Official #2 Pick Thread - Ford #7: Parker

[Miasma]

I know this is total blasphemy and everything, but do you think we're overvaluing Giannis a little on this board? I'm as excited about this guy as everyone else, but what if his value is never going to be as high as it is now? As far as value, do you think he's a better prospect than Wiggins/Parker/Embiid?

I'm not proposing trading him, just entertaining this is a hypothetical. Could be an interesting discussion or debate.

This is one of the biggest things I don't get about Bucks fans who love Giannis. I mean, if you love Giannis, and think he was the best player out of last year's draft (as a Sixers fan, I would say MCW, but whatever), then why would you take Wiggins? Even if Wiggins and Giannis could play together, each of the other three guys give you something you don't have...

Parker - your go-to scorer on DAY ONE

Embiid - elite rim protection with freakish low-post offensive upside

Exum - your PG of the future

I understand that Wiggins has tons of upside, but if Giannis has many of the same upside-ish qualities that Wiggins has, why would you take Wiggins, when each of the other three guys also have big upside - and would bring stuff to the lineup that you do not already have?

Embiid is the pick if he's there at #2.

But to your point, there's no sense in worrying about fit when you won 16 games the prior year. You take the best prospect available, bottom line. It's why you don't worry about taking Embiid when he plays the same position as your best player. Take the best guy and worry about roster composition later.

Yep. Always take BPA.
Portland picked Bowie using the line of thinking that Drexler and Jordan were too similar.

[emunney]

I know this is total blasphemy and everything, but do you think we're overvaluing Giannis a little on this board? I'm as excited about this guy as everyone else, but what if his value is never going to be as high as it is now? As far as value, do you think he's a better prospect than Wiggins/Parker/Embiid?

I'm not proposing trading him, just entertaining this is a hypothetical. Could be an interesting discussion or debate.

This is one of the biggest things I don't get about Bucks fans who love Giannis. I mean, if you love Giannis, and think he was the best player out of last year's draft (as a Sixers fan, I would say MCW, but whatever), then why would you take Wiggins? Even if Wiggins and Giannis could play together, each of the other three guys give you something you don't have...

Parker - your go-to scorer on DAY ONE

Embiid - elite rim protection with freakish low-post offensive upside

Exum - your PG of the future

I understand that Wiggins has tons of upside, but if Giannis has many of the same upside-ish qualities that Wiggins has, why would you take Wiggins, when each of the other three guys also have big upside - and would bring stuff to the lineup that you do not already have?

Embiid is the pick if he's there at #2.

But to your point, there's no sense in worrying about fit when you won 16 games the prior year. You take the best prospect available, bottom line. It's why you don't worry about taking Embiid when he plays the same position as your best player. Take the best guy and worry about roster composition later.

1) Yes, what you said. We are nowhere near worrying about how these guys will fit.
2) These guys are all so far from finished developing, we really have no idea how they will fit.
3) Giannis and Wiggins are. not. similar.

[Baddy Chuck]

3) Giannis and Wiggins are. not. similar.

Seriously, Giannis isn't Canadian!

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/477185160161402880[/tweet]

[JayMKE]

How did Alex Kennedy get one of those Twitter check things?

[Licensed to Il]

Giannis is going to be an all star and a max contract player. I think he is going to be a super sized Andre Iguadala, which is insane. If someone hasn't watched enough Bucks (who could blame them) to see that, I'm not insulted. I just recognize that the person saying that hasn't watched more than 3 or 4 games.

[Baddy Chuck]

How did Alex Kennedy get one of those Twitter check things?

85k followers might do it.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/477185160161402880[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/477189850253099008[/tweet]

[glenn]

How did Alex Kennedy get one of those Twitter check things?

Twitter verifies accounts on an ongoing basis to make it easier for users to find who they're looking for. We concentrate on highly sought users in music, acting, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, business, and other key interest areas. We are constantly updating our requirements for verification. Note, verification does not factor in follower count or Tweet count.

We do not accept requests for verification from the general public. If you fall under one of the above categories and your Twitter account meets our qualifications for verification, we may reach out to you in the future.

Whatever "hightly sought users" means.

[Newz]

Giannis is going to be an all star and a max contract player. I think he is going to be a super sized Andre Iguadala, which is insane. If someone hasn't watched enough Bucks (who could blame them) to see that, I'm not insulted. I just recognize that the person saying that hasn't watched more than 3 or 4 games.

I think I watched about ten games last year. I was a long time season ticket holder and the team's refusal to put a decent product out on the floor made me watch all 82 on TV (and go to a few games) for about 2-3 years. Then I just got sick of watching garbage be put out on the floor year after year.

But I would be willing to bet that Giannis isn't a max contract player at any point in his career. I don't say that because he's bad or anything. I think he's an extremely talented player with a big upside. But he wasn't dominant or anything as a rookie... and while he has a long time to go I think the odds are against most non-top 5ish picks ever becoming a max salary guy.

He also didn't have the ball in his hands much last year and he wasn't a big focus of opposing defenses. We'll see what happens as he gets better and how he reacts when (if) teams have to start putting more of their focus on him.

I don't think it's unreasonable to say he could be a taller Iguodala though. Not sure he'll ever be that type of defender as he reminds me way more of a guy like AK47 defensively than he does of Iguodala.

[bebopdeluxe]

Wiggins - will he develop a quality handle (Iguodala-redux for me)?

Iguodala is one of the best ball handling forwards in the league......

Obviously you have not seen a lot of Iggy with the ball in his hands of a tied game with 15 seconds left.

While I have GREAT respect for Iguodala's overall game (I was a Sixers season-ticket holder for much of his time with us), his lack of a break-your-man-down handle is what made him virtually useless as a closer. Once in a while he might hit a jumper, but to be an elite wing closer in the NBA, you need a break-your-man-down, draw-a-double-team handle...and with all due respect, Iguodala does not have that.

Tie score...10 seconds left...

If Parker has the ball, there is simply more evidence right now that he will either get a good shot or get to the line.

If Wiggins has the ball...who knows?

(this is coming from someone who is open to taking Exum over Wiggins, which is heresy on the Sixers board)

[bebopdeluxe]

I fully agree with that position...which is why I would be STOKED if Embiid was there at 3 - even with Noel coming back this year. Take the best player on the board when you pick, and sort it out later. I think what is interesting about this draft is that - outside of Embiid, who I think is in a class by himself - each of the other three guys has question marks attached to him...

Parker - who does he guard - 3's or 4's?

Wiggins - will he develop a quality handle (Iguodala-redux for me)?

Exum - does his athleticism translate to the NBA?

With Embiid, while his offensive upside is yet to be determined, you get elite rim protection on day one...which should make his selection at 1 a no-brainer (although it IS the Cavs we are talking about here). However, if he somehow falls to 3, I will be doing the Church Lady dance for the rest of the night...

Good luck on the 26th.

Doesn't that completely contradict your previous post?

No - my feeling is that, after Embiid, the other three guys all have their pluses and minuses...and if I were choosing among the three, I would take fit into consideration. If Giannis has potential to be an elite, uber-athletic wing guy - as many on this forum seem to believe - why would you take Wiggins if guys like Parker or Exum bring stuff to the table that you don't have on the roster?

Now, if you think that Wiggins is clearly better than the others, then - like I would do in taking Embiid if he is available at 3 even with Noel on the roster - just take Wiggins and be happy. I just don't understand why - if you think Giannis has this MASSIVE upside - you wouldn't take a guy who may bring something else to the table.

Again - good luck on the 26th.

[MiltownHawkeye]

Wiggins - will he develop a quality handle (Iguodala-redux for me)?

Iguodala is one of the best ball handling forwards in the league......

Obviously you have not seen a lot of Iggy with the ball in his hands of a tied game with 15 seconds left.

While I have GREAT respect for Iguodala's overall game (I was a Sixers season-ticket holder for much of his time with us), his lack of a break-your-man-down handle is what made him virtually useless as a closer. Once in a while he might hit a jumper, but to be an elite wing closer in the NBA, you need a break-your-man-down, draw-a-double-team handle...and with all due respect, Iguodala does not have that.

Tie score...10 seconds left...

If Parker has the ball, there is simply more evidence right now that he will either get a good shot or get to the line.

If Wiggins has the ball...who knows?

(this is coming from someone who is open to taking Exum over Wiggins, which is heresy on the Sixers board)

There's 3-4 minutes left in the game and both players are cold shooting the ball. Which player is still a net positive?

[MrPerfect1]

If Parker has the ball, there is simply more evidence right now that he will either get a good shot or get to the line.

If Wiggins has the ball...who knows?

(this is coming from someone who is open to taking Exum over Wiggins, which is heresy on the Sixers board)

How many 1 Way players who rely on Midrange jumpers and are Blackholes are worth trying to build a team around? I cannot think of any. His absolute best case scenario is Dirk but Dirk is significantly taller and has far superior range.

I guess we could hope he becomes Paul Pierce....then we just need to wait 1 decade for someone to trade us 2 HOFers before we become a contender.

[JayMKE]

Iguodala is one of the best ball handling forwards in the league......

Obviously you have not seen a lot of Iggy with the ball in his hands of a tied game with 15 seconds left.

While I have GREAT respect for Iguodala's overall game (I was a Sixers season-ticket holder for much of his time with us), his lack of a break-your-man-down handle is what made him virtually useless as a closer. Once in a while he might hit a jumper, but to be an elite wing closer in the NBA, you need a break-your-man-down, draw-a-double-team handle...and with all due respect, Iguodala does not have that.

Tie score...10 seconds left...

If Parker has the ball, there is simply more evidence right now that he will either get a good shot or get to the line.

If Wiggins has the ball...who knows?

(this is coming from someone who is open to taking Exum over Wiggins, which is heresy on the Sixers board)

There's 3-4 minutes left in the game and both players are cold shooting the ball. Which player is still a net positive?

The guy more likely to turn around their cold streak?

[JayMKE]

If Parker has the ball, there is simply more evidence right now that he will either get a good shot or get to the line.

If Wiggins has the ball...who knows?

(this is coming from someone who is open to taking Exum over Wiggins, which is heresy on the Sixers board)

How many 1 Way players who rely on Midrange jumpers and are Blackholes are worth trying to build a team around? I cannot think of any. His absolute best case scenario is Dirk but Dirk is significantly taller and has far superior range.

I guess we could hope he becomes Paul Pierce....then we just need to wait 1 decade for someone to trade us 2 HOFers before we become a contender.

silly comparisons and misrepresentation of what Parker can do

I don't believe Parker is incapable of defending. Lets say we go forward with a core of Giannis/Parker/Sanders, bring in a guy like Jerry Sloan and get a PG. I think that's a pretty damn good team.

[[MIKE C]]

Now, if you think that Wiggins is clearly better than the others, then - like I would do in taking Embiid if he is available at 3 even with Noel on the roster - just take Wiggins and be happy. I just don't understand why - if you think Giannis has this MASSIVE upside - you wouldn't take a guy who may bring something else to the table.

Because two players with massive upside are better than one.

[skones]

If Parker has the ball, there is simply more evidence right now that he will either get a good shot or get to the line.

If Wiggins has the ball...who knows?

(this is coming from someone who is open to taking Exum over Wiggins, which is heresy on the Sixers board)

How many 1 Way players who rely on Midrange jumpers and are Blackholes are worth trying to build a team around? I cannot think of any. His absolute best case scenario is Dirk but Dirk is significantly taller and has far superior range.

I guess we could hope he becomes Paul Pierce....then we just need to wait 1 decade for someone to trade us 2 HOFers before we become a contender.

I don't think he's a midrange player at all and saying so is a disservice to his Freshman season. I think Parker becomes one hell of a shooter actually and a complete scorer. With that being said, although Parker isn't as good, ability to move the ball and sieve defensively were also descriptions of Kevin Durant coming out.

[MrPerfect1]

silly comparisons and misrepresentation of what Parker can do

Ok....So you disagree about Parker being a Midrange oriented player in the NBA. Do you think he is going to be a 3 Point Bomber or someone who dominates in the Paint?

Also, you think comparing Parker to 1 way Offensive players is Silly..... OK, who should I compare him to, Lebron? Paul George?

I don't believe Parker is incapable of defending.

Coach K would seem to disagree with you

With that being said, although Parker isn't as good, ability to move the ball and sieve defensively were also descriptions of Kevin Durant coming out.

I'd be more optimistic if Parker had Elite Shooting Range like Durant or even Dirk. Unfortunately, he is at best only the 3rd best shooter likely to be drafted in the Top 10, much less an All Time Shooter.

[JayMKE]

silly comparisons and misrepresentation of what Parker can do

Ok....So you disagree about Parker being a Midrange oriented player in the NBA. Do you think he is going to be a 3 Point Bomber or someone who dominates in the Paint?

Also, you think comparing Parker to 1 way Offensive players is Silly..... OK, who should I compare him to, Lebron? Paul George?

I don't believe Parker is incapable of defending.

Coach K would seem to disagree with you

Parker has the ability to all of those things

Where Coach K say that btw? Got a quote or are you just yammering about one game still? Wiggins got shut down a few times as well, what did he do against Stanford?