Wiggins Not All That - Overrated?

[BballTim]

NBA scouts who have passed through Lawrence told me that they are unsure why everyone has labeled Wiggins as the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick.

"I certainly wasn't blown away by him," said one high-ranking NBA executive. "He was just OK. Average. I'm just not buying all this no-brainer stuff about him being the No. 1 pick. I just don't see it yet."

  This is pretty much the opposite of what I've heard from his proponents. He's supposedly a can't miss superstar, according to *all* the scouts.

I imagine there's some kernel of truth in this contrarian opinion from the article, but I feel like mostly somebody just wanted to get attention by saying the opposite of what everybody else was saying.

  If you read it closely it isn't "someone" saying that, it's multiple people from the nba.

[Tr1boy]

Like i been saying he has ways to go. The high level  iq and motor is not there from what ive seen.

[saltlover]

NBA scouts who have passed through Lawrence told me that they are unsure why everyone has labeled Wiggins as the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick.

"I certainly wasn't blown away by him," said one high-ranking NBA executive. "He was just OK. Average. I'm just not buying all this no-brainer stuff about him being the No. 1 pick. I just don't see it yet."

  This is pretty much the opposite of what I've heard from his proponents. He's supposedly a can't miss superstar, according to *all* the scouts.

I imagine there's some kernel of truth in this contrarian opinion from the article, but I feel like mostly somebody just wanted to get attention by saying the opposite of what everybody else was saying.

  If you read it closely it isn't "someone" saying that, it's multiple people from the nba.

If I were an NBA GM, I'd trash him anonymously too, in hope that someone else leapfrogs him in case you end up with the #2 pick.

[Celtics4ever]

His vertical is incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9wIOtPFh20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx8YxMaVYiM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Caiacsxz4uE

Please watch this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rfs4G8qfEI

Guys and scouts always go nuts on the vertical.  Ever heard of Gerald Green?  Harold Miner?

[BballTim]

NBA scouts who have passed through Lawrence told me that they are unsure why everyone has labeled Wiggins as the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick.

"I certainly wasn't blown away by him," said one high-ranking NBA executive. "He was just OK. Average. I'm just not buying all this no-brainer stuff about him being the No. 1 pick. I just don't see it yet."

  This is pretty much the opposite of what I've heard from his proponents. He's supposedly a can't miss superstar, according to *all* the scouts.

I imagine there's some kernel of truth in this contrarian opinion from the article, but I feel like mostly somebody just wanted to get attention by saying the opposite of what everybody else was saying.

  If you read it closely it isn't "someone" saying that, it's multiple people from the nba.

If I were an NBA GM, I'd trash him anonymously too, in hope that someone else leapfrogs him in case you end up with the #2 pick.

  No doubt, there must be plenty of teams that would have passed on LeBron or Shaq or Duncan if they read some anonymous quotes trashing his play a year before the draft.

[Roy H.]

But Wiggins is supposed to be the prize of a loaded 2014 NBA draft. He shouldn't just blend in; he should be dominating.

I saw James in high school, watched Durant as a freshman at Texas and have seen other No. 1 picks such as John Wall and Kyrie Irving countless times. Those guys dominated nearly every time out, whether it was practice or a game.

It's weird to include Kyrie Irving in this quote.  He was far from a "dominant" player in college.  He never had a game with 10+ assists, and only scored 20+ points three times in his college career.

Kyrie's shooting and instincts were clear, but he wasn't a "dominant" player.  (I'm not sure that I'd put Wall's college career in the "dominant" class, either.  Certainly it was very good, but not close to Durant.)

[RJ87]

I've said since day one the best player 8n this draft is Jabari Parker. Embid has incredible potential. I think Wiggins is good but the pressure and his poor shot will build against him.

Danny wants Jabari badly (in my opinion) and he'll give up pretty much everyone to get him. He's got the most complete game of all these guys and will only get slimmer and stronger and more athletic. His shot is beautiful and he can become a better version of Carmelo that plays defense and has the craftiness of Paul Pierce.

Agree here. I think Jabari Parker is the guy to watch. Hes talented but he's also got his head on straight. Hes the guy I'd like the to get.

[VitorSullyandKOFan]

I've said since day one the best player 8n this draft is Jabari Parker. Embid has incredible potential. I think Wiggins is good but the pressure and his poor shot will build against him.

Danny wants Jabari badly (in my opinion) and he'll give up pretty much everyone to get him. He's got the most complete game of all these guys and will only get slimmer and stronger and more athletic. His shot is beautiful and he can become a better version of Carmelo that plays defense and has the craftiness of Paul Pierce.

Agree here. I think Jabari Parker is the guy to watch. Hes talented but he's also got his head on straight. Hes the guy I'd like the to get.

I like Jabari's game but I think Randle is going to be better.

[CelticG1]

I don't put a ton of stock into this at all.

He has been claimed to be the next lebron and kevin durant for an entire year. Now he's been HIGHLY visoble and scrutinized in some preseason practices.

I just disnt expect him from day one to already look loke an nba all star. I mean was that nba scout really watching kevin durant in the first few preseason practices and comparing him to lebron james?

Lets at least wait until half way through the season like with Austin Rivers or something. Little early to declare this guy lebron james or a complete bust at this stage

[BballTim]

But Wiggins is supposed to be the prize of a loaded 2014 NBA draft. He shouldn't just blend in; he should be dominating.

I saw James in high school, watched Durant as a freshman at Texas and have seen other No. 1 picks such as John Wall and Kyrie Irving countless times. Those guys dominated nearly every time out, whether it was practice or a game.

It's weird to include Kyrie Irving in this quote.  He was far from a "dominant" player in college.  He never had a game with 10+ assists, and only scored 20+ points three times in his college career.

Kyrie's shooting and instincts were clear, but he wasn't a "dominant" player.  (I'm not sure that I'd put Wall's college career in the "dominant" class, either.  Certainly it was very good, but not close to Durant.)

  Kyrie only played 11 games in college, and those 20+ point games were 3 of his final 5 games.

[JBcat]

I've said since day one the best player 8n this draft is Jabari Parker. Embid has incredible potential. I think Wiggins is good but the pressure and his poor shot will build against him.

Danny wants Jabari badly (in my opinion) and he'll give up pretty much everyone to get him. He's got the most complete game of all these guys and will only get slimmer and stronger and more athletic. His shot is beautiful and he can become a better version of Carmelo that plays defense and has the craftiness of Paul Pierce.

Agree here. I think Jabari Parker is the guy to watch. Hes talented but he's also got his head on straight. Hes the guy I'd like the to get.

It's very early in the game but I'm very intruiged by Parker, and possibly Exum, and to a lesser degree Selden.

[Roy H.]

But Wiggins is supposed to be the prize of a loaded 2014 NBA draft. He shouldn't just blend in; he should be dominating.

I saw James in high school, watched Durant as a freshman at Texas and have seen other No. 1 picks such as John Wall and Kyrie Irving countless times. Those guys dominated nearly every time out, whether it was practice or a game.

It's weird to include Kyrie Irving in this quote.  He was far from a "dominant" player in college.  He never had a game with 10+ assists, and only scored 20+ points three times in his college career.

Kyrie's shooting and instincts were clear, but he wasn't a "dominant" player.  (I'm not sure that I'd put Wall's college career in the "dominant" class, either.  Certainly it was very good, but not close to Durant.)

  Kyrie only played 11 games in college, and those 20+ point games were 3 of his final 5 games.

So?  Would you consider 3 out of 11 games to be dominating "nearly every time out"?

It's just a stupid thing to say that isn't accurate.  A point guard who never has more than 6 assists in any one game, and who is held below 20 points in 8 out of 11 opponents, is hardly dominating his competition.

[BballTim]

But Wiggins is supposed to be the prize of a loaded 2014 NBA draft. He shouldn't just blend in; he should be dominating.

I saw James in high school, watched Durant as a freshman at Texas and have seen other No. 1 picks such as John Wall and Kyrie Irving countless times. Those guys dominated nearly every time out, whether it was practice or a game.

It's weird to include Kyrie Irving in this quote.  He was far from a "dominant" player in college.  He never had a game with 10+ assists, and only scored 20+ points three times in his college career.

Kyrie's shooting and instincts were clear, but he wasn't a "dominant" player.  (I'm not sure that I'd put Wall's college career in the "dominant" class, either.  Certainly it was very good, but not close to Durant.)

  Kyrie only played 11 games in college, and those 20+ point games were 3 of his final 5 games.

So?  Would you consider 3 out of 11 games to be dominating "nearly every time out"?

It's just a stupid thing to say that isn't accurate.  A point guard who never has more than 6 assists in any one game, and who is held below 20 points in 8 out of 11 opponents, is hardly dominating his competition.

  I just thought that if you're saying "only scored 20+ points three times in his college career" then it's worth pointing out that his college career was inordinately short, and that based on his play that ratio would have probably gone up. In terms of the 20+ points in a game, if you adjust that 20 points from college to nba (based on the difference in team scoring per game) it's pretty much like scoring 24+ points in the nba, which Kyrie's done 39 times in 110 games. In other words, he was roughly just as dominant a scorer in college as he is now. Make of that what you will.

  But in any case, the statement that you're addressing was fairly hyperbolic, nobody dominates every time out.

[Celtics4ever]

Some of these guys drafted today would have never been drafted in the 80's.   They draft on potential today and less on production.   I have seen a 13 PPG scorer drafted in the top 20 today.   Never would have happened back in the day.

Let's let them play first before we judge but guys with the insane verticals always get inflated in value.  It's what you do with that vert that matters.

[blink]

NBA scouts who have passed through Lawrence told me that they are unsure why everyone has labeled Wiggins as the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick.

"I certainly wasn't blown away by him," said one high-ranking NBA executive. "He was just OK. Average. I'm just not buying all this no-brainer stuff about him being the No. 1 pick. I just don't see it yet."

  This is pretty much the opposite of what I've heard from his proponents. He's supposedly a can't miss superstar, according to *all* the scouts.

I imagine there's some kernel of truth in this contrarian opinion from the article, but I feel like mostly somebody just wanted to get attention by saying the opposite of what everybody else was saying.

  If you read it closely it isn't "someone" saying that, it's multiple people from the nba.

Exactly, and it is Bill Self saying this:
"I want to get him to start playing hard all the time and also playing to his athletic ability," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "He doesn't do it consistently."