NBA Draft 2011: Why Winning the NBA Draft Lottery Might Lead to Failure
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/6...ead-to-failure
Following both the 2000 and 2006 Drafts, the non-elite No. 1 picks (Kenyon Martin and Andrea Bargnani, respectively) were saddled with unrealistic expectations (Martin, to reclaim his once elite leaping ability after a broken leg, and Bargnani, to be an Italian Dirk Nowitzki.) by sinking franchises in hope of a spark. Both fizzled under the glaring spotlight as top pick but continue to be able-bodied NBA contributors.
If everyone who is projected to leave school actually does so, I see six guaranteed eight-plus year NBA contributors—Irving, Barnes, Terrence Jones, Morehead State PF Kenneth Faried, Walker and Jimmer Fredette.
You may disagree with that list and I like other players on the board as well, but these are six guys whose fail quotient is less than 15 percent.
In Irving and Barnes, you’re getting players who will be at or near the top of most draft boards who possess no elite talents but show no glaring weaknesses, either.
As for the other four players on the list, you’re getting a guarantee without having to pay a top-five price****.
****Exception: If Terrence Jones goes off in individual workouts, he could very easily slip into the top five.
Both Faried and everyone’s favorite Mormon possess elite translatable skills that won’t go away, regardless of whether they’re playing in the NBA or some local YMCA league.
For Faried, all he needs is to spend some time in the weight room before he realizes his destiny as Ben Wallace 2.0.
If everyone who is projected to leave school actually does so, I see six guaranteed eight-plus year NBA contributors—Irving, Barnes, Terrence Jones, Morehead State PF Kenneth Faried, Walker and Jimmer Fredette.
You may disagree with that list and I like other players on the board as well, but these are six guys whose fail quotient is less than 15 percent.
In Irving and Barnes, you’re getting players who will be at or near the top of most draft boards who possess no elite talents but show no glaring weaknesses, either.
As for the other four players on the list, you’re getting a guarantee without having to pay a top-five price****.
****Exception: If Terrence Jones goes off in individual workouts, he could very easily slip into the top five.
Both Faried and everyone’s favorite Mormon possess elite translatable skills that won’t go away, regardless of whether they’re playing in the NBA or some local YMCA league.
For Faried, all he needs is to spend some time in the weight room before he realizes his destiny as Ben Wallace 2.0.
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