Drew Neitzel (Photo. MSU)Perhaps the more accurate question is whether Michigan State’s senior point guard is the second coming of Travis Diener … Neitzel is a rock-solid 6-0, 185-pound playmaker who is a natural-born game manager from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Physically, Diener’s 6-1, 175-pound frame is as close to Neitzel as possible in the League. He’s got the same Midwest twang, as he hails from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
But Neitzel’s biggest problem is not that his best NBA comparison is a merely average NBA player. It’s that he is a senior. Spartan freshman PG Kalin Lucas projects as a better pro prospect than his senior mentor, even though both are the same size and Neitzel has big-game experience. With Neitzel and Tom Izzo’s tutelage, Lucas could grow into a versatile point guard a la Taurean Green. Plus Lucas’ expectations create a tougher atmosphere for Neitzel, whose first step does not stack up. And while Neitzel’s handle is reliable, it won’t allow him to blow past anyone in a man-to-man setting.
But if Chris Quinn could be an NBA player, then why can’t Drew? Quinn’s calling card was impeccable decision-making and reliable outside shooting. Over the years, Neitzel’s basketball IQ has shot through the roof — he rarely makes bad decisions, as evidenced by a 3.43-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. As Quinn shot his way to 17.7 points per game his senior season at Notre Dame, he netted 70 triples. Neitzel stroked 114 treys in his junior season. He’s got 55 already, just over halfway through the ‘07-08 campaign.
Plus, Neitzel has still posted impressive assist numbers despite never really having another talented scorer with him in the Spartan backcourt. Diener had D-Wade to boost his numbers; Quinn had Chris Thomas; Steve Blake had Juan Dixon. Neitzel did have Maurice Ager for a while, but since then, there hasn’t been anyone else to do damage from the perimeter. Raymar Morgan is an ox inside the paint, but doesn’t alleviate the pressure off of his point guard as much as a versatile slashing guard would.
Ultimately, the physical attributes determine a player’s future in the League. Even if Neitzel manages a smart game and knocks down open jumpers, he wouldn’t be able to find open space to operate at the next level.
Sorry, Drew.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Myrie says:
Hmmm….where is Chris Thomas?
…and where is Jason Gardner for that matter too?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Whut says:
D-League.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
racistpete says:
I think the D-League will let him wear his Doc Martins, and the NBA wouldnt so he should goto the D!
January 28th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
kobeef says:
Two words: “Gerry McNamara”
Remember G-mac? Was on a Championship team? Solid playmaker? Nice shooter? No dice in the NBA?
Two more words “J.J. Redick”
The NBA is a professional association for freaks of nature (that is a compliment). To make it in the NBA you need to be a once in a generation player on your college team. When your back-up has better pro prospects than you…better hit the books and make sure you get that degree son.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
nick says:
a 2nd round pick i bet but most likely won’t make the league. the thing that jj had going for him is that he can shoot the lights out and you can never have enough amazing shooters.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:16 am
doc says:
Hell no
January 29th, 2008 at 10:13 am
karizmatic says:
If Jacque Vaughn can make it in the league on just good decision making why can’t Nietzel?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
blake says:
pros:
Dead eye shooter:
114 treys as a junior
on his way to at least 100 as a senior
Great Lead Guard:
over 3.00 A/T Ratio
4.5 apg
Intangibles:
Has more heart, passion, and ethusiashm then most players
Those are enough things to get him a SPOT as a 2nd pg to come in, make shots, and control the game (Diener, Quinn, Dickau)
March 15th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Erica says:
that’s bullcrap. Drew Neitzel should play in the NBA next year!
June 8th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
josh lanew says:
umm of course neitzel well the league needs more point guards enough with ball hogging shooting guards. Im sick of lebron james or kobe bryant and dwayne wade. great players but not team players and lack clutch and good decision making abilitys. Neitzel well be a solid back up and hey Detroit is gonna rip up that roster he makes good decisions so hed be a great fir for an empty spot left bye chauncey who’s whos in his wanning years