2014 Draft Prospects Thread

Feilong · Post #921 » by **Feilong** » Thu May 22, 2014 12:22 am

With the #7 pick L.A.Lakers select Lex Morrison
http://vimeo.com/ondemand/offseason/95460503

Post #922 » by **Klomp** » Thu May 22, 2014 6:57 pm

[tweet]https://twitter.com/chadfordinsider/status/469542476491943936[/tweet]

Post #923 » by **Klomp** » Thu May 22, 2014 8:34 pm

[tweet]https://twitter.com/chadfordinsider/status/469576180589686784[/tweet]

gala_mt · Post #924 » by **gala_mt** » Thu May 22, 2014 8:53 pm

dunkonu21 wrote:
Krapinsky wrote:Daniels is 6'8" and weighs 195... so he's another Corey Brewer? No thanks we need some guys that can hold their ground.

Exactly, Corey Brewer does a great job. However, Daniels has a little more wing skill set than Brewer including more ISO ability, better shooting.

Every prospect should be looked at for fit on this team, there could be a can't mis prospect that is on the board for us, but if he can't shoot the 3pt then what is the point. Win-now teams need fit...I.E. San Antonio always drafts for FIT!

Q&A with Milt Newton:

What philosophy do you guys have at this point? Are you drafting for need or for best available?

At this point, it’s best available. What that allows you to do is if you draft the most talented player, if it’s a position you already have and he’s better than the player at that position already, you can move that current position you have. But I think in the position we’re in, we’re still trying to become a more talented team top to bottom, and that’s one of the conversations I had with the prospects. They asked what were we looking for? I said, we’re looking for talent. The more talent we have, the better we’ll be.

MinneOOPalis · Post #925 » by **MinneOOPalis** » Thu May 22, 2014 9:26 pm

If Dario Saric falls to us I would take him. Especially if we traded Love.

Dude is so underrated.

AQuintus · Post #926 » by **AQuintus** » Thu May 22, 2014 9:36 pm

Sakuragi_ wrote:If Dario Saric falls to us I would take him. Especially if we traded Love.

Dude is so underrated.

Dude doesn't have a position because Dude can't play defense.

MinneOOPalis · Post #927 » by **MinneOOPalis** » Thu May 22, 2014 9:41 pm

AQuintus wrote:
Sakuragi_ wrote:If Dario Saric falls to us I would take him. Especially if we traded Love.

Dude is so underrated.

Dude doesn't have a position because Dude can't play defense.

He's a PF. And he may never be an above average defender but he always gives good effort. Still has good IQ on the defensive end too (similar to stauskas)

Besides we aren't getting the perfect prospect at 13 .. we would be lucky to get a player like Dario who could contribute in so many ways.

MrTwister · Post #928 » by **MrTwister** » Thu May 22, 2014 11:50 pm

Sakuragi_ wrote:
AQuintus wrote:
Sakuragi_ wrote:If Dario Saric falls to us I would take him. Especially if we traded Love.

Dude is so underrated.

Dude doesn't have a position because Dude can't play defense.

He's a PF. And he may never be an above average defender but he always gives good effort. Still has good IQ on the defensive end too (similar to stauskas)

Besides we aren't getting the perfect prospect at 13 .. we would be lucky to get a player like Dario who could contribute in so many ways.

Saric had very nice performance few days ago with 36 pts 15 reb and 4 blocks, i don't know what to say about him considering general opinion is that only US players can play defense while rest of the world is clueless about it.I think his agent will probably look to get top10 promise for him(which he probably deserves), otherwise he will withdraw and join to one of the top European teams.At 13th pick like you guys have you pick BPA and if he by some miracle slides to you guys, thank basketball gods and other GM's for sleeping on him.I see Charlotte taking him or even Philly with their NOP pick.

Most of his draft express measurements aren't correct, i dont think he will get pushed around, he already has around 240lbs(i hope i calculated that correctly), and playing vs grown men unlike college freshman forwards yet nobody questions their ability to handle NBA forwards.He singlehandedly carried his team to ABA title and that success can be best described like imagine Atlanta Hawks winning this year NBA championship.He elevated his game to whole other level for ABA Final four and significantly improved from start of the season.Kid is a winner with immense work ethic, he became vocal and team leader at age of 19.You cant see that stuff at combine nor you can teach that.Most forwards on this draft are more of athletes than basketball players, i wont say he is better than them just he has his own style and is a whole lot different package.

minimus · Post #929 » by **minimus** » Fri May 23, 2014 4:57 am

Vuc N Pek wrote: Most of his draft express measurements aren't correct, i dont think he will get pushed around, he already has around 240lbs(i hope i calculated that correctly), and playing vs grown men unlike college freshman forwards yet nobody questions their ability to handle NBA forwards.He singlehandedly carried his team to ABA title and that success can be best described like imagine Atlanta Hawks winning this year NBA championship.He elevated his game to whole other level for ABA Final four and significantly improved from start of the season.Kid is a winner with immense work ethic, he became vocal and team leader at age of 19.You cant see that stuff at combine nor you can teach that. Most forwards on this draft are more of athletes than basketball players, i wont say he is better than them just he has his own style and is a whole lot different package.

He just need good situation to thrive. I remember how Diaw played for D'Antoni. Also Boris is good, smart defender, and he is poor athlete. If Dario Saric can developed into "our version of Diaw" it would great.

P.S. Didn't know that Aaron Gordon shot is so bad... FT 42% (!!!) I thought he could develop into Marion/K.Leonard hybrid...

MrTwister · Post #930 » by **MrTwister** » Fri May 23, 2014 10:04 am

minimus wrote:
Vuc N Pek wrote: Most of his draft express measurements aren't correct, i dont think he will get pushed around, he already has around 240lbs(i hope i calculated that correctly), and playing vs grown men unlike college freshman forwards yet nobody questions their ability to handle NBA forwards.He singlehandedly carried his team to ABA title and that success can be best described like imagine Atlanta Hawks winning this year NBA championship.He elevated his game to whole other level for ABA Final four and significantly improved from start of the season.Kid is a winner with immense work ethic, he became vocal and team leader at age of 19.You cant see that stuff at combine nor you can teach that. Most forwards on this draft are more of athletes than basketball players, i wont say he is better than them just he has his own style and is a whole lot different package.

He just need good situation to thrive. I remember how Diaw played for D'Antoni. Also Boris is good, smart defender, and he is poor athlete. If Dario Saric can developed into "our version of Diaw" it would great.

P.S. Didn't know that Aaron Gordon shot is so bad... FT 42% (!!!) I thought he could develop into Marion/K.Leonard hybrid...

Exactly, it might be hard to get but he does need good situation to thrive, imagine him going to Kings for example, with Thomas hogging the ball, Gay and Boogie chucking up shots on 16 sec on shotclock, franchise so clueless their FO let fans decide who to pick in upcoming draft.Diaw is i think the only player which played all 5 positions during his NBA career(i recall he was drafted as pg/sg).The way i see him being used is probably as 2nd unit ballhandler with trigger-happy guards.

Aaron Gordon is definition of what i said above, more of a athlete than basketball player, plus i think he will get drafted before Saric.I dont understand wasting lottery picks in deep draft on player which main qualities are running the floor and jumping high.He is definitely fun to watch with all those dunks and alley-oops and i think he is one of those high risk-high reward players but you already had one athletic Arizona tweener so i dont think you will jump for that ball again

Maefteda · Post #931 » by **Maefteda** » Fri May 23, 2014 10:42 am

Vuc N Pek wrote:
minimus wrote:P.S. Didn't know that Aaron Gordon shot is so bad... FT 42% (!!!) I thought he could develop into Marion/K.Leonard hybrid...

Aaron Gordon is definition of what i said above, more of a athlete than basketball player, plus i think he will get drafted before Saric.I dont understand wasting lottery picks in deep draft on player which main qualities are running the floor and jumping high.He is definitely fun to watch with all those dunks and alley-oops and i think he is one of those high risk-high reward players but you already had one athletic Arizona tweener so i dont think you will jump for that ball again

The difference is that Aaron Gordon is a great defender. He can guard 3's and 4's, which makes him a good kind of tweener, unlike Derrick Williams.

Sure, his shooting is a worry, but he hasn't really figured out his form yet and is only 18. Playing with Rubio, he'll get a lot more done offensively than he would be able to otherwise. Defensively, he can step in there with the best of them from day 1, and would be a great fit next to Pekovic. Williams had a 34,5 inch max vertical, while Gordon got a sky high 39 inch max.

At worst, I see Gordon as a Kenneth Faried type of player, who could compete right away. He's not quite as strong, but he is quicker and a lot more skilled.

minimus · Post #932 » by **minimus** » Fri May 23, 2014 3:45 pm

Maefteda wrote:
Vuc N Pek wrote:
minimus wrote:P.S. Didn't know that Aaron Gordon shot is so bad... FT 42% (!!!) I thought he could develop into Marion/K.Leonard hybrid...
The difference is that Aaron Gordon is a great defender. He can guard 3's and 4's, which makes him a good kind of tweener, unlike Derrick Williams.
Sure, his shooting is a worry, but he hasn't really figured out his form yet and is only 18. Playing with Rubio, he'll get a lot more done offensively than he would be able to otherwise. Defensively, he can step in there with the best of them from day 1, and would be a great fit next to Pekovic. Williams had a 34,5 inch max vertical, while Gordon got a sky high 39 inch max.
At worst, I see Gordon as a Kenneth Faried type of player, who could compete right away. He's not quite as strong, but he is quicker and a lot more skilled.

It's not about his shooting form, he doesn't have "touch". Marion has unorthodox, ugly shooting form, but he has touch, that's why he developed variety of floaters, tear drops.

Krapinsky · Post #933 » by **Krapinsky** » Fri May 23, 2014 4:19 pm

Really awesome write up on the top prospects from Grantland today. There's a lot of swear words so I am just posting the link.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ryen- ... nd-parker/

AQuintus wrote:...

I think you'll find this informative and relevant to our discussion yesterday. I still maintain, and these guys agree with me, that a lot of these guys are hyped up right now and I'd rather have that GSW deal or something similar.

I like Wiggins, but I also like Barnes, and he's probably the guy that Wiggins compares to most right now.

Post #934 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri May 23, 2014 4:41 pm

Krapinsky wrote:

I like Wiggins, but I also like Barnes, and he's probably the guy that Wiggins compares to most right now.

Only Wiggins is an elite athlete and Barnes is average one.

minimus · Post #935 » by **minimus** » Fri May 23, 2014 4:50 pm

Worm Guts wrote:
Krapinsky wrote:
I like Wiggins, but I also like Barnes, and he's probably the guy that Wiggins compares to most right now.

Only Wiggins is an elite athlete and Barnes is average one.

Measurements for the 6-foot-8 Barnes were off the charts, as he registered the highest no-step vertical jump (38 inches), the fourth-highest maximum vertical (39.5), the fastest three-quarter court sprint (3.16) and bench pressed 185 pounds 15 times. For some perspective, his no-step vertical ranks fourth all-time, his sprint is only two seconds slower than John Wall’s time from two years ago and he matched Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson in upper body strength. Is that elite enough for you?

Krapinsky · Post #936 » by **Krapinsky** » Fri May 23, 2014 4:53 pm

Worm Guts wrote:
Krapinsky wrote:

I like Wiggins, but I also like Barnes, and he's probably the guy that Wiggins compares to most right now.

Only Wiggins is an elite athlete and Barnes is average one.

I wouldn't call Barnes merely average, but you're right he's not elite like Wiggins is labeled. A standing vertical of 38" and a max vert of 39.5' is pretty ridiculous for a 6'8" 230 guy however (Barnes). Wiggins didn't do combine testing, but he is definitely more explosive on tape.

EDIT: I'd also add that Barnes was probably more refined/polished offensively than WIggins was at the same age.

Post #937 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri May 23, 2014 5:02 pm

I don't put much stock in combine numbers. They typically don't reflect on court athleticism.

Gunny · Post #938 » by **Gunny** » Fri May 23, 2014 5:59 pm

I don't think Barnes got a fair shot to progress once Iguodala showed up on the team. Young players need chances to make mistakes.

He reminds me of Shved. They can be ballers if they were just given a chance. The talent is there. You can see it.

wildvikeswolves · Post #939 » by **wildvikeswolves** » Fri May 23, 2014 6:07 pm

Gunny wrote:I don't think Barnes got a fair shot to progress once Iguodala showed up on the team. Young players need chances to make mistakes.

He reminds me of Shved. They can be ballers if they were just given a chance. The talent is there. You can see it.

How many chances does Shved need? Because he has had a lot of them

AQuintus · Post #940 » by **AQuintus** » Fri May 23, 2014 6:09 pm

Gunny wrote:I don't think Barnes got a fair shot to progress once Iguodala showed up on the team. Young players need chances to make mistakes.

He reminds me of Shved. They can be ballers if they were just given a chance. The talent is there. You can see it.

He's been given chances. He was named an all-american before he even played a game at North Carolina. He was given a ton of minutes there for 2 years and showed nearly zero improvement from year-to-year. Barnes' biggest problems are that he struggles to create off the dribble (which he can improve, but hasn't, which is worrying) and that he's got a below average first step (which he can't improve). That's the biggest difference between Barnes and Wiggens; they both have poor ball handling ability, but Wiggens has an elite first step which will allow him to get around guys at the NBA level.

Edit:

Krapinsky wrote:Really awesome write up on the top prospects from Grantland today. There's a lot of swear words so I am just posting the link.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ryen- ... nd-parker/

AQuintus wrote:...

I think you'll find this informative and relevant to our discussion yesterday. I still maintain, and these guys agree with me, that a lot of these guys are hyped up right now and I'd rather have that GSW deal or something similar.

I like Wiggins, but I also like Barnes, and he's probably the guy that Wiggins compares to most right now.

Interesting article. No one's denying that these guys have some warts (expect for maybe Embiid if his back checks out), but that's true of all prospects. Even Lebron had questions about his jump shot coming out.

Too bad they didn't do more guys. I would have liked to see what they have to say about Gordon and Vonleh.

Also:

that a lot of these guys are hyped up right now

The same is true about Thompson and Barnes.