Scholarship table
If you cannot get on the floor in the NBDL ...
No NBA player taken outside the lottery should ever be considered a bust and even that's stretching it. You could probably take it down to outside the top 10.
First rounder that did not get a second contract.
So by this standard, Lazar Hayward was a bust, but Kwame Brown, Michael Olowokandi and Darko Milicic were not.Interesting.
I mean, you're right but I do see Heisey's point here. Lets take the blue and gold tinted glasses off for a second. Lazar was a pretty crap NBA player for someone drafted in the first round with a guaranteed contract. Whether he is a bust or not, I can accept either argument.
Late 1st rounders are usually drafted with the hope they can develop a skill set that will keep them in the league for a while. Late 1st rounders are almost never looked at as future starters in the NBA.The best case scenario is a guy like Butler - which is very rare.Mostly teams "hope" they can find a guy who can develop his game - a la Jae Crowder - and become a viable player. But it is all about finding the right situation.Stone has no chance this year. He has an All-star and an established, effective player in front of him - 2 guys who play 47.9 minutes a game out of 48. Stone will make well over $1 million in his first two years. He will learn the defensive end from the best defensive center in the league and has a great coach in Doc. By year three, he will be able to look for a team that needs his talents.So, should we consider anyone becoming a millionaire within two years of leaving college to be a failure?
Again with the point of view from the player ... and you will sing the praises of Tony Mandarich because he got paid so no Packer fan should ever consider him a bust. And you would argue Pakuni is wrong and Kwame Brown, Michael Olowokandi and Darko Milicic were all not busts either.It about the point of view of the team, not the player.
Stone was a 2nd round draft pick. 2nd round draft picks are not considered busts. EVER. Jon Leuer is probably the most successful pick taken at #40 over the last dozen years.
Since 2000, I would rank him fourth behind Monta Ellis, Earl Watson and Lance Stephenson. Ahead of Glenn Robinson III.