Almost a year to the day after C.J. Leslie officially picked N.C. State over Kentucky and Connecticut, the talented forward apparently has reached a decision that should make him a better basketball player and the Wolfpack a better team.
When Sunday's deadline for entering the NBA Draft passed without Leslie listed among the declaring underclassmen, the logical assumption has to be that the 6-foot-8 rising sophomore will be a member of new coach Mark Gottfried's first Wolfpack team.
Leslie hasn't made it totally official yet. He hasn't said on the record he'll be back, and the school's sports information department said Monday that basketball players will not do interviews with media until May 11 at the earliest.
With the NBA facing a possible work stoppage in the 2011-12 season, there's been minor speculation that some underclassmen might duck the draft pool in order to keep alive the option of playing next season in overseas professional leagues.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings went from Oak Hill (Va.) High to an Italian Pro League for one season while waiting out the 2009 NBA Draft.
But there's every reason to believe that returning to N.C. State and working with Gottfried's staff should be of great benefit to Leslie, whose potential exceeded his production during most of last season.
Specifically, Leslie needs to make significant improvement on defense, especially transitional defense. His offensive judgment needs some work, too. But Leslie rarely displayed defensive intensity as a freshman. He blocked a lot of shots — a team-best 39 in 30 games — but his on-ball work outside the paint was an ongoing liability on a team that allowed ACC opponents to shoot almost 46 percent on field-goal attempts.
Not only does Leslie need to return, he needs to come back with an improved work ethic and attitude. There's no question that he has the highest ceiling of any player in the program. It's not even very close. But if Leslie is serious about realizing his dream of becoming an NBA lottery pick, he's got serious work to do.
At face value, this is a win-win situation for everyone. Leslie gets a chance to benefit from new coaching direction, and Gottfried gets a chance to develop a player capable of delivering game-changing — maybe program-changing — plays.
Columnist
Comments
After the MAJOR COCAINE
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 20:07 — hellfishAfter the MAJOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING BUST ,dook's women are reporting "male practice player's as FEmale participants" after all the crying from "The Blackmammie strokes" and other dook nerds about all the "Academic Wrong doings" at UNC ,it seems they have some skeletons in the closet that were not forgotten ,but still playing in the little barn!...pot called kettle what?..Go to ESPN and read the article!
Leslie.
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 15:51 — Wolfy__79i can only agree to an extent on cj being our overall number one nba eligible player without even considering lorenzo and scott.. those two to me have alot of potential in the nba! cjl has alot of potential but i would say these two atleast have a better all around game right now!
I agree, JPD - Fresh slate
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 15:26 — ProwlingWoofieI agree, JPD -
Fresh slate for everyone, with new staff's expectations clearly laid out and understood. This team has the talent and physical potential to make an impact in the conference and nationally... they just have to buy into the preparation and work necessary to get it done. A lot of that will have to occur between the ears !
cj
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:45 — tarheelyankLots of luck with this one Coach Gotfried. This kid has a head bigger than anybody and he will probably flop again.
Coach Will Make a Difference
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 13:49 — bobmacAmazing how everyone thinks Leslie's talent has completely disappeared. The Wolfpack Nation loved Sidney when he was hired. We still love him but all must admit he is not a head coach. Sidney & Amato had the same problem: lack of displine. No coach in any sport can reach a # 1 ranking within an undisplined team. Coach G has been there. He is not ex-marine officer TOB but he appears to be cut from the same piece of cloth. I have faith in Debbie's judgement. Leslie will either shape up or watch from the bench. Coach G knows the college game. Last year's top 5 recruiting class along with the 2 incoming freshmen & returning level-headed lettermen will deliver under Coach G's tutelage regardless who starts. Be patient Wolfpack. The glass slipper will fit.
maybe so
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 13:05 — JPDOhioBut this is a fresh start for everyone on the team. If I were the coach, I would lay out the expectations and tell everyone that the past is past. The proving starts now.
On the plane on my way back from vacation, I had a chance to catch up on the Wolfpacker Expresses that I had set aside during tax season. Each one had a Q&A with Sid and each time the overriding question was how to improve the intensity of the players, especially on defense. Although anyone who followed the Pack knew this was a problem, reading the articles back to back really brought home how badly Sid failed in developing this team throughout the season. He clearly was incapable of bringing out the best in his players on a consistent basis.
With a new coaching staff in place, we'll see if the change makes a difference. It appears, at least at this moment, that everybody on the squad is coming back. If that holds true and if Gottfried is serious about demanding intensity and focus, we will find out if the talent on this team is real or a mirage. I saw enough last year to conclude that these players are capable of a high level of performance. Whether they can do it for 40 minutes instead of 15 is the question that needs answered.
Let me fix that for you...
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 13:43 — willncsu34I stand....
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 14:06 — JPDOhioCorrected.