2014 NBA DRAFT

Dublin Red Devil

1. Andrew Wiggins - 6ft8 - SF - Kansas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLsK-ZoL9sY

2. Jabari Parker - 6ft8 - SF - Duke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCsIa5kDBHM

3. Aaron Gordon - 6ft8 - SF/PF - Arizona

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI2LcYQwhrM

4. Julius Randle - 6ft9 - PF - Kentucky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vmt_24T4zE

5. Marcus Smart - 6ft4 - PG - Oklahoma State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0E5D7R1_dg

ec18

Far too early for a 2014 draft thread..........

Dublin Red Devil

Not really. NBA teams are making adjustments now, just for a shot a getting one of these guys. Some would seriously consider sacrificing this season for that privilege. Wiggins is rated as the best draft prospect since Lebron James and the others on this top 5 are not far off his level.

GoldFour4

I'd allow this if I thought it would progress beyond something other then DublinredDevil talking to himself. I'll reopen it once the college season starts up.

GoldFour4

Reopened as the season has begun. Both Wiggins and Parker have looked awesome so far from what I've seen!

Dublin Red Devil

The two big guns went head to head recently,

moneyman

Parker has looked far better than Wiggins to this point, though it's not as if the latter has looked bad, to be fair. Obviousy it's still very early, but I think Parker will go first.

Randle has also been an absolute beast and can see him being a superstar too. Size, strength, athleticism, skilled and high IQ. He'll also go ahead of Wiggins in my opinion.

Wiggins is extremely quick and can jump, but his skills are unrefined. Very talented and the NBA should suit his game more but he still has a ways to go. I'd take the other two ahead of him easily at this point.

Duke are on ESPN again tonight for anyone that wants to see Parker play (they were on last night also). Keep an eye out for Rodney Hood too who is another very talented SF who plays for Duke. He could easily be a lottery pick and a very good player in the league when all is said and done.

Dublin Red Devil

Here is Skip and Stephen A's take on the big 3

Dublin Red Devil

Holly sh1t, Talk about putting your name back on the Draft class.

Marcus Smart absolute dominated Memphis, scoring a career high 39 points,

Including this play

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQimV4fssnQ

(Better game highlights to come)

Dublin Red Devil

A Question teams have to ask themselves. Do you take the best player in the class regardless of team needs. Or do you Draft for a position. If teams are looking for a Center, This is a bad class for big men, One however, stand out above all others

Joel Embiid

kmart6

malistheman wrote: »

I'd allow this if I thought it would progress beyond something other then DublinredDevil talking to himself.

Can't help put think this is still going to be the case for another while!

Dublin Red Devil

How about some of you actually contribute to the conversation then. It's not that I'm posting too much. It's that nobody else is bothered too.

kmart6

People aren't posting because the draft is over 6 months away. Conference play has barely started, so you can't read anything into performances for another month or two! Also, putting them in draft order is just ridiculous when the draft order isn't set.

Paully D

I have to say I enjoy the videos to be honest. I'm just not really knowledgeable enough on college basketball to contribute much to the thread.

Dublin Red Devil

kmart6 wrote: »

People aren't posting because the draft is over 6 months away. Conference play has barely started, so you can't read anything into performances for another month or two! Also, putting them in draft order is just ridiculous when the draft order isn't set.

What are you talking about. Websites, journalists and bloggers post new mock drafts every day online.

kmart6 wrote: »

putting them in draft order is just ridiculous when the draft order isn't set

That's the whole point of it. People predict, speculate, discuss, judge as games are played and draft stocks rise and fall. The fun is in the twists and turns of the build up on their path to the NBA.

buyer95

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

A Question teams have to ask themselves. Do you take the best player in the class regardless of team needs. Or do you Draft for a position. If teams are looking for a Center, This is a bad class for big men, One however, stand out above all others

Joel Embiid

This year above all others, you draft the most talented guy, not the guy you think you need. Darko Milicic was selected ahead of Melo, D.Wade, Bosh, David West, because the pistons thought they needed a centre. The Blazers taking Oden, who infairness was a great prospect, should never have gone ahead of Durant, because Portland wanted a dominant centre. Parker, Wiggins, Smart, Randle etc all have to go before Embiid.

NufcNavan

You always draft the best guy. Look at the Cavs. They drafted according to their needs and Bennett is a bust. They would be much better off with Oladipo.

buyer95

buyer95 wrote: »

This year above all others, you draft the most talented guy, not the guy you think you need. Darko Milicic was selected ahead of Melo, D.Wade, Bosh, David West, because the pistons thought they needed a centre. The Blazers taking Oden, who infairness was a great prospect, should never have gone ahead of Durant, because Portland wanted a dominant centre. Parker, Wiggins, Smart, Randle etc all have to go before Embiid.

Ahh to be fair durant has ended up better than people thought and I think idem would have need an unbelievable player I it was not for the injuries

moneyman

buyer95 wrote: »

This year above all others, you draft the most talented guy, not the guy you think you need. Darko Milicic was selected ahead of Melo, D.Wade, Bosh, David West, because the pistons thought they needed a centre. The Blazers taking Oden, who infairness was a great prospect, should never have gone ahead of Durant, because Portland wanted a dominant centre. Parker, Wiggins, Smart, Randle etc all have to go before Embiid.

Harsh. Oden was the consencus number one pick, I'm not sure any team in the entire league would have taken Durant ahead of Oden. Oden would have been dominant had it not been for the injuries.

That said, I think Embiid, rightly or wrongly, has a good chance to go top 3. Certainly a great chance of being top 4. He has poor hands which will somewhat limit his potential, but everything else is remarkably promising given how long he's been playing.

All said and done, Exum could end up being the best of the class (though I have Parker number 1 on my board)!

Dublin Red Devil

NufcNavan wrote: »

You always draft the best guy. Look at the Cavs. They drafted according to their needs and Bennett is a bust. They would be much better off with Oladipo.

Yes. In hindsight The Cavs probably should have went with Oladipo. If they were only ever going to draft for the position the should have taken Nerlens Noel.

Dublin Red Devil

moneyman wrote: »

Harsh. Oden was the consencus number one pick, I'm not sure any team in the entire league would have taken Durant ahead of Oden. Oden would have been dominant had it not been for the injuries.

That said, I think Embiid, rightly or wrongly, has a good chance to go top 3. Certainly a great chance of being top 4. He has poor hands which will somewhat limit his potential, but everything else is remarkably promising given how long he's been playing.

All said and done, Exum could end up being the best of the class (though I have Parker number 1 on my board)!

Parker and Wiggins are both outstanding prospects. Right now, I feel Parker is the most complete player in the class. He looks more NBA ready. where as Wiggins game looks more a a work in progress.

After the top 2. The next 5 could go in any order depending on the team needs of the teams selecting.
Randel, Embid, Exum, Smart and Gordon. They are all fantastic prospects, All of them have superstar potential.

moneyman

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

Parker and Wiggins are both outstanding prospects. Right now, I feel Parker is the most complete player in the class. He looks more NBA ready. where as Wiggins game looks more a a work in progress.

After the top 2. The next 5 could go in any order depending on the team needs of the teams selecting.
Randel, Embid, Exum, Smart and Gordon. They are all fantastic prospects, All of them have superstar potential.

I think I just agreed with one of your posts. Maybe I need to go lie down... :pac:

Dublin Red Devil

The more you look at the this class the more you realize how strong it really is. It's not just the first 2 or 3. There is quality right past the top 10. NBA teams who have no playoff hopes should be tanking the hell out of this season.

Think how many NBA teams could do with a SG like Zach LaVine.

Dublin Red Devil

Aaron Gordon is have a serious freshman season so far, His Arizona team are undefeated. He is no doubt the rising star so far and will be moving up the boards of every team in the NBA. I'd say top 5 right now.

moneyman

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

Aaron Gordon is have a serious freshman season so far, His Arizona team are undefeated. He is no doubt the rising star so far and will be moving up the boards of every team in the NBA. I'd say top 5 right now.

I don't know about top 5 as you could easily have Parker, Wiggins, Randle, Embiid, Smart and Exum ahead of him, but he could theoretically sneak into that top 5. My problem with Gordon is that I don't know if he has star potential. Has he got the size for PF? I'm not sure (probably does, but it's a niggling worry). That said he's very athletic, great defender, great motor and he does have some skills. They're just not refined yet.

Dublin Red Devil

moneyman wrote: »

I don't know about top 5 as you could easily have Parker, Wiggins, Randle, Embiid, Smart and Exum ahead of him, but he could theoretically sneak into that top 5. My problem with Gordon is that I don't know if he has star potential. Has he got the size for PF? I'm not sure (probably does, but it's a niggling worry). That said he's very athletic, great defender, great motor and he does have some skills. They're just not refined yet.

I love watching him. He reminds me of a Blake Griffin. He's a great athlete. His work rate is insane, The amount of put backs / offensive rebounds he gets is unreal.

Dublin Red Devil

All the rage lately is about the big man. Joel Embiid is dominating at both ends of the floor. Outshining team mate Andrew Wiggins. From blocked shots and rebounds at the defensive end to low post movement and finishing at the rim on offence

Vs Iowa

Vs Kansas

buyer95

Projected late first rounder P.J. Hairston who was suspended by the NCAA for violating rules, has signed with Mavericks D-League affiliate Texas Legends. In his sophmore season he led North Carolina in scoring last season, but he was arrested multiple times last summer for drug possesion. Roy Williams has decided he is more trouble than he is worth and has kicked him off the roster. This is surprising seeing how he averaged 18 points a game in his last 13 games as a Tar Heal last season, and also the fact U.N.C are a terrible 3 point shooting team, and Hairston gives you that. The guy is obviously talented, and plans to enter the 2014 draft, I hope he can get himself together.

Dublin Red Devil

buyer95 wrote: »

Projected late first rounder P.J. Hairston who was suspended by the NCAA for violating rules, has signed with Mavericks D-League affiliate Texas Legends. In his sophmore season he led North Carolina in scoring last season, but he was arrested multiple times last summer for drug possesion. Roy Williams has decided he is more trouble than he is worth and has kicked him off the roster. This is surprising seeing how he averaged 18 points a game in his last 13 games as a Tar Heal last season, and also the fact U.N.C are a terrible 3 point shooting team, and Hairston gives you that. The guy is obviously talented, and plans to enter the 2014 draft, I hope he can get himself together.

Aye Had a look at this story during the week. Frankly I have zero sympathy for him. If he is stupid enough to blow this one in a lifetime opportunity, he doesn't deserve to play in the NBA. Hairston has talent but it's worth nothing if intangibles aren't there.

astonaidan

Just having a browse through the aul standings cause as a laker fan Ive nothing else to do, its quiet annoying when were doing rubbish but have probably no chance off a top five pick because the east is so terrible :mad:

buyer95

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

Aye Had a look at this story during the week. Frankly I have zero sympathy for him. If he is stupid enough to blow this one in a lifetime opportunity, he doesn't deserve to play in the NBA. Hairston has talent but it's worth nothing if intangibles aren't there.

Hairston dropped 40 points last night for Texas Legends in only his second D-League game, could make an excellent late first round, early second round pick.

Dublin Red Devil

This draft is deep but I don't see many outside the top 10, Maybe stretch to 15 players who I think might have viable NBA careers

My top 15 right now. Purely based the players. Not a Mock Draft

1. Jabari Parker
2. Andrew Wiggins
3. Joel Embiid
4. Julius Randel
5. Marcus Smart
6. Aaron Gordon
7. Dante Exum
8. Jerami Grant
9. Gary Harris
10. Noah Vonleh
11. Zach LaVine
12. Rodney Hood
13. James Young
14. Glenn Robinson III
15. Montrezl Harrell

Dublin Red Devil

Have to say I'm quickly going off Julius Randle as a top prospect. I've watch quite allot of him recently and you see allot of weakness show up in his game. Right now I'd place him 7th. I really think the mock drafts are seriously underrating Arron Gordon. Some have him as low as 16. That's just ridiculous

Dublin Red Devil

Shame to see Marcus Smart lash our at an opposition fan. He's been playing so well recently. Looking like a top 5 draft pick and No.1 overall PG.

Dublin Red Devil

More on the Marcus Smart situation. The fan he shoved admits to calling smart a Piece of Sh1t. Smart claims he heard the N word. In any case Smart has been suspended for 3 games,

I don't see it really effecting his draft stock. I still think he will be the No.1 PG.
Defiantly a top 10, possibly top 5 depending on the order.

astonaidan

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

More on the Marcus Smart situation. The fan he shoved admits to calling smart a Piece of Sh1t. Smart claims he heard the N word. In any case Smart has been suspended for 3 games,

I don't see it really effecting his draft stock. I still think he will be the No.1 PG.
Defiantly a top 10, possibly top 5 depending on the order.

With the reaction he had to have used the N word, he wouldnt have even looked at him with any other insult

Supposedly he said "Go back to Africa N word"

For Forks Sake

http://www.theonion.com/articles/nation-admits-it-wouldve-been-fun-to-watch-marcus,35250/

Dublin Red Devil

For Forks Sake wrote: »

http://www.theonion.com/articles/nation-admits-it-wouldve-been-fun-to-watch-marcus,35250/

Smart needs to be careful. Dante Exum is breathing down his neck. Smart is going to need to up his game for the rest of the season to secure a top 5 pick. Or GM's will looking at the Australian for their PG needs.

astonaidan

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

Smart needs to be careful. Dante Exum is breathing down his neck. Smart is going to need to up his game for the rest of the season to secure a top 5 pick. Or GM's will looking at the Australian for their PG needs.

I think Exum was always going to be ahead off Smart, think Exum will be top three myself come the end off it

Dublin Red Devil

The stars of this Syracuse team have definitely increased their stock in this draft

PG, Tyler Ennis could very well be a top 10 selection with the way he's been playing recently. With his team mate The long arm PF, Jerami Grant not far behind.

astonaidan

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

The stars of this Syracuse team have definitely increased their stock in this draft

PG, Tyler Ennis could very well be a top 10 selection with the way he's been playing recently. With his team mate The long arm PF, Jerami Grant not far behind.

See a few have Ennis going fifth ahead off Smart

Dublin Red Devil

astonaidan wrote: »

See a few have Ennis going fifth ahead off Smart

Yeah that could very well happen. I like Smart, Watched him play a good bit last years too. He was expected to declare for last years draft, but decided to stay.

But I wouldn't be surprised if hes the 3rd PG off the board after Exum and Ennis

astonaidan

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

Yeah that could very well happen. I like Smart, Watched him play a good bit last years too. He was expected to declare for last years draft, but decided to stay.

But I wouldn't be surprised if hes the 3rd PG off the board after Exum and Ennis

Well Exum would be for me the Star turn at PG, looks the complete deal. I think Smarts problem is he didnt really kick on from last year

Dublin Red Devil

astonaidan wrote: »

Well Exum would be for me the Star turn at PG, looks the complete deal. I think Smarts problem is he didn't really kick on from last year

Yeah you're not wrong there. There's not a whole lot of progression this year from Smart. He's had some good performances but not much consistency.

Dublin Red Devil

The most likely team to have the 1st pick right now are the Bucks. If they are going for the best player in the Draft, It's Jabari Parker. If they are going with team needs first, they probably go with Embid.

astonaidan

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

The most likely team to have the 1st pick right now are the Bucks. If they are going for the best player in the Draft, It's Jabari Parker. If they are going with team needs first, they probably go with Embid.

I myself dont see Parker being the best, I think think myself Wiggins still has the most upside. Really I would have thought myself if Bucks get it center would be a position they would go for, I think Sanders is there only decent player (but maybe a trade is on the way) well besides the young lad who Im not even going to try and spell myself I think if they get it they will go for Exum

buyer95

Fantastic game between Duke and Maryland on ESPN just there. Jabari came up with a huge play at the end of the game to put them ahead by 2. I was really impressed with Parker, this guy is going to be so good next year. I cannot see how Wiggins could possibly be drafted ahead of him atm. Half tempted to watch Florida vs Kentucky next and see how Randle is looking, but I think the all star festivities mught win out, I'll be channel hopping though!

Dublin Red Devil

Exum No.1? No! Especially if it's the Bucks selecting 1st. They have a pretty good PG in Brandon Knight. Sanders contract expires this summer so Embiid would fill a need. But they would be a brave team to pass up on Jabari

Dublin Red Devil

buyer95 wrote: »

Fantastic game between Duke and Maryland on ESPN just there. Jabari came up with a huge play at the end of the game to put them ahead by 2. I was really impressed with Parker, this guy is going to be so good next year. I cannot see how Wiggins could possibly be drafted ahead of him atm. Half tempted to watch Florida vs Kentucky next and see how Randle is looking, but I think the all star festivities mught win out, I'll be channel hopping though!

Yeah Parker is something special. I agree head and shoulders ahead of Wiggins right now. Randel has been impressive in games where UK are clear favorites but when it;s been put up to him against top sides, More than often he comes up short.

Dublin Red Devil

Right now. Draft order based on current standings

1 Parker > Bucks
2 Embid > 76ers
3 Wiggins > Magic
4 Randle > Kings
5 Exum > Lakers
6 Gordon > Celtic
7 Vonleh > Jazz
8 Harris > Nuggets
9 Young > Cavs
10 Saric > Hornets

buyer95

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

Right now. Draft order based on current standings

1 Parker > Bucks
2 Embid > 76ers
3 Wiggins > Magic
4 Randle > Kings
5 Exum > Lakers
6 Gordon > Celtic
7 Vonleh > Jazz
8 Harris > Nuggets
9 Young > Cavs
10 Saric > Hornets

Marcus Smart is surely a top 10 pick.