2014 NBA draft/off-season thread

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

Don't forget, IMO, the biggest bust of all time: The top pick in the 72 draft, Center LaRue Martin

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

The real loser here is going to be the Sixers, who probably had a real shot at stealing Wiggins at No. 3 if Embiid had stayed healthy.

I'm guessing Philly will take Exum at No. 3, but it's not exactly a need. Watch Embiid fall to the Lakers and then be the next Olajuwon.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

With Michael Carter-Williams, Philly will pass on Exum. I suspect they would either take Embiid and Nerlens Noel him (have him sit a year), or go for Noah Vonleh. Taking Embiid is also a sign that the Sixers want to tank for one more year so they can get Cliff Alexander or Jahlil Okafor.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

The Sixers were already trying to trade up to the first spot. I expect that could kick into high gear shortly.

The third pick and Thad Young probably won't get them there. But if they throw in the 10th pick, it might.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

Yeah, I would think the pricetag has gone up considerably since Embiid is such a risky pick at this point.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

Joe Barry Carroll has one of the best nicknames ever...Joe Barely Cares. To add to your list of busts...Bryant "Big Country" Reeves and Dwayne Schintzius. Let's not forget Chris Washburn, either. I would also consider Kenyon Martin, a No. 1 overall, a bust.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

I wouldn't lump Martin in as a bust. Disappointment? Sure...

He was a solid player for a decade. Worthy of a No. 1 pick? Of course not...

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

It sounds like Klay Thompson, David Lee for Kevin Love is likely to happen, although not until draft day.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

Okafor, Embid and Noel? Who plays small forward?

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

Kenyon Martin: not a center, and not a bust. Look at the 2000 draft. Yikes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NBA_draft

Taken right after Martin -- Stromile Swift, Darius Miles and Marcus Fizer. Woof. Mike Miller, at No. 5, would probably STILL be No. 5 in that draft. Some years are just lousy.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

He did play some center at UC...when Huggins wanted to go small or when Art Long was ineffective or in foul trouble. Yes, that draft was awful...kind of like last year. Everyone rips the Cavs for the Bennett pick, but who else should they have taken? Oladipo was the only other one, with Noel, being discussed at No. 1. No one had Carter-Williams in the top three. The draft was just awful.

Stromile Swift is the one that gets me...that guy had all the athletic ability in the world, but he just sucked. Kind of like Loren Woods...a 7-foot-2 guy that could actually move, but he was awful.

 

Re: 2014 NBA draft thread

I'm not sure you can argue for Anthony Bennett in any context, but you are correct that this rookie class was distinguished in its lack of being distinguished. Otto Porter at No. 3 is already on the Fast Train to Bustville.