Former Texas Longhorn and new Denver Nugget Jordan Hamilton slipped all the way down to No. 26 for the Dallas Mavericks to grab him. However, Hamilton knew that he was going to wind up with the Nuggets before that pick was announced. But why did a potential late-lottery pick fall nearly out of the first round? Possibly as a result of his college coach, Rick Barnes:
Chris Tomasson tweeted a number of quotes from Jordan Hamilton, who attributes Barnes for his fall:
Just talked to Jordan Hamilton. He said believes reason he slipped in draft was because coach Rick Barnes told teams he wasn’t 'coachable'.
J. Hamilton: "(Barnes) called some teams and said that I probably wasn’t coachable and things like that. But I feel like I can be coachable'
Asked Jordan Hamilton how knows Rick Barnes allegedly called teams and said not coachable. Wouldn't give names, said "got some feedback.''
More Hamilton on Barnes: "I love Texas and everybody is entitled to their opinion.’’ But Hamilton still later called Barnes "great coach.’’
If true, it looks like the Nuggets believe George Karl will be able to coach Hamilton into an NBA player. Playing time to put that coaching into action may be hard to come by with Danilo Gallinari around and Wilson Chandler a candidate to re-sign as a restricted free agent.