Now ESPN has Lazar in

[HoopsMalone]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2010/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-Round2-100624

Mock Draft 7.0 has him going to the Hawks at 53.

[DJO's Pump Fake]

Man I don't wanna be let down like last year.

I have a feeling I won't be, but after all the talk of Jerel in the mock drafts and then nothing really was a downer.

Here's hoping the NBA saw what Wes did and gives our boy a chance.

good luck Zar!

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I'm not making any predictions, but it's clear to me that Lazar's "stock" is going up, while McNeal's was plummeting at this time last year. I wasn't at all surprised JM wasn't picked.

[Hards Alumni]

I'm not making any predictions, but it's clear to me that Lazar's "stock" is going up, while McNeal's was plummeting at this time last year. I wasn't at all surprised JM wasn't picked.

This is exactly how I feel.

[Hards Alumni]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2010/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-Round2-100624

Mock Draft 7.0 has him going to the Hawks at 53.

he was previously going 60 to the suns per one of the 6.X mocks yesterday.

[4everwarriors]

Lazar's draftibility or lack thereof depends largely on whether GMs use 2nd rd. picks on stockpiling foreign talent. I also question what position he plays in the Association. Remember that a second round pick is neither quaranteed a roster spot or a contract.

[muhoops1]

The problem with the NBA draft is that it's like playing the Futures Market.  There is some seven foot, 19 year old Lithuanian kid that none of us have ever heard about that will go before Lazar.  It's not right, but its how these GM's roll.  After the first 7 -12 picks it gets dicey anyway.

Lazar is a class act and will get a shot in the league regardless.  I cannot recall the female announcer from ESPN last year, but she was extolling his virtues during the BE tourney and said "you can't tell me there are 60 guys better than him in college basketball". 

[goodgreatgrand]

The problem with the NBA draft is that it's like playing the Futures Market.  There is some seven foot, 19 year old Lithuanian kid that none of us have ever heard about that will go before Lazar.  It's not right, but its how these GM's roll.  After the first 7 -12 picks it gets dicey anyway.

Lazar is a class act and will get a shot in the league regardless.  I cannot recall the female announcer from ESPN last year, but she was extolling his virtues during the BE tourney and said "you can't tell me there are 60 guys better than him in college basketball". 

Why "isnt it right" if an NBA GM wants to draft a foreign player over an American college player?

Also, about the "60 guys that are better" comment - It's a valid point but totally irrelevant. It's not just about polished talent; it's about potential, system fit and position fit. 

[martyconlonontherun]

Why "isnt it right" if an NBA GM wants to draft a foreign player over an American college player?

Also, about the "60 guys that are better" comment - It's a valid point but totally irrelevant. It's not just about polished talent; it's about potential, system fit and position fit. 

Exactly.

If you were a GM and had a limited number of roster spots and cap space, would you:
A.) Draft a guy from amateur basketball in America who is going to cost you resources developing for 3 years to be an average player when you can sign an equally as good player as a free agent, or
B.) Draft a young European playing against grown men in Euro leagues that consist of great former college basketball players and Euro stars and let him develop over there for a few years and bring him over when he is ready?

A.) Jodie Meeks
B.) Ersan Ilysova.
Who would you rather have? But I never heard of Ersan even though he was one of the best players in Europe under the age of 18, and Jodie Meeks had a 50 point game! Just because we are ignorant of a players game doesn't mean Lazar is better.

[Litehouse]

Why "isnt it right" if an NBA GM wants to draft a foreign player over an American college player?

Because the rules are different for college vs. foreign players.  Teams can draft foreign players and retain their rights while they play in Europe and develop, but college players have to sign right away or they lose their rights.  It gives an incentive for teams to draft the foreign guys at the expense of the US college players.  If the rules were the same for both types I think it would be fine and up to the teams, but it really screws over the college players.

[bilsu]

One of Lazar's biggest detriments is the fact that he is a senior. If evereything else was the same, but he was a sophomore he would probably be a first rounder.

[Hards Alumni]

One of Lazar's biggest detriments is the fact that he is a senior. If evereything else was the same, but he was a sophomore he would probably be a first rounder.

No, he would be a lotto pick for sure.

[martyconlonontherun]

Because the rules are different for college vs. foreign players.  Teams can draft foreign players and retain their rights while they play in Europe and develop, but college players have to sign right away or they lose their rights.  It gives an incentive for teams to draft the foreign guys at the expense of the US college players.  If the rules were the same for both types I think it would be fine and up to the teams, but it really screws over the college players.

Are you sure about that? Unless they changed something, they can go to Europe also. It's just American players would rather stay in America then Europe. The Bucks Drafted Andre Hutson in 2001 and George Karl made a comment saying he hopes Andre likes Europe. The Bucks also held the rights to Rashard Griffin out of Madison for years. Actually, i don't get your point at all. Wouldn't it be better to not have rights attached? What benefit does it have besides one team having a monopoly on your contract. What's not fair is that Europe is catching up to the US and we just don't recognize names, right?

[martyconlonontherun]

No, he would be a lotto pick for sure.

But he wasn't that good as a sophomore. If he was, he would have been better as a senior. What's wrong with looking for a player with potential. Would you rather sign a juco who would be a junior or an equally as good freshmen coming in?

[Litehouse]

Are you sure about that? Unless they changed something, they can go to Europe also. It's just American players would rather stay in America then Europe. The Bucks Drafted Andre Hutson in 2001 and George Karl made a comment saying he hopes Andre likes Europe. The Bucks also held the rights to Rashard Griffin out of Madison for years. Actually, i don't get your point at all. Wouldn't it be better to not have rights attached? What benefit does it have besides one team having a monopoly on your contract. What's not fair is that Europe is catching up to the US and we just don't recognize names, right?

Now that you mention it, I'm not sure.  I just assumed that was the case based on some of the discussions I've heard on this issue in the past.  If it's the same for both sides, I don't think it's as big of a deal.  I still think players would rather have their name called at the draft than have to go the Wes Matthews route.  Ultimately it doesn't matter either way if they eventually play in the league anyway, but its a nice honor for someone to say they were drafted.

[martyconlonontherun]

I agree it is definitely a better honor to get drafted. I just don't agree with people who feel star college players who work hard and dedicate 4 years should have the right to get drafted. It's professional sports and teams are going to do what's best for them. Even if Lazar doesn't get drafted he will still be making more money that me in a beautiful European country. If that isn't what he wants he can finish his degree and have a normal career or play in the D-League for peanuts. I won't feel sorry for Lazar cause he is in a great situation to do what he wants. How many people get there dream jobs right out of college?

[muhoops1]

It wasn't intended as an indictment of the system.  It was merely a statement of opinion and hoping an MU player gets drafted.  It's just one more publicity op for MU and a nice guy.  I could care less if someone wants to take a chance on a 19 year old.  Free country.  Simply a statement made from a pro-MU perspective.

Many people think the amateur draft is about American, College students going to the NBA.  Not anymore.  Global.  I am not pro or con.  Simply indifferent.  The NBA sucks anyway.

[Hards Alumni]

But he wasn't that good as a sophomore. If he was, he would have been better as a senior. What's wrong with looking for a player with potential. Would you rather sign a juco who would be a junior or an equally as good freshmen coming in?

What I'm saying is if he put up his Senior year when he was a soph, he would be a lotto pick.

but since it is 2 years later, its like no one cares.