7. Avoid Drafting Big Men from Unsuccessful Colleges and Conferences
As a Warriors fan, this one hits close to home. Patrick O’Bryant (Bradley) and Adonal Foyle (Colgate), anyone?
More than any other position, big-man skills need to be tested against elite competition. It is absolutely vital to see where these guys stand, because the adjustment from college to the NBA is usually hardest for a big.
The development period is often much longer, even for elite prospects. You know this rule will come into play when NBA GMs fawn over a guy because of his height, offering wisdom like “you can’t teach size.”
Very true, but if anyone could teach basketball, they would have learned by now.
The reality is, coming from an inferior league and playing against inconsistent talent hampers the development of any athlete.
And don’t forget the most important part—big men are prime candidates for college coaches looking to recruit a Final Four team. If they have one iota of talent, they’ll likely get picked up somewhere.
A legit big man is too valuable and too rare at the college level to get missed. If your guy slipped through the cracks in college—he’s probably not worth your time.
Recent Offenders: Alexis Ajinca, Mouhamed Sene
6. Players Who Wilt on the Small Stage Will Wilt on the Big Stage
This one is tough to enforce—no one wants to hold it against the guy who blew it in the most important game of his young career. But at the same time, credit is due to those players who elevate their game at the biggest moment.
If two players are relatively equal in ability and pro-projections, yet one played the role of Mr. Big Shot on his team, or had the responsibility of being the go-to option, you’ve got to go with Mr. March.
Recent Beneficiaries: Mario Chalmers, Dwyane Wade
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