Although NBA teams have struck gold in recent years with second-round picks (Golden State with Gilbert Arenas in 2001 and Monta Ellis in 2005, San Antonio with Manu Ginobili in 1999), typically if a second-round pick does make a NBA roster, he is a role player at best.
Recent examples include Boston’s Glen “Big Baby” Davis (35th overall last year by Seattle), Minnesota’s Craig Smith (36th overall in 2006), and the Lakers’ Ronny Turiaf (37th overall in 2005).
Lakers forward Luke Walton was a second-round pick in 2003, chosen 32nd overall, one pick after Cleveland chose former UCLA star Jason Kapono, the reigning two-time 3-point shootout champion during All-Star weekend.
The pickings will be quite slim, when the Lakers’ turn comes around at 58th overall in tonight’s NBA draft.
So, why not take a flyer on a local kid, Cal State Fullerton’s Frank Robinson? He played a significant role on the Titans’ team this past season that reached the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1978 and only the second time in school history.
NBA player personnel directors and coaches constantly talk about the need for more defensive-minded players. Well, Robinson was the Big West Conference defensive player of the year this past season.
I don’t believe that he would have allowed Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen to drive unrestrained to the basket, like Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic did, in that nightmarish Game 4 loss at Staples Center, when the Lakers blew a 24-point lead.
