2014 NBA Draft Prospects Thread #5 | Raps picking 20th

[SkywalkerAC]

Just as a reference point, and to manage expectations, here's a list of all the recent #20 draft picks..

I don't think that matters at all as long as we pick the right people . Make a list of all the really good players drafted at 20 or after 20 and that list I bet would be good .

2013:
23 - Mason Plumlee
24 - Hardaway Jr.

2012:
21 - Sullinger
25 - Wroten
26 - Mile Plumlee

Probably a few others that might be considered "good". So, more like finding a needle in the haystack than shooting fish in a barrel. More likely that we find someone to carry the bags for $2mil rather than a difference maker.

Now, if we were to make a play for #8 from Sacramento...
2012:
8 - Ross
9 - Drummond
13 - Marshall

2013:
9 - Trey Burke
11 - MCW
12 - Adams

I'm too lazy to go further. But, this shows you can get a real difference maker or at least a real contributor at 8, but at 20 you are really just hoping to find a NBA-quality role player (which is important, of course).

Except some drafts are deeper than others and this is one of those drafts.

[Roland Brice]

I'm not really for or against drafting him, but for the sake of argument, why will Payton be any better than a poor man's Avery Bradley? A guy who the jury is still out on regarding his potential as an effective every day starter.

Payton is lightning quick and is already quite advanced in the defensive side. Its always easier to develop offensive skills than defensive skills.

And at pick 20, there shall be no complains for picking Payton, although I'm rooting for Deonte Burton.

Yup. People are sleeping on Deonte Burton. IMO he has the skills to be a top 3 PG in this draft class. Dude is that good. I think he's already more skilled than Ennis, Napier and Payton. Guy reminds me of Baron Davis with defense.

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There's no denying how good Burton is, but there's a reason he's ranked as a second rounder even though he's in that same mold as guys like Marbury, Francis, BDiddy, and Mike James. All scoring point guards, but volume shooters. The difference is those other guys could hit the open man. There have been times this year when Burton has had a WIDE open team mate under the hoop when he just forced a heavily contested shot. His court vision is piss poor and he'll need to become more of a team player if he wants a shot in the NBA. Otherwise I see him going to Europe for his career and tearing it up there while a couple token bench warmer NBA contracts throughout his career.

[Rapsfan07]

Payton is lightning quick and is already quite advanced in the defensive side. Its always easier to develop offensive skills than defensive skills.

And at pick 20, there shall be no complains for picking Payton, although I'm rooting for Deonte Burton.

Yup. People are sleeping on Deonte Burton. IMO he has the skills to be a top 3 PG in this draft class. Dude is that good. I think he's already more skilled than Ennis, Napier and Payton. Guy reminds me of Baron Davis with defense.

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There's no denying how good Burton is, but there's a reason he's ranked as a second rounder even though he's in that same mold as guys like Marbury, Francis, BDiddy, and Mike James. All scoring point guards, but volume shooters. The difference is those other guys could hit the open man. There have been times this year when Burton has had a WIDE open team mate under the hoop when he just forced a heavily contested shot. His court vision is piss poor and he'll need to become more of a team player if he wants a shot in the NBA. Otherwise I see him going to Europe for his career and tearing it up there while a couple token bench warmer NBA contracts throughout his career.

I think his passing suffered because of the team he played with more than anything. But with a second rounder, that's a chance I take every single time without question. IMO his weaknesses are very fixable and BDiddy in the second round is a steal no matter which way you slice it. He's slated in the second round for a reason so yeah he's not going to be perfect but if you're mining for gems, he's a guy you got to look at.


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[Roland Brice]

Yup. People are sleeping on Deonte Burton. IMO he has the skills to be a top 3 PG in this draft class. Dude is that good. I think he's already more skilled than Ennis, Napier and Payton. Guy reminds me of Baron Davis with defense.

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There's no denying how good Burton is, but there's a reason he's ranked as a second rounder even though he's in that same mold as guys like Marbury, Francis, BDiddy, and Mike James. All scoring point guards, but volume shooters. The difference is those other guys could hit the open man. There have been times this year when Burton has had a WIDE open team mate under the hoop when he just forced a heavily contested shot. His court vision is piss poor and he'll need to become more of a team player if he wants a shot in the NBA. Otherwise I see him going to Europe for his career and tearing it up there while a couple token bench warmer NBA contracts throughout his career.

I think his passing suffered because of the team he played with more than anything. But with a second rounder, that's a chance I take every single time without question. IMO his weaknesses are very fixable and BDiddy in the second round is a steal no matter which way you slice it. He's slated in the second round for a reason so yeah he's not going to be perfect but if you're mining for gems, he's a guy you got to look at.


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Yeah, he's talented. I don't think the team is the issue when you're missing wide open guys though. But the 2nd round is a search for gems, although I prefer a guy like Spencer Dinwiddie who is only there because of the ACL tear not because of the way he plays

[Rapsfan07]

Payton is lightning quick and is already quite advanced in the defensive side. Its always easier to develop offensive skills than defensive skills.

And at pick 20, there shall be no complains for picking Payton, although I'm rooting for Deonte Burton.

Yup. People are sleeping on Deonte Burton. IMO he has the skills to be a top 3 PG in this draft class. Dude is that good. I think he's already more skilled than Ennis, Napier and Payton. Guy reminds me of Baron Davis with defense.

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Happy to have you as company on Burton. I do have a bad feeling that Masai would not pick him even he has the chance to, and eventually I am vindicated to be making the right call. It happened with Eric Blesode during his draft year. BC picked Ed Davis instead.....

Likewise. While I can't say I had Bledsoe higher than Davis, I can definitely say I had a good feeling about Bledsoe's transition to the NBA. Where Burton is concerned, I'd rather not be vindicated and just have him play well here. He's not perfect but he has everything you're looking for in a PG prospect. Speed, athleticism, jumpshot, handles. Good in PnR, transition and half court. Great defensively. Plus he's from Compton and around DeRozan's age... Maybe they know each other?

I don't know about taking him at #20 but with an early second rounder, he could be the steal of the draft. I rely hope Masai is going to be working on Philly for #32.

#20 - Adreian Payne
#32 - Damien Inglis
#37 - Deonte Burton


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[protothe]

Yeah, Parker is best player in this draft for me. Nobody is near his level at his age in this years draft. I don't get why people say that in longterm other player will become better then him it's not like Parker is 23 years old, they guy is only 19 he has the capability to improve as anyone else in this draft
It should be
1. Parker
-gap-
2. others

You're leaving defense out of the equation.
He will be burned....often.

Although he hasn't shown much promise guarding SFs i think ultimately jabari at 6'9 probably 250lbs, hes gunna be able to guard and go at PFs...hes shown many times this season that he could play the role of help defender as he was duke's only interior presence on defense at times

having said that, jabari a PF that could handle the ball and shoot the way he does would be a matchup nightmare for anyone in the league.

If he embraces hard-noised basketball and life in the paint I see a very fruitful future for him in the league

It's not about the offensive side. He can dominate opposing SFs and PFs all he wants on offense...it's defense that's the problem.

He's not ready for guarding many PFs in the league either.

Look at the PFs he'd be matched up against:

Love, Griffin, Aldridge, Nowitzki, Davis, Randolph, Monroe, Ibaka, Duncan, Bosh, West...

They will punish him physically at 6'9.

The only notable PFs who are comparable in size that I can think of are: Thaddeus Young, Lee, Millsap...

Besides Young, Lee and Millsap both seem a lot stronger than him.

[mappiah19]

Some of you are really exaggerating Parker's D. He's not that bad.

Look at some of the high school star games, when he's guarding Wiggins or other top prospects. He held his own.

Parker was play PF and out of position.

[Undefeated]

Some of you are really exaggerating Parker's D. He's not that bad.

Look at some of the high school star games, when he's guarding Wiggins or other top prospects. He held his own.

Parker was play PF and out of position.

Thank you. I even broke down his defense from games against Zona and Clemson and he was no where near as bad. He only gets that rep because a lot of people base their opinion on DX videos.

[TankNation123]

New draft vid of aaron gordon from DX

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Aar ... ideo-4571/

[BillyGM]

NBA Draft 2014: Josh Huestis shows Suns defensive versatility
http://valleyofthesuns.com/2014/05/29/n ... s-workout/
I mentioned him long ago, reminds me of rookie Landry Fields.

We could draft 2 SFs, one in first round with offensive game (TJ, Rodney), and one in second round with defensive game (KJ, Josh, Damien). Replacements for Salmons and Fields.
Maybe it's even a good idea to have two rookies battling against each other, maybe they would develop their weaknesses. They could certainly help each other.

[Roland Brice]

NBA Draft 2014: Josh Huestis shows Suns defensive versatility
http://valleyofthesuns.com/2014/05/29/n ... s-workout/
I mentioned him long ago, reminds me of rookie Landry Fields.

We could draft 2 SFs, one in first round with offensive game (TJ, Rodney), and one in second round with defensive game (KJ, Josh, Damien). Replacements for Salmons and Fields.

Yeah, he's been in my sig at 59 for a while. He's going to be a lock down defender in the NBA. I see him as a James Johnson type (without the baggage) right now, but if he works on his jumper he can probably be a 3+D guy, which is amazing value at the back end of the draft.

[thunderforce]

So it looks like the Raps are working out Jordan Bachynski today too , I hope they get him .

[Dukenukem23]

I drafted Clint Capela for us on the general NBA draft board, hope that makes the majority happy. I think he's a great fit next to Val and a piece we have sorely missed since the Camby days. He's the mos athletic big in this draft by a mile, already an incredible rebounder and shot blocker so he will get mins on that alone right away. My hope is that he turns into a Serge Ibaka type. Great long term potential with the Swiss product.

[BillyGM]

Josh measured 6' 6.5" w/o shoes so he's legit 6' 8" with shoes, and has a 7' 1" wingspan. Also, 8' 10.5" standing reach to come with 38.5 max vert.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Josh-Huestis-17121/
Definitely has the physical tools to be NBA SF.
Scouts now saying that "Given his athleticism, size and length, defensive potential, and improved shooting ability, Huestis has a definite chance to make it in the NBA and stick long-term."

In our range it seems like SFs are either good at offense and bad at defense or vice versa. Guys who are good at defense have broken shots or are undersized, guys who are good at offense are lazy on defense. But that what we should expect when we are picking 20th... It's not like we are in lottery.

[BillyGM]

I drafted Clint Capela for us on the general NBA draft board, hope that makes the majority happy. I think he's a great fit next to Val and a piece we have sorely missed since the Camby days. He's the mos athletic big in this draft by a mile, already an incredible rebounder and shot blocker so he will get mins on that alone right away. My hope is that he turns into a Serge Ibaka type. Great long term potential with the Swiss product.

'Swiss product' - looks funny as Swiss are terrible at basketball. Of course Capela is an exception.

[Roland Brice]

I drafted Clint Capela for us on the general NBA draft board, hope that makes the majority happy. I think he's a great fit next to Val and a piece we have sorely missed since the Camby days. He's the mos athletic big in this draft by a mile, already an incredible rebounder and shot blocker so he will get mins on that alone right away. My hope is that he turns into a Serge Ibaka type. Great long term potential with the Swiss product.

Soooooo many possibilities...

If he becomes a good all-around player we can name him the Swiss Army Knife.

OR if his defense is a farce we can name him Swiss Cheese.

AND when he gets his first shoe deal it should be with K-Swiss.

[Dukenukem23]

I drafted Clint Capela for us on the general NBA draft board, hope that makes the majority happy. I think he's a great fit next to Val and a piece we have sorely missed since the Camby days. He's the mos athletic big in this draft by a mile, already an incredible rebounder and shot blocker so he will get mins on that alone right away. My hope is that he turns into a Serge Ibaka type. Great long term potential with the Swiss product.

Soooooo many possibilities...

If he becomes a good all-around player we can name him the Swiss Army Knife.

OR if his defense is a farce we can name him Swiss Cheese.

AND when he gets his first shoe deal it should be with K-Swiss.

I think we have to draft him based on these potential nicknames alone. Lol

[raptor jesus]

I drafted Clint Capela for us on the general NBA draft board, hope that makes the majority happy. I think he's a great fit next to Val and a piece we have sorely missed since the Camby days. He's the mos athletic big in this draft by a mile, already an incredible rebounder and shot blocker so he will get mins on that alone right away. My hope is that he turns into a Serge Ibaka type. Great long term potential with the Swiss product.

I'm leery of Capela. He could be a good fit beside Val, but only if he becomes a capable shooter. Looking at his mechanics and his FT%, I'm not holding my breath. The way he moves, with and without the ball, reminds me way more of Biyombo than Ibaka (although Capela has better hands than Biyombo). Ibaka is a very smooth athlete, whereas, to me, Biyombo and Capela look rigid sometimes, like they picked up the game at a later age. Ibaka also has great mechanics with his jumper, and range all the way out to the corner 3. I like the way Capela moves his feet, plus shotblocking is definitely a team need; I'm just not sold on the rest of his game.

[Indeed]

Josh measured 6' 6.5" w/o shoes so he's legit 6' 8" with shoes, and has a 7' 1" wingspan. Also, 8' 10.5" standing reach to come with 38.5 max vert.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Josh-Huestis-17121/
Definitely has the physical tools to be NBA SF.
Scouts now saying that "Given his athleticism, size and length, defensive potential, and improved shooting ability, Huestis has a definite chance to make it in the NBA and stick long-term."

In our range it seems like SFs are either good at offense and bad at defense or vice versa. Guys who are good at defense have broken shots or are undersized, guys who are good at offense are lazy on defense. But that what we should expect when we are picking 20th... It's not like we are in lottery.

You mean next year? Is he declaring this year?

[BillyGM]

Josh measured 6' 6.5" w/o shoes so he's legit 6' 8" with shoes, and has a 7' 1" wingspan. Also, 8' 10.5" standing reach to come with 38.5 max vert.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Josh-Huestis-17121/
Definitely has the physical tools to be NBA SF.
Scouts now saying that "Given his athleticism, size and length, defensive potential, and improved shooting ability, Huestis has a definite chance to make it in the NBA and stick long-term."

In our range it seems like SFs are either good at offense and bad at defense or vice versa. Guys who are good at defense have broken shots or are undersized, guys who are good at offense are lazy on defense. But that what we should expect when we are picking 20th... It's not like we are in lottery.

You mean next year? Is he declaring this year?

He is Senior, so yes - this year. He doesn't have any other option.
What do you like him?