2014 NBA Draft Thread (No Spoilers You Clowns)

[repole]

Gordon is destined to be a poor mans Blake Griffin. He doesn't have the raw talent that Blake had, but Gordon is a great athlete that can rebound and run the floor like a deer. Griffin was a pretty miserable offensive player coming out of college, and he got by on raw athleticism before adding more stuff to his game one he reached the NBA. Gordon also played on a really offensivly balanced offense, so unlike Wiggins or Parker, he never really had the oppurtunity to score 30 points or anything.
 
I can totally see Gordon being a quality NBA player, getting 16-9 with 55% shooting and one highlight reel play a game. For the 5th or 6th pick, that isn't bad.

 
Griffin won the Wooden award, Naismith award, pretty much every player of the year honor. He put up 23 and 14, he dominated in just about every way possible. I remember well, as his Oklahoma team crushed Michigan in the tournament while he made everyone else look like a bunch of children. Even if we want to compare freshmen years, the comparison is pretty heavily lopsided to Griffin. 58 TS% to Gordon's 50, 14 and 9 to Gordon's 12 and 8. He got to the line more, and the steals/blocks are pretty similar.
 
I'm terrified of picking him and watching him try to develop something resembling an offensive skill for the next 4 years. Defensive versatility is nice and all, but that isn't what I want in the high lotto. If everything goes right, sure, I can see him putting up a decent 16 a game, but that with quality defense doesn't seem worth gambling on with a high lotto to me.

 

[Kliq]

 
Griffin won the Wooden award, Naismith award, pretty much every player of the year honor. He put up 23 and 14, he dominated in just about every way possible. I remember well, as his Oklahoma team crushed Michigan in the tournament while he made everyone else look like a bunch of children. Even if we want to compare freshmen years, the comparison is pretty heavily lopsided to Griffin. 58 TS% to Gordon's 50, 14 and 9 to Gordon's 12 and 8. He got to the line more, and the steals/blocks are pretty similar.
 
I'm terrified of picking him and watching him try to develop something resembling an offensive skill for the next 4 years. Defensive versatility is nice and all, but that isn't what I want in the high lotto. If everything goes right, sure, I can see him putting up a decent 16 a game, but that with quality defense doesn't seem worth gambling on with a high lotto to me.

 
I was referring more towards the fact that Griffin didn't have that many offensive skills. He couldn't shoot, he couldn't hit free throws, and his post game was a work in progress. Was Griffin a good player? Of course, but his overall offensive skill set was pretty poor, he was just a super athlete that he didn't need that much to be an elite player. Gordon is similiar in that regard, and remember that I said Gordon could be a POOR man's Griffin, not someone that is going to be as good as Griffin.

 

[tbrown_01923]

I still think gerald wallace is a good comp for gordon. Slasher, throws body around, solid defender (@ 3&4), shot is less than spectacular.  Gerald was an excellent player before he started t slow down, and may be an excellent tutor for Gordon.

 

[SaveBooFerriss]

I still think gerald wallace is a good comp for gordon. Slasher, throws body around, solid defender (@ 3&4), shot is less than spectacular.  Gerald was an excellent player before he started t slow down, and may be an excellent tutor for Gordon.

 
That is an interesting comp.  I think Gordon is bigger than Wallace.  Gordon is more advanced than Wallace was after one year of college.  They both are (were) superior athletes.  

 

[southshoresoxfan]

 
Griffin won the Wooden award, Naismith award, pretty much every player of the year honor. He put up 23 and 14, he dominated in just about every way possible. I remember well, as his Oklahoma team crushed Michigan in the tournament while he made everyone else look like a bunch of children. Even if we want to compare freshmen years, the comparison is pretty heavily lopsided to Griffin. 58 TS% to Gordon's 50, 14 and 9 to Gordon's 12 and 8. He got to the line more, and the steals/blocks are pretty similar.
 
I'm terrified of picking him and watching him try to develop something resembling an offensive skill for the next 4 years. Defensive versatility is nice and all, but that isn't what I want in the high lotto. If everything goes right, sure, I can see him putting up a decent 16 a game, but that with quality defense doesn't seem worth gambling on with a high lotto to me.

Are you high? An elite defender who scores 16 a night isnt lotto worthy? I think we need to redial some expectations here guys

 

[Statman]

gary washburn ‏@GwashburnGlobe 1m
#celtics lose drawing with #jazz and get 103 ping-pong balls instead of 104.

 

gary washburn ‏@GwashburnGlobe 57s
#nets win drawing with #wizards and will pick 17th, and that pick goes to the #celtics

 

[jon abbey]

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider  2m
NBA just did tiebreakers for draft. Utah (25-57) won a tiebreaker with Boston. Brooklyn (44-38) won a tiebreaker with Washington.

 

[Bigpupp]

Will they flip again to decide who gets the higher pick if neither Utah or Boston get top 3 in the lottery? Or will this flip just carry over for that?

 

[southshoresoxfan]

Celts get screwed again!

 

[RedOctober3829]

Anyone think if Ainge doesn't get a top 3 pick that he will trade the pick?

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Anyone think if Ainge doesn't get a top 3 pick that he will trade the pick?

There is certainly a chance that he trades it regardless

 

[Statman]

There is certainly a chance that he trades it regardless

 
If we don't land a top 3 pick, what about offering our 2014 picks, Sullinger, Bogan's team option contract and the Pierce 10M trade exception for Love?

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

 
If we don't land a top 3 pick, what about offering our 2014 picks, Sullinger, Bogan's team option contract and the Pierce 10M trade exception for Love?

That strikes me as way too much

 

[Cellar-Door]

That's way too much for the white Al Jefferson.

Stop insulting AL.

 

[amfox1]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA  1m
Aaron and Andrew Harrison have decided against NBA Draft, will return to Kentucky for sophomore seasons, source tells Yahoo Sports.

 

[amfox1]

Dan Wetzel ‏@DanWetzel  3h
Facing one-year suspension from NCAA, Michigan's Mitch McGary declares for NBA Draft: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mitch-mcgary-heading-to-nba-after-positive-marijuana-test-nets-him-shocking-year-long-ncaa-ban-073833742.html …

 

[amfox1]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA  2m
UConn junior forward DeAndre Daniels will enter the NBA Draft, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

 

[Granite Sox]

 
Dan Wetzel ‏@DanWetzel  3h
Facing one-year suspension from NCAA, Michigan's Mitch McGary declares for NBA Draft: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mitch-mcgary-heading-to-nba-after-positive-marijuana-test-nets-him-shocking-year-long-ncaa-ban-073833742.html …
 

 
Brutal.
 
If he's still hanging around in the second round, Danny should buy a 2 and grab him, post haste (assuming his back checks out).

 

[amfox1]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA  9h
Yahoo Source: UCLA sophomore Jordan Adams will enter the NBA Draft.

 

[amfox1]

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/04/30/2014-draft-early-entry-candidates-official-release/
 
 

Early Entry Candidates For 2014 NBA Draft

PLAYER, SCHOOL
Jordan Adams, UCLA 
William Alston, CC of Baltimore County Dundalk 
Mychal Ammons, South Alabama 
Kyle Anderson, UCLA 
Isaiah Austin, Baylor 
Chane Behanan, Louisville 
Sim Bhullar, New Mexico State 
Khem Birch, UNLV 
Jabari Brown, Missouri 
Jahii Carson, Arizona State 
Semaj Christon, Xavier 
Jordan Clarkson, Missouri 
DeAndre Daniels, Connecticut 
Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado 
Joel Embiid, Kansas 
Tyler Ennis, Syracuse 
Aaron Gordon, Arizona 
Jerami Grant, Syracuse, 
P.J. Hairston, North Carolina/Texas (D-League) 
Gary Harris, Michigan State 
Rodney Hood, Duke 
Nick Johnson, Arizona 
Alex Kirk, New Mexico 
Zach LaVine, UCLA 
James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina 
K.J. McDaniels, Clemson 
Mitch McGary, Michigan 
Eric Moreland, Oregon State 
Johnny O'Bryant III, LSU 
Jabari Parker, Duke 
Elfrid Payton, Louisiana-Lafayette 
Julius Randle, Kentucky 
Glenn Robinson III, Michigan 
LaQuinton Ross, Ohio State 
Antonio Rucker, Clinton JC (SC) 
Jakarr Sampson, St. John's, 
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State 
Roscoe Smith, UNLV 
Nik Stauskas, Michigan 
Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee 
Noah Vonleh, Indiana 
T.J. Warren, North Carolina State 
Andrew Wiggins, Kansas 
James Young, Kentucky 
Ta'Quan Zimmerman, Thompson Rivers (Canada)
# # #
The following is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into the 2014 NBA Draft:
PLAYER, TEAM (TEAM COUNTRY) / HOME COUNTRY
Eleftherios Bochoridis, Aris (Greece) / Greece 
Matias Bortolin, Regatas Corrientes (Argentina) / Argentina 
Nedim Buza, Spars Sarajevo (Bosnia)/ Bosnia & Herzegovina 
Bruno Caboclo, Pinheiros (Brazil) / Brazil 
Berkay Candan, TED Kolejliler (Turkey) / Turkey 
Clint Capela, Chalon (France) / Switzerland 
Joonas Cavén, Joventut (Spain) / Finland 
Nemanja Dangubic, Mega Vizura (Serbia) / Serbia 
Moussa Diagne, Fuenlabrada (Spain) / Senegal 
Tomas Dimša, Zalgiris (Lithuania) / Lithuania 
Marcus Eriksson, Manresa (Spain) / Sweden 
Danté Exum, Australia, 
Ilja Gromovs, Ventspils (Latvia) / Latvia 
Damien Inglis, Roanne (France) / France 
Nikola Jokic, Mega Vizura (Serbia) / Serbia 
Michalis Kamperidis Filathlitikos (Greece) / Greece 
Artem Klimenko, Avtodor (Russia) / Russia 
Rasmus Larsen, Manresa (Spain) / Denmark 
Lucas Mariano, Vivo Franca (Brazil) / Brazil 
Vasilije Micic, Mega Vizura (Serbia) / Serbia 
Jusuf Nurkic, Cedevita (Croatia) / Bosnia & Herzegovina 
Mateusz Ponitka, Oostende (Belgium) / Poland 
Kristaps Porzingis, Cajasol (Spain) / Latvia 
Marko Ramljak, Zadar (Croatia) / Croatia 
Dario Šarić, Cibona (Croatia) / Croatia 
Ojars Silins, Reggio Emilia (Italy) / Latvia 
Alejandro Suarez, Joventut (Spain) / Spain 
Devon Van Oostrum Vitoria (Spain)/ Holland 
Guillem Vives, Joventut (Spain) / Spain 
Adin Vrabac, Spars Sarajevo (Bosnia) / Bosnia & Herzegovina

 
Blue is 1st round of the 4/23 nbadraft.net mock draft (Adams was left off the mock because he indicated he wasn't applying for the draft but, now that he has done so, is likely a 1st rounder)
Red is 2nd round of the 4/23 nbadraft.net mock draft

 

[Brickowski]

LOL, if Nurkic goes in the second round it means that Ainge and every other GM with a first rounder outside the lottery has screwed up big time.

 

[Cellar-Door]

LOL, if Nurkic goes in the second round it means that Ainge and every other GM with a first rounder outside the lottery has screwed up big time.

Giovny has him going at 11. 23 spot difference

 

[Brickowski]

Giovny has him going at 11. 23 spot difference

IMHO Givorney is more accurate in this instance.  Nurkic is huge and he's skilled.  He fouls too much, but so do most young centers.

 

[ivanvamp]

What are the rules regarding entering the draft?  Suppose you're a guy in the military, from age 18-24.  You suddenly hit a huge growth spurt at age 21 (not unheard of), and you pick up the game of basketball.  You've never been to college, but you realize that you are pretty darned good at the sport, and now you stand 6'9" tall.  You decide that you want to try to make it in the NBA.  Do you need to enter the draft at that point or can you just sign with someone?

 

[Cellar-Door]

What are the rules regarding entering the draft?  Suppose you're a guy in the military, from age 18-24.  You suddenly hit a huge growth spurt at age 21 (not unheard of), and you pick up the game of basketball.  You've never been to college, but you realize that you are pretty darned good at the sport, and now you stand 6'9" tall.  You decide that you want to try to make it in the NBA.  Do you need to enter the draft at that point or can you just sign with someone?

You need to enter the draft. Though it is mostly hypothetical since anyone in that situation would go to college for a year or play in Europe.

 

[Brickowski]

I'm reading that Ainge is over in Europe scouting Dario Saric, Jusuf Nurkic, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kristaps Porzingis.

 

[gammoseditor]

Rumors going around that the Celtics really like Exum.  Seems like if we end up at 6 he might not be there.  I wonder if they'd try and trade up. 

 

[BostonFan23]

I wonder if Ainge would consider shipping Rondo to LA for their pick and Nash's expiring...

 

[Kliq]

What we learned at the NBA Draft Combine: Andrew Wiggins can, in fact, jump very high.
 

 

[Cellar-Door]

Rumors going around that the Celtics really like Exum.  Seems like if we end up at 6 he might not be there.  I wonder if they'd try and trade up. 

God I hope not.
I have no problem taking Exum, but I can't imagine giving up value to move up in this draft unless you're moving into the top 3. It feels like there are 3 tiers in the first round. Top 3, 4-8, everybody else.
 
Interesting to note, nbadraft is moving Gordon up to the 10-15 range, and draftexpress is moving him down to the same range. If we're trading up I'd much rather a move from 17 if Gordon starts falling. Gordon at  6 is a reach, but anyone available at 6 (Exum, Randle, Smart, Vonleh) and Gordon appeals to me far more than Exum at say 4 and the Warren, Anderson, LaVine names that will be there at 17.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

Vonleh measured 6'8" w/o shoes, which is shorter than I expected.  His wingspan is 7'4.25".  For comparison, Randle checked in at 6'7.75", with a wingspan of 7'0.  
 
Other players of interest:
 
Gordon- 6'7.5" and 6'11.75"
Exum- 6'4.5' and 6'9.5"
Smart- 6'2 and 6'9.25"
 
So for all Exum's vaunted length, his wingspan checks out about the same as Smart's.

 

[southshoresoxfan]

I want gordon. Period. Not exum. Not randle. Not smart. If u miss on top 3 just take gordon.

i wonder who the oh shit that dude went that late player is in this draft. You know someone at like 20 is going to be a top 5 on a redraft come mid season next year. Itd be nice if the spurs didnt have that guy for a change

 

[Cellar-Door]

I want gordon. Period. Not exum. Not randle. Not smart. If u miss on top 3 just take gordon.

i wonder who the oh shit that dude went that late player is in this draft. You know someone at like 20 is going to be a top 5 on a redraft come mid season next year. Itd be nice if the spurs didnt have that guy for a change

Short term I'd say Jordan Adams could make an immediate impact for a team. Same for Payne.
Long term maybe a guy like Zach LaVine, good athlete but probably not NBA ready now.

 

[Kliq]

Gordon is the safest player imo. He didn't put up great numbers because he played on a team with a lot of other offensive weapons, and he seemed content to just do what he was capable of. His floor imo is a poor mans Blake, I see no reason why he can't get you 18-8, shoot 55% and give you at least two "wow" plays every night.

 

[radsoxfan]

I see no reason why he can't get you 18-8, shoot 55% and give you at least two "wow" plays every night.

 
I'll give you a reason.  Number of players in the NBA who averaged at least 18 points, 8 rebounds, and shot 55% from the floor?
 
One. Dwight Howard.  
 
I like Gordon quite a bit, but your floor for him is insane. 

 

[Brickowski]

Gordon is the safest player imo. 

Really?  IMHO if they are out of the top 3, Smart and Randle are both safer than Gordon.  So is Saric.  Gordon has the most upside, but also significant bust potential.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I've been consistently one of the biggest Gordon supporters on this board.
That said: 18 and 8 on 55% is crazy.
As a rookie 12 and 6 is possible sure.
He's amazingly raw, and doesn't have the weight or post moves (such as they were) of Blake.
I don't think he has a lot of bust potential because of how I define bust, he's always going to be a freak athlete and a very good defender, the question is offense. If it never develops he's a bench rotation F, where some other guys in the lottery have the potential to be out of the league.
I probably wouldn't take him higher than 6, even that makes me nervous, but If he made it past 10 I'd be looking for a way to move up and scoop him.
Problem is that the most obvious trade piece is Rondo who is of no use to the teams in that range. (Maybe Orlando I guess but I can't see him agreeing to re-sign there without testing FA).

 

[radsoxfan]

 
I probably wouldn't take him higher than 6, even that makes me nervous, but If he made it past 10 I'd be looking for a way to move up and scoop him.
Problem is that the most obvious trade piece is Rondo who is of no use to the teams in that range. (Maybe Orlando I guess but I can't see him agreeing to re-sign there without testing FA).

 
A lot of people have him in the top 6, and some even top 4 depending on how the lottery shakes out. He is solidly in the 5-7 range in Chad Ford's lottery mock draft.
 
Plus, if anything I think Gordon is going to be a guy that rises as the draft approaches.  Would be absolutely shocked if he makes it to #10, so I don't think Danny has to worry about what to do if Gordon falls that far.  That's not going to happen. 

 

[moly99]

I don't understand the hate some people (not here, but in the media) have for Wiggins.
 
He is not going to be a #1 scoring option, but every competitive team needs two stars anyway. It's true that Wiggins will end up being a Pippen rather than a Jordan, but a player who can defend 3 positions very well and work well off the ball on offense is going to be very, very useful.
 

Gordon is the safest player imo. He didn't put up great numbers because he played on a team with a lot of other offensive weapons, and he seemed content to just do what he was capable of. His floor imo is a poor mans Blake, I see no reason why he can't get you 18-8, shoot 55% and give you at least two "wow" plays every night.

 
I love the idea of making him a point forward, but let's be honest. He is almost the opposite of the safest player in the draft. It's not clear what his role will be on either end of the court.
 
He is 6'8" and 210. If you want him to play power forward like Blake, can he defend power forwards like Z-Bo at only 210 lbs?

 

[Cellar-Door]

I don't understand the hate some people (not here, but in the media) have for Wiggins.
 
He is not going to be a #1 scoring option, but every competitive team needs two stars anyway. It's true that Wiggins will end up being a Pippen rather than a Jordan, but a player who can defend 3 positions very well and work well off the ball on offense is going to be very, very useful.
 
 
I love the idea of making him a point forward, but let's be honest. He is almost the opposite of the safest player in the draft. It's not clear what his role will be on either end of the court.
 
He is 6'8" and 210. If you want him to play power forward like Blake, can he defend power forwards like Z-Bo at only 210 lbs?

No, but he's also 19 years old and a college kid, he'll put on weight pretty quick in the NBA, he already put on 10lbs since the season ended weighed in at 220 at the combine.
He's more likely a combo forward like Shawn Marion who played at 220 or so. Blake is at 250 and an inch or two taller.

 

[Brickowski]

I've been consistently one of the biggest Gordon supporters on this board.
That said: 18 and 8 on 55% is crazy.
As a rookie 12 and 6 is possible sure.
He's amazingly raw, and doesn't have the weight or post moves (such as they were) of Blake.
I don't think he has a lot of bust potential because of how I define bust, he's always going to be a freak athlete and a very good defender, the question is offense. If it never develops he's a bench rotation F, where some other guys in the lottery have the potential to be out of the league.

He can't shoot, can't dribble, can't pass and didn't score much.  That's ok for a 7 footer, but not for a 6-7, 6-8 player.

 

[MillarTime]

Agreed. Think Smart and Randle are both better option than Gordon.

 

[Brickowski]

Agreed. Think Smart and Randle are both better option than Gordon.

Not necessarily better, but safer. 

 

[Cellar-Door]

He can't shoot, can't dribble, can't pass and didn't score much.  That's ok for a 7 footer, but not for a 6-7, 6-8 player.

Definitely a bad shooter, kinda on dribbling (he's an ok dribbler for a PF, poor dribbler for a SF), not at all on passing, most scouts consider him a good passer and list it as a strength.
 
Agree that Smart and Randle are safer options.
Randle seems like his floor is top 7 rotation guy.
Smart I'm less sure on, he has a floor that is pretty low, if he can't play point in the NBA his outside shooting troubles make him an end of the bench guy or worse.

 

[Kliq]

Okay, well maybe the 55% was a little strong.
 
I still think that Gordon is a better pick than Smart, Exum or Randle though. Maybe he can't dribble or shoot, but neither could Blake when he came out of Oklahoma and look how much he has improved since he came into the league. Is Gordon going to be the next Blake? Probably not, but his upside is so tantalizing that I think he is worth the 4th or 5th overall pick. If you are looking for a polished player, than take Randle or Smart, but in a draft that emphasizes potential and athleticism, I'd take Gordon.

 

[ALiveH]

Levine is a pretty intriguing option at 17.  Happy to take the risk on him there - he could be a zero or he could be a future all star.  He is an elite talent (combo of athleticism, height, length, shooting & ballhandling), he was just a 6th man and pretty unpolished this year (needs to put on muscle and improve his defense).  Reminds me of Gerald Green in some ways - hopefully he's brighter & works harder.  He also grew 3 inches in the past 2 years & is one of the youngest guys in the draft (just turned 19 in March), which contributed to him being a bit unpolished.  He really should have stayed in school & he could've been a top-3 pick next year.  We could almost redshirt him for development purposes: give him some time in the D-league, plenty of time in the weight room, get him run in blowouts and drill defense into his head.  We might end up having something there.

 

[Brickowski]

I would be leaning towards one of the international players with #17.  Nurkic and Saric will probably be taken, but I also like Capela because of his raw athleticism and huge upside.  Among the NCAA guys, I like T.J. Warren because the kid can flat out score.

 

[EL Jeffe]

Gordon does nothing for me. Granted I only watched a handful of Arizona games, but when I did, I never saw what all the fuss was about. He's a plus athlete and he looks like he'll probably be able to defend 3s and 4s, but I don't see a whole lot of NBA skills from him. He can't shoot. If you play him at the 3, your spacing gets weird - especially if Rondo is on the floor. If you play him at the 4, he's giving up a lot of size/strength to the bigger 4s. He's young, he has a good motor and maybe he'll improve but I doubt he'll ever be able to offensively play the 3 at the NBA level.
 
At the top end of the draft, I'd rate them:
 
1) Parker
2) Wiggins
3) Embiid
4) Exum
5) Randle
6) Smart
7) Vonleh
 
After that, it's pretty much a toss-up in my eyes (and I see a decent sized drop-off after Smart at #6. So basically, let's hope the ping pong ball gods are kind.)

 

[Grin&MartyBarret]

I don't really see the Blake Griffin comp for Gordon. It feels to me like it comes mostly from his dunking ability, and that there aren't many other similarities. To me, the better comp is Michael Kidd Gilchrest. They're both fantastic athletes, roughly the same size (Gilchrest though is an inch shorter and 20 pounds bigger) and neither has a shooting stroke to speak of. 

 

[jon abbey]

Shawn Marion is another interesting Gordon comp, he is an incredible athlete.