Why So Many Europeans Drafted?

by Tom117 on Jun 28, 2009 12:30 PM PDT

Okay, this is short.

I'm upset about the number of foreign players taken in the draft. I counted 14 in both rounds and that turns out to be about 23%. I'm not trying to deny that there are some good players in Europe, but there should be some limit. I mean, I think some just-as-good stateside players were pushed out of the draft because of that, and some of those drafted from there will stay in Europe for a couple more years playing for their old teams. There was plenty of players stateside who could play right away and make an impact, players like Josh Heytvelt who held Thabeet to about 12 points and John Bryant of Santa Clara who led the nation in rebounding and averaged over 18 points per game. I think Bryant is a better rebounder than Jon Brockman. Just saying.

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You can "stash" foreign players overseas.

Teams just love being able to do that and essentially be able to pick a prospect and let them develop without having to pay them, especially in this economy.

by SethGrandpa on Jun 28, 2009 2:00 PM PDT reply actions

Right on the money...

NBA teams are now using the Euro leagues as a quasi developmental league and if they don’t pan out then it’s not a big deal, but if they do then they can contribute immediately. Living in Portland, the Blazers use this tactic all the time. Rudy Fernandez is a simple example. Drafted by the Suns a couple (maybe 3?) years ago. Developed into a star playing for Barcelona, then the Blazers traded for his rights, waited a year, and then he came over after the Olympics. But Grandpa is right, if Euro teams pay them then I don’t believe they count very much against the cap space. I think it’s only like the league minimum.

by DKZagBlazer on Jun 28, 2009 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

Yes and no

While I agree that there were too many unproven Europeans taken in the draft over proven 4-year college talent, I don’t think Bryant is a better rebounder than Brockman. Brockman had to rebound against much tougher competition while 3 inches shorter than Bryant. Brockman was much better about getting position and putbacks

by ezag on Jun 29, 2009 3:18 PM PDT reply actions

Jon

One of the most under rated players in the draft. Wes Unseld, Paul Silas comes to mind. Relentless in their pursuit of the ball. Motors that wouldn’t quit. A shorter Dave Cowens. He is one of the best positioned rebounders on every shot I’ve ever seen. He will make it.

by mikesequim on Jun 29, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Bryant Nation's # 2 rebounder

All I know is numbers, and John Bryant’s rebounding numbers were better. Bryant finished the season with 14.2 rebounds per game, the only other player to have more was Blake Griffin with 14.3.

Jon Brockman averaged 11.2 rebounds per game and finished eighth overall in rebounds.

Bryant averaged 18.2 points per game and Brockman averaged 14.9.

Bryant led all the nation’s centers in scoring and rebounding, and he was an excellent free throw shooter.

The point I was trying to make was not to belittle Brockman, but to point out that I think the NBA management went to the European well too often and overlooked some excellent talent here stateside.

Tom117

by Tom117 on Jun 30, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Foreign Players are More Developed and Bryant Sucks

Foreign players are more skilled and usually play professionally without worrying about classes and other NCAA rules. Sure, some may not be better talent-wise, but when it comes down to who’s had more discipline and who has been exposed to what professional basketball is about, I’ll take that foreign guy over that college guy (I don’t count Brandon Jennings as a foreign player though).

And yes, John Bryant did have 14.2 rebounds, but can anybody rebound on that team other than Bryant? Do they have any decent post players on that team? No, and thus, Bryant’s stats are going to be inflated.

Bryant’s year is similar to the “press hot” phenomenon. Some women may not be overly attractive, but put them in a press room with a bunch of press guys and she gets three or four hot points she wouldn’t normally get because she is in the press (Erin Andrews is the only exception to this rule). Bryant is similar. Like many “press hot” reporters, Bryant is a big fish in a little pond. Put him on a good team with another competent big man and he wouldn’t be able to average double figures in anything.

Supporting the Giants, Niners, Sharks, Warriors, Golden Bears and Zags since 1987

by objesguy on Jul 6, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh geez

for the sanctity of this site and for (hopefully) the sanity of the posters here, I think we may have to outlaw all praising of the University of Washington or any players currently or previously related to the university. I got light headed.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by Zach Bell on Jun 29, 2009 10:38 PM PDT reply actions