The NBA Draft represents a new beginning for players, teams, and fans alike every year as the best players from around the globe are there for the choosing. For some, like this year’s number one pick Derrick Rose, the draft represents the realization of a lifelong dream. For others, such as former Kansas Jayhawk Darrell Arthur, the draft may become a nightmare as lofty expectations collide with a harsher reality. For teams, the draft is a defining moment for a franchise. Some end up looking like kings (the Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James in the 2003 draft), while others end up as jokers (the 1998 L.A. Clippers and their #1, Michael Olowokandi).

The importance of the NBA Draft is undeniable. So why do basketball video games treat the NBA Draft as an obstacle rather than a crucial event for the future of a franchise? Though ESPN has increased and improved coverage of the NBA lottery and draft throughout the years, NBA-licensed video games have insisted on keeping the draft a dull, tedious experience. This article is dedicated to presenting ideas on how to better represent the spectacle that is the NBA Draft.

The presentation for the draft lottery is currently non-existent. The NBA is unique among the major sports in that the drafting order, at least for the non-playoff teams, is left entirely to luck. The bouncing ping pong balls have become an icon of the NBA draft lottery, but in basketball video games the draft lottery is merely an off-season menu screen that reveals the lottery results in a matter of seconds. Where’s the suspense? Team’s future’s are hanging in the balance, riding on the fortunes of numbered balls in a hopper. The lottery process should be faithfully represented in the game.

The importance of the NBA Draft is undeniable. So why do basketball video games treat the NBA Draft as an obstacle rather than a crucial event for the future of a franchise?

The actual draft is even more boring than the lottery. The entire draft is one menu screen after another. Why should one of the most exciting, important events in the NBA be relegated to be carried out through a couple of quick all-text menu screens? I want to see a draft preview show (similar to 2K’s College Hoops Selection Show) that covers the results of the lottery, breaks down the top five or 10 players available, offers some sleepers, and presents a mock draft. This would greatly enhance the presentation and emphasize the importance of the upcoming NBA Draft.

The actual draft should be carried out through a combination of menu actions and cutscenes. When I get the honor (or dishonor, depending how you look at it) of drafting first, I want to see my draft choice shaking Commissioner Stern’s hand on stage and holding up a #1 team jersey for photographers. I want to see a bio screen for each selected player, including his picture, vitals, and college or high school stats. Teams should also make trades during the draft, and when they happen, we should see a screen recapping who was involved and a cutscene showing the respective teams’ “war rooms.” Little additions like these would really help to make the draft more fun and exciting.

NBA Live needs to play catch-up with the NBA 2K series in a couple areas regarding the draft. One of those is being addressed this year — NBA Live 09 will feature the ability to work out select prospects through the game’s new NBA Live Academy. This will allow gamers to get a better feel for the abilities of the prospects in consideration. Secondly, EA must implement the ability to import draft classes from March Madness. This feature is already standard in 2K’s basketball games and EA’s football games, so the time has come for draft classes in EA’s basketball games as well. Having actual college players makes the draft process much more fun and realistic as opposed to having to evaluate computer-generated prospects.

During last Thursday’s draft coverage, the words of the day included “potential” and “future.” But for basketball video games, the time is now to create a more immersive, exciting representation of the NBA Draft.