Even back when KG started the HS revolution in 1995, yes that was potential based, but he and players after him, they dominated HS and put up big numbers. All the #1 picks were dominant in college. Somewhere along the lines, they started drafting these foreign players who didn’t even start while averaging like 5ppg, and they get picked in the top 5. They’ll draft a freshman who didn’t even start in college, and he goes in the top 5.
At what point did the NBA start drafting these players based on “potential” but didn’t even start or put up numbers?
- Thread starter Po pimp
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UpAndComing
Veteran
OP brings up a great point. About 10 years ago, someone who averaged 11-13 points per game in HS/College/Overseas was thought to be "a project"
These days, GMs are drafting straight up science experiments
These days, GMs are drafting straight up science experiments
Gil Scott-Heroin
Veteran
Eye-test > numbers.
Probably just hoping to find the next Jokic, Brunson, Siakam etc. Most players drafted outside the lottery don't amount to much more than a role player, so they're just taking bigger risks on potential hoping to get lucky.
“Wingspan”
Goat poster
KANG LIFE
NBA GM's/scouts/ presidents draft on potential more than any other league
I personally think it's overrated
I personally think it's overrated
Exaggeration, baseball guys are drafted outta high school and become starting players in the majors when they are like 30(also exaggeration)
Football used to be the same as basketball for QB. A lot to learn and body is still not optimal. In this hot take era people expect everybody to be Cam or at least CJ
It probably started before him but the first time it really stood out to me was Marvin Williams. He didn't start at UNC and looked pretty pedestrian while he was on the floor but everyone RAVED about him.
gtj1982
Superstar
Hence why I no longer watch the draft. Bunch of no name players who you may or may not hear about in 3 years. Miss when you had spent the last 2-4 years watching a player dominate college then hoping your team could pick him in the draft. It didn’t always pan out but at least you understood why they got drafted.
Exaggeration, baseball guys are drafted outta high school and become starting players in the majors when they are like 30(also exaggeration)
Football used to be the same as basketball for QB. A lot to learn and body is still not optimal. In this hot take era people expect everybody to be Cam or at least CJ
Baseball is different because they have hella rounds in the draft, and they have an expansive minor league system for projects to develop.
Leonard Washington
Superstar
Early 2000s when you had guys like DeSagna Diop & Nikoloz Tskitishvili being lottery picks
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C L O N E*0690//////
hype*
get these nets
Veteran
Teams draft based on how the player would fit their team and system.
Putting up big numbers in modern NCAA D1 doesnt mean they'd fit what the team is trying to do with their current roster
I remember Corey maggette at Duke
Back in the hs days guys like Robert Swift and korleone going getting drafted