I find it really hard to believe that most people who "hate" the pick have any legit basis for hating it. Because it wasn't in some sportswriters top 100??
As I tried to express in the draft thread, a lot of fans are basing their opinion off player rankings/evaluations from another 3rd party fan site! How effing brilliant is that?
I mean, just because an online website or whomever else didn't have this guy rated highly because their info and resources are far more limited than the scouting department of an actual NBA franchise, that somehow means he wasn't worthy.
There are thousands of high schools and colleges across the Nation. Thousands of prospects. That's not even including overseas. The NBA has become pretty good at identifying needles in the haystack. But they have the time, resources and personnel to do it. However, Joe Blow fan believes he can scour hours of youtube highlights and study advanced stats and player rankings on 3rd party fan draft sites to accomplish the same. SMH.
Having said all that, I don't pretend to know whether Justin James will develop into a legit prospect or not. History suggests that the odds are long for 2nd round picks. But I do have faith that the KINGS scouting department did their homework on the kid. Vlade and his staff obviously feel he was the best option when the 40th pick went on the clock. We'll see how it works out.