2014 Draft Thread (Early offseason panic edition).

[miller31time]

I like Parker because he's clearly going to be a 1st-option scorer. He's going to be the guy who demands the ball and WILL get a good shot off. We have talented players in Wall, Beal, Nene and maybe Porter but we have no one who either can or will create their own shot and dominate as a first option scorer.

[pancakes3]

I thought Parker looked the best out of the marathon of games last night but the jury is still out on all 3 of them. They each looked fantastic in their own right.

Randle was the best power forward. He was powerful, assertive, drew fouls, and rebounded like a machine. That was in an offense where Cal clearly had zero game plan and it was essentially each McDonalds All-American taking turns going 1-on-1. Randle stood out so much that in the 2nd half the guys all just resigned themselves to the fact that it was Randle's show and they were just along for the ride.

Wiggins was by far the most athletic. What's more impressive is that he played off-ball almost exclusively unlike the other two. He also had the most limited touches and was the only one who was really subject to the decision-making of his teammates. I know there are stories of him being a prima donna but I couldn't pick up on it while watching the game. He also played the least minutes.

Parker is the most NBA ready. He crushed. He freelanced as much as anyone I've seen in the Coach K offense - calling his own number, launching 3's, forcing the issue on the drive, etc. He also has been shooting the best. His percentages are off the charts. Parker definitely wanted to prove that he was second to none in the nation and I think with the green light he's getting at Duke he's the favorite for player of the year awards going forward.

Overall I think Parker is an efficient 'Melo, Randle is a tall Brand, and Wiggins is a mystery (Scottie? TMac? Marion?) .

[The Consiglieri]

The top 10 players from the 2 games last night is a better top 10 than the '13 draft.

Wiggins
Parker
Randle
Harrison
Embiid
Selden
Harris
Cauley-Stein
James Young
Rodney Hood
Payne

Obviously some of those guys are better than others, but last night was the best 2 games of prospects I've seen in a long time. Not to mention guys like Poythress and Jamari Taylor.

Throw in Exum, Smart, Aaron Gordon, Glenn Robinson, international prospects, McGary, and whoever else emerges, and this draft is absolutely stacked. I always have doubts as to whether something as hyped as the '14 draft is can live up to it, but in this case it looks very promising.

I just don't feel like drafts have been overhyped. Seems like the '10 class rating was fairly accurate, '09 was slightly underhyped, '11 wasn't recognized for just how garbage it was, '12 was maybe a touch worse than predicted a year in advance but there was still plenty of quality talent in it and at least 2 guys that look like franchise players, maybe more.

This class was called special and it is. The '12 class had less of the superstar hype about it, but did have the elite depth hype, and in fairness it did play out in some ways, especially if you consider some of the kids that stayed in school from what would have been that class.

I was 100% convinced this class was awesome, and I really liked the '12, and the top 4 of '10, and other than Evan Turner, I think the hype has been predictably accurate about all of those classes (well, my fav Kidd-Gilchrist is still looking shakey).

Was fearing a Gortat like quick fix idiot deal when Oka went down and now it's looking more and more like that trade was catastrophic when it comes to the long term future prospects of the franchise for the next decade unless injuries to key players further weakens this squad, or the team makes deadline deals in march because its too far out of it (only happening if injuries hit so that's kind of redundant).

[The Consiglieri]

The tank would have been very easy without Gortat. What a terrible short sighted deal that was.

Right now, we would still need some help (i.e. injuries or an Ernie trade) to be bad enough to sniff the likes of Parker, Wiggins or Randle.

We're 2-6 after tonight, so even with the trade, it doesn't look like it helped much. I think we're destined for another lottery pick and quite frankly, I won't complain.

Schedule lightens up soon, as depressing as it sounds (at least for people like me), I think the team will make a brief run at .500 over the next three weeks or so. Hoping I'm wrong, and the HMS E.G. Titanic continues to take on water instead.

[miller31time]

I guess the good news for us on-board the tank express is that we have a very vulnerable starting lineup and, if any of them DO go down for a prolonged period of time, we will be in dangerous waters.

Considering Wall and Nene's health history, this seems to be an inevitability.

Hopefully, when one of them DO go down, it will be during the middle of the season forcing our front office to see that, even if we got healthy down the line, we still won't make the playoffs - thus it's better to tank for a great pick.

[The Consiglieri]

I concur that Randle is more than fine at the 4 physically - though I think he falls shy of Webber - who was the perfect specimen of a PF - both physically and skill-wise. I'll be interested to see how Randle fits in the team structure this season. Not sure I'd want to be his teammate if I was an offensively oriented player, but we'll see.

Webber was the greatest PF prospect of all time. He had every skill, measurable, and ability to be a top-10 player in history. He's the ultimate 'what if' player, I guess besides Bias, which is why I've always been extremely fascinated by CWebb. What if he never called the time out in the championship game? That clearly affected him his entire career. What if the Magic just took him and played him with Shaq? Not a stretch at all to think they'd be the best PF / CE combo in history and their games perfectly complimented each other. What if he just sucked it up with Nellie and played the small ball CE in GS? He would have accelerated the modern game as we know it today. What if he gave a crap in DC like he did in Sacto?

He severely impacted the fate of 4 franchises: Orlando, GS, Washington, Sacramento.

Weird guy, really smart, really intellectually curious (tend to go hand and hand), but very juvenile and narcissistic, isn't even on good terms with the fellow fab five. Guy just always seemed way too thin skinned and self-absorbed for his own good. Really sabotaged what could have been beyond greatness. Still remember when I first saw him, against Duke, I think, back in '91. My childhood college teams were Michigan (loved X-Men as a kid so chose them in the early eighties) and FSU (redskins-loved native American culture, didn't understand the issues with it as a small child), and so I watched a ton of Michigan. Absolutely LOVED Howard, and just really liked Webber's game. Always preferred Howard a bit more because he just seemed more centered and more of a team player, while Webber was just more self-involved, more volatile. I think the time out exacerbated pre-existing issues for sure. When we landed Howard in the '94 draft I was absolutely ecstatic, when we landed Webber in the trade I was even more ecstatic, then when we got Wallace, I had visions of multiple championships in my head if we could get a PG, and how could we fail to get them w/that front court in place?

Then it imploded. So Wizards/Boulez.

Only our franchise could have screwed up such monumental good fortune as that which befell us between June '94 and June '95 in such a short time.

Frustrating to think about.

[Dr Positivity]

Picking on a random point, but I've always disagreed with the Webber=most talented PF ever thing. To me KG has all the tools Webber has and more. *shrug*

[pancakes3]

Picking on a random point, but I've always disagreed with the Webber=most talented PF ever thing. To me KG has all the tools Webber has and more. *shrug*

Webber is the prototype when it comes to PF. Sure there are guys better than him but he's the classic model of a PF. KG couldn't play with his back to the basket as well as Webber can and though a great passer, not a back-to-the-basket passer. Malone was consistent but he's more of a pick and roll finisher than a post-up player. Duncan is just a C who's quick yet powerful enough to man either frontcourt position. Barkley is a singular freak. Webber is a textbook power forward and had all the physical attributes and in-game skills to back it up.

[Ruzious]

Wiggins is laser quick. His athleticism stands out on TV, I see what the scouts are talking about in terms of his overall potential. The sky is the limit. Parker is silky smooth, not sure of his limits yet. Stroke looks like butter. Selden has elite body control and I really like his feel for the game. Embiid looks like an interesting project.

I agree about Randle. Absolute monster. Agree with Ruz that there are still questions about his willingness to pass, but I'm not going to judge him in that way after one game. With how hard he was playing, it seems like he wants to win.

The thing about Wiggins is that, as good as he was, he still is very raw-and thats not a bad thing. The sky really is the limit for him.

I don't necessarily disagree that Embiid is a project. But that 7'0, 240 lb 19 year old athletic freak of a project (and may still be growing), in his first game against top competition, totaled 5 assists while coming off the bench. One pass he made from baseline to baseline (underneath the basket) to hit a shooter in stride. And he has everything needed to be a defensive force.

I'm really hopinh from some non-wall-or-beal-injury related tanking this year.

Chad Ford quotes a GM as saying Randle is the surest thing. And he "fits" the Wiz the best of the big 3, because he's a pure 4, and he's a dynamic player. DraftExpress says Parker is a 4, but I think he's clearly a 3. It's hard to see the Wiz taking a 3 after picking Otto. Randle kind of reminds me of Elvin Hayes in his affect on the game. He's going to be the center of attention on offense, and he's going to put up big rebounding numbers while perhaps annoying his teammates with selfish offense and questionable defense. So I guess the key with him might be finding a Wes Unseld to play with him. Good luck with that. Actually, it shouldn't be that difficult to find a workman-like defensive-minded center to fit with him.

[tontoz]

Picking on a random point, but I've always disagreed with the Webber=most talented PF ever thing. To me KG has all the tools Webber has and more. *shrug*

On offense KG was basically a 7 foot 2 guard without 3 point range. His favorite shot has always a jumper in the 10-20 foot range.

[Rafael122]

Wiggins is laser quick. His athleticism stands out on TV, I see what the scouts are talking about in terms of his overall potential. The sky is the limit. Parker is silky smooth, not sure of his limits yet. Stroke looks like butter. Selden has elite body control and I really like his feel for the game. Embiid looks like an interesting project.

I agree about Randle. Absolute monster. Agree with Ruz that there are still questions about his willingness to pass, but I'm not going to judge him in that way after one game. With how hard he was playing, it seems like he wants to win.

The thing about Wiggins is that, as good as he was, he still is very raw-and thats not a bad thing. The sky really is the limit for him.

I don't necessarily disagree that Embiid is a project. But that 7'0, 240 lb 19 year old athletic freak of a project (and may still be growing), in his first game against top competition, totaled 5 assists while coming off the bench. One pass he made from baseline to baseline (underneath the basket) to hit a shooter in stride. And he has everything needed to be a defensive force.

I'm really hopinh from some non-wall-or-beal-injury related tanking this year.

Chad Ford quotes a GM as saying Randle is the surest thing. And he "fits" the Wiz the best of the big 3, because he's a pure 4, and he's a dynamic player. DraftExpress says Parker is a 4, but I think he's clearly a 3. It's hard to see the Wiz taking a 3 after picking Otto. Randle kind of reminds me of Elvin Hayes in his affect on the game. He's going to be the center of attention on offense, and he's going to put up big rebounding numbers while perhaps annoying his teammates with selfish offense and questionable defense. So I guess the key with him might be finding a Wes Unseld to play with him. Good luck with that. Actually, it shouldn't be that difficult to find a workman-like defensive-minded center to fit with him.

To quote Nivek and Dat, the Wizards need talent. They shouldn't pass on anyone just b/c someone has a position locked down.

[Ruzious]

True Raf, but unless the talent difference is clear, when you got no bigs, you gotta pick a big. We gotta wait to see if the talent difference is clear. Right now, I don't think it is, but that is subject to change.

[Nivek]

Yeah, if the players are about the same, you pick the need. For the Wizards, though, they still need just about everything. They especially need bigs, but they also have zero backcourt depth. About the only thing they don't "need" is SF. But, if the BPA is a SF, they can trade for a big. Preferably a big under 30.

[stevemcqueen1]

Randle's numbers have been crazy so far, but he strikes me as the most flawed of the top three players.

Love to have him though. If we can get any one of these freshmen forwards, you take him and don't look back. We can figure out what to do with Porter later.

- Randle
- Wiggins
- Parker
- Vonleh
- Gordon

[pancakes3]

Both Wiggins and Parker though "small" forwards are talented, athletic, and skilled enough to skew power like Carmelo imo.

[Ruzious]

Both Wiggins and Parker though "small" forwards are talented, athletic, and skilled enough to skew power like Carmelo imo.

True - especially with a top-notch coach - but the need for a great defensive center increases. Asik might do.

If I'd evaluate the draft now, I'd call it a 6 player draft with a big drop-off, but that is almost certainly going to change. The 6 now are Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Embid, Exum, and Smart.

Some might say Aaron Gordon makes it 7, but I'm not convinced yet. I'm more intrigued by Noah Vonleh of Indiana - who's still growing at 6'9 235ish with a 7'4 wingspan - will still be 18 at the 2014 draft. So far, he's rebounded terrifically, but he needs more confidence on offense. Dario Saric could sneak up there - as could Hood - another Dukee.

[stevemcqueen1]

Both Wiggins and Parker though "small" forwards are talented, athletic, and skilled enough to skew power like Carmelo imo.

True - especially with a top-notch coach - but the need for a great defensive center increases. Asik might do.

If I'd evaluate the draft now, I'd call it a 6 player draft with a big drop-off, but that is almost certainly going to change. The 6 now are Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Embid, Exum, and Smart.

Some might say Aaron Gordon makes it 7, but I'm not convinced yet. I'm more intrigued by Noah Vonleh of Indiana - who's still growing at 6'9 235ish with a 7'4 wingspan - will still be 18 at the 2014 draft. So far, he's rebounded terrifically, but he needs more confidence on offense. Dario Saric could sneak up there - as could Hood - another Dukee.

Gordon is an unbelievable athlete. He's in the discussion with the rest of the guys based on his tools. He's almost as athletic as Wiggins is.

Vonleh is an impressive player and I've always felt like he played on the same footing with the big names in the class when I've watched him. But I don't get the feeling he's going to go one and done.

I'd also be surprised if Joel Embid comes out. He's not even really playing yet.

[Ruzious]

Both Wiggins and Parker though "small" forwards are talented, athletic, and skilled enough to skew power like Carmelo imo.

True - especially with a top-notch coach - but the need for a great defensive center increases. Asik might do.

If I'd evaluate the draft now, I'd call it a 6 player draft with a big drop-off, but that is almost certainly going to change. The 6 now are Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Embid, Exum, and Smart.

Some might say Aaron Gordon makes it 7, but I'm not convinced yet. I'm more intrigued by Noah Vonleh of Indiana - who's still growing at 6'9 235ish with a 7'4 wingspan - will still be 18 at the 2014 draft. So far, he's rebounded terrifically, but he needs more confidence on offense. Dario Saric could sneak up there - as could Hood - another Dukee.

Gordon is an unbelievable athlete. He's in the discussion with the rest of the guys based on his tools. He's almost as athletic as Wiggins is.

Vonleh is an impressive player and I've always felt like he played on the same footing with the big names in the class when I've watched him. But I don't get the feeling he's going to go one and done.

I'd also be surprised if Joel Embid comes out. He's not even really playing yet.

Sorry I missed your comment about Vonleh before. I think guys come out if they're going to be top 10 picks. Smart is one of the few exceptions to the rule, and I think Smart is going to be an exception to a lot of rules. Embid is one of those guys who has such good tools that he could be a mediocre college player and still be a top 5 pick. Call it the Andre Drummond effect.

Re Gordon, I'll agree if he fills out. Right now, while he's not Isaiah Austin skinny, he's not real strong - and he's not a shooter. He's a GREAT transition PF. I'll agree - he certainly belongs in the discussion of top potential players. But I don't consider him as a threat to the top 3. He may be close to Wiggins in athleticism - but not in skill.

[stevemcqueen1]

True - especially with a top-notch coach - but the need for a great defensive center increases. Asik might do.

If I'd evaluate the draft now, I'd call it a 6 player draft with a big drop-off, but that is almost certainly going to change. The 6 now are Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Embid, Exum, and Smart.

Some might say Aaron Gordon makes it 7, but I'm not convinced yet. I'm more intrigued by Noah Vonleh of Indiana - who's still growing at 6'9 235ish with a 7'4 wingspan - will still be 18 at the 2014 draft. So far, he's rebounded terrifically, but he needs more confidence on offense. Dario Saric could sneak up there - as could Hood - another Dukee.

Gordon is an unbelievable athlete. He's in the discussion with the rest of the guys based on his tools. He's almost as athletic as Wiggins is.

Vonleh is an impressive player and I've always felt like he played on the same footing with the big names in the class when I've watched him. But I don't get the feeling he's going to go one and done.

I'd also be surprised if Joel Embid comes out. He's not even really playing yet.

Sorry I missed your comment about Vonleh before. I think guys come out if they're going to be top 10 picks. Smart is one of the few exceptions to the rule, and I think Smart is going to be an exception to a lot of rules. Embid is one of those guys who has such good tools that he could be a mediocre college player and still be a top 5 pick. Call it the Andre Drummond effect.

Re Gordon, I'll agree if he fills out. Right now, while he's not Isaiah Austin skinny, he's not real strong - and he's not a shooter. He's a GREAT transition PF. I'll agree - he certainly belongs in the discussion of top potential players. But I don't consider him as a threat to the top 3. He may be close to Wiggins in athleticism - but not in skill.

Zeller went back for his sophomore year too and he had a terrific freshman season. Tom Crean is kind of like Bill Self and Billy Donovan and Roy Williams in his ability to get guys who want to do more than audition for the NBA for a season. If Vonleh has a big year, then he could play himself into a very high pick and I could see him coming out. But I don't expect that. I think he's a potential top five pick for the 2015 draft.

Embiid is further behind than Drummond was, both physically and skill wise, and Drummond was extremely raw. So raw that he fell far in a class where he was supposed to be a top 2 pick. Embiid's only played basketball for two years. Drummond also played as a freshman, even though he wasn't particularly good. I don't think Embiid is going to get a ton of run this year, especially once conference play starts.

Right now he's pure potential. Bill Self can do a lot of development with him, but it's going to take some time. I think he might stay for his sophomore or junior year. And I think that'd be great for him.

Gordon is a streaky shooter and can't post up, but he can face up and drive. Bit of a Thad Young type, only with a bigger frame and Blake Griffin level explosiveness. If he's a consolation prize for the team that misses out on Randle/Exum/Wiggins/Parker/Smart, that's pretty incredible. If he goes back for a second year like Griffin did and polishes his offense and fills out his frame some more, then he's a potential #1 overall pick for 2015. But I get the feeling he's a one and done. He views himself as the equal to the big three freshman and wants to compete with them.

[stevemcqueen1]

So far Wiggins has been outplayed by Randle and Parker.

But I'd be shocked if either get taken ahead of Wiggins. Wiggins is so much more athletic than either of them.

Parker vs. Wiggins this season seems like what would have happened if LeBron had reclassified and played college ball in 2002-2003 against Carmelo.