2014 Draft Prospect Thread II

[kingkirk]

Continuing on from the last thread.

On the topic of Julius Randle, i think with guys like Beasley, Bennett etc, they have been sized as SFs but played the 4 in college as that’s where they had the advantage.

They also had perimeter orientated games.

Randle, he is a post player and he is a big and strong kid. 6’9” and 250.

Yeah, he is probably an inch or two smaller than what you would like and his wingspan isn’t great, but unlike these guys, he isn’t someone who is perimeter orientated making him too slow to play the 3 at the NBA level and too small to go at the PF spot.

He is a PF. An undersized one, but i am not worried about him as i would be about someone like Bennett who is more perimeter orientated.

If we didn’t have Taj & Nikola, he would fit nicely here.

[Bisonbull8]

1st

UCLA Duke in 50 minutes. A lot of prospects

[Chi town]

Via WT: I wouldn't mind if Exum plays for my Hoosiers but I think I'd like him long term in a Bulls uni more.

[GimmeDat]

^ I still say he's not going to play college. Why risk playing college when you're already assured to be a top 4 pick.

As for the undersized 4 point, I agree that that you can't really compare Randle to them, but it may still effect some teams judgement of him, fair or not.

Randle plays big, Bennett/Beasley etc. don't.

If he's BPA, I guess you take him or try to trade him (he should have great value on draft night as someone said). Much rather fill a need though.

I wonder whether the Kings would take Randle early, IT is looking really nice at PG for them. I would say PF is a bigger hole for them, but would imagine they'd still take Smart/Exum and have IT on the bench.

Still though, they may do it - Thomas/McLemore/Gay/Randle/Cousins has a lot of talent, and they have DWill, Thornton and J.Thompson off the bench as well.

[Red Larrivee]

Re: Dantown

How isn't Randle skilled? He's not just out there running people over. He's got a good low-post game, good footwork and does a good job using spin moves to catch his defender off with his back to the basket. Randle is very good at absorbing contact at the rim and getting to the line. I think he's averaging somewhere between 11-12 FTA per 40 minutes right now.

He's got good ballhandling ability and a quick first step to the basket as well. He's not a top-end athlete, but he's a good one. He's not 6'11, but he still has good upper body strength and an NBA ready body at 6'9, 240-250. His length isn't great, but he's still averaging close to 15 rebounds per 40 minutes. You don't always need to be long to be a great rebounder or be effective in general. David West for example has a 7'4 wingspan, but is just an above-average rebounder at the NBA level.

You mentioned wanting to trade Randle for Love; Randle is a similar type of player. Love measured in at like 6'9.5 with a 6'11 wingspan too. Love isn't a top end athlete, nor does he have great height at his position. He's turned out fine though.

Randle can be really good. I'm talking 20+ppg, 10reb in his prime good, which isn't something you just want to trade because of fit.

[Red Larrivee]

If he's BPA, I guess you take him or try to trade him (he should have great value on draft night as someone said). Much rather fill a need though.

Never go for need in a stacked draft. Unless a team bowls you over with an offer, keep Randle and play him. You can always make trades later.

[JohnnyTapwater]

I just heard Jay Williams interview Jabari Parker and I'm sold on his stardom ...

[Proven_Winner]

^ I still say he's not going to play college. Why risk playing college when you're already assured to be a top 4 pick.

As for the undersized 4 point, I agree that that you can't really compare Randle to them, but it may still effect some teams judgement of him, fair or not.

Randle plays big, Bennett/Beasley etc. don't.

If he's BPA, I guess you take him or try to trade him (he should have great value on draft night as someone said). Much rather fill a need though.

I wonder whether the Kings would take Randle early, IT is looking really nice at PG for them. I would say PF is a bigger hole for them, but would imagine they'd still take Smart/Exum and have IT on the bench.

Still though, they may do it - Thomas/McLemore/Gay/Randle/Cousins has a lot of talent, and they have DWill, Thornton and J.Thompson off the bench as well.

I hope they don't pick randle. Kings are a team that should not be drafting PFs with their history they will just waste his talent.

[Proven_Winner]

So who is everyone picking for this Dukie vs. UCLA game?

Im picking UCLA.

[GimmeDat]

I just heard Jay Williams interview Jabari Parker and I'm sold on his stardom ...

I really like his character, seems like a nice humble guy.

I hope they don't pick randle. Kings are a team that should not be drafting PFs with their history they will just waste his talent.

By that logic, wouldn't they waste whoever they draft's talent?

[Proven_Winner]

I just heard Jay Williams interview Jabari Parker and I'm sold on his stardom ...

I really like his character, seems like a nice humble guy.

I hope they don't pick randle. Kings are a team that should not be drafting PFs with their history they will just waste his talent.

By that logic, wouldn't they waste whoever they draft's talent?

I'm talking about power forwards. Most other positions they draft is good but I don't trust them drafting a PF.

[clancyphile]

Here's one sleeper I like:
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/isaiah-austin

Isaiah Austin, a 7'1" center who has a good outside game and very good defense.

[GimmeDat]

I just heard Jay Williams interview Jabari Parker and I'm sold on his stardom ...

I really like his character, seems like a nice humble guy.

I hope they don't pick randle. Kings are a team that should not be drafting PFs with their history they will just waste his talent.

By that logic, wouldn't they waste whoever they draft's talent?

I'm talking about power forwards. Most other positions they draft is good but I don't trust them drafting a PF.

I think it's a bit rich to suggest that it's the teams fault that a they turn all players they draft of a specific position into busts.. I can understand that coaching can have an effect on fulfilling player potential, but they have Malone now.

[Proven_Winner]

I really like his character, seems like a nice humble guy.



By that logic, wouldn't they waste whoever they draft's talent?

I'm talking about power forwards. Most other positions they draft is good but I don't trust them drafting a PF.

I think it's a bit rich to suggest that it's the teams fault that a they turn all players they draft of a specific position into busts.. I can understand that coaching can have an effect on fulfilling player potential, but they have Malone now.

I hope that the coach was the only problem.

[Hokie]

Really hope Exum goes pro and skips college... I think he'll be a huge steal if he falls to something like 5th. Kid looks like Penny Hardaway with better knees.

[Ralphb07]

Didn't get to catch the Duke game but it seems Lavine didn't fair well. Was it just the shot not falling or was it bad play?

[ChicagoStrong]

Really hope Exum goes pro and skips college... I think he'll be a huge steal if he falls to something like 5th. Kid looks like Penny Hardaway with better knees.

Draft Express has him at 5 on their mock draft.

[wonderboy2]

I told people before this game that 2 of my favorite prospects are Vonleh and Kyle Anderson. Klye Anderson can ball, dude is a legit 6'9 that can handle the ball and make everybody around him better. He makes the right reads most of the time and knows how to play the game. Hes an excellent rebounder and a tripple double waiting to happen. People say Anderon is unathletic but when you 6'9 and can handle the ball like that it doesnt matter because he plays under control and always get to where he wants to go. I said the other day that his stock is going to go up. He does to many things out on the court well to be a late first round pick. If he goes late first round then hes going to be Freakin steal.

[GimmeDat]

Didn't get to catch the Duke game but it seems Lavine didn't fair well. Was it just the shot not falling or was it bad play?

I watched the 1st half. Parker was his usual awesome self.

Lavine came off the bench and played the last 10 or so minutes, and looked pretty good, got a dunk out in transition and hit a 3. Apparently in the 2nd half he pressed a bit and it just wasn't going for him.

[ManualRam]

Yo Ram

Have you gotten a chance to watch Alphabet's big brother Thanasis at all? I was curious with how he looks in the D-League.

Maybe a 2nd round option for us? - See more at: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1276925&start=1470#sthash.TDLr2Ta8.dpuf

i have actually managed to catch parts of a couple of 7ers games. their roster is interesting because they have 3 guys who will be draft eligible in '14, thanasis included.

physically he looks the part. 6'7, long arms, athletic. he actually looks more athletic than his brother, but he doesn't have the freakish dimensions of giannis.

his shot is not bad either. he's got good form and elevation. high FT% indicates that a good stroke exists. his handle is weak though. doesn't take advantage of his athleticism and long first step enough because he struggles with ball control. he's decent passer, as all players from the greek system tend to be. i didn't pay much attention to him defensively, but the tools are there. he kinda reminds me of mickael pietrus. he's older and still quite raw, which isn't a good thing. that's another strike against him, but i'm guessing he picked up the game late.

i wouldn't mind taking a 2nd round flyer on him if available at the bulls' spot. there's a good chance he'll go higher though IMO. could be a case of stock boost by proxy since giannis is looking good and more ready to contribute than people expected.