2014 Draft Discussion

[redsrule]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Did you just compare Randle to Bennett? Seriously? I take it you have never seen a game of either of them. Randle's defense isn't that bad either. He doesn't get many steals or blocks which are the defensive stats that show. He definitely needs to improve his effort on that side of the ball though. That and not get dunked on by 6' guards.

Not sold that Embiid is a franchise guy, not one bit. But it seems like Randle, Parker, Wiggins, Embiid etc. are all polarizing.

Yup. Embiid has shown that he is developed in the post game considering how long he has played, but he still doesn't have any one move that is good/great. Every single top guy has quite a ways to go. Randle is the most ready to play NBA guy right now imo, he'll be a 15-10 guy next year I am willing to bet. His ceiling isn't as high as Wiggins/Embiid though.

[turty11]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

jokes fail on the internet >>

[dieselboy]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Damn, you're really sold on him.

He is still really raw but his potential is sky high.

The media is usually late on these things, as they are every year, but I'm pretty sure the NBA scouts have this kid #1 on their boards already. And he is only getting better.

Another player I am high on is Dante Exum. He might not come out this draft as he is still just 18, but he is going to be a player.

[Dice]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Embiid has the potential to be the best player in this draft. However, as many others stated, he still raw and would have to have a good situation in the NBA in order for him to fulfill the Olajuwon ceiling most people are projecting him for. He could be the next Olajuwon or the next Hasheem Thabeet. Who knows.

But when it's all said and done, I think Marcus Smart is gonna be the best player in this draft. I love watching this dude play. Reminds me of Mitch Richmond. Somebody not overly athletic but will use some bulk to get to the spots he needs to get to. Pretty savvy for a young ball player.

[jeebs9]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

I know I say this every year. But lets not call anyone bust yet. Bennett is obviously having a bad rookie season.

This preseason game gives him some hope.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/E6LyP8MeejM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Makes and Misses of the first 12 games
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6lt3Xw_8oMI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[turty11]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

i watched every game of his college career and ive seen him single handedly win a game for cleveland in the 4th quarter (pre season) it was that magic game


hes not a bust because he cant play....hes a bust because mike brown refuses to actually let him get PT to develop....all these rookies doing well they are allowed to play MANY minutes and play through mistakes...bennett is lucky to get 6 minutes in a game....i will take him on the celtics any and every day of the week and i WOULD take him #1 again on a team where he gets PT

he gets real down on himself/coach when he isnt getting to play..happened last year when he got benched because he was struggling with the shoulder issue

same thing will happen with top guys in '14 if they dont get PT...label em a bust and chalk it up to a bad pick.

[redsrule]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Embiid has the potential to be the best player in this draft. However, as many others stated, he still raw and would have to have a good situation in the NBA in order for him to fulfill the Olajuwon ceiling most people are projecting him for. He could be the next Olajuwon or the next Hasheem Thabeet. Who knows.

But when it's all said and done, I think Marcus Smart is gonna be the best player in this draft. I love watching this dude play. Reminds me of Mitch Richmond. Somebody not overly athletic but will use some bulk to get to the spots he needs to get to. Pretty savvy for a young ball player.

Disagree on Smart. The biggest issue about him to me is that he might not be a PG in the NBA. That hurts him a lot imo. He's much less valuable at the SG spot to me.

[Dice]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Disagree on Smart. The biggest issue about him to me is that he might not be a PG in the NBA. That hurts him a lot imo. He's much less valuable at the SG spot to me.

I think whoever drafts him will not put him at the point. At least I wouldn't. He may not have the 'ideal' size but I think he's strong enough to be an effective 2-guard.

[turty11]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

I think whoever drafts him will not put him at the point. At least I wouldn't. He may not have the 'ideal' size but I think he's strong enough to be an effective 2-guard.

smarts playing either guard spot...depends on what his team already has --hes the ideal combo guard of westbrook/harden type...if hes in cleveland he is a 2, if hes in orlando hes probably the 1 so oladayumpo can play 2, if hes in boston he is a 1, milwauke, la, toronto hes a 1and so on

[dieselboy]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

He could be the next Olajuwon or the next Hasheem Thabeet. Who knows.

Are we watching the same player?

In 30 seconds of watching Embiid play, you can tell that he is not the next Thabeet. Embiid is a coordinated, athletic, fluid and skilled big man. Thabeet is just big.

[Dice]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Are we watching the same player?

In 30 seconds of watching Embiid play, you can tell that he is not the next Thabeet. Embiid is a coordinated, athletic, fluid and skilled big man. Thabeet is just big.

So your saying even if Embiid is a bust, he won't bottom out to Thabeet's level?

[turty11]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

So your saying even if Embiid is a bust, he won't bottom out to Thabeet's level?

if embiid never improves where is it at now is still TONS better than thabeet...HT can barely run without tripping over his own legs

[Dice]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Fair enough. But I also watched pre-NBA footage of Darko Milicic and he looked very coordinated as well. And you saw how he bottomed out.

[turty11]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

"NBA teams still like Randle, a lot, but I haven't really heard a team (GM or scout) say they'd take him No. 1 in over a month," wrote Chad Ford.

"I'm told a Mormon mission still isn't out of the question for him," wrote Chad Ford. "I asked several GMs about what would happen to his draft stock if he declared for the draft and then said he was going on a two year mission. I was surprised how many of them said they'd still consider him with the No. 1 pick."

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

"NBA teams still like Randle, a lot, but I haven't really heard a team (GM or scout) say they'd take him No. 1 in over a month," wrote Chad Ford.

"I'm told a Mormon mission still isn't out of the question for him," wrote Chad Ford. "I asked several GMs about what would happen to his draft stock if he declared for the draft and then said he was going on a two year mission. I was surprised how many of them said they'd still consider him with the No. 1 pick."

That last bit about Jabari is really interesting. He's my #3 or 4 guy right now anyways, but I wouldn't let him skipping out on 2 years impact my decision to draft him. The teams picking at the top are likely looking at a rebuild anyways, so it would really just help the cause.

Having said that, with there already being questions about the shape he's in, taking a 2 year break might hurt in that regard.