2014 NBA Draft thoughts.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

The other draft message just got too long, so I thought I would start another.

Just read the insider article by Chad Ford. He apparently spent a few hours today watching Stauskas, McDermott, Payne, Virginia's Joe Harris, Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick, and No Dakota St Taylor Braun.

Article is long, but his general thoughts:

All guys can shoot, with Stauskas and McDermott ending the day each shooting about 85% uncontested from the NBA 3 line. He was surprised how good Payne looked for a guy 6'10"...more to come on him in a bit.

Stauskas - Best guy in group off bounce. He was a PG growing up until later growth spurt. He thinks if teams view him as SG that can handle ball in certain situations, he will be in mix with Smart and Ennis in 5-10 range. His shooting is that good.

McDermott - Lost weight, and showed well in lateral drills. Highlights that he won't ever be known for defense, but his offensive arsenal will more than make up for it. Said his shooting was lights out, and that form is exactly the same ervy shot, which is critical for consistency. Also, showed a ton of post moves as well. He is simply an offensive matchup nightmare.


Payne - Ford called him one of the more intriguing players in draft. Said he thinks teams will regret not taking in top 10. Says he has size, body and athleticism to succeed in NBA. And to top it off, has a great jumper as well. Compared him to Ibaka in terms of skill and size. He said even without a jumper, he should be top 20...with it, much higher. Payne is 23, which is why Ford rated him out at 17. But you can tell he really likes him.

I have said in previous posts, but I also think Stauskas will be long gone by the time we pick. His jumper will be coveted by someone early, especially if he can show he is more than a shooter.

I know everyone wants "potential", but guys like McDermott and Payne could really help this team next year. Payne seems like a better shooting Cunningham, who incedentally needs to be replaced. Will he be a star....not likely, but he seems like a guy that can come in and give productive minutes from game 1.

McDermott....well, we may have just found our Kyle Korver from the bench. Again, a guy that can certainly contribute immediately, which really needs to be a quality for this draft pick. Would love to add his shooting to this team. He just seems like a guy you could count on at the end of a game as well, which we obviously were lacking last year.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

All of these guys seem like decent options to consider. SG and backup PF are two positions of need and shooting has been a team weakness for a few years now.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Thanks for summarizing the Ford article, and for starting a new draft thread...the Chicago combine kind of signals a real start to the draft season, so a fresh thread is a good idea.

I agree that Ford's article supports the premise that Stauskas won't be around at 13...pretty exciting to read about him and McDermott. And Payne is another guy who could end up in the top 10. There are a lot of studs available this year, and I don't envy Flip with all the options he is likely to have when his turn at bat comes up.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Doug McDermott is not, nor will he be, Kyle Korver. I've seen that comparison all over different forums and it's foolish every time I read it.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Doug McDermott is not, nor will he be, Kyle Korver. I've seen that comparison all over different forums and it's foolish every time I read it.

Cam, I assume you are saying that Korver was not nearly as good as McDermott was in college. I would agree with that conclusion, but I also see some similarities. While McDermott was NCAA player of the year his senior year, Korver was also a second team All-American. Nether is a very impressive athlete, but both are dead-eye shooters (both over 45% for their careers on threes). And they are almost identical in size. Yes, McDermott is a better rebounder and has a post game that Korver can only dream about, but I can understand people who might call Korver a poor man's McDermott. I suspect that they may be even more similar in the pros, with McDermott finding it more difficult to score inside the way he could in college.

[Papalrep]

McDermott....well, we may have just found our Kyle Korver from the bench.

Or a replacement for Kevin Love

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

McDermott....well, we may have just found our Kyle Korver from the bench.

Or a replacement for Kevin Love

I've kind of wondered about that too, father. The more I think about it, though, I don't think he will ever be our starting PF. Why?

1) He's the college player of the year, and is off to a huge start in the first combine. I don't think he lasts until the 13th pick.
2) I don't think he'll ever be big enough to be a PF in the NBA.

I love McDermott, but I see him destined to be an offensive sparkplug off the bench. Never a starter, but a very potent reserve.

[Monster]

If someone picks McDermott and the floor is Korver thats pretty good. Korver has been a nice player in the league for quite a while. Doug SHOULD be better becasue he is more talented, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

I think this draft is pretty deep with wing prospects that can possible be solid starters or if you are getting them later role players. I wouldn't mind seeing the Wolves take LaQuinton Ross in the 2nd round. yeah he is a long shot, but thats what you get in the 2nd round. If Russ Smith really lasts to one of those 2nd round picks I would want him too. He could be a nice compliment to Rubio as a backup. I am curious to see where Glen Robinson goes. I think he could end up being one of those really nice complimentary players maybe like a less offensive gifted Deng but healthy and with defensive abilities. Yeah thats still asking alot but I like little big dog.

[60WinTim]

Shabazz Napier with a 2nd round pick?!?

The more I look into this draft, the more excited I get. Damn, it is deep with talent! And the Wolves could use talent at every single position, with the exception of C (assuming we keep both Deing and Pek).

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

Cam, I am curious about your McDermott vs Korver comment. Obviously, the key strength to both of these players is their shooting ability. While McDermott may show more post-game potential, that will not be where his bread is buttered. They are extremely similar in that they are dead-eye long range shooters that will play that particular role and also stuggle enough on defense to relegate them to more of a higher minute bench guy rather than a starter.

While they certainly have some differences to their games, they both make their money in the exact same fashion.