In case you weren't aware, B.J. Mullens isn't hurting from a lack of self-confidence.
While it's no secret B.J. never really bought into Matta's program even though he committed to OSU out of the womb, his modest stat line as a freshman didn't stop him from comparing his game to some of the best in the League. In fact, he's confident that he's not just the next Garnett, Nowitzki or Stoudemire but instead he's a combo of all three:
“I can get compared to Kevin Garnett, his inside game. Outside game, Dirk Nowitzki, explosive like Amar’e (Stoudemire). Those three guys I like to compare myself and mix them all together and do a little bit of triple threat.”
Wow. Okay. I guess he could turn out to be exactly that - and I honestly hope that he does - but it seems a little far fetched after his one and only season in Columbus produced 8.8 points per game, 4.7 boards, 55% shooting from the stripe and nine - that's nine - assists in 671 minutes. The numbers don't even begin to illustrate just how poor of a post passer he was nor do they accurately depict his lack of any real consistent go-to offensive moves outside of the uncontested dunk.
In Gar-mire-witzki's defense, Matta only played him 20 minutes a game which impacted his per game totals though some of that was the result of foul trouble and/or ineffectiveness as Mullens frequently seemed to mentally check out at times.
Still, he is very young and appears to have some serious tools so hopefully he's committed and has a great NBA career. Even if he does, it's hard to imagine him evolving into anything remotely close to what Stoudemire brings to the table athletically or what Dirk brings to the perimeter.
Not that he really sounds cocky when you watch the actual interview but, for his sake, I hope his confidence is tempered and not the result of those around telling him how great he is. I mean, does he think he's the only draftee working his ass off right now?
What kind of career do you think Mullens will make for himself?
Comments
Mullens will end up being a first round pick, in the late teens or twenties, because there is a lack of good centers in this draft. He will get some money but the real value is that second contract. I think he will work hard and be an average player to below average player but never a starter or all star. He doesn't work hard enough. If he gets on a team with a group of stars that will kick his butt and get him motivated he has a chance to turn into something great. I hope he doesn't fall to the second round and bust out back to Lancaster.
not ready at all.... lazy and a big ego. He is going to be seriously humbled.
My biggest concern is the lack of hand/eye coordination. I don't see that improving too much, but maybe he'll prove me wrong.
My biggest concern is why we are even discussing this....football! football! football! attica! LOL
Lotto Pick, which will turn into a bust (Kosta Koufos II), making the Bucks look bad again. I understand the need for money, but he better be prepared to live life as a bust and add his name to the list (Eddy Curry, Kwame Brown, etc.).
Not hating, just saying he can't catch or hold onto the ball, so all that explosiveness is going to get him no where...Best of luck though.
I agree.
Basketball isn't important until mid-February and that importance only lasts a few weeks. Or in the case of OSU basketball, a few days.
Football, on the other hand, is important 24/7/365.
Between an article on basketball and a stupid picture in which we make quotes from......I'd rather have the stupid picture.
Holey on 97.1 was all over those comments last night on the drive home. He's a kid with a lot of confidence. I hope he gets selected in the first round so he gets a good contract.
Glad you enjoyed it! Maybe you can make the best of it and offer a quote about the existing picture?
Unless he puts forth a consistent effort for 48 minutes hell never be a good NBA player
I'll be interested to see if he gets drafted before Tyler Hansbrough, I have seen BJ going before him in most mock drafts.
And Ski, I didn't know you love hoops so much!
366 on leap years.
"Holy (DUNK) S*** this sport is boring! Is it Saturday afternoon yet?"
Touche
One) "Gar-mire-witzki" is too messy. Let's call him "KGD STAT" instead. KG = KG. D for Dirk. STAT for Amare.
Two) That being said, he's more Zydrunas Ineffectivikas/Shawn Bradley than he is ANY of those three All-Stars.
Comparing yourself to Garnett's inside game means you have to grab a rebound every now and then. Strike one!!!
That's better. Thanks for playing!
HA duly noted
More power to you but it still kills me how some of you can be such die hard OSU football fans but borderline hate the basketball program. I guess I was just raised with a different kind of Buckeye love. I mean, I can understand not being as big a fan of hoops compared to football - it'll always be king - but to out and out be bothered by the fact it's discussed on a Buckeye site is hard for me to understand. It's not like we're talking about softball.
I don't outright hate the bball program. But I do however have a reputation to uphold here. LOL
Im just not a fan of basketball period. Unless Lebron is playing. Overall, to me, its a boring sport. Just my opinion, that doesn't go very far usually.....
What's more absurd:
(a) Mullens saying he has the outside game of Nowitzki or
(b) Rehring saying last year that the coaches can play him at guard or at tackle because of his versatility?
Discuss.
Are there any other sports you enjoy or are you strictly football dude?
I'll go with Rehring, because he was versatile at the training table.
At least Mullens has an upside and could pan out to be a decent pro, but I'll be interested to see how hard he continues to work once he gets that money in hand.
I enjoy a good game of croquet LOL
Rehring was only versatile at the buffet line. That boy could switch between Mexican and Continental in a heartbeat and not miss out on dessert.
Not sure why they made me anon....
I haven't seen any articles on Buckeye track & field, tennis, fencing, diving, rifle, rowing, cross country or volleyball.
If this is truly a Buckeye site, wouldn't those sports be discussed as well? Especially a lot of the spring/summer sports.
I know those aren't as popular as football, basketball, and baseball. And I know this is like the Bermuda Triangle days of football news.
My comments were all in good humor. Just stating my opinion in a very ignorant way.
Hopefully no hard feelings.
Drunken croquet is a thing of beauty.
This site will always cover OSU football and men's basketball. Sometimes we'll touch on baseball or women's basketball or a non-rev sport that's making a serious national run, but the two big ones are the bread and butter.
If you don't like posts about basketball, you don't have to read them. I realize you paid a lot of money for your subscription to 11W, but...
Buckeye in SC:
I took zero exception to your comments and certainly don't have any hard feelings. We value all our readers/commenters and respect everyone's opinion. My personal opinion is just different than yours. I think that's what makes this site what it is.
As for the other sports, I think Jason pretty much covered it. While you may not care about hoops, a lot of our readers do while I can't say the same for track, rifle and the other sports you mentioned. Plus, there's no way we could intelligently speak to any of them anyway. Not that we're all that skilled at writing about hoops or football anyway!
I hope you didn't take exception to my original comments.
I'd like to echo buckeye's question from above--just who, exactly, has _ever_ compared Mullens' outside game to Dirk Nowitzki's?
I ask this question in complete seriousness--can anyone here remember Mullens taking a single shot last season from more than six feet away from the basket? Kyle Madsen drained more 20-foot jumpers than Mullens last season, and nobody's getting hot over Madsen's NBA prospects (nor should they).
For all of his well-documented postseason flameouts, Nowitzki is a great shooter. There is a non-zero possibility that I could beat Mullens in a game of HORSE, so long as dunks weren't allowed.
What, he didn't say he was ilgauskas with hair? If he ends up with a career half as good as Ilgauskas, he will be lucky. I don't wish to root against any former Buckeye, so here's to working hard and playing as well as Nowitski someday.
Speaking of subscriptions...you would think in times like these you would lower the price a little bit. All of us aren't doctors and lawyers you know?
And I totally understand why you guys write on the big sports. I don't give a flying fornication about rowing or rifle either.
Back to the article...Mullens is going to be a dud in the NBA. He's not ready. Just like Koufus wasn't ready and just like Oden wasn't ready.
But if I was be shown millions of dollars I'd probably convince myself I was ready too.
is it just me, or did BJ say "derek nowinski"?
classic.
It looks like William Gholston is headed to MSU...he is in green for prom with a Michigan State hat. Well...at least it is not Michigan...
http://forums.bucknuts.com/sho... (For Bucknuts members)
Nobody ever said he was smart....
Foolish
Did OSU delay in getting him an offer? I thought I read that they held off for a while and he may have lost interest. Like Drew said, at least it isn't Michigan.
Yeah, they waited a while -- think he finally got one a couple of weeks ago.
And like everyone said above, better than Michigan.
I don't think Big Brother Vern would approve if it was scUM...seeing as how he was a scUM killer and all
i'm actually okay with this, we seem to pull DEs out of our ass without any problem and i like the idea of 'Lil Gun Show recreating this famous picture:
http://photo.the-ozone.net/pho...
Brad Miller is and always will be better than Mullens.
Football and basketball matter, everything else is sh**. Just check the TV ratings. You think this time of year is a down time for 11W? Just think if they talked rifle team for 4 months.
You guys whining about it are probably eating Gouda and drinking Chardonay at your tailgate party. Okay, that was stupid.
Oden was ready. He was the best player on the floor in the title game. He is just injury prone, but imho, Conley wasn't ready...
Mullens was more disappointing as a Buckeye than Koufos
Big Z would've been great if he hadn't broke his feet like four times.
Stupid.....yet hilarious
did you see consistent effort over 30 minutes last year? or even 20? i dont think you can coach desire.
The only thing Mullins brings to the table is his ego.
Thats because his family cant afford silverware....whoops too soon?
football > basketball.
duh.
but....there is nothing....going on in either right now really. So....you take what you can and go with it. basketball ball it is.
FWIW I saw somewhere where the football season kicks off in 100 days.
sorry about the atrocious grammer.
The kid is in the draft. He's trying to get teams interested in him. If you had a job interview for a position paying several hundred dollars a year more than you and your two best friends put together make, are you going to say you can't do the job?
"Yeah, I'd compare myself to inside game, Brad Sellers or outside game like Ken Johnson or explosive like Terrence Dials."
Good answer, BJ. Reach as high as you can.
For the rest of you, ripping a 19 year old anonymously does nothing positive for the university you are trying to support.
“I can get compared to Kevin Garnett, his inside game. Outside game, Dirk Nowitzki, explosive like Amar’e (Stoudemire). Those three guys I like to compare myself and mix them all together and do a little bit of triple threat.”
Hey B.J....pass me that doobie because it must be some good stuff you're smoking.
Thank you Ski, great minds think alike.
My favorite joke codicil ever: "Too soon?"
Cheers
I see you working here but with reservations. I can't say that I am enthused by his prospects considering his play this past season. I also will not sit here and blow sunshine up anyone's ass for the sake of his 8 or 9 classes attended at the school I support. If a kid asked me his chances of succeeding in business with tremendous natural ability but mediocre scholastic performance at Fisher, the grade would be similar. "Best of luck, kid but the odds are stacked (substantially) against you." My, and by and large, our, opinions of players should not be overtly jaded by anyone's 9 months on campus. I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear Mullens throw tOSU or Matta directly under the bus in the future because he has/had very little invested in the school and in turn, I have very little invested in him.