Monday, March 4, 2013

The NFL versus the NBA

Why do so many National Football League draftees, even beyond the first-round selections, play immediately with some even starting while very few National Basketball Association first-rounders ever get on the floor quickly, let alone even make the team?

Granted, there are 22 football starting spots to fill versus five, sixty something as opposed to 15 regarding roster size. But the NBA is also drafting internationally.

Go to the numbers

In 2011, the usual amount of 60 players were selected. The breakdown:

* 19 seniors
* 14 juniors
* 7 sophomores
* 7 freshmen

So almost a fourth of the draftees were underclassmen which, outside of Anthony Davis --  helps explain the playing time conundrum, at least to a degree. 

Additionally, there were 12 international selections plus one was a D-League player.

Round One:

1.   Kyrie Irving       
2.   Derrick Williams
3.   Enes Kanter   
4.   Tristan Thompson       
5.  Jonas Valanciunas       
6.   Jan Vesely       
7.   Bismack Biyombo       
8.   Brandon Knight       
9.   Kemba Walker       
10. Jimmer Fredette       
11. Klay Thompson       
12. Alec Burks       
13. Markieff Morris       
14. Marcus Morris       
15. Kawhi Leonard       
16. Nikola Vucevic       
17. Iman Shumpert       
18. Chris Singleton
19. Tobias Harris       
20. Donatas Motiejunas       
21. Nolan Smith       
22. Kenneth Faried       
23. Nikola Mirotic   
24. Reggie Jackson       
25. Marshon Brooks       
26. Jordan Hamilton       
27. JaJuan Johnson       
28. Norris Cole       
19. Cory Joseph       
30. Jimmy Butler

Halfway through the first round, the attraction of the remaining players still available diminishes to one-dimensional skill sets, which raises the indictment alarm.

Round Two:

1.   Heat F Bojan Bogdanovic, Bosnia-Herz. (Traded To T-Wolves)
2.   Cavaliers F Justin Harper, Richmond (Traded To Magic)
3.   Pistons F Kyle Singler, Duke
4.   Wizards G Shelvin Mack, Butler
5.   Kings F Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
6.   Nets C Jordan Williams, Maryland
7.   Clippers F Trey Thompkins, Georgia
8.   Rockets F Chandler Parsons, Florida
9.   Bobcats F Jeremy Tyler (Traded To Warriors)
10. Bucks F Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
11. Lakers G Darius Morris, Michigan
12. Pacers F Davis Bertans, Latvia (Traded To Spurs)
13. Bulls G Malcolm Lee, UCLA (Traded To Timberwolves)
14. Warriors G Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
15. Hornets C Josh Harrellson, Kentucky (Traded To Knicks)
16. Lakers G Andrew Goudelock, Charleston
17. Clippers G Travis Leslie, Georgia (Traded To Trail Blazers)
18. Hawks C Keith Benson, Oakland
19. Grizzlies G Josh Selby, Kansas
20. 76ers F Lavoy Allen, Temple
21. Trail Blazers G Jon Diebler, Ohio State
22. Pistons F Vernon Macklin, Florida
23. Magic G DeAndre Liggins, Kentucky
24. Cavaliers F Milan Macvan, CRO
25. Celtics G E'Twaun Moore, Purdue
26. Lakers F Chukwudiebere Maduabum, NGA
27. Mavericks F Targuy Ngombo
28. Lakers F Ater Majok
29. Spurs G Adam Hanga, HUN
30. Kings G Isaiah Thomas, Washington

The second round selections are typically guys with major issues in their respective games.

So as a whole, how many of the NBA draftees are on the road to stardom? Better yet, how many are even in the playing rotations for their teams?

Is it that physical talents alone can be utilized on a much more quicker basis on the gridiron than the basketball court?

What else?

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