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

[Nebula1]

The Bucks need a lot more help in the backcourt than they do the frontcourt. The frontcourt looks good for the future. None of the frontcourt players being pushed as saviors will be saviors. None of them will be the Lebron or Durant-like supers needed to improve. Listen closely....the Bucks have the worst!!! backcourt in the league. Smart is the smart choice.

Smart is a decent pick if we end up at 6, but even then I'd prefer Exum. Taking him ahead of Wiggins/Parker/Embiid/Randle should not happen under any circumstances.

Smart is going to be the player everybody agreed would be good when he immediately starts putting up solid numbers.

[CanadaBucks]

If by upside, you mean athleticism, than yes he has the most upside. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he'll never make an all-star game though. He's the guy everyone's gonna look back at and say, "wow, we really were blinded by his insane athleticism too much to make an accurate projection of what he'll become." I see him becoming a Gerald Green like player. He'll develop a reliable 3 point shot and he'll always have his great vertical to fall back on, but his talent and passiveness will keep him in a 3 and D role and he'll be comfortable with that. Out of the limelight, but a solid role player. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'd just prefer to get him halfway through this career when the hype has subsided and his value will be known. He's not a worth a top 2 pick. I might pick #3 overall and hope I'm wrong in my projection, but you simply can't pick him in front of Parker and Embiid.

I actually think he's the clear #1 and comfortable thinking he'll develop into a powerful player. Comparing him to Gerald Green is terribly unfair. He's more than a dunker.

I definitely like him better than Parker and Embiid is too much risk for me at #1 but I guess that's what the draft is about.

I'm thinking people want to see a more dominant game and see him as passive but I see him as unselfish at this point. I'm confident he'll grow into a more aggressive monster in time.

No way I pass on him at any draft slot.

I've heard some say he might be Gay v2.0

[Ayt]

The Bucks need a lot more help in the backcourt than they do the frontcourt. The frontcourt looks good for the future. None of the frontcourt players being pushed as saviors will be saviors. None of them will be the Lebron or Durant-like supers needed to improve. Listen closely....the Bucks have the worst!!! backcourt in the league. Smart is the smart choice.

Drafting for need at the top of the NBA draft is one of the dumber things you can do as a franchise.

[Nebula1]

I'm not seeing the Rudy Gay comparison. That sounds agenda-loaded to me. I think Wiggins is his own prospect and with that comes a strong offensive and defensive game. There seems to be a little risk in efficiency with his jumper and some passivity in personality. Still he can get to the rim, is good with his feet, shows nba range and has pretty good awareness. I also very much like his defensive potential which I don't see with Parker.

[Ron Swanson]

If by upside, you mean athleticism, than yes he has the most upside. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he'll never make an all-star game though. He's the guy everyone's gonna look back at and say, "wow, we really were blinded by his insane athleticism too much to make an accurate projection of what he'll become." I see him becoming a Gerald Green like player. He'll develop a reliable 3 point shot and he'll always have his great vertical to fall back on, but his talent and passiveness will keep him in a 3 and D role and he'll be comfortable with that. Out of the limelight, but a solid role player. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'd just prefer to get him halfway through this career when the hype has subsided and his value will be known. He's not a worth a top 2 pick. I might pick #3 overall and hope I'm wrong in my projection, but you simply can't pick him in front of Parker and Embiid.

I actually think he's the clear #1 and comfortable thinking he'll develop into a powerful player. Comparing him to Gerald Green is terribly unfair. He's more than a dunker.

I definitely like him better than Parker and Embiid is too much risk for me at #1 but I guess that's what the draft is about.

I'm thinking people want to see a more dominant game and see him as passive but I see him as unselfish at this point. I'm confident he'll grow into a more aggressive monster in time.

No way I pass on him at any draft slot.

Yeah, these comparisons to Gerald Green and Rudy Gay can stop anytime now. Just ridiculous. I'm starting to think the people that think he's gonna be a catastrophic bust are the ones who were initially buying into the "next LeBron" hype.

Physically, we haven't seen a swing-man prospect like him in years. Downgrading him because he doesn't have a polished offensive game or that he doesn't have some cliche "killer instinct" at 18 years old is the least of my worries if I'm drafting a guy to be the face of my franchise for the next decade.

[ChuckBros4Life]

If by upside, you mean athleticism, than yes he has the most upside. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he'll never make an all-star game though. He's the guy everyone's gonna look back at and say, "wow, we really were blinded by his insane athleticism too much to make an accurate projection of what he'll become." I see him becoming a Gerald Green like player. He'll develop a reliable 3 point shot and he'll always have his great vertical to fall back on, but his talent and passiveness will keep him in a 3 and D role and he'll be comfortable with that. Out of the limelight, but a solid role player. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'd just prefer to get him halfway through this career when the hype has subsided and his value will be known. He's not a worth a top 2 pick. I might pick #3 overall and hope I'm wrong in my projection, but you simply can't pick him in front of Parker and Embiid.

I actually think he's the clear #1 and comfortable thinking he'll develop into a powerful player. Comparing him to Gerald Green is terribly unfair. He's more than a dunker.

I definitely like him better than Parker and Embiid is too much risk for me at #1 but I guess that's what the draft is about.

I'm thinking people want to see a more dominant game and see him as passive but I see him as unselfish at this point. I'm confident he'll grow into a more aggressive monster in time.

No way I pass on him at any draft slot.

Yeah, these comparisons to Gerald Green and Rudy Gay can stop anytime now. Just ridiculous. I'm starting to think the people that think he's gonna be a catastrophic bust are the ones who were initially buying into the "next LeBron" hype.

Physically, we haven't seen a swing-man prospect like him in years. Downgrading him because he doesn't have a polished offensive game or that he doesn't have some cliche "killer instinct" at 18 years old is the least of my worries if I'm drafting a guy to be the face of my franchise for the next decade.

I just went back and watched his senior year mixtape just so I could see his potential. He has the killer instinct and "it" factor in those highlights against inferior competition. I guess I'm just disappointed it hasn't translated very well to the college level. Is it possible he'll be better as a rookie in NBA than a frosh in Bill Self's system? Maybe actually. My opinion's changing. I still wouldn't take him 1 or 2, but I won't be upset if the Bucks do. He definitely will dominate pre draft workouts like people have been saying.

Can we at least agree his floor is Gerald Green?

It's crucial the Bucks get that worst record. Then we can get one of wiggins, embiid, parker, or exum and I won't be nearly as nervous on lotttery night.

[engelmartin]

Smart is going to be the player everybody agreed would be good when he immediately starts putting up solid numbers.

Don't get me wrong, I am a big Smart fan. I think he'll probably be a borderline all-star year in and year out for most of his career.

[steger_3434]

We haven't seen a prospect like Wiggins in years? I guess it has been quite a long time since Desmond Mason was drafted. LIsten, I bought into the hype with this kid. All of last year I wanted us to tank for him. Then this year he started off slowly and I lowered my expectations. No longer did I think he was "lebron" but I figured he'd be a superstar. The kid has really done nothing this year. There isn't a single thing that he's done that if his name wasn't Andrew WIggins would make him a top pick.

[jr lucosa]

If we were actually able to land the #1 pick and we spend it on Marcus Smart my head might explode.

[Nebula1]

We haven't seen a prospect like Wiggins in years? I guess it has been quite a long time since Desmond Mason was drafted. LIsten, I bought into the hype with this kid. All of last year I wanted us to tank for him. Then this year he started off slowly and I lowered my expectations. No longer did I think he was "lebron" but I figured he'd be a superstar. The kid has really done nothing this year. There isn't a single thing that he's done that if his name wasn't Andrew WIggins would make him a top pick.

I just totally disagree with this. I don't know what you want to see from him, but he's shown quite a bit of exciting aspects to his game. In fact, I don't see what people like so much more in Parker other than he's a bit more polished at this point, but long-term, Wiggins seems to be a much more explosive prospect.

Wiggins has shown a versatile offensive game and strong defensive ability. He's got relatively good numbers and while he hasn't totally dominated his competition, he's fit well with his team. I think people see that as a negative, but I don't. He's a humble kid playing at a historic program with great teammates.. I'm glad he's not chucking away.

Calling him Desmond Mason is as insulting as calling him Gerald Green. Both are totally unjustified.

I think taking Parker over Wiggins would be a gigantic mistake and I think Parker is the guy to disappoint at the next level, not Wiggins.

[Nebula1]

Smart is going to be the player everybody agreed would be good when he immediately starts putting up solid numbers.

Don't get me wrong, I am a big Smart fan. I think he'll probably be a borderline all-star year in and year out for most of his career.

That's why I hope he goes to Orlando. He'll become an instant glue guy there while still showing special skills and helping that team go to the next level. That will be a fun team to watch.

This is assuming he's ready to play point guard in the NBA and I love the Deron Williams comparison for him, although he's physically stronger than Williams was. Damn shame about Cobbins and the likelihood we won't see OKST make the Final Four.



Now that I'm caught up on the prospects, here's my board:

Wiggins
Embiid
Exum
Randle
Smart
Parker

[MiltownHawkeye]

Now that I'm caught up on the prospects, here's my board:

Wiggins
Embiid
Exum
Randle
Smart
Parker

[Nebula1]

Now that I'm caught up on the prospects, here's my board:

Wiggins
Embiid
Exum
Randle
Smart
Parker

Not a great defender, not that explosive. He's a fine, talented, polished player but I don't see him being a total stud anywhere on the floor. At least Randle should beast inside, Smart has strong leadership skills, Exum and Embiid have rare gifts and Wiggins is the prize of the draft.

Subject to change, of course. I think LaVine is moving into the 7 spot for me followed by Gordon at 8.

[ReasonablySober]

I like Parker quite a bit if the plan is to play him at the four. Not enough to take him over Exum, Embiid or Wiggins, but I'd certainly be happy if he's a Buck next summer.

[steger_3434]

Parker averages more points, rebounds, blocks and steals. He shoots a much better percentage from the arc and inside. He's not playing with another top 3 prospect and still is playing on a team as good if not better. It's not like Parker is older too.

[MiltownHawkeye]

Fair. Honestly, I've probably changed my #1 pick 10 times in the past month.

I tried to make the D-Will comparison to Smart but cinematographer pointed out that Deron averaged like 10 assists while Smart averages 4. In terms of size and physicality he's definitely similar though. The fact that he's not a good enough facilitator to be a PG and he's not nearly good enough at shooting to be a SG is kind of a red flag for me. Then again I pretty much just described D-Wade.

[Nebula1]

I like Parker quite a bit if the plan is to play him at the four. Not enough to take him over Exum, Embiid or Wiggins, but I'd certainly be happy if he's a Buck next summer.

Depending on where the Bucks draft, I'd be pissed taking Parker. He's a good all-around player but does nothing exceptional.

Are you willing to take Parker over Randle? I've come around on Randle now and he's clearly going to be a strong post presence and imo, a stronger NBA player than Parker which bumps Parker to 5.

With that, I think it's a toss up between Smart and Parker and my personal preference is Smart since I think he's going to really spark whatever team he goes to (assuming he can run point).

And as a caveat, I haven't seen anything but Exum highlights but it seems clear he has special potential.

[ReasonablySober]

I like Parker quite a bit if the plan is to play him at the four. Not enough to take him over Exum, Embiid or Wiggins, but I'd certainly be happy if he's a Buck next summer.

Depending on where the Bucks draft, I'd be pissed taking Parker. He's a good all-around player but does nothing exceptional.

Are you willing to take Parker over Randle? I've come around on Randle now and he's clearly going to be a strong post presence and imo, a stronger NBA player than Parker which bumps Parker to 5.

With that, I think it's a toss up between Smart and Parker and my personal preference is Smart since I think he's going to really spark whatever team he goes to (assuming he can run point).

And as a caveat, I haven't seen anything but Exum highlights but it seems clear he has special potential.

Yup. Parker can be a stretch four, something Randle likely won't be.

[Nebula1]

Yup. Parker can be a stretch four, something Randle likely won't be.

Fair enough. Not me, obviously, since Randle has grown on me.

[ReasonablySober]

Yup. Parker can be a stretch four, something Randle likely won't be.

Fair enough. Not me, obviously, since Randle has grown on me.

This might change your mind.