Bogut Leads the 2005 NBA Draft

Now that the draft is over and the teams have their players, what of those devastated souls who came out early to find that nobody would play with them?

Being a Kentucky fan, I could have counseled Azubuike and Morris better than whoever it was that gave them their “free” advice. Forde has it right when he writes:

You guys could have been part of a 2006 national championship contender at the University of Kentucky – maybe even the preseason No. 1 team. Instead you wake up today as young men without a team, or a grasp on your dream.

Even the NBA owners did a better job ignoring the hype about”upside.” Instead they selected 11 seniors in the first round, up from 4 the previous year. Maybe they’re starting to catch on?

My only gripe is that no team took a chance on Chuck Hayes. The under-sized power-forward did nothing but win. He took MVP honors at Portsmouth and was on the winning team in the Chicago camp. Here’s hoping Hayes doesn’t give up and can someday make the league.

Update: Oops! I almost forgot to add a link to The Sports Guy’s annual Draft Diary! Always a must read.