BelowTheMasonDixon
Veteran
But go back and look at the drafts. 3 of the players on your list came straight out of high school. Shaq could’ve come out after his sophomore year. Most of the 90’s drafts were doo doo. TMac and Kobe were drafted low. Bobby Hurley was picked 7th the year he came out.
The way GM’s evaluated talent was different. Everything revolved around the front court. To put the lack of talent into perspective, Charlie Ward was drafted in the first round and basketball wasn’t even his first choice.
Most players stayed longer in college because the NCAA’s meant more, the players were treated like rock stars and a lot of them knew they weren’t good enough anyway so why leave early.
To be fair Bobby Hurley was in a horrific car crash.