Thursday, June 18, 2009

NBA Daft Draft?

I think I missed a career as an NBA general manager. Of course, I think you have to have played the sport at a higher level than one basketball camp at 15 or 16, or know somebody who knows somebody.
This is my favorite time of year for following pro basketball. The playoffs of 2009 were the most entertaining in recent memory and now the draft is coming up. I like trying to predict who the fans will follow and who will be a decent pro. I talk about the upcoming rookies like I'm older than I am. "Yeah, that kid looks good. He can get 10 boards a game in the pros." Rebounding is one of the stats that translates pretty well to a pro career. If you can rebound well in college or overseas, you can usually do so in the NBA, if not in limited minutes.
A lot of the level of success of these rookies depends on which team drafts them, or makes a deal for them. (Red Auerbach of the Celtics was the first master of getting the players he wanted by making behind the scene deals and promises. I still say Bill Russell is the best player in NBA history. The Finals MVP award is finally and rightfully named after Russell.) Would Michael Jordan have had success in Portland if he was chosen first overall? Or would he have struggled to find a place with the incumbent star Clyde Drexler? I know Chicago is certainly thankful to have Derek Rose now.
I would like to be the one that picks the players to play for these teams, but I know the general manager's job has its disadvantages like any other. It's a high pressure job, to be sure. Win now, pick the right guy, or we'll find someone who will. It would be fun to have for a day still though.