Goodbye. Farewell. See ya.
Zach Randolph and Jason Richardson - we barely got to know ya.
But as they say, life goes on.
The news of the two Spartans jetting for the NBA has sent shockwaves through MSU’s campus.
I have to ask: Why is this so shocking or even surprising?
Maybe we were spoiled before. Keeping Antonio Smith, Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell and Andre Hutson in uniform for four years was no small feat.
Along with the years of experience, having seniors on the floor provides leadership and, in MSU’s case, a winning mentality.
Players like Shane Battier, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill and Kenyon Martin improved their draft status during their senior seasons. Richardson and Randolph are sacrificing futures as top five picks by entering now, but they aren’t sacrificing their futures.
Some may be unsure why the two would not wait and continue to improve their games, because their games are far from complete.
But I ask anybody who is critical of this decision to try and understand why.
Richardson and Randolph both come from situations where money is not all that abundant.
The idea of a quick million by passing on another year of college classes and cafeteria food had to have been very appealing to both.
Fans have to take some credit for putting the idea of a quick buck into their minds.
We are the same people who chanted “go green,” and that’s exactly what they are doing - going green all the way to the bank.
A life of big houses, bigger cars and the biggest jewelry are all possibilities with a first-round pick’s NBA paycheck. If you were Randolph or Richardson, what would you choose, a few hours a week in IAH 201 or a feature on MTV’s Cribs?
I choose Cribs.
Also, these athletes are competitors. Somebody has convinced them they are ready to test their game at the highest level.
A shot at the NBA is a serious injury away from not reoccurring.
So why take that risk?
Fame and fortune on basketball’s most competitive court are higher priorities than more collegiate success for the two.
The critics say neither of the two are ready for the grind of an NBA season.
Richardson has the athleticism to be ready, and while his perimeter game needs a little work (see the NCAA Tournament), he will have time to improve.
Randolph’s defensive game needs some work, and he, too, will have time to improve.
Any team picking them is not drafting to solve today’s problems. These players are being drafted for their potential, which both have in enormous amounts.
Neither will have breakout rookie seasons, but I bet they won’t be flops. It’s a matter of time until they meet their potential.
Overall, I think both made good decisions in heading to the NBA.
They are going to get paid. They are going to sign shoe contracts. They are going to live out their dreams.
Who do fans, myself included, think they are by criticizing two people for doing what they always wanted to do? In their position, I’d do the same.
Fans should not be bitter or harbor any bad feelings for Richardson and Randolph for heading to greener pastures. They are leaving MSU, but their points and rebounds will be replaced.
Granted, neither of the two are leaving East Lansing with a degree, but they have graduated in their intended field of study - basketball.
Education or not, Randolph and Richardson will be armed with one thing that definitely matters in the professional world: a fat paycheck.
Dan Woike, a State News intern, would gladly sell you his IAH 201 notes for a big paycheck. Hook up the deal by e-mailing him at woikedan@msu.edu.
