Chris Paul, who grew up just down the road from my house, is going pro.  No surprise, although I think he could have used another year to mature.

Physically he’s ready, but I worry about the mental/psychological part.  He didn’t do well under pressure at the end of the season (Hodgeball anyone?), and my gut tells me he may have some tough times at the next level.

On the other hand at the pro level the equivalent of the Hodgeball incident would have been a number 8 on the Sportscenter top 10 for one night and then forgotten.  So maybe getting out of the hypocritical "pure game" that is big-time NCAA basketball will be just what he needs.

Speaking of Julius Hodge, does anyone else think that his Senior Swoon has pushed quite a few underclassmen that might have stayed one more year into the draft?  I mean he literally cost himself millions by staying the extra year and having an off season.  If I’m in one of those guys’ shoes I’m off to the pros faster than you can spell…whatever big-time NCAA basketball players can spell.

M-O-N-E-Y