That sounds like a deep philosophical discussion for the Politics and Religion Forum... :lol:

 

Regardless of what you feel it says about Mayo's talents, the fact is (barring some tragedy) more people will recognize the name O.J. Mayo than will recognize the name of Steve Smith... if they don't already.

 

I don't blame Smith for wanting to dodge the carnival. In fact, I respect him for his conviction. Even so, Mayo will have the last laugh.

 

How will Mayo have the last laugh? He wanted to play at Oak Hill, Smith said no, there's the last laugh as far as these two are concerned ever again.

Oak Hill started the new AAU mindset IMO. What went on there in the early 90's changed the game on the youth level, and if you want to point fingers a lot of them go right back to Mouth of Wilson, VA....

 

If you want to say Oak Hill has taken in players who ultimately are selfish, I agree totally. Players that have bolted colleges for greener pastures, players that were hard to control at every level, again I agree. But, they still wouldn't take OJ. What's that say about him?

 

But, I have to disagree with how Oak Hill could have possibly started the new AAU mindset. AAU and the shoe companies created this mindset, case closed. Oak Hill doesn't have any wolves out there doing what shoe companies and AAU do.

How will Mayo have the last laugh? He wanted to play at Oak Hill, Smith said no, there's the last laugh as far as these two are concerned ever again.

Is there a chance Smith will not take OJ because KY teams can no longer play Oak Hill???

Oak Hill doesn't have any wolves out there doing what shoe companies and AAU do.

:lol: Right. They get all that talent on luck alone. Have you ever visited Mouth of Wilson, VA???

How will Mayo have the last laugh? He wanted to play at Oak Hill, Smith said no, there's the last laugh as far as these two are concerned ever again.

The whole point of this thread is the wisdom of Steve Smith in turning down Mayo, and Smith's comparisons between Mayo and other recent marquee players. If Mayo succeeds in the NBA as I believe he will, Smith's doubts will be nothing but a speed bump, and Mayo will indeed have the last laugh.

Smith said no to OJ because the NCAA is looking at calling it quits on Oak Hill. No more, no less...

:lol: Right. They get all that talent on luck alone. Have you ever visited Mouth of Wilson, VA???

 

No, they recruit, and at this point players sometimes recruit them. But, they aren't the ones chasing nine and 10 year old kids around, throwing money at their teams. Or the ones holding "best in the world" tournaments for 12 year olds, while raking in serious coin (ala AAU). All Oak Hill does is recruit a kid a year earlier than he'd be recruited anyway, how did this develop the whole mindset you spoke of.

No, they recruit, and at this point players sometimes recruit them. But, they aren't the ones chasing nine and 10 year old kids around, throwing money at their teams. Or the ones holding "best in the world" tournaments for 12 year olds, while raking in serious coin (ala AAU). All Oak Hill does is recruit a kid a year earlier than he'd be recruited anyway, how did this develop the whole mindset you spoke of.

Because the point was when it started! Oak Hill just got lucky? Give me a break. I'm talking late 80's and early 90's. Oak Hill created the mindset of a basketball factory working. That hurt the system. It's very clear IMO. There is a reason Oak Hill was booted from the "VHSAA" and now almost every other state in America, right???

The whole point of this thread is the wisdom of Steve Smith in turning down Mayo, and Smith's comparisons between Mayo and other recent marquee players. If Mayo succeeds in the NBA as I believe he will, Smith's doubts will be nothing but a speed bump, and Mayo will indeed have the last laugh.

 

Smith didn't refuse Mayo based on talent, it was based on the numerous other things that come with him. Whether Mayo succeeds in the NBA or not, is none of Smith's concern at all. Why would he care one way or the other?

Smith didn't refuse Mayo based on talent, it was based on the numerous other things that come with him.

:laugh: :laugh:

 

Smith and Oak Hill are SO above that... Where's Michael Beasley again???

Smith said no to OJ because the NCAA is looking at calling it quits on Oak Hill. No more, no less...

 

Way off on this one. As long as the Oak Hill kids pass the clearinghouse, the NCAA has no juristication. Actually, they have none anyway.

Way off on this one. As long as the Oak Hill kids pass the clearinghouse, the NCAA has no juristication. Actually, they have none anyway.

Tell that to the other basketball factories that are now closed for business with the NCAA. Oak Hill is on the list. Write that down...

Because the point was when it started! Oak Hill just got lucky? Give me a break. I'm talking late 80's and early 90's. Oak Hill created the mindset of a basketball factory working. That hurt the system. It's very clear IMO. There is a reason Oak Hill was booted from the "VHSAA" and now almost every other state in America, right???

 

You are so far off on why this "AAU mindset" is now a problem, that I can't even begin to respond. I thought you knew more than this, but I guess I'm wrong.

:laugh: :laugh:

 

Smith and Oak Hill are SO above that... Where's Michael Beasley again???

 

Heck of an indictement of Mayo then isn't it?

Tell that to the other basketball factories that are now closed for business with the NCAA. Oak Hill is on the list. Write that down...

 

I won't be jotting down notes on our discussion, I'm pretty sure I already know all I need to know about the matter.