2014 NBA Draft Thread | Page 65 | 49ers Webzone Forum

LA9erFan · 2014-01-02T09:54:58-08:00

Being excited about the draft in January is part of being a Laker fan right now, lol. If find myself using a lot of superlatives when describing these guys. This draft class is something else. 1) Joel Embiid, C, 7'0", 245lbs, Kansas Quick summary: Haven't seen a big with this kind of potential on both ends of the court in years, and that includes Anthony Davis. NBA comparison: Hakeem Olajuwon (seriously) or a faster Roy Hibbert. 2) Andrew Wiggins, SF, 6'8", 200lbs, Kansas Quick summary: Jaw-dropping physical talent with questionable assertiveness on offense. Needs to improve his ball-handling. Superb defender. NBA comparison: Paul George 3) Jabari Parker, SF, 6'8", 235lbs, Duke Quick summary: Best offensive prospect since Durant, but his poor defense puts him behind Embiid & Wiggins in my eyes. That's not something that tends to improve once a kid gets millions of dollars in his pocket. That said, he's the surest thing in the draft. NBA comparison: Carmelo Anthony 4) Marcus Smart, PG, 6'4", 220lbs, Oklahoma St. Quick summary: I have a huge man crush on this guy. He's a relentless winner. Rough around the edges on offense, and needs to improve his jumper and FT%. Attacks the basket with authority and is an elite defender. NBA comparison: Russell Westbrook 5) Julius Randle, PF, 6'9", 250lbs, Kentucky Quick summary: Really strong around the basket with excellent touch. Elite rebounder. But turnover prone and not particularly athletic. Average defender. NBA comparison: Zach Randolph 6) Dante Exum, PG, 6'6", 188lbs, Australia Quick summary: Legit PG with great size and feel for the game. Not just a guy with physical ability. May have difficulty guarding quicker PGs in the NBA. NBA comparison: Less athletic Penny Hardaway/More athletic & bigger Andre Miller 7) Aaron Gordon, PF, 6'9", 212lbs, Arizona Quick summary: Very raw, but a great leaper. I'm not as high on him as others because I don't think he's particularly fast, despite his jumping ability. IMO, you have to be able to run the floor tremendously well if your skill set is low. Poor shooter and below average defender. Excellent rebounder with some ball handling ability. Has a lot of room to grow as a player. NBA comparison: Slower Blake Griffin 8) Noah Vonleh, PF 9) Willie Cauley-Stein, C 10) Jahii Carson, PG 11) Rodney Hood, SF 12) Gary Harris, SG 13) Zach Lavine, PG/SG 14) Montrezl Harrell, PF I'll do more as the season goes on.