Official #2 Pick Thread - Ford #7: Parker

[BobbyLight]

I've seen a lot of comparisons of Wiggins and McGrady on here. Not sure if I agree, but isn't McGrady coupled with the defense Wiggins is likely to play an mvp level player?

I see rookie year Kobe when I watch Wiggins. No way to project how he'll develop but the tools are there.

I know the "killer instinct" this is both blown out of proportion and impossible to gauge it's impact/vaildity, but Kobe had Jordan's desire to win coming out of high school. It came through in every interview he ever did. Wiggins just doesn't have it.

I still want Wiggins and as much as I dislike Kobe, I don't think Wiggins can be that good. Because Kobe's level of desire to win (even though it hurt him at times) is off the charts and it's obvious. It's not with Wiggins, whatever that ends up meaning.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Doug is going to be a decent pro. He's great at moving off the ball and getting himself open and obviously his J is great. Similar to guys like Korver and Redick, if Doug goes to a team where he can play off of other great players he will excel and could be a high teens scorer.

I'm really torn on McBuckets. As a Suns fan I've been really thinking about him at 14. Part of me has my doubts he gets much better and will struggle to defend so badly he's never more than an instant offense 2nd unit guy. But another part of me thinks you just don't see a guy with his natural shooting and overall scoring ability all that often. And he tested out ok athletically so maybe he'll be a good enough defender. Certainly would be interesting to see him in that suns system that values spreading the floor and letting dragic and bledsoe drive and kick to shooters.

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[MiltownHawkeye]

I've been swayed towards Parker if Embiid is gone. We just can't survive Wiggins becoming MKG. We need a cerebral player.

Wiggins is already better than MKG.

I agree and certainly hope that's the case. MKG was tremendously regarded coming out of Kentucky as the #2 pick, even with his well documented offensive struggles.

Wiggins doesn't have a broken jump shot. That alone guarantees he won't be MKG.

[Ron Swanson]

I know the "killer instinct" this is both blown out of proportion and impossible to gauge it's impact/vaildity, but Kobe had Jordan's desire to win coming out of high school. It came through in every interview he ever did. Wiggins just doesn't have it.

I still want Wiggins and as much as I dislike Kobe, I don't think Wiggins can be that good. Because Kobe's level of desire to win (even though it hurt him at times) is off the charts and it's obvious. It's not with Wiggins, whatever that ends up meaning.

I'm sorry, but can we all just stop with this "desire to win" crap? We all acknowledge that there are guys in this league that are completely content with getting paid and mailing it in the rest of their careers (hello OJ...), but where has either Wiggins or Embiid showed that they aren't hard-working, team oriented players?

Kobe's "desire to win" was only ever eclipsed by his selfishness and "hero ball" mentality, and it hurt his team nearly as much as it helped it. Evaluating prospects using that criteria is nonsense, in particular, because doing so would mean guys like Tim Duncan just don't have "it" (whatever "it" is), because he just kind of seems passive, doesn't talk much, etc. etc.

I don't think an 18 year old kid has to always demand the ball on offense, or have borderline delusional regard for their own abilities to be a dominant player. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that Jabari Parker somehow "cares" more about winning than Doug McDermott or Aaron Gordon, let alone the other two elite prospects.

[Baddy Chuck]

Still think Wiggins compares favorably to a better Derozan, Paul George level, player and to me that will be the best wing in the draft. Probably will take him a couple years, but I'm in no rush.

[ReasonablySober]

I know the "killer instinct" this is both blown out of proportion and impossible to gauge it's impact/vaildity, but Kobe had Jordan's desire to win coming out of high school. It came through in every interview he ever did. Wiggins just doesn't have it.

I still want Wiggins and as much as I dislike Kobe, I don't think Wiggins can be that good. Because Kobe's level of desire to win (even though it hurt him at times) is off the charts and it's obvious. It's not with Wiggins, whatever that ends up meaning.

I'm sorry, but can we all just stop with this "desire to win" crap? We all acknowledge that there are guys in this league that are completely content with getting paid and mailing it in the rest of their careers (hello OJ...), but where has either Wiggins or Embiid showed that they aren't hard-working, team oriented players?

Kobe's "desire to win" was only ever eclipsed by his selfishness and "hero ball" mentality, and it hurt his team nearly as much as it helped it. Evaluating prospects using that criteria is nonsense, in particular, because doing so would mean guys like Tim Duncan just don't have "it" (whatever "it" is), because he just kind of seems passive, doesn't talk much, etc. etc.

I don't think an 18 year old kid has to always demand the ball on offense, or have borderline delusional regard for their own abilities to be a dominant player. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that Jabari Parker somehow "cares" more about winning than Doug McDermott or Aaron Gordon, let alone the other two elite prospects.

All that **** bugs me too, and it goes hand in hand with with the great personality, interviews well, "face of the franchise" crap.

[BobbyLight]

I even said I still want to draft him because I don't think that's the end all/be all. I was taking the chance to compare Kobe and Wiggins. And you can't tell me that difference isn't there. I largely think it doesn't matter, or at least you shouldn't make choices based off of that, but if we're comparing, there is a difference in mentality between Kobe and Wiggins.

Also, I despise Kobe Bryant... I know he had really awesome help.... But he has 5 rings. Having an insane desire to win combined with immense talent can be a very good combo.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Could you imagine how kawhi Leonards stoic/ borderline robot like demeanor would be picked apart?!? My point is all guys are wired a little differently and lots of different types of personalities have both succeeded and failed in the nba. Give me the best baller as long as he's not a complete **** head case.

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[Ron Swanson]

I even said I still want to draft him because I don't think that's the end all/be all. I was taking the chance to compare Kobe and Wiggins. And you can't tell me that difference isn't there. I largely think it doesn't matter, or at least you shouldn't make choices based off of that, but if we're comparing, there is a difference in mentality between Kobe and Wiggins.

Also, I despise Kobe Bryant... I know he had really awesome help.... But he has 5 rings. Having an insane desire to win combined with immense talent can be a very good combo.

It was more directed at the people that use it as a way to downgrade prospects. Didn't mean for it to sound like a rant.

Does it have a place when comparing two established players? Of course. I just don't think it has any place in the evaluation process of two college freshman.

[suctionprints]

I even said I still want to draft him because I don't think that's the end all/be all. I was taking the chance to compare Kobe and Wiggins. And you can't tell me that difference isn't there. I largely think it doesn't matter, or at least you shouldn't make choices based off of that, but if we're comparing, there is a difference in mentality between Kobe and Wiggins.

Also, I despise Kobe Bryant... I know he had really awesome help.... But he has 5 rings. Having an insane desire to win combined with immense talent can be a very good combo.

The biggest difference between Kobe and Wiggins is that Kobe already had an amazingly polished offensive arsenal in high school. He had amazing footwork, great balance, a variety of releases and skills with both hands. His dad was a pro basketball player. Wiggins really has very little of that. Could he learn? Sure. But as it stands his biggest scoring games came from being active, not really from outmaneuvering anyone.

Player comparisons are silly. Name one player in history who became the next [blank]. Each player is a unique snowflake.

[Max Green]

I just hope that whoever we end with at 2, the board supports them and doesn't carry out a vendetta/agenda against said pick since he wasn't the guy they wanted.

[Baddy Chuck]

I just hope that whoever we end with at 2, the board supports them and doesn't carry out a vendetta/agenda against said pick since he wasn't the guy they wanted.

As long as it isn't Smart or Randle .

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I just hope that whoever we end with at 2, the board supports them and doesn't carry out a vendetta/agenda against said pick since he wasn't the guy they wanted.

Honestly, if the player does well no one is going to complain. If the player sucks, there is going to be a lot of complaining. That's just the way it is.

[BobbyLight]

I just hope that whoever we end with at 2, the board supports them and doesn't carry out a vendetta/agenda against said pick since he wasn't the guy they wanted.

As long as it isn't Smart or Randle .

This board would meltdown like Chernobyl multiplied by infinity.

[jakecronus8]

I just hope that whoever we end with at 2, the board supports them and doesn't carry out a vendetta/agenda against said pick since he wasn't the guy they wanted.

Honestly, if the player does well no one is going to complain. If the player sucks, there is going to be a lot of complaining. That's just the way it is.

The debate will continue for many years as we watch Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, and to a lesser extent Exum develop.

[jakecronus8]

I've seen a lot of comparisons of Wiggins and McGrady on here. Not sure if I agree, but isn't McGrady coupled with the defense Wiggins is likely to play an mvp level player?

I see rookie year Kobe when I watch Wiggins. No way to project how he'll develop but the tools are there.

I know the "killer instinct" this is both blown out of proportion and impossible to gauge it's impact/vaildity, but Kobe had Jordan's desire to win coming out of high school. It came through in every interview he ever did. Wiggins just doesn't have it.

I still want Wiggins and as much as I dislike Kobe, I don't think Wiggins can be that good. Because Kobe's level of desire to win (even though it hurt him at times) is off the charts and it's obvious. It's not with Wiggins, whatever that ends up meaning.

I might be wrong, but I could've sworn that many in LA wanted Kobe gone after his rookie year because his demeanor screamed "I don't give a sh*t."

[Rockmaninoff]

I don't think a player has to verbalize competitiveness, because I think you can see desire burning in the energy of a player. Tim Duncan has passion and it's obvious. He's just an introvert, whereas Kobe and Westbrook let you know it.

I think it's about how hard they work, how well they practice, how easily they learn. They don't have to be prodded. They have extreme focus. They burn internally.

Otherwise you have an empty vessel.

[pe_it72]

WIggins is know for his all world athletic ability. Defensive potential. Shooting.

Worries are his handle and his not having a killer instinct

Parker can score from anywhere on the floor, has a good handle and an underrated athlete.

Defensive ability is his biggest weakness.

I really don't have an issue drafting either one. If you could combine the best things about these guys you would have a cross bread between Lebron and KD.

First I look at Gainnis. He is a facilitator. I think he will be best with the ball in his hands. He will get the the rim/free throw line at will. Does either fit better with him? I think they both fit well. Although Parker will be a little bit more of a ball stopper. When you get the alpha dog that is what happens. So this does not make my decision any easier.

I also think being who we are we need to go after the one who will be a Super Star. Sadly niether is a guarentee to be. Wiggins ceiling is higher. Parkers floor is higher. I need the Super star. I'm giving this point to Wiggins.

I look at size and athletic ability for position. A 6'8 3/4" shooting guard that will be a top 2 athlete in the league from day one. Or the 6'9" Power forward that can score from anywhere but will struggle defensivly. Again I'm going with Wiggins.

To me it is easy. We need to swing for the fences and take wiggins. He doesnt need to be an alpha dog right away. The tools are there for him to be one. Paul George is not an alpha dog but just dropped 37 on the heat. You don't need to be a ball stopper to be an elite scorer.

The playoffs are showing what you need to do to be a scorer in the nba. You need to be able to live at the free throw line and be an above average three point shooter. Defense tightens up in the post season. It all about spacing and ball movement. Alpha dogs get eaten up in the playoffs.

[Fort Minor]

I just hope that whoever we end with at 2, the board supports them and doesn't carry out a vendetta/agenda against said pick since he wasn't the guy they wanted.

This is RealGM, after all.

[Max Green]

I just hope that whoever we end with at 2, the board supports them and doesn't carry out a vendetta/agenda against said pick since he wasn't the guy they wanted.

Honestly, if the player does well no one is going to complain. If the player sucks, there is going to be a lot of complaining. That's just the way it is.

Yeah, this is not true at all. You are not new to Real gm, you should know better.