When you look back at last year's NBA draft, all in all it has been disappointing.

I can already hear screams coming from NBA draft guru Marty Blake, who does a fine job in assessing talent. (I love sitting down and shooting the breeze with Marty). Blake claims that you can't judge a draft for three to four years.

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To me, some kids listen to the wrong people and make bad decisions. There is the quick dollar out there. The problem is, a lot of guys play themselves right out of the NBA and into the CBA, where the check is much smaller. ”

If you glance at the box scores, and look at some of the kids who left school early, you will see a lot of "DNP-Coach's Decision" next to their names.

Too many youngsters gave up the chance to star on the collegiate level. These kids gave up the chance to improve their skills and develop winning habits. It is important to learn how to play, to be able to work in actual game situations.

Instead of staying on the collegiate level, they jumped for the paycheck. There is the desire for immediate gratification these days. Now these players spend a lot of time on the pine.

Remember, on the NBA level (and I was there as coach of the Pistons), you don't get a lot of time to coach during team practices once the season starts. During those practices, you review your past game and break down your next opponent. There isn't the same intense workout you see on the collegiate level. The pro season is so long and the travel is so grueling that you have to save something for games.

This deters a player from developing good habits unless he is on the court playing. The lack of PT takes away from the growth process. Think about some of these players: Michael Redd, Joel Przybilla, Erick Barkley, Donnell Harvey, Jamal Crawford, Jerome Moiso, Keyon Dooling.

They all had college eligibility and gave it up for that short-term gratification. The problem is, a lot of guys can play themselves right out of the NBA and into the CBA, where the check is a lot smaller. When their first contract is up, many of these guys aren't ready to play on the big-time level. They haven't learned to compete and perform.

We hear a lot about stats. Certain guys get stats, but they are misleading as well. If you go to a team like the Clippers, you are going to get playing time and somebody has to score some points on that team. Then you are in the losing locker room almost every night.

I also think back to two guys who left early two years ago. Corey Maggette and William Avery departed Duke, and nobody can convince me that they wouldn't have been better off learning under Mike Krzyzewski. They would have learned how to play the game. Both would have become major factors by the time they finished their college eligibility.

To me, some kids listen to the wrong people and make bad decisions. There is the quick dollar out there. Yes, I hear about the Kobe Bryants and Kevin Garnetts, but those two are special. They are mature in years, not only as players but also as people. Both have great support systems and they also got a lot of PT from day one.

Game competition is so important in developing your ability. Unfortunately, the NBA is getting fewer and fewer refined players ready to contribute. It is hurting both the college and pro game.