Jens Deju
Daily Egyptian
It's that time of year again when young men leave their institutions of higher learning in dreams of becoming the next Michael Jordan or the next Wilt Chamberlain.
Yes, I am talking about the NBA Draft that takes place tonight.
Some players opt out of college early or go straight from high school in hopes of getting to shake the hand of NBA Commissioner David Stern and take a picture with him, in the process making him look even shorter and fatter than he already is.
Like in recent memory, several underclassmen and players from overseas have declared for the draft, pushing deserving seniors out the door and on into Europe or the NBA's developmental league.
SIU's own Rolan Roberts may be one of the seniors who will be pushed out of the NBA by the 47 underclassmen available in the two-round draft.
As it currently stands, Roberts has a chance of being a late second round pick, but he more than likely will have to go the free agent route.
While that route isn't a bad option, it doesn't bring the guaranteed contracts that come with being among the first 28 players selected.
Roberts isn't alone as seniors across the country are also wondering if they will be left behind in favor of some player who just got back from his senior prom.
In mock drafts, the earliest a senior is predicted to be taken is at No. 13, the final pick of the lottery.
In fact, on ESPN.com's mock draft, only five seniors - Melvin Ely of Fresno State, Dan Dickau of Gonzaga, Dan Gadzuric from UCLA, John Salmons from Miami and Tayshaun Prince from Kentucky - are expected to be picked in the first round.
This has become nothing out of the ordinary.
Last season, a senior wasn't picked until Shane Battier of Duke went to the Memphis Grizzlies with the sixth pick. After him, another senior didn't go until the Cleveland Cavaliers picked Brendan Haywood of North Carolina at No. 20.
One can't really blame the teams for going with younger players.
When teams such as the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors are a ways away from being top-notch teams, why not go with the player with more future potential than one who has already proven himself through the college ranks.
That's why these three are expected to take Yao Ming from China, Jay (or Jason) Williams and Mike Dunleavy Jr., both from Duke, with the top three picks of the draft respectively.
Another regular event at the draft, besides the players who aren't even old enough to shave parading around in their new shiny suits, is that there will be a flurry of trades.
Last year, star players Elton Brand and Shareef Abdur-Rahim were dealt for draft picks.
Other trades have involved the draft picks themselves.
Some of the more memorable ones have been Chris Webber from the Orlando Magic to the Warriors for Penny Hardaway, Vince Carter to the Toronto Raptors from the Warriors for college teammate Antawn Jamison and Antonio McDyess going from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Denver Nuggets for Brent Barry.
This year, like every other year, the rumor mills are running rampant.
Teams hoping to move up in the draft have floated around names such as Baron Davis, Dikembe Mutumbo, Latrell Sprewell, Andre Miller and Alonzo Mourning.
Fans on Internet message boards write a mile-a-minute coming up with what they think their team should do.
While some of the trades they come up with may sound reasonable, others are simply asinine.
It isn't shocking to see a suggestion such as rising stars Miller and Jumaine Jones and the No. 6 pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers going to the New York Knicks for the ancient Mark Jackson and a future second round pick.
If nothing else, these propositions are good for a laugh when you have a rough day.
Who knows, maybe the Los Angeles Lakers will trade Kobe Bryant to the Rockets for the No. 1 pick and use it to take Roberts.
Stranger things have happened at the NBA Draft.
Reporter Jens Deju can be reached at jdeju@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
