[Editor's note, by TH] I'm bumping this up from the diaries as it's a more detailed look at the article I mentioned earlier that's definitely worth reading. I'll go further into my own thoughts on the subject a little later, and maybe eventually get around to writing that What If bit about the 2006 season this week...

I was gonna comment on the "Early Entry" Post you had, but the comments are disabled so I'll just state my opinion via the Diary Section ...

Here's the article stating which UNC early Draft entrants were or were not successful by leaving early. And here's my thoughts (i was born in 83' so let me start with):

Jerry Stackhouse, 1995: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - What more did Stackhouse have to do in his NBA career? Sure he excelled mightily at UNC, but not every UNC guy is destined for great success in the NBA. I feel Stackhouse had/has a very reputable career in the NBA. "Stackhouse could have developed into a Hall of Fame caliber player" - I think Stackhouse became what he is, a player who can be very electric but doesnt have the stamina whether it be conditioning or what not to sustain any time of consistent dominance. I definitely don't think added time in college would have helped him.

Rasheed Wallace, 1995: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - The writer says Wallace would have benefitted from staying by maturing more. Again Wallace is who he is. More seasoning/experience in the Div-I Basketball was not gonna make him more mature. Plus he's had an above average NBA career in my eyes.

Antawn Jamison, 1998: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - The writer claims Tawn made the right decision by making boat loads of money, but yet so did Stackhouse and Wallace. Also to say Jamison is the most successful Tar Heel since Jordan is a little lopsided. How about Vince Carter? Sure he doesnt have a Championship, but he's played the majority of his career in Toronto. In the end I too agree with the writer in that Antawn made the right decision of leaving when he did.

Vince Carter, 1998: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - "Carter could have developed leadership skills and a rugged exterior. As it stands, he's an entertaining but soft pro. He should have come back." - I'll give you "soft" but he wouldnt have become any more of a leader or gained any more ruggedness had he stayed another year. Carter is an outstanding player, but like Tracy McGrady, he lacks the role players it takes to win that championship. I mean what is New Jersey doing by wasting the tandem of Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson? eek

Joseph Forte, 2001: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - This guy absolutely left too early. He was barely wet behind the ears when he left (whatever that means). I was absolutely shocked when he opted to leave and I was equally shocked when he was drafted as early as he was by the Boston Celtics. We should see Forte on one of those "Where are they now?" episodes on VH1 in the near future. I don't fully comprehend how someone with such talent could completely turn into nothing more than a trivia question. Joe where are you man!?!?

Raymond Felton, 2005: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - Ray Felton absolutely left at the right time, its a shame what Bickerstaff has done with the talent in Charlotte: Sean May, Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace, and Omeka Okafur? Are you kidding me? Raymond will have a consistent and sometimes dominant career should he continue to keep his endurance up. This guy is easily my favorite Tar Heel next to Ed Cota and Shammond Williams (theres something about those point guards)

Rashad McCants, 2005: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - It's hard to argue that any player should stay after having won a National Title, but to me Rashad should have stayed. Raymond and Sean carried that team in 05' as did David Noel and Jackie Manuel, but Rashad to me faded into the background. Had he stayed one more year, he would had to carry the entire team and may have stretched his game to new heights.

Marvin Williams, 2005: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - We barely knew thee. I'm not even sure what led an NBA team to select him so high, maybe ESPN Showcasing, I dont know. I never saw what the media and hype saw in Marvin Williams and now that he plays for the Hawks I never will. He should have definitely stayed in college.

J.R. Smith, 2006: He wasnt on the list, but he did sign a letter of intent to UNC, but elected to jump straight from highschool to the nba. To me the kid will eventually turn into a key component on his nba team, but right now he's basically a fringe player and its sad because he can leap small buildings in a single .... ahhh, anyway I think J.R. Smith would have definitely benefitted from going to college, if anything NBA teams would have had a better idea of what type of player he is and what type of playing time he should receive (which he currently isnt).

That's it from me, feel free to rip the opinions if you wish