Brand names are a powerful thing. Coke, Apple, ESPN, etc.; they all evoke a certain feeling and often an emotion. It works this way for players just as it does for companies, which explains why teams in the NBA bring in veterans who have not been very good for years but are expected to play the way they used to. The draft process has some brand issues to deal with as well, as some players are considered lottery guys for so long that the brand sticks with them, even when critical evaluations suggest they may be overrated. Or, in the case of these guys, possibly underrated. The late bloomers as well as the highly rated guys who are in the draft a year before teams suspected are typically never branded with "lottery status" yet can become strong players after the draft. Here are six guys who are borderline lottery or below and appear capable of outplaying their draft status.
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David Thorpe
NBA- NBA Analyst for ESPN.com
- Executive director of Pro Training Center
- Started coaching career in 1987
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Fran Fraschilla
Fran Fraschilla is a college basketball analyst for ESPN and ESPN Insider. He formerly was the head coach at Manhattan, St. John's and New Mexico. He has been part of ESPN's NBA draft broadcast coverage each of the past five seasons.
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David Thorpe
David Thorpe is an NBA analyst for ESPN.com's Scouts Inc. and the executive director of the Pro Training Center in Clearwater, Fla., where he oversees the player development program for NBA and college players. David has trained Kevin Martin, Corey Brewer, Omri Casspi, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Yi Jianlian, Courtney Lee, Kyrylo Fesenko, Earl Clark, Jrue Holiday, DeJuan Blair and others.
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