Top picks of the 2014 NBA draft. Videos for 1-5 and a few wildcards

[chambers]

Top 5 picks in most drafts.
I'll add some more in because this will change.
Things you'll notice: size, athleticism, strength.
This is the first wave of kids who grew up watching Lebron and Durant. It's normal to them to be 6 feet 9 and dribble like a point guard, and finish at the rim like a power forward. A new generation of NBA superstars like grain fed bulls waiting to be unleashed. I'll more as time goes by and I have time. Add your comments.
I'm cool with any of the top 3.

1)Andrew Wiggins, Small Forward, 6' 8"
Number one overall guaranteed at this point no questions asked. Needs to become a slightly better shooter but has good form that will improve. Has similar physical attributes of Lebron James. Probably a little craftier than James but not as strong. Doesn't stop him getting to the hole at will. Incredible defensive potential and ability to create off the dribble and finish 1v1.
NBA comparison: Tracy McGrady / Scottie Pippen/Lebron James

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLsK-ZoL9sY


2)Jabari Parker 6'9"

Overall he's touted number 2 or 3 with Julius Randle. Is the most complete player in one of the greatest drafts of the last 25 years. Can shoot the lights out, finish under contact and rebound and play defense. Is 6 foot 8 and growing. Can play any position. Can shoot threes from half way. Beautiful shooting stroke that is very hard to guard.
This kid is the closest thing to Paul Pierce that you'll ever see. Extremely crafty like Pierce, avoids charges, finishes under multiple forms of contact and has brutal strength for his age and size. Shooting is lights out. At his height, size and basketball IQ he can play the point guard position and shot like Pierce. Needs to lose a little weight. Not the fastest but still very athletic. My personal choice for number one(if you couldn't tell from my ranting) because if he can shoot like this now he's going to be better than Carmelo Anthony, with better defense and better finishing at the rim. I'm 100% serious. I take him over Wiggins because Parker is less of a gamble- he's already a complete player who's only going lose weight, get faster/stronger/ better overall. If you get lucky enough to get a top 3 pick, I'd take this guy to lead my franchise to contending glory for 10 seasons.

NBA comparison:Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUmrfRYloKw

3)Julius Randle SF/PF 6'10"
Manchild. Like Lebron, this guy is a physical beast. Like Lebron, he bulldozes his way to the basket but has incredible finishing around the rim. Has developed a good jumpshot with nice form and has changed from a power forward and great finisher around the rim to a triple threat who can score off the dribble, on the break or under/around the rim. Improved shot and ball handling have made him a popular choice for number 2 overall pick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adg3Dv1yQWo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJqaMioXegU

4) Dante Exum 6' 4" SG/PG

Incredible shooter. Dad played for North Carolina and pro in Australia like Kyrie Irving. Pure shooter with excellent handles and speed. Finishes well under contact and can play PG and shoot. Imagine a taller Mike Conley.
Needs muscle and defensive agility work. Still an incredible athlete. Plays PG and SG at NBA level. Defense isn't NBA level yet.

NBA comparison: James Harden/Eric Gordon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kRg_ewRp4Y


5) Aaron Gordon SF 6'7"

The small forward version of Blake Griffin. Still working on his shot but athleticism is Olympic level like Andrew Wiggins and Wayne Seldon. Very young. Barely 17 years old.
Man amongst boys at this point but potential is sky high. I'm not sold but his physical attributes are like Gerald Green. Don't compare him to Gerald though- has a lot more going for him.

NBA comparison: Iguadala/Blake Griffin (can't shoot but can finish around rim with force)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXWrMc2asag

Wildcards:

Wayne Seldon 6'5" SG

Elite passing SG with PG abilities and handle. Can jump out the building and can shoot well. Best passer in the draft of the SG's and SF's other than Jabari Parker in my opinion. Man amongst boys like Aaron Gordon. Excellent defender like Tony Allen with offensive tough. Could be a franchise guy if he gets better at shooting from range.
NBA comparison Andre Iguadala.

NBA comparison: Dwayne Wade(not as fast as Westbrook but incredibly athletic and strong like Wade.)
Better shooter than Wade at this point in career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMNdCrFVGCs


JoJo Embid 7' 1" C, PF :

7 foot 1 with un-human wing span.
Has been playing basketball for a year. Can handle the ball like a combo guard and finishes around rim under contact with finesse and control. Physical anomoly that someone this tall can handle the ball on the break with speed. Different kind of player to Dirk Nowitzki because he can't shoot off the dribble like Dirk but can finish around rim and on the move. One year are you kidding? Could only find this but it's one year of ball. Wow.

NBA comparison: not sure, freak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBwSvIOOzMo









To be continued...

[TeamGreen.dm]

Love this. Im also in total agreement of Jabari Parker. As a Celtic fan i hope he drops to the 3rd or 4th pick for a more realistic chance of him becoming a C

[Celtics18]

Wow!! Those future NBA players sure do look dominant playing against kids who look like me when I was in high school. 

[lightspeed5]

Cant believe you didnt mention the harrison twins (especially Andrew), James Young, Dakari Johnson (best center)

btw Aaron Goron's ball handling is elite, and for a guy his size is just amazing.

[CeltsAcumen]

Lets see how Jabari Parker does with no team v. North Carolina and Louisville before we say he should be a top pick.

Also, I am not convinced Parker will leave after one year, the Rat has a way of shaming players to stay an extra year and lose more draft value.

[RebusRankin]

Exum is a 2015 draft eligible player not 2014 I believe.

[jackson_34]

Exum is a 2015 draft eligible player not 2014 I believe.

I think he is eligible for 2014 due to being an international, but is heavily leaning towards playing college ball for a year or so.  It seems he's pretty keen on playing for the Hoosiers.

I'm pretty excited for Australian basketball with him and Ben Simmons coming through in the next few years. Exum has an absolutely lethal first step.

[Birdman]

Exum is eligible to play the 2nd semester, so be in Jan 2014

[Kane3387]

You should know about Andrew Harrison out of Richmond tx. 6'4" pg with handles and amazing size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=r6eKV6P12-A

Where's the comparison for randle. I see a lot of c Webb potential as he bulks up.

[Kane3387]

You should know about Andrew Harrison out of Richmond tx. 6'4" pg with handles and amazing size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=r6eKV6P12-A

This draft is being talked about as one with as much as talent as 1984, 1996, and 2003. All of those had at least 4 hall of famers along with multiple all stars.

[syfy9]

btw Aaron Goron's ball handling is elite, and for a guy his size is just amazing.

Yeah. A SF Blake Griffin is the best comparison for him. Griffin has one the best handles in the NBA, for a big man.

[lightspeed5]

nba draft has aaron gordon drafted 24th overall in 2014.

[WeMadeIt17]

Really want one of the top guys in this class. Would love Jabari Or Wiggins. I love Parker, also because he is going to my favorite college basketball team. But his game reminds me so much of Melo's (Carmelo that is) You also cant go wrong with Wiggins. Watching his highlights its scary seeing where his shoulders and elbows are at when he is dunking.

[Kane3387]

Really want one of the top guys in this class. Would love Jabari Or Wiggins. I love Parker, also because he is going to my favorite college basketball team. But his game reminds me so much of Melo's (Carmelo that is) You also cant go wrong with Wiggins. Watching his highlights its scary seeing where his shoulders and elbows are at when he is dunking.

I'd be fine with either but I like randle more then parker and almost as much as wiggins.

[Galeto]

Selfishly I hope Exum skips college and enters next year's draft.  He is a tremendous prospect.  He might have the best first step of anybody in the class.  He's like one of the Harrison brothers but much quicker.  The thing that concerns me with projecting the Harrison brothers as future knockout pros is that even at the high school level, they don't blow by guys.  Defenders go chest to chest with them and make them shoot over them.  That's not going to work as well in college or the pros.  Exum meanwhile cleanly beats people of the dribble.

Exum right now might have fewer holes of any of the top prospects.  He has every skill and the elite athleticism.  Wiggins is very athletic, unselfish but his jumpshot and handle need improvement.  He's not a sure thing yet.  Parker might be the most skilled player and an underrated athlete but his athleticism is more like a B+.  Randle's possible defensive impact and lack of a post game are question marks.