Every year during draft time, the word potential is thrown around very freely. A number of players each year from either the college ranks or from overseas are hyped as the next big thing to come into the NBA. The problem is that most of those players never live up to the hype of being a first round pick. After all for every Steph Curry or Omri Casspi type of overachieving players lies the exact opposite like Jordan Hill or Hasheem Thabeet who aptly are named busts.
Here are my Top 6 Potential Busts in the 2010 NBA Draft:
Ed Davis, North Carolina
PF – 6’9 225 lbs
‘09-’10 Stats – 12.9 ppg, 9.2 rebs, 2.7 blks
As I have written before, Davis was one of my Top 5 players who could have benefited from another year in college. Although gifted with tremendous athleticism and a long wingspan, and having come to the Tarheels as a highly touted HS recruit, in my eyes Davis just isn’t ready for the NBA game. He may one day prove me wrong and become the elite level rebounder and shot blocker that he is projected as, but Ed hasn’t overly impressed in college. His offensive game is average at best and needs to immediately add weight to his slight frame to bang with the bigger players in the NBA. Since he will probably be coming off the bench as a rookie, he may not get the proper seasoning needed to become a good pro,which would not have been the case at UNC this season.
Daniel Orton, Kentucky
PF/C – 6’9 260 lbs
’09-’10 Stats – 3.4 ppg, 3.3 rebs, 1.4 blks
Probably more than any other player in this year’s draft the word potential applies to Orton’s draft stock. No one really knows how good he can be since he played behind Cousins at Kentucky. In the history of the draft has any other player been projected as high with such underwhelming stats? To be fair, Daniel was almost every bit as touted a HS big man as Cousins and Favors and appears to have better defensive instincts than his Wildcat teammate in limited minutes. His offense is still a work in progress and surprisingly he measured out 2 inches shorter than his listed 6’10 heigth in college. His saving grace in the eyes of GM’s is his 7’5 wingspan, which could make him a defensive presence from day one in the pros. Is he the next Eric Dampier or BJ Mullens?
Hassan Whiteside, Marshall
C – 7’0 220lb
’09-’10 Stats – 13.1 ppg, 8.9 rebs, 5.4 blks
Hassan has intruiged GM’s with his incredible size and length as an NCAA freshman. After all he tallied 3 triple-doubles and led the nation in blocks per game but questions remain about his offensive game and his ability to play against bigger defenders. Conference USA is not the NBA as Hassan will undoubtedly have to hit the weights and add bulk for the next level. In college, he had a tendency to either get pushed or drift towards the perimeter against bigger opponents and at this point is not even close to the rebounding force he should be as a 7 footer. I had to chuckle as one supposed draft expert compared Whiteside to the next Kevin Garnett because of their similar build coming into the NBA. Let’s be clear, Hassan is not KG and never will be, but he does have potential to be a good player if he adds weight and develops a better low post game.
Al Farouq-Aminu, Wake Forest
SF – 6’8 215 lbs
’09-’10 Stats – 15.8 ppg, 10.7 rebs, 1.4 blks
Many experts tout Aminu as the next Josh Smith because of his amazing athleticism in the open floor and great all around game. After his freshman season, Al was given some sound advice to return for another year to work on his game and it has paid off since he will undoubtedly be a lottery pick on June 24th. But questions remain about his offensive game and as to what position he will play in the pros. Because he has the skills to be a dominating rebounder, his eventual position will probably be as a power forward, yet at only 215 lbs, right now he will get broken in half by bigger NBA PF’s. Is he skilled enough an offensive player to succeed as a 3? The Golden State Warriors are in love with Aminu and is a virtual lock to go to the Warriors with the #6 pick if he is still on the board. He is a good fit in Don Nelson’s up-tempo open court system but how will he fair in a more half court oriented system like so many other teams employ? At only 19 years of age, Aminu is a good gamble but I wouldn’t be surprised if we are talking about him in terms of unfulfilled potential by the end of his rookie contract.
Luke Babbitt, Nevada
SF/PF – 6’9 220lbs
’09-’10 Stats – 21.9 ppg, 8.9 rebs, 42% 3PT
Ah, where do we start? Babbitt has played himself into a possible lottery pick because of an outstanding showing at the draft combine. Although he dominated inferior competition in the WAC conference, the NBA is a much more athletic stage, and athleticism is one area that Luke is lacking. On paper, he was an anomaly in college as his stats were out of this world but will have a hard time finding a position in the NBA. Even though he played the PF position in college, he is too slight to bang in the pros, yet will be too slow to defend upper tier SF’s in the association. He will have to be a lights out shooter as a team’s 2nd option to succeed in the NBA, which in my eyes isn’t worthy of a Top 10 pick. He is compared to former Dream Teamer Chris Mullen but may wind up just being another Kyle Korver.
DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
PF/C – 6’10 290 lbs
’09-’10 Stats – 15.1 ppg, 9.9 rebs, 1.8 blks
The man-child that has come to be known as “Boogie” is an enigma. Although he is as NBA ready as any player in this year’s draft, some GM’s will be spooked by a perceived arrogance and a concern over an already extra large frame that weighed in at 292 lbs at the draft combine. He probably gives scouts nightmares that he may either be the reincarnation of Derrick Coleman, Oliver Miller, Benoit Benjamin or the next Shaquille O’Neal. These concerns alone are the reason why teams may balk at drafting Cousins as their next franchise player. He is the ultimate high risk/high reward player and since, judging by his demeanor, “Boogie” will make it his mission to destroy those who passed on drafting him.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
