SWEDD523 wrote:I don't disagree with you one bit doc. Late round Euro prospects have shown the ability to come in and play when their overseas duties are finished. How much of that has to do with them being 25+ years old vs 19/20 for Americans probably has a lot to do with it.
I think using the 39 (or pretty much any pick from 25 back) on a Euro project to stash overseas is a fantastic idea. But I think 9 and 19 are too high to do that on because you rarely see high pick Euros become something special.** I can't imagine casual fans being okay with us taking a Euro project when they'd rather see some tangible, on court development.
**Since 05, you've only had one great (Bogut), some good (Bargs, Sefolosha, Gallinari), and you've had some bad (Vazquez, Korolev, Sene, Yi, Rubio-ish)
With lotto pick you take BPA. Which may turn out to be an Euro this year in this year shallow on good ncaa players. Once I suggested drafting a player with one or more years on contract with the pick as such a player is probably slipping because of his contract issues and is better than when he is picked. With our rebuilding phase and lockout next year, there is a little importance whether such a player will arrive in 2013 or sooner. We won't be competing till then and sucking more because of no immediate help could actually benefit us. That being said I wouldn't pass on better palyer to do that but I would take that into consideration when comparing similarily good players. That was long time ago, even before Crash trade I think - it became moot since then as all suitable candidates for that would be likely gone at 9. And I don't see anyone projected around 19 either.
Of coruse age matters. I wouldn't have any problem to do that with a North American player and let him mature somewhere while keeping his rights but it is unlikely a first round pick would go to Europe so only second rounders may be an option. But they would have to adjust to Euro style game first that's one thing Euro players don't have to do. It may work with some physically gifted (to eb able to jump to NBA one day) late bloomer (not being drafted too high) but it would be a rare ocassion and naturally you would get a rotation guy at best. Darius Washington if he would be drafted may be a good example. With lockout and no minutes for rookies and more importantly with some raw unprepared players declaring too soon bceause of the weak crop, ti may happen someone taken in second round will go to Europe and flourish there in next years earning a spot in NBA albeit having no reasonable shot now. It is just easier for players which already have some ties in Europe (either laying there or being European playing in NCAA).
And after all I am biased in case fo Veselý as those don't come very often and I really care where he ends up. Smilar to you UNC guys prefering Tar Heels early entries except those happen like every year.
