Re: Fairly interesting take from Sam Smith

[Jim Metz <JBMetzEA@AOL.com>]

Title: Re: Fairly interesting take from Sam Smith

on 5/14/01 10:12 AM, Berry, Mark  S at berrym@BATTELLE.ORG wrote:

> This is from Saturday's Sam Smith column. He's talking about the lack of
> leverage the Bulls will have holding the top pick (since Yao Ming isn't
> available). You might find the Antoine Walker references interesting...
> Walker and 10&11 for Brand and 1? In a heartbeat. Everyone talks about this
> draft and says these guys aren't going to help you next year. Fine. Neither
> did Tracy McGrady or Kobe Bryant. Forget about next year. The draft isn't
> about next year anymore. But it's still about talent, and talent is the name
> of the game. Eddy Curry, Kwame Brown or Eddie Griffin would be major
> acquisitions for any team in the league. Hopefully the Celtics have a little
> more patience than these sports writers. Of course, these are the same
> writers who will crucify any team that passes on a high schooler who turns
into an all-star three years from now...
        *************
    With the baseball and hockey drafts, there are very few players who go right up to the big leagues. This is what basketball needs. A minor league, with big league chosen coaches and waiver rights. 
  Why not have each team with their own affiliate? They could merge the CBA and this new development league. That way, you could have your own coaching styles and solid un-biased reports as to the players progress. 
    Some of you(posters) didn't care for the S.N. article on the fate of early entires compared to players who stayed an extra year or two in college. To me it wasn't as much a morality piece, but a factual analysis of the beneficial effects of playing college ball a year or two longer. 
    Surely it's too late to turn back the clock and talent rules, but the shame of sitting these kids on the bench for two or three years, is not only stunting their development, but keeping more developed players who could contribute out of the league to keep room for these projects.
    How much better would it have been if Moiso could have played all season? 
    With the new five year contracts, this could happen, but an 8 team developmental league is just the start.
     Walker and both our picks for Brand and #1? Of course! Dejuan in the house? Kwame? Curry? From what I've read, I'd take Wagner. Or even trade Chicago's pick for an all star or a few lower picks. 
    By the way is it Pau Gasol? Or Paul? Most of the articles from Europe spell it Pao or Pau.
-JB-

                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                 Unchain My Heart!