With The First Pick, America Selects...

Written June 28, 2008:

In light of the Democratic Presidential nomination being all but wrapped, I'm compelled—for a few reasons—to speak on what seems to be America's new number one draft pick: Barack Hussein Obama. This won't be about his policies or his Iraq strategy, or anything...political, per se. If you frequent this blog, then you know I like to focus on the underlying ideas and theories that aren't mainstream enough to be regularly discussed. I'm going to present Senator Obama as if he followed the paths of a few famous/infamous draft prospects. But first, let's review his scouting report...

Based on the speeches, interviews, and debates I've seen, Barack Obama is a very charismatic individual. The way he speaks, one could believe he could read a cooking recipe and receive a standing ovation. He has excellent social skills. If his intelligence isn't already evident, he graduated from Harvard Law School writing the law reviews. That means he told other Harvard Law students what to write and how to write it. In sports terms, he possesses all the tools.

As with potentially franchise-saving players, Obama has a lot of outside pressures that are placed on him. With everyone still reeling from the Dubya Administration, the prospect of someone with new ideas is welcome with open arms. Then, throw in the fact that he's a "fresh face," and now you allegedly have a previously uninterested demographic now wanting to vote (read: most Black people). With his scouting report done, I'll now project him in the light of a few recent #1 overall picks.

Lebron James

This is the pick most people expect Barack Obama to turn out to be. Most Black people want him to be the savior of all that is African-American. They expect him to swoop in, like some sort of Super(Half)Negro, and rescue everyone. However, this isn't limited to just Black issues. People expect him to instantly lower gas prices, make health care free, and bring the troops home before dinner time. Regardless of how he develops as a President, whatever ideas he has for the country will take a minimum of two years to really blossom. Most people believe Lebron will win his share of titles in New York Cleveland; just like most expect Obama to work wonders from the Oval Office (insert Bill Clinton joke here). While supporters like myself have become witnesses, let's not forget that even King James needed Daniel Gibson to rise up to help him get to the Finals. And when Lebron's teammates didn't show up against the Spurs, he wasn't strong enough to carry him alone. This is the fate Obama will suffer if people don't realize that change starts with every person, not with the President. This brings me to an idea that few people refuse to acknowledge; and it's the path the next #1 pick traveled...

Kwame Brown

There's a notion that a lot of people aren't willing to accept as a possibility. What if Barack Obama, will all this hype, is a terrible Commander-in-Chief? What if he's in over his head, like Kwame is in the Association, and can only manage flashes of potential? Face it, folks. That can happen. I don't know what makes him oblivious to mistakes, when it's a known fact that he has very limited experience. This is not to wish any negative things on him. I'm just refusing to wear the rose-colored glasses that most supporters seem to put over their eyes when discussing him. Just because he's charismatic doesn't mean he's infallible. Now, he can't be traded like Kwame was; but he'd only be guaranteed the next four years...and that's if nothing happens. Conspiracy, anyone?

Michael Vick

Obama's time in office could go along the path of Michael Vick. Things could start out great, with him being the most electrifying President&mdashdespite not being totally adept at the position. He could perform his equivalent of being the first quarterback to win a game at Lambeau Field. Then, some event could be his presidency's version of Ed Hartwell breaking his leg; and the series of happenings could cause his term to be cut short. I'm not implying anything criminal...well on his part, anyway. I'm just saying that they shot John F. Kennedy. From that, I gather that no P.O.T.U.S. is safe...

Joe Smith

This is the path that has the most realness to it. He could be University of Maryland's own Joe Smith, a number one pick that manages to revive his career from the ashes. For the first part of his career, Smith was widely viewed as overrated. Now, especially after his trade to Cleveland, he's somehow underrated as a player. Obama's possible term to follow the same road. The policies and decisions he makes could leave him ridiculed at early outset. But as his term progresses, his judgment garners more and more appreciation; and he'll be undervalued in U.S. history. To me, this is still a letdown when one considers the tremendous fanfare Obama has going into the election. I guess his charisma could be his version of Joe Smith's 15-foot jumper...

No one knows what the future holds for Barack Obama. The only thing certain is that his draft stock can't get much higher. All that's left is to see how he develops over the next four years. Oh, and he does have my vote.



Peace.