sportsblog

The NBA Draft is one of the sporting world’s biggest crapshoots. Teams spend months and months working players out and scouting them at pre-draft minicamps and still there is no guarantee that any of the players drafted will ever make it big or even be a rotation guy in the NBA. This year’s draft was no exception. In fact, it was even more of a whirlwind than usual.

I’m still not sure I know who has ended up on which team because there was so much movement on draft night. I think it was just a sign of how unsure teams were about hwo they wanted and who would be the best fit for their team. Some teams just had bizarre drafts. I’m not sure I understand the Bobcats taking DJ Augustin. Maybe, as Chad Ford says, he’s an upgrade of Raymond Felton, but I’m not sure that I agree and I think that the Bobcats have more of need for more of an inside presence. Even if they did want a guard, I think Jerryd Bayless was a much stronger pick than Agustin. I also didn’t understand the Bucks drafting Joe Alexander on the same day they acquired Richard Jefferson.

I’ll never understand why teams draft only on upside and ignore what a player has done in college. I know everyone believes that DJ Augustin is a better player than Mario Chalmers, but Chalmers was a key guy (if not the key guy) on a National Championship team. He’s showed (on the biggest stage in college basketball no less) that he can be a great defensive stopper, distributor and that he can hit a big shot. How do teams pass on him and take guys like Jason Thompson from Rider (especially when the Kings need a point guard)? I mean c’mon Maloof brothers, seriously? If you care that little about your NBA team, sell them and just live out your days in your Casino and your clubs. Time will tell and I am hardly a soothsayer, but I have a hard time believing tht Mario Chalmers won’t have a better career than Jason Thompson. And don’t give me undersized. If a guy can play a guy can play. I give you Charles Barkley and Shawn Bradley. Undersized guys can make it if they can play. Chalmers can play.

With that said, I think it is obvious that the Miami Heat had a fantastic draft. I’m going to put aside for a moment that I think Michael Beasley is overrated and could easily become a Karl Malone type player: putting up great numbers for a team that just can’t win. I just don’t have faith in Beasley as an NBA player. However, he is easily the most talented player in the draft despite what I think about his future. So in that regard he is certainly a solid pick and certainly the best pick available at number 2. OJ Mayo would have been a huge reach. In addition to landing the most talented player in the draft they also drafted one of the most NBA ready players in Chalmers. Chalmers will be a big help to Dwyane Wade in the backcourt and Beasley gives them a really explosive frontcourt duo with Marion. If they can move Marion this year (or Haslem really) for a big guy (I’m thinking someone like Elton Brand, Rasheed Wallace or Marcus Camby each of whom may be available) they are going to be a force in the East. One thing is for sure, with a healthy Wade all year, they are going to be a lot better than last year.

Two more thoughts for now on the draft. What are the Sixers thinking with Mareese Speights? I mean I know everyone thinks the guy has talent, but when you can choose between an out of condition guy with (maybe) a lot of talent and a proven winner and a guy who John Hollinger called the fifth-best prospect in the draft, why choose the wild card? I don’t get it. The Sixers would have been better off with Darrell Arthur.

Lastly, I am thrilled for fellow Georgetown Alum Patrick Ewing, Jr. getting drafted in the 2nd round. I didn’t think that he’d get drafted and I know that most don’t think he is going to stick, but I think if he’s given a chance early in the season (and on the Kings he better be given a chance, I mean what do they have to lose?) he can show that he will be able to contribute to an NBA team. He could end up being a Leon Powe type player bringing energy off the bench and really contributing to a winner. Good luck Patrick.