After it is all said and done 60 men will hear their names called during the 2014 NBA Draft. However it is never certain how good any of these prospects will play against the professionals. Yes, each of these 60 men have incredible talent when it comes to basketball, but being so young many of them still need some time to develop – both physically and mentally.
As the draft draws closer general managers and scouts across the league are faced with the task of landing the right fit for their team. A few things go into this process such as what positions a team needs to fill and how these men can handle the fame off the court.
With that said, there are multiple prospects that are NBA ready and will make a lot of noise throughout their rookie season. The NBA Lottery drawing is May 20, 2014 which will officially set the order for the NBA Draft. The draft will take place on June 26, 2014 and the first overall selection should be Jabari Parker of the Duke University.
[ new page = 10. Gary Harris – SG, Michigan State ]
According to a release from the school, Michigan State's Gary Harris will enter the NBA draft. http://t.co/W4VlBfvBRG pic.twitter.com/Z9S7FpWlvQ
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 14, 2014
image via Twitter from NBCSports
Harris is a pure shooter and has also proven his ability to drive the lane. He can score in transition but sometimes is too eager to shoot the three when he could more easily get to the rim.
What really makes him an NBA ready talent is his ability to defend on the perimeter. Look for him to become an instant starter or sixth man next season.
[ new page = 9. Doug McDermott – SF, Creighton ]
#BIGEASTtourney pic.twitter.com/ubJFppEIlW
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) March 14, 2014
image via Twitter from ErinAndrews
McDermott is one of the few players in this draft to play four years of college basketball. He received a lot of fame during his senior year as he kept moving up the NCAA men’s basketball career points list.
He is really intriguing because of his basketball IQ and his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. He can post up, shoot the three or take it to the rack with ease. Most question marks associated with McDermott is whether or not he can be physical enough in the NBA but he has proven that his finesse game can be just as effective.
[ new page = 8. Tyler Ennis – PG, Syracuse ]
Tyler Ennis (@tdot_ennis) from @syrbasketball shows off the handle for the cameras at #NBACombine https://t.co/brDOWXPCwE
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 17, 2014
image via Twitter from NBADraft
Ennis just finished his freshman year at Syracuse and is one of the best PGs in this year’s draft. He may not be the most athletic PG, but he is the most traditional. He knows how to command a team and can work well off the ball. He probably has the best basketball IQ in the draft and has been known to come up big in late game situations.
Being so young with his ability to thrive under pressure is what makes him one of the most NBA ready PGs this year.
[ new page = 7. Adreian Payne – PF, Michigan State ]
It was time for my lil princess to go home & feel no more pain,now she's happy & she's my angel watching over me. pic.twitter.com/bpUPCipcif
— Adreian Payne (@Adreian_Payne) April 10, 2014
image via Twitter from AdreianPayne
Adreian Payne is a beast on defense and the boards. He is a straight grinder who will put everything on the floor and always give 110% effort. He is very effective rebounding the ball on the offensive end and will also hit the occasional three.
He was always a solid player in college with underrated athleticism. He is the ideal athlete when it comes to his work ethic and with his hidden athleticism he will be a great pick for any team late in the draft who will fight for a starting position early on in the season.
[ new page = 6. Marcus Smart – SG, Oklahoma State ]
Getting after this NBA Combine in Chicago. #blessed pic.twitter.com/FNu4vlsPxQ
— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) May 15, 2014
image via Twitter from MarcusSmart
Smart is very physical and operates well under pressure. He is most effective when he drives the lane but he also has an effective jump shot. He would be among talks for a top five selection if it wasn’t for his behavior off the court. This past season at Oklahoma State he was suspended three games for shoving a Texas Tech fan in the final seconds of a regular season game.
If a team is willing to take a chance on him he will be an opening day starter.
[ new page = 5. Aaron Gordon – SG, Arizona ]
Aaron Gordon (@IamAaronGordon) and James Young (@realjamesyoung) sharing the spotlight at #NBACombine pic.twitter.com/LpAMWwVLAE
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 17, 2014
image via Twitter from NBADraft
Simply put, Gordon is an athletic freak. He is a solid basketball player with good technique but his athleticism is the most compelling part of his game. He can do things that most NBA players can’t do.
With proper coaching he will be an elite NBA player for years to come, not to mention his instant impact next season.
[ new page = 4. Julius Randle – PF, Kentucky ]
Tell us your favorite memory of @J30_RANDLE as we say goodbye to Mr. Double-Double today. #ThanksJulius pic.twitter.com/20y7n1QFGn
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 1, 2014
image via Twitter from KentuckyMBB
Randle is the best inside man in the draft. He knows exactly what his is doing under the hoop and can score with either his left or his right hand. He is surprisingly good off the dribble and will beat guys up in the post.
He will be an instant starter with ROY potential. While his upside isn’t as intriguing as other players, right now he could be the best player in the draft.
[ new page = 3. Dante Exum – PG, Australia ]
< blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
NBA draft prospect Dante Exum thinks his game resembles Russell Westbrook, Manu Ginobili. http://t.co/IXnYbWUL2d pic.twitter.com/lfp4A1t1ax
— theScore (@theScore) May 19, 2014
image via Twitter from TheScore
It is always tricky dealing with foreign players because the competition isn’t seen to be as hard as the NCAA. With that said, Exum is cut from the same crop as Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. He can score with ease and will turn some heads in the process.
He is a big body with quick feet that can take the ball to the rim whenever he wants. His ability to get to the rim is only matched by his ball handling skills which will help him become a top three pick in the upcoming draft.
[ new page = 2. Andrew Wiggins – SG, Kansas ]
Biggest winner of the #NBACombine? Andrew Wiggins iconic 44" vert photo. pic.twitter.com/9r84KZ0PeK
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 16, 2014
image via Twitter from ChadFord
Wiggins is a Canadian born prospect with the most upside in the draft. He is one of the few players with NBA caliber talent and a lot of room to develop physically. Right now he relies on finesse and quickness to score, which he can do with ease. He can beat you off the dribble, pull up and drain a three in your face, or draw a double team and dish the ball to a teammate.
He will be an opening day starter with a higher ceiling than any other prospect. Look for him to make a lot of noise his rookie year and only get better with age.
[ new page = 1. Jabari Parker – SF, Duke ]
Former MaxPreps Player of the Year Jabari Parker is turning pro. http://t.co/X697turOow pic.twitter.com/PnLut6Rhup
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) April 17, 2014
image via Twitter from MaxPreps
Parker is the most complete player in this year’s NBA draft and should make the biggest impact from day one. He is a big, physical player with a high basketball IQ. He can shoot, drive the lane, make a pass, play off the ball and defend on an NBA level.
Most question marks about Parker surround the early exit from the NCAA tournament. They shouldn’t. Multiple GM’s are hoping this will lower his draft stock so they have a better chance to take him on draft day. His upside is tremendous and he is still growing. He will be a starter from day one and should prove to be the best rookie in his class.
There has been a critical error on your website.<\/p>
Learn more about debugging in WordPress.<\/a><\/p>","data":{"status":500},"additional_errors":[]}