If a sophomore is even contemplating entering the NBA draft, he should be a "special player." That could mean a dozen things, but one thing it does mean is that you can't be a player who scores just 16 points per game with half of those coming from the free-throw line. MSU sophomore forward Paul Davis has talent, and some can argue that he is the Spartans' best player. But the point is, he doesn't dominate like a 6-foot-11 center should - especially one with NBA aspirations after just two years of college.
The first question Davis should ask himself is, "Why am I going to the NBA now?" He isn't a lottery pick and he isn't a kid who will step up next year like a Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh and become an instant factor in his team's success. Those are the kids that make the big bucks - obviously something Davis covets - because in college they were All-Americans. In my opinion, Davis isn't even the best player on his team, let alone his conference, let alone the nation.
Davis' main asset is the dreaded P-word: Potential.
But all potential will get someone these days is a spot on the bench next to the young kids drafted years before with one thing in their favor - potential.
Other players in Davis' situation, both with completely different talent levels, include Texas' T.J. Ford and MSU's Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Magic is in a class of his own. He turned around the Spartans, taking a 12-15 team to the national championship in just two years. Ford was the catalyst in Texas' run to the Final Four last season and, the year before, he led the nation in assists as a freshman. Those are the "super sophs" that should enter the NBA. Magic, of course, went on to have a very successful career for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ford is currently on the Milwaukee Bucks and is seeing significant time playing the point.
Davis needs to stay. He needs to improve his game at MSU. Davis can score, but he's nothing more than a body on defense.
He needs to become a well-rounded player. Only then will he indeed be a lottery pick, which will guarantee him a good amount of money and allow him to make a difference in the NBA.
Davis has two choices when the Spartans' season concludes: Stay in an MSU uniform and have a monster junior season that will leave no doubt that he should go pro, or follow in the footsteps of past Spartans who made the wrong choice (see Marcus Taylor and Erazem Lorbek).
