FanPost

Legacies, and one Jake Layman


The legacy of a player is difficult to predict. But there are some factors that contribute to its direction, one way or another.

(Obviously, there is no official criteria to determine a player's legacy, and this is only my half-baked, off the cuff opinion.)

One path to a solid legacy is to graduate and help the team win. Anything above this is gravy.

Another path is being an outstanding player at our school. So good that the NBA calls on you to leave early. Once in the NBA, you are a successful player who makes a career out of playing basketball. You represent the school well.

Other players who graduate, walk-on or scholarship, are also held in high regard for the school, although, we don't generally talk about these guys as having a legacy.

From here, for me, things get a little murky. When a player transfers or 'goes pro' too early (or at least, what we fans think is too early) the legacy is tainted.

Each one of these guys had their legacy tainted for one reason or another.

Brian Williams

John Gilchrist

Jordan Williams

Shaq, Seth, Chuck, Faust and Roddy (These guys don't really have legacies, but they are so fresh in our minds, I wanted to list them.)

I liked Bison Dele. However, I was really disappointed when he transferred to AZ. He is rarely talked about here.

John and Jordan both helped the Terps. However, these guys are somewhat discounted, at least in part, since they are viewed as having left too early. (Disclaimer: I loved watching both of these guys play! I am glad they were terps!)

Now on to Jake: If he comes back next year, helps us win, he is a hero! Forever has a place in our hearts.

If Jake jumps ship, puts his name in the draft, a couple of things can happen:

1. Jake becomes a career basketball player in the NBA. We love him forever.

2. Jake doesn't make an NBA team (or has a brief, one year career on the bench). He is viewed as a good player, but left too early. Coulda/shoulda stayed.

Is it fair that this second scenario changes how we view him?

NOTE: I know there are lots and lots of guys I left out of this. I wanted to focus on the middle ground of players. Note sure why I brought up Bison. I was miffed that he transferred at the time. No really scrutiny through the internet at the time. May have had a sick grandmother or something. I had some other guys I removed (Danny Miller, etc.). Of the five from last year, Shaq is the only one I will follow and hope does well. Nothing against the others, but I think Shaq carried himself with a lot of class here...

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