Somewhere there must be a voodoo doll with the collective appearance of the much-hyped NBA draft class of 2014.
The latest devastating blow was revealed Tuesday night, when scintillating Bucks rookie Jabari Parker — the No. 2 pick in the draft and the Rookie of the Year front-runner — was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee, ending his season after 25 games.
The 19-year-old Parker was injured Monday when he took an awkward step before colliding with the Suns’ P.J. Tucker. He averaged 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the upstart Bucks.
Wishing a speedy recovery to my brother @JabariParker
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) December 17, 2014
The well-wishing Embiid is spending the entire season on the shelf after he suffered a stress fracture to his foot in pre-draft workouts. The No. 3 pick by the wait-till-four-years-from-now 76ers likely won’t be a rookie until 2015-16; in the meantime, he can reciprocate Parker’s hospital visit from his own post-surgery recovery.
The ugliest injury turn happened in Los Angeles, where Lakers rookie Julius Randle (the No. 7 pick) broke his right leg in the fourth quarter of his NBA debut in late October. Rounding out the infirmary: No. 4 pick Aaron Gordon lasted 11 games with the Magic before breaking his foot, and No. 6 selection Marcus Smart missed 10 Celtics contests after suffering a sprained ankle in Game No. 5 that looked much worse.
Guess what we’re trying to say is: Andrew Wiggins and Dante Exum, be careful!


