The right choice at this annual event has been known to turn around the fortunes of many woeful squads while a bad one has seen many other teams spiral down to the basement of the league, where they have stayed for what seems like eons.
Think of it this way, the Chicago Bulls might have never won any of the six championships that they have had they chosen Sam Perkins or Charles Barkley and not that skinny, wiry-framed kid by the name of Michael Jordan. On the other hand, the Portland Trailblazers might not be the supposed “cursed” team that they are now, had they chosen Jordan, who went on to become the greatest of all time, and not the tall yet oft-injured Sam Bowie, who will forever be in the annals of basketball lore for the wrong reason.
This year’s bumper crop of new blood is considered to be a deep one with University of Kentucky freshman playmaker Anthony Davis expected to be taken by the New Orleans Hornets with the top pick. The 6-foot-11, 222-pound power forward is widely thought about to be a game-changer, an attribute that he showcased in spades during the 2012 NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament where he led his Kentucky Wildcats to their 8th championship over the Kansas Jayhawks in the title game.
In their six-game run to the promised land, Davis averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and nearly five blocked shots in what was an incredible all-around performance. Add to that these impressive awards and accomplishments, which makes for his future selection as the top pick as virtual no-brainer: He was a 2012 NCAA Consensus First team All-American (unanimous) and was the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season blocks leader. He established Southeastern Conference (SEC) single-season blocked shots and NCAA Division I freshman blocked shots records.
He has also earned the national Freshman, Defensive Player and Big Man awards. In addition, he has been named the 2012 National Player of the Year by various organizations, earning the Oscar Robertson Trophy, the Adolph Rupp Trophy, the Associated Press Player of the Year, Naismith Award, Sporting News Player of the Year and John R. Wooden Award. He was the SEC’s player, freshman and defensive player of the year. He helped lead Kentucky to a undefeated 2011–12 Southeastern Conference men's basketball season and was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the said NCAA Division 1 Tournament.
The Hornets themselves are excited at the prospect’s arrival and they made moves to prepare the team, as they sent forwards Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to Washington in a trade to escape long-term salaries. According to a report by the Associated Press, Rashard Lewis, whom they obtained in the deal, will likely be cut to save money under NBA salary cap rules as well, adding more money with which to sign Davis.
Next to pick will be moribund bunch of ironically, Jordan, the Charlotte Bobcats, which made the history books in the most unflattering of manner for their 7-59 campaign last season, the worst season of all time. The Bobcats, who lost their final 23 games of last season, had a .106 win percentage that was worse than the 65-year-old NBA futility mark of 9-73 by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who managed a .110 win percentage. Any help would be welcomed by the Bobcats and they have a buffet of talent to choose from.
The list starts with Brad Beal, Florida’s high-scoring wingman and it also includes the Kansas Jayhawks’ bullstrong forward, Thomas Robinson, a dynamo on both ends of the floor. There is also North Carolina’s sniper, Harrison Barnes, whom Jordan has taken a liking to, if not for the skills but also for the school lineage. The rest of the talented pool also has 7-foot center, Andre Drummond, Davis’ Kentucky teammate, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Syracuse’ shooting guard Dion Waiters, Duke’s fancy guard Austin Rivers, the son of current Boston head coach, Doc Rivers; Illinois center, Meyers Leonard and Damian Lillard, the high-scoring point guard from little-known, Weber State.
The annual allocation of top unclaimed talent by NBA teams allows teams that finished worst to have the top choice of young talent, a bid to help create parity and provide hope to struggling clubs such as the Hornets and Bobcats. Charlotte had the best odds of keeping the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery last month but lost out to the Hornets.
Washington will select third followed by Cleveland, Sacramento, Portland, Golden State, Toronto and Detroit. The Hornets also pick 10th.
By:
Jonas Rey N. Panerio
iSTORYAn League of Writers- Sports
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