Re: Just An Opinion

[Joe Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

I agree with Jimbo and you can't always put too much weight on the historical
precedent, even though there are some compelling generalizations people make (eg
Syracuse, Duke and Indiana megastars always tend to disappoint in the NBA). If
that were your hard rule, you'd miss out on Grant Hill or Isiah Thomas and who
knows what else down the road.

Now in the case of Ilgauskus, this guy was drafted number 20 overall by the
Cavs, even though there were no injury concerns that I knew of at the time of
the draft. And Portland also got a very valuable trade commodity (if so far
nothing else) in Jermaine O'Neill at number 17 that year.

That was admittedly a great and deep draft.

Joe

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Jim Meninno wrote:

> All anyone's saying is that he's got Shaq banging size and, if he's got a
> little footspeed and a general idea of how to play basketball, he's easily
> worth the #11 pick and a year of waiting.  Does he have those qualities?  I
> don't know, that's what scouts are for.  But I don't think you can assume he
> doesn't, because if you're wrong you could be passing up the best center
> available to you in the next 10 years.  Chances are, you're right.  Guys
> that size, with talent, are pretty rare, and this one seems to have come out
> of nowhere.  But, if you miss a chance to pick up an Ilgauskas quality
> center with the #11 pick, you'll be kicking yourself for years.  Just be
> thorough on the scouting, and don't let a one year contract affect the
> decision.