PurpleHaze
All-Star
Reason I thought bad things when we drafted him (which of course I was dead wrong in thinking and admit it) is because (not trying to be racist) how many white guys, especially big men, that have the type of game that Hawes has? How many white Americans are any good? Then I thought to myself... Basketball is more popular than ever, and people that normally wouldn't get the chance are now able to play.
Spencer Hawes was virtually destined to be a Sacramento King when the organization drew the 10th pick. Clearly 7-8 players selected in front of him would have been taken by the Kings if they hadn't been stuck with 10th pick. If Chicago would not have taken J. Noah with their 9th pick it's almost certain he would have been wearing purple and not Hawes. If that other ping pong ball scenario happened it's likely Hawes still would not have slipped very far. Maybe even the Clips would have taken him at 11 instead of Thornton - and while the Kings liked him they couldn't use another wing player.
Here's a partial list of current white big men NBA players ranging from superstars, to stars, to players destined for long careers or already playing in the league many years: *Yes, the majority listed (16 players) are from overseas, but I could have come closer to evening it up by including several more US born reserve big men currently on NBA rosters - but didn't want to do anymore looking around for said stiffs.
Dirk Nowitzski PF 7'0
Pau Gasol F/C 7'0
Chris Kaman C 7'0
Zydrunas Ilgauska C 7'3
Jeff Foster F/C 6'11
Troy Murphy F/C 6'11
Brad Miller C 7'0
Nenad Kristic F/C 7'0
Andrea Bargnani F/C 6'11
Andrew Bogut C 7'0
Mehmet Okur F/C 6'11
Andris Biedrens C 6'11
Darco Milicic F/C 7'0
Farbricio Oberto C 6'10
Joel Prizbilla C 7'1
David Lee F/C 6'10