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The Mailbag: D-League and Minimum Entry Age

Kyle (South Bend, Ind.): Don’t you think that (a three-year waiting) policy would shy high school players away from going to college even more than the past, before the current policy was put into place?

Maybe you could take your proposed MLB-style draft policy one step further and allow players to enter the draft out of high school if they wish, but assign those players to the NBA’s Development League, where they must play at least one year before being called to the NBA by the teams that drafted them, thereby creating a system like baseball’s minor leagues.

Thanks for the comment, Kyle. I especially like your proposition about building up the D-League, and I think it's something that needs to be discussed more among league officials. Allow me to digress from your question momentarily.

Having a healthy, domestic minor league system can only be a plus for the NBA. When commissioner David Stern affiliated each D-League team with one to three NBA squads in 2005 he made perhaps his most underrated decision of his career. It gave a much needed credibility boost to the then-irrelevant D-league, and it became a truly developmental environment that prepares players for the highest level as opposed to a wasteland of NBA wash ups. As the years go by, the league continues to expand, a sure sign of a healthy and well functioning league. Most recently the Mavericks got their own affiliate in the Frisco based Texas Legends.

Perhaps most importantly, the league is set to celebrate its 150^th call-up this coming season. One statistic even showed that 20% of all NBA players had spent time in the D-League as of 2009. Having a legitimate American minor league has certainly made an impact in player development, too. The show Real NBA on NBA TV demonstrated this newfound commitment in its feature on former Memphis star Joey Dorsey. The 6-8 forward bounced between the Rockets and their D-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers last season. It became clear throughout the show that the club was truly invested in developing Dorsey and other borderline NBA players into legitimate cogs for the “big league” parent team. Not only can relegation be a humbling experience (see Thabeet, Hasheem) but it gives the player a AAA-type environment in which to hone his skills.

Keep in mind that the league is no slouch talent-wise. Salaries might be higher on European superclubs such as Greece’s Olympiacos or Russia’s CSKA Moscow, but the D-League is very comparable in terms of overall ability with countless top-flight overseas teams. The top regular season team in the D-League was the Iowa Energy, affiliate of the Bulls and Suns. A starting five of Earl Clark, Curtis Stinson (left), Denham Brown, Connor Atchley, and Taylor Griffin doesn’t sound like much based on NBA standards, but overseas that team could do some serious damage.

From a fan's perspective it would be a huge bonus as well, as many college stars who aren't quite NBA material would have a chance to play in front of fans who know them from college. The D-League has a leg up on Minor League Baseball in this regard, as there is a built-in advertising mechanism by virtue of the wildly popular college game. The Fort Wayne (Ind.) Mad Ants have taken such an approach and have stockpiled local heroes in order to draw fans. The roster is a virtual who’s who of Indiana college alumni. Last season former Notre Dame stars Ryan Ayers, Rob Kurz, and Kyle McAlarney were on the roster, as well as Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne’s Dewitt Scott, Ball State’s Skip Mills and Anthony Kent, IUPUI’s James Booyer, and Indiana’s Roderick Wilmont. Giving fans an actual reason to attend a D-League game would be a much-needed revenue source for these small market franchises, which would improve their overall quality and in turn the overall quality of each player's development. It'd have cyclical ramifications in that regard. I think progressing the league to the point of competing with the European league network isn’t out of the question.

In regards to pure logistics having a bolstered NBADL makes sense as well. Travel costs would certainly be lower and it would be more profitable for the D-League franchises as well to have top players on their roster as opposed to earning money for a team in Milan. Also, under the current system, teams risk a player defecting overseas if they mention the D-League. For example, Kevin Seraphin (above) is projected to go between picks 20-30 of this year's draft based on his potential, yet he is at least two years from deserving a roster spot. Whoever drafts him will have to let him go overseas because if they require him to start off in the D-League he could decide to stay overseas permanently. Having top prospects like Seraphin on the team’s D-League affiliate would strengthen the system instead of letting the league's most valuable developmental commodities earn money for clubs abroad.

Another name that comes to mind is former Clemson guard Terrence Oglesby (below), who left school early to play in Italy. Though it’s unrealistic to offer a comparable salary as the league is now, having a NBDL that is proven to produce quality NBA products would make it more attractive to a player like Oglesby, who would add to the quality of the league, and so on and so forth.

But back to the decision given to high school seniors.

I like what you proposed from an inhibitory standpoint. I agree with your critique of my proposition to have a NBA or three year decision, that it guides players towards the NBA so as to avoid a tedious three-year wait. However, I also think that having the 0/3 rule would have a built-in deterrent in the fact that high school seniors entering the draft could risk flaming out. Eventually if players see stories like Jonathan Bender, who I mentioned in my last mailbag post, it would make them think twice before making such a jump.

Nevertheless, I see what you are saying and I agree. Having an obligatory year or even two in the D-League would a) bolster the D-League and b) give reason for the player to question the decision to play in the minors. Though it is building talent-wise, the D-League can’t always be a friendly place. Look at Latavious Williams (below, left), a blue chip recruit in the class of 2009 who decided to play in the D-League after high school instead of honing his skills at Memphis. He hasn’t produced like he thought this season, and now has an uncertain future. The bottom line is playing at a school like Memphis where you are worshipped by adoring students and coached by John Calipari or Josh Pastner is a lot more attractive than playing two years for the Dakota Wizards under the immortal Rory White. This lost opportunity would likely be enough for the top talent to continue to go to college for at least one year.

I think that no matter what happens, the league needs to take a hybrid approach to league entry. An “anything goes” approach like we had until Kevin Durant’s draft class isn’t the answer, nor is the current options of one year in college, a weak D-League, or an arduous stint overseas. Some sort of combination between MLB’s rules and the current NBA rules would improve the big league as well as the D-League.

Thanks for the question, and please don't hesitate to post again.

Dr. V's NBA Draft Preview

Examining the marquee picks of the June 24 draft.

1. Washington Wizards

Diagnosis: The Wizards' roster was left in shambles even before the unpredictable Gilbert Arenas decided to bring firearms into the workplace. His 2008 knee injury dealt a significant blow to the up-and-coming squad headlined by Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler that made four straight playoff appearances from 2004-05 through 2007-08. Without Arenas' pinball-like scoring in the lineup, the group's lack of depth showed its ugly face and the team flopped, winning all of 19 games in 2008-09. To be fair, with the Arenas-dependent roster GM Ernie Grunfeld had assembled the coaching carousel of Eddie Jordan, Ed Tapscott, and Flip Saunders never really had a chance. This season the team's front court woes were at least temporarily solved (five Wizards averaged six or more rebounds last season) but a lackluster group of guards spelled, well, 26 wins.

Now with a roster of odds and ends, a max contract's worth in cap room, and the golden ticket to this year's draft, Grunfeld needs to inject the franchise with some stability and fast-- specifically in the backcourt where the team would otherwise feature the duo of Randy Foye and Nick Young should Arenas be unavailable. Yikes. Now that the 2010-11 salary cap is projected to be $56.1, down from 2009-2010's $57.7 but higher than the $50.4 and $53.6 million range that the league mentioned last July, Grunfeld and company will have roughly $20 million in cap space to try to lure one of the second-tier free agents like David Lee or Carlos Boozer. With another post secured for next season, the Wizards would be wise to add a certain electrifying guard with off the charts talent and an uncanny feel for the game.

Prescription: John Wall, G Kentucky

This is the one sure thing about this year's draft. Wall is the magic potion, the type of player you draft regardless of need. Position clash with Arenas? With Wall's rare mix of tangibles (little discussed fact: the 6-4 Wall's wingspan of 6-9.25 at the Combine was over an inch longer than that of 6-7 wing Evan Turner) and intangibles, even a $111 million star like Arenas will have to make adjustments. No question here, the Wizards thank the ping pong ball gods one more time and take the year's No. 1 prospect.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

Diagnosis: Getting the franchise-resurrecting Doug Collins on board was the first good move the Sixers' front office made this season. Taking the safe road in this year's draft should be the second. Yes, Derrick Favors has explosive athlete written all over him, but at this point in the franchise's path back to relevancy it'd be best to get known quantities from winning programs to build the right culture. The Bulls' post-Tim Floyd picks of Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and Ben Gordon aren't given enough credit for their impact in the Bulls' resurgence. Had they gone with the higher risk picks of Shaun Livingston or Sebastian Telfair, things would have gone very differently.

Prescription: Evan Turner, F Ohio State

Turner will never become a one-name sensation like Kobe or Lebron. Honesty, though, what they need to do at this point is establish some sort of foundation before they can start adding high-risk pieces like Favors. Proponents of the high-risk approach point to Dwight Howard and Emeka Okafor or Rajon Rondo and Randy Foye (who had the sturdy pedigree to Rondo's risk) as high-ceiling players who overshadowed conservative picks. But there are countless examples of failed experiments who are picked higher than their more predictable peers and flop. Tyrus Thomas and LaMarcus Aldridge, Darko Milicic (who had a "higher ceiling") and Carmelo Anthony, Marvin Williams and Andrew Bogut. Read any Top 10 Draft Bust list and you'll get the picture. For this franchise, a failed No. 2 pick is too much to risk, even if it means drafting a player in Turner who would be an awkward fit with current focal point Andre Iguodala. He may not be a home run, but hitting a double down the line might just be the right cure to the Sixers' ails than a risky 18-year-old with limited offensive skill.

3. New Jersey Nets

Diagnosis: Front court depth is a must at this point in the Nets' rebuilding process. The backcourt platoon of Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, and Terrence Williams is good enough for now, especially with a Free Agent along the lines of Joe Johnson in GM Rod Thorn's sight. Bolstering the two forward spots opposite blossoming center Brook Lopez should be a priority, and should they draft a guard then look for Thorn to compete with Washington for Boozer and Lee.

Prescription: DeMarcus Cousins

Bloated. Unmotivated. Poor attitude. Cousins has had it all lobbed at him as pundits scrutinize his prospects as an NBA player. Guess what? The Nets finished dead last in scoring last season (92.4), and adding Derrick Favors won't help them out in that department one bit. Lucky for them a rare talent in Cousins is essentially guaranteed to be available at their pick at No. 3. Cousins proved his ability to score and rebound last season at Kentucky, and with a 7-6 wingspan, the red flags that scouts have pinned on him may just get ignored by League GMs. One risk with adding Cousins to the mix in New Jersey is that there isn't a fatherly veteran on the roster to keep Cousins's head on straight should he wander from the straight and narrow. Nevertheless, the Nets would be wise to take the hulking center at this spot even if they end up taking Favors. Cousins and Lopez would give the Nets a Lakerian duo down low that would cause matchup nightmare for smaller Eastern Conference teams.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

Diagnosis: The lowly Timberwolves fell to pick No. 4, but lucky for them there will still be plenty of talent available no matter who gets picked 1-3. With that said, defense was a major issue for the young T'Wolves roster, as the group gave up nearly 108 points a game. Adding a 2 or 3 might make sense given the lack of scoring from wing Corey Brewer and point guard Jonny Flynn, but in this scenario it'd likely be too hard to pass up the draft's most intriguing talent, a player far from a 2 or 3.

Prescription: Derrick Favors, F/C Georgia Tech

Though it is unlikely he will fall this far in the real draft, if he does then it would be a no-brainer for GM David Kahn. Imagining the duo of Favors and Al Jefferson with Kevin Love in the mix should send tingles up the spines of Minnesotans. If nothing else then the lobs from blossoming Jonny Flynn to Favors will make for a regular spot in the Sportscenter Top 10. Wesley Johnson would be a solid fit here as an athletic and rebound-savvy 3, but Favors is the slam dunk to Johnson's finger roll in this case as far as long-term potential.

5. Sacramento Kings

Diagnosis: Lottery picks Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson haven't found an offensive rhythm yet, and they are starting to look as if they never will. Tyreke Evans looks like a legitimate first scoring option to build around, but other than Carl Landry whose contract expires at the end of the season, the Kings lack a proven scoring threat in the absence of Kevin Martin (who was traded to Houston midway through last season).

Prescription: Wesley Johnson, G/F Syracuse

Al-Farouq Aminu of Wake Forest could also get snatched up by the Kings, as ESPN's Chad Ford predicts in his Mock Draft 3.0. However, if the Kings are wise they will go for Johnson's proven scoring ability and versatility over the unpolished Aminu. Johnson is in fact 22, and Aminu 19, leaving Johnson's potential for growth in question, but starting this franchise on the right patch means they will have to settle for proven players like Johnson, the Big East Player of the Year. They already have gotten burned with Hawes, Donte Greene, and to some extent Thompson. One more soured pick and GM Geoff Petrie could be shown the door, and he knows it.

The Mailbag: Minimum Entry Age and Kareem

Rob (Bloomington, Ind.): When did SI decide that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had opinions worthy of articles? Just curious about what you think G. Voit.

Link to SI article: "Abdul-Jabbar says even (Lebron) James would have benefited from college and would have arrived in the NBA with 'very polished' skills."

Very interesting, indeed. And thank you for your question. Kareem has built a dubious reputation among league executives thanks to what some perceived as a standoffish attitude in off-court matters while playing for the Lakers and Bucks. Still, he remains one of the most respected legends of the game whose opinion carries a lot of weight.

With that said, I only half agree with him. Lebron is one of a select few players that I believe wouldn't benefit in the long run from going to college for one year. You put Jonathan Bender at Mississippi State for three years and I guarantee he'd have been a better player than he was coming straight out of Picayune Memorial High. He, like so many other fizzled early entries, was a spindly yet skilled power forward who proved to be woefully unprepared for the physical NBA game. The list goes on and on: Darius Miles, Shaun Livingston (right), Dorell Wright. All supremely talented high schoolers who would have likely seen dividends from spending time in school, whether it was to bulk up (Livingston famously couldn't muster one rep of the 185 lb bench press at a 2004 pre draft camp) or to polish a rough offensive game (Miles).

The Lebrons and Kobes of the future, on the other hand, wouldn't stand to benefit from spending a perfunctory year on a college campus. Which is why I am personally in favor of implementing a MLB-style draft policy in which a player can enter the draft out of high school if he wishes, but if he opts to go to college or elsewhere (D-League or Overseas) he must wait three years to reenter his name. It would allow for the preordained superstars to cruise to the NBA while making those on the bubble think long and hard about what's best for them.

Michael Wilbon chat excerpts

Recapping selections from a May 10 Washington Post chat.

G. Voit: Would adding Rutgers, UConn and possibly Maryland water down the Big Ten? 'Cats and Illini fans have to wonder.

Michael Wilbon: Don't want any of them. None. Zero. Give me Notre Dame and that's it. And if we have to go to 14 teams, make it Notre Dame, Nebraska and Mizzou...I'd take them. We're the Midwest, not the east.

GV: (If I'm Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld), who do I hope falls to me (at the projected five spot), Wesley Johnson or DeMarcus Cousins? Ford has the Sixers going with safety pick Cole Aldrich, do I take him and settle for the sure thing?

MW: I like Wesley Johnson 100 x more, and I'm completely afraid of Cousins' attitude. Wouldn't want him. I know, he could be Zack Randolph in a couple of years, a guy who averages 20 and 10 in his sleep...but it's risky.

Forman, ‘Pax’ must resist temptation to settle on Johnson

I’ve always said that Joe Johnson is a victim of his own name.

The often overlooked wing has made four straight All-Star appearances and averaged over 20 points a game since 2005-2006, yet he is rarely among the names floated in the conversation of the league’s top wings.

Blame his traditionally unsuccessful teams, his soft-spoken nature, or, if you’re like me, his Witness Protection Program name.

Regardless if the relative anonymity is due, this column has one request to Mr. Johnson (if that is your real name). Please don’t sign a contract with the Bulls. Sounds like a silly plea for a man that appears to fit in well with the wing-starved Bulls. He’s big (6-8, 240), he has a reputation for being a sharpshooter, and he would provide some much-needed scoring.

Not so fast. I admit I used to count myself among the NBA fans who played the “Joe Johnson is the league’s most underrated player” card in hopes of sounding enlightened. Once I examined his resume, I began to realize that it may not be his bland name or Atlanta membership keeping him from puncturing the “elite wing” conversation. Look no further than the Hawks’ abysmal four-game performance against the Magic. Truthfully, it’s far too generous to call it a performance. More like debacle. And at the center of it all? Mr. Johnson.

While Dwight Howard was making arena technicians cringe with rim-rattling alley-oop after alley-oop, the man charged with providing the Hawks with a consistent scoring threat was nowhere to be found on the other end.

12.8 points a game is all Johnson could muster against Orlando, and 14 points on 5-15 shooting in 44 minutes when his team needed it most in Game 4. Any coach around the league would tell you those numbers are unacceptable for a player like Johnson given that he isn’t able to provide his team with the non-scoring impact like LeBron can when his shot isn’t falling.

To be fair, and for those of you who choose to buy into the NCAA Tournament committee school of thought, one series shouldn’t make or break a player’s full body of work.

Listen closely, Dan Guerreros of the NBA fan base, this column will humor you. Compare the two stat lines below:

A) 21.3 ppg, 3.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, .369 3 PT, PER 19.33
B) 20.7 ppg, 3.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, .410 3 PT, PER 17.02

Pick which one you think fits better with the Bulls need of a scorer who can stretch defenses at the guard position.

B sound like a match made in heaven? With risk of revealing that you have in essence kissed your sister by mistake, the man behind door number two is none other than Ben Gordon (right).

These numbers are from his last season with the Bulls in 2008-2009. To think that a stat line like Johnson’s that is hardly better than Gordon’s is a worthy recipient of a max contract is, well, the kind of decision making that lands you Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva for $85 million (taking notes, Joe Dumars?)

While four letter words like Wade, Bosh, and ‘Bron dance in the heads of Bulls fans young and old, they should be writing to their local congressman to prevent Bulls GM Gar Forman for settling on Johnson should the “Big Three” sign elsewhere.

Johnson apparently matches up well with Milwaukee, evidenced by his 27.3 points a game against the Bucks this season, not a bad consolation. Such success would come in handy down the stretch as the Bulls jockey for second in the division behind the Cavaliers.

But Johnson is just that, a consolation. His underwhelming PER (the brainchild of ESPN’s John Hollinger) of 19.33 in 2009-2010 put him behind the likes of Nazr Mohammed and Corey Maggette. Forget his reputation as a long range threat, his .369 percentage from behind the arc this season would fail to solve the issue of long-range scoring.

Meanwhile, at the penthouse of the PER rankings, Bosh and Wade, the Bulls most coveted and realistic free agent signees rank No. 2 and No. 4 on the list with James at No. 1 and scoring champion Kevin Durant at No. 3.

The nail in the coffin? Johnson’s game could represent a clash with the Bulls’ offense. To quote Hollinger, “(Johnson) often initiates the Hawks' offense while the point guard spots up on the weak side.” If the statistical comparison to Ben Gordon didn’t alarm Bulls fans, than this scouting report should. If there’s one thing Derrick Rose made clear in his breakout second season, it’s that he is best with the ball in his hands. Mike Bibby may be able to play second fiddle to Johnson as he creates shots (which, by all accounts, is on of Johnson’s strengths), but putting Johnson in the same backcourt with Rose could either A) neutralize Rose’s impact on the game or B) neutralize Johnson’s impact, a la the Orlando series.

Dwayne Wade figures to provide a similar effect in the Bulls’ offense. As one of the elite players in the game, he would expect to take full control of the offense. This would give the Bulls a great player at a position they already have a near-great talent at. Think of it as the sweet and salty factor. Wade represents the chocolate bar to Rose’s caramel apple. Both are spectacular in their sweetness, but to eat a caramel apple along with a Milky Way would be to significantly lower the impact of the caramel apple. Enter Bosh, Mr. Salty in this scenario. Bosh is a 6-10 scoring monster who gives defenders fits in the paint despite his wiry frame. He would give the Bulls the low post scoring threat they have lacked since, well Bob Love, and should be the No. 1 priority of Forman and Co. Having Bosh in the lineup would do little harm to Rose’s production, as the team would be ill-advised to double down the post and Rose on the wing, whereas it would be easier to hound Rose and Wade if they are both on the perimeter.

Whatever happens this offseason, hope that the Bulls brass has the guts to wait another year to strike should Wade, Bosh, or James, be beyond their reach. Another year of eight place finishes followed by the signing of Carmelo Anthony or Kevin Durant would be much more palatable than five years of paying Joe Johnson to play a role he isn’t cut out for.

An Open Letter to the Butler Bandwagon

Dear Butler bandwagon,

You have been officially served with a cease and desist. Hold your swooning and save the remarks about this team being a rag tag group of misfits and farmboys. And for Jimmy Chitwood’s sake please don’t make one more reference to Hoosiers.

One ESPN headline Sunday read: “The Ultimate David vs. Goliath.”

Please.

Calling this Butler team David is not only inaccurate but horribly patronizing. The next comment about “baby faced” Butler coach Brad Stevens looking like a manager will be one too many. Please, sports nation, stop reading more into this than it truly is.

Don’t get me wrong, I think upsets are one of the most exciting events in sports. But I also count myself as one of those who are fed up with America’s obsession with putting Butler in a sort of feel-good box that, frankly, is more condescending than anything.

Forget the intangible side of the story, lets look at it objectively.

First off, these players weren’t picked up off the scrap heap. These aren’t the “Little Timmy” players that the majority of the country would like them to be. I get it, we as sports fans want to believe that anything is possible, that even the less fortunate can arise to such a great stage. But these are no scrubs.

Forward Matt Howard, who delighted America with his mustache on Saturday night, isn’t a student Stevens ran into on some farm in Indiana. He turned down offers from schools like West Virginia and Xavier to play at Butler. Avery Jukes? Transferred from Alabama, a program coming off five straight NCAA Tournament appearances at the time. Gordon Hayward and Ronald Nored may have been recruited exclusively by midmajors, but watch a Butler game and tell me they couldn’t be playing in the ACC or Big Ten right now.

These weren’t five inferior athletes nervously launching threes from behind arc Sunday night. Hayward took the athletic, versatile Michigan State defense off the dribble throughout the game. Howard bodied up Draymond Green like so many Illini fans wish Mikes Tisdale and Davis would. And the heady Ronald Nored provided the kind of smothering defense Tom Izzo covets.

Mike Krzyzewski was right in telling the media Sunday morning that he doesn’t view Butler in the cutesy terms that they’ve been portrayed in. Why? Because he knows that this is no Cinderella story. This is a team that has gone through one of the most difficult and trying paths to get to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium. And guess what: They earned it.

First they went up against an explosive 12 seed in UTEP who was led by the embattled yet bruising center Derrick Caracter. Next they took down 31-win Murray State. Then Syracuse and Big East Player of the Year Wesley Johnson. Then Kansas State. Even if you disregard their three tournament wins over Top 15 teams in the AP poll, they still can claim wins over Ohio State and Xavier in the regular season.

Just look at the seeding. Their five seed was even considered worse than they should have gotten by some who pointed to their No. 11 ranking heading into the tournament. That’s the beauty of the tournament committee: they analyze. Tough many Illini fans would like to believe that the selection committee throws darts at a board, it truly is a comprehensive process. And going by these seeds, they deemed Butler to be equally likely as the “Goliath” of Sunday’s game, Michigan State, Atlantic 10 power Temple, and a big, nasty Texas A&M team that supposedly chews up and spits out little teams. Catch my drift?

For further proof, look no further than the No. 6 seeded Tennesee Volunteers. This was a squad that was the one and only group that could claim wins over both Kansas and Kentucky. They lost star Tyler Smith but kept on knocking teams off. Love them or hate him, Bruce Pearl did a fine job holding that group together. Even with all of this in mind, the committee determined that Butler had a better body of work. Hear that? Butler is a better team. Not a better story, a better team.

Finally, calling Duke “Goliath” shows that you haven’t seen this team play. Forget Laettner, Hurley, and Hill. This group of Blue Devils has nothing to do with the Duke greats of the past. This is a program that has faced early round exits at the hand of basketball powerhouses like Virginia Commonwealth, pre-Huggins West Virginia, and LSU while playing as the 1 seed. The last time Duke reached the Final Four many of these players weren’t even in high school.

Plus, let’s be honest. Duke won the outright ACC title and they have been in the figurative pent house of the polls all season long. But this is no Goliath. Goliath is the 2004 UConn roster that had six quality NBA players who looked and played like they were already in the league. Goliath is the 1983 Houston Cougars, a bunch famously nicknamed Phi Slama Jama for their high-flying antics led by future Hall of Famers Hakim Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Somehow John Scheyer, Kyle Singler, and Nolan Smith just don’t stack up with these true Goliaths.

So please, cease and desist Butler bandwagon. Cheer on the Bulldogs Monday night, but please hold the condescension. Brad Stevens’s mom will get mad at you.