With the NBA currently in it’s silent mode, players continue to light up our Instagram accounts by participating in a variety of posing activities such as promotional tours, private practice sessions and Mayweather fights.
But that wears on anyone, even the most avid fan, and ever since the (Spurs choked and threw away game 6) Heat were able to oust the Spurs in 7 games, many fans had already begun talking up possible contenders to knock off them off their perch.
However, if you’re not a fan of the Bulls, Rockets, or any other 6 or so legitimate contenders, you’re probably praying for new ways for your team to lose in the hope that the June Draft Lottery becomes your version of the NBA Finals.
And who can blame you? – With a number of prospects already being compared to current superstars such as Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Blake Griffin to name a few, experts such as, ESPN Insider, Chad Ford are already claiming the 2014 draft class as both ‘epic’ and possibly the ‘best ever.’
So while some hopeful recruiters prepare themselves for the ‘Decision Part II’, other lottery bound fans will be hoping that their team has positioned itself for the next best thing.
These 6 teams – some of which are actively ‘tanking’, will be analysed in accordance to which potential prospect is best suited to their respected systems.
1. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Wiggins.
The 76ers haven’t made a secret of their plans to stockpile assets in preparation for this draft. The Andrew Bynum trade was a disaster, but also a chance that the team needed to make. They rolled the dice and it didn’t work out, however, rather than just continue fighting out for an 8th seed with a maxed out team – GM Sam Hinkie decided to trade the team’s only all star – Jrue Holiday for another injured center, Nerlens Noel, and a top protected pick in 2014.
This puts the 76ers in poll position to land that coveted number 1 pick and choose Andrew Wiggins. Although Philly are not short on wings with Young and Turner both occupying the 3 spot, Wiggins is the consensus number 1 player. In fact, ESPN Insider, Chad Ford has labeled Wiggins as the best young prospect since Kevin Durant, while other scouts have hailed the Kansas freshman as possibly the next ‘Lebron James’.
Huge wraps for a young player who is yet to prove himself, but these highlights demonstrate that not only is Wiggins a terrific athlete, but also a polished scorer who can shoot the 3 and get to the basket.
The only weakness that Wiggins has demonstrated thus far is that he can often appear disengaged
“Wiggins appears to lack the same killer instinct that elite wings such as Kobe Byrant possess” says, Chad Ford.
But there’s no denying his talent and he would have to have a catastrophic collegiate season if he were to slip down the draft board.
2.Phoenix Suns: Julis Randle
The Suns could land anywhere in the top 6 and be still be able to select a more than-adequate piece to help them improve.
You only need to look at the changes the team made – new coach, new management and new younger roster to realise that the new man in charge, Jeff Hornacek has his work cut out for him. Unfortunately/fortunately – depending how the 2014 lottery works out – the selection of Alex Len has all but assured Suns’ fans that they will be near the bottom of the west.
And this is where Julis Randle comes in. As Phoenix needs help in nearly every position, drafting the best available player makes this selection a pretty simple one.
In a normal draft year, Randle would probably be the consensus No.1 player in the draft. However, considering the aforementioned No.1 is being compared the to Lebron James, Julis may have to accept that he may not be the first option in 2014.
Just watching clips of Randle for a few minutes, its clear why scouts are so high on him. Everything he does is with power. He possesses a very strong body, mixed with an ability to handle the rock and finish through contact.
Randle has drawn comparisons to both Chris Webber and Kevin Garnett, and much like Garnett, he likes to face up more than post up. This is a facet of his game, which has drawn some criticism with Drew Corrigan of Dime magazine explaining
“The only recognizable weakness in his game is his post-up game. He doesn’t go to it enough. Randle really prefers the face-up game over the block. While this works playing against a 6.2 average Joe in High School, he will see problems in the NBA”.
However, unlike Wiggins Corrigan doesn’t see a problem with Randle’s demeanor on the court.
“Randle plays like an animal on the court. He has the size of a lion, with the heart of one to compliment”.
This is huge praise for a young prospect, and if Randle can assert himself as the Alpha dog on a star studded Kentucky team, then Wiggins may yet have some competition for the No.1 spot.
3. Orlando Magic: Dante Exum
Okay, okay – I’m an Aussie and would love to see Exum drafted this high. He seems like the most coveted Australian prospect since Andrew Bogut, but I believe, with an even greater upside. And what a perfect fit he would be for Orlando Magic, who themselves have some talented wings in Harkliss and Harris in which they can build around the talented point guard.
It can be argued that the Orlando Magic began this process last offseason when they decided to trade Dwight Howard for some expiring contracts and a decent big man in Vucevic.
It remains to be seen if recent draft pick – Victor Oladipo can play the point guard position with many experts predicting that he will feature there in-order to fast track his development and also prevent the team from winning too many games.
If Oladipo’s summer league campaign, in which he averaged just as many turnovers (4.8) as assists (5.0) is an indicator of how he will feature at the 1 spot, then the ‘tanking’ process shouldn’t prove to difficult.
It will also make it much easier to draft Exum and build a team around a solid point guard. Exum had the biggest summer out of any of the top prospects with a terrific FIBA U-19 championship performance, averaging 18 PPG and nearly 4.0 APG. He seems to have the size and athleticism to play both the1 and 2 positions. His only downfall is that he is still yet to graduate from High School and it remains to be seen whether he will join an NCAA team for the second half of the season.
4.Utah Jazz: Jabari Parker
When a team lets two of their best players – Al Jefferson and Paul Milsap go for nothing, and takes on the expiring contracts of Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson, and Brandon Rush from the Golden State Warriors – you know they aren’t looking at this season’s Western Conference championship.
But this doesn’t mean its all doom and gloom for the Jazz, as they have two young promising big men – Enes Kanter, and Derrick Favours up front, and this year’s lottery pick – Trey Burke to build around.
This is where Jabari Parker comes in. If Wiggins is this draft’s version of Lebron, then Parker is its version of Carmelo Anthony.
Although Scouts are a little concerned over his development over the past twelve months, the kid can play and has all the qualities of a future all-star – something that Jazz fans have been calling out for since Deron Williams ended Jerry Sloan’s career.
5. Charlotte Bobcats: Marcus Smart
Now, you didn’t think we would go this long talking about potential lottery teams and forget to mention the Charlotte Bobcats – did you?
Well we haven’t…. And if you think the signing of Al Jefferson will automatically propel the soon to be Hornets into playoff contention, then you’d be wrong again.
However, the signing of Jefferson does give the team a go to player to build around a young core, while also ensuring the team will remain weak enough on the defensive end to keep them in lottery contention.
And if so, Jordan should look to Marcus Smart to steer the ship. Smart was considered a top 2 selection in the 2013 draft before he chose to return to Oklahoma State for his sophomore season.
Although he still has weaknesses in his game – jump shot and ball handling – he is still a very intelligent point guard who could form a strong backcourt combination with Kemba Walker.
‘Tanking’ makes more sense this year than it has in any previous seasons, as youngsters like Michael Kidd Gilchrist, Jeffery Taylor and rookie Cody Zeller continue to develop. But Jordan’s poor history in the draft doesn’t guarantee anything to these starved fans.
At least the retro teal jerseys will look cool.
6. Boston Celtics: Aaron Gordon
GM Danny Ainge was recently heard telling ESPN’s Bill Simmons on the BS Report that he believes the Celtics would still be competitive this upcoming season. He also once told us that Rondo was not on the trading block, and then admitted that he almost dealt him for All Star Chris Paul.
The Celtics unsuccessfully entered the ‘tanking sweepstakes’ for both Kevin Durant and Greg Oden back in 2007, which eventually lead to the Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett trades – a pretty good plan B if you ask me.
Danny denied ‘tanking’ back then, and he’s denying it now. But if losing Doc Rivers and trading away Garnett, Terry and Pierce for expiring contracts, and future draft picks doesn’t qualify ‘tanking’, I’m not sure what does.
In the meantime, the Celtics can do no worse by drafting one of the most exciting prospects within this current crop – Aaron Gordon.
After viewing the many highlights of Gordon on YouTube, it’s easy to see why scouts are comparing him to Blake Griffin. His huge motor and terrific athleticism would surely make him a crowd favorite amongst the Celtic fans, and once Rondo returns from an ACL injury – the East Coast version of ‘Lob City’
Gordon’s lack of size and shaky jump shot are two weaknesses that will need to be rectified if he is to successfully make the transition from Power Forward to Small Forward at the University of Arizona, and eventually in the pros.
Until then, we’ll have to settle for 8 months of Bill Simmons comparing 2013 draft pick – Kelly Olynyk to Larry bird.
Of course, all these are just predictions and there is still so much to happen in between. Although having the worst record only lifts a team’s odds by 25% of landing the No.1 pick, it still wont deter GM’s from trying to land the next ‘chosen one’.
No really knows if all these prospects will continue developing at the rate their expected, or if there will be someone who comes out of the blue to surprise us all.
However, one thing is for certain – the teams towards the bottom of their respected conferences will create an interesting subplot to a season that is already promising so much.
In the end, may the worst team win!