NBA Draft

The 2009 NBA Draft begins in less than 24 hours. With the draft fast approaching I want to focus in on the draft and give some of my opinions on some of the main players and some teams.

Disclaimer: In regards to the 2009 Draft Class, it is weak! That is clear. When a draft has a plethora of PG and SG having at least 10 players soon to be 1st round picks and NONE of them being close to a sure thing. That is when you know the draft class is weak.

~Blake Griffin: Enjoy it bud! It will not last very long. You are going to L.A. ... Clippers. Griffin's status as "closest sure thing" is because there is no one who truly approaches 60% chance of being capable of transitioning. Due to this sad truth, Griffin's status is being elevated to "Savior" much like Matthew Stafford. Both players have the tools, but neither have won anything. Neither won a national title nor conference title (when they were picked to). Blake Griffin will end up being a Pau Gasol. Statistically is good because lack of talent surrounding but unable to win. When paired with an excellent player, he looks like an excellent player.
~Ricky Rubio: Kid has already played 3 professional seasons in a competitive Spain. If he becomes a star here it will take close to 2 full seasons for him to transition to the NBA game. That would be awesome, except that will be 5 seasons playing Pro ball. The best players body's begin to fold to injury once they hit 10-12 seasons (aka Garnett, Bryant, Shaq, Pierce, Allen, Duncan, etc.) So the money he will demand and label of "Franchise Player" is not worth it on a player who will live up to the label at most 7 or 8 seasons and that is IF he is able to transition to the upper echelon player he was in Spain
~Hasheem Thabeet: The kid is the only center and player of 7 feet tall in this draft that has garnered hype to even be considered the first of half of the first round. Only 1 of 2 centers expected to be drafted in the first round. He has been compared to Mutombo, which is a remarkable comparison. However Mutombo was a better shooter than Thabeet is or will ever be. He shot below 50% in all shots besides dunks in his collegiate career. He shot less than 50% on lay ups! Defense is a great tool and asset but not worth top 5 money when you cant shoot the rock or lay up! Like Griffin his status is inflated due to the weak class and shallow pool of natural centers with height.
~I would love to focus on more players like Harden and Curry who have the tools but don't seem to have enough to be worth Top 10 consideration. Curry reminds me too much of J.J. Redick. Harden seems to fold when it is time to step up and lead. Also Harden was too many times, easily and completely shut down by opponents. He has the body and size, but maybe not mental fortitude.

Someone in this class will break out and be great and everyone will say, "How did everyone miss that _____ would be so great/awesome/amazing." It happens most years, but most assuredly will happen this year with no "safe bet." --My pick ... Jhonny Flynn

Well, that is it for me! I am out, leave me your comment and tell me your prediction for the player you think will be the guy who emerges from the seemingly endless pile of mediocrity. Enjoy the 2009 NBA Draft tomorrow night on ESPN starting @ 7 PM Eastern

College Basketball Draft Rule

Hey! I was watching PTI (Pardon The Interruption) on ESPN, a great formatted show, where the hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon were discussing their opinion on the rule for college basketball players entering into the NBA Draft.

~I would propose a rule similar to that of baseball. The MLB Draft eligibility for baseball players according to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/draftday/rules.jsp is:

• High school players, if they have graduated from high school and have not yet attended college or junior college;
• College players, from four-year colleges who have either completed their junior or senior years or are at least 21 years old; and
• Junior college players, regardless of how many years of school they have completed

~I believe the rule for eligibility in regards to basketball players should be the same. Either you forgo college and go to the NBA straight from high school OR go to college and play at a minimum 3 seasons. The loophole in the equation is junior colleges, but any player worth his stuff would not go to the route of JUCO to face competition comparable to single-A Baseball.
~This rule would eliminate the "one and done" players like Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo who have no stake in the university nor reason to follow the rules ("gifts"). Players of those caliber are going NBA with or without a year of college experience. The temptation to overlook NCAA regulations is too high for coaches who search for any way to improve their name, to in return improve their location, job security, and/or pay grade.
~It will also have an effect on regular season games and especially march madness. The Regular Season wont be so dominated in record and polls by teams who are typically led by these "one and done" players. In regards to March Madness it shrinks the gap between 1st tier and 2nd tier reams. Creating a higher rate of Cinderella teams and as result (possibly more important) helps to increase the percentage of a chalk March Madness never happening again.

I believe the rule in its current state is not adequate enough. Just as the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) system is not an adequate way of determining the National Champion for College Football.

That's it for me on this subject. Tell me your opinion by leaving a comment (no account needed).