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

[Turk Nowitzki]

Randle put up 15/15 last night and that was an off night for him offensively. I would be happy to have him too.

[The Wet Whistle]

Is it strange that I'm starting to like Embiid a bit more than Randle? I think they'll both be great but right now I think I'd take Embiid ahead of Randle

[yoshii8]

I really like Randle, reminds me of Chris Webber a little bit.

[emunney]

Jabari's #s are really similar to Big Dog's sophomore #s, only with better shooting and a lot fewer TOs. So basically super efficient Big Dog. But younger. Out of this world statistical profile.

Of course, Parker has an ACC season to play yet.

[skones]

Jabari's #s are really similar to Big Dog's sophomore #s, only with better shooting and a lot fewer TOs. So basically super efficient Big Dog. But younger. Out of this world statistical profile.

Of course, Parker has an ACC season to play yet.

I think Parker's feel for the game will allow him to be a much better passer than Robinson was in the pros. I think Parker might be one of those rare guys who are capable of making those around him better. With that being said, how good would Robinson have been considered HAD he been more adept in that area of the game?

[emunney]

FWIW I'm talking purely about how their stats align. I don't think they play a lot alike.

I do think Jabari makes the guys around him better (offensively) even though he's primarily looking for his shot. He doesn't interrupt the offense to do it and he typically makes the correct play with the ball. His communication on offense is also excellent. You'll see him actively organizing the offense or setting up a two man game pretty frequently. He's extremely assertive without being ball dominant. Really a terrific offensive talent.

[Ron Swanson]

Is it strange that I'm starting to like Embiid a bit more than Randle? I think they'll both be great but right now I think I'd take Embiid ahead of Randle

As far as potential, I think they're very comparable players. Embiid could be the next great athletic big (Drummond, Howard), but he also has more polished post moves. I still wouldn't pass on Randle, but if we're sitting at 5 and Exum, Embiid, and Smart are on the board, I think it's a debate worth having.

[Rapsobsessed7]

Question for you guys. If you are tanking would you consider (didn't know where else to put this)

Ersan + Neal

For

Hansbrough + Ross + Fields

* + maybe the NYK 1st but don't know if Masai would trade picks his first year on the job.

[Baddy Chuck]

1. Wiggins
_________
2. Parker
3. Randle
_________
4. Exum
_________
5. Embiid
6. Smart
_________
Huge dropoff that would leave me extremely disappointed. In no particular order.
Garry Harris
Aaron Gordon
Noah Vonleh
Semaj Christian

[Baddy Chuck]

Question for you guys. If you are tanking would you consider (didn't know where else to put this)

Ersan + Neal

For

Hansbrough + Ross + Fields

* + maybe the NYK 1st but don't know if Masai would trade picks his first year on the job.

Without the first it's an instant no, with it I'm still not sold. Isn't that pick the worse of two already?

[Rapsobsessed7]

Question for you guys. If you are tanking would you consider (didn't know where else to put this)

Ersan + Neal

For

Hansbrough + Ross + Fields

* + maybe the NYK 1st but don't know if Masai would trade picks his first year on the job.

Without the first it's an instant no, with it I'm still not sold. Isn't that pick the worse of two already?

I believe Denver has the right to swap.

I just thought Knight/Ross/Giannis/Henson/Sanders/Middleton is a nice young core. Add in a high profile 2014 pick and you'd have something.

[emunney]

Question for you guys. If you are tanking would you consider (didn't know where else to put this)

Ersan + Neal

For

Hansbrough + Ross + Fields

* + maybe the NYK 1st but don't know if Masai would trade picks his first year on the job.

Without the first it's an instant no, with it I'm still not sold. Isn't that pick the worse of two already?

It's the worse of Denver and the Knicks' pick in 2016.

[whatthe_buck!?]

Question for you guys. If you are tanking would you consider (didn't know where else to put this)

Ersan + Neal

For

Hansbrough + Ross + Fields

* + maybe the NYK 1st but don't know if Masai would trade picks his first year on the job.

Without the first it's an instant no, with it I'm still not sold. Isn't that pick the worse of two already?

It's the worse of Denver and the Knicks' pick in 2016.

Couldn't Denver and the Knicks both suck hard in 2016? Raps could even keep Ross, with the pick I'm instantly giving the green light to that deal and rolling the dice on both teams being in the lottery that year...

[jakecronus8]

1. Wiggins
_________
2. Parker
3. Randle
_________
4. Exum
_________
5. Embiid
6. Smart
_________
Huge dropoff that would leave me extremely disappointed. In no particular order.
Garry Harris
Aaron Gordon
Noah Vonleh
Semaj Christian

Pretty much where I'm at, though I'd move Gordon to the top of that last tier.

As far as that raps trade, even without the first I'd probably pull the trigger. Better than taking Asik.

[Rapsobsessed7]

I think you'd have a pretty easy deal then without Ross. Expirings (means no fields) + that 1st is a easy yes from Toronto. Probably throw in a couple 2nds in addition.

[skones]

1. Wiggins
_________
2. Parker
3. Randle
_________
4. Exum
_________
5. Embiid
6. Smart
_________
Huge dropoff that would leave me extremely disappointed. In no particular order.
Garry Harris
Aaron Gordon
Noah Vonleh
Semaj Christian

Other than the hype train going into the season, there really has been nothing to suggest that Wiggins is on a completely different tier than Parker and Randle. He's got potential, sure, but most of that at this point is more due to his athleticism than anything else. He moves off the ball fairly well, but other than that, he doesn't have a whole lot of skills that translate to the next level.

Through 4 games, Wiggins has converted 24 field goals. Ten of those field goals have come in transition. 3 more have come off of cuts which resulted in either an alley oop or wide open layups in half court sets. His four three point makes have all been spot up looks. Two more have come off of a drive into his spin move, one of which was against Duke and what I would consider a wild attempt as he banked it off the front glass. Two have come off of straight line drive, into a floater, a shot which is probably his most effective at the moment given his quick stop and elevation. There are one of each a step back jumper, an offensive rebound and put back, and a post up.

My concern is that, for the most part, he's really not creating his own offense. This is troubling from a wing player. If you're going to be a franchise level player at that position, you've GOT to be able to create your own look. 17 of his 24 field goal makes have been created by others, and many of his free throw attempts have resulted on him cutting to the basket rather than him getting to the hoop with the ball in his hands.

He's an EXTREMELY raw player. There's more to a number one pick than athleticism alone. It's a small sample size, but he's going to have to demonstrate MUCH more than he has to remain in the discussion for the number one overall selection.

[Baddy Chuck]

If you think Wiggins is just raw athleticism I'm just really not going to get into an argument over it because you're really just wrong.

[bizarro]

If you think Wiggins is just raw athleticism I'm just really not going to get into an argument over it because you're really just wrong.

Yeah, Skones...he's really a special special talent. He appears to coast, to some, because he's so athletically graceful. His defensive abilities are really top-end. He's a consummate team player. He has an improving mid-range game. He can take over come crunch time. He's unstoppable on the fast break. He's an incredible talent. We'd be lucky as hell to have him.

[skones]

If you think Wiggins is just raw athleticism I'm just really not going to get into an argument over it because you're really just wrong.

Then PLEASE tell me what skills he has right now that make him such a special talent. The only thing special about Wiggins at this point IS his athleticism.

[ReasonablySober]

I didn't see any mention of defense either, which is a big reason why he'll be a star.