NBA Draft Thoughts

I wanted to make a few comments about the NBA Draft. No wonder following the NBA is so damn difficult, it makes no sense. Oh sure the Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley picks were predictable, despite rumors of Beasley having character issues that made him represented as Disney-like - Goofy.

It was how the rest of draft played out, that left me wondering. Numerous scouts wondered how Kevin Love was going to be able to get off jump shots, rebound with authority and play defense, literally days before the draft. Yet he’s picked fifth overall and is shipped almost immediately to the Land of 10,000 lakes. If he’s not Elton Brand, this was wasted pick.

The New York Knicks have the most dysfunctional roster in the league and take Danilo Gallinari? Now Gallinari is supposed to be the best Euro, but wait till he meets his new teammates. Hopefully he doesn’t learn how to talk “Knick” and become a malcontent himself.

The Milwaukee Bucks take Joe Alexander, who had a wonderful junior season at West Virginia and impressed several clubs with his athletic ability. However just a year ago, Milwaukee drafted Yi Jianlian to play small forward, despite his instance of wanting to play in bigger media market. After one season, Milwaukee trades what presumably was star of the future for Richard Jefferson, who happens to play the three spot, same as Alexander. Is this making sense, or do I need another Milwaukee Best?

There are other examples of what looks to be tomfoolery; however I’ve come to this conclusion. Taking players in the NBA draft is like buying futures, with a three-year window because of rookie salary cap. If it doesn’t look like a player is going to work out, move him and go on to the next one. If he looks like a keeper, tender him new contract and keep trying to build team. Of course the accountability factor of the GM is swept under the rug, or he is shown the door. No wonder the NBA is so hard to stomach.