2014 NBA Draft Thread

doitallpaul

doitallpaul

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The NBA season had begun a few weeks ago and the NCAA is already under way. I haven't seen an official draft thread for 2014. I know the NFL has a thread so let's get this started.

Top Players:

Wiggins
Parker
Randle
Smart
Gordon

As everyone knows the motto has been Tank for Wiggins but is he worth the top pick?
 
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Jabari Parker reminds me so much of Melo.

Wiggins still goes #1 overall. He hasn't had that "statement" game yet, but it's coming.
 
I'm gonna pay some more attention to Marcus Smart. KD said he should be the top overall pick and I can almost see why...
 
Whomever winds up in the top 5 is a winner. All the mentioned players are potential franchise players and you almost never see that. I can't wait for the draft!

college hoop this year >>>>> NBA
 
I've watched a sickening amount of college ball, still missing some tape on the lower ranked guys bnut I will get a strong understanding of the top 60 by the end of the season. If you want by thought son the tiers hit the spoilers.

My preliminary , separated by tiers

Wiggins
Randle
Parker
Exum

The backlash to Andrew Wiggins as the presumptive no doubt number one pick has been vicious, but ultimately it is really is only coming from talking head pundits, and casual basketball followers. If you are a scout, and your job is to project, look at player and determine where a prospect will be in five years rather than the simply the first; I really don't see how right now Wiggins isn't at the top of every front office big board. Wiggins is the only player on this big 4 tier who's ceiling on offense is just as immense as his ceiling on defense, Randle is born ready, blessed with the mature physical profilet and the mean streak that Wiggins just doesn't have yet and Jabari is a premium shooter, and a confident and advanced ball handler; skills right now that Wiggins can't touch, but ultimately what puts him at the top of my board is the simply fact, you can put him in the weight room, you can improve that handle, jumper, but that type athleticism, the quickness of that first step, the acceleration at 6'8 can't be taught. The only question is will Wiggins put in the time? Randle has short arms, and average awareness, Jabari has limited lateral quickness and is a somewhat limited athlete, time cannot solve those problems, and thus in my mind makes Wiggins still number 1...for now.

Dante Exum is the wild card, no way he plays college basketball so he doesn't have the benefit of this incredible college basketballs season, he was basically unstoppable at the u19, he got to the basket at will, very Derrick Rose'ish in his ability to get into the paint and finish in impossibly tight spaces, excellent body control. His jumper is improving, he is inconsistent but his form has gotten better since I first saw him, terrible off the dribble or pulling up, but can make spot ups somewhat reliably, also already knows how to punish smaller players in the post, can play 1 or 2. Exum has just as much talent, but does any Gm have the balls to pick an international prospect after this college basketball season filled with hype?


Gordon
Smart
Embiid
Vonleh

I want to put Aaron Gordon in the first tier, I believe there is a good chance he makes it there by the end of the year, he was the best player at the u19's playing the 4, but right now he is starting at the 3, which is incredibly dumb, in todays NBA if you are faced between two positions you take the one that gives you the biggest quickness and athleticism advantage, and for Gordon thats the 4, he has that near Wiggins level athleticism but with a motor that runs 100% all the time. Gordon's mechanics on his jumper need serious work, but at 6'9, with his ball handling, and leaping ability he would be a number 1 pick in any normal draft. Marcus Smart name is obviously very hot right now, he is an incredible defensive force and I think is basically bust proof but I have questions about his ceiling, despite his recent outburst of 3 pointers, his jumpshot mechanics are still not great, doesn't square his body up and it can break down on him under pressure or forced to shoot of the dribble, had some bad misses against Memphis, not a great ball handler or shot creator, but makes up for it, with his ability to post up gaurds at 6'4 220 as well as with cuts to the basket when he's off the ball. Some people have suggested Dwyne Wade but I don't see the footwork or the first step, tries to bully his way to the basket in way that I don't think will fly in the pros. Embiid is not quite in the GFC (Giant ******g Human, Steven Adams, Andre Drummond) club he lacks the necessary poundage, but the analysis is sort of similar. He is incredibly fluid for a 7 footer, when you seem him hard hedge and recover on pick and roll coverages, the level of coordination is excellent, and at 7-1 he's an formidable rim protector. He has good touch around the basket, showed nice right handed hook shot, great hands, obviously limited in terms of creating for himself but has show a great instinct for passing out of the post which is wild for a guy who's been playing ball only since he was 16, he could have the highest ceiling in the draft. Noah Vonleh; i've only seen one college game, long, athletic, aggressive on the boards, in high school he showed a real ability to handle the ball and from numbers point of veiw elite rebounders ares so much easier to project to the pros.


Harrell
Hezonja
Harris
Saric
Cauley Stein

Montrzel Harrel was unstoppable at the u19's, wild athlete, incredible physical specimen, long arms, has all the tools to be an incredible defensive presence on the boards as well as protecting the rim. Offensively is very raw, but has good hands, could be a great diving and finishing on pick and rolls. Mario Henzonja is an interesting case, very UN-European prospect, reminds me so much Kobe, (I DO NOT THINK HE IS OR WILL BE AS GOOD AS KOBE) but for good and for bad the is so much like Kobe, arrogant on the court, glaring at teammates, talking trash, taking and making tough shots. Very good athlete, ball handler got a nice cross over, but he doesn't try on defense half the time and he's kind of a terrible teamate Hasn't played well for Barcelona hasn't been getting minutes and his attitude and his more American game portably has something to do with it problem is we've seen guys who think they are Kobe and aren't as good as Kobe (ie AUSTIN RIVERS) and it hasn't worked out well, the dudes got a lot of talent playing in a more open style of play like the NBA might actually be better for him. Gary Harris is basically everything you want in guard prospect in 2013, a good shooter who won't compromise spacing, and the way NBA defenses have evolved into denying the middle at all costs (you see this with ICE or downing pick and roll coverages) you want guards who have enough handle that can run side pick and rolls at the end of the shot clock and get into the middle of the defense. he's also a good defender, many wings only 2 out of 3. You have Quincy Pondexters, who can shoot and defend but can't handle, Tony Allens who can handle and defend but can't shoot Gary Harris might be able to do all 3. Dario Saric is very unique a point forward, big time IQ, a high level passer, ball handler and rebounder, but he's a non athlete who has an extreme lack of lateral quickness and can't shoot. Hard to see where he fits in the NBA today? Where does he play what position can he play? can he defend on the wing? legit 6-10 but is he strong enough to defend 4's, even if he can he will give you no rim protection. He's improved his shooting though, his jumper used to very flat, looks much better, currently dominating in Croatia. I like him, his ceiling is tied to that jumper though, if the improvements are real he could be very good do it all type player. Cauley Stein he's 7 feet tall, NBA teams have pretty much figured out it is impossible to win a chip without being able to protect the rim, and a guy like WCS,who is 7 feet tall mobile, defend pick and roll and can rebound and block shots? Really valuable.
Mcdermontt

Been high on Doug McDermott him for while, thought it was stupid to not have him as a first rounder, the boy can shoot, like really ******g shoot, he knows how to play where to be, and can score within the flow of an offense, smart cuts, on pick and pops, his stint at the university games for team USA seems to finally proved this to scouts. He will struggle to guard people but is smart so he will play within your scheme and will know where to be. He's small so creating his own shot will be a problem on the next level, but you wont need him for that in the pros, he's a Ryan Anderon type.

Hood
Selden
Young
Robinson iii
Harrison

Rodney Hood is 21 so his ceiling is very likely limited, he has premium positional size and SF and looks to have improved his ball handling and passing since Missisipi St, I think he potential as a passer that is still yet to be tapped. He doesn't have one wow skills, though, is he jack of all trades master of none? Wayne Seldens got an NBA body, 2-5 230, doesn't posses an great first step hasn't played great but you see the flashes, seems like a great teammate, I think he's got great potential running the pick and roll, needs to learn that pace, to play with rather than trying to get all the way to the rim, he should comeback next year, I think he'll be much better when he is more of a primary ball handler. James Young has easily looked better than Aaron Harrison, good shooter, not a great athlete or leaper but long and very smooth on the court very solid shooter, could be 3 and D candidate, young for his class so could have more development left physicaly? Glenn Robinson iii got an NBA body, and athleticism, but I really do not believe he can play the 3 and be effective, he doesn't have the footwork, its and underrated part of bing and NBA wing, he doens't know how to use his feet to get in the lane, to keep his defender of balance, not a good ball handler, needs to be set up to be effective, has defensive potential with his physical tools but lacks effort and intensity. Got a Xavier Henry/Wes Johnson feel to his game i don't like. he's young tho, has time to fix this.
 
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Kevin Cleveland said:
Good ****, Osh.

You write for a site/have a blog?
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Nah I do this for y'all. :lol:

on day i might, but for now I will stick to pontificating on niketalk.


Buc Em said:
I like what you said about Hezonja :lol:

Love that dude.
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but can you get away with Kobe level arrogance as a white European in the NBA or will he alienate his teammates? I hope he can, because I just want to see how a america reacts to a euro Kobe-lite. :lol:
 
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Osh Kosh Bosh said:
Nah I do this for y'all. :lol:

on day i might, but for now I will stick to pontificating on niketalk.
but can you get away with Kobe level arrogance as a white European in the NBA or will he alienate his teammates? I hope he can, because I just want to see how a america reacts to a euro Kobe-lite. :lol:
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That would be awesome :lol:. Rooting for this guy now
 
I think Young belongs in the 3rd group and I'd actually put Jahiii Carson there as well. I think Jahii can be a really good starting PG despite his size. Nice initial list though, I'ma do some writeups on some guys soon.
 
DoItAllPaul said:
Osh what do you think of Fair/Grant as Pro Prospects?
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Fair, I think his ceiling is a role player, he can't play four in the NBA except in extreme small line ups, but I think he's athletic enough to guard wings at the next level. his ability to shoot the three, is going to really decide his success. Quincy Pondexter type maybe, I would have him as a second round pick right how.

Grant shouldn't be coming out, still just an athlete and not a basketball player yet, really need to see how his skills develop over the course of this year before making any conclusions, obviously a wild athlete, with defensive potential.
 
Osh, well done man. Keep em coming.

AMP, look forward to yours as well. P put Laker fans onto Carson the other day, and I've seen you mention him several times in the CBB thread.


I liked what I've seen of Selden and Embiid, and have high hopes for Exum. Wish he played in the states so I could see more of him.
 
CP1708 said:
Osh, well done man. Keep em coming.

AMP, look forward to yours as well. P put Laker fans onto Carson the other day, and I've seen you mention him several times in the CBB thread.


I liked what I've seen of Selden and Embiid, and have high hopes for Exum. Wish he played in the states so I could see more of him.
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I saw this today on Exum from Ford...didn't know how much weight it holds:
Exum is going to struggle to hold onto his spot in the top four. While Wiggins, Randle and Parker are dazzling scouts each night, Exum is in Australia finishing high school and trying to figure out his next step. He's leaning toward skipping college and going straight to the NBA this year. If he decides to skip pro ball in Australia as well, that means NBA scouts won't get another hard look at him for a while. Scouts love him, but out of sight, out of mind may cause his stock to keep sliding -- especially if Marcus Smart keeps playing the way he has to start the season.
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^a TON of weight, after this College basketball season, where Wiggins, Parker, Gordon and Randle have been hyped so much and are about to give us so many great games, you are going to take a dude from Australia?

How are you going to sell that to your owner or fanbase?


if anything thats why this draft is so tank worthy, you land in the top 5 and you will get somebody with superstar potential.
 
If we are stupid and end up in 10-12 range and Exum slid....... *hyperventilates* :lol:
 
if the sixers say have pick 6 and 10 would any team with a top 4 pick trade out for them since its such a deep draft and bank on getting 2 stars and not 1?

and this draft could really make or break the suns future for the next 6-10 years
 
I'm high on McDermontt as well. I'm not as high on Smart right now as a lot of people are because its not shocking to me that he completely dominated against Memphis :lol: . I've watched the Tigers too much over the last few years to know that a prospect like Smart would dominate them. Its really hard to pass up on Wiggins as the #1 prospect, even though the numbers would say Randle and Parker should be the top picks.
 
Don't think that one game has anyone hyped over Smart dominating Memphis. He showed a much improve jumpshot, better decision making, etc. Memphis is only relevant because he did it against a high major opponent. 
 
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