Official #2 Pick Thread - Ford #7: Parker

[JimmyTheKid]

I can talk myself in to Exum at 2 pretty easy. You could roll out Exum, Hairston (#31), Giannis, Ersan, Larry and a new coach and probably become the league pass darling (young, fun, under the radar team) that would be in the playoffs by their second year. Of course, I only advocate that approach if they think Exum is the BPA. We should not be drafting for need.

I could talk myself into any of the top 4. No problem. But for those who think we're headed towards another top-5 pick next year, I'd reevaluate this roster in a weak Eastern Conference. Adding Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, or Exum to Giannis, healthy Sanders, Ersan, Henson, Wolters translates to at least an 8th seed, IMO. The only way we're 2013-2014 terrible again is if we have a fire sale. (Which is fine by me )

[M-C-G]

From the combine measures;

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-dra ... All&sort=1

Exum is 6'4.5" (6'9.5" wing) in socks, and Rivers is 6'3.5" (6'7.25) wing. I agree the extra size is nice, and I agree Exum is a better athlete, but I do think a lot of their strengths are the same, hence I thought it would be interesting to get some different conversation going.

[JimmyTheKid]

Philly is offering #3+Thad Young to go up to #1, and Henson is still on his rookie friendlier deal. Just sayin.

#3 + Young is a pretty ridiculous offer for #1. I would suspect CLE laughed them off the phone with that offer.

From Cleveland's perspective, any conversation the Sixers should want to have has to include both 3 and 10 as the starting points. If they weren't starting there it would be a very short call for me.

Agreed.

[Wooderson]

Exum's a much better playmaker/passer than Rivers. He also has better physical tools imo. Huge advantage in standing reach (6 inches) plus better quickness. I also think he just has a higher BBIQ and is far craftier on offense eg, ability to post up on offense and score or set up others.

I agree with he has better tools, I am not sure about better quickness as Rivers was really touted for that. And I am not sure about BBIQ, as I thought Rivers was also strongly touted for that. I do think Exum will be a much better offensive cog and creator.

My concern is that Exum's floor could look very similar to a young Rivers. I think people assuming he is going to create more wins next year than Parker, Embiid or Wiggin, must think incredibly high of him.

Other than the DX videos, I really don't know much about him, but am obviously intrigued by him. I am just not sure he is a lock to be better than Rivers day 1. I will have to go back and see how Rivers was considered as a prospect on the boards, frankly I can't recall.

I thought Rivers was a pretty poor decision maker at Duke. He was able to get into the lane pretty well but that was about the extent of his positives there.

Don't know if Exum will have the highest impact next year, but I do think he'll be able to get into the lane and will have far more success than Rivers. His jumpshot will really be the question mark. Come October he'll have had a full year off from competitive basketball where all he did was train (and according to Exum the jumper was priority #1). Curious to see how that translates into results on the floor as it could be an indication of how he'll improve going forward.

[ReasonablySober]

By September of 2011 Davis was already the #1 on Ford's board and he wouldn't leave that spot.

Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 1

Davis was one of only two incoming freshmen to show up at the LeBron James Skills Academy. Given his meteoric rise from solid college prospect to the top of our 2012 Top 100 in less than a year, his presence at the camp drew a lot of attention. Davis did not disappoint. Although I could not get people to claim he was the best player in the gym, virtually all of the sources I spoke with claimed he was the best prospect they saw this summer.

Davis is still growing into his body and his game. But the skill level and energy he brings to the floor every night -- all in an athletic, 6-foot-10 frame -- make scouts drool. It's rare to find that combination of size, skill level and motor. If he can dominate at Kentucky as a freshman, it's going to be tough to knock him off the top spot on our draft board.

remember, he was competing with Barnes at that time, considered the #2 prospect. The hype hadn't yet cooled:

Harrison Barnes, F, So., North Carolina
Top 100 Rank: 2

Barnes played this summer at Chris Paul's Elite Guard Camp and really wowed people.

Barnes got off to a slow start as a freshman at North Carolina before coming on strong at the end of the season. Sources say he shot the lights out at CP3's camp and was much more aggressive taking the ball to the basket (a real weakness in his game last season).

Multiple sources said he was the best player they saw this summer.

"The Harrison Barnes I saw this summer, was the same guy I saw in high school and toward the end of the season at North Carolina," one source said. "If he plays with that confidence and attacks the way we saw him here, he's going to make teams think twice about passing on him as the No. 1 pick in the draft."

By mid-January:

Davis is going to be special.

You betcha

But you look at Davis and he could be the next Garnett. No way you pass on that.

AD has an unreal skill-set, a great NBA body (7'6'' wingspan), a great work ethic and is extremely coachable. He doesn't have the sheer athleticism that Jones has or the potential for physical dominance like Drummond has, but Anthony Davis has the highest probability of reaching and maximizing his potential... which is through the roof

Granted I'm going purely off statistics but I don't see any superstars in this super draft other than Davis. Come at me bros.

In the LeBron/Shaq/Duncan sense there isn't a number one. But Davis is right below that IMO with the potential to get there.

I think Davis looks a lot more like a KG than he does a Tim Duncan.

I think he could be a dominant defensive player and rebounder because of his incredible length and athletic ability. Offensively I think he's going to have to develop a mid-range jumper if he wants to become a very good player on that end.

Davis is Bill Russell.

I mean, there was this...sorry, Bern.

Davis' projection does not far exceed that of what DeAndre Jordan will likely become in his prime. He'll never be a #1 option offensively and is highly unlikely to be a #2 either. His realistic best case scenario is to be the next Dikembe Mutumbo. You wouldn't be overly disappointed with that return from a #1 pick, but that type of player isn't exactly a franchise changer, just ask the Milwaukee Bucks. It's possible that I'm just nitpicking at the player on top. I've made that mistake before.

We're just some internet dudes with opinions, but you see the comparisons invoked and the adjectives used.

But my recollection was that if there wasn't that much hype leading up to the draft, and Davis in particular, it's because he'd been regarded as THE guy for so long that there really wasn't much else to say.

[Newz]

I still don't see what a lot of other people see in Exum. He seems like a fine prospect, but I don't think he's much better than Smart or Vonleh. I watch his tape and I don't see any amazing court vision... I see him running down on the break and making easy passes to open guys on the perimeter. Which is fine, I mean you want a guy to do that... but I haven't really seen any examples of him being a true point guard as opposed to just a 2-guard with slightly above average vision and a good handle.

His jump shot also sounds like it is horribly, horribly broken and it takes him a very long time to get it off.

He certainly has the tools to be very good. But he's 4, 5 or 6 on my draft board.

[Ron Swanson]

From the combine measures;

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-dra ... All&sort=1

Exum is 6'4.5" (6'9.5" wing) in socks, and Rivers is 6'3.5" (6'7.25) wing. I agree the extra size is nice, and I agree Exum is a better athlete, but I do think a lot of their strengths are the same, hence I thought it would be interesting to get some different conversation going.

I didn't mean to get too caught up in the athletic comparisons. I just see their play styles as being completely opposite. Rivers was more of a perimeter, off-ball shooter at Duke, and was never asked to play the point until he reached the NBA, and failed miserably at it.

Whereas Exum projects to be a PG at the next level, and his game relies heavily on slashing to the rim using his quickness and length.

[Max Green]

What about what people saw in Parker? He's been on the radar longer than Wiggins.

I'm able to conveniently negate your critique since after that magazine cover Jabari went on to fracture his foot and sit out six-months,

While also doing this...





Once he returned from injury he led his Highschool to another Championship and hasn't missed a game since...

[Badgerlander]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DJJazzyJody/status/476451907738034176[/tweet]

[DanoMac]

I don't think Rivers or Exum are anything close to each other as players. Rivers is a poor man's Monta Ellis IMO.

Still not sure how Exum is more athletic than Rivers though. I get the "different players can be athletic in different ways", but as far as "pure athlete" goes, Rivers has more than Exum. You don't see Exum throwing down windmills.

[M-C-G]

From the combine measures;

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-dra ... All&sort=1

Exum is 6'4.5" (6'9.5" wing) in socks, and Rivers is 6'3.5" (6'7.25) wing. I agree the extra size is nice, and I agree Exum is a better athlete, but I do think a lot of their strengths are the same, hence I thought it would be interesting to get some different conversation going.

I didn't mean to get too caught up in the athletic comparisons. I just see their play styles as being completely opposite. Rivers was more of a perimeter, off-ball shooter at Duke, and was never asked to play the point until he reached the NBA, and failed miserably at it.

Whereas Exum projects to be a PG at the next level, and his game relies heavily on slashing to the rim using his quickness and length.

I think that is fair, if Exum really does project to stick at PG. My concern is that if you take him, and he can't stick at PG, a lot of what makes him a plus PG, is negated at SG.

If the kid is a legit 6'6" Tony Parker, I would probably take him with the first pick...but that is a pretty lofty comparison I have read on here.

Regardless of that, I am stoked to nabbing one of the top 4 in this draft. Hit or miss, it'll be the most exciting season I can remember in a long, long time.

[DanoMac]

If the kid is a legit 6'6" Tony Parker, I would probably take him with the first pick...but that is a pretty lofty comparison I have read on here.

I've made this comparison before, but think more Manu Ginobili than Tony Parker with better PG skills and not as good as a jumper.

[Wooderson]

I don't think Rivers or Exum are anything close to each other as players. Rivers is a poor man's Monta Ellis IMO.

Still not sure how Exum is more athletic than Rivers though. I get the "different players can be athletic in different ways", but as far as "pure athlete" goes, Rivers has more than Exum. You don't see Exum throwing down windmills.

Well you can make a case that Exum has more functional athleticism. He's faster/quicker in a vacuum and to me looks even better relative to Rivers with the ball in his hands. Rivers can jumper higher, but how often does max vert really factor into a game sitution?

[DanoMac]

I don't think Rivers or Exum are anything close to each other as players. Rivers is a poor man's Monta Ellis IMO.

Still not sure how Exum is more athletic than Rivers though. I get the "different players can be athletic in different ways", but as far as "pure athlete" goes, Rivers has more than Exum. You don't see Exum throwing down windmills.

Well you can make a case that Exum has more functional athleticism. He's faster/quicker in a vacuum and to me looks even better relative to Rivers with the ball in his hands. Rivers can jumper higher, but how often does max vert really factor into a game sitution?

I guess I'm not comparing their games, or even basketball ability when it comes to athleticism. I'm factoring in how high they can jump, how fast they can run, etc. You can be athletic as can be but still have no basketball skill. I'm a huge fan of Exum and wouldn't be pissed if he became a Buck, but when it comes to simply the word "athleticism", Rivers has him beat.

[Wooderson]

I don't think Rivers or Exum are anything close to each other as players. Rivers is a poor man's Monta Ellis IMO.

Still not sure how Exum is more athletic than Rivers though. I get the "different players can be athletic in different ways", but as far as "pure athlete" goes, Rivers has more than Exum. You don't see Exum throwing down windmills.

Well you can make a case that Exum has more functional athleticism. He's faster/quicker in a vacuum and to me looks even better relative to Rivers with the ball in his hands. Rivers can jumper higher, but how often does max vert really factor into a game sitution?

I guess I'm not comparing their games, or even basketball ability when it comes to athleticism. I'm factoring in how high they can jump, how fast they can run, etc. You can be athletic as can be but still have no basketball skill. I'm a huge fan of Exum and wouldn't be pissed if he became a Buck, but when it comes to simply the word "athleticism", Rivers has him beat.

Fair enough, by those standards they'd be about equal since Exum is faster. Then you factor in the translation on the court, the size/reach differential, and Exum has a pretty big advantage in the physical tools department.

[crkone]

Exum has similar size to Wade, minus 15 pounds and 1 inch in wingspan. He'll also be 4 years younger when he's drafted.

[RRyder823]

I can talk myself in to Exum at 2 pretty easy. You could roll out Exum, Hairston (#31), Giannis, Ersan, Larry and a new coach and probably become the league pass darling (young, fun, under the radar team) that would be in the playoffs by their second year. Of course, I only advocate that approach if they think Exum is the BPA. We should not be drafting for need.

I could talk myself into any of the top 4. No problem. But for those who think we're headed towards another top-5 pick next year, I'd reevaluate this roster in a weak Eastern Conference. Adding Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, or Exum to Giannis, healthy Sanders, Ersan, Henson, Wolters translates to at least an 8th seed, IMO. The only way we're 2013-2014 terrible again is if we have a fire sale. (Which is fine by me )

If I could give you more then one and1 I would. People around here were complaining about how we we're going to be a middle of the road team last year before the injury's hit. Granted pieces didn't fit but the major reasons were some bad coaching , which if people get there way won't be the case next year. Injurys hitting along with Larrys suspension, also causeing even more chemistry problems along the way. Add in continued development from Giannis, Wolters, Knight and Middleton plus any of Emiid, Parker, Wiggins in a HORRIBLE east we're borderline playoff team next year. Not because we're any good but because the east is just that bad.

Your right it would take a fire sale to be in the top 5 again which would be fine. If the a package containing Knight was on the table for #8 I'd jump all over it then I'd get on the phone with the Lakers and see if they would take Sanders and maybe #31 or #36 for the #7 pick. Still got Ersan to possibly deal in this scenario. Also if the Cavs were going to make a trade with philly so they can move to 3 and get parker and the 76ers Wiggins. I'd be more then a little happy with Embiid at 2, assumeing he doesn't really mind playing here(I know most people don't care about that around here but I don't want players that will be searching for ways out or be a cancer, trying to change the culture here). Get possibly Randle at 7 and Smart at 8 and it'd be a dream come true.

A line up of Smart, Middleton, Giannis, Randle, and Embiid would not only be bad enough for another 10 pick next year at least while it develops but would also really energize the "casual" fan, which with the stadium issue is despretely needed, and definatly has the "potential to be a contending team in a few years from a starting five stand point even excludeing next years pick.

[DanoMac]

Well you can make a case that Exum has more functional athleticism. He's faster/quicker in a vacuum and to me looks even better relative to Rivers with the ball in his hands. Rivers can jumper higher, but how often does max vert really factor into a game sitution?

I guess I'm not comparing their games, or even basketball ability when it comes to athleticism. I'm factoring in how high they can jump, how fast they can run, etc. You can be athletic as can be but still have no basketball skill. I'm a huge fan of Exum and wouldn't be pissed if he became a Buck, but when it comes to simply the word "athleticism", Rivers has him beat.

Fair enough, by those standards they'd be about equal since Exum is faster. Then you factor in the translation on the court, the size/reach differential, and Exum has a pretty big advantage in the physical tools department.

We shall agree to disagree then on how we perceive athleticism .

[Wooderson]

Fair enough, by those standards they'd be about equal since Exum is faster. Then you factor in the translation on the court, the size/reach differential, and Exum has a pretty big advantage in the physical tools department.

We shall agree to disagree then on how we perceive athleticism .

Rivers standing vert is only 1 inch higher than Exum's, and I think that's actually more important since most basketball plays don't allow for a full approach.

But in case Hammonds and others need assurances of dunks

1:54
6:11
7:43

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSadteflk9Y[/youtube]

[mlloyd10]

Bold Prediction: Elfrid Payton will be the 2nd best PG to come out of this draft. If we can get #8, I would look for him there