2014 Draft Thread

[Frank Lee]

the curse of potential, the great unknown..... the more playing time these kids get, the more 'average' they become.

[bwgood77]

As much as some media and fans like to applaud the guys who go back to school it's just not a good idea if you have a 1st round grade. Smart and Mitch mcgary for sure cost themselves money not coming out last year an even guys like Gary Harris and glen Robinson probably did.

For financial purposes, sure. To enjoy college, grow up, and have a chance to play for a college title, it could be worth it to some people. Smart is looking like it cost him money, he is not having fun, his stock is dropping, and his team may now struggle to even get into the tourney though, so his decision, on most all accounts, doesn't look so good.

[WeekapaugGroove]

One thing I get a kick out of is when people spin it that it's good for these kids educationally. It's a farce. Realistically a kid could come out after his 1st yr take a fraction of his rookie salary out it in a trust fund and pay for his college degree when he's out of the league. Heck at that point not only will they be more mature and take it more seriously but they also aren't dealing with the heavy practice load a college athlete deals with.

[INFORMER-93]

Is Staten a Bledsoe type athlete? I haven't seen much WVU ball.

Just as strong and quick, but he doesn't have the leaping ability Bledsoe has.

[INFORMER-93]

As much as some media and fans like to applaud the guys who go back to school it's just not a good idea if you have a 1st round grade. Smart and Mitch mcgary for sure cost themselves money not coming out last year an even guys like Gary Harris and glen Robinson probably did.

Well first, let's not get overly dramatic. Marcus Smart is still going to be a millionaire, so don't see why it would be even worth complaining about.

Secondly, staying in school longer for some players is a wise financial decision because it equips them to be better pros. Not everyone is driven by instant gratification, and not every college player is looking to cash in and take advantage of some stupid GM; some college players actually care more about being the best NBA player they can be, not cashing in as quick as they can.

[bwgood77]

One thing I get a kick out of is when people spin it that it's good for these kids educationally. It's a farce. Realistically a kid could come out after his 1st yr take a fraction of his rookie salary out it in a trust fund and pay for his college degree when he's out of the league. Heck at that point not only will they be more mature and take it more seriously but they also aren't dealing with the heavy practice load a college athlete deals with.

I wasn't talking as much about education as just growing up a bit and enjoying playing competitive college ball, as opposed to being an 18 year old who might be overwhelmed with the nba life that quickly. For financial purposes, it's almost always better to come out if you can go first round. If you are successful, that big second and third contract coming a year sooner really could make a difference in career earnings.

But if you are slotted for low 20s and are raw and can move up to top 5 the next year with a little improvement, you might make that money back on your first contract, and may just get more on your second contract too because you adjusted more quickly to the nba and proved yourself much more during your rookie contract.

A guy like Smart should definitely have come out. Guys like Goodwin and Grant Jerrett, I'm not so sure.

[WeekapaugGroove]

One thing I get a kick out of is when people spin it that it's good for these kids educationally. It's a farce. Realistically a kid could come out after his 1st yr take a fraction of his rookie salary out it in a trust fund and pay for his college degree when he's out of the league. Heck at that point not only will they be more mature and take it more seriously but they also aren't dealing with the heavy practice load a college athlete deals with.

I wasn't talking as much about education as just growing up a bit and enjoying playing competitive college ball, as opposed to being an 18 year old who might be overwhelmed with the nba life that quickly. For financial purposes, it's almost always better to come out if you can go first round. If you are successful, that big second and third contract coming a year sooner really could make a difference in career earnings.

But if you are slotted for low 20s and are raw and can move up to top 5 the next year with a little improvement, you might make that money back on your first contract, and may just get more on your second contract too because you adjusted more quickly to the nba and proved yourself much more during your rookie contract.

A guy like Smart should definitely have come out. Guys like Goodwin and Grant Jerrett, I'm not so sure.

the education remark wasnt directed at you I just saying in general I cringe when I hear that used in any sport.

I think it's an interesting debate whether guys develop their games more in college or in the pros.

On one hand if they stay in school they are playing meaningful minutes on their college team so maybe that's better for their game.

But on the other hand as a pro they don't have to devote time to class and don't have restrictions on how much they can practice. They also get to work with better trainers and bigger coaching g staffs than they would have as a college student. And they go up against men in practice which should speed up their growth.

I tend to think guys develop more as pros even if they aren't playing a bunch. The one thing that kills some guys is they aren't mature enough to handle the money and temptations that come along with being a pro athlete. Now I would argue that some of these guys would handle the situation poorly no matter how long they stay in school but it is a fair argument.

[DirtyDez]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped. I love me some Kyle Anderson he reminds me of Pierce.

[INFORMER-93]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped.

His jump shot is also light years ahead of Goodwin's.

[DirtyDez]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped.

His jump shot is also light years ahead of Goodwin's.

Your jump shot is light years ahead of Goodwin's...

Lavine has had some insane breakaways but Archie can use his athleticism in the half court slashing and finishing in traffic which I have yet to seen much of from Zach. It's not really his role with Anderson being the primary ball-handler but he kinda just roams on offense. I'd like to see him stay another year and increase his responsibility.

[INFORMER-93]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped.

His jump shot is also light years ahead of Goodwin's.

Your jump shot is light years ahead of Goodwin's...

Nice

[TOO]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped. I love me some Kyle Anderson he reminds me of Pierce.

Whaaaaaa? He's got like no athleticism, I see Boris Diaw.

[DirtyDez]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped. I love me some Kyle Anderson he reminds me of Pierce.

Whaaaaaa? He's got like no athleticism, I see Boris Diaw.

Eh he's not a stiff...

-gets defenders off-balanced
-great court-vision
-great rebounder
-great handles
-turning into a really good shooter
-great size, 9ft reach (same as Nerlens Noel)

15.1 PTS // 8.7 RBS // 6.7 AST // 1.7 STL // 49%FG // 50%3PT // 74%FT

I'll say a slimmer/more-aggressive Boris Diaw which is easily worth a lottery pick...

[TOO]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped. I love me some Kyle Anderson he reminds me of Pierce.

Whaaaaaa? He's got like no athleticism, I see Boris Diaw.

Eh he's not a stiff...

-gets defenders off-balanced
-great court-vision
-great rebounder
-great handles
-turning into a really good shooter
-great size, 9ft reach (same as Nerlens Noel)

15.1 PTS // 8.7 RBS // 6.7 AST // 1.7 STL // 49%FG // 50%3PT // 74%FT

I'll say a slimmer/more-aggressive Boris Diaw which is easily worth a lottery pick...

He's definitely a fill the stats sheet guy, but when I watch him its like he plays in slow motion. I worry he just isn't quick enough to be a 3. He could definitely be a point forward type off the bench like Diaw or old Steve Smith. I just don't know I spend a lotto pick on a guy who has a limited athletic upside.

[In2ition]

Zach Lavine makes Archie Goodwin looked ripped.

His jump shot is also light years ahead of Goodwin's.

He might also be more athletic than Goodwin too. Everyone is right though, he needs to mature and put on muscle. He could use another year or two in college to get stronger, but he has a chance to be a special pro with his skill set.

[INFORMER-93]

Whaaaaaa? He's got like no athleticism, I see Boris Diaw.

Eh he's not a stiff...

-gets defenders off-balanced
-great court-vision
-great rebounder
-great handles
-turning into a really good shooter
-great size, 9ft reach (same as Nerlens Noel)

15.1 PTS // 8.7 RBS // 6.7 AST // 1.7 STL // 49%FG // 50%3PT // 74%FT

I'll say a slimmer/more-aggressive Boris Diaw which is easily worth a lottery pick...

He's definitely a fill the stats sheet guy, but when I watch him its like he plays in slow motion. I worry he just isn't quick enough to be a 3. He could definitely be a point forward type off the bench like Diaw or old Steve Smith. I just don't know I spend a lotto pick on a guy who has a limited athletic upside.

I don't have a problem with limited athletic upside if a player is highly skilled and has high basketball IQ. And that's Kyle Anderson. And I'm hoping, because of his limited athleticism, he remains on the board for when the Suns draft.

[In2ition]

Eh he's not a stiff...

-gets defenders off-balanced
-great court-vision
-great rebounder
-great handles
-turning into a really good shooter
-great size, 9ft reach (same as Nerlens Noel)

15.1 PTS // 8.7 RBS // 6.7 AST // 1.7 STL // 49%FG // 50%3PT // 74%FT

I'll say a slimmer/more-aggressive Boris Diaw which is easily worth a lottery pick...

He's definitely a fill the stats sheet guy, but when I watch him its like he plays in slow motion. I worry he just isn't quick enough to be a 3. He could definitely be a point forward type off the bench like Diaw or old Steve Smith. I just don't know I spend a lotto pick on a guy who has a limited athletic upside.

I don't have a problem with limited athletic upside if a player is highly skilled and has high basketball IQ. And that's Kyle Anderson. And I'm hoping, because of his limited athleticism, he remains on the board for when the Suns draft.

I agree with this. Bball IQ seems like an underrated skill by some.

[bwgood77]

I like Kyle Anderson, but he's not a guy we need since we have two ballhandlers, unless people are assuming we trade one of them.

I'm surprised of the little talk about Jordan Adams when talking about UCLA guys. I'd be really happy to get him in the 2nd round, or maybe even with the Indy pick.

[INFORMER-93]

I like Kyle Anderson, but he's not a guy we need since we have two ballhandlers, unless people are assuming we trade one of them.

I don't agree with that assessment because I don't think you draft Kyle Anderson just because you need a "ballhandler." He's dveloped into a very good scorer, playmaker, and a solid rebounder. And the Suns need more players that can generate offense by themselves.

[bwgood77]

I like Kyle Anderson, but he's not a guy we need since we have two ballhandlers, unless people are assuming we trade one of them.

I don't agree with that assessment because I don't think you draft Kyle Anderson just because you need a "ballhandler." He's dveloped into a very good scorer, playmaker, and a solid rebounder. And the Suns need more players that can generate offense by themselves.

Do you think he fits in well with a team that wants to run?