like a Bosh or Garnett. 

I would be shocked if he stays another year.

[Letsroll1200]

If Bobby leaves it means Arkansas had a strong year. I'm rooting for the young man  to get paid.

[Porked Tongue]

He loves it here but he's gone after this year.

[wupigsuey]

I think he stays

[Jek Tono Porkins]

I think from the observation of other Razorbacks who declared early for the draft and never got into the league, Portis would be wise to not leave unless he is a 100% guaranteed pick.

[ErieHog]

I think from the observation of other Razorbacks who declared early for the draft and never got into the league, Portis would be wise to not leave unless he is a 100% guaranteed pick.

The question is lottery or not lottery; barring injury, he's a 100% guaranteed pick.

[Danny J]

They don't shoot 'way better';  Portis is among the best shooting prospect big players in the last decade of college ball.   He has the handles already to be more than any NBA team expects from a stretch 4, has shown the ability to run the floor and fill well.    He contests shots outside the restricted area extremely well, even if not a banger.

I'm not sure what player you have watched.  You don't get better at 6'10" from 15-18 feet than Bobby Portis has shown, without being Kevin Durant- and now he's even showing 3 point range and the capacity to both grow his game *and* work within the confines of the offense, without sacrificing efficiency.

His primary NBA limitation is that he's never going to be a Wiggins-like athlete.   That's it.

I agree and when you hear unbiased announcers who could really care less one way or another say that he reminds them of KG then that tells you all you need to know. He is gone and I don't blame him a bit. I would do the same thing in his shoes.

[thirrdegreetusker]

You certainly can't blame a guy for taking the money.

News to me: Recent situation of Ronnie Brewer being jobless is due to fact that NBA players union got a guaranteed minimum salary for players, based on years. Ronnie is good enough to be on the roster of most NBA teams but, as a seven-year (?) vet, he must be paid 1.2 (?) million. So teams just get a rookie to fill that "bench' spot, and Ronnie has to play in Europe to get paid.

[Dan42AR]

I will never fault anybody for living their dream. I just appreciate the ones that became Razorbacks before they moved on.

[Killean]

He's one of those players that is ready and needs to go I think.  I love him as a Razorback but his future is calling.

[passinghog]

Um, no. Gone.
We appreciate his loyalty and hopefully his improvement can improve our chances with Malik.

[Tylerhog]

Not a chance, he gonna be wealthy soon!

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

No, good luck to him and I hope he saves his money

[rude1]

He will come back if he wants to be a lottery pick as opposed to a late first round pick. He can't guard a fence post right now, and no matter what you think the NBA is or isn't, you had better be very explosive offensively if you can't defend your position if you want to stick.

[razorbackchamps94]

He's gone .. He's a top 15 pick