2014 Draft Prospects Thread

[Klomp]

I'm very excited to hear we're interested in Lavine. Outside of him being my 1a target it means Flip might actually be looking to the future and not instant gratification. This could be reflected in what kind of packages he's looking for in a Love trade.

I'm surprised so many people want s badly for us to take a rebuilding package for Love but don't want to use the 13th pick on the highest upside pick available at that slot.

[zauchary]

Don't want LaVine. Not much upside when he lacks some pretty important skills. I think he'd stay another year in college if he thought he could be something truly good.

None of this makes any sense. Aside from Wiggins, he has the biggest upside in this draft. And if he thought he could pretty good, why would he stay in school as opposed to go to school. Looks an aweful lot like a guy named Russell Westbrook to me.

[Jukeness]

I think that's the way scouts look at these guys. They don't say, we never know, we should just wait 10 years.

Sure, that makes sense. At least me, I dont like to criticize a whole class, just a few individuals.

I guess i don't see the discrepancy here.

I should have said that since we arent scouts, we dont need to think like that.

[Esohny]

Don't want LaVine. Not much upside when he lacks some pretty important skills. I think he'd stay another year in college if he thought he could be something truly good.

None of this makes any sense. Aside from Wiggins, he has the biggest upside in this draft. And if he thought he could pretty good, why would he stay in school as opposed to go to school. Looks an aweful lot like a guy named Russell Westbrook to me.

Looks kinda like Wesley Johnson with less defense and rebounding to me. But at least he's 19?

[AQuintus]

Looks kinda like Wesley Johnson with less defense and rebounding to me. But at least he's 19?

LaVine can dribble, though, and his biggest problem his that he's TOO willing to shoot, which is the opposite of Johnson's problem.

Edit:

A better comparison would probably be a young Gerald Green (worst case) or a more explosive Jamal Crawford (best case).

[zauchary]

Looks kinda like Wesley Johnson with less defense and rebounding to me. But at least he's 19?

LaVine can dribble, though, and his biggest problem his that he's TOO willing to shoot, which is the opposite of Johnson's problem.

Edit:

A better comparison would probably be a young Gerald Green (worst case) or a more explosive Jamal Crawford (best case).

The kid wants to take the game over. Totally different mentality than Wes. His handle is pretty good and I believe it will get a lot better. As far as explosiveness goes he looks a lot like Westbrook and Rose, the guys that just have that high blow by gear that is very rare. He has that.

[Maefteda]

Not much upside when he lacks some pretty important skills.

Such as?

Getting to and finishing at the rim. He doesn't really get to the free throw line, and that is something that doesn't seem to get fixed easily when you get to the NBA. He was a 69% shooter when he did, which is pretty bad for a guard.

Shot selection. He settles for bad long shots, sometimes early in the clock.

IQ. Doesn't seem like the brightest kid. I don't get the vibe I like from his interviews. Hard to explain, but it's kinda reflected in his game.

Defense. Has tools on that end and will most likely get better with the added strength. Defense is more than just having the tools though. I don't see LaVine having a good feel for it.

Don't see the dog in him that Russell Westbrook has. Not a great comparison in my eyes. I get that they were raw guards coming out of college and athletic, but that's about it. LaVine doesn't have the skills to match someone like Jamal Crawford either. Not that impressed with his ball-handling and ability to create for himself.

Gerald Green I do see. He's so athletically gifted and he can do other things at a decent level, so he has to work out fine.. Well, like Green, I don't think LaVine would do that at the place that drafted him, if he ever does work out fine.

[Krapinsky]

Looks kinda like Wesley Johnson with less defense and rebounding to me. But at least he's 19?

LaVine can dribble, though, and his biggest problem his that he's TOO willing to shoot, which is the opposite of Johnson's problem.

Edit:

A better comparison would probably be a young Gerald Green (worst case) or a more explosive Jamal Crawford (best case).

I think his worst case is similar to Jared Cunningham,

[Maefteda]

Draftexpress' explanation is strange to say the least though.

The Timberwolves front office has reportedly fallen hard for the spectacular athleticism of UCLA's freshman, and sees him as a likely star in the making. Look for the Timberwolves to go into next season with mostly the same roster as last year and try and convince Kevin Love to stay in Minnesota with a playoff run.

We want to build around Love to convince him to stay, but draft a guy that likely won't get any meaningful minutes the one season we have Love for?

I think they are very high on LaVine, but if we keep Love I believe we rather go for Gary Harris. If we trade for Boston's 6th pick or the 4 & 12 package if we send Love to Cleveland with the help of Magic, I wouldn't be against drafting LaVine.

I'd rather draft LaVine at #13 and take a rebuilding package than drafting Harris and accepting anything from Golden State though.

[MinneOOPalis]

Lavine is so raw he might not be a productive NBA player until his second contract. That worries me.

I think we only take him if Stauskas isn't there, which is looking likely.

[Esohny]

Of course, last year right before the draft, we heard that Shabazz was on the "do not draft" list, and look how that turned out.

[Krapinsky]

I'm really warming up to Stauskas. Just wish we had at least one solid defensive wing.

[Krapinsky]

I'm also sold on Warren.

Warren vs. McDermott

Age: 20 vs. 22
Ht: 6'8.25 vs. 6'7.75
Wt: 220 vs. 220
Points: 24.9 vs. 26.7
FGA: 18.6 vs. 17.9
Rb: 7.1 vs. 7
Stl: 1.8 vs. .2

Warren is far younger, played against tough competition, has better measurements, and projects to be a much better defender. McDermott is a much better shooter from long distance, but Warren hold his own as a scorer.

[Viljanen]

People developing statistical models to predict which prospects look better tend not to have high hopes for Young, LaVine, Payne, Stauskas, McDermott and Hood.

Ones are more advanced than others... in any case those model are guarantee of nothing, but well, they say something, and I think they´re interesting. Last year most of those models literally hated Shabazz. They also didn´t like Bennet and completely hated Barnes and Rivers the year before. I think they are right more often than not. We took Shabazz last year, so I have to assume that Flip just goes against any statistical system and prefers using his eye criteria. Rumors and mock Drafts have us almost always drafting one of the 6 players mentioned before (it´s incredible, but rumors literally replicate the list of players that, by statistical analysis, seem to be overrated in this draft). I don´t like how our draft looks but, from that list, after watching the DX videos… well, I think I´d prefer LaVine. At least there has to be some hope that the boy can learn how to play. Physical tools are certainly there…

Statistical models say that Smart will be the real deal, Adams will be a steal, same for Andersson, Payton, Ennis, some have high hopes on euros like Nurkic or Capella… there seem to be quite a lot of depth this year. I´ll stay awake to see our draft, but I have fear of repeating last year, when they drafted my ideal scenario choice (Burke) and then traded it away to draft my worst scenario choice (Shabazz, I don´t include Dieng there because we gave up a 1st round pick that could have resulted in the same player...). It was kinda hilarious now that I think it back, but at that moment I just wanted to destroy things.

[Krapinsky]

Looks kinda like Wesley Johnson with less defense and rebounding to me. But at least he's 19?

LaVine can dribble, though, and his biggest problem his that he's TOO willing to shoot, which is the opposite of Johnson's problem.

Edit:

A better comparison would probably be a young Gerald Green (worst case) or a more explosive Jamal Crawford (best case).

From what I can tell, he can dribble in the back court, but when pressured almost always picks up his dribble. Not sure if he's capable of getting around people.

[Krapinsky]

People developing statistical models to predict which prospects look better tend not to have high hopes for Young, LaVine, Payne, Stauskas, McDermott and Hood.

Ones are more advanced than others... in any case those model are guarantee of nothing, but well, they say something, and I think they´re interesting. Last year most of those models literally hated Shabazz. They also didn´t like Bennet and completely hated Barnes and Rivers the year before. I think they are right more often than not. We took Shabazz last year, so I have to assume that Flip just goes against any statistical system and prefers using his eye criteria. Rumors and mock Drafts have us almost always drafting one of the 6 players mentioned before (it´s incredible, but rumors literally replicate the list of players that, by statistical analysis, seem to be overrated in this draft). I don´t like how our draft looks but, from that list, after watching the DX videos… well, I think I´d prefer LaVine. At least there has to be some hope that the boy can learn how to play. Physical tools are certainly there…

Statistical models say that Smart will be the real deal, Adams will be a steal, same for Andersson, Payton, Ennis, some have high hopes on euros like Nurkic or Capella… there seem to be quite a lot of depth this year. I´ll stay awake to see our draft, but I have fear of repeating last year, when they drafted my ideal scenario choice (Burke) and then traded it away to draft my worst scenario choice (Shabazz, I don´t include Dieng there because we gave up a 1st round pick that could have resulted in the same player...). It was kinda hilarious now that I think it back, but at that moment I just wanted to destroy things.

Interesting. How do the PF's fare? Gordon, Vonleh, and Randle?

[Esohny]

Interesting. How do the PF's fare? Gordon, Vonleh, and Randle?

Most of the ones I've seen put Gordon and Vonleh in that 5-8 range as prospects with Vonleh a bit higher, but have Randle toward the end of the lottery.

[horaceworthy]

From what I can tell, he can dribble in the back court, but when pressured almost always picks up his dribble. Not sure if he's capable of getting around people.

Lavine can get around people, but I think you're right about him having trouble doing so while pressured. He's more of a guy who needs space to build up a bit of momentum and then give a little shimmy or shake and slip by the defender rather than blow by him from a static position. He had some really nice moments picking his way through traffic this year, even with his loose handle and less than physical nature. He wouldn't be my pick at #13, but I can see how a team would swoon. I do think he's a decent upside play, but one I'd be more comfortable taking if the Wolves had multiple picks.

The guy I think is getting slept on is Kyle Anderson. The combine confirmed legit PF/C length, and the season confirmed legit PG skills as well as bringing development of his jumper. I think he has the length and BBIQ to become a solid team defender, and if his jump shot continues to develop he could be a special SF.

He'd be the guy I'd be most excited about the Wolves taking at #13. I read one rumor that he's the guy the Bulls want at #16, but they don't think he'll make it out of the lottery.

[Krapinsky]

The guy I think is getting slept on is Kyle Anderson. The combine confirmed legit PF/C length, and the season confirmed legit PG skills as well as bringing development of his jumper. I think he has the length and BBIQ to become a solid team defender, and if his jump shot continues to develop he could be a special SF.

He'd be the guy I'd be most excited about the Wolves taking at #13. I read one rumor that he's the guy the Bulls want at #16, but they don't think he'll make it out of the lottery.

If thee is one thing I know about your draft crushes, it's that you love the versatile offensive players that can't guard anyone.

Is it true the Steve Alford never had a team play zone in his life, but had to go to nearly full time zone defense because Anderson couldn't guard anybody.?

[Klomp]

Of course, last year right before the draft, we heard that Shabazz was on the "do not draft" list, and look how that turned out.

Did we ever actually hear that, or was it simply fan speculation? I only remember the latter.