Ocotillo
01-06-2009, 11:48 AM
Feel free to merge this with the Mahinmi thread if you think appropriate......
I think folks need to realize what a bust is before they start throwing the word around. I believe a "bust" is a player who comes in with a certain expectation (ususally defined by their draft position) and fail to meet those expectations on the court.
Take for example Kwame Brown who was the first pick in his draft class. Initial expectations should not have been as high as they were since he was coming into the league straight from high school and not only had to learn basketball fundamentals and the shock of playing against the talent level you encounter in the NBA, he had to mature as a man and get used to something as simple as being away from home (Mom). I would call him a bust but I would also call him an ill advised pick. Jordan rolled the dice on potential and came up snake eyes.
Now take the Boston Celtics. Back in the 80s, they drafted a kid named Len Bias. Bias died before he ever played a game in the NBA. Was he a bust? I don't think so unless you want to say it was because of cocaine and his own fault, that is a bit of a stretch. Later, Reggie Lewis came into the league without as much expectation and played well for Boston but died prematurely due to a heart condition. Again, I would not call him a bust.
More to the Spurs, Ian Mahinmi cannot be labeled a bust because his draft position meant his expectations were a long shot to even make it in the league. Spurs fans are spoiled because Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were picked up at points in the draft where they have excelled beyond typical expectations for a player taken that low in the draft.
I don't think you can call Tiago Splitter a bust either. The jury is still out as to whether he will ever lace them up in the NBA but he has not failed on the court to meet expectations because he has not been on the court yet. Recall the Spurs had to wait two years for David Robinson because of his Naval committment, were people thinking he was a bust while the Spurs continued to languish waiting for their coveted first pick? If they were, they were wrong.
So to be clear, Alfrederick Hughes = bust.
Tony Parker = steal
Ian Mahinmi = we'll see.
I think folks need to realize what a bust is before they start throwing the word around. I believe a "bust" is a player who comes in with a certain expectation (ususally defined by their draft position) and fail to meet those expectations on the court.
Take for example Kwame Brown who was the first pick in his draft class. Initial expectations should not have been as high as they were since he was coming into the league straight from high school and not only had to learn basketball fundamentals and the shock of playing against the talent level you encounter in the NBA, he had to mature as a man and get used to something as simple as being away from home (Mom). I would call him a bust but I would also call him an ill advised pick. Jordan rolled the dice on potential and came up snake eyes.
Now take the Boston Celtics. Back in the 80s, they drafted a kid named Len Bias. Bias died before he ever played a game in the NBA. Was he a bust? I don't think so unless you want to say it was because of cocaine and his own fault, that is a bit of a stretch. Later, Reggie Lewis came into the league without as much expectation and played well for Boston but died prematurely due to a heart condition. Again, I would not call him a bust.
More to the Spurs, Ian Mahinmi cannot be labeled a bust because his draft position meant his expectations were a long shot to even make it in the league. Spurs fans are spoiled because Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were picked up at points in the draft where they have excelled beyond typical expectations for a player taken that low in the draft.
I don't think you can call Tiago Splitter a bust either. The jury is still out as to whether he will ever lace them up in the NBA but he has not failed on the court to meet expectations because he has not been on the court yet. Recall the Spurs had to wait two years for David Robinson because of his Naval committment, were people thinking he was a bust while the Spurs continued to languish waiting for their coveted first pick? If they were, they were wrong.
So to be clear, Alfrederick Hughes = bust.
Tony Parker = steal
Ian Mahinmi = we'll see.