Fansided

Justin Anderson’s reaction to being drafted is why the NBA Draft is awesome

By Ian Levy

Mar 20, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Justin Anderson (1) reacts to a play during the second half against the Belmont Bruins in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Justin Anderson (1) reacts to a play during the second half against the Belmont Bruins in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Justin Anderson is a lefty out of Virginia, and on Thursday night he was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks. He was attending a draft party, and there were cameras on him at the time he received a phone call from Mavs owner Mark Cuban. Anderson’s reaction is a reminder that the NBA Draft can truly be amazing.

One of the worst things about the draft is how so many players get career branded just because of their position on draft night. If they’re taken in the top 10, and don’t become a franchise changing player, then they’re dubbed a bust that never reached expectations.

Then there’s the other side of the draft. The side where you get to see the shock on Anderson’s face that the Mavs are calling him, and then watch as he breaks down in to tears of joy. It doesn’t matter how Anderson will fit onto a Mavs team looking to be a contender, or if he’ll ever get used to using his right hand, because at that moment none of it matters. He’s an NBA player now, a life of work fulfilled, and a dream finally achieved. When we cut through all the extra garbage it’s moments like this that remind us why the draft is awesome.

(H/t Streaking The Lawn)

Home/NBA