NBA executive on Darryn Peterson: ‘One of the scariest things in the league is a guy who has to be 100 percent to play’
By JAMES MADDEN
With this summer’s NBA Draft nearing and Kansas’s Darryn Peterson at the center of the No. 1 pick conversation, many analysts and NBA decision-makers have begun voicing their concern with the star’s prolonged health issues.
“You’d have to be naive not to be concerned,” an NBA executive told The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy. “One of the scariest things in the league is a guy who has to be 100 percent to play.”
While Peterson has battled these health issues, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Duke’s Cameron Boozer both play nearly 40 minutes every night for their teams. Dybantsa recently said after BYU’s win against Iowa State, that due to injuries, he’s willing to play 40 minutes every single night for his team. The surge of Dybantsa this month has led NBA scouts to change their draft boards for this summer’s draft.
“Just saw (AJ) Dybantsa vs Iowa State – To me, he’s the 1st pick hands down,” an NBA scout told ZAGSBLOG.
Peterson’s injury concerns this season have included lingering hamstring, quad, cramping issues and an illness, that have led to him missing 11 of Kansas’s 27 games. In Peterson’s 16 appearances for the Jayhawks are 11-5 and he is averaging 19.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
“Shutting it down would be the easy way to go, and the NBA would take him No. 1,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said Monday. “Trying to play is what’s causing these speculative issues about his character. … I don’t find it fair.”
When Peterson and Dybantsa faced off in late January, Kansas got the best of BYU, beating the Cougars 90-82 and led by Peterson’s 18 points in just 20 minutes of game action.
The Jayhawks will play Houston in another Big Monday meeting on Monday, with Peterson expected to be a full-go at Allen Fieldhouse.
Follow James Madden on Twitter
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram
The post NBA executive on Darryn Peterson: ‘One of the scariest things in the league is a guy who has to be 100 percent to play’ appeared first on Zagsblog.