Official #2 Pick Thread - Ford #7: Parker

[paulpressey25]

If you guys want me to get on the Parker bandwagon, someone has to show me that foot stress fractures like Parker had two years ago aren't a big deal.

Chad Ford in his chat had this qualifier on Jabari.

Hard to imagine Parker not making a few All-Star teams if he stays healthy.

I'm just wondering why he put that qualifier in for Parker. I have not seen it with other players, save for obviously Embiid.

[raferfenix]

The best part about this draft is that whatever the Cavs do is most likely to be a big mistake.

If they pass on Embiid, sure, that could be because his back is in bad shape.

But it could just as likely be that the Cavs want a more win-now player.

[Whiteman]

I think there is at least 1 superstar in this draft. I am not sold its the 3/4 players we talk about everyday here. I fear we select the consensus players over the Chris Paul (from our last swing at this) in this draft.

Back in 2005 there was a small (10%?) but vocal minority yelling that Paul was easily the best player in the draft. There's no one outside the top 4 with that kind of support now. If the best player doesn't come from the consensus players it will be a much bigger shock than in 2005.

I continue to maintain that superstars are almost always a good defender.

Steve Nash sarcastically raises an eyebrow while polishing his MVP trophies. Dirk Nowitzki silently shakes his head.
Seriously though, quite a few superstars were not that good defensively, and many more went from poor defenders to acceptable in a few years (Durant for example). It's still a concern with Parker though, don't get me wrong.

[crkone]

80% of defense comes down to wanting to defend. If you have the drive to be the best, you'll give 100% on that side if the court. Too bad there aren't tests to measure drive and determination.

[SpottedBadger]

I really wish Cleveland would take Parker just so no one in the Buck's brain trust can even be tempted. The only sure thing about Jabari is that he could score on his own in college. Everything else is shrouded with questions including but not limited to: his defense, team fit, his physical condition, his lack of athleticism.

I wish Jerry West wasn't on the Warriors board so that Edens and Lasry could hire him as a consultant similar to what the Chargers did with Ron Wolf in hiring their general manager. I'd love to hear what the man who drafted Kobe thinks about Wiggins' potential. Golden State doesn't even have a pick in the draft either!

[cinematographer]

I continue to maintain that superstars are almost always a good defender.

Dirk Nowitzki silently shakes his head.

Uhh, Dirk was a pretty damn good defender and is still capable on that end.

[buckboy]

I'd lose my mind if we somehow got Parker and Smart out of this draft. I'd also lose my mind if we passed on Parker for Wiggins at 2, albeit in a different capacity.

I completely disagree with everything stated here.

[jakecronus8]

I'd lose my mind if we somehow got Parker and Smart out of this draft. I'd also lose my mind if we passed on Parker for Wiggins at 2, albeit in a different capacity.

I completely disagree with everything stated here.

Agree. All hero ball, all the time. Smart's flopping alone would induce vomiting on a nightly basis.

[Ron Swanson]

I continue to maintain that superstars are almost always a good defender.

Dirk Nowitzki silently shakes his head.

Uhh, Dirk was a pretty damn good defender and is still capable on that end.

Yeah, no idea why people think guys like Ray Allen (I've heard this more than once) and Dirk aren't good defenders just because they don't put up the impressive STLz and BLKz numbers.

And lol at the notion that defense is almost entirely "effort and motivation"

Because size, athleticism, quickness, length, and timing don't factor into the equation.

[msiris]

I was one of the few who wanted CP at that time. The last player I thought who was going to be a superstar was Durant. The only player I think who has a chance is Exum, but very iffy at best. There is no top guy.

I think the only shot at a top ten player in this draft is a healthy Embiid. In fact I think a healthy Embiid is practically a lock to be a top ten player in today's NBA. He has the chance to be that Ewing/Olajuwon type big man and there just isn't a guy like that in the NBA right now.

I would gladly take him, but he still has a long way to go and a lot to learn.

[White+Purple]

I think Henson pretty easily has equal to more trade value than Sanders right now. Coming off of Sanders' fat extension and his subsequent abortion of a season, his value is at rock bottom. Henson is a young big coming off of a pretty impressive season. If teams believe Sanders will return to form, then I could see it, but to give meaningful value for Sanders would be a sizable risk and a hard sell for a GM to present to an owner.

I suspect there wouldn't be much overlap between the market for Henson and the market for Sanders. Henson's raw #s are excellent while you need to be creative with the smaller metrics to make him look good. Sanders' raw #s suck but his defensive advanced stats are elite. Might be wrong but I think not many shopping lists will have both names on them.

Personally I'd sell high on Henson this offseason and low on Saunder, also this offseason.

[msiris]

80% of defense comes down to wanting to defend. If you have the drive to be the best, you'll give 100% on that side if the court. Too bad there aren't tests to measure drive and determination.

This is the truth. Its more of a willingness too play D. Takes a lot of focus and smarts.

[smauss]

Sounds like what people said about Tobes. Now he's doing offseason training against Melo and more than holding his own.

So therefor I shouldn't worry? Yeah...still worried. This is a pick that needs to net a superstar.

I just get the feeling that there is no superstar n this draft. Wiggins has just as big of flaws as Parker.

I don't disagree with you mike. IMHO, the closest would be Embiid. Health issues aside, he definitely has the tools to be very special. But you are right, they all have significant flaws or question marks right now. I agree about Exum's potential but I still believe that years down the road it could be Smart as the best of this draft.

[Badgerlander]

80% of defense comes down to wanting to defend. If you have the drive to be the best, you'll give 100% on that side if the court.

But if your opponent is giving 110% you'll lose everytime

[emunney]

I continue to maintain that superstars are almost always a good defender.

Dirk Nowitzki silently shakes his head.

Uhh, Dirk was a pretty damn good defender and is still capable on that end.

He was terrible for years. A joke. And people said the same things about him that they say about Parker. Lost. Too slow laterally. Plays hunched over.

He studied his way into being pretty good, and he's still decent because of his size and intelligence.

[jakecronus8]

AJ Hawk tries really hard on defense, but he still sucks a fat one.

[Nowak008]

Back in 2005 there was a small (10%?) but vocal minority yelling that Paul was easily the best player in the draft. There's no one outside the top 4 with that kind of support now. If the best player doesn't come from the consensus players it will be a much bigger shock than in 2005.

[jakecronus8]

Back in 2005 there was a small (10%?) but vocal minority yelling that Paul was easily the best player in the draft. There's no one outside the top 4 with that kind of support now. If the best player doesn't come from the consensus players it will be a much bigger shock than in 2005.

[Matches Malone]

Back in 2005 there was a small (10%?) but vocal minority yelling that Paul was easily the best player in the draft. There's no one outside the top 4 with that kind of support now. If the best player doesn't come from the consensus players it will be a much bigger shock than in 2005.

[The Wet Whistle]

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