I have to get a few things off my chest before I begin. Today is a new day. The writer's block that has been an ever excruciating dark cloud over my head is starting to part. No excuses that I know, however. So it ends today. No more hiding my desire, no more wallowing in my own self-pity. This is me. I was laid off in Idaho after working for a newspaper, worked last winter at a snow resort, and now, well, now I am the typical sports blogger who lives with his parents and eats his mom's awesome meat loaf. I don't live in a basement nor do I wear a bathrobe (although I do own one).
So as I begin with rants, raves juxtaposed with the best logic I can come up with, I want all of you (yes even if it is just Hepburn who reads this) to know that pent up creativity pours out like a mudslide.
Before I delve into the bi-polar University of Washington football team, and before I urge Jim Mora, Jr. to burn those horrid, and I mean horrid lime green jerseys, I have to begin with the best college football team in the Northwest, the Boise State Broncos and their delusional fans.
Before I moved to Idaho and before the BSU win in the Fiesta Bowl, I kind of liked the Broncos. That was, however, before the television stations in Southern Idaho spent more time on Bronco practices than actual news-related stories. But that's neither here nor there, I understand the excitement surrounding the Boise and Southern Idaho area. There are no pro teams and BSU is the closest its going to have.
I realize the fandom has been ever-present and the need to stick by your team is greater to understand why your team is even good in the first place. The fan base is like a proud parent who thinks their son or daughter is the greatest athlete in the world, but in reality, they just dominate YMCA basketball.
Can someone from Boise please answer this question with full honesty: Will the Boise State Broncos really fair well against the likes of a bigger conference foe week in and week out?
My answer is no.
Here is my reasoning. When a team's season is ultimately predicated upon one win early in the season, there is no way of telling that their a solid team. Yes, they beat Oregon two years in a row. Yes, they run the table on the undeniably awful WAC. But what else do they have on their resume?
This is my problem with Mid-Majors and in result, the problem with the NCAA system. And let's get one thing clear, there will be no BCS playoff system no matter if President Obama tries to butt in or not. It ain't happening.
But if BSU wants more respect, they need to get into the Mountain West Conference. It's the only way they'll be able to compete in the BCS Championship year in and year out. And also, we as football fans will figure out how good these posers are. Is it a legit football program, or is a program that is built on a few good games and let the cards fall in front of it so the rest of the season will be a cake walk?
I want to believe that BSU is legit. I want to see Kellen Moore get national respect. I want to see Chris Peterson get Coach of the Year honors. Can BSU fans look in the mirror and, with a straight face, consider themselves the 5th best team in the nation? True as it may be it is there by process of elimination. But try telling fans of the SEC how good BSU is.
For nostalgic purposes lets bring the 2007 Fiesta Bowl win in the conversation. It was THE greatest game I've ever seen. But, and here's a big but, if I were a betting man, and the rest of Bronco nation a betting nation, too, would I or BSU fans bet that it would happen again?
I know, I know, I know that people say that that's the way it happened, no need to think about what could have been or what would happen. But let's hypothetically think for a moment. BSU had a very dominant team, arguably better than this year's No. 5 ranking (their highest in school history), and it was a game against a highly overrated Oklahoma Sooner team. Adrian Peterson was THE team. You take him off, what kind of team do you have? Bob Stoops was out-coached by a brilliant Chris Peterson. But when you have to resort to trick plays for a win, it's not a legit win. The stars aligned at the right time, the wind blew just enough, Oklahoma's secondary was fooled just enough and the momentum shifted dramatically.
If we knock teams like Florida, Ohio State, USC, Oklahoma or Texas for playing cup cake teams in their opening weekends, then we MUST knock BSU for their schedule because it's the exact opposite of what happens to those bigger schools. BSU plays one tough team to open the season and the rest of the schedule is a walk on the beach. To the contrary of bigger programs. Playing a cup cake team (equivalent to NFL's preseason) and then playing a schedule full of teams that are chasing conference championships. Please, Boise State, do yourself a favor and get into the Mountain West Conference so it will make a better case to become a BCS conference. That way Boise can compete week in and week out with Utah, BYU and TCU, all of which are top 25 teams.
Case closed.
Now onto (dare I say) a brief state of delusion at the University of Washington? I hate to hate on the Dawgs because I'm a fan. But when we (UW) got a No. 24 ranking, something about me was fooled. It was like watching a street magician do a card trick right before your eyes, you want to believe so you do. And you get tricked. That's what happened to us (UW). That little No. 24 next to Washington was like a mirage. We saw something beautiful again and we forced ourselves to believe no matter how terrifying the truth seemed. We lost every game last season, beat USC, and then all of a sudden ranked with the best. Woah. I wish we never had that ranking. Because as much as all of the players said that it didn't matter, it did. The Husky sub-conscious was ultimately screwed with and even the players believed they were the 24th best team in the nation. And were underdogs the next week. How does that happen?
After watching Washington get manhandled in Stanford, that 24 next to Washington was like when I write something brilliant down on a piece of paper, only to read it to myself and realize that it was garbage. Stanford tore Washington out of the Top 25 notebook and threw them in the trash.
Now, we will see what type of coach Sark will be. Remember, there was a bit of jubilation following Washington's win over Syracuse and Boise State (ahem, another point by the way) to start the 2007 season. Then we all know what happened to the Coach That Shall Not Be Named.
My only hope will be that Sark will use this Toby Gerhart ass-pounding as a motivational tool to get the Huskies' offensive and defensive line awake and ready to pray to Football Jesus in North Bend next weekend, because UW will need all of the power of God to help them win. Let's just hope Charlie Weiss doesn't all of a sudden turn into a "genius" at the right moment.
And finally, the Seahawks and their terrible jerseys. What hell, man? The jerseys are just a metaphorical anger outlet. Because, other than Julius Jones, those were not the Hawks. Those jerseys had terrible clock management, those jerseys fumbled the ball and those jerseys missed field goals. I don't know who those jerseys were, but I'd like my original Hawks back please.
Leaving the game yesterday I thought that the ending to that pathetic game would never have happened under Holmgren. I was on fire over Mora and Greg Knapp's play calling. I couldn't believe how those jerseys were stalling on 4th and 1, throwing a pussy screen pass for a first down. I mean, what the phuq? But then I saw how angry Mora was. And that's the type of fire I like. So, if Jim Mora ever reads this, I apologize for any lack of fire I thought you had. The post-game rant was something I, like the rest of us, needed to hear. Like I said before, those jerseys sucked.
Okay, the Stache is done.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Top 10 players who were better in the pros than college
These players are prime examples of how to elevate one’s game when being paid millions of dollars.
10. Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech
The hype: Bosh only played one year at Georgia Tech and sometimes that is all you need to make the jump to the pros. Bosh only averaged 15 ppg and 9 rpg, but the Raptors took him anyway with the gamble at No.4 in 2003.
The result: Bosh, like Wade, was overshadowed by James and Anthony in that draft class, but Bosh has become the go-to guy the Raptors were wanting. Bosh led the Raptors deep into the playoffs this year while averaging 23 ppg and 8 rpg.
9. Rasheed Wallace, North Carolina
The hype: Wallace was at times overshadowed by Vince Carter’s highflying dunks while at UNC. Wallace, however, was a much more complete player than Carter and it didn’t show until he went pro.
The result: With an NBA title under his belt, Wallace could have been one of those players who didn’t amount to much at the power forward spot (see Derrick Coleman), but he didn’t. He became one of the best power forwards in the game today.
8. Shawn Marion, UNLV
The hype: The Matrix as he is called was a pure athletic talent buried in the desert. UNLV never did a whole lot, but Marion was one of those players shined light to a basketball program that hardly ever shines.
The result: Marion became an instant threat in the league because of the style of play in Phoenix. Teamed up with Steve Nash, the Matrix was at times unstoppable. We’ll see how he copes in Miami.
7. Jason Richardson, Michigan State
The hype: Not much here on the hype other than his pure athletic talent. He only averaged 14.7 ppg as a sophomore at Michigan State.
The result: The gamble worked out pretty well for Golden State by taking a guy based off of potential. His pro stats skyrocketed from his college days: 18.8 ppg in his career.
6. Scottie Pippen, Central Arkansas
The hype: Scottie Pippen didn’t go to a big school and sport mind-blowing stats, which caused Seattle (you guys are idiots!) to trade him on draft day, thinking that he wouldn’t amount to much.
The result: So I guess that trade worked out well for the Bulls and Mr. Pippen. Six NBA titles and being named to the 50 Greatest Players’ List later and the guy who the Sonics traded is bound for the Hall of Fame.
5. Paul Pierce, Kansas
The hype: True Pierce was one of the best players in the nation when at KU, but he never wowed many people with his game. He averaged 16 ppg over his career in college and early exits out of the NCAA Tournament marked him as a non-clutch player (chocker).
The result: We all know now that he is not a choker. He’s just never been surrounded by strong talent. After 10 years of being mentioned as a good player, not a great player, Pierce is finally an NBA champion. The Truth is averaging 23 ppg for his career and was named Finals MVP for the Celtics.
4. Baron Davis, UCLA
The hype: Baron Davis’ college numbers were not eye-popping (15 ppg and 5 apg), but he was selected third overall by the Hornets who were desperate for a point guard. So, what did they get?
The result: Even though he was traded to the Warriors, Davis has become one of the best point guards in the league. His toughness and versatility makes him tough to guard. In the last three years with Golden State, Davis has averaged 21 ppg and 8 apg. Not bad for a part-time movie producer.
3. Dwayne Wade, Marquette
The hype: Wade was explosive in college and led the Golden Eagles deep into the NCAA Tournament, but was easily overshadowed by LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Wade averaged 21.5 ppg in college, but how would that transfer to the pros?
The result: Looks like D-Wade has done pretty well for himself. He’s averaging 23 ppg over his three-year career with the Heat he not only shed the shadow of James and Anthony, but also won a title before both of them. He was easily the MVP of the finals the year the Heat won, but did anyone see this coming out of Wade?
2. Brandon Roy, Washington
The hype: Not a whole lot of it. Roy had the numbers to be a great player (20.2 ppg), but never got the attention from the rest of the country being buried in the Northwest. His style of play isn’t the most overwhelming, but he doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s a solid dribbler and he can flat out shoot.
The result: There were many, many more players taken ahead of Roy that were touted as Rookie of the Year contenders, but none of them lived up that bill as much as Roy. I can bet my entire weekly salary, which isn’t much, that the Bobcats are kicking themselves for picking another guy from the state of Washington instead of Roy (Rookie of Year).
1. Chris Paul, Wake Forest
The hype: Coming into the draft, Paul was one of three great point guards taken that year. He averaged only 15 ppg and 6 apg his final year as a Demon Deacon.
The result: The Hornets hit the jackpot with Paul. He not only raised his game statistically (21 ppg and 11 apg), but he was in the running of MVP and was named Rookie of the Year.
10. Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech
The hype: Bosh only played one year at Georgia Tech and sometimes that is all you need to make the jump to the pros. Bosh only averaged 15 ppg and 9 rpg, but the Raptors took him anyway with the gamble at No.4 in 2003.
The result: Bosh, like Wade, was overshadowed by James and Anthony in that draft class, but Bosh has become the go-to guy the Raptors were wanting. Bosh led the Raptors deep into the playoffs this year while averaging 23 ppg and 8 rpg.
9. Rasheed Wallace, North Carolina
The hype: Wallace was at times overshadowed by Vince Carter’s highflying dunks while at UNC. Wallace, however, was a much more complete player than Carter and it didn’t show until he went pro.
The result: With an NBA title under his belt, Wallace could have been one of those players who didn’t amount to much at the power forward spot (see Derrick Coleman), but he didn’t. He became one of the best power forwards in the game today.
8. Shawn Marion, UNLV
The hype: The Matrix as he is called was a pure athletic talent buried in the desert. UNLV never did a whole lot, but Marion was one of those players shined light to a basketball program that hardly ever shines.
The result: Marion became an instant threat in the league because of the style of play in Phoenix. Teamed up with Steve Nash, the Matrix was at times unstoppable. We’ll see how he copes in Miami.
7. Jason Richardson, Michigan State
The hype: Not much here on the hype other than his pure athletic talent. He only averaged 14.7 ppg as a sophomore at Michigan State.
The result: The gamble worked out pretty well for Golden State by taking a guy based off of potential. His pro stats skyrocketed from his college days: 18.8 ppg in his career.
6. Scottie Pippen, Central Arkansas
The hype: Scottie Pippen didn’t go to a big school and sport mind-blowing stats, which caused Seattle (you guys are idiots!) to trade him on draft day, thinking that he wouldn’t amount to much.
The result: So I guess that trade worked out well for the Bulls and Mr. Pippen. Six NBA titles and being named to the 50 Greatest Players’ List later and the guy who the Sonics traded is bound for the Hall of Fame.
5. Paul Pierce, Kansas
The hype: True Pierce was one of the best players in the nation when at KU, but he never wowed many people with his game. He averaged 16 ppg over his career in college and early exits out of the NCAA Tournament marked him as a non-clutch player (chocker).
The result: We all know now that he is not a choker. He’s just never been surrounded by strong talent. After 10 years of being mentioned as a good player, not a great player, Pierce is finally an NBA champion. The Truth is averaging 23 ppg for his career and was named Finals MVP for the Celtics.
4. Baron Davis, UCLA
The hype: Baron Davis’ college numbers were not eye-popping (15 ppg and 5 apg), but he was selected third overall by the Hornets who were desperate for a point guard. So, what did they get?
The result: Even though he was traded to the Warriors, Davis has become one of the best point guards in the league. His toughness and versatility makes him tough to guard. In the last three years with Golden State, Davis has averaged 21 ppg and 8 apg. Not bad for a part-time movie producer.
3. Dwayne Wade, Marquette
The hype: Wade was explosive in college and led the Golden Eagles deep into the NCAA Tournament, but was easily overshadowed by LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Wade averaged 21.5 ppg in college, but how would that transfer to the pros?
The result: Looks like D-Wade has done pretty well for himself. He’s averaging 23 ppg over his three-year career with the Heat he not only shed the shadow of James and Anthony, but also won a title before both of them. He was easily the MVP of the finals the year the Heat won, but did anyone see this coming out of Wade?
2. Brandon Roy, Washington
The hype: Not a whole lot of it. Roy had the numbers to be a great player (20.2 ppg), but never got the attention from the rest of the country being buried in the Northwest. His style of play isn’t the most overwhelming, but he doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s a solid dribbler and he can flat out shoot.
The result: There were many, many more players taken ahead of Roy that were touted as Rookie of the Year contenders, but none of them lived up that bill as much as Roy. I can bet my entire weekly salary, which isn’t much, that the Bobcats are kicking themselves for picking another guy from the state of Washington instead of Roy (Rookie of Year).
1. Chris Paul, Wake Forest
The hype: Coming into the draft, Paul was one of three great point guards taken that year. He averaged only 15 ppg and 6 apg his final year as a Demon Deacon.
The result: The Hornets hit the jackpot with Paul. He not only raised his game statistically (21 ppg and 11 apg), but he was in the running of MVP and was named Rookie of the Year.
Top 10 players who were better in college than the pros
Players with career ending or career altering injuries are not taken into account, these players have just underperformed for the talent in which they were selected in the first round of the draft since the draft lottery was incorporated in the NBA.
10. Andrew Bogut, Utah
The hype: The Australian number one pick was the obvious choice. He was the Player of the Year and led the nation in double-doubles with 26. The Bucks had no other choice but to pick this lock of a big man.
The result: Hardly of a good pick. Bogut is just averaging 11.9 ppg in his three years with the Bucks and forced Milwaukee to pick Yi Jianlian out of China to give him a challenge. So far, no good.
9. Steve Francis, Maryland
The hype: Francis mirrored Marbury so much while in college; a quick point guard from the East Coast who was done after his freshman year. He averaged 17 points his one year as a Terp.
The result: You know money was talking really loud to him when he made his decision to go pro. Just imagine how good the Terps would have been had he stayed, shoot, they won the national championship the following year! He came out strong in the NBA, but became a stats player. A guy who scored a lot of points, but didn’t win a whole lot in Houston. He is now on the Knicks with Marbury. See they do mirror each other quite well.
8. Stephon Marbury, Georgia Tech
The hype: Starbury was beyond hype. He was a breath of fresh air in college basketball. He was a quick scorer who took control of games. He was so good that he was a one-and-done player averaging 18 points a game in his freshman year. Who could blame him though. He had one of those crossovers that screamed a million dollars.
The result: Marbury was drafted by the the Bucks then traded to the Timberwolves where he teamed up with KG. Minnesota fans wet their pants simultaneously with the thought of those two playing together. But off-the-court troubles sent him packing to numerous teams. He has a hefty price tag for his talent, but was never taken serious when it came to championship talks.
7. Joe Smith, Maryland
The hype: The Maryland Terps were a threat every game with Smith on the floor. He had a smooth jumper with height and pure physical talent. He was a 20-10 guy in college and was supposed to be even better in the pros.
The result: Well, not so fast. The top pick in the draft is not supposed to end up a journeyman after his third season. He struggled with his place on a roster and only averaged 11.9 points a game in his career.
6. Calbert Cheney, Indiana
The hype: Cheney was a smooth stroker from Indiana who came out the same year as Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal. So it was a strong class, no?
The result: The Bullets took Cheney with the sixth pick in the draft. He was fun to watch in college, but when he got to the pros, he only mustered up 9.5 ppg career average.
5. Nearly the entire 2002 lottery class
The hype: Despite an already weak class as is, it still had talent. Although much of the talent came from either foreign countries or high school; however, of the college players that did come out of this class, it was a bit of a let down. There was Jay Williams and Mike Dunleavy from Duke, Drew Gooden from Kansas, Dajuan Wagner from Memphis, Chris Wilcox from Maryland and Caron Butler from Connecticut.
The result: Of all of those players metioned above, Butler is the only player who is a difference maker for his team (the Wizards). Williams gets a get out of jail free card because he never really played much, but Dunleavy, Gooden, Wagner and Wilcox are hardly doing anything.
4. Keith Van Horn, Utah
The hype: Van Horn was the great white hype. He was fundamentally sound and was coachable, or at least I’d like to think so. At Utah, Van Horn averaged 20 points a game for a national title contender. Suffice it to say, he was Adam Morrison before Adam Morrison. Van Horn just did it better the first time around…and never cried.
The result: He must have done something right because he’s getting paid very well right now and he’s not even an NBA roster. You have to give props to that in some way or another. But aside from that, Van Horn never really lived up to a No. 2 overall selection from the Nets. (Seems like there is a theme here from the Nets, don’t you think?). He’s been on eight different rosters while averaging 16 points a game for his career. I’m going to miss him because no matter how pale I get, he’ll always be a shade lighter. Plus you can’t knock a player for wearing knee-high socks.
3. Adam Morrison, Gonzaga
The hype: Ah, the Van Horn replica. Morrison won over the nation (not exactly sure why) with his head-down-then-pull-up-a-jumper type of play for the Zags. He got unworthy comparisons to Larry Bird and cried after the Zags were beat in the NCAA tourney. He scored a bunch of points but not a whole else.
The result: Overrated comes to mind when I see Morrison and his ridiculous mustache. His aforementioned head-down-then-pull-up-a-jumper type play was easily figured out from NBA defenses, which is the main reason why he barely even plays now.
2. Ed O’Bannon, UCLA
The hype: Oh boy. O’Bannon was one of those sleek, basketball-comes-easy-to-me type players. The south-paw drifted and steered UCLA to the national championship in 1995 and averaged 20 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. A lock for the New Jersey Nets, right? WRONG!
The result: This isn’t even fair. I shouldn’t even say anything about how poor his pro career was. It only lasted two and a half seasons with the Nets and Mavericks. He only averaged 3.7 points per game and was out of the league by the time was just 24. Damn.
1. Derrick Coleman, Syracuse
The hype: Coleman was taken first overall in the 1990 draft out of Syracuse where he named Big East Player of the Year his final year in college. He was billed as one of the next great power forwards and set an NCAA record for most career rebounds with 1,537.
The result: Coleman may have had a decent career (16.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and was the 1990 Rookie of the Year, but when you become expendable (being traded from the Nets to the Sixers with a couple of no-namers for SHAWN BRADLEY!) it says a lot about what type of player you are. He became a journeyman by the end of his career playing for four different teams (Nets, Sixers twice, Hornets and the Pistons).
10. Andrew Bogut, Utah
The hype: The Australian number one pick was the obvious choice. He was the Player of the Year and led the nation in double-doubles with 26. The Bucks had no other choice but to pick this lock of a big man.
The result: Hardly of a good pick. Bogut is just averaging 11.9 ppg in his three years with the Bucks and forced Milwaukee to pick Yi Jianlian out of China to give him a challenge. So far, no good.
9. Steve Francis, Maryland
The hype: Francis mirrored Marbury so much while in college; a quick point guard from the East Coast who was done after his freshman year. He averaged 17 points his one year as a Terp.
The result: You know money was talking really loud to him when he made his decision to go pro. Just imagine how good the Terps would have been had he stayed, shoot, they won the national championship the following year! He came out strong in the NBA, but became a stats player. A guy who scored a lot of points, but didn’t win a whole lot in Houston. He is now on the Knicks with Marbury. See they do mirror each other quite well.
8. Stephon Marbury, Georgia Tech
The hype: Starbury was beyond hype. He was a breath of fresh air in college basketball. He was a quick scorer who took control of games. He was so good that he was a one-and-done player averaging 18 points a game in his freshman year. Who could blame him though. He had one of those crossovers that screamed a million dollars.
The result: Marbury was drafted by the the Bucks then traded to the Timberwolves where he teamed up with KG. Minnesota fans wet their pants simultaneously with the thought of those two playing together. But off-the-court troubles sent him packing to numerous teams. He has a hefty price tag for his talent, but was never taken serious when it came to championship talks.
7. Joe Smith, Maryland
The hype: The Maryland Terps were a threat every game with Smith on the floor. He had a smooth jumper with height and pure physical talent. He was a 20-10 guy in college and was supposed to be even better in the pros.
The result: Well, not so fast. The top pick in the draft is not supposed to end up a journeyman after his third season. He struggled with his place on a roster and only averaged 11.9 points a game in his career.
6. Calbert Cheney, Indiana
The hype: Cheney was a smooth stroker from Indiana who came out the same year as Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal. So it was a strong class, no?
The result: The Bullets took Cheney with the sixth pick in the draft. He was fun to watch in college, but when he got to the pros, he only mustered up 9.5 ppg career average.
5. Nearly the entire 2002 lottery class
The hype: Despite an already weak class as is, it still had talent. Although much of the talent came from either foreign countries or high school; however, of the college players that did come out of this class, it was a bit of a let down. There was Jay Williams and Mike Dunleavy from Duke, Drew Gooden from Kansas, Dajuan Wagner from Memphis, Chris Wilcox from Maryland and Caron Butler from Connecticut.
The result: Of all of those players metioned above, Butler is the only player who is a difference maker for his team (the Wizards). Williams gets a get out of jail free card because he never really played much, but Dunleavy, Gooden, Wagner and Wilcox are hardly doing anything.
4. Keith Van Horn, Utah
The hype: Van Horn was the great white hype. He was fundamentally sound and was coachable, or at least I’d like to think so. At Utah, Van Horn averaged 20 points a game for a national title contender. Suffice it to say, he was Adam Morrison before Adam Morrison. Van Horn just did it better the first time around…and never cried.
The result: He must have done something right because he’s getting paid very well right now and he’s not even an NBA roster. You have to give props to that in some way or another. But aside from that, Van Horn never really lived up to a No. 2 overall selection from the Nets. (Seems like there is a theme here from the Nets, don’t you think?). He’s been on eight different rosters while averaging 16 points a game for his career. I’m going to miss him because no matter how pale I get, he’ll always be a shade lighter. Plus you can’t knock a player for wearing knee-high socks.
3. Adam Morrison, Gonzaga
The hype: Ah, the Van Horn replica. Morrison won over the nation (not exactly sure why) with his head-down-then-pull-up-a-jumper type of play for the Zags. He got unworthy comparisons to Larry Bird and cried after the Zags were beat in the NCAA tourney. He scored a bunch of points but not a whole else.
The result: Overrated comes to mind when I see Morrison and his ridiculous mustache. His aforementioned head-down-then-pull-up-a-jumper type play was easily figured out from NBA defenses, which is the main reason why he barely even plays now.
2. Ed O’Bannon, UCLA
The hype: Oh boy. O’Bannon was one of those sleek, basketball-comes-easy-to-me type players. The south-paw drifted and steered UCLA to the national championship in 1995 and averaged 20 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. A lock for the New Jersey Nets, right? WRONG!
The result: This isn’t even fair. I shouldn’t even say anything about how poor his pro career was. It only lasted two and a half seasons with the Nets and Mavericks. He only averaged 3.7 points per game and was out of the league by the time was just 24. Damn.
1. Derrick Coleman, Syracuse
The hype: Coleman was taken first overall in the 1990 draft out of Syracuse where he named Big East Player of the Year his final year in college. He was billed as one of the next great power forwards and set an NCAA record for most career rebounds with 1,537.
The result: Coleman may have had a decent career (16.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and was the 1990 Rookie of the Year, but when you become expendable (being traded from the Nets to the Sixers with a couple of no-namers for SHAWN BRADLEY!) it says a lot about what type of player you are. He became a journeyman by the end of his career playing for four different teams (Nets, Sixers twice, Hornets and the Pistons).
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