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Looking in retrospect at the 2005 NBA draft, New Jersey's own Andrew Bynum now looks to be the 3rd-best prospect from that year. A select few would even argue that the 20yo pivot should be ranked higher than that, as elite Cs are harder to find than elite PGs.

Regardless, the Lakers were looked upon as utterly incompetent for the pick at the time. In fact, if New York hadn't selected Frye at #8, Andrew would have been seen as the reach of the draft. Scouts said, "sure, MAYBE he'll be a starter in this league in 5 years, but he's in no way worth a top 10 pick."

There are several stories like this in the history of the NBA draft. Busts in the high lottery, franchise players in the 2nd round; it's part of what makes the draft so exciting. I'm asking Nets fans right now, to recall their 2005 mindset about this prodigious C. Was he on your short list of draft sleepers? Did you write him off as a draft day bust?

Unless the guy is an absolute guarantee to be a star (see: Lebron James) I never liked the idea of drafting kids out of high school. I don't feel like waiting a few years (see: most kids that come out of high school) when I could take a kid would played college ball for a few years that has grown into his body and you know what you're gonna get when you draft him. Even with today's draft rules, I always tell my friends I won't take a 1 and done unless I know he's gonna help us almost immediately.

But the thinking there is, we were a potential contender still in 2005, I didn't want a guy to sit bench and waste a roster spot. I wanted a guy who could work his way into the rotation by mid-season and start making contributions (see: Stuckey with Detriot this year). That's my philosophy if you're on a winning ball club.

If you're in a rebuilding mode it's different though. You will try to be competitive but you know that may not be the case and you're hoping to develop some guys and in a few years become a force for a number of years. GM's like that have more time on their side.

To be honest all I remember is looking at that draft and reasoning that beyond the top 5 picks the whole thing was a crapshoot.

I did have no idea that Bynum would be this good and found it to be a somewhat awkward pick though... I think at the time I didn't harp on the Lakers that much* only because they were following the age old adage of drafting a big with potential when presented the opportunity...

*I sure did have a lot of fun making fun of Andrew Bynum's myspace though.

Bynum had injury concerns/red flags coming out of high school. He has shown some potential so far, but he hasn't put those injury concerns to rest yet. It's too early to tell whether GMs made a huge mistake passing on him.

TheNetsFan wrote:Bynum had injury concerns/red flags coming out of high school. He has shown some potential so far, but he hasn't put those injury concerns to rest yet. It's too early to tell whether GMs made a huge mistake passing on him.

I completely agree with you. He has shown some potential, and thats all. Nothing to make you think hes going to be the next SHAQ, but he still has the injury concerns and work ethic was his problem but he has worked on his game so shows people can change. I think it may have been a steal for the lakers depending on if he can bounce back from the injury.