Why Isn’t Aaron Craft In The NBA?
Aaron Craft could be an asset to an NBA team.
Former Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft was a highlight waiting to happen for the Buckeyes. However, that does not always translate into having the talent to play in the NBA. But how Craft has performed since leaving Ohio State at least merits an opportunity.
Last season he was the defensive player of the year playing in the D- League for the Santa Cruz Warriors, an affilliate of the Golden State Warriors. He is back again this year playing point guard and having a fine season.
In fact this season Craft’s scoring, assists and shooting percentage has improved. He is averaging 13.5 ppg., 7.1 assists and he is shooting 46 percent from the field.
And Craft is having another great season on the defensive end again. He is averaging 2.2 steals and nearly a block per game.
Craft is coming off a triple double performance as well scoring 21 points, gathering 11 rebounds and dishing out 13 assists. I wonder how many point guards in the NBA have had a game like that this season.
On most NBA teams there are players on the end of the bench who rarely get playing time. Some are there for a specific purpose, rebounding, defense etc. Why not Aaron Craft?
More from Scarlet and Game
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
In the 1970’s there was a young player for the New York Knicks who played an important role for the NBA champions without scoring a lot of points or logging a lot of minutes. His name was Dean Meminger and he played a similar style of basketball that Aaron Craft brings to the court.
Meminger would occasionally break the defense down and drive to the hole, but primarily he just dished the ball off to one of the six hall of famers he was playing with. And drive opposing guards nuts.
Meminger would substitute for Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe for 15-20 minutes a game. He would play defense on the guard that was causing problems for the Knicks. That player was always glad when Meminger went back to the bench.
Can’t you see Aaron Craft in that role. He doesn’t care about stats and always plays unselfishly. And when he would be in the game it would be a nightmare for the opposing guard.
More buckeyes: Departures Offer Flexibility For Thad Matta, Ohio State
I wouldn’t expect Aaron Craft would become a star in the league, but he could be a very good role player. And Buckeye fans know he would be entertaining to watch.