'14 Draft Thread - Parker Declares. List your top 4

[MiltownHawkeye]

What is Thanasis actually projected to be? I see that he has great athleticism, good feel for the game, and can handle/shoot a little bit. Where does he fit on an NBA roster? What position will he play? Who does he play most like?

[theFireBlanket]

It would be cool to get Thanasis. We need PR like that, and if they played well together it would be a great story. Where is he projected?

Givony has him dead last going to the Spurs, but I have a sneaking feeling someone's going to reach on him in the late first round or early 2nd round because of the buzz Gianni generated.

[jr lucosa]

What is Thanasis actually projected to be? I see that he has great athleticism, good feel for the game, and can handle/shoot a little bit. Where does he fit on an NBA roster? What position will he play? Who does he play most like?

I thought most of his potential was on the defensive end, and I still think it probably is as he could be an impact player on that end, but his stats offensively really started to improve as the year went on also, going from shooting 14% from three in January to 40% in March

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Tha ... 50244/2014

He was really getting into a groove late in the season, even showed off some assist numbers there at the end. If you asked me a few months ago I would say I am worried to draft him because his offense still has such a ways to go and I wouldn't want to draft Thanasis unless I was sure he would make the roster as I wouldn't want to piss Giannis off, but now I don't see why he couldn't be a 3&D wing who has starter potential.

[bizarro]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/464780635261792256[/tweet]

Isn't Jake Thomas that awful dude for Marquette?

Indeed. This is some high end stuff - I think they're looking @ UDFA possibilities to staff their T-Shirt cannon?

[MiltownHawkeye]

What is Thanasis actually projected to be? I see that he has great athleticism, good feel for the game, and can handle/shoot a little bit. Where does he fit on an NBA roster? What position will he play? Who does he play most like?

I thought most of his potential was on the defensive end, and I still think it probably is as he could be an impact player on that end, but his stats offensively really started to improve as the year went on also, going from shooting 14% from three in January to 40% in March

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Tha ... 50244/2014

He was really getting into a groove late in the season, even showed off some assist numbers there at the end. If you asked me a couple months ago I would say I am worried to draft him because his offense still has such a ways to go and I wouldn't want to draft Thanasis unless I was sure he would make the roster as I wouldn't want to piss Giannis off, but now I don't see why he couldn't be a 3&D wing who has starter potential.

I maybe see a little Mbah a Moute in him? A wing defender first and foremost that can cover 2/3/4 with ball skills hovering around mediocre-adequate. Moute is much stronger and Thanasis is way quicker and more fluid (and I might not be giving him enough credit skill-wise), but I think if Thannies went in that direction he could be very valuable.

[bizarro]

What is Thanasis actually projected to be? I see that he has great athleticism, good feel for the game, and can handle/shoot a little bit. Where does he fit on an NBA roster? What position will he play? Who does he play most like?

I thought most of his potential was on the defensive end, and I still think it probably is as he could be an impact player on that end, but his stats offensively really started to improve as the year went on also, going from shooting 14% from three in January to 40% in March

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Tha ... 50244/2014

He was really getting into a groove late in the season, even showed off some assist numbers there at the end. If you asked me a couple months ago I would say I am worried to draft him because his offense still has such a ways to go and I wouldn't want to draft Thanasis unless I was sure he would make the roster as I wouldn't want to piss Giannis off, but now I don't see why he couldn't be a 3&D wing who has starter potential.

I maybe see a little Mbah a Moute in him? A wing defender first and foremost that can cover 2/3/4 with ball skills hovering around mediocre-adequate. Moute is much stronger and Thanasis is way quicker and more fluid (and I might not be giving him enough credit skill-wise), but I think if Thannies went in that direction he could be very valuable.

Definitely not giving Thanasis his props. He's far from a sure thing but he is so far superior to Luc as an athlete it's really not even fair. Not to mention, that explosiveness and improved stroke just puts him in a different conversation. But, I see where you're coming from.

[jr lucosa]

I maybe see a little Mbah a Moute in him? A wing defender first and foremost that can cover 2/3/4 with ball skills hovering around mediocre-adequate. Moute is much stronger and Thanasis is way quicker and more fluid, but I think if Thannies went in that direction he could be very valuable.

Defensively maybe. I thought Moute in his prime was a top 5 perimeter defender in the league, I don't think it's a guarantee he can be that good but he should be the kind of guy you put on opposing teams best wing and yeah probably even some 4s other than the Z-Bo types. He's also going to provide much more on offense, where with Moute you were playing 4 on 5. He's good at forcing turnovers and is hard to stop in transition, sometimes looked lost in the half court offense but I think with familiarity that should continue to improve

[Badgerlander]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Mike_Schmitz/status/464832767033737216[/tweet]

Saric led the Adriatic league in scoring this season at just under 17 points per game, and did so on solid efficiency (58% true shooting percentage), despite shouldering a very heavy offensive load for Cibona (27% usage rate, 3rd highest in the league [min 20mpg]), winning the championship and earning MVP honors along the way.

Standing 6-10, Saric is arguably the most versatile offensive player in this draft class, showing the ability to handle the ball in transition, score on the block, operate in isolation situations in the half-court, play off the ball, and rebound the ball at a very high rate. He's probably also the most experienced player in this draft class, despite only turning 20 last month, playing solid minutes at the European Championships last summer, and helping Croatia qualify for the World Cup this summer by making the semifinals.

Despite showing excellent fluidity and coordination for a player his size, its Saric's skill-level, creativity and feel that makes him unique, and not amazing athleticism. His basketball IQ is simply off the charts, as his knowledge and understanding of the game is extraordinary relative to his age. The place where that's most visible is in his passing ability, as he does a great job of seeing the floor and making teammates better, aided greatly by the outstanding vantage point he enjoys at his size.

Saric improved noticeably defensively as the season moved on, more-so due to his effort level and anticipation skills than anything. He's an extremely competitive player, running the floor hard, boxing out and doing his best to make-up for his physical shortcomings with aggressiveness and terrific timing. These traits help explain why he was such a prolific rebounder (11.7 per-40 this season), particularly on the defensive end, where he ranked second best in the Adriatic league per-40. He also gets quite a few blocks (1.1 per-40) and steals (1.4) for someone that doesn't have an incredibly long wingspan (measured 6-10 at the Nike Hoop Summit in 2012).

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz31FEEWdeE
http://www.draftexpress.com

[TroyD92]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/464780635261792256[/tweet]

Isn't Jake Thomas that awful dude for Marquette?

Bro, it's Lizzie McGuire's brother.

Spoiler:

[ChuckBros4Life]

This sums up why Thanasis will make it in the league

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUtPVAARIZk[/youtube]

[MiltownHawkeye]

I do think he has a better-looking stroke than Giannis already. Giannis' form is so deliberate and inconfident in comparison.

[Badgerlander]

Would love to have Thanasis and Jamil Wilson off the bench

[VooDoo7]

Not sure if this is really cool, or really dumb.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10908 ... draft-pick

[Ill-yasova]

Would love to have Thanasis and Jamil Wilson off the bench

I have never seen a basketball player waste their potential more thoroughly and fully than Jamil Wilson did in his time at Marquette. He was a huge match-up problem waiting to happen but all he ever did was nagout out on the perimeter and pretend he wasn't 6'8". I never want to see him play for a Wisconsin team again.

[mattg]

Would love to have Thanasis and Jamil Wilson off the bench

I have never seen a basketball player waste their potential more thoroughly and fully than Jamil Wilson did in his time at Marquette. He was a huge match-up problem waiting to happen but all he ever did was nagout out on the perimeter and pretend he wasn't 6'8". I never want to see him play for a Wisconsin team again.

That's how he's always been. Even in high school against teams with a bunch of 6fters Wilson just wanted to dribble through his legs and pull up for 3.

[stellation]

Not sure if this is really cool, or really dumb.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10908 ... draft-pick

It presumably is just a marketing ploy for community engagement- and I think it's actually very clever.

[DanoMac]

Not sure if this is really cool, or really dumb.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10908 ... draft-pick

Cool when it's another team...but can imagine if the Bucks did this and grabbed 2 average fans off the street to talk Stuttering John into drafting Randle?

Or if they got Skones, he would convince them to forfeit the draft pick because none of the prospects are worth it.

[VooDoo7]

Not sure if this is really cool, or really dumb.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10908 ... draft-pick

Or if they got Skones, he would convince them to forfeit the draft pick because none of the prospects are worth it.

"Yeah, Mr. Silver, I think we're just gonna pass this year. Thanks anyway tho"

[vegaspacker]

What is Thanasis actually projected to be? I see that he has great athleticism, good feel for the game, and can handle/shoot a little bit. Where does he fit on an NBA roster? What position will he play? Who does he play most like?

I thought most of his potential was on the defensive end, and I still think it probably is as he could be an impact player on that end, but his stats offensively really started to improve as the year went on also, going from shooting 14% from three in January to 40% in March

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Tha ... 50244/2014

He was really getting into a groove late in the season, even showed off some assist numbers there at the end. If you asked me a few months ago I would say I am worried to draft him because his offense still has such a ways to go and I wouldn't want to draft Thanasis unless I was sure he would make the roster as I wouldn't want to piss Giannis off, but now I don't see why he couldn't be a 3&D wing who has starter potential.

I like the idea immensely, from a PR standpoint, potential defensive upgrade, and team culture development... it appears win-win. Two humble, hard working Euro-guys that embrace fundamentals... are grounded brothers, and very young athletic feel good players.

If Thanasis gets anywhere near Moute's D influence... we have a solid playoff type guy needed in a assist-barren post-season NBA game. The fans, especially the casual ones, would embrace the potential just on name alone. Hopefully this would engender a positive sense of colonialism in the Ante's. I haven't been to a Bucks game in a while, yet it is probably fair to say the energy goes up when Giannis does something special... more than with any other player.

Honestly, I see a large market team reaching a bit for him, and keeping him on their roster solely in hopes of luring Giannis when his free agency comes around. It might be a risky proposition, but the reward might pay massive dividends.

[vegaspacker]

What is Thanasis actually projected to be? I see that he has great athleticism, good feel for the game, and can handle/shoot a little bit. Where does he fit on an NBA roster? What position will he play? Who does he play most like?

I thought most of his potential was on the defensive end, and I still think it probably is as he could be an impact player on that end, but his stats offensively really started to improve as the year went on also, going from shooting 14% from three in January to 40% in March

http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Tha ... 50244/2014

He was really getting into a groove late in the season, even showed off some assist numbers there at the end. If you asked me a few months ago I would say I am worried to draft him because his offense still has such a ways to go and I wouldn't want to draft Thanasis unless I was sure he would make the roster as I wouldn't want to piss Giannis off, but now I don't see why he couldn't be a 3&D wing who has starter potential.

I like the idea immensely, from a PR standpoint, potential defensive upgrade, and team culture development... it appears win-win. Two humble, hard working Euro-guys that embrace fundamentals... are grounded brothers, and very young athletic feel good players.

If Thanasis gets anywhere near Moute's D influence... we have a solid playoff type guy needed in a assist-barren post-season NBA game. The fans, especially the casual ones, would embrace the potential just on name alone. Hopefully this would engender a positive sense of colonialism in the Ante's. I haven't been to a Bucks game in a while, yet it is probably fair to say the energy goes up when Giannis does something special... more than with any other player.

Honestly, I see a large market team reaching a bit for him, and keeping him on their roster solely in hopes of luring Giannis when his free agency comes around. It might be a risky proposition, but the reward might pay massive dividends.