The 2012 NBA has came and went. 18 out of 30 picks in the 1st round were front court positionsmostly at power forward) It will be interesting to see how how guys like Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones III, etc. develop because soon a few of these guys are going to give Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Love a run for their money.
My biggest winner of the night was the Celtics. They needed a youth movement for their aging front court bad and getting Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo are just what Doc needed.
Perry Jones III falling to the Thunder at 28 cost him $$$ but man did he luck out. Sam Presti continues to do a super job in OKC.
As for Nets... I actually like their pick in Tyshawn Taylor. A local product from Hoboken, who played at St. Anthony's in Jersey City, and helped Kansas make it to the championship game this year – He's certainly got the pedigree that Avery Johnson likes in his point guards. The fact the Nets traded for him tells me that Avery expects him to contribute sooner rather than later. I'm also impressed with the Nets GM Billy King's ability to make draft day trades with Marshon Brooks last year and Taylor this year. If D-Will walks they have pretty good foundation for the future with Brooks and Taylor as back court. However that doesn't change the fact that this the deepest power forward draft class in years and the Nets were in desperate need of some front court help. That asinine trade for Gerald Wallace might be the death of them especially with Kris Humphries not expected to return (Kayne wrote lyrics in a song about having J cutting him from the team because of Kim Kardashian).
Switching gears...
Former NBA player, executive, and current ESPN analyst Steve Kerr wrote a thought provoking article (click here) on why the NBA should increase the draft age to 20. I agree with him. The NBA, out of all sports has the smallest window of opportunity for incoming players to succeed. If players doesn't develop in 2 to 3 years their NBA career is as good as done causing teams to waste millions of dollars every year on players who aren't quite ready for the pros. For every LeBron James theres a Gerald Green. For every Kevin Durant there's a Greg Oden. Players like Tyshawn Taylor shouldn't be penalized for staying 4 years in school and developing their skills to get better. Not to mention taking advantage of the education that they got for free with athletic scholarships. With cost of college rising every year and people getting more in debt because of loans, it's not fair to that some players take advantage of school just because they have to wait a year to play. Isn't this what the NBADL is for?
Two quick notes - 1) Many teams passed on Sullinger because he failed their team's physical at the combine because of his back. He could be a real steal for the Celtics if his body holds up. If it breaks down - you gotta wonder what the Celtics medical team missed. 2) I am not sold on the minimum age (other than 18). If you fail in those two to three first years you still have options ("minor" leagues, over seas...), and you can still prove yourself and come back. What about the superstar 18 year old who is forced to stay in a college where he is acdemically ill-prepared and then hurts himself bad - he will never have the chance. And the NBA also needs to provide more assistance and guidance to these young kids no matter what the age (18, 19, 20, 21..). These kids are making big mistakes due to their young age and immaturity (entourages, kids in every city, financial mismanagement...)
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