The Draft busts

In a few days, the 2017-2018 NBA season opens and our basketball crazy republic is excited of the newly drafted players to show their stuff. Likewise, familiar faces in unfamiliar uniforms and surroundings will test new waters and determine if they had adjusted well to the new environment.

Usually, the start of the NBA season is a rookie showcase and top picks are expected to perform well. Not all college superstars had adjusted to the pro ball players’ life that they had become total frustrations and failed to reach their potentials. Getting drafted is one thing, getting to play actual minutes in a regular game is another thing.

To mention some busts in the last few years, 2006 had Andrea Bargnani drafted #1 by Toronto and Adam Morrison picked #3 overall by Charlotte. They were picked ahead of Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry and Paul Millsap. A torn ACL made Morrison and his moustache a constant decoration on the bench. The highlight of his playing

career, or the lack of it, are the two championship rings he earned during his stint with the LA Lakers (2009 and 2010).

Bargnani showed promise in his seven seasons with the Raptors but was traded to the Knicks and then the Nets in 2015-2016, his final season.

Greg Oden (2007 #1, Portland) missed multiple seasons because of problematic knees. He’s still 29 and could have been a very serviceable offensive/defensive threat on the inside. Ever heard of the overused cliche “had he been healthy, he would have been good”?

2007 also had someone the league considered as the next Yao Ming. Picked #6 by the Bucks, Yi Jianlian showed promise but injuries hounded him. Just like Yao, their bodies gave up from their compulsory duties with the Chinese national team and then the NBA. He only played a total of five seasons that included stints with New Jersey, Washington and Dallas. Yi returned to the NBA in 2016, hooking up with the Lakers but sensing that he will be having limited time on the court, he requested to be released prior to the start of the 2016-2017 season.

2008 had a bumper crop that had Derrick Rose, Russel Westbrook and Kevin Love as the top 5 picks. Milwaukee picked Joe Alexander at #8, ahead of the Lopez twins, Brook and Robin, Serge Ibaka and DeAndre Jordan. He was a novelty as Joe was of American-Israeli descent and the first Taiwan-born player drafted in the NBA. He was also described as the best prospect on the draft when he recorded the second-highest 185-lbs bench reps, the second highest max jump touch at 12-and-a half feet and the second fastest sprint. He only saw minimal action in his two NBA season (4.2 career points).

Blake Griffin was 2009’s top pick. Coming in next was Tanzania-born Hasheem Thabeet who was picked by

Memphis ahead of James Harden, Stephen Curry and DeMar DeRozan. The 7-3 center also had stints with Houston, Portland, OKC and San Antonio where he compiled a forgettable 5-season per game averages of 2.2 point and 2.7 rebounds.

The 2011 Draft had the top and last picks gain prominence and had just recently been involved in a deal that had both of them swapping teams. Yes they’re Kyrie Irving (#1) and Isaiah Thomas, Jr. (#60) and we all know the details. Picked ahead of Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler, Sacramento selected Jimmer Fredette as their 10th pick.

Like Morrison in the 2006 Draft, Fredette burned the hoops in college that he held several college records while playing for BYU. Jimmer Mania was born in his senior year and teams that got burned by him were simply “Jimmered.” But automatic shooting was only in college. He struggled for 5 seasons in the league, unable to adjust from being a star to a role player. He now plays with the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball League.

2013 had a lean Draft Class that only the #15 pick Giannis Antetokounmpo had shown a clear path to greatness. This class had Anthony Bennet as Cleveland’s top pick and the only highlight of his career was being the number one pick. In four seasons with the league, he played for four different teams with a career average of 4.4 points.

The 2014 also had Cleveland picking Andrew Wiggins at number 1. He’s now with Minnesota’s starting unit and hopes to further boost his career with Karl AnthonyTowns, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler.

It’s still a wait-and-see situation for the classes of 2015, 2016 and 2017.