Post by GP on Aug 1, 2007 19:55:57 GMT -5
Galo Pesantes
BBS Senior Staff Writer
Since the inaugural 1998 draft, there have been seven rookie drafts which have produced several studs and duds. However, it is time to acknowledge which are already established busts and sleepers of their respective drafts.
Top 10 Busts since the 1999 Draft
1- Rip Hamilton G 1999 BBS Draft Selected #4 Miami Heat
Undoubtedly, the number one player on this list is the former UConn standout. Rip has never really established himself in this league. However Hamilton was perhaps in the worse draft in the history of the BBS but some quality players were produced (see Elton Brand and Shawn Marion). Nevertheless, Rip comes in this list at the top unless he experiences a dynamic improvement.
2- Steve Francis G 2000 BBS Draft Selected #5 Atlanta Hawks
The Franchise was the Hawks’ everything for a few seasons but since being dealt he has never been quite the same player. Commissioner Spencer Martin calls Francis, “the worse player with the best ratings I have ever seen.” Indeed, Francis has strong ratings but has never really produced to what has been expected of him. And with a new team in Sacramento, he is expected to be dealt soon not only because of his home but because he is now considered a bust.
3- Zach Randolph F 2001 BBS Draft Selected #8 Miami Heat
Although averaging a double double this season, Randolph never became that dominant force in the league. It is becoming more apparent that the scouting report on Randolph is true: “Weaknessess-His heart has been questioned. Has very good skills, but his lack of conditioning make him a liability on the defensive end.” Also his defense never came around which makes him undeserving a max contract but deserving of being a bust.
4- Corey Maggette G 1999 BBS Draft Selected #9 Houston Rockets
Maggette is another has yet to establish himself in this league and it shows with his play. Also owed 36 million over the next three years, Maggette may never live up to that money or expectations when drafted from high school. Maybe he should have gone to Duke and not be considered here at No.4 on this list.
5- Hakim Warrick F 2004 BBS Draft Selected #9 Atlanta Hawks
Always considered athletically inclined, Warrick has been nothing more than that. However, he is still only 24 and his game may come around. But if it does not his lack of development for his offensive game and defensively will be the biggest reasons why. Yet, this Syracuse standout may still have a chance to do well with a nice training camp.
6- Drew Gooden F 2002 BBS Draft Selected #11 Los Angeles Clippers
Originally drafted by Los Angeles to be their forward of the future, Gooden never played a game for the rebuilding Clips who shipped him soon after they drafted him. Since then, Gooden has played for the Spurs who had him starting but now is stuck on the bench because of his lackluster play. However, like Warrick, Gooden has a chance to improve and get off this list in the future.
7- Luke Ridnour G 2003 BBS Draft Selected #11 Detroit Pistons
The former Ducks star seemed to be bound to explode this year after his great training camp last year. However Ridnour dropped down a bit this year and has yet to play a game this season for the Nets. To make matters worse, Ridnour is in his contract year and not expected to return in a crowded Nets backcourt. However Ridnour is only 25 and could be a serviceable backup but hardly worthy of the No. 11 pick.
8- Stromile Swift F 2000 BBS Draft Selected #12 Seattle Sonics
The former LSU star never really developed and probably never will at 26. His inside game is not as strong as it should be and his defense and rebounding lacks at his size. Still categorized in one of the weaker drafts in the BBS, Swift still had the potential to improve and did not which lands him on this list.
9- Mickel Pietrus F 2003 BBS Draft Selected #12 Memphis Grizzlies
The Frenchman although has a decent touch and strong defense is nothing more than a defensive stopper. Yet, he is hardly worthy of No. 12 selection for those merits alone. Other selections instead that developed are Travis Outlaw and Dahntay Jones all who were in the same draft and taken lower. However Pietrus may still have a chance to emerge and improve at 24.
10- Andrew Bogut C 2005 BBS Draft Selected #7 New Jersey Nets
This Aussie has been criticized for being soft and weak in the inside for his size. His inside game has not come around, and his defense and rebounding are far from what it should be. However only drafted two years ago, Bogut still has a chance to prove his skeptics wrong with a monster training camp with the Kings. But for now, Bogut lands on this list at No. 10.
Stay tune for Part 2 later on tonite: The Top 10 Sleepers
BBS Senior Staff Writer
Since the inaugural 1998 draft, there have been seven rookie drafts which have produced several studs and duds. However, it is time to acknowledge which are already established busts and sleepers of their respective drafts.
Top 10 Busts since the 1999 Draft
1- Rip Hamilton G 1999 BBS Draft Selected #4 Miami Heat
Undoubtedly, the number one player on this list is the former UConn standout. Rip has never really established himself in this league. However Hamilton was perhaps in the worse draft in the history of the BBS but some quality players were produced (see Elton Brand and Shawn Marion). Nevertheless, Rip comes in this list at the top unless he experiences a dynamic improvement.
2- Steve Francis G 2000 BBS Draft Selected #5 Atlanta Hawks
The Franchise was the Hawks’ everything for a few seasons but since being dealt he has never been quite the same player. Commissioner Spencer Martin calls Francis, “the worse player with the best ratings I have ever seen.” Indeed, Francis has strong ratings but has never really produced to what has been expected of him. And with a new team in Sacramento, he is expected to be dealt soon not only because of his home but because he is now considered a bust.
3- Zach Randolph F 2001 BBS Draft Selected #8 Miami Heat
Although averaging a double double this season, Randolph never became that dominant force in the league. It is becoming more apparent that the scouting report on Randolph is true: “Weaknessess-His heart has been questioned. Has very good skills, but his lack of conditioning make him a liability on the defensive end.” Also his defense never came around which makes him undeserving a max contract but deserving of being a bust.
4- Corey Maggette G 1999 BBS Draft Selected #9 Houston Rockets
Maggette is another has yet to establish himself in this league and it shows with his play. Also owed 36 million over the next three years, Maggette may never live up to that money or expectations when drafted from high school. Maybe he should have gone to Duke and not be considered here at No.4 on this list.
5- Hakim Warrick F 2004 BBS Draft Selected #9 Atlanta Hawks
Always considered athletically inclined, Warrick has been nothing more than that. However, he is still only 24 and his game may come around. But if it does not his lack of development for his offensive game and defensively will be the biggest reasons why. Yet, this Syracuse standout may still have a chance to do well with a nice training camp.
6- Drew Gooden F 2002 BBS Draft Selected #11 Los Angeles Clippers
Originally drafted by Los Angeles to be their forward of the future, Gooden never played a game for the rebuilding Clips who shipped him soon after they drafted him. Since then, Gooden has played for the Spurs who had him starting but now is stuck on the bench because of his lackluster play. However, like Warrick, Gooden has a chance to improve and get off this list in the future.
7- Luke Ridnour G 2003 BBS Draft Selected #11 Detroit Pistons
The former Ducks star seemed to be bound to explode this year after his great training camp last year. However Ridnour dropped down a bit this year and has yet to play a game this season for the Nets. To make matters worse, Ridnour is in his contract year and not expected to return in a crowded Nets backcourt. However Ridnour is only 25 and could be a serviceable backup but hardly worthy of the No. 11 pick.
8- Stromile Swift F 2000 BBS Draft Selected #12 Seattle Sonics
The former LSU star never really developed and probably never will at 26. His inside game is not as strong as it should be and his defense and rebounding lacks at his size. Still categorized in one of the weaker drafts in the BBS, Swift still had the potential to improve and did not which lands him on this list.
9- Mickel Pietrus F 2003 BBS Draft Selected #12 Memphis Grizzlies
The Frenchman although has a decent touch and strong defense is nothing more than a defensive stopper. Yet, he is hardly worthy of No. 12 selection for those merits alone. Other selections instead that developed are Travis Outlaw and Dahntay Jones all who were in the same draft and taken lower. However Pietrus may still have a chance to emerge and improve at 24.
10- Andrew Bogut C 2005 BBS Draft Selected #7 New Jersey Nets
This Aussie has been criticized for being soft and weak in the inside for his size. His inside game has not come around, and his defense and rebounding are far from what it should be. However only drafted two years ago, Bogut still has a chance to prove his skeptics wrong with a monster training camp with the Kings. But for now, Bogut lands on this list at No. 10.
Stay tune for Part 2 later on tonite: The Top 10 Sleepers