If you've followed any professional sport closely, you're keenly aware of the fact that collegiate player drafts are anything but scientific.
My favorite NBA draft story will always be Michael Redd.
Coming out of Ohio State University, it was pretty much an objective fact that Redd was an inconsistent perimeter shooter when he was drafted, at best. After getting drafted in the second round and making the Milwaukee Bucks roster, he has not only become an all-star and member of Team USA, but also one of the best shooters in the NBA.
What I love about his story is that it's a pleasant reminder that a good draft pick is not necessarily determined by college performance, pedigree, or even tournament wins. So a lot of it can come down to a player's dedication to the craft, how well a player fits with the team who drafts them, and -- perhaps unfairly -- a team's patience with the player.
Ultimately, no matter what we speculate about the draft, we're destined to be wrong.
Nevertheless, it's fun to speculate, especially for true fans who care about nothing more than their team getting the best player possible.
posted by Helen at 12:07 PM
