The depth in the NCAA and the foreign game is at an all time high. Michael Jordan truly revolutionized the game and proved that individual success can be achieved at the highest level in the NBA. The rise of players such as Kobe, LeBron, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Durant, Chris Paul and even Kyrie Irving are proving that the new wave of players are very very strong. Many players get over looked or even underexposed. There are so many kids trying to be the next Michael Jordan aren't enough players like Varejao who play their specific role for their team. Wesley matthews, gee, hell even Jamario are showing that some players fight to prove they belong and fight to show that they can be great team players. The NBA draft can really spark NBA players careers, even if they go undrafted. Teams are always looking for guys who can play their role and play it well. Those are the guys teams need the most when their stars aren't there.
While there's million of kids trying to be the next superstar, there's players who can just play the game. A guy I really learned to like was Mack from Butler. The NBA draft is too small to find players now. Especially with Europeans and other countries. The game truly is expanding and I think the talent level is at an all time high. Getting guys with a chip on their shoulders from going undrafted or drafted late is excellent. I've felt like I've learned a lot from basketball over the years and I truly believe the game is expanding with the rise of the internet. It's so much easier to find the tools to become good. Confidence and that killer instinct need to be planted and created.
It all comes back to fundamentals though like you said. But as you can tell potential is being over drafted now and some guys just don't have the motor or desire.