I first started to think, "Man...this year's draft could really be a bust," just about when everyone they talked about being picked in the late lottery was described as either, a. "concerned about work ethic," b. "concerned about athletic ability," or c. "raw."
Then they started saying this is one of the deepest drafts for guards ever, but not true shooting of point guards, COMBO guards. Combo guard? How many combo guards work out well in the NBA? Iverson, but he is one of the top 50 players in the history of the game, a rare thing to accomplish it seems. Ellis from Golden State? He too is a rare breed, able to walk on air as he flies to the hoop with his 6'1" frame.
But guys like Westbrook and Bayless have BUST written all over them. DJ Augustin? If you pick him in the late lottery in middle first round I think he might be worth it, might turn out like a Devin Harris type player.
Then they started talking about trading Wade for the #1 pick so that the Heat could take Rose and Beasley and start all over, with guys like Noah and Thabalosh-who! from Chicago. Come on. That's ridiculous. That might work in a video game. It's really hard for me to believe that this draft isn't going to turn out just like the 94 draft.
Sure, there was Tim Duncan who has been a superstar for his whole career, but after that, look at the value of the player relative to where they were picked, and how their career turned out, and tell me it's not a bust. After Duncan it goes, Van Horn, Billups, Antonio Daniels, Tony Battie, Ron Mercer, Tim Thomas, Adonal Foyle, and finally Tracy McGrady (who hasn't gotten out of the first round).
Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. One of those two will most likely be a star. But after that, I'd be careful who you draft, which is why I'm glad the Blazers are seriously trying to trade their pick. As long as we don't get Kirk Hinrich. He was good for a year. I want someone who is a playmaker, not just a good shooter who can pass a little. Someone who can create shots for other people all the time. TJ Ford might be that guy, but he also might not ever walk again if he is taken down hard during practice this summer, so there's that.
What does everyone else think, does this draft look like it's shaping up to be a bust? Or, do you think all the hype is really worth it? Kevin Love? Big time superstar? Or, the next trade fodder like Van Horn?
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2 comments:
bust bust bust. Beasley is a head-case, Love will be yet another ugly white dude that isn't fast enough to really compete. If anything comes out of this draft it will be someone who nobody is talking about and chosen around 23, then will be a solid reserve for the next decade.
but really who knows, the draft is never an exact science, just ask detroit.
Ken - I agree completely, as usual. There will be stars, but I don't think they will go top five.
You could use Detroit as an example of the draft being a crapshoot, but I think it was pretty unscientific how they chose Milicic over Carmelo, a guy who had just had one of the best seasons of college basketball in years and who just won a national championship. It was just plain stupid, and it probably cost them a championship or two down the road. Detroit won a title, but they have nobody now who can keep them contending. That's not bad luck - it's their own damn fault.
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