Joined: 10 Apr 2001 Posts: 65135 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 3:45 pm Post subject: Eyes on the Prospects
We know the names that are out there. I've been watching a few guys for at least two years. Quick summary.
Andrew Wiggins - Still the #1 prospect in the draft. Unless his player interviews tell otherwise, even guys who are not as driven, make franchise players. He's a cross between Vince Carter and McGrady. He is that explosive around the hoop, but definitely has better ball-handling in Iso situations, but not at a point guard/point forward level like McGrady did. All the physical tools. He may not have the strength/power of LeBron, but he's quicker to the air similar to Marion and a lesser extent, a younger Bryant.
Julius Randle - My clearcut #2. Doesn't have the obvious starpower athleticism that is otherworldly like Wiggins, or Shawn Kemp at PF, but an elite athlete with elite PF size. Mix Chris Webber and Zach Randolph together. He operates from the high post off the dribble, has a crossover, finishes with authority, and has the strength and motor to absolutely kill on the backboards like Zach Randolph. Developing 19' range. Left-handed, shifty.
Dante Exum - The closest to Penny Hardaway in a long time. Hardaway was a purer shooter, but Exum has slightly more refined PG skills by age. Good first step. 2nd and 3rd gear slowly acclerates. Top gear is FAST. Improving shooter who needs to work better off the dribble and in Iso situations. Unselfish playmaker. Forces TOs. Solid rebounder. Concerned about his light frame. More Penny Hardaway than Shaun Livingston in terms of PG skills. Interpret as you wish.
Jabari Parker - SF/PF type. All of the Carmelo Anthony iso skills but a winning attitude and demeanor. Good athlete. 6'7" w/o shoes, but 7' wingspan allows him to bulk up into a stretch 4 type. Considered a tweener, but in a good way. He has the guard skills between both forward spots, not center skills in a PF body (like Jordan Hill). Doesn't play out of the context of his game, but doesn't have the stride or ball-handling in the way that Kevin Durant has (nor the 7'5" wingspan). But still a killer scorer.
Aaron Gordon - PF - Late blooming power forward in the Blake Griffin mold. Not as refined from the perimeter like Randle, but his upside is high considering his explosiveness around the hoop, ability to run the floor, developing midrange game. Does not have advanced ball-handling, and could really utilize more of a back to the basket game instead of face up game (hence the Blake Griffin comparisons), but could just as easily be the top of the 2nd tier uprate draft prospects and franchise player.
Andrew Harrison - PG - Seen only in limited minutes at the previous Kentucky game. Could not control the game like Dennis Schroder at the Nike Summit. Strong, big PG, reliant on a strong first step and a strong upper body to get to the hoop. Not outright explosive and quick like Rose or Wall, but could be a bigger version of Andre Miller; shifty, able to get his shot at will, set up his teammates well, efficient. The last game, in the 2nd half, he didn't set up an offense, but rather, went Iso at will against his defender to keep drawing And 1s. But, there was Iso almost every possession; the game was such a blow out.
Marcus Smart - PG - The Captain (I call him) has the intangibles, speed, quickness, and intensity on both ends of the floor. He is a man child at the PG spot and even has a post game to compliment his strengths. Needs to improve his overall jumpshooting as a whole, but the he's the IQ version of what Marcus Banks was supposed to be, but could never figure out. An absolute thief. Draws contact in the paint. Fair finisher.
Isaac Austin - C - Anthony Davis light. Doesn't have as much strength, shorter wingspan by 2", but definitely has the ball-handling, refined perimeter touch to 20', and motor/quickness/explosiveness in a similar manner.
Semaj Christon - PG - My PG. A lesser John Wall. Strong shooter from 17' and in. Aggressive to the basket. Finishes through contact. Great PG size and length. Quick. Fast. A notch below elite. Wingspan. Lateral quickness. Intense defender when he wants to be. Good not elite playmaker. Unselfish. Really needs to develop his jumpshot to 20' first, then 3pt range 2nd. Right hand dominant. Has Van Exel like shot discipline. _________________ Resident Car Nut.
i think wiggins plays more within himself than parker does. that could be a good thing or a bad thing. parker throws himself in there for more boards tho which is good. half-tongan so you know he has those tree trunk legs
Joined: 10 Apr 2001 Posts: 65135 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:15 pm Post subject:
That's why Randle is my #2.
That motor, physical strength, quickness, and ability to put the ball on the floor, and body control? AND Zach Randolph touch? Flat out beast against MSU's tough bigs.
I'm supposed to pop out a little article for lakeshowlife by tomorrow morning about the double header.
Gary Harris finally looks like himself, but that is poor perimeter defense all way round by KU.
BBQ brisket is amazing. _________________ Resident Car Nut.
Embid making amazing passes looks like a young Hakeem out there still very raw but a lot to like with what u see!!!
That's flat out natural talent. Drawing the defense out, away from the double team, hitting the open man, especially on the move.
D12 doesn't have that.
wow some of those blocks man!! and wow Parker looks ready!!!!
exactly wow this is really looking like an All time draft!!! man lakers gotta tank too much talent for 1-10 honestly and sleepers in the mid first round
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