2014 Draft Prospects Thread

[Maefteda]

That doesn't exactly praise Williams for his defense. He was drafted that high mostly because of his offensive potential. They had an NBA comparison as Michael Beasley with good intangibles, so I think that assessment is more to show that he's at least trying hard on defense.

I don't know where you are getting you are getting your Griffin stats, because at the Oklahoma Sooners in college, he shot 58% from the line both his freshman and sophomore season. I think Gordon would be closer to that 58% mark if he actually would have stayed for his sophomore season, so there isn't that big of a gap between those two. Griffin did shoot 71% in his 4th NBA season, but that just shows that a bad FT shooter can get better.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfVitXBMWY0[/youtube]

Gordon is much more than the at best average defender Derrick Williams was in college. Jabari Parker is expected to be able to score in the NBA right away, and is the kind of prospect I expect Gordon to guard. There are a lot of these types of players in the NBA who serve as their teams number 1 option. Carmelo, LeBron, Durant, George... with Parker and Wiggins coming out of this draft with that potential as well.

I fully expect Gordon to be able to switch between the 3 and 4 spots depending on where we need him to play, and with Sullinger/Olynyk also in here at PF, Gordon's possible lack of shooting will be covered by having one of those two at PF. Gordon still shot 36% from 3 in college, albeit at a low clip, but the defenses have to at least take notice of him when defending, as is a prime target for alley oops, especially running next to Rubio.

I do agree with your last point though, but I wouldn't say no to a deal for Drummond or Blake as the main piece in a Love trade either

[minimus]

I fully expect Gordon to be able to switch between the 3 and 4 spots depending on where we need him to play, and with Sullinger/Olynyk also in here at PF, Gordon's possible lack of shooting will be covered by having one of those two at PF. Gordon still shot 36% from 3 in college, albeit at a low clip, but the defenses have to at least take notice of him when defending, as is a prime target for alley oops, especially running next to Rubio.

1) We don't have mobile, shooting big man other than Love. If we acquire Sully so Gordon slides to SF position
2) We don't have scoring PG and opponent guards will clog the paint
3) We don't have reliable shooter at SG position, no potent scorer
4) We don't have backup PG who can orchestrate offense so rookies can learn and score easy points

I'm not against Gordon but he is bad fit with our team since you leave him 10-15 of chaotic basketball in hope of significant improvements. If you have KD5 and Westbrook you can just ignore some offensive problems, you can even play low skill offensive players like Perkins, Adams, Sefolosha, Collison etc. If you have stable proven system and coach Popovic, you can play one dimensional Splitter, Bonner, Mills etc. But it's not our case.

[Feilong]

I don't know where you are getting you are getting your Griffin stats, because at the Oklahoma Sooners in college, he shot 58% from the line both his freshman and sophomore season.

You are correct here. He shot 59% FT both college years.
NBA: 1Y 64%, 2Y 52%, 3Y 66%, 4Y 71%

Even this way 59% and 42% are no way near. 60% is bad but acceptable, 42% is not.
SF who doesn't know the basics, like shooting isn't a top6 pick in a loaded draft for me.
Maybe take him with #13, and even there you need to think about it.
In college Gordon covers his huge weaknesses with his athleticism. In NBA you need much more than being athletic.

[Klomp]

You keep bringing up the 42% like he has zero chance to improve on it. He's still 18 years old. Believe it or not, there are things in his game that can improve. Doesn't make him a bust, it makes him human.

[C.lupus]

You keep bringing up the 42% like he has zero chance to improve on it. He's still 18 years old. Believe it or not, there are things in his game that can improve. Doesn't make him a bust, it makes him human.

Does it make him worth a #6 pick, though? That's the relevant question.

[Klomp]

You keep bringing up the 42% like he has zero chance to improve on it. He's still 18 years old. Believe it or not, there are things in his game that can improve. Doesn't make him a bust, it makes him human.

Does it make him worth a #6 pick, though? That's the relevant question.

No prospect who will be there at 6 is perfect, they all need to improve in some area.

I hate to break it to some of you, but we aren't getting LeBron James at #6.

[Grits n Gravy]

You keep bringing up the 42% like he has zero chance to improve on it. He's still 18 years old. Believe it or not, there are things in his game that can improve. Doesn't make him a bust, it makes him human.

Does it make him worth a #6 pick, though? That's the relevant question.

No prospect who will be there at 6 is perfect, they all need to improve in some area.

I hate to break it to some of you, but we aren't getting LeBron James at #6.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLyxmD_UAK4[/youtube]

[C.lupus]

You keep bringing up the 42% like he has zero chance to improve on it. He's still 18 years old. Believe it or not, there are things in his game that can improve. Doesn't make him a bust, it makes him human.

Does it make him worth a #6 pick, though? That's the relevant question.

No prospect who will be there at 6 is perfect, they all need to improve in some area.

I hate to break it to some of you, but we aren't getting LeBron James at #6.

So it's a guy who's very limited offensively or Lebron James, nothing in between. gotcha. I know you like Gordon, and that's fine, but Smart, Randle, and Vonleh (and maybe Saric) are better prospects at #6, imo.

[mondry]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfVitXBMWY0[/youtube]

He looks like a phenomenal defender in that video against one of the supposed future mega stars of this draft. That's really enticing to me. I think the guy is a good fit with Rubio as well, as long as he wants to work hard and keep moving, I think Rubio will find him, a lot, and we're going to see a lot of those quick hops he has for easy dunks and also alley oops.

For me, I see enough that I like where I don't mind taking him at #6. Maybe there are some other guys I'd prefer there, but I don't see him as not worth the pick either. He does enough already that I'd be comfortable with it and since he's only 18 years old I think there's more in store for his body and development. In other words, the upside is there while the floor (elite defender, explosive athlete) is set pretty well.

as long as his shot isn't completely broken I feel like it should be possible to improve his FT%. I hear on this board all the time that shooting is one of the easiest things to improve as a pro so I guess I don't know why it's such a big deal for people all of a sudden.

[Takingbaconback]

So you have suggested that Gordon could be a SF and he shoots 42% from the free throw line. You dont see anything weird with that? And lets say he improves to 60%, that still is ridiculously horrible, not to mention all of his other many flaws and raw spots which makes him a questionable prospect at 6. But you are right , everyone at 6 in this draft is no sure thing. Which is why I pray GSW gives in with klay thompson, he is the best player wolves can realistically acquire.

[Krapinsky]

I'm torn between Randle and Gordon, but I like them both more than Vonleh. Randle looks like a natural. Gordon like an athletic freak. Vonleh just looks long.

Vonleh's very skilled as well, and has an NBA body to go with that length. He might also have the best motor of the three.

I like all of three of them, even though they all have their flaws. Randle's got the most questionable defense and length/athleticism, Vonleh has the most to learn about applying his strengths, Gordon has the jump shot concerns and I worry that he's a guy who wants to play SF in the long term.

I hadn't realized until last week that Spencer Dinwiddie declared for the draft. If he hadn't gotten hurt and had sustained his strong start he might have been in the mix at #13. I really like his fit next to Rubio.

I was up thinking about this last night, for only god knows why, and it struck me just how important length is at the PF position.... and now I'm full fledged talking myself into Vonleh. Duncan, Garnett, Aldridge, Bosh... all have superior length. None of the three that went to college put up absurd freshman year numbers, but their length gave them an advantage in developing their offensive game. Now i'm not saying Vonelh is any of those guys, but when you consider his youth and his length, his well known work ethic, maybe he's the guy most worth investing a high pick in.

[Maefteda]

Duncan, Garnett, Bosh and Aldridge are all extremely smart players as well though, while Vonleh struggles to know what he's doing on both ends. Sure, he's young and might figure it out, but BBIQ I feel is something that you either have, or you'll never get it. Especially when you have a guy who has seemingly been working hard to become an NBA player from a very young age like Vonleh. Duncan only started playing basketball in ninth grade and is arguably the best PF of all time.

[Klomp]

So it's a guy who's very limited offensively or Lebron James, nothing in between. gotcha. I know you like Gordon, and that's fine, but Smart, Randle, and Vonleh (and maybe Saric) are better prospects at #6, imo.

Better offensive prospects, sure.

Offense wasn't our problem last year. Defense was. The only guys on your list who have a chance to be good defensive players in the NBA are Smart and maybe Vonleh.

Those are the only two players I'd even consider other than Gordon if we're at 6. However, the other two still have questions about their games and their potential fit on this team.

-I like Smart, but is it smart (pun intended) to take another point guard who struggles with his shot? I definitely like his ability to create his own shot off the dribble, but there are still questions. I've yet to even bring up his character concerns, which are a whole 'nother issue.
-Vonleh has the physical tools, but I'm just not sure if he'll be able to put it all together and become anything more than a role player. Plus with Pekovic, I think we need a more athletic 4 to complement him.

[wildvikeswolves]

My list right now assuming we trade with Boston

1. Smart
2. Vonleh
3. Randle
4. Gordon

Feel like Smart and Randle are the safest but still have good upside.

[AQuintus]

He can't make a free throw. 42%FT

I never denied that. It's something that he has to, and likely will, improve.

He can't make a basket WITHOUT an opponent.

BS. He shot almost 36% from the college three. In college games. Against college opponents.

Does it matter how he shoots?

Absolutely, if you're going to compare him to MKG, whose shot form is completely broken.

Maybe he should try to kick the ball, maybe that way he will be more successful.

If you're just going to post stupid crap like this, I'm going to put you on ignore.

We had a tweener. D-Will who was a very good player in college, we know how it went.

Two completely different players. And D-Will failed because he was forced to play SF. Gordon is a, and will play, PF.

You want to trade Love and get in return as main piece a guy who can't even make a FT? Good job.

[Jajwanda]

I would guess that Minnesota would go with Vonleh at 6. The best fit next to Pekovic would be a good athlete that can block some shots, spread the floor, and add some athleticism to the FC. However I don't think that means Aaron Gordon as I just don't see the offensive fit. At least with Vonleh the floor is spread so that you can have Pekovic and Rubio have easier access into the lane. If I had to guess the draft ends up with Randle with the Jazz at 5, Vonleh to the Celtics or Wolves at 6, and Smart to the Lakers at 7.

[Klomp]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLttmhNPYt0[/youtube]

http://www.celticsblog.com/2014/5/30/57 ... bust-steal

[Feilong]

Aquintus
-I could forgive 42%FT if he was a 7'0 center but i simply cannot understand how a SF cannot shoot FTs. We all played basketball in school or in university. Rarely any of us was below 50% from FT. Gordon is doing this for a living, he practice FTs every day for several years and he shoots so badly? Something is really wrong.
-Without opponents i was referring to FTs
-It doesn't matter how someone shoots.
Does it matter that Martin shoots from his belly? No, because he is efficient.
Does it matter that Noah shoots with a spin? No, because he is efficient.
Does it matter that Dirk shoots from behind his head? No, because he is efficient.
Does it matter that Fisher shoots rainbow/high arc shots? No, because he is efficient.
When someone is a terrible shooter then you look what is wrong? Strength, psychology, mechanics etc.
If he is efficient no one cares.
-He wants to play SF, he has the height of a SF and he has the quickness of a SF. Why he is forced to play PF? Because he can't shoot.
-I have no comment on your smileys.

[Klomp]

-He wants to play SF, he has the height of a SF and he has the quickness of a SF. Why he is forced to play PF? Because he can't shoot.

He has never said he wants to play SF. You are thinking of another former Arizona Wildcat named Derrick Williams.

[Feilong]

-He wants to play SF, he has the height of a SF and he has the quickness of a SF. Why he is forced to play PF? Because he can't shoot.

He has never said he wants to play SF. You are thinking of another former Arizona Wildcat named Derrick Williams.

He started out the season determined to turn himself into a small forward, but it is apparent that his future is as a 4.
http://hoopshype.com/draft.htm