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NBA Draft question

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by Mark2010, Jun 24, 2009.

  1. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    Redd, Arenas, Okur, Boozer, Kapono, Walton, Blake, Korver, Duhon, Ariza, Ellis, Louis Williams, Blatche (probably is not worth mentioning), Millsao and Powe were all drafted in the second round in the past nine years.

    I do not think a list like that could be created in the 1980s or 1990s.
     
  2. Stoney

    Stoney Well-Known Member

    No, it's not because the talent pool is more shallow in basketball, it's simply because of the differing nature of the sport and the number of jobs available.

    Just do the math: basketball only has 5 starting spots and only 12 spots on it's active roster, thus there aren't many spots available each year and there ain't much room for low end picks or undrafted guys. Compare that to the NFL, for example, that has 22 offense and defense starting spots (even more if you account for situational specialists), plus the kicker, punter and special teams positions, and 53 roster spots that have to be filled each year. That's obviously gonna result in a lot more opportunities for lower round guys to make the team and crack the starting lineup. Teams can easily start all first rounders in the NBA, but that is not a realistic possibility at all in the NFL. It ain't a mystery, it's just basic math.
     
  3. Stoney

    Stoney Well-Known Member

    I'll take that challenge.

    1980s: Mark Price, Dennis Rodman, Doc Rivers, Jeff Hornacek, Nate McMillan, Kurt Rambis, Sherman Douglas, Craig Ehlo, Ruland, Mahorn, Cliff Robinson, Tyrone Corbin, Gene Banks, Eaton, Craig Hodges, Doug West, Jerome Kersey, Steve Kerr

    1990s: Manu Ginobli, Brad Miller, Nick Van Exel, Cuttino Mobley, Stephen Jackson, Bryon Russell, Antonio Davis, P.J. Brown, Cedric Ceballos, Eric Snow, Malik Rose, Veshon Lenard, Fred Hoiberg
     
  4. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    Proved me wrong, but the top four of Redd, Arenas, Okur and Boozer probably push the 00's ahead. Price, Rodman, Kersey (Hello Longwood!!!) and Ruland (Hello Valvano!!!) are a solid four.
     
  5. Lester Bangs

    Lester Bangs Active Member

    There's also the fact that quality big men (read: actual athletes, not just people blessed to be tall enough to screw up a better player's shot) are at such a premium in the NBA that most teams will take a gamble on a lesser "player" in hopes of crafting those traits into a superstar. Too many NBA types think they can manufacture a dominant big man but very few can actually do it.

    For an example of this, look at all the high first-round picks the Team Formerly Known as the Seattle SuperSonics pissed away in an attempt to find an impact interior presence. Most of those guys aren't even on the roster anymore and — even worse — some of them are. But tonight, don't be surprised to see Oklahoma City jump into the second spot because they want to grab Hasheem Thabeet, who will in all likelyhood have an underwhelming NBA career.

    And real quick again in Kevin Love, and I cannot recall who posted this, but thank you for pointing out the absurdity of the statements comparing the guy to any number of lumbering white guys. Love is perhaps the most offensively gifted big man to come out in the past 20 years. If he were blessed with a little better size and athleticism, he'd have been the No. 1 pick last year.
     
  6. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    If Love, Curry and Harden are on the same team, the T-Wolves just got themselves a fanboi.
     
  7. Oz

    Oz Well-Known Member

    That would be an exciting backcourt to watch. I don't think they're going to go with two guards, though -- they probably take one forward near the top.
     
  8. Pancamo

    Pancamo Active Member

    I think Harden has the best chance to be a huge bust. Slow, plays below the rim and the jumper is suspect. He overpowered opponents to get into the lane in college. Won't happen in the NBA.
     
  9. spnited

    spnited Active Member

    Was just about to post the same thing, Pancamo. Didin't get to see him much on East coast but everytime I did, he was not very impressive.
     
  10. Cosmo

    Cosmo Well-Known Member

    I think Thabeet could be a Darko-type bust. Just doesn't have the offensive game to compete in the league. Maybe he can develop it, but I'm not sold.
     
  11. JackReacher

    JackReacher Well-Known Member

    I agree. I think until he can add some weight (muscle), he's going to get shoved around quite a bit.
     
  12. spnited

    spnited Active Member


    And as Pitt proved by having DaJuan Blair muscle him, he does not like contact
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 1, 2015
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