'14 Draft Thread - Now With a Poll: VOTE OR DIE.

[LUKE23]

Gordon has actually had a really impressive start. 14.0 points/9.3 rebounds/1.0 steals/2.3 blocks, .601 TS in just under 30 mpg.

He has some positional question marks. He needs to commit to being a PF.

Smart has been less than impressive so far.

[randy84]

I would like to hear from the Aussies on Dante Exum. I like the size if he can truly play point guard, but what type of game does he have?

[paulpressey25]

Gordon has actually had a really impressive start. 14.0 points/9.3 rebounds/1.0 steals/2.3 blocks, .601 TS in just under 30 mpg.

Usually I wait until right before tournament time to start watching these guys. I'm going to have to amp that up and start this month.

link to the latest DX mock.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2014/

Exum is listed at #3. He looks like a fascinating prospect, but my fear is we won't have an NCAA season to gauge him against. He might be a great player someday, but I'd hate it if we drew pick #4 and had to make a choice on him. Whether we select him or bypass him, we'd end up making the wrong choice.

ETA: I'm looking at the Gordon stuff now. Yeah, he looks really good.

[randy84]

So Orlando gets a first round pick from either Denver or New York. That Dwight Howard deal is the gift that keeps on giving.

http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/20 ... r-new-york

[jr lucosa]

Marcus Smart could potentially be a shut down defender in the NBA, but offensively he has to improve a ton or he won't be more than a defensive specialist on the next level.

[drew881]

I know you don't draft for position, but I really don't want a PF. If you want excitement and a large fan base, the star wing is the obvious position that will do that. I'm not saying I'll be upset with getting Randle if we pick 3, but Parker and Wiggins excite me much more.

[paulpressey25]

So Orlando gets a first round pick from either Denver or New York. That Dwight Howard deal is the gift that keeps on giving.

http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/20 ... r-new-york

And for that pick, Denver got Iggy, who is now gone. So basically Orlando keeps cleaning up. That said, the pick Denver got was for Carmelo, so the Knicks are stuck with Carmelo and Amare at $40 million a year for the next number of seasons with no great hope to get out. Knicks have to pick swap with Denver in 2016 as well.

[TroyD92]

I think Randle could develop into a 3.

[drew881]

So Orlando gets a first round pick from either Denver or New York. That Dwight Howard deal is the gift that keeps on giving.

http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/20 ... r-new-york

And for that pick, Denver got Iggy, who is now gone. So basically Orlando keeps cleaning up. That said, the pick Denver got was for Carmelo, so the Knicks are stuck with Carmelo and Amare at $40 million a year for the next number of seasons with no great hope to get out. Knicks have to pick swap with Denver in 2016 as well.

Watch that be #1. It would be so Clippers/Mo Williams all over again.

[randy84]

So Orlando gets a first round pick from either Denver or New York. That Dwight Howard deal is the gift that keeps on giving.

http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/20 ... r-new-york

And for that pick, Denver got Iggy, who is now gone. So basically Orlando keeps cleaning up. That said, the pick Denver got was for Carmelo, so the Knicks are stuck with Carmelo and Amare at $40 million a year for the next number of seasons with no great hope to get out. Knicks have to pick swap with Denver in 2016 as well.

Yeah. I remember when everyone said that Orlando got the worst of that deal, but it looks like they came out big winners. If they aren't legitimate playoff contenders in the next two years, then that whole organization needs to be fired. They have a great young core and multiple picks in a stacked draft.

[paulpressey25]

I'm not saying I'll be upset with getting Randle if we pick 3, but Parker and Wiggins excite me much more.

I can understand those guys exciting more, as they have a lot of swagger to them.

Watch these highlights though....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdsY62qaCoA

He's a load in the post, although I would like to see him develop a right hand move as well.

[emunney]

Exum is a true phenom. You shouldn't worry about taking him any more than you should worry about any of these guys.

[randy84]

Exum is a true phenom. You shouldn't worry about taking him any more than you should worry about any of these guys.

Is he a legit PG or a SG that they are saying can run some point?

[MiltownHawkeye]

I know you don't draft for position, but I really don't want a PF. If you want excitement and a large fan base, the star wing is the obvious position that will do that. I'm not saying I'll be upset with getting Randle if we pick 3, but Parker and Wiggins excite me much more.

Blake Griffin did pretty well for the L.A. Clippers, fan draw-wise and performance-wise.

Randle is basically a younger, stronger, faster Blake Griffin with a face-up game and a post game.

[emunney]

Exum is a true phenom. You shouldn't worry about taking him any more than you should worry about any of these guys.

Is he a legit PG or a SG that they are saying can run some point?

I think he's a legit PG, but let me be clear about what I'm saying when I say that. My criteria for playing the position:

1) Can he handle the ball well enough to get it up the floor in a timely fashion?
2) Does he have a good enough feel for the game to get the ball to the right spots at the right time in initiating halfcourt sets?
3) Is he a competent passer?
4) Can he defend the position?

Those first three are non-negotiable, but obviously there are some exceptions to #4. But then the top 3 have to be over the top. I think he's got all 4. That doesn't mean I'd expect him to be a 10 assist guy, but he can be your primary ball handler, yes, I believe that.

[Baddy Chuck]

The quickness/explosiveness on Exum's first step is ridiculous.

[LUKE23]

Yeah, from what I've seen, Exum is definitely #4 on my board. Probably at Wiggins, Parker, Randle, Exum, Harrison, Gordon, Embilid for a top 7 right now.

[mattg]

I know you don't draft for position, but I really don't want a PF. If you want excitement and a large fan base, the star wing is the obvious position that will do that. I'm not saying I'll be upset with getting Randle if we pick 3, but Parker and Wiggins excite me much more.

Blake Griffin did pretty well for the L.A. Clippers, fan draw-wise and performance-wise.

Randle is basically a younger, stronger, faster Blake Griffin with a face-up game and a post game.

Hold your horses. Randle has a lot in common with griffin, but I don't think he's stronger nor do I think he has a better post game or overall offensive polish. Randle is still very rough around the edges in a lot of ways. I don't think its a guarantee he's as good as Blake. He's number 4 for me.

[ReddWing]

The Tankers visit Herb Kohl.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tlkrR_hasU[/youtube]

I think this one better illustrates both Herb and the tankers' persistence.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmwjOZ7VDhA[/youtube]

[MiltownHawkeye]

I know you don't draft for position, but I really don't want a PF. If you want excitement and a large fan base, the star wing is the obvious position that will do that. I'm not saying I'll be upset with getting Randle if we pick 3, but Parker and Wiggins excite me much more.

Blake Griffin did pretty well for the L.A. Clippers, fan draw-wise and performance-wise.

Randle is basically a younger, stronger, faster Blake Griffin with a face-up game and a post game.

Hold your horses. Randle has a lot in common with griffin, but I don't think he's stronger nor do I think he has a better post game or overall offensive polish. Randle is still very rough around the edges in a lot of ways. I don't think its a guarantee he's as good as Blake. He's number 4 for me.

I totally agree that Randle is nowhere near as polished, but he's younger and more physically dominant than Blake is. I think they have fairly similar body types and games, but Randle has way more upside and I think he's a 20/10 in the NBA (what Griffin is) at the very least.

My only worries about him are that he never develops on the defensive end and/or he gets out of shape. Otherwise I think he's a can't miss and a guy that would revitalize the franchise.