Interesting Jay Bilas Tweet/Factoid on Foreign Lottery Picks

[Smashcat]

Jay Bilas‏@JayBilas 8h8 hours ago
Since Yao Ming was drafted No. 1 in 2002, 19 international players were Lottery Picks, none were ever All-Stars. H/T ESPN Stats and Info.

 

[Orville Boggs]

Agree totally with Jay. These dudes are soft.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Doesn't account for Parker or Manu, nor does it consider Marc Gasol. There's been a void in elite foreign talent, but there are more good foreign role players than ever before. Just like in the states, the superstars are the exception, not the norm, and as basketball becomes more global, teams are going to be aware of more than just the mega prospects like Dirk or Yao.

By the way, Greek Freak is on his way. Mirotic may be an All Star someday. Wiggins is Canadian (I guess he isn't considered international?). Small sample size made even smaller by limiting it to lottery. One of those instances of stats being misleading.

 

[Seth C]

Doesn't account for Parker or Manu, nor does it consider Marc Gasol. There's been a void in elite foreign talent, but there are more good foreign role players than ever before. Just like in the states, the superstars are the exception, not the norm, and as basketball becomes more global, teams are going to be aware of more than just the mega prospects like Dirk or Yao.

By the way, Greek Freak is on his way. Mirotic may be an All Star someday. Wiggins is Canadian (I guess he isn't considered international?). Small sample size made even smaller by limiting it to lottery. One of those instances of stats being misleading.

It's not misleading at all. He's specifically pointing out that your odds of getting an all-star from a high international draft pick are slim.

 

[Aike]

Put on your tinfoil hat for a minute...

Is it possible that the hype machine is consistently cranked up on less than elite prospects, while savvy organizations still find diamonds in the rough and work to keep it hush-hush?