The last few years there's been a bizarre twist to the NBA Draft. Young guys and Europeans are drafted in the first round, while graduating seniors have had to wait until the second. The result has been an increased number of first round busts and more second rounders that make it. I predict this year's draft will produce similar results.
The whole thing where a team drafts a European player and keeps him overseas for a few years has rarely worked. Yet teams keep doing it. It's a rare freshman who is ready for the NBA both physically and mentally. Yet leaving early has ruined many a career, life.
I like the Knicks picks. I'm not sure whether Jordan Hill will be a star and a terrible bust, but I'm guessing he won't be somewhere in the middle. Toney Douglas was a fine pick for the end of the first round. I don't think Minnesota's experiment of Rubio and Flynn will work well. As the draft rolled into the 20s, I was looking for teams where Eric Maynor could start. They were there, but the Jazz gobbled him up. It might help Maynor to play behind Deron Williams for a little while. He'll have a chance to prove himself without much pressure. In the second round, I like Derrick Brown to the Bobcats. I wish DaJuan Summers had stayed at Georgetown for at least another year. He didn't play particularly well last season. If he works hard, maybe he can stick somewhere.
It's an interesting time in the NBA because many teams are dumping salary for next year's free agent class, while others are stacking talent for a championship run. It'll make for an exciting second round of the playoffs on. I like Jefferson to the Spurs; if he can share the ball, it'll work great. Shaq to Cleveland is interesting. It gives the Cavs another good center (relatively speaking), but it's more of a novelty than a championship lock. I'm skeptical that Vince Carter will fit in Orlando. Iverson could not adjust to being just a part of a talented team after being the offensive focal point his entire career. I expect the same difficulties for Carter. Plus, Courtney Lee will be a good player for the Nets and Alston has value.
During the draft, Stewart Scott kept repeating the same facts that each analyst had just provided, which was quite annoying. Every analyst loved every player and thought they were a steal at whichever spot they were chosen. I know it's a dream come true for the players, so you don't want to shit on them, but the rest of us would like some honest opinions.
No comments:
Post a Comment