Given the relative success of the Lakers thread, I figure one more sports topic can't hurt anything. So, how about the 8 high school players taken in the first round? Are NBA GMs riding a trend, or do all of these kids have better upside than, say, NCAA player of the year Jameer Nelson (St. Joe's)?

well it can be a lot more cost effective to recruit off of the high school curcuit...of course assuming that the player you choose is going to play (and play well).

Craig T. Nelson and I were discussing it last night before he started puking off the deck. I think it's ridiculous. All of these high school kids are sure that they're the next LeBron James. Rubbish. Don't expect a player like that to come around every year. Bottom line: when Danny Ainge starts drafting high school kids, you know it's a bad idea.

Also, there should be a thread about being hungover/waking up drunk and going to work in the morning.

(Edited by damon at 10:03 am on Jun. 25, 2004)

To quote Matt Freije (who, while we're on the subject, was drafted by the Miami Heat in the second round), "Those (high school guys and foreigners) are getting picked purely on potential."

I think that with college players, the NBA teams pretty much know what they're getting, for better or worse. With a guy coming out of high school, they really don't know. If I were drafting, I wouldn't gamble on high school kids, but apparently the upside can be astronomical.

Check this line:

"Deng is a native of Sudan and possesses an excellent mid-range shot."

strange, i did that very act this morning...

Me too.

the nba draft is a solemn event for me...because i like college ball and not the nba, what these players are actually doing is graduating from my consciousness--goodbye, matt freije. i will never keep track of your career from this point on...bye, emeka okeafor, good luck with the rest of your life, i'll never pay attention to you again....etc.

do you guys think that Orlando took a high school draftee because they seriously think this guy can be a franchise player or because of the possibility of generating LeBron-esque excitement resulting in higher profits? i lean toward the latter.

Both. Franchise players have a tendancy to generate LeBron-esque excitement. I mean, say what you will about LeBron, but he did singlehandedly almost get the Cavs into the playoffs. And look at 'melo - he DID singlehandedly drag the Nugs into the playoffs. The NUGS, dude! I think we'd all agree that both would go into the category of "franchise player."

I do see what you're saying, herman. But my point is this: if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, can we really call it a goose? I do think that these GMs actually believe that these 18 year old kids are going to step out on the court and turn the franchise around (and yes, generate some excitement and $$$ in the process). It will take some LeBron/Dwight Howard caliber players pulling a total choke job in the pros to snap these GMs back to reality. And honestly, I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.

jesus, who cares.


good post brother smithson.

(Edited by roadie at 9:39 am on Jun. 26, 2004)

Not me. But this is one more post pushing me ever closer to that third square-ish dot under my avatar. . . I'm starting to yearn.
And to me watching the NBA is much like watchin the LPGA (both are full of ugly dudes). NCAA is actually engaging and fun to watch. Maybe after a few years the NBA will just do away with College ball altogether by drafting all their players straght from Highschool.

(Edited by MarshallStacks at 1:51 pm on Jun. 27, 2004)

Obviously somebody, as multimillion dollar contracts don't just appear out of nowhere.