[Memphisboy14Participant]

In this thread talk about guys that you thought would be great (or terrible) who turned out to prove you wrong for better (or worse)

I was dead wrong about:

Hassan Whiteside (remember him???)

Quincy Miller (still has time)

Kevin Love 

Eric Bledsoe (he didn’t spend much time at point in Kentucky thought he came out too soon)

Michael Beasley

Mike Conley 

Damian Lillard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 MKG. – i learned to not overrate intangibles.

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 MKG. – i learned to not overrate intangibles.

 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I think he will be a good Shane Battier (without the jumper) type of player for years to come. But you don’t draft the next Shane Battier with a 2nd overall pick.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I think he will be a good Shane Battier (without the jumper) type of player for years to come. But you don’t draft the next Shane Battier with a 2nd overall pick.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

 Shane Battier without a jumper.. is not Shane Battier.. Yes his calling card is taking charges, but i don’t think he would be playing right now if can’t hit the three-ball.

[Scott42444Participant]

 Also, his basketball IQ is probably one of the highest in the league.  Hell. his regular IQ is probably one of the highest in the NBA.  That’s part of taking charges and part of what has made him a valuable commodity.

BTW – Joakim Noah and Kevin Love are both 10X better than I could have ever guessed.  Tyrus Thomas and Lamarcus Aldridge I was backwards on as well, but I guess so was John Paxson.

 

[Scott42444Participant]

 Also, his basketball IQ is probably one of the highest in the league.  Hell. his regular IQ is probably one of the highest in the NBA.  That’s part of taking charges and part of what has made him a valuable commodity.

BTW – Joakim Noah and Kevin Love are both 10X better than I could have ever guessed.  Tyrus Thomas and Lamarcus Aldridge I was backwards on as well, but I guess so was John Paxson.

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yup. he was actually getting DNP’s this year for the Heat BECAUSE he stopped hitting the 3 ball.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yup. he was actually getting DNP’s this year for the Heat BECAUSE he stopped hitting the 3 ball.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

 Shane Battier without a jumper.. is not Shane Battier.. Yes his calling card is taking charges, but i don’t think he would be playing right now if can’t hit the three-ball.

[tuck243Participant]

Kevin Love…  I was the hardest on him coming out and he really shut me up…  I still think he hasn’t proved that he’s a true superstar yet (because I believe in basketball steps and that’s something that should be said about you in the playoffs) 

Lillard- Didn’t know enough about him and he came from a small school chucking shots…  

Lin – I wasn’t completely off because he’s not great enough for a $8 Million a year contract, but he is a solid role player…

I’m sure there’s more, I just forgot…  I got a scorers mentality with this, only remember the ones I hit on… LOL…  But if anyone remember some I gave you crap about let me know…  

 

 

[tuck243Participant]

Kevin Love…  I was the hardest on him coming out and he really shut me up…  I still think he hasn’t proved that he’s a true superstar yet (because I believe in basketball steps and that’s something that should be said about you in the playoffs) 

Lillard- Didn’t know enough about him and he came from a small school chucking shots…  

Lin – I wasn’t completely off because he’s not great enough for a $8 Million a year contract, but he is a solid role player…

I’m sure there’s more, I just forgot…  I got a scorers mentality with this, only remember the ones I hit on… LOL…  But if anyone remember some I gave you crap about let me know…  

 

 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

 I was sooooo wrong about him. I remember thinking he would be pure trash and he definitely shut me up too. 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

 I was sooooo wrong about him. I remember thinking he would be pure trash and he definitely shut me up too. 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Terrence Williams- Who on here thought he was going to fall off the way he did?

Kawahi Leonard- His mechanics weren’t as bad but thought he was going to be what MKG has been. A hustling small forward with above average rebounding skills and absolutely no range.

Gordon Hayward- Being a 6’8 goofy looking white guy with limited range can you blame me for thinking he wouldn’t be in the league anymore? Glad he proved me wrong.

Jonny Flynn- Injury derailed a career that seemed to start off right but I thought he’d at least be what Kemba is now.

USC front court of Taj Gibson and Nikola Vucevic- I saw these two play in person at USC multiple times and never for a second either would be what they are now.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Terrence Williams- Who on here thought he was going to fall off the way he did?

Kawahi Leonard- His mechanics weren’t as bad but thought he was going to be what MKG has been. A hustling small forward with above average rebounding skills and absolutely no range.

Gordon Hayward- Being a 6’8 goofy looking white guy with limited range can you blame me for thinking he wouldn’t be in the league anymore? Glad he proved me wrong.

Jonny Flynn- Injury derailed a career that seemed to start off right but I thought he’d at least be what Kemba is now.

USC front court of Taj Gibson and Nikola Vucevic- I saw these two play in person at USC multiple times and never for a second either would be what they are now.

[tuck243Participant]

I didn’t say he’ll be out of the league… That’s a bit harsh, lol…   But he did play better than expected

[tuck243Participant]

I didn’t say he’ll be out of the league… That’s a bit harsh, lol…   But he did play better than expected

[jazznationpresidentParticipant]

Actually, I’m thinking Hayward has been below expectations.  He is so inconsistent with his outside shot.  Look what George has done and was picked right after Hayward…  Hayward is a descent player maybe you thought he would suck.  but he certainly isn’t a star… 

[jazznationpresidentParticipant]

Actually, I’m thinking Hayward has been below expectations.  He is so inconsistent with his outside shot.  Look what George has done and was picked right after Hayward…  Hayward is a descent player maybe you thought he would suck.  but he certainly isn’t a star… 

[Sharp ShooterParticipant]

 Darko Milicic….I knew he wasn’t going to be anything in detroit (almost impossible to get minutes behind B.Wallace. R.Wallace. M.Okur, and C. Williamson) but I thought that after the 06′ season he would be servicable IN DETROIT.  but it back fired hard. But then I thought he turned the page in Orlando (I did think the tandem of Howard and Milicic was a good duo and had potential) but then eventually he bolted Orlando. Then just faded quickly…..

 

Outside of Darko, I’d say I was wrong about Thabeet…I knew he hasn’t going to be Mutumbo (HOF)….I thought he was going to be in the Theo RAtliff (servicable big man) category, but I was completely wrong…he is a complete bust!

 

 

[Sharp ShooterParticipant]

 Darko Milicic….I knew he wasn’t going to be anything in detroit (almost impossible to get minutes behind B.Wallace. R.Wallace. M.Okur, and C. Williamson) but I thought that after the 06′ season he would be servicable IN DETROIT.  but it back fired hard. But then I thought he turned the page in Orlando (I did think the tandem of Howard and Milicic was a good duo and had potential) but then eventually he bolted Orlando. Then just faded quickly…..

 

Outside of Darko, I’d say I was wrong about Thabeet…I knew he hasn’t going to be Mutumbo (HOF)….I thought he was going to be in the Theo RAtliff (servicable big man) category, but I was completely wrong…he is a complete bust!

 

 

[aramboneParticipant]

 I thought Donte Greene from Syracuse was going to pan out. He was only a late first round pick, but I thought his height at 6’9"-6’10 and shooting stroke would help him succeed just fine. 

[aramboneParticipant]

 I thought Donte Greene from Syracuse was going to pan out. He was only a late first round pick, but I thought his height at 6’9"-6’10 and shooting stroke would help him succeed just fine. 

[benny15Participant]

 on the top of my head…

Al Thornton: thought he’d carve out a journey man career as a scorer that someone always wants in the league

Juliuan Wright: thought he was going to be one of the better glue guy type players in the league and was going to be like a Diaw clone

Petteri Kaponen: hasnt come over but i thought he’d be an anthony carter type point guard leading the second unit of some team

Ike Diogo: thought he was a premiere post scoring option in a league lacking of people who can score down in the block

Antoine Wright: thought he was always going to find a role as a 3 and D at the very least

Jawad Williams: thought he’d be the next Tim Thomas to surprise the league after going undrafted

Rodney Carney: this is bad since i thout he would be what people expected of Paul George before PG got super-star hype.

Shelden Williams: felt the land lord would be an absolute beast on D and would be a starting big man for years in the league like Antonio Davis was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[benny15Participant]

 on the top of my head…

Al Thornton: thought he’d carve out a journey man career as a scorer that someone always wants in the league

Juliuan Wright: thought he was going to be one of the better glue guy type players in the league and was going to be like a Diaw clone

Petteri Kaponen: hasnt come over but i thought he’d be an anthony carter type point guard leading the second unit of some team

Ike Diogo: thought he was a premiere post scoring option in a league lacking of people who can score down in the block

Antoine Wright: thought he was always going to find a role as a 3 and D at the very least

Jawad Williams: thought he’d be the next Tim Thomas to surprise the league after going undrafted

Rodney Carney: this is bad since i thout he would be what people expected of Paul George before PG got super-star hype.

Shelden Williams: felt the land lord would be an absolute beast on D and would be a starting big man for years in the league like Antonio Davis was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kinguy11Participant]

 Derrick Williams – I thought he’d be a solid starter if nothing else by this point, but I think at the time I though he was an inch or two taller than he actually was. I was really high on him coming out of college to the point where I touted him as a future all star and I hope he can still turn his career around.

Tobias Harris – Never really payed him much heed but in my ignorance I didn’t think he’d be stay in the league for long as he’d be caught between positions (ironic considering my views towards Derrick Williams).

Andre Drummond – I thought he’d bust. His post game was too raw and I was unsure of how good a rebounder he’d be considering that a guy his size only averaged 7.6 a game in college. I also thought he looked uninterested on the court at times in college and that made me question how good a player he’d be in the NBA. Boy was I wrong.

[Kinguy11Participant]

 Derrick Williams – I thought he’d be a solid starter if nothing else by this point, but I think at the time I though he was an inch or two taller than he actually was. I was really high on him coming out of college to the point where I touted him as a future all star and I hope he can still turn his career around.

Tobias Harris – Never really payed him much heed but in my ignorance I didn’t think he’d be stay in the league for long as he’d be caught between positions (ironic considering my views towards Derrick Williams).

Andre Drummond – I thought he’d bust. His post game was too raw and I was unsure of how good a rebounder he’d be considering that a guy his size only averaged 7.6 a game in college. I also thought he looked uninterested on the court at times in college and that made me question how good a player he’d be in the NBA. Boy was I wrong.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I thought Derrick Williams was going to be a stud lol

[NardDog NationParticipant]

There is no career too promising, no confidence too steady, no skill too sure for David Kahn to corrupt. That man destroyed a lot of people’s careers by burying them behind similarly talented guys at their respective positions. If you remember correctly, he almost screwed Kevin Love’s career by trying to have guys like Michael Beasley take his minutes.  If Jonny Flynn, Wesley Johnson, Corey Brewer and a few others that I’m forgetting, were drafted by a capable franchise, I think we’d be talking about them as household names.

[NardDog NationParticipant]

There is no career too promising, no confidence too steady, no skill too sure for David Kahn to corrupt. That man destroyed a lot of people’s careers by burying them behind similarly talented guys at their respective positions. If you remember correctly, he almost screwed Kevin Love’s career by trying to have guys like Michael Beasley take his minutes.  If Jonny Flynn, Wesley Johnson, Corey Brewer and a few others that I’m forgetting, were drafted by a capable franchise, I think we’d be talking about them as household names.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I thought Derrick Williams was going to be a stud lol

[GabnosisParticipant]

Remember him? Back up C for Kentucky, I thought this guy was just a beast (physically speaking), I was sure it was going to take time for him to "mature" and get some playing time, but I was wrong I guess.  

[GabnosisParticipant]

Remember him? Back up C for Kentucky, I thought this guy was just a beast (physically speaking), I was sure it was going to take time for him to "mature" and get some playing time, but I was wrong I guess.  

[frogmanParticipant]

Tyrus Thomas.  My favorite prospect ever after him looking like a man amongst boys in the NCAA tournament.  I thought he would be way better than the soft LaMarcus Aldridge. How depressing.

 

 

[frogmanParticipant]

Tyrus Thomas.  My favorite prospect ever after him looking like a man amongst boys in the NCAA tournament.  I thought he would be way better than the soft LaMarcus Aldridge. How depressing.

 

 

[CavFanPRParticipant]

Michael Carter-Williams. I remember a lot of people saying he was a bust before he was even drafted.

[CavFanPRParticipant]

Michael Carter-Williams. I remember a lot of people saying he was a bust before he was even drafted.

[Skeating12345Participant]

 Thought he was a much better shooter coming out of college. With his Size and athleticism I thought he could’ve been an atleast a solid starter.

[Skeating12345Participant]

 Thought he was a much better shooter coming out of college. With his Size and athleticism I thought he could’ve been an atleast a solid starter.

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

2013: Anthony Bennett : I thought he should go 1st in last year draft
2012: MKG : I thought he was gonna be the 2nd best player in the draft with a chance to be the best ,those 2 btw I thought b4 the draft they should be drafted as high as they actually did ,after they were drafted I was like yeah I was right ,now
Drummond : this guy was the reason for the most neggs I’ve ever get here thankto the fact that I said he isn’t gonna be top 5 ,I was right but he has proved me wrong as NBA player(seems like a trend)
2011 : Vesley & Bismack ,I mean wtf I actually was thinking ,though most of my thoughts on other players was right,though I thought they should have been picked later
2010: I would say Paul George though I expected him to be good but not that good
2009: Thabeet ,I though he is gonna be a good starting defensive C who could turn to be an All-Star one day

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

2013: Anthony Bennett : I thought he should go 1st in last year draft
2012: MKG : I thought he was gonna be the 2nd best player in the draft with a chance to be the best ,those 2 btw I thought b4 the draft they should be drafted as high as they actually did ,after they were drafted I was like yeah I was right ,now
Drummond : this guy was the reason for the most neggs I’ve ever get here thankto the fact that I said he isn’t gonna be top 5 ,I was right but he has proved me wrong as NBA player(seems like a trend)
2011 : Vesley & Bismack ,I mean wtf I actually was thinking ,though most of my thoughts on other players was right,though I thought they should have been picked later
2010: I would say Paul George though I expected him to be good but not that good
2009: Thabeet ,I though he is gonna be a good starting defensive C who could turn to be an All-Star one day

[JoeWolf1]

Ike Diogu – He was incredibly skilled, and put up great stats at ASU. Measured out a little short, but a lot small 4’s have had success in the NBA and he had a massive 7’3” wingspan. Was never the worst player, but needless to say, I expected a lot more than a 6 ppg 3 rpg guy who never stuck with a team for more than a year or two.

Cole Aldirch – Sounds silly now, but he was an extremely prolific defender at the college level, and I overlooked his short height and slow footspeed, thinking his massive 7’4” wingspan and 9’3.5” standing reach would help make up for his lack of speed. Aside from putting up lofty rebounding and shot blocking per 36 min stats, he just hasn’t proven good enough to play at starter’s level. I didn’t think he’d be Mutombo, but I thought he’d be about a 12/10/3 player by now. His best stretch was when he was in Sacramento, when he put up 3.3 ppg 4.2 rpg and .9 bpg in 11.7 mpg.

[JoeWolf1]

Ike Diogu – He was incredibly skilled, and put up great stats at ASU. Measured out a little short, but a lot small 4’s have had success in the NBA and he had a massive 7’3” wingspan. Was never the worst player, but needless to say, I expected a lot more than a 6 ppg 3 rpg guy who never stuck with a team for more than a year or two.

Cole Aldirch – Sounds silly now, but he was an extremely prolific defender at the college level, and I overlooked his short height and slow footspeed, thinking his massive 7’4” wingspan and 9’3.5” standing reach would help make up for his lack of speed. Aside from putting up lofty rebounding and shot blocking per 36 min stats, he just hasn’t proven good enough to play at starter’s level. I didn’t think he’d be Mutombo, but I thought he’d be about a 12/10/3 player by now. His best stretch was when he was in Sacramento, when he put up 3.3 ppg 4.2 rpg and .9 bpg in 11.7 mpg.

[high floorParticipant]

I was definitely a believer in Tskitishvili (dang that’s hard to type).

Also, Tyrus Thomas. He had such amazing athleticism for his size & also a decent jump shot. Thought he was going to be a long term building block for the Bulls.

[high floorParticipant]

I was definitely a believer in Tskitishvili (dang that’s hard to type).

Also, Tyrus Thomas. He had such amazing athleticism for his size & also a decent jump shot. Thought he was going to be a long term building block for the Bulls.

[HitsterParticipant]

I was surprised when Paul George was selected by the Pacers as they already had Danny Grainger in place as their SF and I thought they would have done better drafting for need rather than talent.

[HitsterParticipant]

I was surprised when Paul George was selected by the Pacers as they already had Danny Grainger in place as their SF and I thought they would have done better drafting for need rather than talent.

[IhateusernamesParticipant]

 Everybody listed mine pretty much.

ill go way back to Stacey King. After his rookie year I was ready to pack Horace Grants bags and give Stacey that spot he played so well then……….

Chris Wilcox. Thought he’d be an all nba PF Shawn Kemp 2.0

Randolph Childress.

Elton Brand. I thought he was an undersized overrated Dukie.

Carlos Boozer. See above.

Shelden Williams. The 2 above made me believe in him. Ugh

[IhateusernamesParticipant]

 Everybody listed mine pretty much.

ill go way back to Stacey King. After his rookie year I was ready to pack Horace Grants bags and give Stacey that spot he played so well then……….

Chris Wilcox. Thought he’d be an all nba PF Shawn Kemp 2.0

Randolph Childress.

Elton Brand. I thought he was an undersized overrated Dukie.

Carlos Boozer. See above.

Shelden Williams. The 2 above made me believe in him. Ugh

[The QParticipant]

 Mike Conley- Way better than I thought, although now overrated. 

Russell Westbrook- at UCLA the guy was a poor ball handler, passer, and shooter. how many PGs can make it like that? Mad props for all the work he put in to become what he has. 

Hassan Whtieside- I maintain it’s about lack of opportunity than anything. He’s the best player overseas not playing in the NBA. He destroyed the Chinese league. 

Stromile Swift- While I didn’t like the NBADraftnet comp to Shaq, I loved a power game with his athleticism. Plus he actually had production. 

Vonteego Cummings (Yeah, I’ve been at this way longer than a lot of yall lol).- A big athletic PG with some great passing and handlers plus a good scoring knack. I thought he’d be a starting PG for a while. 

Arnett Moultrie- His stuff was off the charts, good rebounding, awesome 2 pt scoring (not just in the paint) and a really good, bouncy athlete. Seems like mental problems are gonna hold him back for now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The QParticipant]

 Mike Conley- Way better than I thought, although now overrated. 

Russell Westbrook- at UCLA the guy was a poor ball handler, passer, and shooter. how many PGs can make it like that? Mad props for all the work he put in to become what he has. 

Hassan Whtieside- I maintain it’s about lack of opportunity than anything. He’s the best player overseas not playing in the NBA. He destroyed the Chinese league. 

Stromile Swift- While I didn’t like the NBADraftnet comp to Shaq, I loved a power game with his athleticism. Plus he actually had production. 

Vonteego Cummings (Yeah, I’ve been at this way longer than a lot of yall lol).- A big athletic PG with some great passing and handlers plus a good scoring knack. I thought he’d be a starting PG for a while. 

Arnett Moultrie- His stuff was off the charts, good rebounding, awesome 2 pt scoring (not just in the paint) and a really good, bouncy athlete. Seems like mental problems are gonna hold him back for now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I thought Luke Babbitt would be good.   Ouch.  Although he actually was kinda good when given minutes this year, at least compared to the disaster that his first seasons in the league were.

Same with Ekpe Udoh.

I also really liked Anthony Randolph and Arnett Moultrie. Loved their tools.

I thought MKG would be better, although he still has time.

I am still convinced Jonny Flynn would have had a nice career if it weren’t for the injuries and getting drafted by Minny.

I was a Biyombo apologist.  Thought he woud be at least decent.

I have now learned not to overrate shot blocking ability and athleticism in bigs and to pay more attention to how a player scores.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I thought Luke Babbitt would be good.   Ouch.  Although he actually was kinda good when given minutes this year, at least compared to the disaster that his first seasons in the league were.

Same with Ekpe Udoh.

I also really liked Anthony Randolph and Arnett Moultrie. Loved their tools.

I thought MKG would be better, although he still has time.

I am still convinced Jonny Flynn would have had a nice career if it weren’t for the injuries and getting drafted by Minny.

I was a Biyombo apologist.  Thought he woud be at least decent.

I have now learned not to overrate shot blocking ability and athleticism in bigs and to pay more attention to how a player scores.

[theballerwayParticipant]

Joe Alexander, I wont say I thought he was gonna be a star but I thought he would be a rugged 4/3 good for afew highlights and toughness. Eitherway thought he’d have lasted longer in the league

I believed in OJ Mayo ‘the star’ for much longer than I should have too. I do believe if Marc Lavoroni stayed he would have developed better though

[theballerwayParticipant]

Joe Alexander, I wont say I thought he was gonna be a star but I thought he would be a rugged 4/3 good for afew highlights and toughness. Eitherway thought he’d have lasted longer in the league

I believed in OJ Mayo ‘the star’ for much longer than I should have too. I do believe if Marc Lavoroni stayed he would have developed better though

[Andrew1984Participant]

Players I thought would be better than they’ve been:
1. Marcus Williams: The one from UConn. I thought he had some Kenny Anderson in him.
2. DJ Augustin: He is finally finding his niche, but I was convinced he was the next Tony Parker.
3. Jimmer Fredette: He reminded me of Mark Price. He has not played like Mark Price.
4. Shelvin Mack: I compared him to Chauncey Billups. He has found a role, albeit as a reserve.
5. Austin Rivers: I thought he had more of a relentlessness as a pure scorer. It’s still possible, I suppose.

Players I thought would be worse than they’ve been:
1. JJ Hickson: I kinda had it out for him when I wanted the Cavs to draft DeAndre Jordan or Darrell Arthur and they chose Hickson instead. I recognized his athleticism but thought he was lazy, undisciplined, and unskilled. But he’s had a fairly productive career.
2. Jeff Teague: I preferred Eric Maynor and Roddy B. Haha, oops!
3. Ricky Rubio: I didn’t think a player so inept at shooting would still find passing lanes, but Rubio has.
4. Derrick Favors: I was a lot higher on Greg Monroe. I thought Favors would be bust city. He hasn’t lit the world on fire, but I’d have to concede that he’s been solid.
5. Michael Carter-Williams: At Syracuse he was just so…unnoticeable. If that’s even a word. After his first month in the NBA, I still thought it was a fluke and he’d fizzle out, but that obviously did not happen.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

 +1 Nice list, but you really were that high on Mack? Billuips really? Haha. He’s still a nice role player though.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

 +1 Nice list, but you really were that high on Mack? Billuips really? Haha. He’s still a nice role player though.

[Andrew1984Participant]

Players I thought would be better than they’ve been:
1. Marcus Williams: The one from UConn. I thought he had some Kenny Anderson in him.
2. DJ Augustin: He is finally finding his niche, but I was convinced he was the next Tony Parker.
3. Jimmer Fredette: He reminded me of Mark Price. He has not played like Mark Price.
4. Shelvin Mack: I compared him to Chauncey Billups. He has found a role, albeit as a reserve.
5. Austin Rivers: I thought he had more of a relentlessness as a pure scorer. It’s still possible, I suppose.

Players I thought would be worse than they’ve been:
1. JJ Hickson: I kinda had it out for him when I wanted the Cavs to draft DeAndre Jordan or Darrell Arthur and they chose Hickson instead. I recognized his athleticism but thought he was lazy, undisciplined, and unskilled. But he’s had a fairly productive career.
2. Jeff Teague: I preferred Eric Maynor and Roddy B. Haha, oops!
3. Ricky Rubio: I didn’t think a player so inept at shooting would still find passing lanes, but Rubio has.
4. Derrick Favors: I was a lot higher on Greg Monroe. I thought Favors would be bust city. He hasn’t lit the world on fire, but I’d have to concede that he’s been solid.
5. Michael Carter-Williams: At Syracuse he was just so…unnoticeable. If that’s even a word. After his first month in the NBA, I still thought it was a fluke and he’d fizzle out, but that obviously did not happen.

[Lawrence112Participant]

Wesley Johnson. I thought he would be a nice shooting guard in the league.

[Lawrence112Participant]

Wesley Johnson. I thought he would be a nice shooting guard in the league.

[NardDog NationParticipant]

 Dare I say that I was a believer in Kwame Brown? The dude had me convinced that he would be another Jermaine O’Neal going into his 5th NBA season. I know that people won’t ever say anything nice about him but he actually had some skill and decent footwork, mixed with good defensive and rebounding ability. Had he had bigger hands to handle the ball better and a smidget of confidence, I think we’d be talking about him in a much different light.

We can also add Anthony Randolph to the list, although at 24, the jury might still be out on him. The guy was uberly skilled and an athletic freak, which had me thinking that he’d be Lamar Odom 2.0. Unfortunately for him, he’s played for coaches that have refused to give him a chance and for teams that have been loaded at both forward positions.

While we’re at it, add Austin Daye to the list even though I think he’s part of the "drafted by the wrong team/never given an opportunity" bunch.

[NardDog NationParticipant]

 Dare I say that I was a believer in Kwame Brown? The dude had me convinced that he would be another Jermaine O’Neal going into his 5th NBA season. I know that people won’t ever say anything nice about him but he actually had some skill and decent footwork, mixed with good defensive and rebounding ability. Had he had bigger hands to handle the ball better and a smidget of confidence, I think we’d be talking about him in a much different light.

We can also add Anthony Randolph to the list, although at 24, the jury might still be out on him. The guy was uberly skilled and an athletic freak, which had me thinking that he’d be Lamar Odom 2.0. Unfortunately for him, he’s played for coaches that have refused to give him a chance and for teams that have been loaded at both forward positions.

While we’re at it, add Austin Daye to the list even though I think he’s part of the "drafted by the wrong team/never given an opportunity" bunch.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I thought Hasheem Thabeet would be serviceable.  The guy is huge and seems like a fun guy to be around.  They call a lot of bogus fouls on him, and he can basically shut down the paint.  We also ran some zone defenses with him in the middle a few years ago, and that worked out really, really well.

Thabeet won’t fill the stat sheet — he intimidates shooters and alters shots.  Not a freak rebounder either but he can get a couple.  His assist numbers were in Yinka Dare territory the first few years.  … if he has his feet set he can dunk over guys. 

For the Grizzlies, I liked Tyreke Evans that year, and one guy I knew (who had influence) liked Steph Curry and those guys would have worked, but with Conley, OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay, Z Bo, and Marc Gasol, you can see why we were intrigued by a 7’2 athletic shot blocker. 

Our bench then was horrifically bad.  I didn’t see much Gasol and Thabeet twin tower action, and then when Shane Battier became available again to replace an injured Rudy Gay, we made the move.

I was wrong about him.  Although if the Thunder used him right, he and Serge would basically block everything.  They would control the paint on defense and get some dunks and put backs on offense.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I thought Hasheem Thabeet would be serviceable.  The guy is huge and seems like a fun guy to be around.  They call a lot of bogus fouls on him, and he can basically shut down the paint.  We also ran some zone defenses with him in the middle a few years ago, and that worked out really, really well.

Thabeet won’t fill the stat sheet — he intimidates shooters and alters shots.  Not a freak rebounder either but he can get a couple.  His assist numbers were in Yinka Dare territory the first few years.  … if he has his feet set he can dunk over guys. 

For the Grizzlies, I liked Tyreke Evans that year, and one guy I knew (who had influence) liked Steph Curry and those guys would have worked, but with Conley, OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay, Z Bo, and Marc Gasol, you can see why we were intrigued by a 7’2 athletic shot blocker. 

Our bench then was horrifically bad.  I didn’t see much Gasol and Thabeet twin tower action, and then when Shane Battier became available again to replace an injured Rudy Gay, we made the move.

I was wrong about him.  Although if the Thunder used him right, he and Serge would basically block everything.  They would control the paint on defense and get some dunks and put backs on offense.

[HaleParticipant]

Tyrus Thomas

Daequan Cook

Kevin Love

Jerryd Bayless

Brook Lopez

Hasheem Thabeet

Ricky Rubio

Wesley Johnson

Xavier Henry

Ed Davis

Dion Waiters

Michael Carter Williams

etc.

[HaleParticipant]

Tyrus Thomas

Daequan Cook

Kevin Love

Jerryd Bayless

Brook Lopez

Hasheem Thabeet

Ricky Rubio

Wesley Johnson

Xavier Henry

Ed Davis

Dion Waiters

Michael Carter Williams

etc.

[FourParticipant]

There have been lots of recent ones (I thought D Rose over M Beasley was insane) but the 90’s were really my jam.  That’s when more people stayed in college longer and I seemingly had no ability to differentiate between a good college vs. pro player:

99 – thought Baron Davis and Shawn Marrion were overdrafted but that Corry Maggette was a steal and the stud of the draft.

98 – didn’t know who the hell this Nowitzki character was but I thought Felipe Lopez was a can’t miss.

97 – loved Roderick Rhodes and thought Ron Mercer was elite.

96 – liked Kerry Kittles a lot.

95 – I had it bad for Shawn Respert, Ed O’Bannon and Travis Best.

94 – I liked Khalid Reeves and BJ Tyler more than their moms.

93 – this one hurts to look back at…I am an idiot.  I was sure than Rex Walters, Terry Dehare and James "Hollywood" Robinson were WAY underdrafted.  I also thought that Rodney Rodgers could win a scoring title and I was the only person who thought that Luther Wright would pan out…even Luther didn’t believe that.

92 – so many misses but since I am gone on too long I’ll just say…May-Day.  I was sure that Lee Mayberry and Todd Day were STUDS.

91 – I thought that Billy Owens would revolutionalize basketball, Kenny Anderson would be the greatest point guard since Rumeal Robinson and that Mark Macon would be the greatest Temple prospect of all time.  OK, two of those may be accurate.  I also thought that EMT (Eric Murdoch Time) would translate GREAT in the NBA.

90 – by my estimates Bo Kimble should be a multiple time scoring champ, Dennis Scott should have more career threes than Ray Allen and Tate George should be a star.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I was right there with you on the Shawn Respert and Ed O’Bannon lol.  Add Scotty Thurman to that list for me as well.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I was right there with you on the Shawn Respert and Ed O’Bannon lol.  Add Scotty Thurman to that list for me as well.

[FourParticipant]

Oh heck yeah, I was sure Scotty was a star.  I’m pretty sure he will still pan out, you just have to be patient…

[FourParticipant]

Oh heck yeah, I was sure Scotty was a star.  I’m pretty sure he will still pan out, you just have to be patient…

[FourParticipant]

There have been lots of recent ones (I thought D Rose over M Beasley was insane) but the 90’s were really my jam.  That’s when more people stayed in college longer and I seemingly had no ability to differentiate between a good college vs. pro player:

99 – thought Baron Davis and Shawn Marrion were overdrafted but that Corry Maggette was a steal and the stud of the draft.

98 – didn’t know who the hell this Nowitzki character was but I thought Felipe Lopez was a can’t miss.

97 – loved Roderick Rhodes and thought Ron Mercer was elite.

96 – liked Kerry Kittles a lot.

95 – I had it bad for Shawn Respert, Ed O’Bannon and Travis Best.

94 – I liked Khalid Reeves and BJ Tyler more than their moms.

93 – this one hurts to look back at…I am an idiot.  I was sure than Rex Walters, Terry Dehare and James "Hollywood" Robinson were WAY underdrafted.  I also thought that Rodney Rodgers could win a scoring title and I was the only person who thought that Luther Wright would pan out…even Luther didn’t believe that.

92 – so many misses but since I am gone on too long I’ll just say…May-Day.  I was sure that Lee Mayberry and Todd Day were STUDS.

91 – I thought that Billy Owens would revolutionalize basketball, Kenny Anderson would be the greatest point guard since Rumeal Robinson and that Mark Macon would be the greatest Temple prospect of all time.  OK, two of those may be accurate.  I also thought that EMT (Eric Murdoch Time) would translate GREAT in the NBA.

90 – by my estimates Bo Kimble should be a multiple time scoring champ, Dennis Scott should have more career threes than Ray Allen and Tate George should be a star.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I got to watch K Love a lot in highschool and definitely thought there was no way he would ever be a good player in the NBA, I didn’t see the appeal.  Now I am hoping he ends up on my team next year.

I thought Derick Williams and Beasley were going to be special, I thought Williams could have been the number one pick…. boy did I learn my tweener lesson.

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I got to watch K Love a lot in highschool and definitely thought there was no way he would ever be a good player in the NBA, I didn’t see the appeal.  Now I am hoping he ends up on my team next year.

I thought Derick Williams and Beasley were going to be special, I thought Williams could have been the number one pick…. boy did I learn my tweener lesson.

 

[220Participant]

 I’ll try to avoid the ones already mentioned. Here are some of mine:

Marcus Fizer: I thought he’d be a solid contributer at the very least in the league.

Mike Dunleavy: I thought for sure he was going to be a future multi-time all star and a dominate pro.

Dwyane Wade: As a long time Heat fan when Wade was drafted I thought it didn’t make sense for the Heat to get another wingman since they already had Eddie Jones and Caron Butler while they had a gapping hole at Center that Chris Kaman would’ve fit.

Rafael Araujo: I thought he was drafted a bit early at 8, but I imagined he’d be a rotational center with a long career.

Dorrell Wright: I thought he’d be a fringe all star type guy who’d eventually be invaluable.

Wayne Simien: I thought the Heat got amazingly lucky to draft the big man out of Kansas who’d surely be a great pro with a long career.

Tyrus Thomas: I imagined he’d learn to play consistently and eventually be an All Star

Sean Williams (Boston College): I believed he’d get his personal life together and be a great pro.

Michael Beasley: I thought he’d be a multi time all star by now and the Heat’s second best player.

Arnett Moultrie: Although he’s still a young player who could turn it around I imagined he’d be a solid starter by now. I thought the Heat were dumb to trade him to the 76ers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FourParticipant]

I remember watching an Iowa St. game and thinking that I had "discovered" him…so I was sure that he’d be a stud.  When he went so high (was he #2 overall?) I assumed I had a future as a scout.

[220Participant]

 Fizer went 4th overall in 2000

[FourParticipant]

Thanks for the correction!  I’m sure he was #2 on my board lol

[FourParticipant]

Thanks for the correction!  I’m sure he was #2 on my board lol

[220Participant]

 Fizer went 4th overall in 2000

[FourParticipant]

I remember watching an Iowa St. game and thinking that I had "discovered" him…so I was sure that he’d be a stud.  When he went so high (was he #2 overall?) I assumed I had a future as a scout.

[220Participant]

 I’ll try to avoid the ones already mentioned. Here are some of mine:

Marcus Fizer: I thought he’d be a solid contributer at the very least in the league.

Mike Dunleavy: I thought for sure he was going to be a future multi-time all star and a dominate pro.

Dwyane Wade: As a long time Heat fan when Wade was drafted I thought it didn’t make sense for the Heat to get another wingman since they already had Eddie Jones and Caron Butler while they had a gapping hole at Center that Chris Kaman would’ve fit.

Rafael Araujo: I thought he was drafted a bit early at 8, but I imagined he’d be a rotational center with a long career.

Dorrell Wright: I thought he’d be a fringe all star type guy who’d eventually be invaluable.

Wayne Simien: I thought the Heat got amazingly lucky to draft the big man out of Kansas who’d surely be a great pro with a long career.

Tyrus Thomas: I imagined he’d learn to play consistently and eventually be an All Star

Sean Williams (Boston College): I believed he’d get his personal life together and be a great pro.

Michael Beasley: I thought he’d be a multi time all star by now and the Heat’s second best player.

Arnett Moultrie: Although he’s still a young player who could turn it around I imagined he’d be a solid starter by now. I thought the Heat were dumb to trade him to the 76ers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 I still feel him as a starter will not result in playoff success,  but he scores better than I thought he would.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 I still feel him as a starter will not result in playoff success,  but he scores better than I thought he would.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 I still feel him as a starter will not result in playoff success,  but he scores better than I thought he would.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 I still feel him as a starter will not result in playoff success,  but he scores better than I thought he would.

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

Wow!  No Anthony Davis????   I remember everyone on this forum was trashing Davis everyday saying he would bust and that T-Rob and Drummond were going to be better players.   I guess people forget or they’re just too ashamed to admit the trash they talked about him.

To the post, I would say Bradley Beal.  I thought he was a reach because he didn’t produce much in college but he’s legit.

 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Funny, I remember everyone on this forum saying Davis was the next big thing. I remember that because I worried that he was too thin and would get injured too much to be a superstar in the NBA. For those comments I got negged a lot. So far I’ve been wrong. 

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

I don’t remember one positive thing about Davis.  Everybody was saying they’d rather have drummond and they thought Davis was a tweener who was limited offensively.  Most people said they didnt understand the difference between Davis and John Henson.  No one will admit to it because he’s from UK though.  2 Years from now when Randle is a stud in the league, everybody will forget all the criticism he gets on this site as well.  

[Calling Out The ClownsParticipant]

Delusional clown post.  Standard biased nonsense from Bozo the Clown himself.  

 

Your Kentucky homerism and biases are ridiculous, and your posts stating sh*t like this make you look like a f*cking moron.

 

 

[Calling Out The ClownsParticipant]

Delusional clown post.  Standard biased nonsense from Bozo the Clown himself.  

 

Your Kentucky homerism and biases are ridiculous, and your posts stating sh*t like this make you look like a f*cking moron.

 

 

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

I don’t remember one positive thing about Davis.  Everybody was saying they’d rather have drummond and they thought Davis was a tweener who was limited offensively.  Most people said they didnt understand the difference between Davis and John Henson.  No one will admit to it because he’s from UK though.  2 Years from now when Randle is a stud in the league, everybody will forget all the criticism he gets on this site as well.  

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

Funny, I remember everyone on this forum saying Davis was the next big thing. I remember that because I worried that he was too thin and would get injured too much to be a superstar in the NBA. For those comments I got negged a lot. So far I’ve been wrong. 

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

Wow!  No Anthony Davis????   I remember everyone on this forum was trashing Davis everyday saying he would bust and that T-Rob and Drummond were going to be better players.   I guess people forget or they’re just too ashamed to admit the trash they talked about him.

To the post, I would say Bradley Beal.  I thought he was a reach because he didn’t produce much in college but he’s legit.

 

[max23Participant]

 I thought Joseph Forte(Unc year with Haywood and Peppers)looked like he had skates on,so smooth,and would be awesome in the nba.Also a big believer in Reece Gaines(outplayed Wade in college in the one game of them going at each other i saw,was sure he was underrated and the better prospect)thought he would be huge…we all make mistakes.

[max23Participant]

 I thought Joseph Forte(Unc year with Haywood and Peppers)looked like he had skates on,so smooth,and would be awesome in the nba.Also a big believer in Reece Gaines(outplayed Wade in college in the one game of them going at each other i saw,was sure he was underrated and the better prospect)thought he would be huge…we all make mistakes.

[PureshooterParticipant]

Boozer

He is dramatically more skilled now than in college.  I never thought he’d develop the shot and post game he needed.

[PureshooterParticipant]

Boozer

He is dramatically more skilled now than in college.  I never thought he’d develop the shot and post game he needed.

[Jco4Participant]

 Ekpe Udoh, I thought that dude would be a monster rim protector. Also I was high on Perry Jones, I didn’t think he’d be an all star but I thought he’d be a starter or sixth man at least. 

[Jco4Participant]

 Ekpe Udoh, I thought that dude would be a monster rim protector. Also I was high on Perry Jones, I didn’t think he’d be an all star but I thought he’d be a starter or sixth man at least. 

[barbabodomParticipant]

 I was certain that Mateen Cleaves would be an all-star =S

[barbabodomParticipant]

 I was certain that Mateen Cleaves would be an all-star =S

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I’d say at least 95% of the Forum was wrong about Lance Stephenson.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 I’d say at least 95% of the Forum was wrong about Lance Stephenson.

[GreekParticipant]

 I was studying in Thessaloniki (North Greece) the year before he drafted and his team played against PAOK and i saw him live. He torched them  with like 23/18/3, and i was sure that would be a star…i didnt knew how mental midget was. The tools where there, athleticism skill and body…

Rubio, i never liked him, and i still dont think that can be a star, but he is doing little better than i thought

[GreekParticipant]

 I was studying in Thessaloniki (North Greece) the year before he drafted and his team played against PAOK and i saw him live. He torched them  with like 23/18/3, and i was sure that would be a star…i didnt knew how mental midget was. The tools where there, athleticism skill and body…

Rubio, i never liked him, and i still dont think that can be a star, but he is doing little better than i thought

[Author]

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