The anatomy of a bust

by mcmillion on Jun 15, 2007 9:41 AM PDT

http://draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2116

This is a good read, and something to think about for Al Thornton and Jeff Green fans. Of course, none of this is completely accurate, but is thought provoking nonetheless. The workout season can produce some fools gold, and we see it happen every year. There is always 1 or 2 players who suddenly leap from the 2nd round to the lottery (sorry Duck fans, but Luke Jackson is your prime example).

It's a near difficult task avoiding the land mines throughout the first round... but it's fun to speculate.

And a disclaimer to Martell Webster fans (myself included): the name of our beloved young prospect is dropped into the the list of bust examples.

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that was a good/funny article

thanks for posting it

Welcome Greg Oden

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Jun 15, 2007 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

That is laugh out loud funny

especially the "Stiff". And when it comes to the "Knucklehead", well we've had more than our share of those. I can't believe Artest, Bonzi, Sheed, and Quintel didn't make that list, or the #1 Knucklehead of all time, Roy Tarpley...

The guy is a moron for listing Martell as a bust. He's only what, 20 years old? Give him at least another year. Telfair would be a bigger bust than Martell at this point.

by Blazerholic on Jun 15, 2007 11:07 AM PDT reply actions

Bonzi, Artest, and Sheed have all

had success in the NBA. True "Knuckleheads" are those players who are talented but whose careers are thoroughly sabotaged by their knuckleheadedness--ala Eddie Griffin. Qyntel might qualify; but nobody viewed him as anything more than a prospect anyway.

Tarp qualifies, although was he considered a suspect player coming out of school? IIRC he was a lottery pick. And even Tarp had a good career before getting thrown out of the league.

The greatest knucklehead in the history of the NBA is probably Chris Washburn.

by EngineerScotty on Jun 15, 2007 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

I kinda get what you're saying

that the other guys have had success, but I guess it depends on how you measure success. Artest and Bonzi have not only been pariahs on their teams, but you'd have to argue that based on their talent, they'd be enjoying alot more success (and larger contracts) if they weren't such head cases. Griffon did have 4 average seasons in the NBA (7 points/5 rebounds), once scoring 27 points against Philly, 8 blocks against Utah, and pulling down 18 rebounds in a game against the Blazers. Still a very forgettable career though...

by Blazerholic on Jun 15, 2007 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, but Telfair fits into at least 3 categories;

Younguns, the athlete and knucklehead. You can't just put him in one so you end up not listing him at all. Shame, because he is a top notch bust.

I want my front court aLaMOde!!

by shenanigans on Jun 15, 2007 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

telfair

yes... very surprised that he didn't list Telfair in that spot. He could end up being the quintessential high school-to-pros bust of all-time. There are a few others you can list for that title... Jonathan Bender would be a top candidate. But look at what Telfair had surrounding him coming into the NBA. I don't know that there has been a more over-hyped high school prospect than Telfair... considering his actual skill sets for the NBA. He was too short, had absolutely no outside shot, and showed no proof of being able to run a real offense. He seduced the NBA with his fancy passing and "street cred".

The kid had a movie and a book made for him. Adidas had his shoe designed and packaged before he was even drafted. This was a locomotive set up on a track headed for a bridgeless ravine.

I actually own "Through the Fire". It's going to be a collectors item for the hall of shame.

by mcmillion on Jun 15, 2007 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions