I am doing a little research on previous drafts, trying to figure out which players will be successful in the NBA. Here is today’s post about NBA Draft Don’ts.Not since Carmelo Anthony was drafted in 2003, has Syracuse University had a decent pro player. Jonny Flynn: bust, Donte’ Green: bust, Wesley Johnson: bust (although the jury is still out on him), and Hakim Warrick: semi-bust. This year, the Orange figures to have two or three players go in the first round. Dion Waiters, Fab Melo, and Kris Joseph are the names to watch out for in the draft this year. Syracuse players are often been over-hyped and playing a zone-defense in college doesn’t prepare you for pro-level defense.
The University of North Carolina is always tough, in college. But Roy Williams has produced some real duds lately. Ty Lawson is the only notable player, in the last six or seven years, to have come from UNC and play at a high level in the NBA. Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, Brandan Wright, Marvin Williams, Tyler Hansbrough, Rashad McCants, Sean May have made very little impact in the NBA. With that being said, Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Kendall Marshall, and Tyler Zeller might change the perception. But don’t count on it.
When was the last time the University of Illinois Fighting Illini produced a solid big man? And don’t say James Augustine. Big man Meyers Leonard declared for the draft a while ago, but don’t think his skills improved much. If he does become good, he would be the first big man since Red Kerr (played from 1955-1966). I would like to see Leonard grabbed 10,092 rebounds, too (total number of rebounds Kerr had throughout his career).