Official #2 Pick Thread - Ford #7: Parker

[mrmsix6]

ESPN Cleveland ‏@ESPNCleveland 2h

.@TheRealTRizzo: Sources tell me Joel Embiid's physical w/ the #Cavs did not go well. Enough red flags that they won't take him #1 overall.

Probasketballdraft ‏@Probballdraft Jun 11

News is positive in Cleveland after Cavs examine Joel Embiid's back and see no longterm concerns, according to a source.


So there you go, clear as mud.

Anything these two are being fed by "sources" with the Cavs is intended purely for media purposes. They aren't going to leak how the medical exams actually went for a number of reasons.

It is not beneficial for the Cavs to show their cards at this point with who they plan to draft.

[theFireBlanket]

I'm just saying if the Bucks draft Exum over Parker or Wiggins( potential allstars) I'm going to lose my sh#t. We can't afford to blow the #2 pick on potential, we need a player right away or else Seattle will get our team.

Exum isn't a potential All-Star? Here is Australian NT teammate (and future NBA player) Joe Ingles on Exum:

Do you think one NCAA semester could hurt Exum's stock?

"Going to the NCAA for one semester will not hurt his stock. People don't realize that Dante is just a kid. He still looks likes a kid and acts like one too, but he's a special kid. He's got plenty of options and can pick from basically any college program. He can also choose to sit out for a year and still be a top five draft pick. Whatever he does he will be a NBA superstar because he has the work ethic."

What impressed you most about Exum?

"His work ethic. Dante is very talented. He's quick, fast and plays great defense. Shooting is probably his biggest weakness at the moment, but I've seen him in the gym before and after every practice for 30-45 minutes just working on his shots. He's going to continue to improve because he has the work ethic it takes to become a great player."

Here is shooting coach David Nurse tearing up Exum's jumpshot, but concluding that he'll be a star:

It’s easy to see why NBA execs and GM’s get more excited than a contestant on the Price is Right when you look into the crystal ball of his potential and skill set. Exum is extremely smooth and fluid with unbelievable body control, allowing him to dissect defenses by getting into the lane at ease in the flow of the offense and weaving in and out of defenders like a Porsche in the open court.

His ability to get out in transition and speed with the ball in his hands is top 10 in the NBA right now. There are a lot of players with great speed, but Exum’s ability to cultivate that speed with the ball in his hands is what makes him so dynamic in the open floor. If his world-class speed wasn’t enough, Exum is able to shift gears and change speeds very effectively making him an extremely tough player to defend in transition.

The toughest players to defend aren’t always the quickest and most athletic players, it is the players who are able to constantly change speeds and always put pressure on the defense. This is where Exum’s personal analysis of himself really does draw comparisons to Manu Ginobli; shifty and unassuming.

A great skill set ability that more NBA players need to realize the importance of – deceptiveness. Exum has harnessed this skill set at young age and with his high level ball control and natural feel for the game, he is able to utilize this craft to create for his teammates. Hence, why I have labeled him as neither a point guard or a two-guard, but instead simply as a playmaker.

All of these weapons in Exum’s arsenal are great and extremely tantalizing to an NBA franchise. [b]And I haven’t even mentioned his explosive first step, rebounding range for a guard, and ability to draw fouls at the rim.

But the single most telling factor of why I am convinced that a player this skilled but still less seen to the public than a UFO sighting in a cornfield will be highly successful at the next level is his basketball IQ and maturity. Maturity and 18-year-old kid are not often seen in the same sentence or anywhere close for that matter. But that is not the case for Exum. He is mature beyond his years and has a basketball IQ and natural feel for the game that makes it appear like he was born to play basketball. Well, I guess he was[/b].

Lasry and Edens need to attend his workout, as well as Parker's (as they're reported to be doing). Don't let a player slip away because of pre-existing bias.

After reading those Ingles quotes and Nurse's analysis of Dante, I'm sold even further. He and Giannis together would be crazy in transition because of their athleticism, size, play-making and driving ability. Crafty point + wing at their size is too much to pass up.

[pe_it72]

ESPN Cleveland ‏@ESPNCleveland 2h

.@TheRealTRizzo: Sources tell me Joel Embiid's physical w/ the #Cavs did not go well. Enough red flags that they won't take him #1 overall.

Probasketballdraft ‏@Probballdraft Jun 11

News is positive in Cleveland after Cavs examine Joel Embiid's back and see no longterm concerns, according to a source.


So there you go, clear as mud.

Anything these two are being fed by "sources" with the Cavs is intended purely for media purposes. They aren't going to leak how the medical exams actually went for a number of reasons.

It is not beneficial for the Cavs to show their cards at this point with who they plan to draft.

They have the number 1 pick. Who are they going to smokescreen? Their fan base? Someone going to trade up above them to get.......oh yeah.

[theFireBlanket]

I'd pull out all of the stops to get Embiid, Giannis and Exum together on next year's squad. High level play making, with size advantage, scoring ability and defense at all 3 of those positions would bring in fans.

But if Embiid goes #1, pending these upcoming workouts I really love the idea of Exum and Saric (trade Knight+ for #7 or #8).

[Zeezprah]

ESPN Cleveland ‏@ESPNCleveland 2h

.@TheRealTRizzo: Sources tell me Joel Embiid's physical w/ the #Cavs did not go well. Enough red flags that they won't take him #1 overall.

Probasketballdraft ‏@Probballdraft Jun 11

News is positive in Cleveland after Cavs examine Joel Embiid's back and see no longterm concerns, according to a source.


So there you go, clear as mud.

Anything these two are being fed by "sources" with the Cavs is intended purely for media purposes. They aren't going to leak how the medical exams actually went for a number of reasons.

It is not beneficial for the Cavs to show their cards at this point with who they plan to draft.

They have the number 1 pick. Who are they going to smokescreen? Their fan base? Someone going to trade up above them to get.......oh yeah.

try and get philly to trade 3 and 10 to move up to get wiggins

[JayMKE]

I just had Stauskas in there as a placeholder at #7.

Aside from him, what player would need to be available for us to think it'd be worth trading Knight / Henson / Middleton for #7?

My original suggested deal was Knight / Henson / Middleton / Udoh / #48 for #7 / Nash. Of course that could be simplified with fewer players, but I'd love to have even an ancient Nash playing 20-40 games here if he would be willing to.

Smart and only Smart, that's still high price to pay

There are a lot of people here who value our JAG off role players way too much. What I mean by JAG is JUST A GUY Wolters, Middleton, Henson, and to a lesser extent Sanders, are guys you can pick up relatively easily at any time. We need star power in the worst way, this draft is stacked, we need to go get another cornerstone player next our #2 pick.

We need to package our JAG off players - Knight, Wolters, Sanders, Henson and our 2nd round picks and take a big swing.

Smart is the guy I think can be a star, don't feel that same about guys like McDermott/Stauskas/Gordon. Not sure #8 or even #7 gets us Smart.

[bebopdeluxe]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but a team that is as bereft of talent as the Sixers are right now is in NO position to give up a top 10 pick in a LOADED draft just to move up a slot or two. In addition, giving up the #10 pick in this draft to simply be able to choose ANY of the four players mentioned goes against EVERYTHING that Hinkie has said since he has been Sixers GM and much of what he did when he was in HOU. ESPECIALLY if the Cavs take Embiid - which they likely will - why would the Sixers give up the NUMBER TEN pick in the draft to move up ONE spot?

The Sixers have Noel. Giving up a pick that could be Gordon or Randle (either at 10 or in a trade with Thad) simply to pick Embiid makes ZERO sense from a VALUE perspective. Now, if Embiid falls to 3, that is another matter entirely...but there is ZERO in Hinkie's background that would suggest that he would do that. Would he give up 3 + 32? More likely...but probably not enough - CLE would be idiots to take that package instead of simply taking Embiid.

And if Hinkie is unlikely to trade 10 to move up TWO spots, he sure as hell isn't doing it to move up one slot. Frankly, I think it is more likely that he would trade DOWN with UTA (taking #5, 23 and other goodies) so they could take Parker than trading up - and giving something up like the NUMBER TEN pick in THIS draft - to insure that they get Wiggins...especially since there is a better-than-zero chance they get him at 3 anyway.

Sorry about that.

And I'm sorry that you decided to felt it necessary to come to the Buck's forum to tell us that your GM won't trade the 10th pick or any other asset of value (Young) to move up to #1 or #2. The reality is that if Hinkie feels as though he won't get "his guy" at 3, he sure as hell will use an asset to move up to get him. The only gray area, is not whether he'd be willing to do it, its what would it take. Since we all know bench fodder, mediocre starters, and 2nd round picks won't get it done, it brings the #10 pick into the picture.

The #10 pick is most definitely being discussed by the Cavs and the Bucks. If they were even thinking of dropping back a spot or two, it's one of the relatively few assets that would be discussed.

Again the only question is, and I can't stress this enough as there is no gray area here. Since Hinkie absolutely does not rate his top 3 on his board equally, who does he have at the top and by how much. I don't care if the only player on the 76ers roster was Jason Richardson, if Hinkie has a clear no. 1 who he feels will alter the fate of the franchise for the better over the other two, he will absolutely be willing to part with pick 10. That isn't even a question. Only Hinkie knows if his No. 1 target is head and shoulders above the others on the board. If Hinkie's no. 1 is that only player he feels is a franchise changer, he'd use pick 10 to make it happen.

To try and tell us that pick 10 is off limits is a waste of everyone's time. And I'm really not sure what purpose it serves to declare that here.

Ummm...I am sorry. I did not know this was a "everyone get in line with MY narrative, because that is the only f'n narrative that can be discussed" forum. I thought this was an open discussion forum.

My bad.

You think that the Sixers care enough about Wiggins to give up the number 10 pick in the draft to insure they get him. What you based that on is hard to say - other than your hopes and a bunch of media reports that are as likely from Wiggins' camp or the Cavs/Bucks as it is from the Sixers. My feeling that there is NO WAY that Hinkie will give up the #10 pick is based on both his track record as well as his public pronouncements - which I have used as the basis for my opinions in my posts.

You don't agree with me? That's cool.

You want me to go away because I don't agree with you? That's not so cool. I am being respectful to the forum...I am not violating any terms of service. I am not insulting anyone personally. I am simply stating that I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU.

Good luck on the 26th.

[milweskee]

Well... this is awkward...

[bebopdeluxe]

ESPN Cleveland ‏@ESPNCleveland 2h

.@TheRealTRizzo: Sources tell me Joel Embiid's physical w/ the #Cavs did not go well. Enough red flags that they won't take him #1 overall.

Probasketballdraft ‏@Probballdraft Jun 11

News is positive in Cleveland after Cavs examine Joel Embiid's back and see no longterm concerns, according to a source.


So there you go, clear as mud.

Anything these two are being fed by "sources" with the Cavs is intended purely for media purposes. They aren't going to leak how the medical exams actually went for a number of reasons.

It is not beneficial for the Cavs to show their cards at this point with who they plan to draft.

Exactly. Well played, sir.

There should be ZERO stock placed in ANYTHING that is being said in the media. We will all find out on the 26th.

[JayMKE]

I imagine the Embiid red flag if not true is a smokescreen directed at us by Tellum

[crkone]

Good read on Exum...he is firmly my #4 and would like him IF we traded down to collect another lottery pick, if we weren't enamored with the big 3.

I think you need to take the people interviewed in context somewhat, but great read all the same.

Snip


Granted some of those guys were years ago...but that doesn't scream ELITE...it screams pretty damn good.

Check his agility time and his sprint time with height. It's absurd.

[theFireBlanket]

http://www.nba.com/bucks/features/boede ... ect-update
[tweet]https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/477470507541880832[/tweet]

[mcfromage]

Where was it reported that Lasry/Edens would be at the Jabari workout? When is that happening?

[MiltownHawkeye]

Smart and only Smart, that's still high price to pay

There are a lot of people here who value our JAG off role players way too much. What I mean by JAG is JUST A GUY Wolters, Middleton, Henson, and to a lesser extent Sanders, are guys you can pick up relatively easily at any time. We need star power in the worst way, this draft is stacked, we need to go get another cornerstone player next our #2 pick.

We need to package our JAG off players - Knight, Wolters, Sanders, Henson and our 2nd round picks and take a big swing.

Smart is the guy I think can be a star, don't feel that same about guys like McDermott/Stauskas/Gordon. Not sure #8 or even #7 gets us Smart.

I think that all of those guys (McD to a lesser extent) can be extremely valuable borderline All-Star/3rd option on a contender types. I agree that Smart doesn't make it past 7 but I would be ecstatic to get Stauskas/Gordon at 8. There's not some catastrophic dropoff there IMO

[Matches Malone]

Where was it reported that Lasry/Edens would be at the Jabari workout? When is that happening?

Next week sometime.

[JayMKE]

There are a lot of people here who value our JAG off role players way too much. What I mean by JAG is JUST A GUY Wolters, Middleton, Henson, and to a lesser extent Sanders, are guys you can pick up relatively easily at any time. We need star power in the worst way, this draft is stacked, we need to go get another cornerstone player next our #2 pick.

We need to package our JAG off players - Knight, Wolters, Sanders, Henson and our 2nd round picks and take a big swing.

Smart is the guy I think can be a star, don't feel that same about guys like McDermott/Stauskas/Gordon. Not sure #8 or even #7 gets us Smart.

I think that all of those guys (McD to a lesser extent) can be extremely valuable borderline All-Star/3rd option on a contender types. I agree that Smart doesn't make it past 7 but I would be ecstatic to get Stauskas/Gordon at 8. There's not some catastrophic dropoff there IMO

I like Sanders more than I do Stauskas or Gordon by a wide margin, you're pretty high on the two tho. I just am against trading Sanders almost entirely, I think he's can cornerstone piece and if we got rid of him we'd be opening a huge hole that couldn't be filled by whoever we take at 8.

[Zeezprah]

http://www.nba.com/bucks/features/boeder-2014-draft-prospect-update
[tweet]https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/477470507541880832[/tweet]

first off, embiid is not a better off prospect than oden was. that's silly.

secondly, i love how everyone acts like dwight was an amazing can't miss prospect in hindsight. there was HUGE debate on howard vs okafor (i would've taken howard first at the time ). it's always funny how things are so easy when looking back.

also lol at "consensus #1 status" for wiggins

[MiltownHawkeye]

Smart is the guy I think can be a star, don't feel that same about guys like McDermott/Stauskas/Gordon. Not sure #8 or even #7 gets us Smart.

I think that all of those guys (McD to a lesser extent) can be extremely valuable borderline All-Star/3rd option on a contender types. I agree that Smart doesn't make it past 7 but I would be ecstatic to get Stauskas/Gordon at 8. There's not some catastrophic dropoff there IMO

I like Sanders more than I do Stauskas or Gordon by a wide margin, you're pretty high on the two tho. I just am against trading Sanders almost entirely, I think he's can cornerstone piece and if we got rid of him we'd be opening a huge hole that couldn't be filled by whoever we take at 8.

I'm one of the most vocal defenders of Sanders here both on and off court, but the issue with him is that he's here at the wrong time. It'll be at least 2-3 years before we can even start to talk about competing, and Sanders will be in his late 20s and/or on his way out due to his contract expiring. As others have said he's a walking catch 22.

[JayMKE]

I think that all of those guys (McD to a lesser extent) can be extremely valuable borderline All-Star/3rd option on a contender types. I agree that Smart doesn't make it past 7 but I would be ecstatic to get Stauskas/Gordon at 8. There's not some catastrophic dropoff there IMO

I like Sanders more than I do Stauskas or Gordon by a wide margin, you're pretty high on the two tho. I just am against trading Sanders almost entirely, I think he's can cornerstone piece and if we got rid of him we'd be opening a huge hole that couldn't be filled by whoever we take at 8.

I'm one of the most vocal defenders of Sanders here both on and off court, but the issue with him is that he's here at the wrong time. It'll be at least 2-3 years before we can even start to talk about competing, and Sanders will be in his late 20s and/or on his way out due to his contract expiring. As others have said he's a walking catch 22.

Is he going to lose all his basketball ability in 2-3 years? Is he going to want to leave when we finally have a competitive team and hopefully opening in a new building? I see Sanders as a cornerstone piece and I'd only move him if we got another piece like that back, I'm not seeing it at #8 this year. I really don't want to trade Sanders when his value is the lowest, we all know what he's capable of when he's healthy and his mind is right. I

[ANTETOKOUNBROS]

The only thing that bug me about the owners making the pick is the concern that they would be the meddling type of owner sort of like Kohl was. Though I understand their reasons for not letting Hammond dictate our pick.