April Fools But Not....Mark Cuban Says He Plans on Drafting Brittney Griner
LOS ANGELES — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban would be willing to give Baylor women’s star Brittney Griner the opportunity to prove she could play in the NBA.Cuban said he would consider selecting Griner, a 6-foot-8 three-time All-American and Big 12 player of the year, in the second round of the NBA draft. If the Mavs don’t draft her, Cuban said he would have “no problem whatsoever” inviting Griner to try out for a spot on Dallas’ summer league team. “If she is the best on the board, I will take her,” Cuban said before the Mavs’ Tuesday night game against the Los Angeles Lakers. “I’ve thought about it. I’ve thought about it already. Would I do it? Right now, I’d lean toward yes, just to see if she can do it. You never know unless you give somebody a chance, and it’s not like the likelihood of any late-50s draft pick has a good chance of making it.”
Cuban said it’s difficult to evaluate whether Griner could play in the NBA because of the caliber of her competition, comparing it to scouting players from small schools. However, Cuban said he was absolutely serious about at least extending an invitation for Griner to try out this summer. “She’d still have to make the team,” Cuban said. “I’m not going to carry her just to carry her. I don’t think, anyways. But I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to giving her the opportunity.”
Cuban acknowledged that Griner playing in the NBA’s Las Vegas summer league would have tremendous marketing potential. “It would, wouldn’t it? See how she could do?” Cuban said. “That’d sell out a few games.”
People are freaking out about this today. I’m not sure why. Cuban pretty much summed it up in the last sentence. It would have tremendous marketing potential and it would sell out a few games. He’s obviously right. Basketball is a business. The object is to put asses in the seats. Hell I’d pay to watch her get dunked on and humiliated for a couple games. So if I were Mark Cuban I’d probably waste a late 2nd round draft pick on her too. Like he said those guys rarely make the team anyway. Might as well get some bang for your buck. It would be like a circus sideshow attraction. The chick who looks like a man trying to play with the men. But I don’t think anybody is saying she could actually play in the NBA. I mean hell this chick couldn’t play DIII men’s basketball nevermind professional men’s basketball. She probably wouldn’t even start for a boys high school team. Again that’s why I’d pay to watch her try her hand in the NBA. The carnage would be worth the price of admission. Cuban ain’t no fool.
