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Post Summer League Draft Analysis

Post Summer League Draft Analysis

1 Cleveland Andrew Wiggins 6-8 200 SF Kansas Fr.

Probably will never meet the hype. Will still be a worthy #1 pick. The talent and attitude accompanying his extreme athleticism make for a solid starter for years to come. I predict his offense will improve each year, similar in style and pace to Demar Derozan. I’d say Wiggins is perhaps one year ahead of where Derozan was at the same time. Now that Derozan is comfortable with his scoring ability, he’s starting to add assists to his game. Again, I’d predict the same for Wiggins. Wiggins may have more of a conscience, and thus never average 20/gm. But his defense projects much higher than Derozan, to the Paul George level.

2 Milwaukee Jabari Parker 6-9 240 SF/PF Duke Fr.

We learned Jabari is not a tweener. Either power forward or bust. He's a big man, with a small forward’s offensive game. His body type is Paul Pierce, but with an extra three inches of height and intensive weight training, he should be a very effective power forward for years. His shot was off in Summer League. But the natural scoring ability was evident. Chucks it up like Carmelo. Good rebounder. Will also get to the line often. Criticizing his willingness to play defense is a bit overblown, I believe. Still, I don’t see the quickness to guard threes at all. Interesting to note that Parker and Antetokounmpo played with absolutely no chemistry, never acknowledged each other on the court or in the huddles, no pound, handshake high five, nothing… J Kidd you have your work cut out.

3 Philadelphia Joel Embiid 7-0 250 C Kansas Fr.

Learned he has a mean tweet game.

4 Orlando Aaron Gordon 6-9 220 PF Arizona Fr.

Why doubt Arizona products? They tend to produce. Learned nothing new. Rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism. Offensive game is a project, like Blake’s. Gordon is not quite Blake’s brute size at the same age, however.

5 Utah Dante Exum 6-6 196 PG/SG Australia Intl.

Showed great ability in his first game. Performances thereafter were middling. Teenage point guards are harder to project than teenage big men, in my opinion. Court vision was evident. Certainly a possibility at the point guard. I think Trey Burke is safe for this year though.

6 Boston Marcus Smart 6-3 227 PG Oklahoma State So.

Never been sold on Marcus Smart. Showed uncommon strength, and defense is certainly his calling card. I’m just not seeing the penetration skills or the vision.

7 LA Lakers Julius Randle 6-9 250 PF Kentucky Fr.

I think you need to see him in person. Television doesn’t accurately show how big of a frame this young man has. Amongst other 6’9 - 6’11 guys, even next to the brickhouse Patric Young, Julius Randle is an eighteen wheeler amongst minivans. When he puts the ball on the floor and attacks, its scary. He’ll probably get a lot of offensive fouls. But as he matures, folks will not be in a hurry to take them. I think Orlando and Boston missed on him. Put him next to Vucevic and the paint would be on lock!

8 Sacramento Nik Stauskas 6-6 207 SG Michigan So.

I saw a little Rex Chapman in him. But not much.

9 Charlotte Noah Vonleh 6-9 247 PF Indiana Fr.

Impressive physique, broad shoulders. While he might be able to hit a standing jumper or a free throw, I seriously question his knack for scoring in the middle. Will stay in the league a long time for his rebounding ability alone. Might could average 10bds/gm as a rookie, if given starter’s minutes. Should learn a lot about post scoring from ‘the natural’ Al Jefferson.

10 Orlando Elfrid Payton 6-4 185 PG Louisiana Laf... Jr.

Looks more like Damian Lilliard than CJ McCollum. Although CJ McCollum looked much better this year. Got to wherever he wanted to go on the floor in Orlando. From the school that produced Annndrew Toooooooooooooney! So I’m rooting for him already…

11 Chicago Doug McDermott 6-7 220 SF Creighton Sr.

The controversial one. I’m a fan. Watching a few of his Creighton games, I’ve been convinced he’s got more game than Kyle Korver, etc. He sticks his nose in the action. He’s also not slow. Okay…not that slow. I just don’t see where folks are getting the idea that he can’t play defense, other than him being white and a great shooter. If he ages badly, I could see him getting worse, but I don’t have any reason to assume as much. Sarunas Marciulionus, anyone?

12 Philadelphia Dario Saric 6-10 225 SF/PF Croatia Intl.

Tapes look great. Hope we get to see him in FIBA World’s.

13 Minnesota Zach LaVine 6-6 180 PG/SG UCLA Fr.

I doubted his ability to play the point. I was wrong. He was effective, with lots of room to grow. He is skinny. Will only get better as his body and game matures. JR Smith is his floor. But his willingness to create for others is already miles ahead of young Earl.

14 Phoenix TJ Warren 6-8 220 SF NC State So.

So boringly effective. Nothing to wow you with. Just grit and intensity. PJ Tucker meet TJ Warren. Oh, you’ve met?

15 Atlanta Adreian Payne 6-10 240 PF Michigan St. Sr.

Boom or bust. I was a fan of his at MSU. I’m not down on him because his three pointers didn’t fall. I was actually encouraged that they asked him to take so many. I just didn’t like the way he moved on the floor. Something old-mannish about the way he runs, and moves from side to side. Maybe I’m buggin…

16 Denver Jusuf Nurkic 6-11 280 C Bosnia & Herz... Intl.

Cool name, bro.

17 Boston James Young 6-6 215 SG Kentucky Fr.

Extremely lefthanded. Not much we didn’t know. Didn’t seem like a day one threat to me. On an aside, I still like Kelly Olynyk’s game. But his lack of strength is still going to be a problem this year.

18 Phoenix Tyler Ennis 6-2 180 PG Syracuse Fr.

Wasn’t good, wasn’t bad. Loaded team with Plumlee, Warren, Archie Goodwin. Ran the show with confidence.

19 Denver Gary Harris 6-4 205 SG Michigan St. So.

Great first game. Others were more average. Behind Afflalo and Foye, he’ll have plenty of time to develop.

20 Toronto Bruno Caboclo 6-9 205 SF/PF Brazil Intl.

Saved Toronto’s GM, Masaai Ujiri, from ridicule. Didn’t set the world on fire. But displayed offensive and defensive competency. Can run the floor, shoot and defend. Might have been some passing skills in their somewhere. In no ways did he look out of place. I like him better than Adreian Payne at this point.

21 Oklahoma Cty Mitch McGary 6-10 266 C Michigan So.

Impressive. Showed strength, athleticism and toughness. Has a slightly more fluid offensive game than last year’s lottery pick, Steven Adams. Such is the depth of this draft!

22 Memphis Jordan Adams 6-5 209 SG UCLA So.

UCLA aint no joke. I expect Jordan Adams to be the starting two guard in Memphis sooner, rather than later. Need to see more of his defense. Scoring, however, doesn’t look like a problem.

23 Utah Rodney Hood 6-8 208 SF Duke So.

Showed great promise from three point land. I think we knew that though. Did some other things on the wing. Not enough to clamor for him. In a great situation in Utah.

24 Miami Shabazz Napier 6-0 175 PG UConn Sr.

I’m sorry, looked awful. Gritty, yes. Quick, no. If Napier sticks in the league, I won’t be able to explain it, sort of like how Steve Blake or Rick Brunson somehow made ten year careers. If they took him to woo Lebron... shame, shame on Lebron. They could’ve had Kyle Anderson.

25 Houston Clint Capela 6-11 222 PF/C Switzerland Intl.

Working on buyout.

26 Charlotte PJ Hairston 6-5 228 SG USA Jr.

Natural scorer. Can he share the rock? Nick Young, if not.

27 Phoenix Bogdan Bogdanovic 6-6 205 SG Serbia Intl.

Working on buyout.

28 LA Clippers CJ Wilcox 6-5 201 SG Washington Sr.

The most boring games in Summer league. A chore to watch. Wilcox did nothing special that I could see. If you’re drafting out of the Pac 10 here, why not Nick Johnson?

29 Oklahoma Cty Josh Huestis 6-8 215 SF/PF Stanford Sr.

No see.

30 San Antonio Kyle Anderson 6-9 230 SF UCLA So.

I had no idea why he lasted so long at the draft, and still don't. The whole Barclay Center groaned in unison when he fell to the Spurs. Diaw Part Deux did not disappoint. Great decision maker. Can do a little of everything. Should remind folks not to overemphasize speed and athleticism on one hand, or sabermetrics on the other. Just a damn good basketball player.

31 Milwaukee Damien Inglis 6-9 240 SF/PF France Intl.

Non-descript performance.

32 Philadelphia KJ McDaniels 6-6 196 SF Clemson Jr.

Demonstrated that he could play the shooting guard spot. Decent three point stroke. Should be a rotational player almost immediately.

33 Cleveland Joe Harris 6-6 215 SG/SF Virginia Sr.

Between Dellavadova, Wiggins and Bennett, there weren’t too many shots available for Harris. If he was open, Bennett and Wiggins sure weren’t looking for him. Lol.

34 New York Cleanthony Early 6-7 210 SF/PF Wichita State Sr.

Rugged. Hard-nosed, with some skill. Good pick to defend the LBJ’s and the Paul George’s.

35 Memphis Jarnell Stokes 6-8 260 PF Tennessee Jr.

Jarnell Stokes, Johnny O’Bryant. Johnny O’Bryant, Jarnell Stokes.

36 Milwaukee Johnny O'Bryant 6-8 257 PF/C LSU Jr.

Johnny O’Bryant, Jarnell Stokes. Jarnell Stokes, Johnny O’Bryant.

37 Toronto DeAndre Daniels 6-8 195 SF UConn Jr.

Showed a little something here and there. With his age and skill set, I was looking for a little more. Caboclo looked like I thought Daniels would.

38 Detroit Spencer Dinwiddie 6-6 205 PG/SG Colorado Jr.

Did not see.

39 Philadelphia Jerami Grant 6-8 214 SF Syracuse So.

Serial help defender. Showed a decent stroke, but with inconsistent results. Played the four for the most part. But even if he bulks up, he will be a marginal power forward. His future is as a small forward, or not at all, I’m afraid.

40 Minnesota Glenn Robinson III 6-7 211 SF Michigan So.

Flashes. Outshined by Lavine, by a lot.

41 Denver Nikola Jokic 6-11 255 PF/C Serbia Intl.

I’m all for collecting size. Hope he can play.

42 Houston Nick Johnson 6-3 198 SG Arizona Jr.

Arizona guards! The track record is excellent. PacTen Player of the year, and rocks the 3 pound jersey. Go get it, young man. Can they pair him with Harden for stretches?

43 Atlanta Walter Tavares 7-3 260 C Spain Intl.

Huge. Hasn’t grown into his body just yet. Head looks like a marble on top of a muscular frame. A little coordination, but not much. Could turn into Todd McCollough. But I doubt it.

44 Brooklyn Markel Brown 6-4 185 SG Oklahoma State Sr.

Gets plusses for his activity. Brooklyn needs some youth and speed.

45 Charlotte Dwight Powell 6-11 235 PF Stanford Sr.

Can’t remember seeing him play.

46 LA Lakers Jordan Clarkson 6-4 186 PG/SG Missouri Jr.

A couple mock drafters had him in the first round back in 2013. Maybe he should’ve. Good knack for driving and scoring.

47 New Orleans Russ Smith 6-1 160 PG/SG Louisville Sr.

I’m a fan. Was the best point guard in Summer League! Got to wherever he wanted on the floor with ease and quickness. Set up other teammates for easy shots. Some turnovers were because guys didn’t know the pass was coming. With all due respect to Pierre Jackson and his injury, I wish the Sixers would’ve kept him. I take heart in the fact that Hinkie drafted him and Glen Rice last year. The eye for talent is clear. I'm putting myself out there for this kid. A couple years down the road, folks will be wondering how he lasted so long.

48 Atlanta Lamar Patterson 6-5 225 SG/SF Pittsburgh Sr.

Didn’t see him.

49 Chicago Cameron Bairstow 6-10 252 PF New Mexico Sr.

Size, strength, some hops and willingness to mix it up. Should be a capable backup.

50 Phoenix Alec Brown 7-1 231 PF/C Wisconsin Gre... Sr.

No way he was a college senior. Baby face and slender like a 19year old. Long. Looked good stroking a three. But didn’t seem like he could do much work inside.

51 New York Thanasis Antetok...6-6 205 SF Greece Intl.

Showed a lot of hustle. He and Early will provide the Knicks with needed defense.

52 Philadelphia Vasilje Micic 6-6 202 PG Serbia Intl.

Overseas.

53 Minnesota Alessandro Gentile 6-7 230 SG/SF Italy Intl.

Overseas.

54 San Antonio Nemanja Dangubic 6-8 195 SG Serbia Intl.

Overseas.

55 Charlotte Semaj Christon 6-3 186 PG Xavier So.

Non-descript

56 Orlando Roy Devyn Marble 6-6 192 SG Iowa Sr.

Used to dig his pop’s game. The younger, meh.

57 Indiana Louis Labeyrie 6-10 220 PF France Intl.

58 Philadelphia Jordan McRae 6-5 180 SG Tennessee Sr.

Long and skinny. Aggressive. Comfortable as a targeted option. Can force it some, but usually gets to the line when he does. Natural scorer to go alongside KJMcDaniels’ natural defensive abilities.

59 Brooklyn Xavier Thames 6-3 187 PG/SG San Diego St. Sr.

Non-descript.

60 Brooklyn Cory Jefferson 6-9 220 PF Baylor Sr.

Played bigger than 6’9". Could be a keeper. Imposing. Gave Noel some trouble inside.




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