From a recent Basketball Insiders chat:
Alex Kennedy
I don’t think Robert Upshaw is a first-round pick and I’m not even sure if he’ll be drafted, to be honest. As teams are digging into his situation and doing their homework, there are red flags left and right (and it’s not just the substance abuse, from what I’m told). I hope he can get the help he needs and turn his life around, but I’ve talked to some people around the NBA who say there’s no way they would pick him – in either round.
That's crazy. I get not picking him in the first round if you worry about the red flags. But being undrafted? He's not even going to be worth risking a non-guaranteed contract!? Shut the front door...
You'd have to be a criminal for that to happen, and from what I read, he hasn't been charged with a crime. His talents and potential are too good for the second round. For execs to tell him they won't even draft him in the 2nd are either two things...
a.) They know something that we don't, like criminal records or ongoing trial about a felony he committed. Or...
b.) They're just blowing A TON of smoke so he'd drop way too far.
I think it's safe to say that even the anti Upshaw guys would think that he's worth taking a flier in the second round. Those red flags better be criminal records for them to not even consider drafting him in the 2nd round.
Of course they know things that we don't know. I have no idea why everyone on this blog automatically assumes he is merely a pot smoker.
I'm not assuming that. I'm just saying that if none will even give him a look on the 2nd round, when it's already considered a low risk high reward, something is not right.
He's too talented to not even be able to be drafted in the second round. His red flags may have to involve future jail time foer him to not even get a look at #40-60. Or GM's are just blowing smoke to each other so he'd drop on the 2nd round.
I'd still swing at #16 if he's available. So what of the red flags, this is the perfect time to go big or go home. Too muchpotential to pass.
so did vin baker, marvin barnes, hernandez, len bias, josh hamilton, roy tarpley, and how many others? shouldnt we to consider THESE potential futures as well? you simply cant ignore something you dont like because it is inconvenient when making a draft pick.
upshaw's abilities are good, but seem to be overrated here by some, and i am not even mentioning his problems. upshaw looks to be a good player, not great. honestly, everything i have seen shows he doesnt have offensive polish and is uneven on defensive play and effort. he is not even in the top 5-6 big men of this draft. let's get that straight to start with.
THEN let's talk about his problems. his life either is, or is about to be a hell of a mess, unless he does a 180 and suddenly changes before crashing and burning. and what are the odds of that?
finally, why the rush pick him at 16? do you really think some other nba GM will snatch him away before the second round?