sadly, i think that's true. the NBA draft is just so different from other drafts. potential is much more heavily weighted. it's why you had high school kids picked so high for so long. if Aldridge declares, i bet he still goes top 4, this game notwithstanding.
If he's top 5, his stock can only rise 4 spots, at the very best. And with this draft being so weak, he's artificially propped up in this draft - he likely won't have that luxury next year. The potential to move down is far, far greater than whatever slight rise he might make.
actually mlb and the nhl are much bigger on potential ... nba draftees have more of an impact their first years than the draftees in those sports. even the nfl is big on potential in the first round, especially at quarterback. and haha @ daniel gibson acting like he had a choice but to comeback (unless he wanted to play in the nbdl). he's pretty much a 6-2 shooting guard.
This tells me he was planning on coming out but wants time to think about it after getting manhandled. There is no mystery at all. It's obvious he will leave if his draft stock is high enough.
For the NFL I'd say that it's not especially quarterback, but only quarterbacks where "drafting for potential" applies. Every other position, especially running back, lineman, and pretty much all the defensive picks, if you can't come in and play right away then it's practically a wasted pick. The shelf life of an NFL player is so short, and the turnover due to free agency is so high, that pretty much all rookies are expected to contribute in at least a few packages or special teams. Obviously the QB is a different animal since generally only one or two guys will get all the playing time (unless they are so lost that they are playing musical QBs). I agree with MLB though (and I don't know jacksquat about hockey), but also feel that it's somewhat a product of them having such a stranglehold minor league, which is allowed by Congress' exempting them from antitrust rules. But that's a whole different thread.
That's good to hear about Gibson. There were rumours of him leaving after last season. I'm a little surprised at his announcement. I guess Tucker is the only one up in the air still.
There were rumors before the season started but I think his play this season killed his stock, not suprised at all he decided to come back. I don't see PJ leaving as well, not sure what his stock is like, but he could be a lottery pick next season if he plays well. Only one I see leaving is Aldridge for the all the obvious reasons. I'm still hoping he stays though.
He is one of the few guys this year can really play center position in NBA. Though after last loss his draft stock is falling a little bit. But I dont see he will fall out top 5. No one will return to college if he is promised to be selected in top 5. So as Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah.
Now L.A. is punting. Basically this statement is to get people off his back until he decides to announce he is leaving. http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA032606.13C.BKChorns.lsu.notebook.2fb3c4a.html Basketball: UT-LSU notebook: Aldridge expects to return Web Posted: 03/26/2006 12:00 AM CST San Antonio Express-News The hot topic around LaMarcus Aldridge's locker after the game: Should he stay or should he go? Aldridge, UT's 6-foot-11 sophomore center, has been pegged as a potential top-3 pick in the NBA should he elect to skip his junior year. "Far as I know," Aldridge said, "I'm coming back." Aldridge says he has not made a final decision and doesn't have a timetable to do so.
He is WAY to soft, he will be an average player in the NBA at best....just doesn't have that inner fire. DD
LOL. Unless you are Tim Duncan who 1) loves college; 2) can go #1 whenever you leave, guys don't turn down a top 5 draft pick and stay in college for another year.
LSU's coach was on the radio and he talked about this. the kid was only 6'7" and apparently very thin coming out of h.s. lsu was really lucky.
