Looking at past draftees who didn't pan out

[DERRENMATTS]

I'll just focus on Ainge's draft picks (starting from '03). Only focusing on those who didn't pan out.

Marcus Banks: lacked NBA level skills, and lacked confidence
Brandon Hunter: had NBA body and skills, but I gotta think his head was not on right
Justin Reed: Aggressive, probably was more suited as a free safety in football
Ryan Gomes: nice player, just average
Oriene Greene: wasn't NBA caliber
Gabe Pruitt: too nice, too soft
Jr Giddens: a bit stiff, lacked skills
Lester Hudson: not NBA caliber
Luke Harangody: not NBA caliber
JaJuan Johnson: NBA level talent; maybe fragile psyche?
Jared Sullinger: loved food more than playing in the NBA
Fab Melo: low BBall IQ
Kris Joseph: just wasn't special enough to stick in the league
James Young: short of skills, lacks mentality
Marcus Thornton: not NBA caliber
Jordan Mickey: lacks mentality to succeed
RJ Hunter: scared, lacks confidence
Demetrius Jackson: falls just short of being NBA caliber, just not enough skills
Ben Bentil: lack of discipline?

Lumping all this together, it highlights what we pretty much know -- that you gotta draft players who have actual basketball skills that projects to be NBA caliber, who are confident (not fearful), and have the right mindset. Also need to have bball IQ, and enough athleticism to stick in the NBA.

[Roadrunner]

Most of those players were late first round selections, or second round selections. Some of those players were rotation level ceiling players only. Some of those drafts were not very good. In general, the draft is a crap shoot and selecting the best possible player is only one arrow in a GMs quiver.

[DERRENMATTS]

Right, the odds were against them standing out in the NBA, and that's why they weren't lottery picks.

But the reason for this exercise was to point out what kind of noticeable flaws we needed to identify, to avoid drafting players who won't pan out.

I mean, next time, if you have a chance between drafting an overweight and unathletic player whose only skill is a set shot corner three, or RJ Hunter (who looks scared and probably feels he can't hang with NBA players), go with the fat kid. At least he has one translatable skill that MIGHT be able to work for us.

[jrmzt]

I think its really hard to quantify.. for example,
RJ Hunter: scared, lacks confidence

He was draining 3s in college despite tight defense all over him. You wouldn't say he lacked confidence if you saw his gametape.

I think with those late round picks, you're reaching for some small hope that parts of their gametape translates to the NBA.