Why Draft European Over NCAA ?

Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen also writes for Hoopdoctors.com

 

I have a puzzling question. Every year, why are more International players getting the call from NBA teams over some of our proven collegiate players? This year 20% or 12 players out of the 60 players drafted, if you include Brandon Jennings and Patrick Beverley, were of the International flavor. Many of which have questional ability or potential. Six of these players were selected in the first round, essentially getting guaranteed money while many NCAA tested players such as Dionte Christmas of Temple and Jerel McNeal of Marquette went undrafted.

I’ll concead Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings as possible future stars, and even Victor Claver and Omri Casspi as servicable NBA role players, but Rodrigue Beaubois and Nando de Calo? Most casual hardwood fans would believe these were a hip hop artist’s newest clothing line rather than an NBA team’s hope for the future. While they may have a colorful and interesting name, their game is much more, dare I say … lame! Beaubois and de Calo have career scoring averages against average competition of 7.5ppg and 12.3ppg respectfully in the FRENCH PRO LEAGUE!

Here is two comparisons. Why draft Omri Casspi at #23, who averaged 8 points and 3 rebounds in Europe over DeJuan Blair of Pitt who averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds? With all the shaky kneee rumors aside, Blair did this against better competition in the Big East Conference, is a year younger, and can play now. Why draft Christian Eyenga at #30, at 8 ppg in Europe over Dionte Christmas of Temple who led his conference in scoring, averaging around 20 ppg, three straight years in the A-10, and is widely regarded by scouts as one of the best perimeter shooters the past 4 seasons in the NCAA?

It seems that NBA teams point out collegiate players weaknesses in spite of their obvious talents while grasping at some International players’ future potential and overlooking their obvious weaker competition and weaknesses. Also, many of these International players will be stashed in Europe for a few years to “develop their skills” or for the terms of the buyout of their existing European contracts are worked out while our college players are ready now and must again prove themselves in the upcoming NBA Summer Leagues for a shot at making a NBA team.

NBA teams, this is an obvious question. It appears that only a handful of teams are trying to improve and challenge for an NBA title with players who can help now, while two thirds of the league seem to waste their picks on a future that may never come.

 

 

Why the Wizards Could Be a Sleeper In the East

Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen also writes for Hoopdoctors.com

When the Washington Wizards traded out of the #5 pick in this season’s draft, it left many people scratching their heads wondering why a last place team that finished a dismal 19-63, would do such a thing. There were more puzzling reactions once Minnesota used that lottery pick on European superstar Ricky Rubio. I am going to attempt to talk all Washington Wizard fans off of the ledge by breaking down why it was actually a good move to trade the pick, and how the Wizards can make the playoffs next season.

First of all, and most importantly, Gilbert Arenas, aka Agent 0, must be healthy. The Wizards have been hit by the injury bug harder than any team over the last few years. A close second may be Houston with the reoccuring T-Mac and Yao Ming injuries. When healthy, Arenas, a 3 time all-star, is as talented and deadeye shooter as you can find in the entire NBA as evidence by his career scoring average of almost 23 ppg. In his last three full seasons from 05′-07′, he established himself as one of the game’s elite players averaging 28-30 points, more than 5 assists, while shooting more than 42% on 3’s. The problem is he has played only 15 games in two seasons. Amazingly, reports have him making a full recovery, hoping to be ready by training camp.

A healthy Arenas, along with Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler forms one of the most imposing offensive trios in the league. Jamison, an 11 year pro out of North Carolina, has a 20 ppg career scoring average to go along with 8 rebounds per game. He had arguably his best season in 08′-09′ at 22.2 points and 8.9 rebounds while playing in all 82 games. Caron Butler, a 7 year pro has apparently found his home playing for his 3rd team in Washington after establishing career highs in points averaging 20.8 and also has 1 All-Star game appearance. The question on Butler also is health, since he has never played a full season in the NBA.

The Wizards chose to try and win now when they traded the #5 pick and three players to Minnesota for Randy Foye and Mike Miller, a former Rookie and 6th Man of the Year. Why wait for a rookie to possibly develop when you can acquire two proven NBA veterans. Foye, coming from Big East power Villanova in college, has been a double figure scorer each of his 3 years in the league topping out at 16.3 points while averaging 4.3 assists in 09′. Many feel he hasn’t reached his full potential yet. Mike Miller, known as one of the leagues best 3 point shooters, is actually one of it’s most underrated all around players averaging 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting over 40% on 3’s for his career. Their roster also includes ever improving Nick Young(10.9 ppg), NBA badboy but talented DeShawn Stevenson, Brendan Haywood, and Andre Blatche(10 points, 5 rebs), who is performing well in the NBA Vegas Summer League, to come off the bench.

Trading Rubio may be a blessing in disguise since Minnesota is now having a hard time working out the details of his buyout from his European team. Some rumors even have him returning to Spain for another season with Jonny Flynn getting early reps at point guard. Financially, the Wizards are also in decent shape next season, with under achieving Mike James’ $9 million dollar contract due to expire at season’s end, allowing Washington to possibly acquire a better than average role player for 2010.

Hopefully, Washington Wizard fans can now take a deep breath and have some hope going into next season. Some rumors have the Wizards not quite a finished project just yet as they may add another player or resign free agent Juan Dixon before free agency is done. With an injury free Agent 0, along with a strong supporting cast. and a little luck, the Wizards may just surprise everyone and contend for an Eastern Conference crown