It’s a certainty that the Baylor Bears’ top scorer, senior LaceDarius Dunn, will become the all-time leading scorer in Big 12 history sometime in the next seven days. Dunn could complete the feat today when the Bears take on the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station if he can tally 28 points.
Dunn has been a controversial figure during his time in Waco.
Not always well-liked by teammates or coaches, Dunn’s sullen attitude hasn’t necessarily endeared him to the Baylor community or NBA scouts.
Regardless, his ability to score, and do so in bunches, is undeniable.
LaceDarius Dunn isn’t the first prolific scorer in the Big 12 and certainly won’t be the last.
The Big 12′s previous career scoring leaders including Texas Tech’s Andre Emmett, Texas Tech’s Jarious Jackson, Kansas’ Nick Collison, and Colorado’s Richard Roby all peaked as players at the collegiate level.
Given the history of Big 12 scoring leaders, the chips are stacked against LaceDarius Dunn succeeding beyond the friendly confines of the Farrell Center.
Here are three reasons why LaceDarius Dunn will not succeed in the NBA:
1. History is not on his side.
As stated above, the previous career scoring leaders in the NBA either had short-lived careers in the league, or were role players at best.
Andre Emmett has bounced around the NBA D-League and Europe and is currently playing in the Chinese Basketball Association for Fujian Xunxing.
Jarious Jackson has played for the last three years for various teams in the Italian Second Division of professional basketball.
Nick Collison is probably the most successful of the bunch and is currently a valuable reserve for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
Richard Roby has bounced between pro leagues in Israel and Mexico, and is currently playing in the NBA D-League.
Given this history, why would LaceDarius Dunn be able to succeed in the NBA?
Chances are he won’t unless there is something that separates him from the league’s past four scoring leaders.
2. He’s a classic tweener.
At 6’4″, 205, Dunn is too small to play forward in the NBA and isn’t quick enough to stay with the smaller guards he’s certain to face on the pro circuit.
Dunn can score at will, but has always been known as a questionable defender. Defense is a huge element of being a successful professional player.
If Dunn can prove to NBA scouts that he can defend the smaller, quicker guards and is physical enough to play with the bigger forwards without wearing down, he may have the chance to contribute for an NBA squad.
Dunn will get drafted, likely in the second round, due to scoring ability alone.
Will this be enough to ensure a long-term career in the NBA?
Doubtful.
3. NBA GM’s will not be willing to put up with his attitude.
Dunn’s attitude and off-court extra-curricular activities are well known in the basketball community.
Dunn’s October 2010 arrest after suspicion of domestic assault on his girlfriend led to his indefinite suspension at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season.
Dunn’s girlfriend stated that it was a simple misunderstanding and did not wish to press charges due to the incident, but the Waco police did so anyway. The case was ultimately dropped when the incident turned out to be ruled as an accident.
These type of off-court activities are nothing but a distraction, regardless of how small they may be. If Dunn’s troubles were restricted to the court, NBA GMs probably wouldn’t blink an eye.
There have been bushels of talented players over the years who were adversarial to their coaches or those surrounding them. NBA teams are willing to take the good with the bad in these situations because the value of the talent outweighs the risk of bad behavior.
Unfortunately for LaceDarius Dunn, his game is not well-rounded enough for the chance to be taken by a team that matters.
He will likely end up with a small-market, non-contender who will have the ability to ship him down to the NBDL to refine his defensive game and develop into a contributing professional.
Given the history of his fellow Big 12 scorers, his tweener size and his attitude issues, LaceDarius dunn has the chips stacked against him.
Will he prove us all wrong and break the mold of previous Big 12 sharpshooters?
It’s up to him.
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