Despite being a league dominated by hegemons, the NBA's amateur draft is an utter crapshoot. While it’s a safe bet for the Celtics or Lakers to make the playoffs every season (the 2013-2014 season excepted), the NBA Draft is often the pinnacle of the careers of highly coveted top selections like Greg Oden and Adam Morrison.
With another NBA draft in the rearview, all any of the experts can say is how much they don’t know.
The first nine picks were an average age of 19; there were six freshmen, two sophomores, and an Australian. The top five picks in the draft are either potential superstars who had underwhelming college careers like Duke's Jabari Parker or complete enigmas like Dante Exum, the aforementioned Australian who didn't play a lick of college hoops.
Thankyou to @TheAustralianNY for providing a home away from home for the night. Can't wait to come back. pic.twitter.com/nJqtgZzfyd
— Danté Exum (@daanteee) June 27, 2014
Is he excited to go back to the bar or to Australia? You never know with those Aussies.
Exum could either crater like Johnny Flynn or bloom into a franchise player like Russell Westbrook. We just won’t know. But I’ll give Utah a break for snagging Duke’s Rodney Hood later in the first round to give point guard Trey Burke one of the more young and talented backcourt mates in the league.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Exum, you have the draft’s most proven player, UConn’s Shabazz Napier. For you conspiracy hacks out there, Napier was the first personal move of free agent GM LeBron James.
My favorite player in the draft! #Napier
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 27, 2014
Whether LeBron strongarmed Pat Riley into picking up Napier or not, Napier is at least better than Norris Cole and can’t play much worse than Mario Chalmers did this post-season. Either LeBron is coming back to South Beach or he is Olaf, the Troll GAWD.
Whereas the NFL has used its clout to ensure draftees are slightly older—and, therefore, better-known entities—the NBA’s infamous "one and done" rule forces teams to shoot in the dark. Aside from Mitch McGary, Hood, and Napier, I didn't recognize any names outside the top 19.
Last night's NBA draft was the highest rated ever on ESPN, 3.1 overnight rating beating 2003's 2.7 #.
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) June 27, 2014
Then again what do I know?