Mr. Harden,
Allow me to start by thanking you for all of your contributions to ASU's basketball program. Without you, we wouldn't have beaten UA 5 times in a row, or have made it to the Round of 32 this season.
We never would have sniffed the Pac-10 Title game, nor would we actually have been excited come Selection Sunday these past two years. Our winters would be a little bit colder, and Wells Fargo Arena would echo with nothing but the sounds of mediocrity.
We're all familiar with the classic song by The Clash, "Should I Stay Or Should I Go."
This indecision’s bugging me
Esta indecision me molesta
If you don’t want me, set me free
Si no me quieres, librame
Exactly who’m I’m supposed to be
Dime que tengo que ser
Don’t you know which clothes even fit me?
¿sabes que ropas me quedan?
Come on and let me know
Me tienes que decir
Should I cool it or should I blow?
¿me debo ir o quedarme?
Let me make this decision easier for you, James.
College is an experience you will never get back. Take a look around campus. You live in a town where there is a neverending supply of palm trees, swanky pools, beautiful women and little competition for the fan base. In short, you are a god in Tempe.
There is no promise of that in the NBA. The expectations will be sky high, and while we know you're a great player, we aren't ready to let you go just yet. There is a strong chance that we could be a great team next year with the infusion of recruits and the returning confidence of Ty Abbott.
The NBA will still be there for you in 2010, when teams such as the New York Knicks will have both a great draft pick and enough cap room to sign a transcendent talent.
LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh are all eligible to be free agents in 2010. Playing with any of those players would be far better than joining the Minnesota Timberwolves (no offense, Kevin Love).
In the end, we all know that taking millions of dollars is a much more prudent decision than staying in school, but don't forget that there is a great coach and a great system in place right where you are, and one more year of college basketball can only make you a better player.
You don't want your final game in maroon and gold to be 10 points against Syracuse, do you? Please come back and light up the winter in Tempe one more time. We certainly won't regret it.
All the best.