Post by DERRENMATTS on Aug 10, 2013 19:53:30 GMT -5
Throughout the college season, I'll be altering my top 10 list, adding more comments to each player, as I get a better feel for their game.
Update (3/3/14):
Here's my top 10:
1) Embiid
2) Parker
3) Randle
4) Wiggins
5) Exum
6) TJ Warren (new to my list is Warren. If his outside shot is consistent, he's a big scorer. I liken him to Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson).
7) Gary Harris
8) McDermott
9) Vonleh
10) Gordon
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This isn't a mock draft -- I'm not gauging in what order players will be drafted. It's just a board of who I feel are the top 10 players in the coming draft.
1. Andrew Wiggins, Small Forward, Kansas
(Aug. 10) A fluid athlete will superb body control and leaping ability. A cerebral player who has a good feel for the game. Has tremendous ball skills already at a young age. Range on his jumper with his feet set is already NBA caliber. In addition to refining his ball skills, Wiggins needs to add some swagger and want to dominate his competition. In this regard, he reminds me of Reggie Lewis -- a humble star player.
(updated 1/15/2014) While his teammate Joel Embiid has not only exceeded expectations, but also is climbing up the draft board, Wiggins has brought on more questions and could very well be sliding.
2. Julius Randle, Power Forward, Kentucky
(Aug 10) A SF in a PF's body. His greatest strengths are his natural power and his attacking mentality. He can shoot it a bit, though he's got to become more consistent. He can power dribble to the basket, though he's got to avoid being too cute with his ball handling. And he can score in the post, though he needs to have more array of moves. If he comes through in these three areas, Randle could turn out to be the best player in this draft.
3. Jabari Parker, Small Forward / Power Forward, Duke
(Aug 10) in my opinion, Parker should be a PF and not a SF. As a 3, Jabari just isn't quick enough, shifty enough, or crafty enough to be the force he should be. He lacks the quick twitch muscles and the sudden burst to have an advantage over good SF's. But as a 4, he can use his versality to his benefit. He can dribble some, he's got a good pull up jumper, he can drive and finish at the rim. He can be the stretch 4 that everyone loves nowadays.
4. Aaron Gordon, Small Forward, Arizona
A Point Forward with swagger. A true competitor. Got good handles that he uses to break down his man. He's powerful enough to carry his defender on his hip, and he's got solid perimeter skills to. I liken him to Grant Hill with more power.
5. Noah Vonleh, Power Forward, Indiana
Vonleh is a 6'9" versatile Forward. He is a tweener, but nowadays being called a tweener may not be a bad thing. For one, Vonleh is not strictly a big man who shoots from the perimeter -- he is capable of mixing it up on the inside with the big boys. Secondly, he's not a big man who is limited to a couple of power dribbles -- Noah is a smooth athlete with good feet and can keep his dribble alive as he works his way to the basket. What Vonleh lacks, though, is explosiveness. He has a decent first step, but not enough to blow by his man. But what helps him is his length and height -- he is able to release his shot over his man near the basket.
7. Doug McDermott, Small Forward, Creighton
Incredible perimeter shooter. Fluid shooter with consistent form and release. Before you think he's a one trick pony like Kyle Korver, McDermott is also a threat around the basket, thanks to his excellent post footwork and use of his touch. If he was a few inches taller, and his wingspan was a little longer, we could be looking at the next Kevin McHale. In one word, Doug is a scorer.
8. Joel Embiid, Center, Kansas
(Aug 11) Fluid 7 footer who just started playing basketball. Yeah, I know -- we already have a 7 foot project on the team named Fab Melo. But what makes Embiid a top 10 player on this list is he's already more advanced than Melo, despite being younger and having less experience. Embiid is an exceptional big man talent. Aside from not great vertical explosiveness, he's got what a good big man needs -- good feet, good balance, soft hands, long limbs, good timing, good lateral movements, and the feel for blocking shots. Now all he needs is to drill in the big man skills until it becomes second nature for him. Offensively, he shows the making of some good post moves. He'll never be a primary scoring option, but he can chip in with some points in the paint, points from trailing on fast breaks, and points from the perimeter. If I had to pick who reminds me of, it would be a more athletic Robert Parish. Similar body style, similar movements.
(updated 1/15/2014) Embiid has just been incredible. The improvements and progression he's made in half a season are unbelievable. He's displaying post skills, 3 point range, rebounding, shot blocking, and a passion for the game. Currently, he'd be my top pick in this draft.
9. Dante Exum, Small Forward
(October 26) Smooth athlete with long and explosive strides. Long limbs and excellent body control. Can be a Point Forward because his dribbling is solid (even when running at top speed) and because he has court vision and passing ability. Though he's young, he knows the game and makes good and quick decisions on his feet. Likes to drive and is elusive; can sneak by his defender with a quick first step and his long strides. Good finisher at the rim already as a youngster. His current knock would have to be his shooting. He can knock down set shots when he has space. -- but I haven't seen much of a pull up jumper.
10. Gary Harris, Shooting Guard, Michigan State
(1/15/2014) Is he a SG? Is he a PG? Yes, he is -- just call him a basketball player because he does whatever is needed. Need someone who can make the right pass? Harris can do it. Need someone to push the ball in transition? Harris can do it. Need someone to score from the perimeter and slash to the basket? Yup, Harris can do it. Need someone to hit a clutch shot, get a key steal, grab an important rebound? Yes sir, Harris can do these too. Now, he isn't great at any specific one of these, and maybe that's why he's not highly rated, but whoever drafts this kid is likely to get a darn good ball player whose versatility will be well rewarded.
Edit 1/22/2014:
(bumped off the top 10) Wayne Selden, Shooting Guard, Kansas
(Aug 10) A strong and compact SG. Plays like a Running Back. Thrives on physical contact. Has a crisp pull up jumper, and has range out beyond the arc. Is also a good passer. His huge hands allow him to quickly fire passes off the bounce. Doesn't have elite speed nor top end vertical.
(Aug 19) Finally realized who Selden reminds me of -- Eric Gordon (though with a quicker release on his shot)
(1/22/14) I bumped Selden out of the top 10 (to make room for Noah Vonleh), not because my opinion of him changed, but just that I just feel Vonleh might have more upside.
(bumped off my top 10) Glenn Robinson III, Small Forward, Michigan
(Aug 10) Got a little bit of Carmelo, and a little bit of Pierce in his game. A smooth athlete with a good build for a SF. Smart player who plays in the flow of the game. Can shoot, can drive, can play above the rim. His moves are crisp and he knows what hes doing. He's a glue guy who has the goods to be a top 3 player on whichever team he plays on.
Update (3/3/14):
Here's my top 10:
1) Embiid
2) Parker
3) Randle
4) Wiggins
5) Exum
6) TJ Warren (new to my list is Warren. If his outside shot is consistent, he's a big scorer. I liken him to Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson).
7) Gary Harris
8) McDermott
9) Vonleh
10) Gordon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This isn't a mock draft -- I'm not gauging in what order players will be drafted. It's just a board of who I feel are the top 10 players in the coming draft.
1. Andrew Wiggins, Small Forward, Kansas
(Aug. 10) A fluid athlete will superb body control and leaping ability. A cerebral player who has a good feel for the game. Has tremendous ball skills already at a young age. Range on his jumper with his feet set is already NBA caliber. In addition to refining his ball skills, Wiggins needs to add some swagger and want to dominate his competition. In this regard, he reminds me of Reggie Lewis -- a humble star player.
(updated 1/15/2014) While his teammate Joel Embiid has not only exceeded expectations, but also is climbing up the draft board, Wiggins has brought on more questions and could very well be sliding.
2. Julius Randle, Power Forward, Kentucky
(Aug 10) A SF in a PF's body. His greatest strengths are his natural power and his attacking mentality. He can shoot it a bit, though he's got to become more consistent. He can power dribble to the basket, though he's got to avoid being too cute with his ball handling. And he can score in the post, though he needs to have more array of moves. If he comes through in these three areas, Randle could turn out to be the best player in this draft.
3. Jabari Parker, Small Forward / Power Forward, Duke
(Aug 10) in my opinion, Parker should be a PF and not a SF. As a 3, Jabari just isn't quick enough, shifty enough, or crafty enough to be the force he should be. He lacks the quick twitch muscles and the sudden burst to have an advantage over good SF's. But as a 4, he can use his versality to his benefit. He can dribble some, he's got a good pull up jumper, he can drive and finish at the rim. He can be the stretch 4 that everyone loves nowadays.
4. Aaron Gordon, Small Forward, Arizona
A Point Forward with swagger. A true competitor. Got good handles that he uses to break down his man. He's powerful enough to carry his defender on his hip, and he's got solid perimeter skills to. I liken him to Grant Hill with more power.
5. Noah Vonleh, Power Forward, Indiana
Vonleh is a 6'9" versatile Forward. He is a tweener, but nowadays being called a tweener may not be a bad thing. For one, Vonleh is not strictly a big man who shoots from the perimeter -- he is capable of mixing it up on the inside with the big boys. Secondly, he's not a big man who is limited to a couple of power dribbles -- Noah is a smooth athlete with good feet and can keep his dribble alive as he works his way to the basket. What Vonleh lacks, though, is explosiveness. He has a decent first step, but not enough to blow by his man. But what helps him is his length and height -- he is able to release his shot over his man near the basket.
7. Doug McDermott, Small Forward, Creighton
Incredible perimeter shooter. Fluid shooter with consistent form and release. Before you think he's a one trick pony like Kyle Korver, McDermott is also a threat around the basket, thanks to his excellent post footwork and use of his touch. If he was a few inches taller, and his wingspan was a little longer, we could be looking at the next Kevin McHale. In one word, Doug is a scorer.
8. Joel Embiid, Center, Kansas
(Aug 11) Fluid 7 footer who just started playing basketball. Yeah, I know -- we already have a 7 foot project on the team named Fab Melo. But what makes Embiid a top 10 player on this list is he's already more advanced than Melo, despite being younger and having less experience. Embiid is an exceptional big man talent. Aside from not great vertical explosiveness, he's got what a good big man needs -- good feet, good balance, soft hands, long limbs, good timing, good lateral movements, and the feel for blocking shots. Now all he needs is to drill in the big man skills until it becomes second nature for him. Offensively, he shows the making of some good post moves. He'll never be a primary scoring option, but he can chip in with some points in the paint, points from trailing on fast breaks, and points from the perimeter. If I had to pick who reminds me of, it would be a more athletic Robert Parish. Similar body style, similar movements.
(updated 1/15/2014) Embiid has just been incredible. The improvements and progression he's made in half a season are unbelievable. He's displaying post skills, 3 point range, rebounding, shot blocking, and a passion for the game. Currently, he'd be my top pick in this draft.
9. Dante Exum, Small Forward
(October 26) Smooth athlete with long and explosive strides. Long limbs and excellent body control. Can be a Point Forward because his dribbling is solid (even when running at top speed) and because he has court vision and passing ability. Though he's young, he knows the game and makes good and quick decisions on his feet. Likes to drive and is elusive; can sneak by his defender with a quick first step and his long strides. Good finisher at the rim already as a youngster. His current knock would have to be his shooting. He can knock down set shots when he has space. -- but I haven't seen much of a pull up jumper.
10. Gary Harris, Shooting Guard, Michigan State
(1/15/2014) Is he a SG? Is he a PG? Yes, he is -- just call him a basketball player because he does whatever is needed. Need someone who can make the right pass? Harris can do it. Need someone to push the ball in transition? Harris can do it. Need someone to score from the perimeter and slash to the basket? Yup, Harris can do it. Need someone to hit a clutch shot, get a key steal, grab an important rebound? Yes sir, Harris can do these too. Now, he isn't great at any specific one of these, and maybe that's why he's not highly rated, but whoever drafts this kid is likely to get a darn good ball player whose versatility will be well rewarded.
Edit 1/22/2014:
(bumped off the top 10) Wayne Selden, Shooting Guard, Kansas
(Aug 10) A strong and compact SG. Plays like a Running Back. Thrives on physical contact. Has a crisp pull up jumper, and has range out beyond the arc. Is also a good passer. His huge hands allow him to quickly fire passes off the bounce. Doesn't have elite speed nor top end vertical.
(Aug 19) Finally realized who Selden reminds me of -- Eric Gordon (though with a quicker release on his shot)
(1/22/14) I bumped Selden out of the top 10 (to make room for Noah Vonleh), not because my opinion of him changed, but just that I just feel Vonleh might have more upside.
(bumped off my top 10) Glenn Robinson III, Small Forward, Michigan
(Aug 10) Got a little bit of Carmelo, and a little bit of Pierce in his game. A smooth athlete with a good build for a SF. Smart player who plays in the flow of the game. Can shoot, can drive, can play above the rim. His moves are crisp and he knows what hes doing. He's a glue guy who has the goods to be a top 3 player on whichever team he plays on.
