Looking Back at 2014 Draft

[MetroGlobe]

I know that these threads pop-up every so often.  Especially during times when particular players aren't playing well, such as the case with Marcus right now.

So taking revisionist history into account, which players from the 2014 have played objectively better than Marcus.  I know we all love Marcus, and we all wear green-tinted glasses.  But let's just be honest in this thread (SAFE SPACE!!) and name who you would pick based on actual performance thus far, rather than as-of-yet-untapped upside.  Here is the list of draftees from June 26, 2014:

From Wikipedia:
Round 1


Round 2

[jdpapa3]

Wouldn't hesitate to take Smart again in a re-draft. Would take Hood, Capela and probably a few others over JY.

[Donoghus]

Still fine with Smart.

Took your pick about who'd you replace James Young with, though.

[Csfan1984]

It's an underperforming draft across the board right now.

[slamtheking]

It's an underperforming draft across the board right now.

if anything, I think this is exactly what stands out considering how hyped that draft class was.  it's still early but only Wiggins has looked really promising so far.  Everyone else, meh so far.

in a redraft, I don't think Smart lasts to #6.  If he did last on the board to that point, I'd still take him.  If he wasn't, I'd be on the phones working out a trade for a solid vet.

[PhoSita]

With perfect 20/20 hindsight, I'd strongly consider taking Lavine, Warren, or maybe Saric (because mystery box) over Smart.  But nobody taken after Smart has done anything so far to look like a definite future star.

[Tr1boy]

Smart is still the choice. I thought the magic would of taken him and we were going to get Gordon.I would of been happy with that

[slamtheking]

With perfect 20/20 hindsight, I'd strongly consider taking Lavine, Warren, or maybe Saric (because mystery box) over Smart.  But nobody taken after Smart has done anything so far to look like a definite future star.

Lavine is really the only player taken after Smart I considered but he's too erratic from game to game.  Smart's D is consistantly tough every game.

[oldtype]

The only players we could have realistically picked with what we knew that day were Smart and Randle. From that perspective, I'm reasonably happy with the choice.

The James Young pick is more frustrating, but seeing who was drafted after him, we didn't miss out on much.

[MetroGlobe]

Interesting answers in this thread.  I definitely assumed there would be stronger opinions in favor of some other draftees.

No Elfrid Payton fans in here?  I think I'd probably take him over Marcus, simply because he is a much more aggressive player on offense (which we desperately need).  And their defensive proficiencies are not that far apart.

[ThaPreacher]

With perfect 20/20 hindsight, I'd strongly consider taking Lavine, Warren, or maybe Saric (because mystery box) over Smart.  But nobody taken after Smart has done anything so far to look like a definite future star.

Randle over Smart
Capella over Young


Elfrid Payton would be a consideration as well.

[oldtype]

Interesting answers in this thread.  I definitely assumed there would be stronger opinions in favor of some other draftees.

No Elfrid Payton fans in here?  I think I'd probably take him over Marcus, simply because he is a much more aggressive player on offense (which we desperately need).  And their defensive proficiencies are not that far apart.

The defensive proficiencies are leagues apart imo. Payton has the right physical tools but he isn't half the defender Marcus is for now.

I think you could convince me to take Payton over Smart today, but in any case there was no way any GM was taking Payton at 6 on draft night so it's hard to say we missed.

[jambr380]

Payton is the obvious choice, but I think he reminds some people a little too much of Rondo. While the majority of the board appreciates what Rondo brought to our team, it seems a lot of us were ready to move on to another 'type' of PG.

Still, I would go with Payton (and possibly Saric) over Smart and Capela / Hood / Clarkson over Young. Looking back, Ainge did a good job in that draft and I am happy having a hard-nosed player like Smart on the team.

[PhoSita]

With perfect 20/20 hindsight, I'd strongly consider taking Lavine, Warren, or maybe Saric (because mystery box) over Smart.  But nobody taken after Smart has done anything so far to look like a definite future star.

Randle over Smart
Capella over Young


Elfrid Payton would be a consideration as well.

Randle is an undersized PF who shoots 40% from the floor and can't play a lick of defense.

Even with Smart's struggles, I can't see picking Randle ahead of Smart given what we've seen so far.

[MJohnnyboy]

I still stick with Smart because it's too early to really tell. Payton is quicker than him but if you ask me, what's hurting Smart right now is just his shooting percentages. Payton isn't that much better than Smart at shooting and Smart is already one of the league's best defensive guards.

The 2014 draft so far looks overrated for all the hype it got.