Bradley Beal is the real deal. I firmly believe that this young kid (and I can say that because I'm older than him, which is weird) will be an All-Star for years and years in the NBA. Beal is a great shooter with plenty of other assets on both the offensive and defensive end. The biggest of those assets is his phenomenal rebounding ability for his 6'3" frame, averaging 6.7 rpg in his first and only year in college. He already posses NBA range but can also attack the hoop and finish strong against bigger defenders. Beal also comes up big in the most important games, averaging 15.75 ppg and 8.25 rpg, while shooting over 60% from the field during the NCAA Tournament. My favorite thing about this pick, however, is the fact that the Wizards just got someone with a great work ethic that will grow into a leader along side point guard John Wall. For too long Washington has been plagued by immaturity and off the court issues, but drafting such a high character guy with this much talent was the perfect move to turn things around.
Worst Pick: Cavaliers 4th overall pick, Dion Waiters
This isn't so much a reflection on Dion Waiters, but more so the point in which he was taken in the draft. Most people projected Waiters to be a mid-first round pick, making it two years in a row that the Cavs made a reach for a player at the 4th spot in the draft (Tristan Thompson last year). At this point in the draft Cleveland should have drafted Harrison Barnes, who has a more versatile game and would be a better piece to fit with Kyrie Irving to build around. Someone who was only a sixth-man in college that was relied on for instant offense just isn't worth the 4th pick. If Cleveland had their heart set on this guy then they should have traded back at least a few spots and gotten something else out of the deal.
Steal of the 1st round: Phoenix Suns 13th overall pick, Kendall Mashall
Let me preface this by saying that I am a student at the University of Maryland, so I hate UNC with a passion. With that in mind, you know I mean business when I'm giving a Tarheel love. That being said, this is quite possibly my favorite pick of the entire draft. I never understood why Marshall wasn't projected as a higher pick. Yes, he didn't score much in college, but it was more a result of his situation as opposed to a lack of ability. He played with three other first round picks this year (Barnes, Henson, Zeller), so he just had to focus on running the offense and making those guys look even better, which he did masterfully. This type of innate play-making ability is rare to find, especially at this young of an age. He will need to improve his jump shot for sure but shooting is a much more coach-able trait than play-making. This young man will be one of the best distributors in the NBA within the next few years.
Steal of the 2nd Round: Cleveland 34th overall pick (traded to Dallas): Jae Crowder
The Big East Player of the Year was my favorite player in all of college basketball last year. He played with such passion and intensity you just knew he's make it to the NBA and be successful. Most players drafted in the second round either never actually play in the NBA or last a very short time. That will not be the case with Crowder. He'll never be an All-Star, but he will be one of those glue guys on a team that does a little bit of everything that helps the team win. He will be able to contribute to a team much like Kawhi Leonard did for the Spurs this past season.
Biggest Question Mark: Jared Sullinger
Had this young man come out a year ago after his freshman season he undoubtedly would have been a top 5 pick. But one year later, he ends up the 21st pick by the Celtics. This extreme drop was not due to decreased production, but because of conflicting reports about a back condition that could be career threatening. If he can manage his back problems and avoid them hampering his career, then the Celtics just got the biggest steal in the draft. There is a lot yet to be determined but Boston fans are hoping he can have a long successful career as they attempt to rebuild their team.
Biggest Winner on Draft Day: New Orleans Hornets
This is probably obvious seeing as Anthony Davis is the highest rated prospect in years. But in my eyes what makes them the biggest winners, was their second pick at 10th overall, Austin Rivers. I believe Rivers can help this team immediately off the bench, assuming they retain Eric Gordon. Rivers is an instinctive scorer who has the ability to create for others, although he doesn't always make the smartest decisions. He most certainly has some maturing to do, but he has the raw attributes to become an All-Star one day. Being the son of Boston coach Doc Rivers, Austin has a very strong work ethic and will continue to work to become great. If that happens, the Hornets just became a perennial contender in one draft.
What the Hell Are the Sixers Doing?
Let me start with a shout out to my boy Owen Hamill, for he is the reason I am including this section. The Sixers just continue to baffle me on draft nights. This is nothing against Moe Harkless, because he is a talented scorer and rebounder. The problem I have with this pick is that they continue to fill up their roster with small forwards that have very similar skill-sets. Iguodala, Evan Turner, Thadeus Young, and now Harkless all play a similar brand of basketball, which simply doesn't fill a need. With an aging Elton Brand and an inconsistent Spencer Hawes, I would have liked to see the Sixers go for a big man like Tyler Zeller. That being said I'm not going to jump all over them just yet. The front office may have a master plan that involves trading a player or two in order to fill an actual need. But until then, I'm left here scratching my head.
Agree 100% with best and worst picks. Beal is absolutely the real deal, and I can't believe a college 6th man is the fourth pick in the draft.
ReplyDeleteIt is also a shame that sullinger stayed in college an extra year to get experience and potential injuries may derail his career.
I'm sure austin rivers will be good, but he seems like a cocky prick, so i am not a fan of him personally.
I agree with you that it is nothing against moe harkless b/c i'm sure he's a quality player, but the sixers already have many players just like him. to me, the only way this move makes sense is if iguodala is traded. thad young and evan turner are younger and integral parts of the future sixers whereas iguodala still has trade value but is not essential to the sixers moving forward. harkless is essentially a young iguodala, so iggy needs to go, despite his play this past postseason. they desperately needed a big man, b/c despite hawes stellar play at the beginning of this past season, he just isnt the answer down low for the future. he spends way too much time outside the paint around the three point arc. kyle williamson was spot on when he said that hawes thinks of himself as a "point-center". nik vucevic and lavoy allen may develop into solid players but i don't see either being a star. with the first pick the sixers definately should have shored up their front court. drafting a big man could have filled a need and meant iguodala wouldn't have to be traded who i have come around on recently as he had a great post season and without him, the sixers are just a bunch of young guys without veteran leadership outside of brand who isnt long for this league. iggy is a veteran who plays the same way as the youngsters which means they mesh well. these young guys now have experience with the playoffs, but i think they still need guidance from a guy like iggy, but with the sixers draft, it is clear that he is on his way out of philly.