2014 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

[Mr October]

Wiggins vs Parker for #1 pick was the storyline before the season started. Things have changed but those two are still almost a lock to go in TOP5.

I have to admit I was in Wiggins camp simply because I was blown away with his size, athleticism and potential. Plus, Parker's defense reminds me of Melo,  who I really dislike as a player.

Anyway, I found this peace about Wiggins and I was really surprised with some stats http://deanondraft.com/2014/02/14/andrew-wiggins-an-ordinary-player-in-an-extraordinary-body/

Basically Wiggins is a beast in transition and is terrible in halfcourt, which translates better in the NBA. Like really really bad. He also has a huge issue with finishing in traffic which is weird considering his athletic ability.

Author makes a point that his best NBA comp for Wiggins is Thadeus Young. I mean he is a good player but not a guy you want when picking in TOP5 in draft that is supposed to be historically good.

After reading this and some other articles I am more and more convinced Parker has a better shot of being an all star type player. Thoughts?

Intersting read. I wonder what this author would have written about Tracy Mcgrady when he was a 19 year old.  Both have outstanding physical gifts, both can just get by at times. But wiggins is already a better defender and 3 point shooter than Mcgrady.
And he looks to be getting more aggressive as the season wears on, i saw wiggins doing big time in traffic work on both ends of the court in the clutch when i caught kansas's narrow win over Texas tech last week. I was blown away by how wiggins and Embiid just took over the game in the flow at the end.

One problem i have with the statistic player comparisons is that a lot of these guys play different positions / roles. Jabari Parker is almost exlusively inside playing center or power forward on a small duke front line. I recall melo being a 4 on Syracuse, same with Durant at Texas.

Also the more i watch the college game this year, the more i am seeing that small forwards don't get the ball as much as 3s in the nba. The offense is dominated by the two guards (especially the point) or a big if you have a decent one. These big wings dont have the same kind of space in which to operate.

I would be completely confident picking wiggins at number 2 behind Joel Embiid.

Me too and I wouldn't have said that a month ago.  Big game tonight, they are playing Oklahoma.  I also like that Kansas has played BY FAR the toughest schedule in the country and he is having a very successful freshman season.

They have gone through that fire of a schedule, and will be battle tested and ready for the tournament. I can't wait to see how all these lottery guys do when the lights get really bright and the stadiums are gigantic!

It's too bad Vonleh and Indiana aren't going to make it in. Same for Smart and OKC st.

[TwinTower14]

I am picking Kansas to win the whole thing, the only thing that makes me nervous is their PG play.  I think Smart will get in with a decent finish and a good run in the conference tourney.  I haven't caught a lot of Vonleh this year, just reading articles.  But it looks like Chad Ford is ready to move him above Randle...

[Mr October]

Nurkic has little lift off the ground. How is his rim protecting capabilities?

All we can judge him on is articles and that draft express video. On one hand he is 19 and does a lot well with his body, especially scoring and rebounding. He could turn into a Pekovic, Greg Monroe or even a Marc gasol as an extreme ceiling. But he also looks like some combo of fab melo, Darko and faverani. He would be the highest risk player, if picked even in the late lottery.

The competition in those video clips look pretty bad too.

He is definitely a below the rim player, and not much of a shot blocker / defender at this point.

I am intrigued by him and wish i could see more. I wish i could see more exum and saric as well.

I strongly disagree with the bold part. Competition he is playing against is far from bad, it's actually much higher than NCAA. His team, Cedevita, is playing Adriatic League and Eurocup.

His teammates are Nolan Smith, Allan Ray (played for C's in 2006 ) and Goran Suton. All of them are former NCAA stars who are now in the prime of their careers and yet he has higher PER than any of them at the age of 19. Most of other teams also have several US players on their rosters.

One thing that stood out in the highlights is how he kept bringing the ball down to his waist to chest area when he was making a little move around the basket. Bigs who are playing against good defenses tend to get stripped when keeping the ball low. The defenses in general in the clips didnt look all that organized.

but it's hard to judge based on a draft express video, so you are correct in that i probably shouldn't have jumped the gun and called the competition bad. Instead i will say that it didn't look like he was going against any thing close to an NBA level of defense.

Meanwhile even though the players are younger in say a duke vs Syracuse game, the organization of the defense looks more like what could happen in the pros. Lots of help defense and charges. I think that helps me continue to get a read on all those players.

The big guy is intriguing. So is faverani. I need to see more, and would be worried if the celtics picked him around 12-14 in this draft.

[Mr October]

I am picking Kansas to win the whole thing, the only thing that makes me nervous is their PG play.  I think Smart will get in with a decent finish and a good run in the conference tourney.  I haven't caught a lot of Vonleh this year, just reading articles.  But it looks like Chad Ford is ready to move him above Randle...

Smart's team lost 7 out of their last 8 games. They are number 8 in their conference. If they want to make the tourney, they probably have to run the table in these last 4 games, including a game against Kansas.

Meanwhile Indiana is also number 8 in their conference, and would probably have to win 4 of their last 5 in order to get in. four of those last five teams are ranked in the top 25.

I hope to get a couple more looks at him before the season is over.

[TwinTower14]

I am picking Kansas to win the whole thing, the only thing that makes me nervous is their PG play.  I think Smart will get in with a decent finish and a good run in the conference tourney.  I haven't caught a lot of Vonleh this year, just reading articles.  But it looks like Chad Ford is ready to move him above Randle...

Smart's team lost 7 out of their last 8 games. They are number 8 in their conference. If they want to make the tourney, they probably have to run the table in these last 4 games, including a game against Kansas.

Meanwhile Indiana is also number 8 in their conference, and would probably have to win 4 of there last 5 in order to get in. four of those last five teams are ranked in the top 25.

I hope to get a couple more looks at him before the season is over.

Update - Lunardi has Oklahoma State as last 4 in....

[Mr October]

I am picking Kansas to win the whole thing, the only thing that makes me nervous is their PG play.  I think Smart will get in with a decent finish and a good run in the conference tourney.  I haven't caught a lot of Vonleh this year, just reading articles.  But it looks like Chad Ford is ready to move him above Randle...

Smart's team lost 7 out of their last 8 games. They are number 8 in their conference. If they want to make the tourney, they probably have to run the table in these last 4 games, including a game against Kansas.

Meanwhile Indiana is also number 8 in their conference, and would probably have to win 4 of there last 5 in order to get in. four of those last five teams are ranked in the top 25.

I hope to get a couple more looks at him before the season is over.

Update - Lunardi has Oklahoma State as last 4 in....

Wow, i am amazed they can go that deep with a single conference. I hope they make it. I would like to see what he can do in those high pressure games!

TP for the info.

[TwinTower14]

Back to Wiggins and Embiid - They have led their team to 11 wins against top 50 RPI teams.  I don't think Wiggins is getting enough credit for the type of season he is having...

He is the leading scorer, 3rd in rebounding and one of the best wing defenders in the country...

[TwinTower14]

I am picking Kansas to win the whole thing, the only thing that makes me nervous is their PG play.  I think Smart will get in with a decent finish and a good run in the conference tourney.  I haven't caught a lot of Vonleh this year, just reading articles.  But it looks like Chad Ford is ready to move him above Randle...

Smart's team lost 7 out of their last 8 games. They are number 8 in their conference. If they want to make the tourney, they probably have to run the table in these last 4 games, including a game against Kansas.

Meanwhile Indiana is also number 8 in their conference, and would probably have to win 4 of there last 5 in order to get in. four of those last five teams are ranked in the top 25.

I hope to get a couple more looks at him before the season is over.

Update - Lunardi has Oklahoma State as last 4 in....

Wow, i am amazed they can go that deep with a single conference. I hope they make it. I would like to see what he can do in those high pressure games!

TP for the info.

Thanks - he updated his bracketology this morning...

[footey]

Jusuf Nurkic!

Very difficult not to go overboard from what we saw from Jusuf Nurkic tonight. 16 points & 15 rebounds in 17 minutes, w/out breaking a sweat

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 22, 2014

Probably need to move Nurkic into the lottery, and that might still be too low. His talent is simply off the charts.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 22, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2IXpr5Wzk

Seems incredibly skilled for a 19 year old. Video hi lights can be tricky, however.

[footey]

I am picking Kansas to win the whole thing, the only thing that makes me nervous is their PG play.  I think Smart will get in with a decent finish and a good run in the conference tourney.  I haven't caught a lot of Vonleh this year, just reading articles.  But it looks like Chad Ford is ready to move him above Randle...

I'm taking Michigan State!

[TwinTower14]

I am picking Kansas to win the whole thing, the only thing that makes me nervous is their PG play.  I think Smart will get in with a decent finish and a good run in the conference tourney.  I haven't caught a lot of Vonleh this year, just reading articles.  But it looks like Chad Ford is ready to move him above Randle...

They are getting healthy at the right time!  Izzo is a great coach and gets the most out of his talent.  Just feel like Kansas is battled tested and has the most talent but the guard play is a little weak, that could be their downfall...
I'm taking Michigan State!

[BleedGreen1989]

Dan Dakich was on The Herd this morning and speaking on Jabbari's defense.

He was saying its perhaps the worse defense he's seen from a "star" in his years covering college basketball.

Really ripped Parker on that side of the ball.

[TwinTower14]

Dan Dakich was on The Herd this morning and speaking on Jabbari's defense.

He was saying its perhaps the worse defense he's seen from a "star" in his years covering college basketball.

Really ripped Parker on that side of the ball.

yea - I think Parker falls behind Embiid and Wiggins once the draft hits.  Wiggins is going to sky rocket again once he goes to workouts and does the athletic tests etc..

[Tr1boy]

Imo parker has to choose to slim up to play sf or bulk up to play pf in the nba. imo he should bulk up

[Quetzalcoatl]

Jusuf Nurkic!

Very difficult not to go overboard from what we saw from Jusuf Nurkic tonight. 16 points & 15 rebounds in 17 minutes, w/out breaking a sweat

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 22, 2014

Probably need to move Nurkic into the lottery, and that might still be too low. His talent is simply off the charts.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 22, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2IXpr5Wzk

Seems incredibly skilled for a 19 year old. Video hi lights can be tricky, however.

The Adriatic League is churning out some great prospects.  I think the next few classes of standouts from there are all going to have long careers.  Dario Saric is going to be good - maybe not next year, but eventually - and some of the later guys like Bogdan Bogdanovic have lots of potential.