Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LI "Trade Deadline" Edition)

[ChosenSavior]

beno said orlando already feels more home than Milwaukee

Maybe Zmill had a point about Milwaukee

Yeah Beno ragged on Milwaukee pretty badly in the practice video that just posted on the Magic website...

He looks much more comfortable and relaxed. Really likes what the Magic are doing in terms of their rebuilding process.

[BadMofoPimp]

Those exact same "Scouts" said the same things about Miles and Kwame![/b]

Thats not true. Nobody was talking up Miles or Kwame like this. Not even remotely close.

I remember back then. And, I think Miles had even more hype than what I am hearing from Wiggins. People just don't remember that far and the present always seems bigger than the past.

Watching Miles play, and play hard, during his high school days is still some of the most entertaining basketball you'll ever witness.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536669-nba-careers-in-review-the-dramatic-career-of-darius-miles

[Blue_and_Whte]

Darius Miles

NBA Comparison: Tracy McGrady

Strengths: A freak athletically. Super quickness. Very fast running the floor. Future wing player. Upside is tremendous. Has developed a nice crossover and like his idol KG, likes to play away from the basket and take players off the dribble.

Weaknesses: Underdeveloped body. Needs to get a lot stronger. Very raw skills. Jump shot has no range. Will take a while before he can contribute. Must learn on the fly

Andrew Wiggins
NBA Comparison: Scottie Pippen

Strengths: A freakishly gifted athlete with a remarkably smooth offensive game ... Just about impossible to guard at this level, due to his athletic ability ... Can effortlessly glide around any defender that plays up on him ... Quick first step, and very long strides ... Explosive athleticism ... Once in the paint he either leaps over the defense for a soft runner, or throws down an electric dunk; either way, it's generally a high-percentage shot ... Has great size for either wing position, with a frame that is capable of holding a good amount of weight ... Long wingspan, recently measured at 6'11" ... Fantastic shooter on the perimeter ... Already has NBA range ... Quick trigger, with beautiful shot mechanics ... If the ball isn't in his hands, he likes to spot up in the corner, where he can get off an open shot on cut the baseline for an alley-oop play ... Also has the ability to create separation off the dribble for a pull-up jumper ... Good passing instincts and court vision ... Defensively, he gets a lot of deflections ... Uses length and anticipation to come up with a lot of steals and blocks ... Father played in the NBA ... Extremely young, and will only get better in time ...

Weaknesses: Despite having immense skill and athletic abilities for a player of his age, there are still several concerns from people who watch him with regularity ... Looks complacent at times on the court ... Inconsistent motor ... Needs to add more strength, though his body looks very good for a player his age, and this shouldn't be a problem in a few years ... Ball-handling ability is unrefined, but has a lot of potential ... Doesn't display a lot of toughness and isn't a very physical player ... He's been receiving a considerable amount of hype on a multi-national scale since he was 13 years of age, which can derail the development of a prospect as it can lead to him trying to be a big celebrity instead of a great basketball player ...

Overall: Wiggins has an unreal amount of potential and he'll be under the eye of every scout over the next few years ... Considered the top player in his class by most recruiting services, and has 1st overall pick potential whenever he enters the NBA draft ...

Notes: Measured 6'7 (in shoes) 190 lbs, with a 6'11 wingspan at the 2011 LeBron James Skills Academy ... Notes: Measured 6'7 (in shoes) 196 lbs, with a 6'11 wingspan at the 2012 LeBron James Skills Academy

Tyler Ingle 8/22/11

Many pundits feel that he could turn out to be an even better pro than Anthony Davis. Wiggins was the unanimous choice for the # 1 spot this year and for good reason. He possesses the special athleticism that separates very good players from great players. To round out his athleticism, he has matured and become more assertive and his refined skill package is a result of that. His jump shot from deep and in the midrange departments have greatly increased and he is more aggressive than he's ever been. His handle, speed off the dribble and ability to get to the rim are "Kobe-esque". There were times this Spring when he simply looked like a man amongst boys. The alarming thing about it is that he still has a long way to go to become the type of player he is capable of. He is a special talent and has unlimited potential. If he continues to stay hungry and work to improve, we're looking at the game's next superstar.

-Ian Powers 6/29/12

Not even close bro....hell Jabari Parker is going to be better than Miles

[JBSouthpaw]

Badmofo, you do realize Wiggins and Parker would go 1 & 2 if they were eligible for this draft. And it's not even close

it's easy to say this when Wiggins and Parker haven't played any College ball yet. It's not quite apples to apples.

remember Shabazz, Noel & others who were great HS players last year have had some warts (small ones) show up this year in college. ( I do believe the hype of Wiggins though)

[Neon1]

Those exact same "Scouts" said the same things about Miles and Kwame![/b]

Thats not true. Nobody was talking up Miles or Kwame like this. Not even remotely close.

I remember back then. And, I think Miles had even more hype than what I am hearing from Wiggins. People just don't remember that far and the present always seems bigger than the past.

Watching Miles play, and play hard, during his high school days is still some of the most entertaining basketball you'll ever witness.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536669-nba-careers-in-review-the-dramatic-career-of-darius-miles

I remember all the way back to Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe being in college. I remember Shaq as a HS prospect. All quite clearly. Darius Miles and Kwame Brown were NOWHERE NEAR considered this level of a prospect. Hell Miles was considered a risk/reach at #3 in a weak draft. Kwame was also not a lock in another very weak draft the following year.

It was not even remotely close.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Badmofo, you do realize Wiggins and Parker would go 1 & 2 if they were eligible for this draft. And it's not even close

it's easy to say this when Wiggins and Parker haven't played any College ball yet. It's not quite apples to apples.

remember Shabazz, Noel & others who were great HS players last year have had some warts (small ones) show up this year in college. ( I do believe the hype of Wiggins though)

although true. Miles doesn't even come close to the potential wiggins and parker have.

[BadMofoPimp]

Miles doesn't even come close to the potential wiggins and parker have.

I bet people back in 2000 would beg to differ. Miles was going to be the next Jordan.

[JBSouthpaw]

Badmofo, you do realize Wiggins and Parker would go 1 & 2 if they were eligible for this draft. And it's not even close

it's easy to say this when Wiggins and Parker haven't played any College ball yet. It's not quite apples to apples.

remember Shabazz, Noel & others who were great HS players last year have had some warts (small ones) show up this year in college. ( I do believe the hype of Wiggins though)

although true. Miles doesn't even come close to the potential wiggins and parker have.

I'm not that High draft wise, on Parker for 1 specific reason.
He is a Power forward.
Not that he won't be good, but there is debate that Randle is the better PF between the 2.
I will be surprised if Parker is the 2nd pick overall next year.
Wiggins will be #1, but a SG, PG or C will be 2nd. (like one of the Harrison twins)

[Blue_and_Whte]

I'm not that High draft wise, on Parker for 1 specific reason.
He is a Power forward.
Not that he won't be good, but there is debate that Randle is the better PF between the 2.
I will be surprised if Parker is the 2nd pick overall next year.
Wiggins will be #1, but a SG, PG or C will be 2nd. (like one of the Harrison twins)

I think he's clearly a sf. He's already skilled on the perimeter and supposedly he's worked on his body shedding the baby fat and appears to be more explosive. Imo he isn't a pf at all.

I don't know too much about randle but I have heard that he's a very skilled player at 6'9. What are his strengths/weaknesses?

[Noonskadoodle]

I'm not that High draft wise, on Parker for 1 specific reason.
He is a Power forward.
Not that he won't be good, but there is debate that Randle is the better PF between the 2.
I will be surprised if Parker is the 2nd pick overall next year.
Wiggins will be #1, but a SG, PG or C will be 2nd. (like one of the Harrison twins)

I think he's clearly a sf. He's already skilled on the perimeter and supposedly he's worked on his body shedding the baby fat and appears to be more explosive. Imo he isn't a pf at all.

I don't know too much about randle but I have heard that he's a very skilled player at 6'9. What are his strengths/weaknesses?

Scout.com Player Evaluation:

STRENGTHS
Attack Mode
Low Block Scorer
Strength

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
3-Point Range
Mid-Range Game

One of the top post prospects in the 2013 class, Randle is an aggressive low post scorer. The 6-foot-8 power forward has a variety of scoring moves, can finish through contact and likes to face up defenders and attack the basket. He owns his area rebounding wise, is a defensive presence and is one of the premiere athletes that the 2013 class has to offer.

I am praying he goes to NC State next season. He is like Terrance Jones but knows not to chuck long 2's/3's. Stays in his lane & in HS just bullies everybody else in the paint. Was hurt for a while this season & just came back a week or 2 ago.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Miles doesn't even come close to the potential wiggins and parker have.

I bet people back in 2000 would beg to differ. Miles was going to be the next Jordan.

Wiggins and parker are leaps and bounds better than miles was coming out of hs. It's hard to say for certain what people in 2000 would say considering wiggins and parker didn't exist yet.

I can only speak for myself but I was 23 at the time and nobody compared miles to jordan I remember him supposedly being the next Garnett. His game at the time was extremely raw and not near anything mj could do. Their games weren't even similar. He had length and he could jump but he was literally drafted on potential.

The two previously mentioned are already polished offensively.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I'm not that High draft wise, on Parker for 1 specific reason.
He is a Power forward.
Not that he won't be good, but there is debate that Randle is the better PF between the 2.
I will be surprised if Parker is the 2nd pick overall next year.
Wiggins will be #1, but a SG, PG or C will be 2nd. (like one of the Harrison twins)

I think he's clearly a sf. He's already skilled on the perimeter and supposedly he's worked on his body shedding the baby fat and appears to be more explosive. Imo he isn't a pf at all.

I don't know too much about randle but I have heard that he's a very skilled player at 6'9. What are his strengths/weaknesses?

Scout.com Player Evaluation:

STRENGTHS
Attack Mode
Low Block Scorer
Strength

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
3-Point Range
Mid-Range Game

One of the top post prospects in the 2013 class, Randle is an aggressive low post scorer. The 6-foot-8 power forward has a variety of scoring moves, can finish through contact and likes to face up defenders and attack the basket. He owns his area rebounding wise, is a defensive presence and is one of the premiere athletes that the 2013 class has to offer
I am praying he goes to NC State next season. He is like Terrance Jones but knows not to chuck long 2's/3's. Stays in his lane & in HS just bullies everybody else in the paint. Was hurt for a while this season & just came back a week or 2 ago.

Thanks. Doesn't sound like a player that needs a 3pt shot though.

[JBSouthpaw]

I'm not that High draft wise, on Parker for 1 specific reason.
He is a Power forward.
Not that he won't be good, but there is debate that Randle is the better PF between the 2.
I will be surprised if Parker is the 2nd pick overall next year.
Wiggins will be #1, but a SG, PG or C will be 2nd. (like one of the Harrison twins)

I think he's clearly a sf. He's already skilled on the perimeter and supposedly he's worked on his body shedding the baby fat and appears to be more explosive. Imo he isn't a pf at all.

I don't know too much about randle but I have heard that he's a very skilled player at 6'9. What are his strengths/weaknesses?

that summary for Randle is good.
I know Parker is losing some of the weight he put on while injured, but the fact that a 17 yr old put it on, has me thinking he is going to get bigger, a few people say his foot speed isn't elite for a SF either. (of course mix videos against HS players don't tell me anything). I'll wait to see how he does next year at Duke.
He's a little shy too, it wouldn't surprise me if he stays 2 years in college. (not saying that's a bad thing, just my feelings).

[rcklsscognition]

15th roster spot update: The Houston Rockets are close to agreement on a contract with Tim Ohlbrecht.

Ohlbrecht is a center for the Rio Grande Valley Rapids, averaging 13.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.Ohlbrecht played for the Fraport Skyliners of Germany last season.

[Noonskadoodle]

Thanks. Doesn't sound like a player that needs a 3pt shot though.

No he really doesn't, but if he does get a consistent jumper he will be scary. The guy is an animal on the glass & plays with a mean streak. Handles the ball well & already has close to an NBA ready body.

This was his first game of the season last week after his injury.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQK6RE9_Zls[/youtube]

In his latest playoff game he scored 35 pts, 13 reb & 3 dimes

[Def Swami]

I know that Wiggins is clearly the prize of the 2014 draft, but I wouldn't even sweat it if we landed somewhere in the top 3 or 4. Lots of good players in the draft outside of Wiggins. Noah Vonleh, Jabari Parker, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Gordon, and James Young look to be pretty good prospects. I think Noah Vonleh has the size and handle to compete for the #2 spot.

[magicman112]

Miles doesn't even come close to the potential wiggins and parker have.

I bet people back in 2000 would beg to differ. Miles was going to be the next Jordan.

And here's a bit of Magic trivia regarding Darius Miles. The Magic had a deal in place in the 2000 draft for him. The Clippers take Miles at #3, we take Marcus Fizer for them at #5 and then swap. But the Bulls torpedoed the deal by taking Fizer at #4. But in the end worked out alright for us, we got Mike Miller who gave us some good years and Fizer washed right out of the league.

[magicman112]

Thanks. Doesn't sound like a player that needs a 3pt shot though.

No he really doesn't, but if he does get a consistent jumper he will be scary. The guy is an animal on the glass & plays with a mean streak. Handles the ball well & already has close to an NBA ready body.

This was his first game of the season last week after his injury.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQK6RE9_Zls[/youtube]

In his latest playoff game he scored 35 pts, 13 reb & 3 dimes[/quote}.

He looks like a man playing against middle schoolers out there lol

[OrlChamps2030]

I wouldn't be surprised if Wiggins doesn't live up to his expectations in college and his upside is seen more as a Tracy McGrady (still a great all-star player) than a LBJ or Pippen.

Lets not forget that Eddy Curry was one of the most dominant High School players ever and even dropped 100+.

[OrlChamps2030]

Moe is right now a spitting image of a young Luol Deng

Eh, I wouldn't like that, I hate Luol Deng. I would prefer it if he was like Paul George in three-four years.

Comments like this always make me laugh. You wouldn't want a mid-round pick to become an all-star player...?

I would like to see what your reaction would be if Harkless turns into Ariza. (Not that I think he will necessarily, but its possible)