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2017 NBA Draft: 5 potential busts

By Max Holm

Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) look to pass while being guarded by Oregon Ducks forward Kavell Bigby-Williams (35) and forward Chris Boucher (25) during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) look to pass while being guarded by Oregon Ducks forward Kavell Bigby-Williams (35) and forward Chris Boucher (25) during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Ivan Rabb, PF/C, California

In addition to Patton, Ivan Rabb is another big man I’m worried about. Rabb, from a basketball perspective, made a mistake by returning to school this year. He would have been a late lottery pick in 2016. In going back to school, Rabb did not get considerably better or dominate Pac-12 play. His production decreased in major areas such as field goal percentage and blocks.

What’s troubling about Rabb is I’m not sure what exactly he projects to be as an NBA big man. He lacks the height and wingspan of most centers, has a poor free throw percentage — indicating doubts over his shooting potential — and he can’t protect the rim or defend in space.

Watch Rabb above on the far side of the court. Not only does he embarrassingly get lost in the screen, but it wasn’t even to a guard. Rabb looked that slow chasing a stretch big in Josh Hawkinson.

So for a prospect who doesn’t project well on defense and who couldn’t shoot or score well after going back to school, Rabb is not a first round talent. I’m just not sure how he’d stay in the league, especially with a good big man class coming in 2018.

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