<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">By Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette In the eyes of some National Basketball Association scouts, however, Taft is considered one of the top 15 players eligible for the June draft. If that leaves you scratching your head, you're not alone. Taft and many young players like him who are either in their early college years or still in high school are graded by professional basketball executives not on their production but on their potential. "The NBA draft has been like the Major League Baseball draft for the past few years," said former St. John's coach Fran Fraschilla, a college basketball analyst who also scouts draft-eligible players for ESPN. "It's all about potential. You have a better chance of missing than hitting with these guys because it's strictly based on potential. When you're dealing with that, you're dealing with a lot of room for error. One-third of these guys hit it big and the other two-thirds are role players or busts." Here's a sampling of a few players drafted as lottery picks the past four years who are having a difficult time making it professionally: * Chris Wilcox, a player Taft has been compared to in the past, left the University of Maryland after his sophomore season in 2002 and was taken by the Los Angeles Clippers with the eighth overall selection. Wilcox (6-10, 235) is foundering on one of the least successful franchises in the NBA. He is averaging 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 18 minutes per game and was recently told by Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy that he would have to earn his way back into the playing rotation. * Eddie Griffin (6-10, 240) declared for the draft in 2001 after his freshman season at Seton Hall and was drafted with the seventh pick by the New Jersey Nets. Griffin is playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, his third team in four seasons, and is averaging 7.7 points and 6.4 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. * Rodney White (6-9, 230) turned professional after his freshman season at Charlotte in '01 and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the ninth pick. White also is with his third NBA team (Golden State) and is averaging 4.9 points and 1.5 rebounds in 11 minutes per game. And that's not counting players like Kwame Brown, the No. 1 overall pick in '01, who skip college and go directly from high school to the NBA. Brown (6-11, 243) is averaging 6.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21 minutes a game for the Washington Wizards. Like Taft, those players are forwards or centers. NBA teams gamble on size much more frequently than they gamble on guards. "The NBA covets size," said former Duke player Jay Bilas, also an ESPN college basketball analyst. "For the most part, Sebastian Telfair was the first guard to leave out of high school. With a guard, you're more likely to know what you're getting. "I don't think Taft is a top pick, but that doesn't mean he won't be. It only takes one team. I think he has a long way to go. He's raw. His footwork isn't very good. He is very limited. But none of that means that he won't be a first-round pick. If he wants to go get a paycheck, he could certainly do that."</div> Source
I think Taft is likely going to be a lottery pick. He has that one little "p" word on him, and that's potential. He's a phenomenal athlete and has the potential to be good. It all depends on the needs of the teams in the lottery as to where lands in the draft. But considering the lack of good big men anymore, that alone could put him high in the draft, as it's hard to find a good big man anymore.
That's interesting...potential. I wonder what should be done, playing not to lose, or playing to win. Sure you could draft a bust, but how will it be seeing him blossom and knowing you passed on him. On the flipside the expression safe rather than sorry comes to mind. Many safe young players can still take you places. I guess it's all about your teams situation and personal feelings. I personally wouldn't draft Taft if I had a lottery pick but then again...he does have "potential".
IMO, I feel that Taft has been a bit overated this year. Yeah, he does have a ton of potential, but I don't think he's ready for the NBA draft just yet. One more year of college could make him a top 5 pick in the 2006 NBA draft.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting UKOwnstheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">One more year of college could make him a top 5 pick in the 2006 NBA draft.</div> That is if he decides to work!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting UKOwnstheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">IMO, I feel that Taft has been a bit overated this year. Yeah, he does have a ton of potential, but I don't think he's ready for the NBA draft just yet. One more year of college could make him a top 5 pick in the 2006 NBA draft.</div> Before Taft becomes a top 5 pick he needs to do two things. Firstly, he needs to learn a work ethic. He's not what we would call the most motivated player in the world. Second, he needs to become consistent. He's been one of those players who could beat you up one night, but the next night, it looks as if he forgot how to play. Those are two things he needs to learn before he becomes a top 5 pick based on something other than potential to be good.
I was saying that he could be a top 5 pick in the 2006 draft. He definitely doesn't deserve to be a top 5 pick this year because he lacks consistency. I was saying that he could probably be one next year if he went back to college and got better.
Years ago I saw a springy tall African C,a soph at U Houston named Olajuwon. He was an off the bench guy,obviously athletic but he barely knew how to play the game. Over the next few years every time I saw him,he had added skills,understanding of what to do,finesse. So when he goes pro it's as the #1. By then he had a nice game,was quite a force on D,but STILL deserved big points for potential because he had done his best to get better,because he played his best every minute of every game. Same physical potential-but say Hakim was a bit apathetic,did not always play hard or smart,did not sweat to develop more skills---would he have still had the same potential? Would he have been the hall-of-fame star he became? NO,he'd have been Olowokandi. Olowokandi has the size,mobility-not the commitment. Taft is not as tall or fast as Olowokandi-so he had better show a lot more desire,and that's the deal with him. "Potential" without desire,work ethic,sweat, is a car with no wheels. It goes noplace.
