MU players who've exceeded/failed expectations--in the NBA

[HouWarrior]

Watching NBA channel re runs of past drafts (yes--I have too much avail time-lol), it seems every draft is kind of like recruiting-- all the talk is about subjective personal expectations.
As to MU players, I have watched some exceed/surprise, and a few, sadly, fall a little short of what I'd hoped for or expected.
Looking back here are a few of mine--I hope you'll add more names and your impressions
Jerome Whitehead-- wow, never thought he'd have such a long nice NBA career PLUS
Doc Rivers--Never thought he'd have a great career, AND coach an NBA team to a world championship PLUS
Wes Matthews--did any of us see him starting for an NBA playoff club in year one PLUS

D Wade-- It was LaBron who was to be first in that class to get a world championship, and finals  MVP trophy PLUS

Jim Chones--I thought he'd be bigger star in NBA MINUS

Dean Memminger--I thought he'd be the next Earl Monroe MINUS

Butch Lee--I hoped for a Calvin Murphy, great small man career MINUS
Jim McIlvaine--Lasted longer, and made way more $ than I guessed he would PLUS

This post invites personal subjectivity--who cares what the "experts" expected/predicted....who met what you hoped for/expected, and who did not?....
Its NBA draft time --the season of expectations talk...enjoy

[HouWarrior]

here is a list of the names to consider:
Year Player Team Round Overall Pick
2006 Steve Novak Houston 2nd 32

2005 Travis Diener Orlando 2nd 38

2003 Dwyane Wade Miami 1st 5

1997 Chris Crawford  Atlanta 2nd 51
1996 Amal McCaskill  Orlando 2nd  49
1994 Jim McIlvaine Washington  2nd 32
1990 Tony Smith Los Angeles Lakers 2nd 51
1987 David Boone Denver 4th 77

1985 Walter Downing Los Angeles Lakers 6th 158
1984 Marc Marotta New York 9th  201
1983 Glenn "Doc" Rivers Atlanta 2nd  31

Terrell Schlundt Dallas 7th  148
1982 Michael Wilson Cleveland 3rd 47
Dean Marquardt Detroit 6th  147

Brian Nyenhuis Detroit 7th 170
1981 Oliver Lee Chicago 4th  84
Artie Green Milwaukee 10th  225

1980 Sam Worthen Chicago 2nd 26
Robert Byrd Chicago 7th  142
1979 Bernard Toone Philadelphia  2nd 37

Odell Ball Denver 6th  122
1978 Butch Lee Atlanta 1st  10
Jerome Whitehead Buffalo 2nd 41

Jim Boylan Buffalo 4th  68
Ulice Payne Detroit 9th  174
Gary Rosenberger Milwaukee 9th  182
1977 Bo Ellis Washington 1st  17

1976 Earl Tatum Los Angeles 2nd 21
Lloyd Walton Milwaukee 3rd  40 
1975 Jerry Homan New York 8th  134

1974 Maurice Lucas Chicago 1st  14
Marcus Washington Houston 10th  166
1973 Larry McNeil Kansas City- Omaha 2nd 25

Jim Chones Los Angeles 2nd  31
Allie McGuire New York 3rd  49
1972 Bob Lackey Atlanta 5th  71

1971 Dean Meminger New York 1st  16
Gary Brell Milwaukee 3rd  51
1970 Joe Thomas Phoenix 6th  95

Jeff Sewell San Francisco 8th  121
Ric Cobb Phoenix 12th  190
1969 George Thompson Boston  5th  66

1968 Brian Brunkhorst New York  6th  72
Brad Luchini Milwaukee 11th  146
1967 Bob Wolf Chicago 7th  70

1963 Dave Erickson Detroit 4th  31
1961 Don Kojis Chicago 2nd  21
1960 Walt Mangham New York
10th  72
1956 Terry Rand Minneapolis NA NA
1948 Gene Berce New York NA NA




 

[Blackhat]

Did you just get laid off or something houwarrior?   

[HouWarrior]

Did you just get laid off or something houwarrior?   

lol--no I am a lawyer--I make my own hours, and I'm relaxing a little, after a two week trial

[4everwarriors]

Win or lose, bro? You were OK until admitting you were a lawyer.

What's the difference between roadkill and a dead lawyer in the road?

The roadkill has skid marks in front of it.

[bma725]

Alright I'll play along.

Chris Crawford...exceeded expectations.  Any one who saw him as a freshman was shocked he made it all.  I figured he'd not make the team after being drafted, but he actually did surprisingly well until the injuries derailed his career.

George Thompson...tough call because most of his success was in the ABA, but given what he did there I'd say exceeded expectations.

Don Kojis...exceeded expectations.

Lloyd Walton...met expectations I guess.  3rd round pick, stuck around 5 years as a back up, that's not bad.

[AZWarrior]

Amal McCaskill

Had a respectable pro career after not-even-starting on his high school team.   

[HoopsMalone]

I don't know if people thought Wade would be this good, because I certainly did not.  I was expecting him to be a Michael Finley type of player as a consistent starter and contributor.  Now he is a top 10 talent and former Finals MVP.