2014 Draft Prospect Thread

[Action Paxson]

If the best player on the board is Randle, I'd love to trade the pick. Draft picks on draft night have super high value and there doesn't seem to be anyway that Randle and Mirotic play at the same time.

Or you could just take Randle and play Mirotic off the bench or vice versa. It's a great problem to have. Randle has big upside.

If Randle can play a little center, it is a very nice pair. Mirotic and Randle complement eachother very well offensively. My fear is that they won't be able to stop anyone.

[Ralphb07]

Both are raw and have a heap of potential that could make them anything, but you always take the premier big over the wing.

Embiid. No question.

I used to share this sentiment but given the recent history of this team as well as draft big after draft big that doesn't ever seem to reach his lofty potential, I think our best choice would be Marcus Smart. He fits the identity of this team defensively but also fills the need of someone that can create his own shot/a second playmaker. He's stocky and athletic enough to play either guard spot as well and would be a high/instant impact guy (arguably the favorite for rookie of the year out of this historically talented but young crop, particularly if he's a big time contributor on a contending team like I'm assuming we'll be next season). Exum would be an outstanding choice as well and with a healthy Rose would arguably be the better fit down the line. I think with a likelihood of Noah, Taj, and Mirotic in the front court that drafting another big shouldn't be the priority over filling a glaring need that has been our achilles heel for some time.

I would be so dissapointed if we picked smart and we had a top draft pick. Hes the one guy I dont want becuase he wont be able to break his man down off the dribble at the next level vs good quick defensive guards. Smart also gets blown by routinely by smaller quick guards because of lack of lateral quickness. There are so many better options out there if you have a high pick. Smart wont be able to bully his way to the hoop like he does in college becuase even the smaller guards in the league are strong and they are very crafty.

Who would you take over Smart? Last year I remember people saying he could of gone #1 had he come out. Is it one of those things where we seen more of him so can critique all the little things and with the freshmen guys, there's not as much evidence?

It's a serious question because when it comes to Smart I've noticed either people love him or hate him. No in the middle.

[BullsFTW]

Smart will never go before Exum, that's a joke. Smart reminds me of Mark Jackson for some reason. I think it's a foregone conclusion one of the 2 guys on Kansas goes #1, after that it's Parker or Exum. There aren't any potential stars after that.

I like Exum over Smart too. But the argument for Smart is that he has made significant strides in his shooting, he has refined his games, he looks more polished, and he provides the intangibles GM's love. He's a winner and NBA ready, which is something bad teams need. I also believe he's more of a PG than Exum, and PG is what the Kings, Bucks, and Magic needs.

[MalcolmXing]

I personally have gotten over the player that is Joakim Noah, plainly he's just not the typical big you need. He doesn't have the length, if we had Asik I'd be content with Noah but it seems to me getting taller & quicker centers is becoming the norm & I don't believe Noah can combat that.

[DanTown8587]

If the best player on the board is Randle, I'd love to trade the pick. Draft picks on draft night have super high value and there doesn't seem to be anyway that Randle and Mirotic play at the same time.

Or you could just take Randle and play Mirotic off the bench or vice versa. It's a great problem to have. Randle has big upside.

I think bigs like Randle are huge rolls of the dice where they may or may not become really good players. I'd rather simply trade the pick at the time it's value is absolutely highest. Like would Minnesota (if they're like 12th) do a trade of Randle+Boozer for Love? Could you get Klay Thompson for Randle?

[Red Larrivee]

I think bigs like Randle are huge rolls of the dice where they may or may not become really good players. I'd rather simply trade the pick at the time it's value is absolutely highest. Like would Minnesota (if they're like 12th) do a trade of Randle+Boozer for Love? Could you get Klay Thompson for Randle?

How is he a huge risk?

[wonderboy2]

I used to share this sentiment but given the recent history of this team as well as draft big after draft big that doesn't ever seem to reach his lofty potential, I think our best choice would be Marcus Smart. He fits the identity of this team defensively but also fills the need of someone that can create his own shot/a second playmaker. He's stocky and athletic enough to play either guard spot as well and would be a high/instant impact guy (arguably the favorite for rookie of the year out of this historically talented but young crop, particularly if he's a big time contributor on a contending team like I'm assuming we'll be next season). Exum would be an outstanding choice as well and with a healthy Rose would arguably be the better fit down the line. I think with a likelihood of Noah, Taj, and Mirotic in the front court that drafting another big shouldn't be the priority over filling a glaring need that has been our achilles heel for some time.

I would be so dissapointed if we picked smart and we had a top draft pick. Hes the one guy I dont want becuase he wont be able to break his man down off the dribble at the next level vs good quick defensive guards. Smart also gets blown by routinely by smaller quick guards because of lack of lateral quickness. There are so many better options out there if you have a high pick. Smart wont be able to bully his way to the hoop like he does in college becuase even the smaller guards in the league are strong and they are very crafty.

Who would you take over Smart? Last year I remember people saying he could of gone #1 had he come out. Is it one of those things where we seen more of him so can critique all the little things and with the freshmen guys, there's not as much evidence?

It's a serious question because when it comes to Smart I've noticed either people love him or hate him. No in the middle.

Let me put it this way I wouldnt be disapointed if we got smart because he has improved but his weaknesses are concerning. Look at how smart gets most of his points, they are off transitions 3's and posting up at the elbow and bulldozing his way to the basket vs smaller defenders. He does do a good job at getting to the basket in the pick n roll situations though. He is not going to be a guy that will break a defender down consistently on his own like a derrick rose or a ton of other guards in the league. He has improved his finishing ability because his freshmen season he used to get bloked at the rim alot now hes starting to go into the chest of the defender more. Some one compared smart to mark jackson I say Smart best case scenario has a chance to be chauncey billups if he learns how to keep smaller quick guards in front of him which is smarts weakenss, and get a little better creating off the dribble on his own. Sometimes smart allows complete blow bys vs quick guards and that ABSOLUTELY can not happen at the NBA level. Smart is one of those tough guys to figure out if thier game will transfer or not. To be honest If I was doing a power ranking I would have smart around the 6-9 range, there are just some guys i see having better pro careers then smart.

[DanTown8587]

I think bigs like Randle are huge rolls of the dice where they may or may not become really good players. I'd rather simply trade the pick at the time it's value is absolutely highest. Like would Minnesota (if they're like 12th) do a trade of Randle+Boozer for Love? Could you get Klay Thompson for Randle?

How is he a huge risk?

He doesn't have top end athletic ability, size, or sills. He relies on strength a lot which is a nervous thing for PF at the next level. I don't like his motor all the time and I don't like his ball skills. I think he'll be good not great in the NBA.

Of the top end guys, I think he's the likeliest bust. Now, that doesn't mean I'd be angry to keep him, I'd rather just a get thing like a Thompson or Love.

[Ralphb07]

I would be so dissapointed if we picked smart and we had a top draft pick. Hes the one guy I dont want becuase he wont be able to break his man down off the dribble at the next level vs good quick defensive guards. Smart also gets blown by routinely by smaller quick guards because of lack of lateral quickness. There are so many better options out there if you have a high pick. Smart wont be able to bully his way to the hoop like he does in college becuase even the smaller guards in the league are strong and they are very crafty.

Who would you take over Smart? Last year I remember people saying he could of gone #1 had he come out. Is it one of those things where we seen more of him so can critique all the little things and with the freshmen guys, there's not as much evidence?

It's a serious question because when it comes to Smart I've noticed either people love him or hate him. No in the middle.

Let me put it this way I wouldnt be disapointed if we got smart because he has improved but his weaknesses are concerning. Look at how smart gets most of his points, they are off transitions 3's and posting up at the elbow and bulldozing his way to the basket vs smaller defenders. He does do a good job at getting to the basket in the pick n roll situations though. He is not going to be a guy that will break a defender down consistently on his own like a derrick rose or a ton of other guards in the league. He has improved his finishing ability because his freshmen season he used to get bloked at the rim alot now hes starting to go into the chest of the defender more. Some one compared smart to mark jackson I say Smart best case scenario has a chance to be chauncey billups if he learns how to keep smaller quick guards in front of him which is smarts weakenss, and get a little better creating off the dribble on his own. Sometimes smart allows complete blow bys vs quick guards and that ABSOLUTELY can not happen at the NBA level. Smart is one of those tough guys to figure out if thier game will transfer or not. To be honest If I was doing a power ranking I would have smart around the 6-9 range, there are just some guys i see having better pro careers then smart.

1-3 I'm sold on Parker, Wiggins and Embiid being the top 3. When it comes to Exum, Smart and Randle I am not sure who I like more other than liking Smart and Exum better for our team.

My other question for people is does Smart better translate as a 2G over playing the point spot.

[Action Paxson]

1-3 I'm sold on Parker, Wiggins and Embiid being the top 3. When it comes to Exum, Smart and Randle I am not sure who I like more other than liking Smart and Exum better for our team.

My other question for people is does Smart better translate as a 2G over playing the point spot.

Smart could definitely play some SG, but he's probably best suited at PG. He and Rose are both unselfish enough to co-exist well. It shrinks down the rotation quite nicely too. Smart is a nice fit, IMO. Thibs would love him. Exum is clearly the better prospect though. I can't see a team taking Smart over Exum, no matter how much they love his intangibles.

[GimmeDat]

I think people are just nervous about Randle because of the recent history of drafting undersized 4's - Beasley, DWill, Bennett, TRob etc.

It's a concerning trend, but looking at Randle in isolation you'd think he's an excellent prospect.

I still like Lavine more than Smart, especially as a 2 guard in the NBA, but I do like both of them.

Above both I'd take Exum though, he's just got so much upside.

[IcemanGervin]

Give me in this order for the Bulls

Parker
Wiggins
Embiid
Exum
Smart
Randle

[Jory04]

I think Smart will be a quality NBA player, and if we didnt have Rose I would be all over him. That being said, I know Rose needs the ball in his hands to be most effective, and I dont think anyone really knows if Smart would be as effective playing off the ball. So for the fit of our team currently I think we need to be looking at Levine, Young, or Selden. Unless we of course ping pong our way into Embiid, Parker, or Wiggins.

[da pmp]

Smart will never go before Exum, that's a joke. Smart reminds me of Mark Jackson for some reason. I think it's a foregone conclusion one of the 2 guys on Kansas goes #1, after that it's Parker or Exum. There aren't any potential stars after that.

By Mark Jackson do you mean the average NBA defender and below average NBA athlete that made his living off of passing and backing opposing PGs down from half court? He's like the Marcus Smart that projects to be an elite defender in the NBA and explosive NBA athlete that makes his living off of creating his own offense and in the open court? I'm not quite seeing the connection here.

Marcus Smart - explosive? What on earth are you watching? Mark Jackson wasn't an average defender, he played MJ pretty well in the toughest 7 game series the dynasty ever had.
Smart looks like the average NBA athlete, not much better than Mark freakin Jackson

[kingkirk]

Starting a new one, fellas.