Looking back at the 2017 NBA Draft, most basketball fans immediately recall the first-round stars like Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, and Bam Adebayo. But what fascinates me more as someone who's followed basketball for over two decades are those second-round picks who defied expectations. I've always had a soft spot for underdogs, and the 2017 second round produced some remarkable talent that continues to shape the league today. When I think about how these players developed, it reminds me of that wonderful story about former governor Rene Pardo visiting the Magnolia practice session, where he was warmly welcomed by Jason Webb and Alvin Patrimonio. There's something special about seeing established figures recognize and appreciate emerging talent - much like how we should appreciate these second-round gems who've proven their worth against all odds.

The success stories from this draft class are particularly impressive when you consider the numbers. Monte Morris, selected 51st overall by the Denver Nuggets, has established himself as one of the most reliable backup point guards in the league. What stands out to me about Morris is his incredible assist-to-turnover ratio - he once recorded 5.7 assists per game with just 1.0 turnovers during the 2021 season. That's the kind of efficiency that championship teams need. Then there's Dillon Brooks, picked 45th by the Houston Rockets, who has become one of the league's premier perimeter defenders. I'll admit I wasn't sold on him initially, but his tenacity and improvement in three-point shooting (he shot 36% from deep last season) have completely won me over.

What really makes the 2017 second round fascinating is how these players developed through different pathways. Some, like Thomas Bryant who went 42nd to the Lakers, showed flashes of brilliance before injuries hampered his progress. Others, like Jordan Bell selected 38th by the Warriors, contributed to championship teams early in their careers. I remember watching Bell during Golden State's 2018 playoff run and thinking how perfectly his energy fit their system. Though his career hasn't followed a linear upward trajectory, he's proven that second-round picks can make immediate impacts in the right situation. The development of these players often depends on finding the right organizational fit - something that's evident when you see how teams like Miami and San Antonio have consistently maximized late-round talent.

The international prospects from this second round deserve special mention. Isaiah Hartenstein, chosen 43rd by Houston, has developed into a quality rotation big man who's currently contributing meaningful minutes for playoff teams. His passing vision for a center - averaging about 2.5 assists per game last season - is something you don't often see from players his size. Then there's the curious case of Vlatko Cancar, selected 49th by Denver, who took a couple of years to come over from Europe but has since become a reliable wing option. I've always believed teams should be more patient with international second-rounders, and Cancar's development supports that theory perfectly.

What strikes me about analyzing this draft class years later is how much value teams found outside the lottery. The combined win shares from the 2017 second-round picks already exceeds 65, which is remarkable considering the conventional wisdom that second-rounders rarely pan out. Teams that invested in proper development programs reaped significant rewards. The Miami Heat's development of Duncan Brooks (who actually went undrafted but fits this narrative) shows how organizational infrastructure can uncover gems others missed. I've noticed that franchises with strong G-League partnerships and patient ownership tend to hit on these second-round picks more consistently.

The financial aspect of second-round success stories cannot be overlooked. While first-round picks come with guaranteed contracts, second-round selections offer tremendous value for teams managing salary caps. Getting productive rotation players like Monte Morris on team-friendly contracts provides franchises with crucial flexibility. I've always argued that championship teams aren't just built through lottery picks - they're fortified by finding contributors in the draft's later stages who outperform their salary numbers. The 2017 second round provided several such players who gave their teams millions in surplus value.

Reflecting on these players' journeys brings me back to that image of former governor Pardo being welcomed at Magnolia's practice. There's a beautiful parallel between established basketball figures recognizing new talent and these second-round picks earning their place alongside first-round stars. The basketball world often focuses on top picks and lottery talent, but the real team builders know that championship rosters are completed by finding value where others aren't looking. The 2017 second round stands as testament to the fact that draft position doesn't determine career trajectory - development, opportunity, and perseverance do. As someone who's watched countless draft classes come and go, I can confidently say that the 2017 second round will be remembered as one of the most productive in recent memory, having produced at least seven legitimate rotation players who continue to impact the league today.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.