The NBA Draft Is A Joke

[Hards Alumni]

I think we have to be careful here about overestimating the value that McNeal, Mathews and DJ would bring to an NBA team.  All three are woefully incomplete NBA players - I mean the idea that McNeal would step in and be Bruce Bowen's replacement is a typical example of how we look at them with rose colored glasses.

That being said, all three have great chances to go over to Europe, make some $$$, work on their games and come back to the NBA.  It happens regularly.

I completely agree.

the NBA game is a very different game from the college game.  This is why year after year, you see guys bypassed. 

Blair slipped because he has no knees.
Young slipped because he is OLD. (24 already!)

McNeal didn't get drafted because he doesn't have the size/shot to play the 2 and he doesn't have the quickness/control/decision making skills to play the 1

Dom didn't get drafted because this was a heavy PG draft and he had a rough year with his injuries, and he is undersized.  Would I want Dom on my team? yes, if for nothing else but to D up a team's best PG.  He has a questionable shot and is atrocious at making free throws as well.

Wes didn't get drafted because... well I don't know why.  He has the size, the shot, plays D... maybe his workouts weren't as good as teams wanted.

Another "problem" with the NBA draft is that picks are made with financial considerations in mind.  Remember Ersan Illysova who the Bucks drafted 2 or 3 years ago?  Well he is over in Europe, developing, not taking up roster space and not getting paid a ton.  It is an investment.  There aren't enough spots on an NBA roster to sign all of the top players, so it is just as easy to stash people in Europe (like the Trail Blazers are doing) and hope they get good.  If they don't no big deal, but if they do, they look like geniuses.

[Marq]

The NBA is a Joke for many reasons. Look at Milwaukee's Draft pick Brandon Jennings. Compare Jennings to Dom James. Both are inconsistent shooters, their athleticism is compareable. Each has great quickness. However, James has Intangibles that put him over the top on Jennings. James knows how to run a half court offense. Is better on the defensive end. Has better strength then Jennings. The only thing Jennings has on Dom is that he is a flashier player and is only 19 years old. Dom is everything and more than what the Bucks drafted in Jennings.

[reinko]

The NBA is a Joke for many reasons. Look at Milwaukee's Draft pick Brandon Jennings. Compare Jennings to Dom James. Both are inconsistent shooters, their athleticism is compareable. Each has great quickness. However, James has Intangibles that put him over the top on Jennings. James knows how to run a half court offense. Is better on the defensive end. Has better strength then Jennings. The only thing Jennings has on Dom is that he is a flashier player and is only 19 years old. Dom is everything and more than what the Bucks drafted in Jennings.

DJ has been my favorite player the last 4 years.  That being said, you must have hanging with Mo and Geovany Soto lately.  First off, DJ is 5'8", Jennings 6'1".  DJ is 22 years old, Jennings is 19.  DJ has a had a major injury not that long ago, Jennings has not.  DJ was a top 100 hundred player out of HS, Jennings was the #1 player in HS.

And I don't like the Jennings pick either, I was hoping for them to trade down and take Maynor or Ty Lawson, but once again, what the crap do I know. 

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Give me a break. The Bucks watched James for 4 years and saw what everybody else saw. He's a freakish athlete, but not a great basketball player. Furthermore, NBA teams draft players like Jennings and European guys with the hope that they haven't reached their ceilings as players. Considering James didn't improve in 4 years at MU -- in fact, some would say he regressed -- I'd say his ceiling was reached in Richmond, Indiana.

I also think McNeal has reached his ceiling. The only guy with a game that has room to grow in the group is Matthews, but I highly doubt he'll stick with anybody because he seems to lack a little of the "want to" of a McNeal, for instance.

[BrewCity83]

All 3 of their games could improve with improvement in their outside shooting.  Look how much DWade worked on his outside shot after college.  None of these 3 will ever be a DWade, but they haven't reached their ceilings.  In addition, Jerel and Wes still have room for improvement in the ballhandling area.  I don't know if any of them will ever make an NBA roster, but I think it's way off to say that these guys are as good now as they're ever gonna be.

[bilsu]

The NBA is a Joke for many reasons. Look at Milwaukee's Draft pick Brandon Jennings. Compare Jennings to Dom James. Both are inconsistent shooters, their athleticism is compareable. Each has great quickness. However, James has Intangibles that put him over the top on Jennings. James knows how to run a half court offense. Is better on the defensive end. Has better strength then Jennings. The only thing Jennings has on Dom is that he is a flashier player and is only 19 years old. Dom is everything and more than what the Bucks drafted in Jennings.

I saw Jennings play in the McDonald's All American game at the Bradley Center and I was totally blown away by him. I will guarantee you he is quicker than James.

Besides that there is very little chance for a player pick after the 40th spot to make the NBA. You are much better not being drafted and picking a team to try out for that you might have a chance of making the team.

Maybe Crean was smart leaving. Hard to make the claim to potential recruits that you can make them the next Dwayne Wade when you recruit 3 top 100 guards who do not even get drafted after 4 years.

[Marq]

DJ has been my favorite player the last 4 years.  That being said, you must have hanging with Mo and Geovany Soto lately.  First off, DJ is 5'8", Jennings 6'1".  DJ is 22 years old, Jennings is 19.  DJ has a had a major injury not that long ago, Jennings has not.  DJ was a top 100 hundred player out of HS, Jennings was the #1 player in HS.

And I don't like the Jennings pick either, I was hoping for them to trade down and take Maynor or Ty Lawson, but once again, what the crap do I know. 

Give me a break. The Bucks watched James for 4 years and saw what everybody else saw. He's a freakish athlete, but not a great basketball player. Furthermore, NBA teams draft players like Jennings and European guys with the hope that they haven't reached their ceilings as players. Considering James didn't improve in 4 years at MU -- in fact, some would say he regressed -- I'd say his ceiling was reached in Richmond, Indiana.

I also think McNeal has reached his ceiling. The only guy with a game that has room to grow in the group is Matthews, but I highly doubt he'll stick with anybody because he seems to lack a little of the "want to" of a McNeal, for instance.

While I do not know MO or Soto personnally, I do par take in their same activies. But that's a different story. Jennings does have the higher ceiling than James. No doubt about it. However, James has improved his game in many aspects. He has become a pass first point guard where he failed to be so in his first three years at Marquette. He has also learned how to run a half court offense. Something he was terrible at during his first two years and suspect in his third. Another area, was his shot selection improved dramatically from his third to fourth year. The problem with James is that he was never able to consistently able to hit the open jumper.

[AlumKCof93]

I've never been much of an NFL fan, so I've never understood the hysteria over the NFL draft.  But I've always loved college basketball and used to consider the NBA draft one of the best things about the NBA.
But that hasn't been the case for years.  NBA GM's draft so many European guys that no has heard of and typically never hear from again that it's just become a colossal waste of time.  

[pillardean]

Besides that there is very little chance for a player pick after the 40th spot to make the NBA. You are much better not being drafted and picking a team to try out for that you might have a chance of making the team.

Last night I was upset.  I wanted to see one of them go in the draft, it would have been pretty sweet to see. However, thinking about it, not being drafted is probably best.  'Rel has time to work on his game (has a chip on his shoulder) get invited to try out for one of those teams that picked up some of those Euro's that won't be ready for a few years and potentially make the team.

Just googled undrafted players in the NBA, its tough, but there is still a distinct possibility that somewhere down the road 'Rel or maybe one of the others could break into the league and contribute at some point.

http://www.rateitall.com/t-23860-best-undrafted-nba-players.aspx

or

http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=Category:Undrafted_NBA_Players

perhaps even someday added to this list...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204621904574250202871725522.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


And I know I Overvalued the players, but they did represent my school and one of them was an All-American.  I know the NBA game differs greatly from the College game but I think that they deserve a shot to prove what they can do, and not just workouts, invite them to a tryout and let them show the teams what they can do.

[77ncaachamps]

Yo Rosiak!

If you're reading this, give the three gentlemen a ring and let us know who contacted them and where they may be going for summer league (if that applies).

Thanks!

[GGGG]

The NBA Draft is such a waste of time because it is a complete crapshoot...even at the highest levels.  Everyone is drafted on potential.  Here is a list of the NBA All-Stars to be drafted in the first round since 2000.

2008: None
2007: None
2006: Brandon Roy (6)
2005: Chris Paul (4), Danny Granger (17)
2004: Dwight Howard (1), Devin Harris (5), Jameer Nelson (20)
2003: James (1), Anthony (3), Bosh (4), Wade (5), West (18), Howard (29)
2002: Ming (1), Stoudemeir (9), Butler (10)
2001: Gasol (3), Joe Johnson (10), Tony Parker (28)
2000: Kenyon Martin (1), Jamaal Magliore ??? (19)

So out of about 260 first round picks, 20 have become all stars.  And many of these were drafted later in the round.  Look at 2001 for instance.  Before Gasol, the picks were Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler.  Between Gasol and Jackson were Eddy Curry, Jason Richardson, Shane Battier, Eddie Griffin, DeSagana Diop and Rodney White.  Outside of a great role player in Battier and a decent one in Richardson, it is an enormous load of crap.  I wouldn't pick the bunch of them to play on my pick-up team.

[Brewtown Andy]

Wes didn't get drafted because... well I don't know why.  He has the size, the shot, plays D... maybe his workouts weren't as good as teams wanted.

Let's say that Indiana fires Sampson after the 06-07 season, but after Crean hires Buzz, and Buzz still gets the MU job.  Wes plays for Buzz for 2 years.  I'd be willing to wager that he'd get drafted.

I suspect that NBA teams see what Wes did this year as an aberration caused by him fitting into a great system for him as opposed to actual development.

[muPARTY]

The NBA is a Joke for many reasons. Look at Milwaukee's Draft pick Brandon Jennings. Compare Jennings to Dom James. Both are inconsistent shooters, their athleticism is compareable. Each has great quickness. However, James has Intangibles that put him over the top on Jennings. James knows how to run a half court offense. Is better on the defensive end. Has better strength then Jennings. The only thing Jennings has on Dom is that he is a flashier player and is only 19 years old. Dom is everything and more than what the Bucks drafted in Jennings.

i think they might see James as a lost cause.  after his freshman year, he wasa sure fire 1st round pick (probably late lottery), but he chose to stay and everyone expected him to only get better and be one of the top players in the country.  all the analysis picked him on their preseason All American teams, but he seemingly took steps backwards each year.  his production dropped off in every category from his freshamn year.  don't get me wrong, he vastly improved his roles as a leader but numbers are important too.

noone knows what jennings is fully capable of, he's 19.  DJ is what 22?  23?  he played 4 years for a top-25 team in the toughest conference and his production regresses rather that progressed over those 4 years.  as an inexperienced 19yr old, Jennings can be seen as moldable without having to really do any kind of major overhaul.  James would have to unlearn all the bad habits he cemented in 4yrs of top level playing.

[Avenue Commons]

My guess is the Bulls will be giving McNeal a call after the draft is over (assuming the Heat pass).

Why? The Bulls already have too many wing players. Why would they want/need Jerel?

Why would the Heat want him? They have D-Wade.

[Avenue Commons]

sad thing is Dom James should have gone pro at the end of his Frosh season.

It is, and that's unfortunate because kids should be rewarded for playing 3-4 years and showing that they are standout players.

Why is it so hard to see that kids who produce in college in big(ger) programs will succeed? Maybe they won't be all stars, but they will produce and contribute to a team.

NBA teams want a "home run" and a "diamond in the rough." The reality is there aren't a lot of Scottie Pippens or Dirk Nowitzkis out there.

I hope Tyler Hansborough is a HUGE success to help disprove this "logic."

[bma725]

The NBA Draft is such a waste of time because it is a complete crapshoot...even at the highest levels.  Everyone is drafted on potential.  Here is a list of the NBA All-Stars to be drafted in the first round since 2000.

2008: None
2007: None
2006: Brandon Roy (6)
2005: Chris Paul (4), Danny Granger (17)
2004: Dwight Howard (1), Devin Harris (5), Jameer Nelson (20)
2003: James (1), Anthony (3), Bosh (4), Wade (5), West (18), Howard (29)
2002: Ming (1), Stoudemeir (9), Butler (10)
2001: Gasol (3), Joe Johnson (10), Tony Parker (28)
2000: Kenyon Martin (1), Jamaal Magliore ??? (19)

So out of about 260 first round picks, 20 have become all stars.  And many of these were drafted later in the round.  Look at 2001 for instance.  Before Gasol, the picks were Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler.  Between Gasol and Jackson were Eddy Curry, Jason Richardson, Shane Battier, Eddie Griffin, DeSagana Diop and Rodney White.  Outside of a great role player in Battier and a decent one in Richardson, it is an enormous load of crap.  I wouldn't pick the bunch of them to play on my pick-up team.

It doesn't seem great, but compare it to the 2nd Round and the unlimited number of fee agents and it starts to get better.  Since 2000, there have only been 5 players that were either 2nd Rounders or undrafted free agents that became All Stars, and none of those guys joined the leage after 2003.  

Mo Williams(2nd Round, 2003)
Carlos Boozer(2nd Round, 2002)
Gilbert Arenas(2nd Round, 2001)
Mehmet Okur(2nd Round, 2001)
Michael Redd(2nd Round, 2000)

So while the 1st round my not be great, the other options truly suck.  

[Brewtown Andy]

I hope Tyler Hansborough is a HUGE success to help disprove this "logic."

Were there any other seniors drafted?  Taylor Griffin?

[4everwarriors]

DJ had zero chance of being drafted last night, foot injury or no foot injury. Facts are he can't shoot. Not from the field or from the line. The Association doesn't have room for athletic, nice guys who can't bury the rock, especially at 5'10".
McNeal isn't a point guard and is too short to defend the 2 guard spot. Besides, his shot is suspect. Had enough tryouts and yet no team bought the goods. Bottomline is there were better options for the teams than Rel.
Wes has more of what the NBA is looking for. Certainly his body is ready. Would be a 2 in the League, but isn't quick enough or shoot well enough to have been selected. At 6'7" or 6'8" he would ha e been chosen.

[hdog1017]

Did anyone else notice how bad the announcing was during the draft?  It seemed  like after any pick that was even a litte bit of a surprise, there was silence on the part of the announcers for a good 4 seconds, probably because they had to find their notes.  Shouldn't they have that stuff in their head?  Also, when they did talk, they made a lot of mistakes.  I would have much rather have watched the TNT crew announce the draft.  

[Dish]

Why? The Bulls already have too many wing players. Why would they want/need Jerel?

Why would the Heat want him? They have D-Wade.

I posted this as the Heat were on the clock with pick #60, you mis-understood.

One of my old co-workers in the Bulls front office said they were thinking of giving McNeal a look, or so he had heard. With Ben Gordon off to Detroit in a month via sign & trade, and Lindsey Hunter most likely retiring, Bulls are going to look for guards here shortly.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

If they're looking for guards to replace Ben Gordon, somehow undrafted free agent Jerel McNeal doesn't seem like a logical replacement.

[Dish]

Bulls liked McNeal in their workout, but without a 2nd round pick, he wasn't going to wind up in Chicago unless he wanted to be on their summer league team. Sacramento is a good spot for him to go though.

He's obviously not what they're looking for to replace Gordon, clearly I wasn't trying to imply that. All I'm saying is that they're going to be looking for a shooter (Gordon replacement) and a body (guard/11th/12th man) coming up.