Official #2 Pick Thread - Ford #7: Parker

[Baddy Chuck]

Jabari is already bigger and stronger than Jamison

A chunky Duke version is right around where Jamison's prime playing weight and height was, Jabari likely has a longer reach though. I guess we have different opinions on his strength going forward. Personally, I see him as a guy who is going to work hard to just keep that chunk off, like a Melo or Roy Hibbert, I don't see him adding that 10-15 lbs of muscle like a LeBron.

[Bernman]

I dont think Parker should be in our discussion.

If the Cavs draft Wiggins, we draft Embiid.

If the Cavs draft Embiid, we draft Wiggins.

In short, I'll be pissed if we don't land a Jayhawk. I think those two are in a little tier of their own, they're freaks.

That doesn't constitute a case. That's only if you think Wiggins is better than Parker, which most scouts and our owners don't seem to.

And I don't think Embiid is realistically in the discussion for us one way or another because he's likely to go #1, but if he doesn't it implies the back is a significant concern. Our owners stated that on their media tour yesterday.

Sadly for you I think there's a 90+% chance Parker winds up a Buck because that's who our owners tell anybody who'll listen that they prefer, the Cavs have sf/pf options in spades so there is a slim chance they take Parker, if they don't go Embiid it'll be Wiggins, and if Embiid drops we in all likelihood won't take him.

[machu46]

Has anyone watched the Jabari vs. Aaron Gordon video DX just put out? I'm waiting for them to post it on YouTube because whatever platform they embed their videos from on their website is unbelievably laggy on my computer.

I'm curious to see it though because I remember thinking Jabari really struggled when I was watching that game, but I'm not sure if that was really the case or not.

[breakchains]

Can someone illuminate me as to why people are comparing Parker to Paul Pierce? From what I saw at Duke, I don't think Parker will ever have the playmaking ability as a forward that Pierce had. I don't see Parker ever averaging 4.5+ assists per game in his prime. Is there a passing aspect to his game that I just don't know about, and that his place in Duke's system prevented him from showing?

Pierce is a prototypical scorer. Many prototypical scorers whose offense runs through them end up averaging around 4 assists per game because defenses aim to stop their scoring, leaving ample opportunities for easy assists. Even one of the most me-first players of all time in Melo averaged around 3.5 ast/game in Denver. Durant averaged 4.5 and then 5.5 the last two years.

The Pierce comparison is due to their style of play. It's not an identical match but there are definitely similarities. Both with Pierce and Melo. I think Parker has a chance to be a better basketball player than both. He needs to take care of his body though to get there. And a good coach.

[Zeezprah]

i'm getting pretty convinced if the cavs take wiggins or parker, we're taking embiid and if the cavs take embiid we're taking parker

just from everything i'm hearing and reading all the different stuff from insiders and scouts (and lasry's supposed love for parker), that parker is the guy we will take/most people prefer. i think the general public just assumes wiggins is the superior prospect (which maybe he is), but i'm just not getting the impression the pros believe the same.

not to mention everyone raves about his character (not that wiggins isn't a good kid either) and he grew up less than a couple of hours away from milwaukee. just icing on the cake imo.

[Zeezprah]

How Many National Games (ABC/ESPN/TNT) do we get next year?

As far as major networks/cable networks go, I can't remember how many we got last year at the beginning of the season (before we started sucking). Might've been 0.

That said, no secret this is a loaded draft class and people will want to see Wiggins and Parker for sure. Even though these guys aren't Lebron, a crappy Cleveland team was given several Lebron's rookie year (believe they even had opening night vs the Kings).

So how many do we get initially (ABC/ESPN/TNT combined) assuming we get one of the top 3? Obviously this would increase if we end up being playoff contenders, but obviously that's highly doubtful.

My guesses:

Embiid - 1
Wiggins - 4
Parker - 4

[driese0824]

not that this would ever happen but with Hammond basically auditioning for his job IMO how would this board feel if somehow the bucks traded and got another lottery pick(sactown,or lakers) and chose smart.
A lineup of smart,knight,giannis,parker and sanders doesn't sound all that bad.The D would be really good

[KingCammo]

I dont think Parker should be in our discussion.

If the Cavs draft Wiggins, we draft Embiid.

If the Cavs draft Embiid, we draft Wiggins.

In short, I'll be pissed if we don't land a Jayhawk. I think those two are in a little tier of their own, they're freaks.

That doesn't constitute a case. That's only if you think Wiggins is better than Parker, which most scouts and our owners don't seem to.

And I don't think Embiid is realistically in the discussion for us one way or another because he's likely to go #1, but if he doesn't it implies the back is a significant concern. Our owners stated that on their media tour yesterday.

Sadly for you I think there's a 90+% chance Parker winds up a Buck because that's who our owners tell anybody who'll listen that they prefer, the Cavs have sf/pf options in spades so there is a slim chance they take Parker, if they don't go Embiid it'll be Wiggins, and if Embiid drops we in all likelihood won't take him.

I don't think that Wiggins is currently better than Parker. But his ceiling is certainly greater and I don't think many can argue with that, hence why I'd like him on the Bucks.

If the Cavs don't take Embiid, I'd put it down to their proven history of draft stupidity, not his back.

[trwi7]

How Many National Games (ABC/ESPN/TNT) do we get next year?

2 if we're lucky.

[Chapter29]

I dont think Parker should be in our discussion.

If the Cavs draft Wiggins, we draft Embiid.

If the Cavs draft Embiid, we draft Wiggins.

In short, I'll be pissed if we don't land a Jayhawk. I think those two are in a little tier of their own, they're freaks.

That's pretty much my take.

[machu46]

Can someone illuminate me as to why people are comparing Parker to Paul Pierce? From what I saw at Duke, I don't think Parker will ever have the playmaking ability as a forward that Pierce had. I don't see Parker ever averaging 4.5+ assists per game in his prime. Is there a passing aspect to his game that I just don't know about, and that his place in Duke's system prevented him from showing?

Pierce is a prototypical scorer. Many prototypical scorers whose offense runs through them end up averaging around 4 assists per game because defenses aim to stop their scoring, leaving ample opportunities for easy assists. Even one of the most me-first players of all time in Melo averaged around 3.5 ast/game in Denver. Durant averaged 4.5 and then 5.5 the last two years.

The Pierce comparison is due to their style of play. It's not an identical match but there are definitely similarities. Both with Pierce and Melo. I think Parker has a chance to be a better basketball player than both. He needs to take care of his body though to get there. And a good coach.

He could definitely end up being better simply because Melo didn't reach his ceiling IMO, but Melo was a significantly better prospect at Syracuse than Jabari currently is.

[Max Green]

I think he sheds that little baby weight and compares to

This is a really awful and lazy comparison. Jamison had nowhere near Parkers ball-handling skills, his mid-range game, ability to catch and shoot off screens,n or 3-point range. Parker is also bigger, taller and is a better athlete.

[Baddy Chuck]

I think he sheds that little baby weight and compares to

This is a really awful and lazy comparison. Jamison had nowhere near Parkers ball-handling skills, his mid-range game, ability to catch and shoot off screens,n or 3-point range. Parker is also bigger, taller and is a better athlete.

It was a physical comparison. And I really don't think Parker is taller or bigger, longer sure. Jamison was a legit 6'9 in shoes and very strong and tone 235 during his prime years.

Also, I feel like you are really underrating Jamison's offensive abilities. He was an extremely strong post player, had a solid midrange game and was very good from three. I'll definitely give you Parker's potential on the wing, catch and shoot and athleticism (compared to post GS Jamison) though.

[Wise1]

I don't think Wiggins' ceiling is better than Parker's at all. Too many are pinning their hopes on Wiggins developing ball handling and the resulting playmaking skills. You just don't take that kind of a leap in your fundamental ability at this advanced stage. I see Wiggins as a Tim Thomas type going forward. He has speed and physical mismatches, but lacks a key fundamental skill to be dominant. I think Jabari is the better player now and will be going forward.

[machu46]

I don't think Wiggins' ceiling is better than Parker's at all. Too many are pinning their hopes on Wiggins developing ball handling and the resulting playmaking skills. You just don't take that kind of a leap in your fundamental ability at this advanced stage. I see Wiggins as a Tim Thomas type going forward. He has speed and physical mismatches, but lacks a key fundamental skill to be dominant. I think Jabari is the better player now and will be going forward.

He really doesn't need to improve his ball-handling that much. With his athleticism, he can beat his man whenever he wants. The issue is that he's loose with the ball, so he doesn't do a good job of securing it. MCW had the same issue, but worse since he was expected to be a PG, but he improved his handle enough in one off-season that you don't really see his ball-handling as a problem anymore. Now it's just the passes that he forces.

[Chapter29]

Wiggins still in the lead on this latest poll by a healthy percentage. If you add Embiid back into it Parker falls.

That gives me hope.

[Max Green]

I think he sheds that little baby weight and compares to

This is a really awful and lazy comparison. Jamison had nowhere near Parkers ball-handling skills, his mid-range game, ability to catch and shoot off screens,n or 3-point range. Parker is also bigger, taller and is a better athlete.

It was a physical comparison. And I really don't think Parker is taller or bigger, longer sure. Jamison was a legit 6'9 in shoes and very strong and tone 235 during his prime years.

My bad I read that as an overall comparison.

[Wise1]

I don't think Wiggins' ceiling is better than Parker's at all. Too many are pinning their hopes on Wiggins developing ball handling and the resulting playmaking skills. You just don't take that kind of a leap in your fundamental ability at this advanced stage. I see Wiggins as a Tim Thomas type going forward. He has speed and physical mismatches, but lacks a key fundamental skill to be dominant. I think Jabari is the better player now and will be going forward.

He really doesn't need to improve his ball-handling that much. With his athleticism, he can beat his man whenever he wants. The issue is that he's loose with the ball, so he doesn't do a good job of securing it. MCW had the same issue, but worse since he was expected to be a PG, but he improved his handle enough in one off-season that you don't really see his ball-handling as a problem anymore. Now it's just the passes that he forces.

MCW was a point guard. That alone tells you that his ball handling was better than the guy you're comparing him too. In order to play point guard you have to have ball handling skills. MCW has always had ball handling skills from a fundamental standpoint. So if you have the skillset already, I'd agree you can become better as your overall basketball intelligence and physical maturity improve.

Wiggins has a long way to go...a failed journey imo...to reach the Kobe/T-Mac level of handle and resulting playmaking. He's not that guy.

[machu46]

I don't think Wiggins' ceiling is better than Parker's at all. Too many are pinning their hopes on Wiggins developing ball handling and the resulting playmaking skills. You just don't take that kind of a leap in your fundamental ability at this advanced stage. I see Wiggins as a Tim Thomas type going forward. He has speed and physical mismatches, but lacks a key fundamental skill to be dominant. I think Jabari is the better player now and will be going forward.

He really doesn't need to improve his ball-handling that much. With his athleticism, he can beat his man whenever he wants. The issue is that he's loose with the ball, so he doesn't do a good job of securing it. MCW had the same issue, but worse since he was expected to be a PG, but he improved his handle enough in one off-season that you don't really see his ball-handling as a problem anymore. Now it's just the passes that he forces.

MCW was a point guard. That alone tells you that his ball handling was better than the guy you're comparing him too. In order to play point guard you have to have ball handling skills. MCW has always had ball handling skills from a fundamental standpoint. So if you have the skillset already, I'd agree you can become better as your overall basketball intelligence and physical maturity improve.

Wiggins has a long way to go...a failed journey imo...to reach the Kobe/T-Mac level of handle and resulting playmaking. He's not that guy.

Yes, MCW was a PG in college, so he naturally was a better ball-handler. But he was a poor ball-handler relative to other college PGs, and PG requires much better ball-handling than SG or SF does. Wiggins already has no trouble beating his man whenever he wants. The issue is when defenses help. Simply getting stronger and bringing his dribble down a little bit will alleviate the vast majority of his issues there. I really don't think it'll be much of a problem for him at all.

[Wise1]

I do see Wiggins being able to beat his man on the first move for pullups and simple crosses for step-backs. That will be his forte. I don't think he'll be able to navigate through traffic in the paint however. He'll try...and he'll have some success, but it's not going to be a strength. He CAN learn to kick out when defenses pack in on him. That's just basketball intelligence.