'14 Draft Thread pt 2: vote again? VOTE AGAIN.

[mattg]

Embiid his rookie year will likely have an impact something around what Steven Adams brings OKC this season.

I think he's better then that. I'd probably say his first two years could look like Valanciunas.

He'll probably be better offensively, but Adams is far more physical, a better athlete and screener, and similar caliber defender. The whole point is that there is no way embiid is anything close to resembling a top 5 center now or next year.

[skones]

Embiid his rookie year will likely have an impact something around what Steven Adams brings OKC this season.

I think he's better then that. I'd probably say his first two years could look like Valanciunas.

He'll probably be better offensively, but Adams is far more physical, a better athlete and screener, and similar caliber defender. The whole point is that there is no way embiid is anything close to resembling a top 5 center now or next year.

Adams is not a better athlete.

[bizarro]

Just to throw this out there:

Marcus Smart had a fabulous line today. Did anyone watch him play? I only saw him crash the boards for the final rebound late in the game.

Anyone? Buehler?

[mattg]

I think he's better then that. I'd probably say his first two years could look like Valanciunas.

He'll probably be better offensively, but Adams is far more physical, a better athlete and screener, and similar caliber defender. The whole point is that there is no way embiid is anything close to resembling a top 5 center now or next year.

Adams is not a better athlete.

What is embiid better at, moving his feet maybe?

[skones]

He'll probably be better offensively, but Adams is far more physical, a better athlete and screener, and similar caliber defender. The whole point is that there is no way embiid is anything close to resembling a top 5 center now or next year.

Adams is not a better athlete.

What is embiid better at, moving his feet maybe?

Body control, speed, vertical. I'd be extremely surprised if he didn't surpass Adams in all measurement categories come pre draft combine.

[skones]

Just to throw this out there:

Marcus Smart had a fabulous line today. Did anyone watch him play? I only saw him crash the boards for the final rebound late in the game.

Anyone? Buehler?

Had a very very nice game. Played under control. His jumper was falling. Every time West Virginia started to open up a bit of a lead, it was Smart who made a play to put his team back in the mix. The game winning three was made on Smart slashing into the lane, drawing, and kicking to an open Brown. Who was 2/23 from three since 11/28. Showed a tremendous amount of trust and unselfishness to make that play rather than forcing a shot.

[paulpressey25]

Just to throw this out there:

Marcus Smart had a fabulous line today. Did anyone watch him play? I only saw him crash the boards for the final rebound late in the game.

Anyone? Buehler?

Did not see the game, but with two months to go, I think he can play his way up to 4 or 5.

After today, I see the draft going Embiid, Wiggins, Parker and then comes the decision point on Smart, Randle and Exum depending on the workouts. I might be tempted to think of Smart with the fourth pick.

[mattg]

Adams is a great athlete at center, you're under rating how athletic the guy is. He's literally the best I've ever seen at changing ends for a big man.

Embiid is a very good athlete, but he isn't some freak of nature athlete, I don't know where that idea came from. Acting like it's insulting to compare Adams to him athletically is funny.

[skones]

Adams is a great athlete at center, you're under rating how athletic the guy is. He's literally the best I've ever seen at changing ends for a big man.

Embiid is a very good athlete, but he isn't some freak of nature athlete, I don't know where that idea came from. Acting like it's insulting to compare Adams to him athletically is funny.

I just think you're greatly overrating Adams athletic ability and in turn, underrating Embiid's. Body control and coordination is a big factor in overall athleticism and Embiid seems to be on another level with regards to both of those attributes alone with being the more explosive of the two. I'm not saying Embiid is a freak athlete, what I'm saying is that Adams isn't.

[MrPerfect1]

All things being equal, I would still rather have a star scorer or perimeter player on this team. If we take Embiid and he turns out well, we could reasonably try to copy Indiana with Embiid/Giannis as our Hibbert/George.

RIght now though I prefer Wiggins, Parker, Exum. If Wiggins or Exum develop, we could have unreal perimeter defense + super athleticism in transition + another player to break down a defense. If Parker pans out, it could give MIL a go to scorer which is a glaring need that has almost impossible for them to fill since Big Dog/Allen.

[bizarro]

All things being equal, I would still rather have a star scorer or perimeter player on this team. If we take Embiid and he turns out well, we could reasonably try to copy Indiana with Embiid/Giannis as our Hibbert/George.

RIght now though I prefer Wiggins, Parker, Exum. If Wiggins or Exum develop, we could have unreal perimeter defense + super athleticism in transition + another player to break down a defense. If Parker pans out, it could give MIL a go to scorer which is a glaring need that has almost impossible for them to fill since Big Dog/Allen.

I haven't seen Parker's last two games but the stats seem to imply he's had a rough go. Who has watched these games? I still have genuine concerns about Parker's performances against NBA-caliber length. At this point, I easily have Wiggins above Parker on this facet alone. I know Parker has scored at a high rate most of this season, BUT, there have to be legitimate red flags popping up now.

Can anyone speak to these recent 'poor' performances from the view of having studiously watched him play? I saw the Notre Dame game and he again struggled against a longer opponent. And, I've noticed Coach K is now pulling out his fab frosh in favor of upper classmen late in games. Does anyone want to chime in?

[mattg]

Adams is a great athlete at center, you're under rating how athletic the guy is. He's literally the best I've ever seen at changing ends for a big man.

Embiid is a very good athlete, but he isn't some freak of nature athlete, I don't know where that idea came from. Acting like it's insulting to compare Adams to him athletically is funny.

I just think you're greatly overrating Adams athletic ability and in turn, underrating Embiid's. Body control and coordination is a big factor in overall athleticism and Embiid seems to be on another level with regards to both of those attributes alone with being the more explosive of the two. I'm not saying Embiid is a freak athlete, what I'm saying is that Adams isn't.

Next time you watch Adams take a stop watch and time him running from offense to defense back to offense. He's insane. He gets up and down the court so well for a center. Never seen another big guy his age that good at it. Whether you want to attribute that to speed or hustle I don't care, but Adams is a great athlete. He's strong as hell, physical as can be with tree trunk legs, and fairly explosive. He's coordinated and moves his feet well when he shows on ball screens. Embiid is undoubtedly more skilled and coordinated executing offensive moves with the ball though.

[bizarro]

Adams is a great athlete at center, you're under rating how athletic the guy is. He's literally the best I've ever seen at changing ends for a big man.

Embiid is a very good athlete, but he isn't some freak of nature athlete, I don't know where that idea came from. Acting like it's insulting to compare Adams to him athletically is funny.

I just think you're greatly overrating Adams athletic ability and in turn, underrating Embiid's. Body control and coordination is a big factor in overall athleticism and Embiid seems to be on another level with regards to both of those attributes alone with being the more explosive of the two. I'm not saying Embiid is a freak athlete, what I'm saying is that Adams isn't.

Next time you watch Adams take a stop watch and time him running from offense to defense back to offense. He's insane. He gets up and down the court so well for a center. Never seen another big guy his age that good at it. Whether you want to attribute that to speed or hustle I don't care, but Adams is a great athlete. He's strong as hell, physical as can be with tree trunk legs, and fairly explosive. He's coordinated and moves his feet well when he shows on ball screens. Embiid is undoubtedly more skilled and coordinated executing offensive moves with the ball though.

Adams really is a nice young Center. And, I agree with this assessment, actually. Embiid is undoubtedly more skilled and coordinated executing his moves. This has to do with his twitch and his innately quicker hips and, in general, a different type of athleticism. Adams is extremely strong and chiseled. He moves insanely well for a guy his size. But, he doesn't have that soccer/volleyball background. That's a huge plus to Embiid's overall athleticism. A completely different movement and coordination developed from a young age.

Just read this piece: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1891203-meet-kansas-joel-embiid-a-cameroon-native-blossoming-into-a-top-nba-prospect. Seriously. Embiid, IMHO (my opinion), has the most upside in this draft. I think Wiggins is a marginally close second.

This is absolutely, without a doubt, the kid I want to pair with Giannis. Two fearless, absolutely unique world-class athletes. I don't care if it takes a few years. I just want these two together. With their vision; passing ability; and just tremendous skill sets. I know everyone gets excited about the scoring potential of Parker. And, the athleticsim of Wiggins. But, I just have this absolute intuitive sense Giannis and Embiid will revolutionize basketball for the Bucks.

EDIT:

And, a reason why I would easily give up Sanders for an opportunity at Embiid and (add pick filler/young talent here): Embiid really really loves playing basketball. Larry has said from his early days in the league: He has a lot outside of basketball he cares about more than the game. And, I honestly think this may play into his general lack of care to alter his personality on the court. I could be wrong, obviously.

[Chuck Diesel]

Just finished watching the Kansas game, first of the year. I'd do whatever it takes to get Wiggins and Embiid in June, including giving up our first rounder next year. So much to like about those two kids. Any solid point guard paired with Wiggins, Giannis, Henson & Embiid is competing for a title by 2020.

[bizarro]

Just finished watching the Kansas game, first of the year. I'd do whatever it takes to get Wiggins and Embiid in June, including giving up our first rounder next year. So much to like about those two kids. Any solid point guard paired with Wiggins, Giannis, Henson & Embiid is competing for a title by 2020.

Couldn't agree more. At this point it seems like a very difficult proposition. However, I would give up a lot for a combination of Embiid/Wiggins or Embiid/Exum.

However, this being said, we definitely have a PG problem.

[cinematographer]

Just finished watching the Kansas game, first of the year. I'd do whatever it takes to get Wiggins and Embiid in June, including giving up our first rounder next year. So much to like about those two kids. Any solid point guard paired with Wiggins, Giannis, Henson & Embiid is competing for a title by 2020.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBXyB7niEc0[/youtube]

[bizarro]

Actually, I think I've solved the problem:

We'll simply supercede any NCAA jurisdiction. Retroactively, as of January 1st, 2014 The University of Kansas Jayhawks will from that day forward be known as the NBDL affiliate of the maligned Milwaukee Bucks.

Let's make this happen former Senator Kohl.

[Chuck Diesel]

Just finished watching the Kansas game, first of the year. I'd do whatever it takes to get Wiggins and Embiid in June, including giving up our first rounder next year. So much to like about those two kids. Any solid point guard paired with Wiggins, Giannis, Henson & Embiid is competing for a title by 2020.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBXyB7niEc0[/youtube]

Circus creatures. What a world this is.

[cinematographer]

Circus creatures. What a world this is.

Soon you'll be able to rationalize trading a 2015 and 2017 first AND Henson or Sanders for that second top-3/4 pick.

[TroyD92]

Changed my vote to Wiggins.

1.Wiggins
1B.Parker
2.Embidd
2B.Exum