How the 'Testing the Waters' Divers Fared in Thursday's NBA Draft

With the NBA Draft come and gone, it is interesting to look back at those guys who were "testing the waters" and decided to leap in. Some came out looking pretty smart; others didn't.

Smart Move: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA): Sure, he went at #37 and guarantees him nothing, but I honestly thought that this cat would go undrafted and ... since he signed with an agent ... was making a huge mistake. Going to a team like Milwaukee and Scott Skiles who will love his defensive intensity, he should find a home. It wasn't the most intelligent move, but he outfoxed most of us.

Dumb Move: Bill Walker (Kansas State): Despite a knee injury right at the 'test' deadline, he felt he had a good shot at a first round pick. Instead, he drops all the way down to #47 and ends up with the Celtics. Many felt Walker would be best suited to go back to K-State and have that team to himself and vault his draft value. Instead, he will find a tough time making a championship team.

We Shall See: Mario Chalmers (Kansas): Chalmers was supposed to go higher than #34, but he may have ended up in a cherry situation. Miami drafted him and really could use a good decision making, defensive minded point guard. He, along with Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook, could be starting point guards in the fall.

Smart Move: George Hill (IUPUI): Hill was a very wild card in the draft. He is a talent, but many didn't feel he'd be drafted until the mid-2nd round. Well, the Spurs took him at #26 and they could use a guy with his skills. So he does get the guaranteed deal and a chance to play on one of the best teams in the league.

Dumb Move: Richard Hendrix (Alabama): The only blessing here is that Golden State is in such a flux with their roster that Hendrix may find himself a job. Still, falling to 49th isn't what he was expecting.

We Shall See: Trent Plaisted (BYU): He didn't get into the first round, but no one really thought he would. However, he did go to Detroit, which could use his lost post presence and where his maturity should pay off.

Smart Move: J.J. Hickson (NC State): Man, he took a bit of a gamble and it payed off. He was right on the fence about being a first rounder ... yet made it all the way up to #19. He goes to Cleveland which needs a banger like him, so he should be able to get some minutes off the bat.

Dumb Move: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M): It was hard to blame Jordan for coming out when there was some buzz about him being a lottery pick. However, he fell to #35 and to a team (Clippers) which is spotty on developing anyone.

We Shall See: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis): He really didn't test the waters, but it is interesting that the Conference USA's Player of the Year watches three other CUSA players (including two teammates) taken ahead of him. Still, he goes to New Jersey who let it be known that they are building for the future. So, that gives CDR a shot at sticking around for a while and showing what he has.

Smart Move: Ryan Anderson (Cal): Many people wondered who this kid was and why he threw his hat into the draft. Well, the Pac-10's leading scorer shot up to the #21 spot in the draft ... landing with the Nets. Just as I said with Douglas-Roberts, Anderson will get his shot to play with the rebuilding Nets.

Dumb Move: DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M): It was hard to blame Jordan for coming out when there was some buzz about him being a lottery pick. However, he fell to #35 and to a team (Clippers) which is spotty on developing anyone.

Dumbest Move Of Them All: Davon Jefferson (USC): The dumbest move of all. Not only was he not ready, the freshman was outshined in pretty much everything he participated in. Since he signed with an agent early on, he couldn't go back to SoCal. He ends up undrafted and a perfect case for someone getting bad information.