My Thoughts Immediately After The NBA Draft
The NBA Draft took place June 26th and 27th at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. Unlike last year’s draft, there was no sure fire top pick, there was however a ton of intrigue, as several players went in spots that they weren’t projected to go. With the dust now settled, I give my immediate feedback.
1) Reed Sheppard Going Third Is Crazy – People like his metrics, he shoots 52% from the three and had a 42 inch vertical leap. That’s cute, but can we talk about the production? Yes he averaged 12 points per game, but that’s not the entire story. In his last 10 games Sheppard scored in single figures half of the time, that includes 3 points with his season on the line in an elimination game. I don’t know about you, but if I’m picking third in the draft I want someone who does a little more than score 3 points against mighty Oakland.
2) American Dominance Is Over – This kinda started with last year’s draft of Victor, it’s now become escalated. The first two picks were from France, and 4 French players were picked in the first round overall. The entire draft saw 11 international players picked and that doesnt even count players like Matas Buzelis and Yves Missi who played their ball in America. Between the failing AAU system and the rise of European talent, my prediction is that in a few years foreign players will make up over half of the League.
3) The Spurs Picked Like The Spurs – When you have a generational talent, you need to surround him with the right pieces. San Antonio’s picks fit like hand in glove. They took the best perimeter defender in Stephon Castle and then landed Harrison Ingraham from UNC to act as a Draymond 2.0 type player.
4) Bronny James To The Lakers – All I will say is that if my dad was one of the greatest players of all time, he better help me get into the league.