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Even though this does not involve SMU, I thought it was a classy move by the NBA last night in drafting Isaiah Austin.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... a-new-life

It was definitely dusty in my apartment last night.

Well done Silver and NBA.

Am I the only one who thought it was really awkward and kind of cruel? Like, "Hey you'll never actually play in the NBA or get paid, but let's pretend you did for 60 seconds so we can all feel better about ourselves?"

I don't know, it just seemed off to me.

East Coast Mustang wrote:Am I the only one who thought it was really awkward and kind of cruel? Like, "Hey you'll never actually play in the NBA or get paid, but let's pretend you did for 60 seconds so we can all feel better about ourselves?"

I don't know, it just seemed off to me.

I am guessing since he was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome a few days before the draft and this had become a national story, maybe this is why the NBA chose to draft him. I think he was also project to be a mid to late first round pick.
Plus it has generated a lot of good PR. for the NBA

Yeah, I'm familiar with his health situation that came about recently, I just thought it was weird.

That was the only thing I can think of why the NBA would do what they did.

Very classy move. Silver also offered him a job with the NBA upon graduation.

East Coast Mustang wrote:Am I the only one who thought it was really awkward and kind of cruel? Like, "Hey you'll never actually play in the NBA or get paid, but let's pretend you did for 60 seconds so we can all feel better about ourselves?"

I don't know, it just seemed off to me.

In a number of interviews Austin said that it was his lifelong dream to hear his name called during the NBA draft. Stern stated pretty clearly that the league wanted to help him fulfill that aspect of his dream.

I don't see anything awkward about it.

deucetz wrote:

East Coast Mustang wrote:Am I the only one who thought it was really awkward and kind of cruel? Like, "Hey you'll never actually play in the NBA or get paid, but let's pretend you did for 60 seconds so we can all feel better about ourselves?"

I don't know, it just seemed off to me.

In a number of interviews Austin said that it was his lifelong dream to hear his name called during the NBA draft. Stern stated pretty clearly that the league wanted to help him fulfill that aspect of his dream.

I don't see anything awkward about it.

Alright then. If it was something he really wanted to do then so be it.

It was classy to be sure. You have to feel for the kid. He did have a million dollar insurance policy though. He's also on Baylors bench as a grad asst, much like Shawn Williams. Could be a ton worse. Dude has a glass eye too, so there's that