Chad Ford Article

According to Chad, his editors didn't think my declaring for the NBA draft was a big enough story to post on ESPN.com. Consequently, he sent me his write-up and said I could post it on my blog. This is what he wrote:

Is it possible that a 34 year-old has-been who was never very good to begin with could turn the draft on its head? Probably not.

In a shocking turn of events Wednesday evening, Rich Mouritsen, who for the past ten years has played between six and eight competitive basketball games a year (and I use the term competitive loosely), declared himself eligible for the draft.

When asked what prompted this surprising decision, Mouritsen said the following:

"You know, I just figure I throw my name out there and see what happens. If I get drafted, great. If not, life is still pretty good."

One Eastern Conference GM, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted to bringing Mouritsen in for a workout. "We figured, 'How bad could he be?' As it turns out, pretty bad. He has not a single high-level basketball skill. He played in high school? Really?"

I asked another scout about Mouritsen's unorthodox shooting form. "Yeah, he has kind of a strange shooting motion, but at least it goes in...sometimes. Well now that I think about it, it doesn't really go in all that often."

Finally, I asked Kevin O'Connor, GM of Mouritsen's home state Utah Jazz what he thought of the 34 year-old's draft potential. "Who?", he responded.

So while some would say that stranger things have happened than a 34 year-old, who is under six feet, can't shoot, can't jump, has no lateral quickness, no open-court speed, and tires easily being drafted by an NBA team, I would say, "Name one."

Mr. Mouritsen, I know that hope springs eternal, but I really wouldn't recommend waiting by the phone on draft night.

Mouritsen shows his defensive prowess during a family game in 2009.