I'm not so sure about Parker. To me he looks like a prototypical Carmello Anthony clone - an incredibly skilled and we'll rounded scorer with solid (if not outstanding) athleticism and average ability on the defensive end.
I worry he will become another one of those "me, me, me" offensive guys who puts up elite scoring numbers but is also a black hole that makes every team he plays on worse.
I actually really like Dante Exum for this team. He has the skills to play point guard (IQ, court vision, handle, passing ability) or SG (length, moves well off the ball, good cutter, good finisher over length) which means he fits well on Tge Celtics regardless of whether or not we keep Rondo. He has the physical gifts to one day be an elite NBA defender, and can carry his team either as a scorer or a playmaker, and he's also a very good rebounder for a guard.
If Exum adds on a bit of muscle and develops a more consistent jump shot he could be out of this world good...and even worst case, if he doesn't, I still think he's almost certain to be aFuture All Star. A lot of people seem scared away by the fact that he's not American, so I think he could be a real sleeper. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he drops to 6th or so and turns out to be the best player in the draft class a few years from now.
Where are you watching his games this season to have such an opinion? Are you Australian? Or you just read INFO about him from his agent on mockdraft sites?)))
I've been at shooting reports and video footage of the various options in the draft, and this is the conclusion I have cine to bed purely on what I see in terms of skill set, physical talent and reports of his attitude.
I actually am Australian, but have completely disregarded this factor when judging him onewayor the other.
Looking at Parker his biggest weaknesses are that he's not super athletic, he's not great defensively, and he struggles to score against length. Lack of athleticism can't be taught - you either have it or you don't. Defensive ability is usually a combination of IQ and physical gifts - again if you don't have it, you probably never will. Inability to finish against length is something he might improve on, but there is more length in the NBA than in college. I don't seeParker beating these limitations - they will probably sick with him.
Exum extremely physically gifted - he has elite height, length and athleticism for either guard spot. Scouting reports also state that he has exceptional IQ and is one of the best in the draft in terms of passing skills and court vision. He's also said to be an exceptional finisher around the basket, with his length and athleticism allowing him to finish well of over bigs with length. Scouting reports also say that he has the physical tis tooneday be an elite NBA defender. He's an excellent ball handler (has a great killer crossover) and is a good rebounder for a guard. His main weaknesses are:
1. Decent (but inconsistent) form on his jumper - something that can be improved with coaching
2. Questionable sit selection at times (again, can be improved with coaching)
3. Lack of physical strength (can potentially be improved with time in theweight room)
I don't see any real flaws in his that are due to physical limitations, our that hedoesn't have potential to improve. Even if he never develops a great jumper, lots of guys have become elite guards without one (think D Wade, D Rose, etc).
I see him becoming a Penny Hardaway (in his prime) at best or a Tyreke Evans at the absolute worst ...and if Tyreke is you're worst case than that's pretty darn good.