Working on the New York Stock Exchange this week, I’ve listened and participated in countless conversations about stocks, interest rates, and…sports. The majority of traders on the exchange seem to know and put just as much effort into knowing all about the stocks they trade as into sports. A quick walk through the floor reveals men huddled around their computers watching the EuroCup, while others bet on horse racing and argue about a variety of teams. This being said, on Tuesday morning, at approximately 9:20, three massive figures were ushered into the floor to ring the opening bell, as “three of the top NBA draft picks for 2008.” In a normal year, the place would buzz with excitement, with everyone recognizing some of the top stars they’ve seen in college. This year was different. This year’s stars ringing the opening bell were UCLA’s Kevin Love, LSU’s Anthony Randolph, and WVU’s Joe Alexander, all projected to be chosen in the top 15 of the draft. Instead of excited shouts of recognition, confusion filled the air. “Who are these tall guys?” muttered one, while another said, “That’s not Beasley is it?” When finally being told who the three were, no one had heard of anyone besides Love (By the way, Kevin Love looks like a completely different person. He has gone from the fat kid from SuperBad to Tom Hanks in Cast Away in a matter of months). With a collective shrug of disinterest, everyone turned back to their computers, and their discussions of other sports. These confused comments are likely the same ones heard around the country tonight, when the NBA Draft takes place. Take away Rose, Beasley, and O.J. Mayo, and what you have is bunch of no-names who most likely will not have a large impact on the league. In other years the top 15 or 20 players would be instantly recognized by at least their names, while this year, numbers 4-30 will inspire little to no reaction. Expect Thursday night to feature groans, few cheers, and a constant flow of “Who?”
Picture source: matildamajor.com
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4 comments:
Isn't this site written under the assumption that its readers are basketball fans? Only the most casual sports fan would fail to recognize all players outside the top 3. If you follow college ball at all, there's far more here than that.....
yes, you are right. that was a guest writer that submits his perspective to us and we put it up after editing, we do not edit the content of the post. clearly, if you follow basketball you know the names in the draft, but his point is that this draft lacks appeal because outside of the top 3, they have gotten little publicity to the lay basketball fan. i do agree with you that a hardcore basketball fan should know the majority of people in this draft and their intricacies. we put this post up mainly to put a perspective up from a person who has had an experience with the draftees which was unique.
What should be gathered from what Mr. Mark Hays was saying may not be so much that the people reading this won't recognize the players being drafted, but instead that this draft is definitely lacking in possible franchise players. In most years it would be more difficult for someone with as little recognizability as Alexander or Randolph to fall into the lottery. Though it might not be the most accurate measure, the reaction of those on Wall Street is simply an indication of a definite possibility of lack of number of potential future superstars coming out of this draft class.
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