Posted by General_Watermelon on April 3, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You've got to be kidding?

Posted by dash727 on April 3, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Are there some team chemistry or player coach personality problems quietly going on behind the scene? I have been told of smoke being seen, hopefully, there is no fire. The way the season ended, reports of grumbling and the diminished team play makes you wonder.

Posted by Hucklebuckle on April 3, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a late April fools joke....right? No, really....I'm serious! You're kidding with us?

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 3, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dash727 - he probably just wants to know where he stands. I'm wondering if he would be drafted in the first 6 rounds at this point.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on April 3, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

with all due respect, wayne is improving but hes smoking something to remotely consider he may be pro material right now or projected out another year----he needs to start rebounding if he has aspirations

Posted by VolPride_13 on April 3, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think he would get drafted, to tell you the truth!!
Next year, the way he is improving he'll be in the same situation as Tyler right now!!
AND if he stays for his senior year then he'll be a top 15 pick!!!

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 3, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get used to it, we will lose players early to the draft as Tennessee continues to improve its national rankings and respectability.

Look at Florida last year, or Ogden and Durant. Seniors are a dying commodity, and ya can't blame the guys, a third or forth year in college might improve them, but it could also permanently injure them.

When you are talking multi million dollar signing bounses, and million $ salaries we can't expect them to stay.

Posted by dfreeman on April 3, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do any of you guys think Chism has played better than Ron Slay at this point in his career? Slay never made it to the NBA! At this time I think Slay was a better player! Chism I think will be a better player but he needs to stay to get there!! Slay played with a little more emotion I think!

Posted by txsvol on April 3, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When we sign the 'one and done' (by David Stern mandate, which may soon change to two years) Parade All-America players, then we can plan to lose players after their first year. Neither Chism nor Tyler Smith is ready for the NBA right now. (The draft has only two rounds, Gen_Fritter--64 players. The rest are free agents, development league players, Europe league players, etc.) SAVol

Posted by T0MMYJACK on April 3, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

***"Tennessee sophomore center Wayne Chism has filed papers for an NBA draft evaluation but is not expected to declare himself eligible.

Players are only allowed to get the evaluation once, however, which indicates Chism plans to turn pro after his junior year."***

READ the article, people. READ.

Posted by dfreeman on April 3, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tommy - are there two of you on here?? One is all caps and on isn't! One lives in Texas, which are you??

Posted by newtonrail on April 3, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If his intent isn't to turn pro until after next year, why not wait til then for evaluation in case he needs to stay for senior year?

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 3, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Chism never seemed like the sharpest tool in the shed.

Posted by dfreeman on April 4, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How in the world did you come to that Yemmusdarb? Is that your proffesional opinion! As far as I can see Chism has managed to stay out of trouble and keeps to himself for the most part! Nothing he has done to this point would make one think that he wasn't "the sharpest tool in the shed"!

Posted by Gigavol on April 4, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe something besides just wondering if he is ready is driving him to do this...

Posted by alfrizzle097 on April 4, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would guess that there is the possibility of family finances being an issue. People need to remember that many of these guys come from a poor background. If they can help their families out, they should. Lets face it, one million a year will allow you to do just as much for your family as 4 million a year. But you can do it one year earlier. Just saying...

Posted by jclowers on April 4, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chism has a child so perhaps that is what's driving him. Look at what he did in the SEC Tournament and most of the NCAA Tournament. If he can play like that all of next year and can improve his 3 point shooting then he will be an NBA Draft Pick next year. If he waits until he is a senior and keeps improving and playing like he did in tourney time then he could be a lottery pick (after his senior season).

Posted by bugman on April 4, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

alfrizzle097,

that is a huge stereotypical statement. You basically just said that "many of these guys come from a poor background." I hope you're not eluding that "these guys" are black guys? I mean seriously, would you be saying this if our team was Duke or Vanderbilt? I'm not even black and I find that comment disturbing.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 4, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dfreeman: Nice people can be dumb, too. I'm not saying the kid is the next Slingblade, but when interviewed or in hearing him speak.... he just doesn't come across as a future brain surgeon. Take it easy pal.

Posted by dfreeman on April 4, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bugman by saying alfrizzle097 meant that "these guys" were black, you are putting words in his/her mouth! Try not to find racism in everything that's said! Most of "these" players wether they are black or white do in fact come from lower income families! It has nothing to do with black or white! Chisms family might be loaded who knows? I think his comment was trying to make the point that players are sometimes motivated to go early due to financial issues and he's right!

Posted by houvol on April 4, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a dumb A_ _. He is a long way from being NBA material. Obviously he does not want to take advantage of a free education. What a shame.

Posted by LazhilUT on April 4, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He's a D-Leaguer at best...if that...

Posted by txvolsfan on April 4, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The evaluation tells you what you have to work on to be an NBA player. It will tell him what part of his game to work on. He could also have listened to Coach Pearl and gotten the same information.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 4, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wayne has talent, and he is a better NBA prospect than Ron Slay ever was at this point. The NBA is more about potential, Slay was great but he was getting everything out of himself.

I'm not an NBA talent scout, but I can tell you there is much more NBA potential to Chism than Slay, Chism has more size, better hands, ect...

Yes even if Chism leaves after next year he may not get drafted, but I do know he has more NBA potential than Slay did.

Posted by volfan on April 4, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps Wayne is testing the waters to see how he stacks up against others. Sort of an evaluation of self. This tool could be used to better himself next year and possibly the year after. I think that we all wonder just how we are perceived by others, and the results of this evaluation could lead to a higher determination to improve his game.

Posted by dfreeman on April 4, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

KeepBruce - I agree with you on the talent level difference between Slay and Chism! My point is that Slay did get more out of himself than Chism has at equal times in their careers here! NBA scouts look at that stuff too!! I think Chism is overall by far more talented than Slay was!

Posted by rbhobbs73 on April 4, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The only problem Ron Slay had was that he was 6-7 and not terribly quick. He was an excellent college player.

Chism is 6-9 with a long wingspan and moves his feet well.

He is, however, nowhere near NBA ready and would not be drafted this year, and unless he improved DRASTICALLY, would not be drafted next year either.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 4, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wayne has no shot to go pro this season, unless it is overseas. There are very few of those multi-million dollar contracts there. However, if he improves as much between now and next season as he did in the last month of this season, he might be a very good prospect indeed. Hate to hear the rumblings about discord on the team; hope there is nothing to them. This was a long season, with lots of pressure on a team that had to play at the highest level of effort and concentration to be successful against often more-talented players and teams. I think everyone was getting mentally and physically tired by the end of the season. Maybe things will settle down with some rest and time to gain perspective.

Posted by bernardking on April 4, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anyone on this board acutally read the articles? Must not, because most of your comments are out of stupidity. Dash727 comments are about as reaching as anything.

He is doing the right thing. He isn't going anywhere this year.

REad the article dumbfoks and get a clue

And yes, Wayne is a much better NBA prospect than Slay EVER was in his career.

Posted by middlegavol on April 4, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What gets me is here we have Chism considering going pro because he has a child to support and Tyler Smith doing the same thing. Has birth control suddenly become unavailable? Can they not keep their pants on until they are able to support a family? What is wrong with this picture?

Posted by Ironcity on April 4, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets look at this from the positive side. We now have players that can play in the NBA. If someone is willing to pay them millions, they should go. If there is a service out there that will give the player a free evaluation of their draft position, why not take it? I stoped long ago trying to figure out what the NBA looks for so I will withhold my judgement in regards to Chisms move. As for Tyler, he is good and I think he will be gone.

Posted by joebomb on April 4, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, is this Jackass central? How fast some of you change your attitude because we only made the 16. Granted he's not ready for the next level, but you can't blame him for feeling the waters. K-town is turning into one of the biggest fairweather fan cities. Sad.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 4, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for showing some common sense along with the ability to read and not blowing this out of proportion IronCity, I agree with your comments completely.

Posted by TommyJack on April 4, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dfreeman: small caps tj is the real deal..live in TX..all caps is the poser/coward.

Posted by dirtywhiteboy on April 4, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that's hard to believe. he's got about as much chance of being drafted as ryan childress.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 4, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

he's not trying to get drafted this year,only trying to evaluate what he needs to work on to get drafted after next season.

Posted by rbhobbs73 on April 4, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not criticizing, merely stating differences between Slay and Chism.

As has been said on here several times, Chism is the much better prospect because he is taller, longer, and quicker.

Wayne and Tyler, please come back and listen to Coach Pearl! You will get better, make Tennessee better, and have a better chance at a long Pro career!

Go Vols!

Posted by murrayvol on April 4, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dfreeman: When in doubt about this or any other poser, check out the profile. TommyJack has 2200+ posts. TOMMYJACK has 33.

Posted by TurboFan on April 4, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"...but is not expected to declare himself eligible."

Capital TJ and bernard, are those Chism's words or the words of someone in Hamilton's office or the writer's? Do you really think that if by some miracle of miracles that the eval comes back with "somewhere in the top 10" that Wayne won't say "see ya later"?

We can read and think beyond the words to their meaning.

Posted by FlushTheJohn on April 4, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is an evaluation for Chism.

Try to learn how to not get 2 fouls in the first 2 minutes of every ballgame! Then someone might actually see you play to give you an acutal evaluation!

Posted by THE_VOL on April 4, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The reply he receives may be the SHOCK OF HIS LIFE! Does this kid realize the draft is only TWO rounds and not TWENTY?????

Posted by dc4 on April 4, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Chism needs to quit smokin tree with Duke. If, and only if, Chism gets stronger and more assertive will he be a second round pick after his senior year.

That is to say he's not even a blip on the NBA's radar this year or next. To give you an example of projected second round talent in this years draft: Richard Hendrix, Taj Gibson, James Gist...

This are dudes that put up 20-10 on a regular basis, and what Wayne has gone 20-10 once in two years???

Posted by marc_ash on April 4, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Folks, get used to this. When you have a program that gets increased talent, you have to be prepared for that talent to leave early. This isn't "your grandfathers Vols", this is a team that is entering a new era with All Americans and potential lottery picks.

All of the top programs have players that leave early and it is becoming a part of the game. The good thing is, hopefully some of those players will choose to come to UT. The negative is, it will take a talented coach to build chemistry for a team that has players only staying for a year or 2. If anyone can do it, I believe BP can.

Posted by TommyJack on April 4, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Murray: thanks. all caps TJ is a resop if you get my drift.

Posted by warriorman86 on April 4, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

txsvol-actually there are only 60 players drafted

Posted by txsvol on April 4, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WM86, You are right! Synapses don't always fire correctly after all-nighters anymore. SAVol

Posted by IPOrange on April 4, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stick around another year and work on your free throw shooting, big guy. You'll be more marketable next year with a better FT%.

Posted by mparker on April 4, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think you are missing wayne's motivation. He will go and work on whatever comes back out of the report. Makes sense if you want to play pro ball.

Thaik about it: he's a sophomore, he has two years to try to improve. Why not find out NOW what you need??

Wayne's played soome very good ball for us. Yeah, he was one of my 'keys' against UL, and we all know how that went....sigh. Wasn't just Wayne.

Posted by davidray31 on April 4, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ron Slay was better than Tyler Smith at this point in his career much less Wayne Chism.

Posted by Lofton4three___MONEY on April 4, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree with mparker at 4:35...this will make our team better next year with Wayne and Tyler learning what they need to work on from NBA folks.

Sometimes it takes a 3rd party telling you what you need for it to sink in. How many times have you told your wife something, only for her to listen to someone else tell her the exact same thing?

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 4, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by yemmusdarb - dfreeman: Nice people can be dumb, too. I'm not saying the kid is the next Slingblade, but when interviewed or in hearing him speak.... he just doesn't come across as a future brain surgeon. Take it easy pal.

I like Taters. Emmm Hmmmm.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 4, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler Smith does a lot of things that do not show up on the stat sheet. I think he was Tennessee's best player this past season. JaJuan Smith was up there as well.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 4, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker - I agree with your post. Chism is just finding out where he stacks up and what he needs to work on. I don't think he feels he is ready at this point. If he does, he is delusional. I do think he has the talent to make it someday, but I question his toughness.

Posted by volmot on April 4, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder how many of you said the same thing about Marcus Hayslip turning pro. Yes yes I know he was out of the Association in 2 or 3 years but he got around 3 million in guaranteed money so it was not a bad decision. As the old saying goes 3 million dollars is 3 million dollars.

Posted by murrayvol on April 4, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack: The drift has arrived.

Posted by murrayvol on April 4, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This just in. There are 317 (I think) D-1 bb teams w/13 or so scholarship players each. And how many of these guys think their game is NBA worthy?

I don't know either but it's a lot. The math (64 in 2 rounds) just won't work for them.

A movie called Hoop Dreams (Kevin O'Neill is in it when he was at Marquette) should be required viewing for every recruit who's only future plan involves the NBA.

Posted by ballewville6 on April 4, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chism is a nice kid but he might be good enough to play in spain ,look at the tennessee bbplayers who never made nba that where 5 times better like haislep,dyron nix,victor,c j black,and about 20 more im not going to type ,he is crazy if he thinks he would be drafted,he is a 4 year collage then overseas player at best,average less than 9 pts 5.5 rebs what makes him think he would go nba maby if he improves in 2 more years ron slay was 10 times better and no nba

Posted by pdhuff on April 4, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm more worried about where Gen Fritter will go in the big show. He'll be hard to replace.

To give your all for ol' Siwash goes out the window when the $$$$$$$ come calling.

Posted by TommyJack on April 4, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Ol' Gen. Frit will hang around for the good of the board. He's looking at late 2nd round anyway....

Murray: He will be here retal, I'm sure.

Posted by creepykev on April 4, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was shocked and disappointed that Slay didn't make it in the NBA. I loved watching him play.

Posted by Plasticman on April 4, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Most of these players think they are better than what they really are. Watch an NBA game in person and you will see that is a completely different game from what most of these college players play. If you are not tall, athletic, quick, fast can jump , shoot and score, you probably won't play in the NBA very long, if at all. I thought Marcus Haislip was a sure fire NBA player, but where is he today after spending 1 year in the NBA? Should have stayed his Senior year and improved his game. Chism has the potential to be an NBA player becuase of his size and athleticism, however, needs to improve his scoring, rebounding and physical presence under the goal. Very good college player bu a long way from being an NBA player IMO.

Posted by bricker865 on April 4, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I liked Slay as well. Great leader.

Posted by dfreeman on April 4, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tj - thanks, I've kind of laid off here for the most part for awhile! Came back and there is this TOMMYJACK guy! Didn't seem like the you that I've talked to before, so I had to ask!!

Posted by beartn on April 5, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, there's a lot of nastiness on some of the posts for such a non issue. All players dream of the NBA, and most have an unrealistic opinion of themsleves. I don't see Chism as an NBA pro. He is muscular enough for power forward, and his shooting range isn't what it needs to be for small forward. He can certainly make good money (several times what I made at my first post college job) in Europe. However, in my opinion, he would be best served by gettiung his degree. While he can make good money in Europe, I don't think he can make enough to retire at 30.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 5, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Wayne's played soome very good ball for us. Yeah, he was one of my 'keys' against UL, and we all know how that went....sigh. Wasn't just Wayne."

The problem wasn't so much Wayne not being Wayne mparker. It was Earl Clark being Earl Clark LOL.

Posted by Hopson2008 on April 5, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wayne is just testing the waters to see what he needs to improve on so that, because he wouldn't even go in the first 4 rounds this year (if there were 4 rounds). There is no way this is a serious consideration.

Posted by THE_VOL on April 5, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Folks, get used to this. When you have a program that gets increased talent, you have to be prepared for that talent to leave early. This isn't "your grandfathers Vols", this is a team that is entering a new era with All Americans and potential lottery picks."

MARCY - are you serious???? Get used to what???? There isn't a player on this team other than Tyler that has any chance of even being drafted as a SENIOR at this point! And there damned sure aren't any potential lottery picks! YOU - like many other of the ignorant ones here - believe that 31 wins means NBA talent is present. It doesn't and it ain't! Since you folks love numbers so much understand this FACT - the 15 lottery picks each year represent LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT of all the players in D-1 basketball - and that's if ZERO foreign players not in college are taken!!!! Do you REALLY believe ANYBODY on this team is in that category NOW or will be in the next two-three years????? My interests in, love for, and closeness to this program are undoubtedly greater than anybody on this board and being a lottery pick ain't happening for ANY of these guys with the single possible exception of Tyler NEXT YEAR. So get used to that MoronMarc!

Posted by whistlinwingman on April 5, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What's next?? Jordan Howell publicly expressing he thinks he might go in the 1st round of the 2008 NBA draft!!!!!!!!

Posted by dfreeman on April 5, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL - wow, you certainly have a high opinion of yourself don't you?? He just expressed his opinion and you called him a moron for it! What an A$$ you must be!!

Posted by whistlinwingman on April 5, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The VOL didn't have to rip Marc up like that but he is right in what he said.

Posted by murrayvol on April 5, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisible: I was there and I've seen the film. You're right to say it wasn't just Wayne. It was mostly Louisville.

Posted by BigManVolFan on April 5, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Chism could be a 1st rd pick after his junior year if he learns to REBOUND!!! Chism is big but plays weak inside... At 6'9 240+, he doesnt rebound well and doesnt block alot of shots either....He needs to get stronger and tougher.

Posted by volfan4evr on April 6, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chis is one of the sharpest tools in the shed ..as its already been said ..He stays to himself and stays out of trouble ..plays hard through a big problem with his breathing ...He sure isn't ready for the NBA but i don't blame him for trying ...I'm sure no one on this board has ever applied for a job that they were under qualified for ....take it easy guy and enjoy what this team gave us ..

Posted by KnoxVolian23 on April 6, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll bet half of these posters don't even watch the NBA. Slay was a much better college player, but didn't have a true position that he could play at the next level. To small to play the 4, to slow to be a 3. Wayne has plenty of potential to be drafted in the NBA. He has quickness, length, and shooting range. Everyone saying negative things about him because he is chasing a dream and looking for feedback from people that know how to achieve that dream need to get a life.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 6, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with most that Wayne isn't NBA-ready yet, but I do agree with volfan4evr and KnoxVolian23 that he is a good guy to have on THIS team, and his rebounding and shot-blocking improved markedly in the last month of the season. It is quite possible that he COULD be worthy of a high draft choice by the time he leaves in another year or two.
Also, THE_VOL, your continued insistence that you are the only one with opinions that matter is getting tiresome. You imply that you are in a position to know more than any of the rest of us, but as far as I know, you haven't told us why this is so. Until then, and even then, proving the correctness of your own opinions doesn't require rudeness on your part, and your tone tends to detract from, not add to, the merit of your arguments. Most of the posters agree with you that no one presently on the team should, in a "perfect" world, be regarded as sure-fire first-rounders. However, there are lots of players who over-estimate their potential and lots of deluded NBA owners who do the same. Long-shots DO pay off every once in a while. So it is not necessarily evidence of ignorance to say that it is POSSIBLE that Tyler or even Wayne might go out early, even if the odds would seem to be against them. Besides, one of the comments you objected to was referring to what we could look forward to IF our recruiting improves to the level we all hope it will.

Posted by Colliervol on April 7, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From THE_VOL: "My interests in, love for, and closeness to this program are undoubtedly greater than anybody on this board". I thought I had seen the height of ignorance before on this site but you just sailed right by it.

Like I told DSAVol (whose posts are strikingly familiar to yours by the way) one time, I don't necessarily disagree with your points but the delivery and attitude are pathetic. So poor, in fact, that people won't listen to your points which are good at times.