Seven Rules for Successful NBA Drafts

Please see: DeAndre Jordan

2. Ability Should Trump Attitude

This one is always hotly debated, as well it should be. You will have guys who bomb out of the league due to nothing but their horrible character. This happens in any sport, and any profession.

However, when drafting a guy you expect to help improve your team, you’ve got to weigh the good against the bad. I’m not saying character issues should be ignored—guys like Chris Washburn and had clear warning flags all over their pre-draft bio.

However, when you have a truly special talent, with a manageable character flaw, you’ve got to take the chance. In the NFL, a guy like Carmelo Anthony might have fallen to the middle of Round One—just look at Randy Moss. And what if Michael Beasley fell to the Knicks?

My point is that some flaws are permissible, and should almost be expected. Not everyone can be a goody two-shoes, and even if they are, it could be a front.

Look at how much bad press Kobe Bryant got for a few years before recently reviving his image. You run the risk either way, so make sure you’re at least getting your money’s worth on the court.

Example: Michael "B-Easy" Beasley

1. Always Draft the Best Player Available, Never Draft for Team Need

By far the most important rule of NBA drafting also seems to be a barometer of NBA prospecting success. Teams who draft best player available tend to (gasp) get the best player available. Teams who draft by need frequently get busts.

Call it NBA Draft karma. But in the NBA, where prospects are getting younger (despite the one-year amateur rule) and less experienced, it is increasingly unlikely that the team “one player away” could fill that role with a single rookie.

Also, consider your options. Want to have a great player who you don’t know what to do with? Or a lesser player who fits into a role perfectly, but can’t produce at an elite level for several years anyway—by which time you’ve had ample opportunity to fill the need elsewhere, or had new needs pop up.

Adhering to this rule is the number one way to ensure your team doesn’t end up as the sad-sack franchise that passed on the likes of Melo or Wade to get Darko.

Honestly, blowing the draft is one thing. But letting that Hall of Fame prospect—who everybody knew was a Hall of Fame prospect—fall through your fingers because you wanted more depth at point guard is a very hollow, very empty feeling. It might be worse than losing the NBA Championship.

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