I think the World Championships have shown, that the rest of the world has become better and better!
I still think that its part of the draft to hype some players and boost them up while others (like collison) are nearly forgotten!
Thats what happens before drafts!!!

There's a difference between the processes that bring a Euro player and a college player to the NBA.

College game is different, more pressing, shooters aren't that good, three-point line is much closer to the basket. Euro players are playing pro ball, not the level of NBA, but it's a level much higher than college. Think about who plays in Europe: young talented guys the same age as our high-schoolers/underclassmen, getting minutes against guys who are Euro-pro vets, or have played the NBA game, and are not quite good enough to stay in the NBA. Europe is the new CBA, with better players, mainly because they have better shooting skills.

NCAA is depleted because kids leave so early or skip college altogether, because they are drafted on potential, not current level. The NCAA talent level decreases, and so does the quality of play, and that affects the college players.

You learn to play against your competitors, and if they are average, your game will be average when you go up against someone better. John Wallace in the NCAA Tournament? A steamroller. John Wallace vs. NBA speed/strength? A tricycle.

A guy who scores 20 a game in Europe is arguably going to be better than one who scores 20 a game vs. the schmoes still sticking it out in college. It doesn't always work out that way, but drafting is a gamble. No one know for sure who the best players in this draft will be five years from now, but that's what all these GMs and scouts are doing. Gambling.

In Pavel's case, he's 7'5" and can play well enough that he's worth the project. If a 7'5" project succeeds, it's all worth it, and you're a genius GM. If not, it was worth the shot. Think about it. A Russian and Chinese, 7 and a half feet tall each, playing one on one in a capitalist Gatorade commercial. Think of the money this guy brings to your team if he's any good! If he turns out to rock, you'll be villified for passing him up.

Hype? Don't know yet. Worth it? Always.

DefandReb: good points, but the press has everyone of these players posessing these so called great all around skills and that it not the case with most of them. I do agree about Pavel but believe me there will be a lot of collegian players that fall late because of the Euro invasion and I tell you they will be steals. For example, guys like Hatten are not even on the draft board, I think he is a player, collison, Josh Howard, West, and even Dukes Dhantay Jones IMO will be good players. If we are looking at upside then why are cats like Jones from Duke slipping, this kid is a stud athlete who IMO is getting better, he reminds me of a Desmond mason with a better shot. West has a polished down low game and for some reason people think that his upside is limited, I beg to differ, but these guys will slip and someone will have themselves a good player.... And if carmello Anthony slips out of the #3 slot then whoever picks at 4 is the real lottery winner getting this kid that late!!

I'm just saying the college players fall because of the reasons I stated. It doesn't mean the Euro player is always better. We all know that, given history, there is at least one gem in the late first round who deserved to go higher. It happens every year.

Yeah Playa, we laugh at tkf over his ridiculous denial/opinion of KMART... like we laugh at you about everything.

deke aint doing nothing Chris mihm aint.

kenyon pct is better than a gou like iverson, kobe, lamar odom

And they have been running the offense throught him

Posted by tkf:

Posted by ARES:

deke aint doing nothing Chris mihm aint.

kenyon pct is better than a gou like iverson, kobe, lamar odom

And they have been running the offense throught him

well whatever, let the nets continue running the offense through him and they will lose.. For sure!!! they are lucky they are not playing an offensive team like Dallas....

If they played Dallas they would run all over them. The Spurs are a good defensive team. The Nets are a good defensive team. The offense of both teams can't get anything going because of the defense being played by both teams. If it were Dallas the style of play would have change and the Nets would have adjusted to the running game. The fact that Dallas plays zero defense would allow the nets to get more points on the board and they would somewhat be able to control Dallas because the Nets play defense.

me too

Tkf, your stance on KMART is so absurd, it borders on insanity.