Official 2014 NBA draft thread

[bleedspeed]

Capela is shooting over 65%. He his demeanor seems to be of a leader that he wants more from his teamates. I will take that over the 5th guy on a college team.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Capela is shooting over 65%. He his demeanor seems to be of a leader that he wants more from his teamates. I will take that over the 5th guy on a college team.

Fifth scoring option on a Final Four college team. Don't get it twisted. He's no doubt their best defensive player and has a legitimate impact on the game.

I'll take a good college player with high upside over a Euro player with medium-high upside every day of the week. There's no debating the talent level in their respective leagues.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Nik Stauskas or Gary Harris?: http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2014/1/27/5350456/nik-stauskas-gary-harris-michigan-msu-nba-draft-2014

Pretty good article discussing the two. GIFs to illustrate plays the writer's talking about. You can see different plays where Stauskas creates his own shot, moves off ball and even assists a teammate for a bucket. Also plays where Harris steals the ball and scores in transition, drives to the rim and gets fouled and also a play where he facilitates on the P&R.

Now, I'm not bragging, but I have watched a bunch of MSU/Mich games and this actually is a pretty good summary of the two. Stauskas the better offensive player, Harris the better defender. We know that already, but it's a good read nonetheless.

[bleedspeed]

Good article. I would want Nik Stauskas out of the 2. He seems like Wally with a handle. I hope you are happy Cam. I would go with him over Capela.

[bleedspeed]

Updated Draft:

First Round
13 - Nik Stauskas
Second Roud
11 - Dwight Powell
15 - Shabazz Napier
23 - Thanasis Antetokounmpo

[bleedspeed]

What are the odds Smart ot Gordon fall to us? Would you take either of them over Stauskus?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Good article. I would want Nik Stauskas out of the 2. He seems like Wally with a handle. I hope you are happy Cam. I would go with him over Capela.

Now we're getting somewhere! :thumb:

#TeamStauskas

What are the odds Smart or Gordon fall to us? Would you take either of them over Stauskus?

Man, it's really tough to see Smart fall to 13. After being heralded all last summer and for most of the college season as a high pick in the 2014 draft and the best PG prospect in the nation, you'd think repuation alone would keep him in the top-10. IF he magically fell to our spot, it's a no brainer to take him. He's a stat-stuffing, two-way guard who can make plays with the ball in his hands or off-ball. Strong/athletic enough to guard both backcourt positions. He's not a great shooter, but the guy eats at the rim. As Lip and plenty of others constantly repeat, we have one player (maybe two) who can penetrate off the dribble. Smart would immediately become the best driver we have. Also just turned only 20 years old. Has plenty of potential to get better. Would contribute to next year's team right away. I'd personally consider starting him with Rubio, but he'd probably be the combo guard off the bench next season if we drafted him.

Gordon has a chance to fall to us, but at the end of the day, I think he goes higher than 13 as well. His athleticism and defensive ability alone make him a very intriguing prospect. I'll probably get killed for this, but I'd rather have Stauskas over Gordon now that I really think about it. Gordon's offensive game is very raw relying on set-ups, fastbreaks and OK dribble drives from the perimeter. In my opinion, we really need another player who can create. Gordon's the better athlete/rebounder/defender than Stauskas, but I think Stauskas' offensive ability and drive to be elite have me leaning towards him. Gordon's also a horrific shooter. Can't hit threes, mid-range and really struggles at the FT line. Having Love and Martin as the only reliable shooters on this team is a big problem, even if Bud returns to form. Need more than three shooters. At the very least, Stauskas will be a sharpshooter with good passing vision. In the end, that's more valuable than a very athletic tweener with great defense.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I know that's all pretty lengthy, but I just wanted to be clear with my thoughts. Lol sorry bleed! A simple question and I replied with an essay. :dizzy:

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I keep seeing how a lot of the posters on here want another ball handler that can play with Rubio... Sooo why not more love for Stauskas? I don't see how he doesn't help a lot of our problems. You're not going to get a perfect prospect at 13, but Stauskas' strengths are our offense's weaknesses. In sports it's never a bad idea to build on the team's strongpoints. Well.... hello!?!?! Nik makes so much sense, in my head.

Neither Martin, Brewer, Budinger or Muhammad can handle the basketball. So regardless of what wing combo you put out there, there should be another guy that can handle besides the PG on the floor, ESPECIALLY if Barea's one of the two. Stauskas fits in the starting lineup and the bench.

I know, I know... Cam's making another push to get Stauskas followers... I get it. :D

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Good article. I would want Nik Stauskas out of the 2. He seems like Wally with a handle. I hope you are happy Cam. I would go with him over Capela.

Now we're getting somewhere! :thumb:

#TeamStauskas

What are the odds Smart or Gordon fall to us? Would you take either of them over Stauskus?

Man, it's really tough to see Smart fall to 13. After being heralded all last summer and for most of the college season as a high pick in the 2014 draft and the best PG prospect in the nation, you'd think repuation alone would keep him in the top-10. IF he magically fell to our spot, it's a no brainer to take him. He's a stat-stuffing, two-way guard who can make plays with the ball in his hands or off-ball. Strong/athletic enough to guard both backcourt positions. He's not a great shooter, but the guy eats at the rim. As Lip and plenty of others constantly repeat, we have one player (maybe two) who can penetrate off the dribble. Smart would immediately become the best driver we have. Also just turned only 20 years old. Has plenty of potential to get better. Would contribute to next year's team right away. I'd personally consider starting him with Rubio, but he'd probably be the combo guard off the bench next season if we drafted him.

Gordon has a chance to fall to us, but at the end of the day, I think he goes higher than 13 as well. His athleticism and defensive ability alone make him a very intriguing prospect. I'll probably get killed for this, but I'd rather have Stauskas over Gordon now that I really think about it. Gordon's offensive game is very raw relying on set-ups, fastbreaks and OK dribble drives from the perimeter. In my opinion, we really need another player who can create. Gordon's the better athlete/rebounder/defender than Stauskas, but I think Stauskas' offensive ability and drive to be elite have me leaning towards him. Gordon's also a horrific shooter. Can't hit threes, mid-range and really struggles at the FT line. Having Love and Martin as the only reliable shooters on this team is a big problem, even if Bud returns to form. Need more than three shooters. At the very least, Stauskas will be a sharpshooter with good passing vision. In the end, that's more valuable than a very athletic tweener with great defense.

I still don't understand Smart's decision to stay at OSU another year. He may have gone top five last year, and didn't project to improve his shot enough to compete with this year's lottery giants. That said and despite his below average shot, he is an incredible basketball player who the Wolves would have to jump on if he were to fall to us. Because of his lack of 3-point shooting, he would have to be paired with a shooting wing. But a starting pairing of Smart/Bud, and a backup wing pairing of Shabazz or Brewer plus Martin makes me dream a little.