'14 Draft Thread pt 2: vote again? VOTE AGAIN.

[hege53190]

I am really starting to worry about the top of this draft class. Nobody is playing like a true franchise changer. I was hoping for multiple Kevin Durant/Anthony Davis/ Derrick Rose type prospects but it doesn't seem like anyone is close to that level.

[Licensed to Il]

I am really starting to worry about the top of this draft class. Nobody is playing like a true franchise changer. I was hoping for multiple Kevin Durant/Anthony Davis/ Derrick Rose type prospects but it doesn't seem like anyone is close to that level.

I understand your sentiment, but I think it is more to the time of year and scrutiny we have these guys under than anything else. Wiggins, Embiid, and Parker are absolute studs. Exum could very well be, I just don't know enough to say. Randle and Smart have had some flaws in their games show through, but both still have a chance to be all star level players. I think their is a third tier (Levine, Vonleh, etc) that could be above average starters as well.

March Madness will hit, Chad Ford will start writing about workouts, and the media optimism and gushing scout quotes will increase.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I am really starting to worry about the top of this draft class. Nobody is playing like a true franchise changer. I was hoping for multiple Kevin Durant/Anthony Davis/ Derrick Rose type prospects but it doesn't seem like anyone is close to that level.

That's why I'm in favor of trading back from #1 to 2-4 and picking up an asset or two. I would be happy with any of the consensus top 4. This is of course assuming we win the lottery.

[Wonka]

Honestly we probably need top 4 picks for the next 2-3 seasons to become what we want.

[paulpressey25]

I am really starting to worry about the top of this draft class. Nobody is playing like a true franchise changer. I was hoping for multiple Kevin Durant/Anthony Davis/ Derrick Rose type prospects but it doesn't seem like anyone is close to that level.

I'm not concerned at all about the top three. More concerned making sure we get a top three pick.

Again, I have nothing negative or positive on Exum, but Smart and Randle have dropped a lot for me this year, after watching them.

I see this as a three man all-star draft, with a wildcard in Exum. The other guys either have too many holes to their game, or are far less a sure thing.

[AussieBuck]

Depends how old he is, he's a lot less interesting if he's significantly older given how thin he is.

NBAdraft.net has his DOB listed as February 25th, 1997 so I would think he has plenty of time to fill out a little bit. They also list his country as Australia.

Not born here, plenty of rumors about his age though.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Honestly we probably need top 4 picks for the next 2-3 seasons to become what we want.

This draft is so damn important because I think we're unlikely to pick Top 4 again unless we get lucky in the lotto. Possibly top 10 again next year but they've proven that they will go for the win now strategy whenever possible.

[mattg]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/brewhoop/status/432624820287578113[/tweet]

What do you guys think of that comparison? It might be somewhat accurate, but honestly, that doesn't sound like a legitimate franchise changer, which is what we need.

I made that comparison this preseason. There were a bunch of people who didn't think highly of Parker as a prospect yet loved tobes and thought he was a stud. I found it funny considering the similarities. I think Parker is like tobes, but better in literally every facet of the game. Aka a damn good prospect.

[sidney lanier]

Again, I have nothing negative or positive on Exum, but Smart and Randle have dropped a lot for me this year, after watching them.

I see this as a three man all-star draft, with a wildcard in Exum. The other guys either have too many holes to their game, or are far less a sure thing.

I continue to be impressed by Randle, who shows me both excellent inside power and the agility to play an open-court game. He's got Calipari problems right now, obviously, but those who say he's wingspan-challenged really aren't considering what he has done against steady double- and triple-teams, and what he should be able to do when he goes pro. Those who see him as having a Josh Smith ceiling are looking in the wrong room.

If it's not Randle, I just hope we don't go Embiid, whose similarities to Olowokandi I still find unsettling. If it's Parker or even Wiggins, I think we get at least a plus wing. I've never seen Exum so can't comment on him.

[cinematographer]

Embiid
Wiggins
Exum

Parker (as a four)

Saric/LaVine
Vonleh

Ennis

And then we get into the Euros. Capella, Bogdanovic, etc, with Stauskas joining them. I don't think we're far away with a forward-thinking front office and a head coach not stuck in the stone age, so Randle doesn't really fit with what I'm looking for, even if I'm considerably higher on his game than I am on Smart. Young intrigues me more than Hood, etc.

Really like Vonleh, and if the Bucks view Parker as a 3, Parker drops below Vonleh.

[MiltownHawkeye]

I wonder why Vonleh is so overlooked as a prospect. Freshman, excellent length, way more promising face-up game than Randle.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I wonder why Vonleh is so overlooked as a prospect. Freshman, excellent length, way more promising face-up game than Randle.

He's been moving up the draft boards, but it's probably because he didn't come into the season with the same kind of hype as the other guys and Indiana has been mediocre at best. There is also a better chance than the other freshmen that he returns to school.

I really like him as well though.

[humanrefutation]

I certainly respect that people want to move on from the Smart discussion. I can see how these conversations can devolve unto something ugly. I also understand that this might not always be the best forum to discuss these situations.

I just want to say this before I move on: I think discussions like these are so incredibly important in trying to bridge perspectives and explore the notions of privilege which continue to perpetuate social and institutional discrimination which still continue to plague our society. We can't sit aside and just hope this goes away. It's going to continue to be a problem, continue to be an issue that arises in future situations, continue to prevent our society from becoming truly equal, until everyone is willing to set aside our fears and preconceived notions and have an honest dialogue about these issues. Will it be tough? Sure. Might it hurt feelings and cause resentment? Absolutely. But that's a small price to pay in order to help move our society forward on a path towards justice for all people.

I respect everyone here. I'm not going to derail this thread any further. I just hope we don't forget about some of the things being said here, because this discussion isn't just limited to this forum and the impact isn't just limited to basketball. It impacts all of us. And, as a person of color, I can't simply look away and move on because it impacts my life every single day.

Thank you for hearing me out.

[Badgerlander]

I really have zero interest in Parker if he can't play SF in the NBA. You don't win in the playoffs with an undersized PF as your best player.

[mlloyd10]

I really have zero interest in Parker if he can't play SF in the NBA. You don't win in the playoffs with an undersized PF as your best player.

Charles Barkley says hi..............and im not comparing the two

[Ayt]

I really have zero interest in Parker if he can't play SF in the NBA. You don't win in the playoffs with an undersized PF as your best player.

Miami has had some success recently.

[cinematographer]

I really have zero interest in Parker if he can't play SF in the NBA. You don't win in the playoffs with an undersized PF as your best player.

I wouldn't call LeBron undersized, but the Heat went small to win two titles. Bosh, LeBron and three guards.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

If we drafted Parker I think Giannis would end up being our best player... and that is not a shot at Parker.

[giraldo5]

Audio from the baseline camera has been released from the play. The guy called Smart a "piece of crap".

[Matches Malone]

I really have zero interest in Parker if he can't play SF in the NBA. You don't win in the playoffs with an undersized PF as your best player.

Eh, I think in today's NBA game you can get away with it. Same with not having a dominant center. This game is evolving into more wing dominant offenses. I think Parker has the ability to play in the post and stretch the defense.