2013-2014 College Basketball / '14 NBA Draft Thread

[SJSF]

Can we stop bringing Up Turner. It makes me think it can happen again

[Tension]

I like Nurkic, but I'm not so sure he's a perfect compliment to Noel.

Can Nurkic shoot the ball? Because if he can't, then the spacing is still a little messed up with Noel at the 4.

I don't see why Nerlens can't learn to consistently hit the mid ranger jumper like how Ibaka has developed. It's not like he's a back to the basket player and he spent the season reconstructing his shooting form.

[Negrodamus]

I just read this Dean Demakis statistical analysis of Jusuf Nurkic. It compares him favorably to Cousins. Dean prefers Nurkic to Saric who he compares to Evan Turner. Dean says this year's draft could repeat history whereby Saric is picked before Nurkic just like ET went before Cousins in the 2010 Draft. This is a good read.

http://deanondraft.com/2014/02/19/jusuf ... an-boogie/

DX also has a recent video of Nurkic vs Capella:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jusuf-Nurkic-7118/

If we don't pick Embiid with our first pick, I would not be surprised if Nurkic is Hinkie's second pick. Nurkic has a high ceiling and he would protect and compliment Noel.

I don't think Nurkic is in the same area code as Cousins was when he was coming into the draft.

I also don't think Saric is anything like ET since he's much bigger and appears to have a nicer looking shot than ET.

However, this comes as no surprise to me since I think Dean is wrong on most things.

[sixerswillrule]

I like Nurkic, but I'm not so sure he's a perfect compliment to Noel.

Can Nurkic shoot the ball? Because if he can't, then the spacing is still a little messed up with Noel at the 4.

I don't see why Nerlens can't learn to consistently hit the mid ranger jumper like how Ibaka has developed. It's not like he's a back to the basket player and he spent the season reconstructing his shooting form.

It's not that simple. Ibaka shoots close to 50% on mid range jumpers, among the best in the league. Not like everyone can do it. If Noel can become a 40% shooter within a few years, I'd be happy.

[OleSchool]

we need Wiggins to pull a Lindros and refuse to play for Cleveland or Milwaukee

Funny you said Lindros. I have compared Wiggins to Lindros. I really think thats the way Wiggins career is going to go.

[PhilasFinest]

I like Nurkic, but I'm not so sure he's a perfect compliment to Noel.

Can Nurkic shoot the ball? Because if he can't, then the spacing is still a little messed up with Noel at the 4.

I don't see why Nerlens can't learn to consistently hit the mid ranger jumper like how Ibaka has developed. It's not like he's a back to the basket player and he spent the season reconstructing his shooting form.

Ibaka is one of the better jump shooting big men in the NBA.

Not saying Noel can't become a respectable shooter, but the odds aren't in his favor.
Rarely does a player go from being a poor shooter and having to completely overhauling his shot, to one of the best jump shooters at his position.

I'm hoping Noel proves me wrong....but thinking he can become Ibaka like shooting the rock is a HUGE task

[Tension]

I like Nurkic, but I'm not so sure he's a perfect compliment to Noel.

Can Nurkic shoot the ball? Because if he can't, then the spacing is still a little messed up with Noel at the 4.

I don't see why Nerlens can't learn to consistently hit the mid ranger jumper like how Ibaka has developed. It's not like he's a back to the basket player and he spent the season reconstructing his shooting form.

Ibaka is one of the better jump shooting big men in the NBA.

Not saying Noel can't become a respectable shooter, but the odds aren't in his favor.
Rarely does a player go from being a poor shooter and having to completely overhauling his shot, to one of the best jump shooters at his position.

I'm hoping Noel proves me wrong....but thinking he can become Ibaka like shooting the rock is a HUGE task

Yeah, but Ibaka didn't have that in his game two years ago. He became consistent with it once Harden left and expanded his range to the 3 point line this year. Noel has the frame to develop into a good shooter imo, he won't get Dwight Howard bulky and brick everything.

If we don't think Noel can develop a mid range jumpshot nor do we think he has what it takes to develop a nasty post game, how do you guys think a rich man's Chris Andersen is going to be a star centerpiece on our team? We're a team that preaches player development now, I'm not saying that Noel is gonna start hitting 3s in a couple years but almost every PF (which I believe is Noel's natural position) needs that shot to succeed in the NBA now.

[sixerswillrule]

I don't see why Nerlens can't learn to consistently hit the mid ranger jumper like how Ibaka has developed. It's not like he's a back to the basket player and he spent the season reconstructing his shooting form.

Ibaka is one of the better jump shooting big men in the NBA.

Not saying Noel can't become a respectable shooter, but the odds aren't in his favor.
Rarely does a player go from being a poor shooter and having to completely overhauling his shot, to one of the best jump shooters at his position.

I'm hoping Noel proves me wrong....but thinking he can become Ibaka like shooting the rock is a HUGE task

Yeah, but Ibaka didn't have that in his game two years ago. He became consistent with it once Harden left and expanded his range to the 3 point line this year. Noel has the frame to develop into a good shooter imo, he won't get Dwight Howard bulky and brick everything.

If we don't think Noel can develop a mid range jumpshot nor do we think he has what it takes to develop a nasty post game, how do you guys think a rich man's Chris Andersen is going to be a star centerpiece on our team? We're a team that preaches player development now, I'm not saying that Noel is gonna start hitting 3s in a couple years but almost every PF (which I believe is Noel's natural position) needs that shot to succeed in the NBA now.

Tyson Chandler was a critical component to a championship team, and Nerlens could potentially become a Chandler with a better offensive game.

[Embiid P]

we need Wiggins to pull a Lindros and refuse to play for Cleveland or Milwaukee

Funny you said Lindros. I have compared Wiggins to Lindros. I really think thats the way Wiggins career is going to go.

I had Lindros in mind as well when I made my first comment on the "Wiggins Camp Prefers Philly" thread, but I decided to stick to basketball and list Kobe instead.

[PhilasFinest]

Watch videos of Ibaka before he entered the NBA....

He wasn't the shooter he was today, but he showed flashes of hitting jump shots, even 3's and his form didn't need to be completely overhauled.

Overhauling a shot, is pretty much saying your mechanics and shot is so busted, we gotta try and reteach you how to shoot.....breaking years and years of bad habits and muscle memory is an incredibly tough task to do when the lights come on.

[plead.5th]

If Milwaukee would be interested in Exum at 2, I wonder if they would take MCW for the #2. MCW & Thad for #2 and filler. We could take Exum and Embid or Wiggins.

[Iscull]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of trading the rookie of the year for someone who has yet to play a single minute in the NBA? I just don't get it. IMO, if you are running a team you are saying "we have one position in our core locked down, let's look for another". We have a 6'6" PG who won rookie of the year and averaged 16/6/6. I realize this was on a terrible team; however, I feel the point guard position becomes much easier the more talent there is around you. I look at it in terms of we just drafted our franchise QB. Why the hell would you trade that away?

I could see us drafting a PG in the 2nd, but no earlier. Deonte Burton in the 2nd would make a nice pick. He would be an awesome fit in the athletic, fast paced line-up we have right now. Also, I would expect him to contribute as a backup PG right away given his age/development and our team's lack of talent at that role.

[Mr Sixer]

Really liking this rumor of Milwaukee taking Exum. Even though I think he's gonna be very very good I would like Embiid or Wiggins much more and we're guaranteed to get one of them

[sixers23]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of trading the rookie of the year for someone who has yet to play a single minute in the NBA? I just don't get it. IMO, if you are running a team you are saying "we have one position in our core locked down, let's look for another". We have a 6'6" PG who won rookie of the year and averaged 16/6/6. I realize this was on a terrible team; however, I feel the point guard position becomes much easier the more talent there is around you. I look at it in terms of we just drafted our franchise QB. Why the hell would you trade that away?

I could see us drafting a PG in the 2nd, but no earlier. Deonte Burton in the 2nd would make a nice pick. He would be an awesome fit in the athletic, fast paced line-up we have right now. Also, I would expect him to contribute as a backup PG right away given his age/development and our team's lack of talent at that role.

So you wouldn't trade mcw for Embiid straight up?

[76ers3]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of trading the rookie of the year for someone who has yet to play a single minute in the NBA? I just don't get it. IMO, if you are running a team you are saying "we have one position in our core locked down, let's look for another". We have a 6'6" PG who won rookie of the year and averaged 16/6/6. I realize this was on a terrible team; however, I feel the point guard position becomes much easier the more talent there is around you. I look at it in terms of we just drafted our franchise QB. Why the hell would you trade that away?

I could see us drafting a PG in the 2nd, but no earlier. Deonte Burton in the 2nd would make a nice pick. He would be an awesome fit in the athletic, fast paced line-up we have right now. Also, I would expect him to contribute as a backup PG right away given his age/development and our team's lack of talent at that role.

So you wouldn't trade mcw for Embiid straight up?

No.

[Iscull]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of trading the rookie of the year for someone who has yet to play a single minute in the NBA? I just don't get it. IMO, if you are running a team you are saying "we have one position in our core locked down, let's look for another". We have a 6'6" PG who won rookie of the year and averaged 16/6/6. I realize this was on a terrible team; however, I feel the point guard position becomes much easier the more talent there is around you. I look at it in terms of we just drafted our franchise QB. Why the hell would you trade that away?

I could see us drafting a PG in the 2nd, but no earlier. Deonte Burton in the 2nd would make a nice pick. He would be an awesome fit in the athletic, fast paced line-up we have right now. Also, I would expect him to contribute as a backup PG right away given his age/development and our team's lack of talent at that role.

So you wouldn't trade mcw for Embiid straight up?

10 times out of 10, no. Embiid has played 1 season of NCAA basketball and draws red flags from a medical stand point. If you were somehow able to guarantee that Embiid were to be the D-12/Olajuwon, then I would say yes. Until then, no. IMO, if you run a successful franchise you would never trade a key piece for an unknown commodity.

[Mr Sixer]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of trading the rookie of the year for someone who has yet to play a single minute in the NBA? I just don't get it. IMO, if you are running a team you are saying "we have one position in our core locked down, let's look for another". We have a 6'6" PG who won rookie of the year and averaged 16/6/6. I realize this was on a terrible team; however, I feel the point guard position becomes much easier the more talent there is around you. I look at it in terms of we just drafted our franchise QB. Why the hell would you trade that away?

I could see us drafting a PG in the 2nd, but no earlier. Deonte Burton in the 2nd would make a nice pick. He would be an awesome fit in the athletic, fast paced line-up we have right now. Also, I would expect him to contribute as a backup PG right away given his age/development and our team's lack of talent at that role.

So you wouldn't trade mcw for Embiid straight up?

10 times out of 10, no. Embiid has played 1 season of NCAA basketball and draws red flags from a medical stand point. If you were somehow able to guarantee that Embiid were to be the D-12/Olajuwon, then I would say yes. Until then, no. IMO, if you run a successful franchise you would never trade a key piece for an unknown commodity.

I've seen people use this argument a lot, and while it has some truth I feel that it is exaggerated. I hear a lot of people saying that picks are worth nothing and you always take the proven player, blah blah blah but I don't think thats the case at all and as a GM if you really think the player is going to be a superstar then I think you make the trade.

In this exact case, the injury is the big issue and the main reason many people probably wouldn't do it, but considering that pgs are a dime a dozen and exceptional big men are rare I would do the trade without a question, even without the guarantee that he's going to become the next Olajuwon.

Dropping MCW and coming out of this draft with both the twin towers of noel/embiid + wiggins exum or parker +10 pick is totally worth it for me with the huge upside that the roster has. We are here to build a championship caliber roster and you have to go big or go home.

[Iscull]

So you wouldn't trade mcw for Embiid straight up?

10 times out of 10, no. Embiid has played 1 season of NCAA basketball and draws red flags from a medical stand point. If you were somehow able to guarantee that Embiid were to be the D-12/Olajuwon, then I would say yes. Until then, no. IMO, if you run a successful franchise you would never trade a key piece for an unknown commodity.

I've seen people use this argument a lot, and while it has some truth I feel that it is exaggerated. I hear a lot of people saying that picks are worth nothing and you always take the proven player, blah blah blah but I don't think thats the case at all and as a GM if you really think the player is going to be a superstar then I think you make the trade.

In this exact case, the injury is the big issue and the main reason many people probably wouldn't do it, but considering that pgs are a dime a dozen and exceptional big men are rare I would do the trade without a question, even without the guarantee that he's going to become the next Olajuwon.

Dropping MCW and coming out of this draft with both the twin towers of noel/embiid + wiggins exum or parker +10 pick is totally worth it for me with the huge upside that the roster has. We are here to build a championship caliber roster and you have to go big or go home.

Talented bigs are a hot commodity because they are so hard to find. The bust rate is really high, making the Embiid pick that much riskier. With that said, I wouldn't oppose selecting him with the 3rd overall pick. IMO, he is the best pick in the draft. While I would draft him, I would never trade the rookie of the year for a unknown commodity. It just doesn't make sense to me. I like the go big or go home attitude, but that isn't how you run a franchise. I'm all for taking risks in getting better, but it just doesn't seem worth losing MCW right now.

I think the best course of action in this draft is to take BPA (Outside of a PG) in the first round and then select role players in the 2nd. We already have a young nucleus with good chemistry. There is no need to break that up. Whoever we draft at 3 and 10 will be great additions to that.

[sixers23]

Can someone explain to me the fascination of trading the rookie of the year for someone who has yet to play a single minute in the NBA? I just don't get it. IMO, if you are running a team you are saying "we have one position in our core locked down, let's look for another". We have a 6'6" PG who won rookie of the year and averaged 16/6/6. I realize this was on a terrible team; however, I feel the point guard position becomes much easier the more talent there is around you. I look at it in terms of we just drafted our franchise QB. Why the hell would you trade that away?

I could see us drafting a PG in the 2nd, but no earlier. Deonte Burton in the 2nd would make a nice pick. He would be an awesome fit in the athletic, fast paced line-up we have right now. Also, I would expect him to contribute as a backup PG right away given his age/development and our team's lack of talent at that role.

So you wouldn't trade mcw for Embiid straight up?

10 times out of 10, no. Embiid has played 1 season of NCAA basketball and draws red flags from a medical stand point. If you were somehow able to guarantee that Embiid were to be the D-12/Olajuwon, then I would say yes. Until then, no. IMO, if you run a successful franchise you would never trade a key piece for an unknown commodity.

Well thank god you don't run the sixers

[FlightBrothers]

[quote="Iscull"]Can someone explain to me the fascination of trading the rookie of the year for someone who has yet to play a single minute in the NBA?

If you have done your due diligence and you feel that the player "who hasnt played a minute yet in the NBA" has the higher ceiling and you feel confident in your research and your opinion, you make the trade.

It is easy for us to second guess that thinking, but Hinkie or any GM for that matter has much more data and research to go by to make that decision. I personally would do it to get Exum. MCW is a great player but until we get our alpha (which I do not believe MCW is) you need to keep trying to get one...

If we came out with Wiggins and Exum hopefully one of them could be the alpha dog...

Also the ROY is a reflection of the rookies in that draft. While I like MCW and would only trade him for serious value in return, his rookie class was not that great...