The Draft

The NBA Draft is far and away my favorite sporting "event" of the year. As someone who loves college and pro basketball, the draft is the bridge between the two. It is where the latest superstars get their start. But for me, the draft is not about the superstars, my favorite part of the draft comes when most people are no longer watching - the second round. The players picked in the second round fall into so many different categories - but they all share one thing in common, they all go home that night lacking a guaranteed contract. Too many first rounders feel that a sense of entitlement comes with that guaranteed 3 year deal and instant wealth. Rarely though, will you find a second round pick who makes it, who walks tall with that same sense of arrogance. The second round picks in the NBA are what professional sports WERE MEANT to be all about, desire. Unlike in the NFL, to make it in the NBA as a second round pick is exceedingly difficult. An NBA second round pick has to have a perpetual drive and desire to become an NBA player. This is why I love the NBA draft, because it's not all about newest prima donnas, its also about the fighters, the scrappers, the gym rats who would sacrifice anything to fulfill their dream of playing in the National Basketball Association.