Embiid Noel & Russell vs Okafor Randle & Clarkson vs Towns Wiggins & Levine

[GimmeDat]

It's gotta be 1) T-Wolves, close 2) Philly and a more distant 3) LA.

Philly has some really nice pieces, Noel is a stud, Embiid has massive potential and Russell is a sure-fire key piece, but the Wolves have a future superstar in Wiggins and an ideal big man to build around in Towns. LaVine should grow into a dynamic 6th man role, but the Wolves a a bunch of other talented young guys coming through as well. I also think Philly are going to struggle a little bit figuring out how to make Embiid/Noel co-exist offensively.

As for LA, Okafor/ Randle is an exciting young front-court but is defensively lacking, which is a concern. Randle will have to keep working on that jumper as well. Also Clarkson's a nice young talent but not compared to any of the other names in this poll, if he continues to pan out he might make a solid starting PG.

[LyNx]

New Bigs: None have proven anything at NBA level, but based on potential and their NCAA performance, think there's some consensus that it's Embiid clearly 1st with Towns barely edging out Okafor.

2014 Forwards: Based on first season performance and perceived upside, Wiggins takes this, with Noel a close second and Randle an unknown at this point.

Combo Guards:Russell projects as the most likely of the three to reach All-Star potential, but you do need to dock him having not yet seen any NBA production. Even still, neither Clarkson or Lavine had stellar rookie years. Pretty reasonable to rank them: Russell first, and Clarkson edging out Lavine.

Off the bat, the Lakers core is clearly the weakest.

The most debatable ranking is between the Sixers and Wolves. Lavine's highly inefficient rookie season really hurts Minnesota. You could argue that Wiggins v Embiid is still a wash, as is Towns v Noel. Both are cases of potential vs. production to a certain extent. But no sane GM would move the third pick in this draft for Lavine.

The only way you slide the Wolves into spot #1 is if you have real doubts about Embiid, which is totally reasonable. Minny's advantage is you can be pretty certain you have a cornerstone in Wiggins with a clear offensive trajectory (post play, improving shooting stroke, finishing ability) and the tools to make a difference on D. Building in the NBA is considerably easier when there's universal agreement you have the first piece to the puzzle. I'm not sure there's universal belief in Wiggins as that guy, but it's pretty close.

[Bubstubbler]

I'd individually rank those prospects like this:

1) Embiid
2) Towns
3) Noel
4) Russell
5) Okafor
6) Wiggins
7) LaVine
8) Randle
9) Clarkson

Philly: 1/3/4 = 8
Minny: 2/6/7 = 15
Lakers: 5/8/9 = 22

So overall I'd rank those groups of prospects as

1) Philly
2) Minny
3) Lakers

with a decent gap between each.

[Bubstubbler]

I've done massive research on embiid and his injury. Bones are constantly regenerating, and adapting to the pounding we put on them. When embiid started playing 5 years ago, he introduced his bones to a new pounding, and for a man his size, he needed rest, and let the bones adapt, and regenerate to get stronger. With his school schedule, AAU, summer tourneys, he never took a break, hence the fracture. Bill Walton and yao, both came back too quickly, and yao played too much, always going to China to play after the NBA season, two big no no's for men their size. Walton also only had converse chucks to wear for sneakers, or something like it, no support at all. The Sixer's, even though embiids been healthy since January, didn't play him. They allowed the bones to fully heal, and get stronger, then slowly reintroduced basketball activities to his bones, allowing them to regenerate, and adapt slowly to the pounding that basketball pts on them. They've also done their research, and have had a sneaker made that protects the bones, as well as can possibly be done. The risk of reinjury is 8%. He'll be fine.

Another factor contributing to Embiid's stress fracture was that he played a lot of volleyball. He's played a ton of volleyball in the past, and had been playing a lot (sand volleyball in LA?) leading up to the fracture.

Playing a lot of both basketball and volleyball is hard on the feet. Cutting back on the volleyball will help reduce the amount of pounding and stress that his feet endure.

[theGreatRC]

I'd individually rank those prospects like this:

1) Embiid
2) Towns
3) Noel
4) Russell
5) Okafor
6) Wiggins
7) LaVine
8) Randle
9) Clarkson

Philly: 1/3/4 = 8
Minny: 2/6/7 = 15
Lakers: 5/8/9 = 22

So overall I'd rank those groups of prospects as

1) Philly
2) Minny
3) Lakers

with a decent gap between each.

Wiggins at 6 was a Great laugh. Thank you

[Bubstubbler]

I don't get why people think Embiid and Noel don't fit well together offensively.

Embiid is a great shooter (all the way out to and including 3pt range), great passer (with great vision), great ball-handler, and is incredibly smart. When Embiid steps out of the low post, spacing won't be a problem because his shooting ability will command respect. When Embiid is in the post, he'll either dominate 1 defender or torch the other team with his passing if they double him. People are thinking Noel's man will sag off and play safety or outright double Embiid, but I don't think those folks are accounting for Embiid's brainpower and passing ability.

On a related note, Noel's offensive efficiency is going to go through the roof this year largely thanks to getting a lot of easy layups and dunks off of nifty interior passes from Embiid.

[joyeuxnoel]

I'd individually rank those prospects like this:

1) Embiid
2) Towns
3) Noel
4) Russell
5) Okafor
6) Wiggins
7) LaVine
8) Randle
9) Clarkson

Philly: 1/3/4 = 8
Minny: 2/6/7 = 15
Lakers: 5/8/9 = 22

So overall I'd rank those groups of prospects as

1) Philly
2) Minny
3) Lakers

with a decent gap between each.

little harsh on wiggins, i'd put him at 4

[Dcebucks11]

I'd individually rank those prospects like this:

1) Embiid
2) Towns
3) Noel
4) Russell
5) Okafor
6) Wiggins
7) LaVine
8) Randle
9) Clarkson

Philly: 1/3/4 = 8
Minny: 2/6/7 = 15
Lakers: 5/8/9 = 22

So overall I'd rank those groups of prospects as

1) Philly
2) Minny
3) Lakers

with a decent gap between each.

[JB2]

I'd individually rank those prospects like this:

1) Embiid
2) Towns
3) Noel
4) Russell
5) Okafor
6) Wiggins
7) LaVine
8) Randle
9) Clarkson

Philly: 1/3/4 = 8
Minny: 2/6/7 = 15
Lakers: 5/8/9 = 22

So overall I'd rank those groups of prospects as

1) Philly
2) Minny
3) Lakers

with a decent gap between each.

Laughable rankings.

Wiggins is #1 right now. Not sure how anyone can argue against that when we've yet to see Embiid play at all. Upside Embiid's is a tad bit higher but Wiggins played the part of superstar in the making.

Clarkson outplayed Lavine. Numbers don't lie-- and he earned his numbers. If you watch highlights of Jordan you'll see talent that is on par with Lavine when all things are considered. Lavine has a flashier style and I think has the ability to take over a game more but IMO they both 3rd/4th options one day.

Randle showed flashes in preseason of what could be a top 3 PF in a couple years. He's actually shown something against NBA players.

Anyway, Lakers could end up with Towns or Russell. Minny could take Okafor. This thread is premature. Should things play out like as mentioned, I think Philly and LA have the 4 most likely ROY candidates.

[dham1974]

I find some of these post to be bias. Wiggins at number 6? Wiggins has won ROY.
Embiid hasn't played one NBA game yet he gets the nod over Wiggins just on potential alone? Ok
Clarkson didn't have a stellar rookie season? I guess I need to look up the meaning of stellar Clarkson was a 2nd round pick and made First team Rookie. I guess that was a given since he was drafted so high

In 16 games in March, Clarkson averaged a team-leading 15.8 points on 45.2% shooting, in addition to 5.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. The 46th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft (acquired from Washington) also scored the winning points in overtime in the final second of two games with a layup March 30 at Philadelphia, and the clinching free throws in a tied game March 25 at Minnesota.

In the March 30 contest, Clarkson joined Stephen Curry, John Wall, and Russell Westbrook as the only players in the NBA this season to record a game of at least 26 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and three steals. On the road in Oklahoma City March 24, Clarkson set career-highs with 30 points and three blocks, becoming the first Laker rookie since Eddie Jones (2/4/95) to score 30 points in a game.

Since being named a starter 31 games ago, the 22-year-old is averaging a team-leading 15.0 points per game to go with 4.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.87 steals.

On the year, Clarkson ranks 3rd among rookies in points per game (10.9), field goal percentage (.447), free throw percentage (.828), 5th in assists per game (3.1), and 13th in rebounds per game (3.1).

Yea he sounds average to me

[HeartBreakKid]

I find some of these post to be bias. Wiggins at number 6? Wiggins has won ROY.

...so..? MCW won rookie of the year last year. Andrew Wiggin's winning ROY just means that the media thought he was the best rookie that particular year. He did not even go against Randle or Embiid who were blue chippers, and Jabari Parker was injured - prior to that he was clearly better than Andrew Wiggins. I don't think Wiggins' deserved ROY over Noel either, but him getting ROY when a lot of his competition was hurt isn't all that defining, not to mention he is being compared to players who are not from his rookie class so it's not really relevant.

So really all Wiggin's did was out perform Marcus Smart and Dante Exum (who is raw and was expected to be bad his rookie season anyway).

Embiid hasn't played one NBA game yet he gets the nod over Wiggins just on potential alone? Ok

....They're all being graded on potential. That's what a prospect is.

Clarkson didn't have a stellar rookie season? I guess I need to look up the meaning of stellar Clarkson was a 2nd round pick and made First team Rookie. I guess that was a given since he was drafted so high

In 16 games in March, Clarkson averaged a team-leading 15.8 points on 45.2% shooting, in addition to 5.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. The 46th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft (acquired from Washington) also scored the winning points in overtime in the final second of two games with a layup March 30 at Philadelphia, and the clinching free throws in a tied game March 25 at Minnesota.

In the March 30 contest, Clarkson joined Stephen Curry, John Wall, and Russell Westbrook as the only players in the NBA this season to record a game of at least 26 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and three steals. On the road in Oklahoma City March 24, Clarkson set career-highs with 30 points and three blocks, becoming the first Laker rookie since Eddie Jones (2/4/95) to score 30 points in a game.

Since being named a starter 31 games ago, the 22-year-old is averaging a team-leading 15.0 points per game to go with 4.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.87 steals.

On the year, Clarkson ranks 3rd among rookies in points per game (10.9), field goal percentage (.447), free throw percentage (.828), 5th in assists per game (3.1), and 13th in rebounds per game (3.1).

Clarkson didn't deserve the first team tbh, Bogdan was better than him (easily) but no one cares about Nets players.

Putting up 11 points and 3 assist doesn't mean that Clarkson is going to become a great player, he was on a putrid team. I mean you do realize this stuff happens every year right? You're also disregarding everything that happened before last season, when their college seasons are still relevant at this point in their careers in terms of evaluating them. Clarkson looks like he could end up being a solid player, but I have no idea how anyone can say he is bounded for stardom just because of his numbers.

[dham1974]

Of course Wiggins is being judged by potential but we've actually seen him play in NBA games. We haven't seen that from Embiid. Does Embiid have a high ceiling? Yes but some are speaking like its a fact he will be better. Bigs are known to be bust more often than wings. Bogdan was better than Clarkson? lol wow unbelievable.

[CoreyGallagher]

Of course Wiggins is being judged by potential but we've actually seen him play in NBA games. We haven't seen that from Embiid. Does Embiid have a high ceiling? Yes but some are speaking like its a fact he will be better. Bigs are known to be bust more often than wings.

We have seen Wiggins play in the NBA and I understand being excited for a young, hyper athletic prospect who showed flashes throughout the season, I get that, however we're also ignoring his metrics entirely at this point. Personally, I hope that we're not doing that for Embiid next season and if we are, well, he was only a rookie...

I don't agree with that list, mind you, Wiggins would be higher up on my own.

[dham1974]

Of course Wiggins is being judged by potential but we've actually seen him play in NBA games. We haven't seen that from Embiid. Does Embiid have a high ceiling? Yes but some are speaking like its a fact he will be better. Bigs are known to be bust more often than wings.

We have seen Wiggins play in the NBA and I understand being excited for a young, athletic prospect who showed flashes throughout the season, I get that, however we're also ignoring his metrics entirely. Personally, I hope that we're not doing that for Embiid next season and if we are, well, he was only a rookie...

I'm don't agree with that list, mind you, Wiggins would be higher up on my own.

Ok as long as you agree the list is wrong lol

[HeartBreakKid]

Of course Wiggins is being judged by potential but we've actually seen him play in NBA games. We haven't seen that from Embiid. Does Embiid have a high ceiling? Yes but some are speaking like its a fact he will be better. Bigs are known to be bust more often than wings.

No one is guaranteeing that Embiid will be better than Wiggins. You just said it yourself that Embiid has a higher ceiling than Wiggins, so what's the problem.

Bogdan was better than Clarkson? lol wow unbelievable.

How wasn't he? I still haven't heard an argument at all. Bogdan put up better numbers, over the course of an longer time span, showed up in clutch mature moments just like Clarkson did (probably even more so), and helped his team win a lot (not a total tankfest like the Lakers were).

[TheProdigy]

Let me preface this by saying that I do not think Lavine is going to be a superstar.

Has anyone mentioned the fact that Flip Saunders was driving a stealth tank for most of the season? Playing Lavine out of position at point guard was a stroke of genius. It accomplished two things : it forced him to work on his play making and ball handling skills. 2) increased ping pong balls in the lottery. So please for all of you dumping on Lavine for his "awful" season please keep that in mind.

[jirojan]

what am i missing? how is embid ranked so highly? ya he was VERY good and has tons of potential...but how is he clearly better than okafor or towns? let alone wiggins lol

[Mr Sixer]

I don't get why everyone thinks Wiggins is a surefire superstar. He showed a lot of promise but he still has a whole lot to prove before I buy into the future superstar hype.

The reason I would put Sixers first, aside from Homer purposes, is that I think people are underrating how high the ceiling of Noel and Embiid is. If you look at the pieces of each team individually, I can see why somebody could prefer the Wolves core to the Sixers, but if both Embiid and Noel pan out that is such a dominant frontcourt that really no one else would able to compete with. Their defense is a match made in heaven, they are both above average ballhandlers, athletes, and passers for their positions, with Embiid supposedly having a jumpshot, so I think that them panning out together would be a sight to behold.

[Prez]

Of course Wiggins is being judged by potential but we've actually seen him play in NBA games. We haven't seen that from Embiid. Does Embiid have a high ceiling? Yes but some are speaking like its a fact he will be better. Bigs are known to be bust more often than wings.

We have seen Wiggins play in the NBA and I understand being excited for a young, hyper athletic prospect who showed flashes throughout the season, I get that, however we're also ignoring his metrics entirely at this point. Personally, I hope that we're not doing that for Embiid next season and if we are, well, he was only a rookie...

I don't agree with that list, mind you, Wiggins would be higher up on my own.

Metrics are an incredibly unreliable way to judge 19-20 year old rookies. Rookies rarely have high impact or pretty advanced stats, especially when they play huge minutes and huge roles on terrible teams. Wiggins was thrown to the wolves and he held his own and then some. I don't know how anyone could watch Wolves games and not come away thinking he is a special, special talent. Every single game I've seen from him he looked like far and away the best player in a Wolves jersey, and yet the advanced metrics paint him as a scrub.

[HeartBreakKid]

Of course Wiggins is being judged by potential but we've actually seen him play in NBA games. We haven't seen that from Embiid. Does Embiid have a high ceiling? Yes but some are speaking like its a fact he will be better. Bigs are known to be bust more often than wings.

We have seen Wiggins play in the NBA and I understand being excited for a young, hyper athletic prospect who showed flashes throughout the season, I get that, however we're also ignoring his metrics entirely at this point. Personally, I hope that we're not doing that for Embiid next season and if we are, well, he was only a rookie...

I don't agree with that list, mind you, Wiggins would be higher up on my own.

Metrics are an incredibly unreliable way to judge 19-20 year old rookies. Rookies rarely have high impact or pretty advanced stats, especially when they play huge minutes and huge roles on terrible teams. Wiggins was thrown to the wolves and he held his own and then some. I don't know how anyone could watch Wolves games and not come away thinking he is a special, special talent. Every single game I've seen from him he looked like far and away the best player in a Wolves jersey, and yet the advanced metrics paint him as a scrub.

Because he is being compared to other special talents, but because he had an opportunity to put up some empty boxscore stats it makes some people overrate him to the point where if he is compared to other prospects that it is a no brainer that Wiggins is the best.

Half of the players in the thread title are comparable prospects to Wiggins. There are two players even on your own team who are comparable prospects to Wiggins. But if you start comparing Wiggins to other young guys who also look like they can be stars there's a good chance someone is going to reply with a laughing emoticon.

So I do feel like people need to be aware that Wiggins isn't actually a good player yet, and like all of the young guys we're talking about we are still going off of promise - Wiggins hasn't "proven" anything yet.

I feel like people are jumping back on the "Wiggins is a once in a generation" bandwagon which was abandoned real quick last year simply because the guy won ROY.