2014 Draft Discussion

[ehh]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Re: Noel - I feel like a lot of people didn't watch UK last year because they blew. He was REALLY impressive as a defender. I don't think it's a stretch to say he was as good, if not better, than Davis as a freshman defensively. And yes, I realize how big of a statement that is.



Any updated thoughts on Aaron Gordon?

He has some moments but he doesn't strike me as a home run pick. I also don't think he's quite as athletic as he's made out to be. He's explosive but I think he'll be a slightly above-average at the next level in terms of athleticism. We heard so much about his athleticism, especially over the summer, but I haven't been blown away by that aspect of his game.

He doesn't seem to have anything to hang his hat on at this point in time. Can't handle the ball, is a so-so shooter, doesn't have a post game, he's a good rebounder but not a game changer. There's still tons of room for improvement and he's very young but I don't know he's going to be a better pro than Embiid or Vonleh.

The bright side is that he's super unselfish and fits in with the team's concept and system very well. He doesn't seem to be a prima donna at all and plays hard constantly. That shouldn't be ignored.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Re: Noel - I feel like a lot of people didn't watch UK last year because they blew. He was REALLY impressive as a defender. I don't think it's a stretch to say he was as good, if not better, than Davis as a freshman defensively. And yes, I realize how big of a statement that is.



Any updated thoughts on Aaron Gordon?

He has some moments but he doesn't strike me as a home run pick. I also don't think he's quite as athletic as he's made out to be. He's explosive but I think he'll be a slightly above-average at the next level in terms of athleticism. We heard so much about his athleticism, especially over the summer, but I haven't been blown away by that aspect of his game.

He doesn't seem to have anything to hang his hat on at this point in time. Can't handle the ball, is a so-so shooter, doesn't have a post game, he's a good rebounder but not a game changer. There's still tons of room for improvement and he's very young but I don't know he's going to be a better pro than Embiid or Vonleh.

The bright side is that he's super unselfish and fits in with the team's concept and system very well. He doesn't seem to be a prima donna at all and plays hard constantly. That shouldn't be ignored.

Yeah, you pretty much summed up my thoughts on Gordon so far. I like him so far as a college player. Does a bit of everything and just seems like a guy that you want on your team. Not sure where he fits in the NBA yet. I think he's gotta either focus on developing a post game, or focus on becoming an alright ball-handler/spot up shooter so that he can be a Shawn Marion type of guy.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Watched embiid yesterday and I'm just shaking my head at the commentator slobbering over him saying that he played against Hakeem and that there's been no prospect in the past 25 years that's reminded him more of Hakeem than embiid.

Just seems excessive


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[turty11]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

who even started this hakeem crap with embiid? it makes no sense to me... maybe more of a david lee post game >>


@ehh , watched arizona several times this year and gordon looks like he wont be able to play SF in the NBA to me...his handle is sketchy and he doesn't look comfortable around the 3pt line or with a live dribble going down the court..i think he will turn into derrick williams but he has the blake griffin game..dunks dunks some layups and more dunks >>

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

who even started this hakeem crap with embiid? it makes no sense to me... maybe more of a david lee post game >>

I think it started out as just saying he reminded people of Hakeem because he's from Africa, played a different sport growing up (Hakeem was a soccer player and then picked up basketball later; Embiid was a volleyball player and picked up basketball 2 or 3 years ago), and the fact that Embiid says Hakeem is pretty much the only basketball player he watched growing up.

But it's evolved to people saying that his skillset reminds people of Hakeem, which I don't see yet, because when I think of Hakeem, I think of all his post moves.

Embiid is very skilled in his own right though. Seems to have weirdly good instincts for someone that just started playing basketball, nice passing ability, and good touch. And he's got a couple post moves in his repertoire, along with some other moves (he had a euro step reverse earlier this year).

I think people see him do some things like that, and then think about the fact that he just started playing basketball and he already can do things that you don't really see with any other big men and they think he could be the next elite big man in the NBA.

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

I don't see the comparison either. But it's not like Hakeem just instantly had all those post moves. He wasn't dream shaking and countering every fake with two or three more in college or early in his pro career.

It's unrealistic when people try to compare a college player to a top 25 NBA player ever in their primes.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

I don't see the comparison either. But it's not like Hakeem just instantly had all those post moves. He wasn't dream shaking and countering every fake with two or three more in college or early in his pro career.

It's unrealistic when people try to compare a college player to a top 25 NBA player ever in their primes.

At the same time a young akeem looked nothing, and I mean nothing like embiid. Nothing


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[redsrule]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Re: Noel - I feel like a lot of people didn't watch UK last year because they blew. He was REALLY impressive as a defender. I don't think it's a stretch to say he was as good, if not better, than Davis as a freshman defensively. And yes, I realize how big of a statement that is.

He was better imo. Excellent at swiping the ball away from guys driving, a good rebounder and obviously a sensational shot blocker. Davis had a much better offensive game though.
Regarding Gordon, I agree. Sean Miller wants him to try and play the three, but he doesn't have the shooting ability or the ball skills to play there imo. He should just focus on being a 4 for the NBA. Decent prospect, but I wouldn't take him top 5. In fact I'd say right now there are 6-7 guys I'd definitely take over him in Randle/Wiggins/Parker/Embiid/Smart/Exum. By seasons end though, who knows.

well, nerlens wont do anything but be a help blocker unless he puts on 15 pouounds thats for sure.. i didnt watch alot of kentucky but i watched enough to see he is severely limited offensively

Lol wasn't that what everyone said about Davis as well? I know he put on some weight but he was a top 10 NBA player this year before the injury. The player needs to put on X amount of pounds or he won't be anything is a joke, especially in this era where there aren't that many "bangers".

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

At the same time a young akeem looked nothing, and I mean nothing like embiid. Nothing


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I'm not saying he did. I just said I don't see the comparison between them either.

But everyone keeps talking about his great variety of post moves like we are supposed to be comparing this guy to a prime, MVP form, Hakeem which is just completely unrealistic.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Still not buying the Embiid hype yet, especially as a Top 5 pick at this point.

[ojandpizza]

Still not buying the Embiid hype yet, especially as a Top 5 pick at this point.

He needs to stay a couple years in my opinion. He doesn't have the experience most of these younger guys have.. Other than that I think his potential is high..

He posts up hard, he has quick feet to spin off his man, and a really nice touch around the rim.. Just watching him shoot free throws you can see potential in him developing a decent turn around or even midrange game.. Not many recruits are comfortable posting up and asking for the ball the way he does.. And not many have touch on their shots.

Which is the biggest reason why to Hakeem comparisons don't see as bogus to me. Hakeem didn't have post moves as a freshman, not like everyone is trying to say anyways. He was an 8ppg scorer who played 18 minutes a game. The guys comparing him to Hakeem and saying they played against Hakeem are comparing them has freshman in college.. At this point it's really not that far fetched..

Akeem was a lean athletic big. He out ran his man down the court. And in half court he spun off his man for dunks and crashed the offensive glass.. He wasn't juking and shaking and reverse pivoting everyone out of their shoes.. It took him time to develop all of that.

Where Hakeem benefitted was he was quicker on his feet and getting off the ground than Embiid. I'm sure the soccer thing helped with that.. Which made him better defensively than I think Embiid is, and sticking around for 3 years made him great defensively..

Embiid needs to at least stay 2 years, and he could very well be a number one pick if he does.

I know you said nothing about the Hakeem comparison, but I had already quoted you when I started this post and I had more I wanted to say lol.

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Not to mention he's already on the right track fundamentally. He keeps the ball high above his head in the post and when he rebounds and he gets low and wide when he posts up. Which may not sound like much but it's more than you can say for most young post players.

You can tell he's soaking up everything he learns and for only playing basketball for a few years now, he's on the right track.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

You saw Hakeem play College Bball?

[jeebs9]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

You saw Hakeem play College Bball?

I've seen a few games.

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[ojandpizza]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

You saw Hakeem play College Bball?

Yeah I've saw him in college games, not then though no. I'm not that old.

Where the Hakeem comparison isn't credible is that Hakeem was better defensively, and gets off the floor a lot quicker.

Not saying Embiid is going to develop a million post moves and become the next great big man, that's all on him, or any other big man for that matter.

But his raw play style and excellent touch is Hakeem-esque comparing at the same age. Even coach Self says that.

The way he posts even looks like Hakeem. Which would make sense since he's only played basketball for 3 years and that's who's game he's trying to carve his own off of.