2014 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

[Nerf DPOY]

Wayne Selden has looked really good in the first half against Kansas State.  He's just being much more aggressive instead trying to be the consummate, unselfish teammate.  He's also shown some of the flashy passing I've read about.  He's looking a bonafide NBA prospect.

Maybe the biggest change has been in his shooting mechanics.  He used to bring the ball up over his head.  Now his stroke is more classic looking.  This is actually pretty stunning since when do players actually change their stroke during the season and take to it really well?  Good for him and good for Kansas coaches not being afraid to "tweak" the game of a high recruit.

Whenever I wonder who Ainge is gonna take with the worst of the BKN/ATL pick, my head always comes back to Wayne Selden. He just looks like one of those, "I'm gonna average 12 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists and play good man-D at the 2 for the next 12 years' kinda guys. Like a slightly worse Wes Matthews. Great effort, good athleticism, willing to not be 'the man', which is a good thing sometimes.

Yeah but assuming that pick ends up around 16-18, I'm worried Selden will be gone by then or decided to wait until next years draft.

[indeedproceed]

Wayne Selden has looked really good in the first half against Kansas State.  He's just being much more aggressive instead trying to be the consummate, unselfish teammate.  He's also shown some of the flashy passing I've read about.  He's looking a bonafide NBA prospect.

Maybe the biggest change has been in his shooting mechanics.  He used to bring the ball up over his head.  Now his stroke is more classic looking.  This is actually pretty stunning since when do players actually change their stroke during the season and take to it really well?  Good for him and good for Kansas coaches not being afraid to "tweak" the game of a high recruit.

Whenever I wonder who Ainge is gonna take with the worst of the BKN/ATL pick, my head always comes back to Wayne Selden. He just looks like one of those, "I'm gonna average 12 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists and play good man-D at the 2 for the next 12 years' kinda guys. Like a slightly worse Wes Matthews. Great effort, good athleticism, willing to not be 'the man', which is a good thing sometimes.

Yeah but assuming that pick ends up around 16-18, I'm worried Selden will be gone by then or decided to wait until next years draft.

Yeah, maybe. DraftExpress has him slotted at around 20-something now, so there's a good chance he stays. I'm just sayin that's how I always thought of the 2nd pick going.

[TwinTower14]

Have to say that Embiid literally gets better every week.  He goes number 1 in this draft. Just watching him in the post, spinning away from a double team and using the baby hook has me drooling.  C's would have to land the number 1 pick to get him though...

[celticmania]

Andrew Wiggins looked great today. Reminds me of a 6'8" Dwayne Wade

[BleedGreen1989]

Have to say that Embiid literally gets better every week.  He goes number 1 in this draft. Just watching him in the post, spinning away from a double team and using the baby hook has me drooling.  C's would have to land the number 1 pick to get him though...

Agreed.

If Embiid comes out, he goes #1.

Him vs Parker/Wiggins will be the same debate leading up to the draft as Oden vs Durant.

[indeedproceed]

Have to say that Embiid literally gets better every week.  He goes number 1 in this draft. Just watching him in the post, spinning away from a double team and using the baby hook has me drooling.  C's would have to land the number 1 pick to get him though...

Agreed.

If Embiid comes out, he goes #1.

Him vs Parker/Wiggins will be the same debate leading up to the draft as Oden vs Durant.

Sign me up for the #2 pick then.

[BleedGreen1989]

Have to say that Embiid literally gets better every week.  He goes number 1 in this draft. Just watching him in the post, spinning away from a double team and using the baby hook has me drooling.  C's would have to land the number 1 pick to get him though...

Agreed.

If Embiid comes out, he goes #1.

Him vs Parker/Wiggins will be the same debate leading up to the draft as Oden vs Durant.

Sign me up for the #2 pick then.

Yeah, I'm not picky. Just give me a top-6 pick and I'll be happy.

[Dog_Lover106]

Wayne Selden has looked really good in the first half against Kansas State.  He's just being much more aggressive instead trying to be the consummate, unselfish teammate.  He's also shown some of the flashy passing I've read about.  He's looking a bonafide NBA prospect.

Maybe the biggest change has been in his shooting mechanics.  He used to bring the ball up over his head.  Now his stroke is more classic looking.  This is actually pretty stunning since when do players actually change their stroke during the season and take to it really well?  Good for him and good for Kansas coaches not being afraid to "tweak" the game of a high recruit.

Whenever I wonder who Ainge is gonna take with the worst of the BKN/ATL pick, my head always comes back to Wayne Selden. He just looks like one of those, "I'm gonna average 12 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists and play good man-D at the 2 for the next 12 years' kinda guys. Like a slightly worse Wes Matthews. Great effort, good athleticism, willing to not be 'the man', which is a good thing sometimes.

Yeah but assuming that pick ends up around 16-18, I'm worried Selden will be gone by then or decided to wait until next years draft.

Yeah, maybe. DraftExpress has him slotted at around 20-something now, so there's a good chance he stays. I'm just sayin that's how I always thought of the 2nd pick going.

Honestly, I would forget about Draft Express and most of the mock drafts. They just skim the surface and rehash the same names over and over.

Selden should be a lottery pick and will be gone by the Atl/NJ pick. For those who have just seen a few of the Kansas games and are projecting off of that or Draft Express mocks, you are vastly underrating Wayne Selden. I have seen him play in person 10 to 15 times with BABC and at Tilton. He is a fantastic NBA prospect and I would call him more likely to be Mitch Richmond than Wes Matthews. He is a freak athletically and a dominant scorer. Very hard to show that right out of the gate playing for Bill Self.

Too bad Deandre Kane got hurt today. Was looking forward to possibly watching him and Selden match up on Monday. Kane and Melvin Ejim have proven to be two of the best players in the country and neither are mentioned in most mock drafts.

Semaj Christon is likely a lottery pick too and every bit the point guard that Ennis or Smart is. Would definitely take him over Levine and he is rarely mentioned by the draft guys either.

TJ Warren would be my pick with the ATL/NJ pick if he is around in the 20 range. Should be a perennial 20 point a game scorer in the NBA and a above average rebounder at the SF.

[BleedGreen1989]

Great tidbits DogLover. Tommy Point for you.

Every time I read an article on a "sleeper" in this draft, Wayne Seldon is at least mentioned. Lots of scouts feels he is being somewhat restricted by Kansas offense like you said.

[BigAlTheFuture]

How come Selden gets the benefit of the doubt and Wiggins doesn't? Is Wiggins not restricted by Kansas' offense also?

I'm also very impressed by Selden, also. I think there might be a real possibility that he slips out of the lottery. This draft is just that deep.

[hwangjini_1]

Andrew Wiggins looked great today. Reminds me of a 6'8" Dwayne Wade

Why? Did he break someone's arm? 

[celticmania]

 top 20 prospects
1. Joel Embiid
2. Andrew Wiggins
3. Jabari Parker
4. Dante Exum
5. Julius Randle
6. Marcus Smart
7. Zach Lavine
8. Noah Vonleh
9. James Young
10. Rodney Hood
11. Aaron Gordon
12. Mario Hezonja
13. Wayne Selden
14. Willie Cauley-Stein
15. Dario Saric
16. Gary Harris
17. Chris Walker
18. Jerami Grant
19. Adriean Payne
20. Andrew Harrison

I think the shooting guard position in the NBA is the weakest one (besides maybe the center position). This draft class has a great amount of off guards with all-star potential. Andrew Wiggins, Mario Hezonja, Dante Exum, Zach Lavine, James Young, and Wayne Selden all have all-star potential and will most likely be shooting guards in the NBA. Add Marcus Smart who might be a shooting guard, and Gary Harris who doesn't quite have all-star potential, but will be a good player, and you're looking at an outstanding class of shooting guards.

[BleedGreen1989]

^^^I'll tell you who really intrigues me as a SG/SF lottery pick (whether the ATL/BRK pick or our own if we make the playoffs.)

James Young.

18 years old by draft time, 6'7, 215lbs. Excellent wingspan at 6'11 with elite defensive potential. Good rebounder and a high motor. A lefty who needs to work on his shot and efficiency a bit, but has a very high ceiling IMO.

[VitorSullyandKOFan]

^^^I'll tell you who really intrigues me as a SG/SF lottery pick (whether the ATL/BRK pick or our own if we make the playoffs.)

James Young.

18 years old by draft time, 6'7, 215lbs. Excellent wingspan at 6'11 with elite defensive potential. Good rebounder and a high motor. A lefty who needs to work on his shot and efficiency a bit, but has a very high ceiling IMO.

I agree I love James Young skilset. Also I like Hezonja but I doubt he declares this year..

[celticmania]

^^^I'll tell you who really intrigues me as a SG/SF lottery pick (whether the ATL/BRK pick or our own if we make the playoffs.)

James Young.

18 years old by draft time, 6'7, 215lbs. Excellent wingspan at 6'11 with elite defensive potential. Good rebounder and a high motor. A lefty who needs to work on his shot and efficiency a bit, but has a very high ceiling IMO.

I agree I love James Young skilset. Also I like Hezonja but I doubt he declares this year..

James young reminds me of James Harden. Smooth lefty with deep range and a soft touch. Not as good a play maker as Harden at this point but can be better defensively