2014 NBA Draft Prospects Thread #5 | Raps picking 20th

[Lukeem]

Haven't seen his name bounced around too much here but I think Cleanthony early could be a solid pick at 20 ( some might say it's a reach (okay most)) and some might say it's too much focused on filling a need rather than BPA. Due to his age.

However I see it as picking a pretty complete player that will get an opportunity to steal major minutes and contribute right away. Some one who is better than most the players being mentioned just dropping due to his age, which is often over emphasized. All these kids are young early at 23 can still get a lot better. Just look at his improvement since high school.

He also tested tested athletically very close to Aaron Gordon across the board but got very little love for it.


I don't think he has superstar potential but could easily be a starting sf on a contending team for the majority of his rookie contract and beyond. His floor meanwhile I see as a productive role player off the bench, a lot of the people looked at here have a similar ceiling (slightly higher over career) but a way lower floor


There is also a plethora of "sexy" pick sfs that should be available around 37, if you want to try and grab a higher ceiling more risky pick with that there is no downside one non guaranteed contract and





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[Roland Brice]

I wouldn't bet against this kid. I fear Chicago will select him before we can, but if he's there I don't think we can go wrong by taking him. He seems like he'll be another guy to earn the hearts of fans of wherever he goes.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Adreian_Payne/status/473879482743275521[/tweet]

[Roland Brice]

Haven't seen his name bounced around too much here but I think Cleanthony early could be a solid pick at 20 ( some might say it's a reach (okay most)) and some might say it's too much focused on filling a need rather than BPA. Due to his age.

However I see it as picking a pretty complete player that will get an opportunity to steal major minutes and contribute right away. Some one who is better than most the players being mentioned just dropping due to his age, which is often over emphasized. All these kids are young early at 23 can still get a lot better. Just look at his improvement since high school.

He also tested tested athletically very close to Aaron Gordon across the board but got very little love for it.


I don't think he has superstar potential but could easily be a starting sf on a contending team for the majority of his rookie contract and beyond. His floor meanwhile I see as a productive role player off the bench, a lot of the people looked at here have a similar ceiling (slightly higher over career) but a way lower floor


There is also a plethora of "sexy" pick sfs that should be available around 37, if you want to try and grab a higher ceiling more risky pick with that there is no downside one non guaranteed contract and





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He's the next Josh Howard. That's not bad at all if he can have more career longevity than Josh did.

[_venom_]

Haven't seen his name bounced around too much here but I think Cleanthony early could be a solid pick at 20 ( some might say it's a reach (okay most)) and some might say it's too much focused on filling a need rather than BPA. Due to his age.

However I see it as picking a pretty complete player that will get an opportunity to steal major minutes and contribute right away. Some one who is better than most the players being mentioned just dropping due to his age, which is often over emphasized. All these kids are young early at 23 can still get a lot better. Just look at his improvement since high school.

He also tested tested athletically very close to Aaron Gordon across the board but got very little love for it.


I don't think he has superstar potential but could easily be a starting sf on a contending team for the majority of his rookie contract and beyond. His floor meanwhile I see as a productive role player off the bench, a lot of the people looked at here have a similar ceiling (slightly higher over career) but a way lower floor


There is also a plethora of "sexy" pick sfs that should be available around 37, if you want to try and grab a higher ceiling more risky pick with that there is no downside one non guaranteed contract and





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I agree about Early. I would have no issue with drafting him. He's a great athlete, he played for a good college coach, can catch and shoot, has the quickness and athleticism to be a good defender at the next level. Has good size. I'd be fine with any of McDaniels, Early or Warren at 20 if we're going with a wing player. Kyle Anderson I'm still on the fence with.

[Raptorfan2012]

Haven't seen his name bounced around too much here but I think Cleanthony early could be a solid pick at 20 ( some might say it's a reach (okay most)) and some might say it's too much focused on filling a need rather than BPA. Due to his age.

However I see it as picking a pretty complete player that will get an opportunity to steal major minutes and contribute right away. Some one who is better than most the players being mentioned just dropping due to his age, which is often over emphasized. All these kids are young early at 23 can still get a lot better. Just look at his improvement since high school.

He also tested tested athletically very close to Aaron Gordon across the board but got very little love for it.


I don't think he has superstar potential but could easily be a starting sf on a contending team for the majority of his rookie contract and beyond. His floor meanwhile I see as a productive role player off the bench, a lot of the people looked at here have a similar ceiling (slightly higher over career) but a way lower floor


There is also a plethora of "sexy" pick sfs that should be available around 37, if you want to try and grab a higher ceiling more risky pick with that there is no downside one non guaranteed contract and





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Apparently Cleaanthony was a bit too streaky in his college years and his combine. He is also one of the oldest players coming out of this draft, so he has that going against him. Was not a very good defender in college.

Still he is a decent pick up if we decide to draft a wing at 20.

Question for the board - who is a better prospect - TJ Warren or Early? Who will fit the Raptors better.

[_venom_]

I'm also of the belief that there's very little difference between drafting 16 and drafting 30 in this draft. There's a lot of guys clumped together and it's basically a matter of personal preference.

[Lukeem]

Haven't seen his name bounced around too much here but I think Cleanthony early could be a solid pick at 20 ( some might say it's a reach (okay most)) and some might say it's too much focused on filling a need rather than BPA. Due to his age.

However I see it as picking a pretty complete player that will get an opportunity to steal major minutes and contribute right away. Some one who is better than most the players being mentioned just dropping due to his age, which is often over emphasized. All these kids are young early at 23 can still get a lot better. Just look at his improvement since high school.

He also tested tested athletically very close to Aaron Gordon across the board but got very little love for it.


I don't think he has superstar potential but could easily be a starting sf on a contending team for the majority of his rookie contract and beyond. His floor meanwhile I see as a productive role player off the bench, a lot of the people looked at here have a similar ceiling (slightly higher over career) but a way lower floor


There is also a plethora of "sexy" pick sfs that should be available around 37, if you want to try and grab a higher ceiling more risky pick with that there is no downside one non guaranteed contract and





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He's the next Josh Howard. That's not bad at all if he can have more career longevity than Josh did.

Yeah not at all a bad thing. Howard made an all star team. Almost made a dream team as a defensive specialist. Just injuries ended his career early.

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[_venom_]

Warren should be the better scorer. Early should be the better defender. Warren isn't athletic and has an ugly release but he's very crafty and has a high offensive IQ. Early is more of a 3+D guy (needs to get better on D but has physical traits).

[gerrit4]

I just watched Cleanthony Early's highlight reel. I wonder if Wichita State players draft stocks are considerably lower because of their terrible uniforms. There so loose compared to the other teams, it looks like they're playing in painter's outfits...

[Lukeem]

Haven't seen his name bounced around too much here but I think Cleanthony early could be a solid pick at 20 ( some might say it's a reach (okay most)) and some might say it's too much focused on filling a need rather than BPA. Due to his age.

However I see it as picking a pretty complete player that will get an opportunity to steal major minutes and contribute right away. Some one who is better than most the players being mentioned just dropping due to his age, which is often over emphasized. All these kids are young early at 23 can still get a lot better. Just look at his improvement since high school.

He also tested tested athletically very close to Aaron Gordon across the board but got very little love for it.


I don't think he has superstar potential but could easily be a starting sf on a contending team for the majority of his rookie contract and beyond. His floor meanwhile I see as a productive role player off the bench, a lot of the people looked at here have a similar ceiling (slightly higher over career) but a way lower floor


There is also a plethora of "sexy" pick sfs that should be available around 37, if you want to try and grab a higher ceiling more risky pick with that there is no downside one non guaranteed contract and





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I agree about Early. I would have no issue with drafting him. He's a great athlete, he played for a good college coach, can catch and shoot, has the quickness and athleticism to be a good defender at the next level. Has good size. I'd be fine with any of McDaniels, Early or Warren at 20 if we're going with a wing player. Kyle Anderson I'm still on the fence with.

McDaniels I was warming up to him a lot until I saw his agility test it scared me off a bit. But there is a lot of upside there and I know I shouldn't put everything on one test. Just raised a big concern for me.

Warren - I worry about him as a sf defender and shooter but his knack for scoring is a huge + and I think I might be underrating his perimeter D

Absolutely hear you on Anderson. He's an interesting one but so many things I'd have to test and check out for myself in person or a tonne of full game tapes to really feel great about it. If MU makes the pick I'm guessing he did his homework and I'll jump on board

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[ATLTimekeeper]

Videos can only do so much, though. In high school, what Nik really needed was competition. However, the Canadian hoops culture at the time was not exactly thriving. During his seventh- and eighth-grade years, Nik essentially coached his teams, calling plays and making the substitutions because the school had no coach. (Two young female teachers who knew little about the game but were good sports sat on the bench so there would be an official faculty presence.)
When Nik was a high school sophomore at Mississauga's Loyola Catholic, the coach quit early in the year. No one else among the faculty was willing or qualified to take over, so the season was in danger of being canceled. In stepped Nik, who again offered to coach. When that didn't fly, he went around school begging teachers for help until he persuaded his French teacher, Ms. Pichanin, to agree to be a staff presence while Paul Stauskas voluntarily led the team. And so it went each afternoon, Paul running practice and Ms. Pichanin grading papers in the stands.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20140603/nik-stauskas-nba-draft/#ixzz33bGGpkR8

Hope he ends up in a good situation.

[Dalek]

Haven't seen his name bounced around too much here but I think Cleanthony early could be a solid pick at 20 ( some might say it's a reach (okay most)) and some might say it's too much focused on filling a need rather than BPA. Due to his age.

However I see it as picking a pretty complete player that will get an opportunity to steal major minutes and contribute right away. Some one who is better than most the players being mentioned just dropping due to his age, which is often over emphasized. All these kids are young early at 23 can still get a lot better. Just look at his improvement since high school.

He also tested tested athletically very close to Aaron Gordon across the board but got very little love for it.


I don't think he has superstar potential but could easily be a starting sf on a contending team for the majority of his rookie contract and beyond. His floor meanwhile I see as a productive role player off the bench, a lot of the people looked at here have a similar ceiling (slightly higher over career) but a way lower floor


There is also a plethora of "sexy" pick sfs that should be available around 37, if you want to try and grab a higher ceiling more risky pick with that there is no downside one non guaranteed contract and





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This is not to criticize your thinking, but the draft makes us believe that every player in the draft has role player potential. Look in the D-League and in Europe and you will find a dozens of guys who fit his profile. What makes Anthony worth a first round pick? Being a good generalist only goes so far in the NBA. I just don't see a star in him.

I think we need to throw out the need card and just focus on best player available. If there aren't any guys that really stand out we just package our picks and try to get one solid rotation player.

[Roland Brice]

Isaiah Austin scares the hell outta me, but man are his measurements amazing. Pretty much 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach (all rounded), not to mention he's 220 so he can probably get to around 240-250 with an NBA diet and weight lifting regiment seeing as how he's still pretty thin looking.

Obviously, being legally blind is never a good thing for an NBA prospect, but in the 2nd round he'd seem like a low-risk, high-reward type of pick. Plus, his game would fit perfectly next to JV seeing as how he's a potential floor stretcher. He's only shooting 28% from 3, but with repetition he could probably increase that. Also, he's an excellent shot blocker at 3.2 per game in 28 minutes a game.

With all that said there's no denying that he's a project. He's too skinny, he doesn't rebound well, and his jumper needs more reps. But in the 2nd round is he worth it? There are guys I want much more, but the potential a guy like this has is ridiculous.

[Thespianoid]

Isaiah Austin scares the hell outta me, but man are his measurements amazing. Pretty much 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach (all rounded), not to mention he's 220 so he can probably get to around 240-250 with an NBA diet and weight lifting regiment seeing as how he's still pretty thin looking.

Obviously, being legally blind is never a good thing for an NBA prospect, but in the 2nd round he'd seem like a low-risk, high-reward type of pick. Plus, his game would fit perfectly next to JV seeing as how he's a potential floor stretcher. He's only shooting 28% from 3, but with repetition he could probably increase that. Also, he's an excellent shot blocker at 3.2 per game in 28 minutes a game.

With all that said there's no denying that he's a project. He's too skinny, he doesn't rebound well, and his jumper needs more reps. But in the 2nd round is he worth it? There are guys I want much more, but the potential a guy like this has is ridiculous.

I'm surprised you wrote off Porzingis early on as someone you didn't want (maybe you meant not @ 20?), yet you advocate for a similar but older and lower-ceiling'd version? I'm confused.

[Roland Brice]

Isaiah Austin scares the hell outta me, but man are his measurements amazing. Pretty much 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach (all rounded), not to mention he's 220 so he can probably get to around 240-250 with an NBA diet and weight lifting regiment seeing as how he's still pretty thin looking.

Obviously, being legally blind is never a good thing for an NBA prospect, but in the 2nd round he'd seem like a low-risk, high-reward type of pick. Plus, his game would fit perfectly next to JV seeing as how he's a potential floor stretcher. He's only shooting 28% from 3, but with repetition he could probably increase that. Also, he's an excellent shot blocker at 3.2 per game in 28 minutes a game.

With all that said there's no denying that he's a project. He's too skinny, he doesn't rebound well, and his jumper needs more reps. But in the 2nd round is he worth it? There are guys I want much more, but the potential a guy like this has is ridiculous.

I'm surprised you wrote off Porzingis early on as someone you didn't want (maybe you meant not @ 20?), yet you advocate for a similar but older and lower-ceiling'd version? I'm confused.

Yeah, it's more about the draft position. There's no way I'd take Austin at 20, as I said in my post "in the 2nd round" and "low-risk, high-reward" because of where he'd likely be picked. Porzingis would need to be taken at 20, which is not a risk I'm willing to take.

[Thespianoid]

Isaiah Austin scares the hell outta me, but man are his measurements amazing. Pretty much 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach (all rounded), not to mention he's 220 so he can probably get to around 240-250 with an NBA diet and weight lifting regiment seeing as how he's still pretty thin looking.

Obviously, being legally blind is never a good thing for an NBA prospect, but in the 2nd round he'd seem like a low-risk, high-reward type of pick. Plus, his game would fit perfectly next to JV seeing as how he's a potential floor stretcher. He's only shooting 28% from 3, but with repetition he could probably increase that. Also, he's an excellent shot blocker at 3.2 per game in 28 minutes a game.

With all that said there's no denying that he's a project. He's too skinny, he doesn't rebound well, and his jumper needs more reps. But in the 2nd round is he worth it? There are guys I want much more, but the potential a guy like this has is ridiculous.

I'm surprised you wrote off Porzingis early on as someone you didn't want (maybe you meant not @ 20?), yet you advocate for a similar but older and lower-ceiling'd version? I'm confused.

Yeah, it's more about the draft position. There's no way I'd take Austin at 20, as I said in my post "in the 2nd round" and "low-risk, high-reward" because of where he'd likely be picked. Porzingis would need to be taken at 20, which is not a risk I'm willing to take.

Ok yeah that makes more sense. My bad

[SkywalkerAC]

Isaiah Austin scares the hell outta me, but man are his measurements amazing. Pretty much 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach (all rounded), not to mention he's 220 so he can probably get to around 240-250 with an NBA diet and weight lifting regiment seeing as how he's still pretty thin looking.

Obviously, being legally blind is never a good thing for an NBA prospect, but in the 2nd round he'd seem like a low-risk, high-reward type of pick. Plus, his game would fit perfectly next to JV seeing as how he's a potential floor stretcher. He's only shooting 28% from 3, but with repetition he could probably increase that. Also, he's an excellent shot blocker at 3.2 per game in 28 minutes a game.

With all that said there's no denying that he's a project. He's too skinny, he doesn't rebound well, and his jumper needs more reps. But in the 2nd round is he worth it? There are guys I want much more, but the potential a guy like this has is ridiculous.

His bible-thumping ways scare me off more than his eyesight, but those probably wouldn't be an issue in an NBA locker room setting. Having one glass eye might always limit his corner 3-ball (I think it's normal to have difficulties with depth perception without the benefit of the backboard) and force him to swivel his head more actively to get his peripheries but those high, skinny hips are always going to be an issue. He has Zach Lavine's frame stretch into centre size and I can't think of NBA 5s getting major minutes with that body type. Bulking/training might be effective as they were with Jonas but I think Jonas always had strong legs. I like him as a prospect, love that Hakeem-esque shooting form, but there's plenty to be wary of.

[Kevin Willis]

Im really behind drafting Kyle Anderson now after being totally against it. He brings something completely different to our forwards, the ability to pass and see the court. Remember guys, mental speed can sometimes be faster than foot speed. His defence can be worked on with our plethora of coaches, his release will improve but his shot is pretty good % wise.

This is a huge comparison, but he reminds me a little of Paul Pierce how he cuts through the lane and lays it up, long steps whilst protecting the ball, high off the glass. Paul was also not the fastest but has a great basketball mind.

Thats actually a really interesting comparison.... Paul Pierce has been a raptor killer his entire career. If Anderson is there at 20 you have to take him, I think the chances of that are less then 5% though.

Paul Pierce is more athletic, bigger body so he can back his man down and has that I'm the best mentality. KA's game resembles his yes but those are big gaps.

[Roland Brice]

Ok yeah that makes more sense. My bad

No prob Bob.

Isaiah Austin scares the hell outta me, but man are his measurements amazing. Pretty much 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach (all rounded), not to mention he's 220 so he can probably get to around 240-250 with an NBA diet and weight lifting regiment seeing as how he's still pretty thin looking.

Obviously, being legally blind is never a good thing for an NBA prospect, but in the 2nd round he'd seem like a low-risk, high-reward type of pick. Plus, his game would fit perfectly next to JV seeing as how he's a potential floor stretcher. He's only shooting 28% from 3, but with repetition he could probably increase that. Also, he's an excellent shot blocker at 3.2 per game in 28 minutes a game.

With all that said there's no denying that he's a project. He's too skinny, he doesn't rebound well, and his jumper needs more reps. But in the 2nd round is he worth it? There are guys I want much more, but the potential a guy like this has is ridiculous.

His bible-thumping ways scare me off more than his eyesight, but those probably wouldn't be an issue in an NBA locker room setting. Having one glass eye might always limit his corner 3-ball (I think it's normal to have difficulties with depth perception without the benefit of the backboard) and force him to swivel his head more actively to get his peripheries but those high, skinny hips are always going to be an issue. He has Zach Lavine's frame stretch into centre size and I can't think of NBA 5s getting major minutes with that body type. Bulking/training might be effective as they were with Jonas but I think Jonas always had strong legs. I like him as a prospect, love that Hakeem-esque shooting form, but there's plenty to be wary of.

I don't think the Bible thumping is that big an issue, if you follow Bradley Beal on Twitter or Landry Fields you'll see that they're Bible thumpers as well. But just like you said, there's a lot to be wary of with him, but in the 2nd round you're looking for gems and if he can fill out a bit more I think he can be servicable. But as I said in my original post about him, I like other more, hence the sig

[Undefeated]

Defensively, he's a poor rebounder for his position but he's probably smart enough to become a passable defender.

Hood isn't a particularly smart defender often losing track and awareness (not really a great defender in space) of his man giving up back cuts because he doesn't follow ball-you-man principles. If he can't follow a simple defensive principle at the college level there's no way he's going to be able to pick up the nuances of NBA defense which is much more advance ("gapping" on the weakside, stunting, jabbing and bumping the screener on the roll then quickly recovering, where to rotate once he gets beat, where to be based on the location of the ball, and etc) and requires him to make razor sharp decision-making on the fly. The other part of defense is getting in a proper stance which he does a really poor job of by not getting low. That combination of defensive flaws I just don't really see Hood being much of a contributor defensively. He's going to most likely be a specialist, a sniper from downtown with the ability to attack closeouts hitting floaters and hook shots coming to a power stop or Rondo that sharp shooters like Novak, Korver, and James Jones can't do. Because he's able to drive he's a bit tricker to defend because now the defense has to decide whether to close out hard or lay him off which leaves him open and he can easily drain those corner 3s.