Apparently the latest is that Paul hasn’t been to the facility since the last game and the feeling is he will ultimately turn pro.
Would love Paul to come back for one last run.
Would love Paul to come back for one last run.
Paul - Return or Leave
- Thread starter RepeatedCrown6
- Start date
Not surprised at all. Heard that towards the end of the season, while in that funk, he showed no signs of wanting to return next year and was not the same Paul most knew. Hopefully any transfers/exits announce sooner than later. Best of luck.
I would love to get him back for that bonus year, but totally understand if he's ready to move on to the next step in life. He's represented NJ and Rutgers well and I'm proud to call him a fellow alum.
Because he loves to play and wants to win?
He plays better when he can distribute without the whole offense running through him.
I’m guessing either he was hurt down the stretch or perhaps he is mentally checked out at this point. He definitely raised the level of his place somewhat at the end but still never reached the Heights that he has achieved in the past. If he wants to play another season it’s a no-brainer that you’d want him back. But if he’s not mentally up for it or if his body is not up for it then it makes no sense to return again.
I really hope he comes back. He was banged up all year and still finished 4th in assists per game for the Big Ten. There aren’t a lot of experienced ball handlers out there. Plus he brings a toughness and grit that is not commonly found. If he leaves, I don’t think we find a suitable replacement in the portal. Simpson should get a lot of action at the point but he has turnover issues and there is no back up or depth. And yes, I understand we have a freshman coming in. Just my opinion.
If Paul does come back he needs to SHOOT. Second best shooter on the team behind Cam. Paul gives up a crazy amount of open looks (open looks he knocks down when he does take them) and either dribbles into traffic for a much more difficult shot or gets it to someone fully covered which leads to a turnover.
And he’s a good shooter both inside and beyond the arc.
And he’s a good shooter both inside and beyond the arc.
I think it is wise that he waits 3-4 weeks before making any decision.
I think the most accurate in this thread is that he mentally checked out down the stretch. Thanks for 4 years Paul, enjoyed watching you fight with everything you had for RU.
Time to move on.
Time to move on.
This take is pretty insulting. The guy was banged up all year, played injured and you think he just checked out? Ugh.
His absence from the facilty could be related to resting his shoulder, which may not have healed completely during the season. We shall see
I don’t think he checked out, but the spotlight seemed to take a toll on him. Plus playing through injuries.
If the odds were even money and I had to wager I would take "Paul is coming back"
I thank Paul for everything he did here including moments of brilliance.
We will be better without him imo
We will be better without him imo
Agreed
We'll never replace what he did for Rutgers for his career
This upcoming season we can get more value to the team from someone else.
If you think that, which I strongly disagree with… What will the point guard minutes look like next year?
I don't think there's any way he checked out. He seems to be an extremely competitive person and while he looks like he's very hard on himself and takes losses personally, I just don't see him giving up/not caring. I really hope he comes back.
Please share how RU can get more and replace a 3 year stater who lead the Big Ten in assist 21-22 and 4th 22-23. Who is playing all those minutes at PG?
WIth the level of emotion some people are showing towards Paul, I'm pretty sure I could say we're getting John Stockton reincarneted to come in and play point and people would complain that he's much shorter than Paul.
Spring Break began on March 11 and ended on March 19. It's March 23rd.
It's literally only been a few days since the kids came back from spring break for f***'s sake...maybe he extended a trip he was on, maybe he didn't need to be back on campus yet, maybe he just needs a break after a physically and mentally taxing season!
Have you or your sources considered any of this before futilely trying to read tea leaves?
Hopefully he just needs a much deserved vacation and will want to return. He said the best moment has not yet happened. If he and Cliff return next season, next year could in fact be his best yet. Keeping a good thought.
A Cam Spencer level transfer for 25-32, Simpson for 10-15 and a lineup with Cam/Griffiths at point at times for short stretches.
I think/hope the team will be very different next season in terms of playing style. Losing Caleb, we're not going to be a top 10 defense. We can't be a 150ish offense, we must be much better than that and we can be.
I like Ahron Ulis, would be better if we could get someone even better but here's the thing. you can't look at it like a plug and play Ulis for Paul with the 2022-23 team, because the 2023-4 team will be very different.
Ulis with the 2023-4 team could be really good.
It seems like few people can follow that.
I’ll obviously respect his decision regarding coming back or not but I for one hope he returns. Unfinished business
RUblackout said it was impossible that Paul wouldn’t be back to RU.
Someone else said Paul is getting his masters at RU and he’d be back.
I hope he returns but I had said a month ago I believe he would not return.
Someone else said Paul is getting his masters at RU and he’d be back.
I hope he returns but I had said a month ago I believe he would not return.
I like Paul as a point forward more than as a point guard that initiates every possession. He's given a lot to the program. I'd be happy to have him come back for one last season, but understand if he decides it's time to move on.
Where does the “play injured all year” refrain come from ? Assumed based on frequent poor play ? He played well in some games…so the ‘injury’ is an excuse only when an excuse is sought ?
He absolutely was mentally checked out. I’ve heard it from multiple people with close knowledge of team dynamics.
G-league to try and improve his game, possibly enough yo get a looksee by an NBA team.
Lower Euro league because he loves the game and can travel to other countries while playing the game he loves.
Paul is a husler and leader, those two things along with the talent ( non Drafting material ) will get him a shot somewhere if he wants one.
Don't be so quick to diss someone just because an NBA chance doesn't look like it's in the cards.
If Paul leaves (PS - Paul if you’re reading, please come back for 1 more year), Pike would have to sell a PG transfer on competing for a starting roll. Simpson is going to get a chance to compete. That’s is not an easy sell. Not to mention, I don’t see Ulis is an upgrade over PM. Paul was injured this year and I don’t see how Ulis can contribute anywhere close to PM when healthy. Could that work? Sure but to call it an upgrade, is just foolish IMO. My guess is if Paul leaves, RU is going to struggle to find a 1 year replacement at PG and we won’t have enough ball handlers on our he team to handle pressure. If PM stays and shares the ball handling with Derek, it would look similar to the 20-21, 21-22 years with Geo and Paul.
What does “close knowledge of team dynamics” mean? Are you speaking generally? Or specifically to PM? And BTW - I call BS