BJ Mullens Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
Again noting that I don’t have the most acute interest in the NBA’s goings-on, the selection of BJ Mullens by the Mavericks comes as some surprise. Most expectations had him as a late lottery pick — likely the last one — or possibly the first selection of the playoff teams. Detroit was the likely destination in most people’s mock drafts (see: nbadraft.net and Fanhouse). Mullens falling as far as he did marks the second straight year that a freshman center for the Buckeyes has had such a fall in draft status, following Koufos last year.
It’s no secret what BJ has to work on now that he’s a professional. Questions of endurance and strength come up often in discussion. Unlike Oden, Conley and Koufos, BJ wasn’t even a starter for the Buckeyes, rather coming off the bench for Lauderdale. Most importantly, he will need to develop into a post presence at both ends of the court. He had no moves on offense to speak of, and it became glaring when he’d get a post entry pass from Diebler or Turner, only to throw it back after two dribbles. On defense, he will need to learn to box out and collect rebounds. His last game at Ohio State saw him (and Lauderdale) outworked on the glass by a bunch of pencilnecked dorks from Siena. Those statistics from that game are still outrageous.
I can sympathize with BJ’s decision to try his hand at the NBA now, considering his financial situation. He has a long way to go in terms of development, and will have to carry around the label of “raw” for a while now. Still, I’m happy any time the university is mentioned on TV, though David Stern scored no bonus points with me by omitting the THE from THE Ohio State University.1
BJ is the 5th freshman Buckeye selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in 3 consecutive years.
Edit: He was then traded to Oklahoma City. Enh. Whatev.
- On that note, David Stern — far and away my least favorite sports commissioner — has the worst tell I’ve ever seen. I could predict the Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holliday and Omri Casspi selections just by the look on his face. [↩]
I couldn’t care less about the NBA; but I hate to see orphaned posts, y’know? So: I was thinking about these five one-and-dones the last three years, and how everybody and their uncle is insisting that Matta needs to stop with these kinds of guys, and it occurs to me that that’s easier said than done. Not to mention, those five guys seem to fall into four distinct categories:
Oden and Conley: Unquestionably ready to go, not necessarily swayed by dreams of dollar signs dancing through their heads. Also guys who are likely to finish degrees somewhere down the line.
Cook: Not at all interested in being a college student, probably only ever planned on playing one year, had a skill set that’s probably better suited to the league than college anyway.
Koufos: Probably would have stayed another year if it weren’t for his great season-ending run that misled him about his actual viability as an NBA prospect at the moment of decision. This is the only guy that I think could be said to have made a “mistake” by bolting.
Mullens: Absolutely should have stayed another year (or two, or three) development-wise, but it’s awful hard to gainsay his choice when you consider the grinding poverty of his upbringing.
I think anybody who thinks Matta needs to “stop” the trend of one-and-dones needs to say which of those five players he shouldn’t have bothered to bring to Columbus – the only one I’d have passed on is Cook. Until the talent/wins drop off, or the program collapses in an inferno of NCAA sanctions, I say we leave Matta alone to run it as he sees fit.
OKC is a pretty good place for him. The havey Nenad Kristc and Jeff Green who will start in the frontcourt. They almost got Tyson Chandler in January, but backed out. If he bulks up, I could a little of Chandler in Mullens. OKC also has a ton of cap space and some extra draft picks coming up, so it’s a nice spot for him.
BTW – Hate Stern all you want, but no way is he worse than Selig. How many commissioners see a major work stoppage and a major drug scandal on their watch?