NBA Mock Draft for Lazar Hayward

[Zombie45]

http://www.nbadraft.net/2010mock_draft

nbadraft.net has Lazar becoming Mr. Irrelevant, being selected 60th by the Phoenix Suns.

[MauraDay]

I'm just happy to see his name on anyone's mock draft.

[shiloh26]

He's been hanging out at 60 on that mock draft for a while now... its the only one I've seen him on though. 

[damuts222]

 As much as I love Lazar I don't see him being drafted. McNeal was supposed to be drafted in the middle of the 2nd round, so much for that. Take these mock drafts with a grain of salt. The NFL draft analysts tend to be more exact than does the NBA's, at least that is what I have found.

[wyoMUfan]

over beers last night we discussed the bucks taking gordon then lazar...
my personal interest might be influencing my decision but the bucks would sell tickets if Lazar was on the team.
People say, they will sell tickets no matter what, I disagree, I think when the season ended the interest (of the majority) ended.

[shiloh26]

As much as I love Lazar I don't see him being drafted. McNeal was supposed to be drafted in the middle of the 2nd round, so much for that. Take these mock drafts with a grain of salt. The NFL draft analysts tend to be more exact than does the NBA's, at least that is what I have found.

Oh I completely agree... NBA mock drafts are especially inaccurate because the people that make them never seem to realize that lots of teams like to go European-with-upside in the second round over solid college players like Lazar.  They can just leave them in Europe for a few years to develop a-la Ersan Illyasova.   

[GOMU1104]

I like his chances at getting drafted. If not, he will be in the league next year.

[TallTitan34]

I don't think he will get drafted, but I definately think it's possible for him to make it the way Wes did.

[Lennys Tap]

I hope you guys are both right, but the odds are long against a free agent making a roster. They're REALLY long against becoming a starter ala Wes.

[RawdogDX]

I heard someone talking about a duke player with Jay bilas and he said that a certain player may be better off undrafted so he can pick his best shot.  

Could be true for Lazar.  I still think a very sturdy, strong, unselfish three who can defend the post, take coaching, rebound, and is a good person is someone who can find a role as the 10-11 man of the bench.  

[GGGG]

over beers last night we discussed the bucks taking gordon then lazar...
my personal interest might be influencing my decision but the bucks would sell tickets if Lazar was on the team.
People say, they will sell tickets no matter what, I disagree, I think when the season ended the interest (of the majority) ended.

I think any professional team that drafts a player in order to sell tickets should just get out of the business entirely.

[wadefan#1]

I have a feeling he will be anything but irrelevant.

[Benny B]

I think any professional team that drafts a player in order to sell tickets should just get out of the business entirely.

Is not the "business" of a professional sports team to sell tickets?

[Hards Alumni]

Is not the "business" of a professional sports team to sell tickets?

The point is that you sell tickets by winning, not be signing hometown heroes who probably won't see the court.

[Wade for President]

Watching the Suns/Lakers game last night, couldn't help but see Lazar model his game after Phoenix's Jared Dudley.  Very similar styles.  Dudley might be better with the ball, but Lazar's a better rebounder/stronger.

[goodgreatgrand]

I hope you guys are both right, but the odds are long against a free agent making a roster. They're REALLY long against becoming a starter ala Wes.

Close, but not exaclty. If you have an owner that only wants to cut costs, then making the team as an undrafted free agent isnt such a long shot. The Jazz, in an effort to save money, actually started (and I assume ended) the season without a full roster.

It was a perfect situation for him. One or two of the other undrafted free agents he was competing against got hurt before camp started. Then I think there was a retirement and a long term injury for players on the roster. Throw in the cost cutting measures and an undrafted free agent beats a free agent with tenure.

No one will find a situation like that this summer.   

[GoldenWarrior]

Unfortunately I do not see Zar getting drafted.  I do see him getting his opportunities in the summer league to try and play on to a roster so here's hoping he can seize the opportunity!

[shiloh26]

The point is that you sell tickets by winning, not be signing hometown heroes who probably won't see the court.

I agree.  I get that he's a hometown guy, but if he does get drafted by the Bucks (which wont happen)/makes the roster later, he is not going to see the floor initially.  If he ends up unexpectedly successful like Wes, then presumably the team is doing well and is selling tickets anyway.   

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

The point is that you sell tickets by winning, not be signing hometown heroes who probably won't see the court.

Sort of.

Teams do promotions all of the time to help sell tickets.

It's not just about W's.

Is signing Lazar just to sell tickets a good move? Probably not.

Do teams sign guys because they are "fan favorites" and help sell tickets? Yes. Lazar just isn't one of those guys.

[goodgreatgrand]

Nevermind that making the playoffs is far more lucrative than selling an extra hundred tickets per game because a handful of people want to stare creepily at Lazar while he sits on the bench (or maybe plays garbage minutes his first year or two).

If the Bucks want a fan favorite, forget Lazar. Give me the BIRDMAN!!

[Benny B]

The point is that you sell tickets by winning, not be signing hometown heroes who probably won't see the court.

Is winning and signing hometown heroes mutually exclusive?  Because it certainly seems that Cleveland did exactly that over the past few years (LeBron being from Ohio, any way).

Further, will winning guarantee success at the box office?  Absolutely not.  Case in point: The Florida Marlins.

My point is that the business of sports is to sell tickets, TV advertising and sponsorships, period; in other words, increase profits.  Some teams accomplish this by winning, some teams accomplish this by signing players that are a "draw," some teams will sell tickets despite their efforts (or lack of), some teams don't sign expensive players, and some teams do a combination of these four.

Winning is not the goal of a professional sports team, it is merely one of the various tools used to accomplish the goal.

[GGGG]

Is winning and signing hometown heroes mutually exclusive?  Because it certainly seems that Cleveland did exactly that over the past few years (LeBron being from Ohio, any way).

They signed him because he's Lebron-frickin'-James.  If Lebron was from Slovakia, the Cavs would have still taken him with the first pick.

The Bucks aren't going to sell any more tickets because Lazar Hayward is on the team.  If the Bucks think he is the best fit, thent by all means draft him...just don't do it because he's from Marquette.

[goodgreatgrand]

Winning is not the goal of a professional sports team, it is merely one of the various tools used to accomplish the goal.

You must be a Bud Seilig fan! I didnt think any existed.

Oh, and dont tell Steinbrenner that winning is not the goal of a team; he'll rip your throat out.

[Hards Alumni]

Is winning and signing hometown heroes mutually exclusive?  Because it certainly seems that Cleveland did exactly that over the past few years (LeBron being from Ohio, any way).

Further, will winning guarantee success at the box office?  Absolutely not.  Case in point: The Florida Marlins.

My point is that the business of sports is to sell tickets, TV advertising and sponsorships, period; in other words, increase profits.  Some teams accomplish this by winning, some teams accomplish this by signing players that are a "draw," some teams will sell tickets despite their efforts (or lack of), some teams don't sign expensive players, and some teams do a combination of these four.

Winning is not the goal of a professional sports team, it is merely one of the various tools used to accomplish the goal.

Basically, what SoSW said, with the addition that teams in Florida typically don't sell tickets to anything.  Look at the Heat.  Look at the Marlins.  There are a lot more things to do in Miami other than sit inside and watch a basketball game, or sit in the sweltering heat and watch a baseball game.  Miami is a terrible sports town, despite the fact that it is a huge market.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

You must be a Bud Seilig fan! I didnt think any existed.

Oh, and dont tell Steinbrenner that winning is not the goal of a team; he'll rip your throat out.

Big Stein only cares about winning because he can afford to.

Truthfully, pro sports are a mix of owners ego (ie winning) and making $.

That balance isn't the same for every owner, but rest assured these rich guys didn't get rich by getting in on losing investments.

If the goal was really championships (winning), teams wouldn't put luxury boxes close to the field. They'd put bleacher seats and pack people in (create the best home court/field advantage).

Making $ is important.