There was an interesting piece from A. Sherrod Blakely yesterday which discussed one of the possible reasons that Chris Douglas-Roberts fell all the way out of the first round to become the 40th overall pick in the NBA Draft. Basically, Blakely thinks that the fact that CDR was in the business of turning down workout requests from teams (like the Pistons) who were drafting in the area that he was projected to go in hurt his draft stock, and ultimately meant that Roberts, like a lot of athletes, just didn't get it.
The thing that disturbs me - and I would imagine, most fans - is how a lot of these soon-to-be-millionaires just don't seem to get it.
Playing in the NBA is more than just a job; it's a VIP pass into a lifestyle that few ever understand and even fewer gain admittance into. So to see draft prospects take all this for granted, before they even get to the league, is disturbing.
Blakely is speaking from the Pistons' perspective here, but given how far CDR fell from his projected first round draft spot (most mocks had him in the 20-25-ish range), it's likely that many other teams shared these feelings. Plus, the few teams that CDR did decide to work out for had less than glowing reviews. The biggest knock on him was that he wore down near the end of the workouts, and that he wouldn't be ready to contribute big minutes in his first NBA season. You would think a player would go through as many workouts as he could to dispel those negative perceptions, but obviously CDR (or his people) didn't feel it was necessary.
And as far as Roberts' thoughts on the Pistons? He supposedly made it clear to people on draft night that he had no interest in playing for Detroit, because he didn't feel that he fit with their style. I'm guessing he might have a difference of opinion if asked today, considering being drafted by the Pistons at 29 would have meant guaranteed first round money for the next three seasons.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-29-2008 @ 5:10PM
Ryne Nelson said...
You're exactly right, Brett. Unless you're considered an absolutely lock for the lottery (which only a handful can legitimately claim), no workout should be refused. Still, I doubt Detroit would have taken him in the first round.
Reply
6-29-2008 @ 5:34PM
bobbo said...
kind of sad
Reply
6-29-2008 @ 10:22PM
caborn said...
It's refreshing that stories like these are proving me wrong (I can taste the crow) as I made a whole post about this:
http://thanknaismith.blogspot.com/2008/06/steve-blake-made-it-why-cant-drew.html
- Jesse
Reply
6-30-2008 @ 2:31AM
Alan said...
its not the players who "don't get it", its their agents.
Reply
6-30-2008 @ 10:30AM
dave said...
You have to have some ego to be a successful professional athlete, but some of these kids are just lousy with it. there is a lot of personal responsibility issues for sure, but most of these kids have been told they were special and headed for stardom from a very young age. the ones that believe it and let it fill their egos, are bound for failure. it's pretty sad to see them throw away all this potential.
i was interested in chris douglas-roberts (along with brandon rush and mario chalmers) to be available at the spurs #26 pick. when they passed on cdr, rush and chalmers and picked george hill from IUPUI, i thought, "who?", but the more i learn about hill (and the more bad press i see on the other guys), the more satisfied i am with the spurs' pick. hill looks like a baller and a high character guy who will be ready to contribute right away. time will tell, but i am betting that hill will have the best nba career out of the bigger names that fell below him.
Reply
6-30-2008 @ 11:41AM
evan said...
And now, if he does have success he'll be much quicker to the pay window than some shlub that dropped into the bottom of the first round.
So in reality, he may have offended some GMs, but did his agent do a better job in securing a better chance at more NBA money?
Reply
7-02-2008 @ 12:34AM
claytor said...
totally agree here, brett.
this is the nba, where the spot you are drafted determines your salary level for at least three seasons.
what concerns me is that cdr is chock full of crazy talent, and a natural feel for the game? but is ultimately lazy in working for it, for anything.
this isnt news, he was a bit apathetic in college, too. what a shame.
Reply