Not Drafted?
Every year, there are at least 80 people who put their names in for the NBA draft. This draft is held every year and is used for the sole purpose of improving teams, and to introduce younger, better players. This makes sense because after a certain amount of years, players retire and get old and need to be replaced. The draft is at the moment 60 slots where teams can have multiple tries depending on trades and order of rank and the lottery.
The lottery is held before the draft and determines which teams get the first overall picks. This is based on the need of the team, how many games they lost in the previous year and the lottery. Teams occasionally get lucky and get a top pick when they didn’t really need it as much. This is a chance of young players to make new careers but is not something to laugh at.
Many of the players who enter the draft are told that they have a chance to be picked and to make a NBA team. These players were the top in their college divisions, topped the stats but mystery still surrounds them. Prior to the draft, there are workouts that determine the overall condition of the player, such as how much they can bench and how fast they are. Many of what is seen by scouts helps make the decision for the teams.
It can be nervous to wait for your name to be called because there is no guarantee to as where you may be picked. Sometimes players that have lower reputation are picked very high, while players that are deemed good are left out. The draft is 2 rounds, each with 30 slots. Being picked near the end usually means that you are not good enough to play.
Many of these ball players have lives that only revolve around the sport. They have devoted much of their time to being the best player they can be and have not really done much, sometimes failing school. This is why David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA has made it a rule that one year has to be removed from high school, prompting players to go to college.
Many of the players that are not picked are shocked and at times betrayed but have to continue. They can continue by trying out for various teams, by participating in camps, playing overseas. However, many of these players are not seen again because there is usually a good reason for why you didn’t make the NBA on the first try. Many hopes are on the line every year.
NBA fan
By Jonathan T Chin
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