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Following potential 2014 draftees

Funny how the scout talks about Wiggins straight up positioning. I saw the same thing in the highlights of his first game. I haven't seen much film on all three guys but right now I don't know if I would take Wiggins number #1 especially if there are some questions about his motor.

Pretty much every superstar I can think of shares one common trait. They want to be great, they want the ball in their hands at the end of the game and they want to do whatever it takes to win even if they don't. I can not think of one NBA champion superstar that didn't have an above average will to win.

The NBA has a ton of super talented athletes who didn't have the will to win. So if this is a concern with Wiggins then it makes me look harder at him before I knight him #1. I know this is hard to judge but franchises who do usually end up winning championships.

Right now I am more torn between Parker and Randle especially if both can play SF. I am not sold on Wiggins yet. I will be watching Tuesday night though. Hopefully, he can change my mind.
 
cowhide said:
Funny how the scout talks about Wiggins straight up positioning. I saw the same thing in the highlights of his first game. I haven't seen much film on all three guys but right now I don't know if I would take Wiggins number #1 especially if there are some questions about his motor.

Pretty much every superstar I can think of shares one common trait. They want to be great, they want the ball in their hands at the end of the game and they want to do whatever it takes to win even if they don't. I can not think of one NBA champion superstar that didn't have an above average will to win.

The NBA has a ton of super talented athletes who didn't have the will to win. So if this is a concern with Wiggins then it makes me look harder at him before I knight him #1. I know this is hard to judge but franchises who do usually end up winning championships.

Right now I am more torn between Parker and Randle especially if both can play SF. I am not sold on Wiggins yet. I will be watching Tuesday night though. Hopefully, he can change my mind.
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Exactly my thinking ATM.

Would you take Jabari who's projected to be a better version of Paul Pierce, or would you take Randle who (to me) can be LeBron-lite one day (minus passing).


With the way Randle can take it off the dribble and slash, and the way the NBA call fouls, I've got to go with Randle. But only if he can play and dominate at SF.
 
It's only the 1st game, but Randle showing lots of decent SF skills in the highlight below, including:

- Can handle the ball very well in fast beak situation and also as a facilitator at the top of the key

- Very good passing skills for someone who's supposed to play PF this year

- Nice shooting stroke - seems like his range is out to the 3pt line (he's wayyy ahead of the curve compared to LeBron in this regard)

As has been noted by PKM, there are 2-3 times when Randle would start at the 3pt line, top of the key, then makes his way into the paint & drawing double team. Numerous times he seems to have enough vision to pass out to his teammates waiting to shoot 3's. If the defense sags, he simply makes his way to the basket and finish hard at the rim and/or draw fouls.

This is something that he seems to be able to do very well and seems natural to him too. To me this is strikingly similar to the way LeBron plays at the moment, his size, post game/face up game, the way he drives to the basket and making passes to his teammates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqhuK___3PA
 
bigmike said:
Torn ACL's are nothing nowadays. Rondo was a top-3 point guard in the NBA before he went down - I'd make that trade with zero hesitation.
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So you feel Rondo was better than two out of Paul, Parker, Westbrook, Rose ? Disagree.
For example I liked Rubio way better before his ACL. But maybe he needs more time...ACL to me is just a wait and see move, unless you get the injured player for expirings or something cheap.

PKM said:
I assure you that is not Randle's way of thinking. He is a yes sir kind of kid that just goes to work. Want him inside? He obliges. Outside, he'll do that too.
He understands that coaches (smart ones at least) play to skillsets more so than positions.
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Positions are defined by defense, not offense. PF is by far the most versatile position in today's NBA which is probably a reason why there's almost no elite defender playing that spot.
Just think about possibilities:
-You have to be able to defend postups
-lateral quickness and strength to contest faceups
-straight line drives from the perimeter(Randle is even doing more than str8 lines)
-closeouts when people play the Pick n Pop
-change of direction, quick stops, pullups/fadeaways
-hedge towards the ballhandler running screens
-Anthony Davis is setting new limits on defending that position by curling around cross screens -> https://www.hoopsworld.com/anthony-davis-is-already-a-superstar

Most people don't have the body to defend all these skills. Some(Bargnani) can't defend even one of that.

PJKino said:
You go for the home run in the nba..its about having those onece a decade type players you need to win titles..not that Wiggins is a Lebron or Kboe level talent hes not but if things break right he could be a franchise player..he has a long way to go but in the nba you have to take that gamble
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If you mean by "home run" game changer then I agree. That's why I would have drafted Oden over Durant. Oden would have completely changed inside defense.
LeBron changed the game by combining out of world strength, elite quickness and advanced playmaking skills.
It would take me way too long to continue ;) Let's see if Wiggins can change it. I don't think the other have that potential though.
If Wiggins realizes his potential, right now there's like 4-6 guys in the league capable of defending his versatility:Butler, Iguodala, George, Leonard and maybe Shumpert and Sefolosha if there's a solar eclipse somewhere.

PJKino said:
I dont see Lebron because what seperates Bron from him is physical build and court vision/passing ability which is way ahead of Wiggins at the same age..

Wiggins kinda reminds me a little of Nique/ David Thompsonish type player
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Don't compare these two. Unfair and they're too different. Just wait for Wiggins to enter and look at him as a player in his own league. I think he can only beat himself.

PJKino said:
I like those..i saw Simmons compare Randle to what Coleman should have been i guess its not that far fetched..

Parker really impressed the hell out of me cant remember a player with that refined an offensive arsenal at such a young age and while hes not an athletic freak hes more athletic then i thought he was..
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I think out of the top4 Parker is the only player I anticipate becoming a 2 way player. He plays really smart.

Hotttnickkk said:
PKM - can you please stop *****footing around and tell us what separates Julius Randle from LeBron James? (apart from the obvious passing skills that LeBron possess).

Please also cut out your "I hate comps" speech and just give it to us straight bro.


TIA
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I think Randle is a better shooter and better worker in the post. The rest LeBron's better at.
 
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