Post by cityofchamps on Jan 24, 2014 22:53:54 GMT -5
I am only going to do the Top 14 picks of the NBA Draft. The order is based on the current standings.
1. Milwaukee Bucks - C Joel Embiid, Kansas
- Embiid is the clear #1 pick no matter which team selects here. His potential is literally limitless and his growth has been faster than most people thought would've been possible at this point in his career. He is the only clear Franchise player in the 2014 NBA Draft.
2. Orlando Magic - SF Jabari Parker, Duke
- While there have been rumors of Parker perhaps staying in school another year so he can play with his high school teammate and future Blue Devil C Jahlil Okafor, Parker is the most polished scorer in this Draft and the Magic sorely need that. They hit on Victor Oladipo, but he isn't a #1 scorer. Parker is.
3. Utah Jazz - SG Andrew Wiggins
The Jazz haven't had a star since they let Deron Williams and Al Jefferson go. At the very least, Wiggins could provide some electricity to the Jazz with his outstanding athleticism and make the Jazz a more attractive Free Agent destination.
4. Philadelphia 76ers - PF Julius Randle, Kentucky
The 76ers have absolutely no one inside that can score consistently. Thaddeus Young is more of a 6th man and Spencer Hawes is inconsistent at best and isn't a starter. Julius Randle would provide that inside presence they haven't had since Chris Webber back in the day.
5. Boston Celtics - SG Gary Harris, Michigan State
Boston is rebuilding after trading Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets. They have a few pieces in Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green to build on, but they could use another dynamic scorer and Gary Harris comes to mind. Sure, they are loaded at the 2, but Harris could have a J.R. Smith type impact for any team.
6. Los Angeles Lakers - SG Zach LaVine, UCLA
Kobe Bryant is not long for this league and the Lakers need to find an heir apparent to him. While LaVine is no Bryant, he has that same killer attitude and a Russell Westbrook-esque ability to drive to the basket at will. He would provide a much-needed scoring spark off the bench early and would eventually replace Bryant at SG.
7. Sacremento Kings - PG Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
The Kings have made some nice pushes forward to become a playoff contender again, but they need that special player to put them over the top. Smart would have been a Top 3 pick if he declared last year, but the Kings will luck out here. Putting Smart together with Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins would be a .... smart (yea I said it, watcha gonna do about it?) idea.
8. Denver Nuggets (from New York Knicks) - SF Jerami Grant, Syracuse
The Nuggets are a little deep at SF right now (Chandler, Gallinari, Hamilton), but Grant could give them a matchup nightmare. At 6'8", Grant is the prototypical size for a SF, but he has a 7'2" wingspan which could cause problems for a lot of 4s. He is too strong for most SFs to cover and too athletic for most PFs.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers - C Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
After trading away Andrew Bynum for Luol Deng, the Cavs once again have a hole at C. Anderson Varejao has been servicable and is a decent starter, but he isn't the long-term answer and is a bit injury prone. WCS could step in immediately as a Defensive presence.
10. Detroit Pistons - SG Dante Exum, Austrailia
Exum is a lightning-quick SG who has a deadly first step. He can also play a bit of Point. At 6'6", he has the size you want from a SG. His jump shot is a little shaky but it is improving. He could help out Detroit who needs a #1 scorer with a roster of role players.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans Pelicans) - SG James Young, Kentucky
James Young is the purest 3-Point shooter in NCAA right now outside of Doug McDermott and the 76ers sorely need that. For a team that takes as many 3s as they do, they don't have any good 3 Point Shooters and haven't since Kyle Korver.
12. Chicago Bulls (from Charlotte Bobcats) - SF Rodney Hood, Duke
The Bulls let go Luol Deng which leaves a big hole at SF. Hood is an electrifying scorer, but he is really raw everywhere else. His jumper still needs improvement, and he is still very lean, but his potential as a scorer puts him in the lottery.
13. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) - SF Glenn Robinson III, Michigan
After letting Josh Smith walk in Free Agency to the Pistons, the Hawks need someone to replace the dynamic Defense that they lost from him. Robinson could bring that. While he isn't the athletic freak Smith is, Robinson is a Bruce Bowen-like defender who can score when needed to.
14. Phoenix Suns (from Minnesota Timberwolves) - PF Aaron Gordon, Arizona
Gordon's stock has been rising thanks to Arizona's success and it isn't surprising to see why. Gordon has a Blake Griffin/Kenneth Faried like quality to him. He is a dynamic PF who electrifies the arena and would work well with either Bledsoe on the fast break or Vasquez in the pick-n-roll.
1. Milwaukee Bucks - C Joel Embiid, Kansas
- Embiid is the clear #1 pick no matter which team selects here. His potential is literally limitless and his growth has been faster than most people thought would've been possible at this point in his career. He is the only clear Franchise player in the 2014 NBA Draft.
2. Orlando Magic - SF Jabari Parker, Duke
- While there have been rumors of Parker perhaps staying in school another year so he can play with his high school teammate and future Blue Devil C Jahlil Okafor, Parker is the most polished scorer in this Draft and the Magic sorely need that. They hit on Victor Oladipo, but he isn't a #1 scorer. Parker is.
3. Utah Jazz - SG Andrew Wiggins
The Jazz haven't had a star since they let Deron Williams and Al Jefferson go. At the very least, Wiggins could provide some electricity to the Jazz with his outstanding athleticism and make the Jazz a more attractive Free Agent destination.
4. Philadelphia 76ers - PF Julius Randle, Kentucky
The 76ers have absolutely no one inside that can score consistently. Thaddeus Young is more of a 6th man and Spencer Hawes is inconsistent at best and isn't a starter. Julius Randle would provide that inside presence they haven't had since Chris Webber back in the day.
5. Boston Celtics - SG Gary Harris, Michigan State
Boston is rebuilding after trading Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets. They have a few pieces in Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green to build on, but they could use another dynamic scorer and Gary Harris comes to mind. Sure, they are loaded at the 2, but Harris could have a J.R. Smith type impact for any team.
6. Los Angeles Lakers - SG Zach LaVine, UCLA
Kobe Bryant is not long for this league and the Lakers need to find an heir apparent to him. While LaVine is no Bryant, he has that same killer attitude and a Russell Westbrook-esque ability to drive to the basket at will. He would provide a much-needed scoring spark off the bench early and would eventually replace Bryant at SG.
7. Sacremento Kings - PG Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
The Kings have made some nice pushes forward to become a playoff contender again, but they need that special player to put them over the top. Smart would have been a Top 3 pick if he declared last year, but the Kings will luck out here. Putting Smart together with Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins would be a .... smart (yea I said it, watcha gonna do about it?) idea.
8. Denver Nuggets (from New York Knicks) - SF Jerami Grant, Syracuse
The Nuggets are a little deep at SF right now (Chandler, Gallinari, Hamilton), but Grant could give them a matchup nightmare. At 6'8", Grant is the prototypical size for a SF, but he has a 7'2" wingspan which could cause problems for a lot of 4s. He is too strong for most SFs to cover and too athletic for most PFs.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers - C Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
After trading away Andrew Bynum for Luol Deng, the Cavs once again have a hole at C. Anderson Varejao has been servicable and is a decent starter, but he isn't the long-term answer and is a bit injury prone. WCS could step in immediately as a Defensive presence.
10. Detroit Pistons - SG Dante Exum, Austrailia
Exum is a lightning-quick SG who has a deadly first step. He can also play a bit of Point. At 6'6", he has the size you want from a SG. His jump shot is a little shaky but it is improving. He could help out Detroit who needs a #1 scorer with a roster of role players.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans Pelicans) - SG James Young, Kentucky
James Young is the purest 3-Point shooter in NCAA right now outside of Doug McDermott and the 76ers sorely need that. For a team that takes as many 3s as they do, they don't have any good 3 Point Shooters and haven't since Kyle Korver.
12. Chicago Bulls (from Charlotte Bobcats) - SF Rodney Hood, Duke
The Bulls let go Luol Deng which leaves a big hole at SF. Hood is an electrifying scorer, but he is really raw everywhere else. His jumper still needs improvement, and he is still very lean, but his potential as a scorer puts him in the lottery.
13. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) - SF Glenn Robinson III, Michigan
After letting Josh Smith walk in Free Agency to the Pistons, the Hawks need someone to replace the dynamic Defense that they lost from him. Robinson could bring that. While he isn't the athletic freak Smith is, Robinson is a Bruce Bowen-like defender who can score when needed to.
14. Phoenix Suns (from Minnesota Timberwolves) - PF Aaron Gordon, Arizona
Gordon's stock has been rising thanks to Arizona's success and it isn't surprising to see why. Gordon has a Blake Griffin/Kenneth Faried like quality to him. He is a dynamic PF who electrifies the arena and would work well with either Bledsoe on the fast break or Vasquez in the pick-n-roll.