OT: Marqus Blakely 1/6 He owns it! - Page 7 - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

UVM7680 · 09-29-2012, 02:24 PM

Clippers Media Day -- Training Camp Signees
By Steve Perrin on Sep 28, 2:49p

Quote:

The Clippers have signed five players to their training camp roster, including two familiar faces.

Marqus Blakely was a second round pick of the Clippers in 2010. In the 2010 summer league he was probably the Clippers best rookie, outplaying both Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu. Blakely got caught in the numbers game his rookie year and did not make the team. He played great in the D-League and got a call up to the Rockets that year, but never appeared in a game and has not be able to stick. He's an uber-athlete with crazy long arms who could be a great wing defender at this level, but has the disadvantage of having played power forward in college at Vermont. At 6'5" that's not really an option in the NBA, so he has to develop his perimeter game more. But this is a guy I can definitely see playing in the NBA some day soon.

Clippers open camp with high expectations
by Eric Pincus, Hoopsworld.com

Quote:

Additionally, five players were invited to camp, all long-shots to make what is already a full roster: Marqus Blakely, Courtney Fortson, Chris Johnson, Trent Plaisted and Hank Thorns.

UVM7680 · 10-06-2012, 03:50 PM

Not looking particularly promising for Marqus with the Clippers... you have to hope he had some reason for returning to this team, given that the numbers seem so unfavorable.

In Case You Were Confused (Camp Invitees)
Posted by Fred Katz on October 4, 2012 at 5:36 pm

Quote:

Training camp has begun and that means players no one has ever heard of are starting to come out of the woodworks. Every year, fringe NBA hoopsters get invited to camp and work their tails off to try to scratch their way onto a team’s roster.

In the case of the Clippers, the training camp invitees probably don’t have much of a shot – that is because Los Angeles enters camp with 15 players already under contract for the upcoming 2012-13 season. However, if you’re looking through the numbers from Wednesday’s starters vs. reserves scrimmage and you realize that you have no idea who five of those names are, you aren’t crazy. Not everyone wastes away their college years watching amateur hoops, but fortunately for this piece, I did.

Here is a quick history of each of those five training camp invitees:

Courtney Fortson ...
Chris Johnson ...
Hank Thorns ...
Marqus Blakely – If you’re looking for wingspan, Blakely is your guy. The former Vermont Catamount can stretch out to 7-foot-1 from fingertip to fingertip. Like Fortson, he might look familiar. He was the final cut from Clippers’ training camp in 2010. He spent last season in the Philippines, where he averaged 22.4 points per game and 13.4 rebounds per game in 22 games. Those numbers are dominant, but remember that Blakely is a three or four that stands at only 6-foot-5. That doesn’t bode well for his NBA prospects.
Trent Plaisted ...

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-06-2012, 06:29 PM

If the Clippers only had 13 players under contract headed into camp then Marqus would still be a long shot to make the roster- but at least he would still have odds. The fact that the Clippers already have the max 15 players under contract for 2012-13 effectively makes in near impossible for Marqus to make the Los Angeles Clippers.

All Marqus fans can do from here is hope the Clippers play him/ he earns some court time in as many pre-season games as possible, and other coaches around the league can see if he would be a fit. With that, here's to hoping he gets in the game tonight against the Denver Nuggets in Las Vegas.

Not sure if anyone watched the show Hard Knocks on HBO on the Dolphins, but it showed all the guys they had to cut; some players they just didn't like and weren't good enough, some players they did like and said they would give a recommendation, and some players they really wanted to keep but couldn't because of numbers and had to waive but feared another team would claim them.

Hopefully the latter is what happens with Marqus, because if he's on an NBA in the beginning of November, it won't be with the Clippers*

(*unless they experience massive injuries in camp).

c00per · 10-07-2012, 08:15 AM

I'm sure it would be a dream come true to play in the NBA, but it seems like his chances of making a team are getting slimmer and slimmer and he's losing years to the effort.

Wonder how his game would work in Europe?

uvm4life20 · 10-07-2012, 10:29 AM

How is he losing years to the effort. Years in europe will give him more money but what else? If anything time will help him get closer not make it slimmer. It's all up to him and how much work he wants to put in. He is years away from being in his prime. He has a long transition of becoming a wing player in the nba. It may take him 5 years for that transition to really be complete.

You look at a guy like Coppenrath who has played well in one of the better european leagues. Its not like he is going to be a hall of famer over there though. He is going to make good money over there. He may get in the top division some day and do some damage. For the most part though Coppenrath career isn't that sexy over there. What Blakely is doing now will not stop him from playing in the same league as Coppenrath.

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-07-2012, 12:29 PM

Marqus with the unfortunate DNP in game 1 last night

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-07-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UVM7680

you have to hope he had some reason for returning to this team, given that the numbers seem so unfavorable.

I don't think the reason was anymore then as with any player in Marqus' situation- if any NBA team invites you to training camp, you say yes and go start packing your stuff.

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-07-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c00per

I'm sure it would be a dream come true to play in the NBA, but it seems like his chances of making a team are getting slimmer and slimmer and he's losing years to the effort.

Wonder how his game would work in Europe?

Marqus' career in Europe would either equal or surpass Coppenrath's- in terms of salary, longevity, and perhaps accomplishments. I think once he's finally ready to go over there- which may be this season- he will do quite well.

c00per · 10-08-2012, 06:48 AM

Here's a glimpse of him in a Clipper's jersey (after Griffin hits the 75 footer):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=21GotQC4S-o

farfromtheshow · 10-08-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UVM Hoop Cat

Marqus' career in Europe would either equal or surpass Coppenrath's- in terms of salary, longevity, and perhaps accomplishments. I think once he's finally ready to go over there- which may be this season- he will do quite well.

Certainly not in terms of salary: Coppenrath's stock was at a premium when he first headed over to Europe, coming off of being a finalist for the Naismith/Wooden awards, the NCAA win, the hype and publicity of UVM all season long, 3 NCAA's, etc. It was at a level that Marqus' was not at after college, and certainly has not been at after multiple seasons in the wasteland that is the D-League. Coupled with the fact that the bubble has burst in the European economy, Salaries were simply much higher when Copp first went overseas... so for Blakely to equal, let alone surpass, Coppenrath's salary is highly, Highly unlikely.

farfromtheshow · 10-08-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UVM Hoop Cat

Marqus' career in Europe would either equal or surpass Coppenrath's- in terms of salary, longevity, and perhaps accomplishments. I think once he's finally ready to go over there- which may be this season- he will do quite well.

Secondly, at this point, every year he spends moving forward in the D-League is a year that he is losing ground in europe: Every year this is a new crop of young, high-profile players coming out of college, as well as players with NBA resume's who are getting pushed out of "The League" who decide to head overseas. They, along with the select few American's who have become entrenched in high level Europe, are creating a smaller and smaller pool of quality jobs (read high paying, safe money, good teams) overseas for Marqus...

Furthermore, Coppenrath fits a role in high-level Europe and has carved out a Niche: He is a true 4 with size, scores, is completely comfortable coming off of the bench, etc. Marqus, as a 6'4"-6'5" athletic 4 is not a player whose skillset is in high demand at a high level over there.

Could he have a career equal to Coppenrath? Sure, but to state it as fact that he will, is simply far from accurate.

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-08-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farfromtheshow

Certainly not in terms of salary: Coppenrath's stock was at a premium when he first headed over to Europe, coming off of being a finalist for the Naismith/Wooden awards, the NCAA win, the hype and publicity of UVM all season long, 3 NCAA's, etc. It was at a level that Marqus' was not at after college, and certainly has not been at after multiple seasons in the wasteland that is the D-League. Coupled with the fact that the bubble has burst in the European economy, Salaries were simply much higher when Copp first went overseas... so for Blakely to equal, let alone surpass, Coppenrath's salary is highly, Highly unlikely.

No doubt he most likely wouldn't be able to land the size of the contract Coppenrath did when he first went over- which was really high. Probably almost too high in fact because I'm not sure his play lived up to it, and he hasn't been at that level again I don't believe, but still is paid well over though.

So I agree he probably won't be able to make what Copp initially made over there, but he can get paid what he makes now for a long, long time.

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-08-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farfromtheshow

Secondly, at this point, every year he spends moving forward in the D-League is a year that he is losing ground in europe: Every year this is a new crop of young, high-profile players coming out of college, as well as players with NBA resume's who are getting pushed out of "The League" who decide to head overseas. They, along with the select few American's who have become entrenched in high level Europe, are creating a smaller and smaller pool of quality jobs (read high paying, safe money, good teams) overseas for Marqus...

Furthermore, Coppenrath fits a role in high-level Europe and has carved out a Niche: He is a true 4 with size, scores, is completely comfortable coming off of the bench, etc. Marqus, as a 6'4"-6'5" athletic 4 is not a player whose skillset is in high demand at a high level over there.

Could he have a career equal to Coppenrath? Sure, but to state it as fact that he will, is simply far from accurate.

I think it's a foregone conclusion that we won't see him in the D-League again- after two seasons spent there, he can't do any more than he did last season and it would just be a waste of time and waste of money. Two seasons was plenty, and I think he made a great jump last season. The D-League, IMO, pretty much sucks. It's unfortunate because it has potential but doesn't seem like it's got the right leadership.

I certainly understand the financial issues in Europe making it more competitive for few good paying basketball jobs. I deal with what's happening in Europe on a daily basis.

I do disagree on the last part though- I feel like there are so many European players that have games already similar to Coppenrath's- but few imports will have the athletic ability as Marqus- who is no longer just an athlete and has gotten much better since his final game at UVM. Marqus is also a legitimate 3 at this point in his professional career, and that's where he'd play overseas.

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-08-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c00per

Here's a glimpse of him in a Clipper's jersey (after Griffin hits the 75 footer):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=21GotQC4S-o

The most interesting thing to me in this video shows why Marqus isn't in the NBA right now, he is so much smaller than his teammates in that huddle. Shows just how big you have to be to play in the NBA.

**UVM Hoop Cat** · 10-11-2012, 05:42 AM

Heat/Clippers are playing live on NBA TV right now in Beijing.

10-06-2012, 06:29 PM	#93 (permalink)
UVM Hoop Cat -PREMIUM MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 17,580 Rep Power: 62496	Re: OT: Marqus Blakely 1/6 He owns it! If the Clippers only had 13 players under contract headed into camp then Marqus would still be a long shot to make the roster- but at least he would still have odds. The fact that the Clippers already have the max 15 players under contract for 2012-13 effectively makes in near impossible for Marqus to make the Los Angeles Clippers. All Marqus fans can do from here is hope the Clippers play him/ he earns some court time in as many pre-season games as possible, and other coaches around the league can see if he would be a fit. With that, here's to hoping he gets in the game tonight against the Denver Nuggets in Las Vegas. Not sure if anyone watched the show Hard Knocks on HBO on the Dolphins, but it showed all the guys they had to cut; some players they just didn't like and weren't good enough, some players they did like and said they would give a recommendation, and some players they really wanted to keep but couldn't because of numbers and had to waive but feared another team would claim them. Hopefully the latter is what happens with Marqus, because if he's on an NBA in the beginning of November, it won't be with the Clippers* (*unless they experience massive injuries in camp). __________________ "Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here" - Hoosiers, & UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

10-07-2012, 08:15 AM	#94 (permalink)
c00per 6th Man Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 262 Rep Power: 24	Re: OT: Marqus Blakely 1/6 He owns it! I'm sure it would be a dream come true to play in the NBA, but it seems like his chances of making a team are getting slimmer and slimmer and he's losing years to the effort. Wonder how his game would work in Europe?

10-07-2012, 10:29 AM	#95 (permalink)
uvm4life20 Star Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,666 Rep Power: 18340	Re: OT: Marqus Blakely 1/6 He owns it! How is he losing years to the effort. Years in europe will give him more money but what else? If anything time will help him get closer not make it slimmer. It's all up to him and how much work he wants to put in. He is years away from being in his prime. He has a long transition of becoming a wing player in the nba. It may take him 5 years for that transition to really be complete. You look at a guy like Coppenrath who has played well in one of the better european leagues. Its not like he is going to be a hall of famer over there though. He is going to make good money over there. He may get in the top division some day and do some damage. For the most part though Coppenrath career isn't that sexy over there. What Blakely is doing now will not stop him from playing in the same league as Coppenrath.

10-07-2012, 12:29 PM	#96 (permalink)
UVM Hoop Cat -PREMIUM MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 17,580 Rep Power: 62496	Re: OT: Marqus Blakely 1/6 He owns it! Marqus with the unfortunate DNP in game 1 last night __________________ "Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here" - Hoosiers, & UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

10-08-2012, 06:48 AM	#99 (permalink)
c00per 6th Man Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 262 Rep Power: 24	Re: OT: Marqus Blakely 1/6 He owns it! Here's a glimpse of him in a Clipper's jersey (after Griffin hits the 75 footer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=21GotQC4S-o

10-11-2012, 05:42 AM	#105 (permalink)
UVM Hoop Cat -PREMIUM MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 17,580 Rep Power: 62496	Re: OT: Marqus Blakely 1/6 He owns it! Heat/Clippers are playing live on NBA TV right now in Beijing. __________________ "Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here" - Hoosiers, & UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005 Last edited by UVM Hoop Cat; 10-11-2012 at 05:56 AM.

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