Interesting post from FratHouseSports about SG John Sloan of Huntingdon (AL) College. It's nice to see that the NBA Draft is more than coverage of future millionaires. We salute you John, not only for making unathletic white men's NBA dreams a little more of a reality, but for adding a humorous twist to the competitive world of sports.
Showing posts with label NBA Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA Draft. Show all posts
Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
NBA Initial Pre-Draft Notes...
First off, I would like to apologize for anyone who followed my advice and picked Kansas, Kansas St., Kentucky, and Baylor as their Final Four Teams. That's 0 out of 4 correct. I should be embarrassed and I am. If only I hadn't let my personal hatred towards Duke get in the way, maybe I would have done better. Oh well. Duke wins tonight. If I'm wrong, I'll say something nice about Tim Tebow. Yikes, never thought I could root so strong for the Blue Devils.
But, after tonight, the focus in college basketball shifts from those still playing to those who have chosen to move on. Time for all-star games, invitationals, and personal workouts. Time for the NBA Draft countdown to begin. Some star collegiate players, such as 2-time SJTM John Wall, are already looked at as sure-fire NBA stars, while others, such as Kansas' Sherron Collins and Notre Dame's Luke Harangody, need to answer questions regarding their height and/or speed. Unlike college, where experience is a crucial ingredient (and a probable reason why teams such as Duke and Butler are playing for the NCAA championship), pro scouts and teams usually value potential even more. Look at last year's NBA draft, and you'll see that only 6 first-round draft picks completed all four years of college, and none were in the top ten. According to nbadraft.net, 25 players have already declared early for the NBA draft (though some may not sign with an agent, giving them the option to return to school if they haven't already previously declared). For the most part, this year's group of early entrants is filled with questionable entries, including our Michigan's own beloved SG Manny Harris, who at this point, figures to be a second-rounder at best.
But, after tonight, the focus in college basketball shifts from those still playing to those who have chosen to move on. Time for all-star games, invitationals, and personal workouts. Time for the NBA Draft countdown to begin. Some star collegiate players, such as 2-time SJTM John Wall, are already looked at as sure-fire NBA stars, while others, such as Kansas' Sherron Collins and Notre Dame's Luke Harangody, need to answer questions regarding their height and/or speed. Unlike college, where experience is a crucial ingredient (and a probable reason why teams such as Duke and Butler are playing for the NCAA championship), pro scouts and teams usually value potential even more. Look at last year's NBA draft, and you'll see that only 6 first-round draft picks completed all four years of college, and none were in the top ten. According to nbadraft.net, 25 players have already declared early for the NBA draft (though some may not sign with an agent, giving them the option to return to school if they haven't already previously declared). For the most part, this year's group of early entrants is filled with questionable entries, including our Michigan's own beloved SG Manny Harris, who at this point, figures to be a second-rounder at best.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Days of High Life
So as Ruby and I were sitting poolside classing it up with our Busch Lights we learned of the tragic news about Michael Jackson. Within minutes we had commenced our honorary dance party which continues as I write this. Soon after, we realized several additional things were in order including making a mad dash to the liquor store to get a case of High Life so we could drink the Champagne of Beers rather than the classy, yet not as classy, Busch Light. While I should absolutely be studying for the bar, today's tragedies have reminded me that celebrating life should come above all else.
Of course, I am celebrated life, I began contemplating many other important philosophical matters. Specifically, I was reflecting on the shock that comes when life defies our expectations. This led me to consider what I read last night in Sway, a wonderfully insightful book which I recommend to all. In Sway, the authors discuss a study conducted on the 1984 NBA draft which included players such as Michael Jordan, Hakeen Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. The study found that regardless of the individual players' statistics on a per minute basis, those drafted later saw statistically significant fewer minutes of play. The Brafmans' conclusion was that coaches attributed less value to those players who were drafted later than earlier draft picks, regardless of the players' actual performance. Ultimately, that the value attributed to these players was prejudiced by their draft numbers even years into their careers. Not only did they get less playing time, lower drafted players had shorter careers and were more likely to be traded, again, regardless of the value they actually added to their teams in plays per minute.
Subconscious attribution of worth based on some perceived value absent objective analysis is nothing short of failing to recognize the potential right before our eyes. Life is potential energy and it is what we choose to do with that energy that matters most. It behooves us all to embrace the potential surrounding us and abandon our preconceived notions. I for one, am starting with the (wo)man in the mirror.
Of course, I am celebrated life, I began contemplating many other important philosophical matters. Specifically, I was reflecting on the shock that comes when life defies our expectations. This led me to consider what I read last night in Sway, a wonderfully insightful book which I recommend to all. In Sway, the authors discuss a study conducted on the 1984 NBA draft which included players such as Michael Jordan, Hakeen Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. The study found that regardless of the individual players' statistics on a per minute basis, those drafted later saw statistically significant fewer minutes of play. The Brafmans' conclusion was that coaches attributed less value to those players who were drafted later than earlier draft picks, regardless of the players' actual performance. Ultimately, that the value attributed to these players was prejudiced by their draft numbers even years into their careers. Not only did they get less playing time, lower drafted players had shorter careers and were more likely to be traded, again, regardless of the value they actually added to their teams in plays per minute.
Subconscious attribution of worth based on some perceived value absent objective analysis is nothing short of failing to recognize the potential right before our eyes. Life is potential energy and it is what we choose to do with that energy that matters most. It behooves us all to embrace the potential surrounding us and abandon our preconceived notions. I for one, am starting with the (wo)man in the mirror.
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