Milan completely effed up this entire process. I literally dont get it.
If the NBA is/was truly his dream, he should have known before “this process” that staying school, getting paid, and working on some weak spots was always the right play. He could benefit by working to get stronger and more explosive. He needs a coach/staff that work on mitigating lapses of awareness and effort that plague him with rebounding and defense. He needs to work on his handles and post up game, the latter of which wasnt focused on nearly enough during his time in Ames. Maybe more than anything, he needs to improve his resiliency and mental toughness. Over the last two months that was a problem.
Instead of focusing on choosing a school/staff that could help in those areas, he waits and chooses Mark Pope and Kentucky. Full disclosure? I hate Kentucky and its stupid fans, but objectively its a mystifying decision. Its simply not a team or a coach that will help Milan get to another level. We all know his shooting is what hes getting drafted for, but the above weaknesses WILL limit his minutes and effectiveness. He needed to focus on mitigating those as much as possible to improve his drsft stock and career prospects.
If the draft thing was just a ploy to “save face” in wanting to transfer for the bag, it only reaffirms Milans lack of mental toughness. In the off chance he was advised to do this? Well, he needs some better advisers/agent(s).
I dont disagree, but that really wasnt my argument.
My point was staying in school was always the best option. I just dont understand the thought process in declaring, when it was never the smart option, only to withdraw at the last minute. Announcing an intention to transfer immediately, with a focus on choosing a school/situation he felt could maximize next years stock, is infinitely more cerebral. You pick the best “value”, ie the combination of money/skills (which can make him more money in the long run), and optimize the portal.
Milans method of operation greatly reduced his choices and potentially his payout. Counter argument? Its possible the desperation card (when other options became limited) garnered more money. Anothet possibility? Maybe this was locked up behind the scenes for weeks, and Milan was too much of a softie to “look like the bad guy”.
Kentucky, with Mark Pope as the coach, is an awful destination for Milan. If his goal…his dream…is to play and make it in the NBA, he needed to go elsewhere. Whatever dollars that may have been maximized by the deal is more than offset by the the coach, system, and destination. That also doesnt bring into consideration the expectations and demeanor of UKs fans, something that I dont think Milan is ready to contend with.
I hope it works out well for him but he botched this entire process big time.
