In 2005 the NBA made the now infamous rule (one-and-done) that put an age limit on when an individual can declare for the draft. Arguably the two biggest impact to the game has been the lack of developing talent at the college level, which has translated to poor play at the professional level.
While it became necessary for the league to make changes to the draft, commissioner David Stern failed to understand the ramifications of the move. Players are getting lured by making big money in the NBA and leave after player just one year of playing college basketball. In the past these players may have thought about entering, yet eventually returned to school.
So, is it surprising that 2012 is arguably the worst draft in NBA history? No, it’s not. This is what happens when a change gets made without realizing the consequences. There’s only one player in the running for the Rookie of the Year Award and it’s Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Anthony Davis is the only other player in the conversation though injuries took him out of the conversation.
The Trail Blazer guard is averaging 19 points, 6.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and shoots 43.1 percent, 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 85.2 percent from the free throw line. Davis in 59 games averages 13.3 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assists, 1.7 blocks on 51.9 percent shooting and 65.2 percent from the free throw line.
Only two other rookies average in double figures Dion Waiters and Bradley Beal the no.3 and no.4 selections in the draft. Both are inefficient from the field with one shooting under 40 percent and the other barely over that mark.
For big men like Andre Drummond and Fab Melo if the two are to develop any offensive consistency it will take at least two years. While neither dominated it’s understandable why the two decided to leave school as the center position as disappeared at both levels.
2008 was the last time there was a good draft when it comes to centers with Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez being drafted. At this point there’s no question that the 2012 gives 2001 a run for its money, yet there’s good news for both as 2013 appears even worse.