It’s mid-January and Conference play has begun. While there’s still a lot of basketball yet to be played and there will be a lot of movement left on the draft board, things are beginning to take shape. Joel Embiid has leapfrogged the "Big 3" and now appears in the driver seat to be the first pick of the 2014 draft. He not only shows tremendous upside, but has become an impact player. Jabari Parker has finally shown that he is human and is struggling but looks like an excellent player to build an NBA team around. And Andrew Wiggins remains one of the freakiest wing athletes to come along in years and seems to be finding his groove. Here’s a look at the 2014 mock two weeks into the new year.
| 1. |  | Joel Embiid 7-0 250 C Kansas Fr. | Early in the year the thought was that Embiid could be drafted in the top 5 based on potential. He was expected to show flashes and put up numbers sporadically. But he has progressed much faster than anyone expected and in general has been an even bigger factor than Wiggins. He’s also showing better consistency, a stronger motor and making more of an impact. Rumors began in the summer that Coach Self was calling Embiid and not Wiggins his best long term prospect, though some felt that was a motivational ploy for Wiggins. Apparently not…. It’s extremely rare to find a kid with his package of attributes. It is sacrilegious to compare anyone to Olajuwon, a giant leap of faith, but for Embiid the comparison appears it actually fit as there really aren’t many high level 7-foot athletes with the skill level that he has a chance to develop. He’s not as athletic, but he could develop a similar offensive game, and has better size. He’s got a tremendous basketball body with not only great athleticism but the ability to add size and strength to his frame. The fact that he’s shown an ornery side and has been willing to mix it up is only seen as a positive by scouts. He already shows signs of being an enforcer defensively with his length, explosiveness and timing on blocks. He just needs to learn discipline on fakes and how to stay out of foul trouble and he will be a force. Embiid is a raw talent who has come a long way in a very short time. Scouts who saw this kid 2 years ago African Basketball without Borders event marvel at just how much he’s improved in such a short time. He shows terrific form and touch on his shot, plus amazing footwork, giving his potential as an offensive center real intrigue. He’s in a tremendous program to develop under Bill Self and would do himself a great service by staying for more than one season of development, but that is beginning to look pretty unlikely with the progress that he has shown thus far. His ability to be a two way impact player puts him above Bari and #1 on our board. NBA Comparison: Akeem Olajuwon | |
| 2. |  |  | Jabari Parker 6-8 235 SF Duke Fr. | Parker may lack the long term potential of a Joel Embiid or the freakish athleticism of an Andrew Wiggins, but his offensive polish and maturity makes him a highly regarded prospect. If a team values readiness over potential, Parker should be the choice. He’s both polished and versatile and understands what it means to be a professional having grown up around the game with his father a former standout, Sonny Parker. He remains incredibly humble as well as focused and hard working. Parker is a much better athlete than he appears at first glance. He’s also sure to blow away the competition during team interviews, as he’s incredibly mature and well spoken. Parker may lack Wiggins’ freakish athleticism, but he possesses sneaky athleticism and a much more polished all-around game at this point. Parker lacks great foot speed and some scouts are worried about his ability to defend on the perimeter. He’s hit wall as Conference play has begun, but part of the problem can be attributed to the fact that Duke has no size and they’re asking him to defend players bigger and stronger than himself regularly. He reminds people of Melo (without the drama) or a shorter, stockier Durant. NBA Comparison: Carmelo Anthony |
| 3. |  |  | Andrew Wiggins 6-8 200 SF Canada Fr. | Wiggins is as physically talented as any wing player to come along since LeBron James. He has so much raw potential and talent that he still has only begun to scratch the surface in terms of skill development and realizing his abilities. But some feel he may fall way short of all the expectations. It’s a long season and it’s likely that he will hit some bumps in the road, but how he responds to adversity and plays in the big games is will be the key to whether scouts buy into his potential and he will be considered for the top pick. Right now Embiid and Parker have clearly passed him on most team’s draft boards. NBA Comparison: Rudy Gay |
| 4. |  |  | Marcus Smart 6-4 225 PG Oklahoma St. So. | Smart is a "different kind of dude", as one scout put it, speaking about his maturity and decision to stay in school and bypass the draft in which he would have likely been a top 2-3 selection in 2013. Smart was playing the PG position solely for the first time in his career, so detractors must keep in mind that the holes to his game are still developing. He may always struggle to stay in front of elite point guards, but then again everyone does. Smart displayed his improved shooting and scoring ability with his 39 point outburst against Memphis. He’s a natural leader and the kind of player that makes everyone around him better just with his presence. He always seems to be a step ahead of the competition with a feel for the game that is very advanced for his age. Comparing Smart to past NBA guys is very difficult, as he’s such a unique player. NBA Comparison: Jason Kidd |
| 5. |  |  | Julius Randle 6-9 240 PF Kentucky Fr. | Randle is a rare talent in that he combines raw power with a high skill level. Randle is Kentucky’s top prospect in a year in which many consider to be Coach Calipari’s greatest recruiting haul. He’s proven to be virtually unguardedly for any single college player. His combination of power and skill set him apart and make him a big time post prospect for the NBA level. His on court mannerisms have caused some to question his focus, however he’s received positive reviews from scouts about his willingness to be coached and learn. In high school he got a little too enamored with facing the basket and his post game needed some polish, but he has been virtually unstoppable around the basket at UK. NBA Comparison: Derrick Coleman |
| 6. |  |  | Dante Exum 6-6 185 PG/SG Australia Fr. | Exum is the biggest wildcard of this year’s draft. He’s a terrific kid with a great deal of talent, but without question he’s still very unproven as his biggest accomplishments have been in the form of international competitions such as the Hoop Summit where he matched up with Aaron Harrison. He also has been very impressive playing for his Australian national team in competitions such as the U19 World championships in Prague. He’s got a ton of upside due to his versatility to play either guard position and extreme quickness off the dribble, and has drawn comparisons to Penny Hardaway, Had Shabazz Muhammad sat out the year and not been "exposed", a number of scouts feel he would have ridden the hype into being a top 3-5 pick in 2013. Exum has the same kind of hype behind him and could end up a top 5 pick, a la Enes Kanter without ever playing at the college level. He has some kinks to work out such as a shot that lacks much trajectory. He also much prove himself playing off the ball and playing within more of a team context as opposed to having carte blanche as he does leading his Aussie team. NBA Comparison: Penny Hardaway |
| 7. |  |  | Gary Harris 6-4 205 SG/PG Michigan St. So. | Harris is a sophomore who plays with unusual maturity and poise. Though a tad undersized at 6’4, Harris has solid length, athleticism and great quickness. He also shows a textbook shooting form and consistency from deep. The cerebral guard flirted with the idea of turning pro as a freshman in such a weak class, however his shoulder troubles would have likely dropped him further than where he would have liked. He appears to be fully healthy now and has started to hit his stride mid way through the year. His ability to potentially be a combo guard gives him added intrigue. NBA Comparison: OJ Mayo |
| 8. |  |  | Rodney Hood 6-8 210 SF Duke So. | There were actually scouts that prior to the season predicted that Hood would leapfrog Parker and go higher in the draft. Obviously that was before everyone realized just how talented Parker was, but it shows just how highly Hood was and is regarded. The Mississippi State transfer has tremendous outside shooting as well as being an above athlete with a polished all around skill level. He and Parker have their work cut out for them as Duke’s bare frontcourt forces them into playing post defense. One of Hood’s main areas of weakness is lack of physicality and strength so it will be interesting to see how he responds. NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis |
| 9. |  |  | Zach LaVine 6-4 180 PG/SG UCLA Fr. | How shocking has LaVine’s climb into the lottery been? He wasn’t even ranked as a top 50 high school senior last season. Despite the national hype around Arizona’s Aaron Gordon, it’s LaVine that is actually the Pac 12’s top freshman and prospect. While he has trailed off some of late, LaVine is finally garnering a great deal of national exposure recently. He’s got a highly intriguing combination of explosiveness and shooting ability. A second year in Westwood to get stronger and work on his PG skills would be beneficial. But if he continues to play at his current rate it will be difficult to turn down being a potential top 10 selection after just his freshman season. NBA Comparison: Russell Westbrook |
| 10. |  |  | Jerami Grant 6-8 215 SF/PF Syracuse So. | In terms of readiness, Grant could be looked at similar to the freshmen projected in the later half of the first round. Grant is the son of former NBA forward Harvey Grant, twin brother of Horace Grant. He’s a high level athlete with great length and quickness. His offensive game has shown solid development thus far at Syracuse, but he will play a secondary role with CJ fair being the team’s go to scorer. Jerami shows a lot of potential but whether he puts things together and plays with enough consistency to be a first rounder this year remains to be seen. He has been very impressive over the last month of December and beginning of January. NBA Comparison: Thaddeus Young |
| 11. | |  | Glenn Robinson III 6-6 200 SF Michigan So. | Robinson returns for his sophomore season and will assume a larger leadership role with the departure of Trey Burke. He’s an excellent athlete with basketball bloodlines as the son of a former #1 overall pick. He will look to springboard off an excellent freshman season and become a more complete and consistent player as a sophomore. He’s got solid all around skills, utilizing tremendous leaping ability and good strength to defend and rebound and contribute outside of scoring. Becoming better at creating shots for himself and a more consistent shooter will help solidify him as a possible mid lottery pick for this year’s draft. NBA Comparison: Andre Iguodala |
| 12. |  |  | Jordan Clarkson 6-5 190 PG Missouri Jr. | Clarkson is a big, smooth point guard who has taken over the Missouri offense after transferring from Tulsa. He shows the ability to get teammates involved as well as create his own offense. Whether or not he can sustain a high enough level of play to grab a late lottery pick remains to be seen. But scouts that have seen him in practices and games in the early part of the season have come away extremely impressed with him. NBA Comparison: Michael Carter-Williams |
| 13. |  |  | Tyler Ennis 6-2 180 PG Syracuse Fr. | A strong case could be made that Ennis (and not Parker) is the most valuable freshman in the country. He has led the Cuse to an undefeated record through mid June. Amazing to think that Syracuse didn’t even know who their PG would be going into this season before Ennis blew up at the U19 World Championships in Prague in July. Ennis has been arguable the most consistent point guard in the country, and although he lacks elite level athleticism, he does a good job of changing speeds and getting by defenders and to the rim. He’s very good at finding teammates for baskets while on the move and shows impeccable decision making. his command of the PG position and decision making are truly special for a college freshman, and throw in the fact that he’s got good touch and a promising mid range game, and Ennis will likely be faced with a decision following the season with a chance to be a lottery pick after just one year in college. NBA Comparison: George Hill |
| 14. | |  | James Young 6-6 210 SG Kentucky Fr. | Young has one of the purest strokes in college basketball and he also happens to be a prototypical 6-foot-6, athletic two guard, which is music to the ears of NBA scouts. He may go through growing pains and hit the proverbial freshman wall at times, but he’s UK’s second best prospect and shows a lot of competitive fire. Look for Young to have a big season and join the long line of UK’s one and done lottery picks. He has the look of a future NBA starting 2 guard and could even become an All Star level player if things fall into place with his skill set and future team (situation). NBA Comparison: Michael Redd |
| 15. |  |  | Doug McDermott 6-7 225 SF Creighton Sr. | In today’s NBA, having one standout skill can be better than being just good in many areas. McDermott is an elite level shooter with a tremendous feel for the game. Scouts have pegged his range as a likely 12-18 mid first rounder going into the season. A player that can spread the floor as well as pass and compete at a high level will fit right into many teams. McDermott may never be a good defender due to lack of foot speed and athleticism. But his offensive arsenal should be enough to make up for that. NBA Comparison: Jason Kapono |
| 16. | |  | Noah Vonleh 6-9 240 PF Indiana Fr. | Vonleh has had a surprisingly quick transition to the college level. He’s a forward who has spent a lot of time working on his handle but seems to have realized that his bread and butter at the NBA level lies in the paint. He lacks much in the way of post moves and is just a raw physical specimen at this point. But he’s a bright, coachable kid who works hard and should continue to improve as the season progresses. A second year in Bloomington would figure to help him immensely, yet if he’s still being projected this high in April, it may be difficult to follow that course. NBA Comparison: Jamal Mashburn |
| 17. |  |  | TJ Warren 6-7 220 SG/SF NC State So. | Warren is a talented wing with a nose for scoring. He has spring boarded off of a solid freshman campaign to become one of the most prolific scorers in the country. He’s an NBA level athlete who shows a knack for taking what the defense gives him and one of those guys that makes the game look easy. He still needs to extend his range and add a 3 point shot to his repertoire, but he shows good form on his shot and should be able to improve that over time. NBA Comparison: Caron Butler |
| 18. |  |  | Vasilije Micic 6-5 200 PG Serbia 1994 | While Micic isn’t the fleetest of foot, his leadership and ability to run a team makes him extremely intriguing. There are not many players on any level with the vision and passing ability that he possesses. He also seems to have gained some speed and athleticism over the past 6 months, after coming back from a leg injury. Micic was a downhill skier as a youth and he attributes some of his vision, reflexes and quick decision making abilities to his years on the slopes. There are still some concerns with his foot speed and ability to score, but his heart for the game and determination are excellent. For those that enjoy imaginative passing, Micic is a true joy to watch. NBA Comparison: Jose Calderon |
| 19. | |  | Willie Cauley-Stein 7-0 235 C Kentucky So. | Cauley-Stein has become a force for Kentucky as a shot blocker in his sophomore season. He runs the floor like a deer and plays with tremendous energy. While his offensive game lacks touch and polish and he may never possess much of a post game, he’s able to score using his athleticism with ally oops and put backs. Cauley-Stein projects as a mid first rounder who has a lot of potential due to his excellent athleticism. NBA Comparison: Dan Gadzuric |
| 20. |  |  | Aaron Gordon 6-8 220 PF Arizona Fr. | Gordon is an explosive leaper and a great kid. He will impress teams in interviews and has proven himself as a team leader winning MVP of the U19 Championships in Prague, where he put himself in a positive light with many NBA scouts. Many seem to love the Blake Griffin comparison, but it just isn’t very accurate. He lacks the sheer power of a Griffin and doesn’t appear to have the frame to carry that type of weight. He’s determined to turn himself into a small forward, but that appears unlikely to happen. Let’s turn down the hype machine on this kid just a tad and let him breathe before the backlash is too great. Gordon will be an excellent role player in the NBA someday. NBA Comparison: Kenneth Faried |
| 21. |  |  | Kyle Anderson 6-9 230 SF/PG UCLA So. | "Slow Mo" has shown excellent improvement between his freshman and sophomore seasons. For starters he has cut down on his turnovers and improved upon his A/TO ratio. He also looks much more comfortable creating offense for himself and others and his once inconsistent jumpshot has become much more reliable. He’s even hitting 3 pointers at an excellent clip, though on a low volume. Scouts are still concerned about his lack of speed and quickness making him a difficult player to assess. But his skill level and length makes him an intriguing prospect. His rebounding ability garners scout’s admiration, as does his ability to shoot over smaller defenders. He has even received some lottery chatter from scouts. NBA Comparison: Jalen Rose |
| 22. | |  | Dario Saric 6-10 225 PF/SF Split Croatia 1994 | Saric has an old man’s game as he has a high basketball IQ and beats opponents with brains over braun. His shot has long been an area of weakness but has shown recent improvement, in particular in the Eurobasket. He’s got legitimate PG skills with the ability to see the floor and find teammates for shots, however his lack of foot speed might force him to play the 4, as opposed to being a full time 3. He lacks great athleticism and footspeed, and has a game that is probably best suited to being a star in Europe as opposed to an NBA role guy, however his determination and toughness will allow him to play in the NBA and be a contributor if he so desires. NBA Comparison: Dejan Bodiroga |
| 23. | |  | Adreian Payne 6-9 230 PF Michigan St. Sr. | Payne came in as a highly decorated recruit and while he had his ups and downs, he stuck around though his senior season. And it should prove very beneficial as his game has really shown significant improvement in the past year. His jumpshot has become extremely accurate with excellent form and rotation. He could see his stock affected some by his play in March and how far the Spartans make it in the tournament. NBA Comparison: Robert Horry |
| 24. |  |  | Montrezl Harrell 6-8 240 PF Louisville So. | Harrell is an intriguing 4 man due to his great power and explosiveness. Despite being undersized at 6-8, he possesses a huge wingspan and plays with a high level of energy. Scouts who watched him play for team USA at the U19 Championships in Prague raved about him comparing him to Ben Wallace.With Russdiculous and Chris Jones in the backcourt, Harrell is forced to get most of his baskets off of rebounds, put backs or the occasional ally oop. But he’s most valuable to the team providing the dirty work: rebounding and playing physical around the basket. NBA Comparison: JJ Hickson |
| 25. |  |  | Samaj Christon 6-3 190 PG Xavier So. | Christon has a tremendous basketball body with the speed and quickness to get to the basket as well as the length to give opposing point guards headaches as an on ball defender. The one major weakness that he must improve upon is his shot which comes off flat and lacks a fluid release. His development in this area will be crucial to his draft stock this season. Playing at Xavier has allowed Christon to fly under the radar without a great deal of attention, despite being one of the most prolific freshman scorers in the country last year. He’s begun to put things together midway through his sophomore campaign. NBA Comparison: Keyon Dooling |
| 26. |  |  | Markel Brown 6-4 190 SG Oklahoma St. Sr. | Brown is an undersized 2 guard but he has the requisite freakish athleticism to overcome the size disadvantage. His ability to create shots off the dribble are enhanced by his top flight speed and athleticism. He’s long been one of the most explosive guards in the country, but he has added a consistent jumpshot and improved ball handling and decision making to his skill set. Playing alongside Marcus Smart for two seasons has certainly been beneficial to him. Despite being undersized, Brown is a solid bet to grab a late first round spot in a deep draft. NBA Comparison: Avery Bradley |
| 27. | |  | Deonte Burton 34149 6-1 185 PG Nevada Sr. | Burton has been on the radar since his freshman season but leading up to his senior year he struggled with consistency and efficiency. He has matured, becoming a more judicious decision maker and showing the ability to run the team effectively, albeit a struggling team. Burton’s speed and athleticism are top notch and he’s had numerous highlight reel dunks a la Steve Francis throughout his college career. His blow by speed will be a big asset as an ISO guard at the next level and if he can truly develop into a game manager and floor general, he has starting NBA PG potential. NBA Comparison: Louis Williams |
| 28. | |  | Olivier Hanlan 6-3 190 PG Boston College So. | Hanlan is a magician with the ball as he shows a Steph Curry like ability to rock defenders off balance and create shots with limited space. He not the talent or shooter of Curry, but he’s a high level scorer in his own right that will benefit from the hand checking rules in the NBA. His point guard abilities remain a question mark and his development in this area is sure to impact just how high his stock can climb. He’s a very crafty, cerebral player with great hand/eye coordination. He’s already had a 38 point game and appears ready to build on a terrific freshman season. NBA Comparison: CJ McCollum |
| 29. |  |  | Roscoe Smith 6-8 220 PF UNLV Jr. | Roscoe Smith might be the best rebounder in college basketball. He’s really built up his body and there aren’t many players on the college level with his type of athleticism. After sitting out last season, he appears to have a lot of pent up aggression to unleash on opponents. His athleticism and rebounding far exceed his offensive ability, which consists mainly of put backs and garbage buckets. NBA Comparison: Hakim Warrick |
| 30. | |  | Shabazz Napier 6-1 181 PG UConn Sr. | Has put it all together in his senior year and become both a team leader and a clutch go-to scorer. Napier received criticism for his lack of leadership and was even described as being selfish early in his college career. He has really evolved with four years of college and is praised for his leadership now in his senior year. Though he’s not an explosive athlete, his talent has never been in question as he shows great quickness and belief in his abilities. He was a key reserve as a freshman to UConn’s title team and if he can close out his final college year strong, he’ll be in contention for a late first round selection. NBA Comparison: Tyronn Lue |
Andrew Wiggins compared to Rudy Gay?
They seem like totally different players to me. Rudy Gay is an iso-player who is criticized by his detractors for stopping the ball and doing too much off the dribble while not playing with great effort on defense.
Wiggins is criticized for the opposite reasons on offense; he doesn’t take enough shots for detractors. If he played more like Gay, he would satisfy the people who want him to be more aggressive. He is criticized for playing like a role player; Gay is criticized for playing like a star.
Their physical tools are extremely similar, but their skill sets and mentalities on the court couldn’t be more different. I think Jabari Parker has much more in common with Gay than does Wiggins.
That’s a great point!
That’s a great point! Couldn’t be said better by anyone else. I just hope all of the return to school for some more R&D. McClemore would’ve been better off staying too.
Andrew Wiggins compared to Rudy Gay?
They seem like totally different players to me. Rudy Gay is an iso-player who is criticized by his detractors for stopping the ball and doing too much off the dribble while not playing with great effort on defense.
Wiggins is criticized for the opposite reasons on offense; he doesn’t take enough shots for detractors. If he played more like Gay, he would satisfy the people who want him to be more aggressive. He is criticized for playing like a role player; Gay is criticized for playing like a star.
Their physical tools are extremely similar, but their skill sets and mentalities on the court couldn’t be more different. I think Jabari Parker has much more in common with Gay than does Wiggins.
That’s a great point!
That’s a great point! Couldn’t be said better by anyone else. I just hope all of the return to school for some more R&D. McClemore would’ve been better off staying too.
Wiggins has better freshman
Wiggins has better freshman year stats so far than Jordan did. Both guys played on LOADED teams so they weren’t the first, second, and last option on offense.
Wonder why Jabari Parker is still ahead of Marcus Smart? If Parker is nothing more than a poor man’s Carmelo Anthony then what is that worth?
Kyle Anderson to the Thunder at 21 is just not fair, even if he might not be the best fit. Even so a big back court of Kyle Anderson and Westbrook, with Durant, Ibaka, and Steven Adams manning the front line is really, really scary. They would also need to find minutes for Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson, and Perry Jones, but there are many possibilities here. Although Adreian Payne (a guy compared to Robert Horry) might be the better fit as a backup to Ibaka at the 4 or as a starting power forward in small ball lineups (with Ibaka at center).
It looks like the Thunder have THREE late first round picks. They should be stacked for the next several years!
Wiggins has better freshman
Wiggins has better freshman year stats so far than Jordan did. Both guys played on LOADED teams so they weren’t the first, second, and last option on offense.
Wonder why Jabari Parker is still ahead of Marcus Smart? If Parker is nothing more than a poor man’s Carmelo Anthony then what is that worth?
Kyle Anderson to the Thunder at 21 is just not fair, even if he might not be the best fit. Even so a big back court of Kyle Anderson and Westbrook, with Durant, Ibaka, and Steven Adams manning the front line is really, really scary. They would also need to find minutes for Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson, and Perry Jones, but there are many possibilities here. Although Adreian Payne (a guy compared to Robert Horry) might be the better fit as a backup to Ibaka at the 4 or as a starting power forward in small ball lineups (with Ibaka at center).
It looks like the Thunder have THREE late first round picks. They should be stacked for the next several years!
Stop with the Jordan non-sense
Yeahhh, we have all seen that Wiggins’ stats are better than Jordan’s freshman stats… Jordan also played in a league where most players stayed 3 or 4 years in college and were much bigger and more skilled because of it.
MJ also didn’t make his high school team his first year… are you telling me that kids who do make the team in grade 9 have higher potential than Jordan? HELL NO!!!!!! So stop with this ridiculous stat. Scoring means nothing in NCAA – See A. Mason or T. Hawes for an example of why.
And about Jabari… he’s better than Marcus Smart because he just simply is better lol he’s straight up a better baller. And he may be a poor man’s Melo in terms of ability, but he’s a million times smarter and less selfish. Melo is one of those players who constantly makes rookie mistakes even though he’s been in the L for 10 years – for example he screwed NY in a game against HOU this year when he didn’t fully understand the hack-a-howard rules and didn’t wait until 2 minutes left to foul… Melo is a cancer… Parker is the cure.
Stop with the Jordan non-sense
Yeahhh, we have all seen that Wiggins’ stats are better than Jordan’s freshman stats… Jordan also played in a league where most players stayed 3 or 4 years in college and were much bigger and more skilled because of it.
MJ also didn’t make his high school team his first year… are you telling me that kids who do make the team in grade 9 have higher potential than Jordan? HELL NO!!!!!! So stop with this ridiculous stat. Scoring means nothing in NCAA – See A. Mason or T. Hawes for an example of why.
And about Jabari… he’s better than Marcus Smart because he just simply is better lol he’s straight up a better baller. And he may be a poor man’s Melo in terms of ability, but he’s a million times smarter and less selfish. Melo is one of those players who constantly makes rookie mistakes even though he’s been in the L for 10 years – for example he screwed NY in a game against HOU this year when he didn’t fully understand the hack-a-howard rules and didn’t wait until 2 minutes left to foul… Melo is a cancer… Parker is the cure.
Wiggins
At the moment I’d be tempted to compare Wiggins to Shawn Marion, back in his Matrix days.
Excellent athleticism, defensively able. Scores points in transition and within the flow of the offence.
What most people complain about with Wiggins is that he doesn’t seem to ‘take-over’ games. I actually see this as a positive. I remember listening to players talking about guarding George ‘Iceman’ Gervin & how they thought they’d locked him down, only to check the boxscore and see he snuck 20 points. That’s how I see Wiggins progressing.
Randle’s described as ‘unguardable’ and ‘unstoppable’, yet on a team where he’s much more of an offensive focus is barely outscoring Wiggins 16.5ppg to 15.7ppg. I expect Wiggins to overtake Randle’s scoring by the end of the season and get close to Parker’s scoring output, whilst being the top freshman defensively.
Whilst Parker will have the most impressive rookie season, Wiggins will have the best +/-. Though with Embiid’s rapid development he may no longer be the rookie with the most potential.
The depth in this draft is what really impresses me. Players who were initially projected lottery, like the Harrisons & Hezonja have been pushed back to 2015 (though some of these may still declare) yet you can get a difference maker down to the 9th pick and a good rotation player down to 18, with some solid names / high potential players to be found even in the 2nd round.
Every draft we look at the following year and say it is going to be excellent and then start knocking it as the year goes on. I’m seeing it again this year. I think that this is still going to go down as one of the top 5 drafts.
Couldn’t agree more
I like Wiggins because even if he disappoints with regards to his raw numbers, he still should be a very valuable player. He can be a so-called role player and still give a team 20 ppg with outstanding defense. The fact that he has so many supposed flaws and still roles out an outstanding stats line while playing plus defense and moving the ball well is a very good sign for his future.
Randle worries me because if he doesn’t become a big-time scorer, he isn’t going to be a very valuable player. To a much lesser extent that is true with Jabari Parker, although I think Parker is a much more sure bet to be a big-time scorer than Randle.
This is fantastic. Not to
This is fantastic. Not to nitpick, but Prime Marion’s value was heavily influenced by his elite ability to hit the glass, which will never be Wiggins’ game.
Possibly not but…
I believe he’s the 2nd leading rebounder and snagged 19 boards on the road against a top 10 team. I think people expected Wiggins to average 28, 14, 8, 3 and 3 but KU doesn’t play that way.
Wiggins
At the moment I’d be tempted to compare Wiggins to Shawn Marion, back in his Matrix days.
Excellent athleticism, defensively able. Scores points in transition and within the flow of the offence.
What most people complain about with Wiggins is that he doesn’t seem to ‘take-over’ games. I actually see this as a positive. I remember listening to players talking about guarding George ‘Iceman’ Gervin & how they thought they’d locked him down, only to check the boxscore and see he snuck 20 points. That’s how I see Wiggins progressing.
Randle’s described as ‘unguardable’ and ‘unstoppable’, yet on a team where he’s much more of an offensive focus is barely outscoring Wiggins 16.5ppg to 15.7ppg. I expect Wiggins to overtake Randle’s scoring by the end of the season and get close to Parker’s scoring output, whilst being the top freshman defensively.
Whilst Parker will have the most impressive rookie season, Wiggins will have the best +/-. Though with Embiid’s rapid development he may no longer be the rookie with the most potential.
The depth in this draft is what really impresses me. Players who were initially projected lottery, like the Harrisons & Hezonja have been pushed back to 2015 (though some of these may still declare) yet you can get a difference maker down to the 9th pick and a good rotation player down to 18, with some solid names / high potential players to be found even in the 2nd round.
Every draft we look at the following year and say it is going to be excellent and then start knocking it as the year goes on. I’m seeing it again this year. I think that this is still going to go down as one of the top 5 drafts.
Couldn’t agree more
I like Wiggins because even if he disappoints with regards to his raw numbers, he still should be a very valuable player. He can be a so-called role player and still give a team 20 ppg with outstanding defense. The fact that he has so many supposed flaws and still roles out an outstanding stats line while playing plus defense and moving the ball well is a very good sign for his future.
Randle worries me because if he doesn’t become a big-time scorer, he isn’t going to be a very valuable player. To a much lesser extent that is true with Jabari Parker, although I think Parker is a much more sure bet to be a big-time scorer than Randle.
This is fantastic. Not to
This is fantastic. Not to nitpick, but Prime Marion’s value was heavily influenced by his elite ability to hit the glass, which will never be Wiggins’ game.
Possibly not but…
I believe he’s the 2nd leading rebounder and snagged 19 boards on the road against a top 10 team. I think people expected Wiggins to average 28, 14, 8, 3 and 3 but KU doesn’t play that way.
Yo
As a Sixer die hard – we add Wiggins and GR III and Noel and I haven’t been this excited since we traded for Moses Malone !!
How old are you? I am a Sixer
How old are you? I am a Sixer fan myself and while I would love Wiggins (I have him rated #1 over Embiid and Parker) I wouldn’t be crazy about GR III. I know this is just based off of rankings and not team need at this point but they are both SF’s and the Sixers need a shooter at SG. I would prefer they would take James Young if he would be available with their 2nd pick. He would fit in nicely because he can stretch the defense and play without the ball.
Now as long as the Sixers get a top 3 pick they will be fine. I would take Wiggins 1st because I think he has mega potential on both ends. Embiid is right there as well and a frontline of Embiid and Noel would be very nice for 10 years going forward. Parker is the most ready player and looks like he can come in an average 17 a game today.
If they get a top 3 pick and the 12th pick they will be able to turn it around in a hurry a la OKC. Now if they only land the 4th or 5th pick they will still be adding a quality player but none that fit as well as the top 3 do…and none that are as exciting either. I still would trust this organization to turn it around based on what I have seen so far but this years draft lottery will play a major part….hopefully that New Orleans pick doesn’t move up either….that could not only delay that pick until next season but could also push the Sixers out of the top 3. Lottery Ball night will be my most anticipated night in the NBA this season.
Yo
As a Sixer die hard – we add Wiggins and GR III and Noel and I haven’t been this excited since we traded for Moses Malone !!
How old are you? I am a Sixer
How old are you? I am a Sixer fan myself and while I would love Wiggins (I have him rated #1 over Embiid and Parker) I wouldn’t be crazy about GR III. I know this is just based off of rankings and not team need at this point but they are both SF’s and the Sixers need a shooter at SG. I would prefer they would take James Young if he would be available with their 2nd pick. He would fit in nicely because he can stretch the defense and play without the ball.
Now as long as the Sixers get a top 3 pick they will be fine. I would take Wiggins 1st because I think he has mega potential on both ends. Embiid is right there as well and a frontline of Embiid and Noel would be very nice for 10 years going forward. Parker is the most ready player and looks like he can come in an average 17 a game today.
If they get a top 3 pick and the 12th pick they will be able to turn it around in a hurry a la OKC. Now if they only land the 4th or 5th pick they will still be adding a quality player but none that fit as well as the top 3 do…and none that are as exciting either. I still would trust this organization to turn it around based on what I have seen so far but this years draft lottery will play a major part….hopefully that New Orleans pick doesn’t move up either….that could not only delay that pick until next season but could also push the Sixers out of the top 3. Lottery Ball night will be my most anticipated night in the NBA this season.
“Micic was a downhill skier
"Micic was a downhill skier as a youth and he attributes some of his vision, reflexes and quick decision making abilities to his years on the slopes."
Yeah, and Embiid played soccer, so he has great footwork…
And Parker played darts, so he has a great shooting stroke.
Come on.
“Micic was a downhill skier
"Micic was a downhill skier as a youth and he attributes some of his vision, reflexes and quick decision making abilities to his years on the slopes."
Yeah, and Embiid played soccer, so he has great footwork…
And Parker played darts, so he has a great shooting stroke.
Come on.
Sam Dekker
Sam Dekker is a first round pick, not sure why he is not getting the love from this site but he is on everyone elses radar. He is an underated athlete, an excellent shooter with an above average BBIQ and will defend. He may not be an all star, but a very solid SF in the association.
Kinda reminds me of Gordon
Kinda reminds me of Gordon Hayward
Sam Dekker
Sam Dekker is a first round pick, not sure why he is not getting the love from this site but he is on everyone elses radar. He is an underated athlete, an excellent shooter with an above average BBIQ and will defend. He may not be an all star, but a very solid SF in the association.
Kinda reminds me of Gordon
Kinda reminds me of Gordon Hayward
Player comparisons
I believe that Andrew Wiggins’ comparison to Rudy Gay is a disgrace to Wiggins himself. Wiggins to me still has unlimited potential with his size and athleticism and Rudy Gay cannot compare to that. I am not saying Gay is a bad player by any means, but he has never had the defensive potential Wiggins has nor the ability to impact the game without scoring like Wiggins does. Gay has shown in his time with the Grizzlies and Raptors that he is an inefficient, iso player ala Carmelo Anthony, that tends not to impact the game besides scoring in bunches. Wiggins has the potential to be a great two way player at the next level and I think comparing him to Gay is selling Wiggins’ potential way short. To me if Wiggins gets that killer instict and works on his off the dribble game, he can be a Paul George type of player.
Jabari Parker’s comparison to Carmelo Anthony is not the best comparison for Jabari, but it is a fair one. Jabari, to me, is a better all around player than Carmelo that plays within a team system who is a willing passer and has a better shot selection than Carmelo. I worry about Jabari’s ability to guard 3 and 4’s at the next level because he does seem to be a slowed footed defender who is a step short. With that being said, I do believe he has the potential to compete with Carmelo and Durant for the scoring title at the next level.
My final point is this, Aaron Gordon is the type of player that should return to school for his sophomore season if his ranking on this list is accurate. I do believe he is ranked to low on this list as he has the potential of a top 6-7 player if he can round out his whole game. The point about Gordon not being able to put on the weight of like a Blake Griffin, is a strange one. Gordon as of right now is a very strong, muscular athlete who is only 18 years old and in his freshman season.
People need to realize that
People need to realize that youre not comparing jabari to NBA Melo. You compare him to freshman Melo at Syracuse. Lets not forget how awesome Melo was his freshman year. People are down on Melo this year but lets not act like he hasnt been one of the best players in the league thenpast 10years. Jabari would be lucky to come anywhere near as good as melo
Player comparisons
I believe that Andrew Wiggins’ comparison to Rudy Gay is a disgrace to Wiggins himself. Wiggins to me still has unlimited potential with his size and athleticism and Rudy Gay cannot compare to that. I am not saying Gay is a bad player by any means, but he has never had the defensive potential Wiggins has nor the ability to impact the game without scoring like Wiggins does. Gay has shown in his time with the Grizzlies and Raptors that he is an inefficient, iso player ala Carmelo Anthony, that tends not to impact the game besides scoring in bunches. Wiggins has the potential to be a great two way player at the next level and I think comparing him to Gay is selling Wiggins’ potential way short. To me if Wiggins gets that killer instict and works on his off the dribble game, he can be a Paul George type of player.
Jabari Parker’s comparison to Carmelo Anthony is not the best comparison for Jabari, but it is a fair one. Jabari, to me, is a better all around player than Carmelo that plays within a team system who is a willing passer and has a better shot selection than Carmelo. I worry about Jabari’s ability to guard 3 and 4’s at the next level because he does seem to be a slowed footed defender who is a step short. With that being said, I do believe he has the potential to compete with Carmelo and Durant for the scoring title at the next level.
My final point is this, Aaron Gordon is the type of player that should return to school for his sophomore season if his ranking on this list is accurate. I do believe he is ranked to low on this list as he has the potential of a top 6-7 player if he can round out his whole game. The point about Gordon not being able to put on the weight of like a Blake Griffin, is a strange one. Gordon as of right now is a very strong, muscular athlete who is only 18 years old and in his freshman season.
People need to realize that
People need to realize that youre not comparing jabari to NBA Melo. You compare him to freshman Melo at Syracuse. Lets not forget how awesome Melo was his freshman year. People are down on Melo this year but lets not act like he hasnt been one of the best players in the league thenpast 10years. Jabari would be lucky to come anywhere near as good as melo
Joel Embiid
Also, who doesn’t love the goggles Embiid is wearing ala Jabar and Olajuwon from 80’s!
Wiggins- Future Superstar
Wiggins is not like Rudy Gay in that Rudy is a high usage low efficient player. He does have some of Rudy’s physical traits. Both are around the same height and both have great length and wingspan. Wiggins actually has a longer wingspan than Gay. Wiggins is the most athletic player to come around in a long time. He is an absolute freak. He can finish in traffic and has incredible lift. He just stays in the air for such a long time, just like Chris Walker of Florida.
Lastly, he can get to the hoop from the 3 pt line in like a step and a half, has the most deadly spin move I’ve ever seen and can dunk better than anyone I have seen in a long time, better than Griffin. He is going to be a superstar when all is said and done. Once he enters the NBA and the game opens up and he starts getting more aggressive and assertive, you will be looking at T-Mac with more athleticism, better jump shot, better in the full and half court and his defense will be similar to Lebron or Paul George.
Parker is a superstar too, in comparing it to the 04 draft. Wiggins= Lebron, Parker=Carmelo, Wade=Smart, Randle= A better Bosh (Chris Webber-Esque), Exum, Embid, Harris, Hood, Ennis and Vonleh will all be great as well. Maybe All-Stars
Joel Embiid
Also, who doesn’t love the goggles Embiid is wearing ala Jabar and Olajuwon from 80’s!
Wiggins- Future Superstar
Wiggins is not like Rudy Gay in that Rudy is a high usage low efficient player. He does have some of Rudy’s physical traits. Both are around the same height and both have great length and wingspan. Wiggins actually has a longer wingspan than Gay. Wiggins is the most athletic player to come around in a long time. He is an absolute freak. He can finish in traffic and has incredible lift. He just stays in the air for such a long time, just like Chris Walker of Florida.
Lastly, he can get to the hoop from the 3 pt line in like a step and a half, has the most deadly spin move I’ve ever seen and can dunk better than anyone I have seen in a long time, better than Griffin. He is going to be a superstar when all is said and done. Once he enters the NBA and the game opens up and he starts getting more aggressive and assertive, you will be looking at T-Mac with more athleticism, better jump shot, better in the full and half court and his defense will be similar to Lebron or Paul George.
Parker is a superstar too, in comparing it to the 04 draft. Wiggins= Lebron, Parker=Carmelo, Wade=Smart, Randle= A better Bosh (Chris Webber-Esque), Exum, Embid, Harris, Hood, Ennis and Vonleh will all be great as well. Maybe All-Stars
You guys are completely
You guys are completely forgetting how Rudy Gay was viewed coming out of college. As a prospect he was not the ISO/ball stopper that he is considered today. He was verrry similar to Wiggins in that he was the most talented player on the court, but you wouldn’t even notice him for long stretches (good or bad). In college he scored most of his points by hustle and athleticism, much the way Wiggins does.
Just read the negatives about Gay when he came out…
“people began to question his desire and intensity and whether he has it in him to become great … He floats in and out of games, and tended to defer to teammates in clutch situations … Is it a lack of fire, or just a lack of maturity and confidence?”
“He still struggles to create offense for himself off the dribble, getting the majority of his baskets off of rebounds, or passes from teammates.”
You guys are completely
You guys are completely forgetting how Rudy Gay was viewed coming out of college. As a prospect he was not the ISO/ball stopper that he is considered today. He was verrry similar to Wiggins in that he was the most talented player on the court, but you wouldn’t even notice him for long stretches (good or bad). In college he scored most of his points by hustle and athleticism, much the way Wiggins does.
Just read the negatives about Gay when he came out…
“people began to question his desire and intensity and whether he has it in him to become great … He floats in and out of games, and tended to defer to teammates in clutch situations … Is it a lack of fire, or just a lack of maturity and confidence?”
“He still struggles to create offense for himself off the dribble, getting the majority of his baskets off of rebounds, or passes from teammates.”
really Rudy Gay?
Stop the Rudy Gay comparison, There comparison is suppose to be closer to there ceiling than there floor, and Rudy Gay is pretty close to Wiggins floor.
It’s more about style than cieling
They’re actually supposed to be more about body type and playing style/projected role… if it were based on talent I’d slap the editor who put "Shaquille O’Neal" as Dakari Johnson’s comparison in the summer (LOL, either way this should never ever happen, come on guys!) and Semaj Christon’s coparison is John Wall, which is a big stretch considering John Wall is insane and he’s not even anywhere near HIS cieling yet… But like I say I’m sure it’s about style not substance.
Wiggins has a similar frame and similar athletic ability to Gay (obviously Wiggins gets the edge) but you’re right Wiggins has a way higher cieling, though I could see his cieling being a lot lower than expected, you just never know who will and who won’t adapt to the pro game.(as a Canadian I would love nothing more than for him to be a future MVP, All-Star, NBA champion… you name it)
really Rudy Gay?
Stop the Rudy Gay comparison, There comparison is suppose to be closer to there ceiling than there floor, and Rudy Gay is pretty close to Wiggins floor.
It’s more about style than cieling
They’re actually supposed to be more about body type and playing style/projected role… if it were based on talent I’d slap the editor who put "Shaquille O’Neal" as Dakari Johnson’s comparison in the summer (LOL, either way this should never ever happen, come on guys!) and Semaj Christon’s coparison is John Wall, which is a big stretch considering John Wall is insane and he’s not even anywhere near HIS cieling yet… But like I say I’m sure it’s about style not substance.
Wiggins has a similar frame and similar athletic ability to Gay (obviously Wiggins gets the edge) but you’re right Wiggins has a way higher cieling, though I could see his cieling being a lot lower than expected, you just never know who will and who won’t adapt to the pro game.(as a Canadian I would love nothing more than for him to be a future MVP, All-Star, NBA champion… you name it)
this draft is great, stop hating.
I’m tired of people saying this draft wasn’t what they expected. No matter what they were going to say that, there is TONS of young talent in this draft all across the board and I have no doubt some late first rounder or second rounders will be stars. This draft, if most decide to go, will be the best in a decade.
this draft is great, stop hating.
I’m tired of people saying this draft wasn’t what they expected. No matter what they were going to say that, there is TONS of young talent in this draft all across the board and I have no doubt some late first rounder or second rounders will be stars. This draft, if most decide to go, will be the best in a decade.
Don’t let the smooth taste fool you!
All of the top prospects have holes in their game! It all boils down to what pro scheme they get drafted into, who’s playing along side of them and how quickly they can adjust to the pro game. Parker has the highest ceiling but he could be the biggest bust. Offensively he is gifted but we haven’t seen those gifts against bigger, stronger, faster competition night in and night out. At 6’8″ I question his foot speed at the next level against NBA 3’s and the length and strength of a NBA 4 should keep him on the bench in foul trouble, unless he goes to a team where it’s ok to give up 25ppg a game if you can score 30ppg. On defensive he’d have to practice to be horrible. Wiggins is a stat stuffer he does it quiet, you look up and he’s close to a triple double and you haven’t seen anything accept the one highlight reel dunk. I’ve seen that movie before, most recently Tyrus Thomas. Marcus Smart I love but inconsistent. Julius Randle is the safe choice but I’m not sure what’s between his ears. Joel who at #1? The next dream? I haven’t watched him yet but I’m always slow to believe the hype!
Don’t let the smooth taste fool you!
All of the top prospects have holes in their game! It all boils down to what pro scheme they get drafted into, who’s playing along side of them and how quickly they can adjust to the pro game. Parker has the highest ceiling but he could be the biggest bust. Offensively he is gifted but we haven’t seen those gifts against bigger, stronger, faster competition night in and night out. At 6’8″ I question his foot speed at the next level against NBA 3’s and the length and strength of a NBA 4 should keep him on the bench in foul trouble, unless he goes to a team where it’s ok to give up 25ppg a game if you can score 30ppg. On defensive he’d have to practice to be horrible. Wiggins is a stat stuffer he does it quiet, you look up and he’s close to a triple double and you haven’t seen anything accept the one highlight reel dunk. I’ve seen that movie before, most recently Tyrus Thomas. Marcus Smart I love but inconsistent. Julius Randle is the safe choice but I’m not sure what’s between his ears. Joel who at #1? The next dream? I haven’t watched him yet but I’m always slow to believe the hype!
Wiggins Wrong School
I do not think KU was a good school to showcase Wiggins, Self is not a great coach, very good recruiter that loves to play offense High-Low, this is not good for a transition player kid like Wiggins that wants to run the floor constantly. I will say this, Wiggins does not need to develop more ball handling and passing skills, he needs to be closer to the basket to get off his Dominique Wilkins like dribble and elevate for a hook or floater. Right now, Parker, Embid and Smart have the edge on him if I was a drafting GM.
Wiggins Wrong School
I do not think KU was a good school to showcase Wiggins, Self is not a great coach, very good recruiter that loves to play offense High-Low, this is not good for a transition player kid like Wiggins that wants to run the floor constantly. I will say this, Wiggins does not need to develop more ball handling and passing skills, he needs to be closer to the basket to get off his Dominique Wilkins like dribble and elevate for a hook or floater. Right now, Parker, Embid and Smart have the edge on him if I was a drafting GM.
Wiggins
Wiggins needs a vet or sum1 2 help him refine his skills in the NBA or minic some1 like (kobe,durant or harden) : Parker has a better all around game but if Wiggins can learn how 2 attack with his smarts then he will be a beast.
Wiggins
Wiggins needs a vet or sum1 2 help him refine his skills in the NBA or minic some1 like (kobe,durant or harden) : Parker has a better all around game but if Wiggins can learn how 2 attack with his smarts then he will be a beast.
Make money
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Make money
my best friend’s half-sister makes $67 an hour on the computer . She has been out of work for six months but last month her income was $18716 just working on the computer for a few hours. read review……..www.Jobs84.com