With the Celtics likely to be in the tank again this season and the college season beginning to get hyped, now is as good as ever to start the thread. Here are some brief previews of some potential top picks, feel free to add more.
Jahlil Okafor- Fresh. Duke University-C-6'11" 272lbs.
Undisputed number one overall pick right now. NBA ready body right now and a legitimate NBA Center with a 7'5" wingspan and just a ridiculous frame that can still add a good deal of muscle onto it. Brutal post player already owning a decent combination of spin-moves, drop-steps, and hook shots, widely recognized as the best offensive post-prospect in his class. Isn't afraid of contact and should spend a lot of time at the free throw line. Face-up game is still developing, but he shows promise as a jump shooter and a guy that can step out and hit a 15 footer, which is really all he is going to need. Heady player that knows his strengths and doesn't overstretch his ability. Defensively he needs some work. He has great size, but is a pretty mediocre athlete, and quicker bigs can beat him off the dribble and force him into foul trouble.
CBS Sports predicted Okafor would end up on the All-American Team and tabbed him as the preseason Player of the Year. Guys in the normally tight-lipped Duke camp are just gushing about him. My personal comparison would be Boogie Cousins without the headcase potential.
Emmanuel Mudiay- 18 years old- Guangdong-PG-6'5"-200lbs
Made waves earlier this year when he bypassed a chance to play at SMU for Larry Brown to start earning a paycheck in China. Lanky PG with excellent ball skills and a solid NBA body. An excellent athlete in the vein of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose, although it remains to be seen if he is indeed at that level of athleticism. Extremely aggressive when it comes to attacking the rim and draws a lot of fouls. Has shown the ability to be a talented playmaker, but doesn't seem to always be in control and is extremely turnover prone. Because of his solid frame and athleticism, has potential to be a very good defender that can guard both backcourt spots. Poor shooter with poor mechanics.
Mudiay strikes me as this years Dante Exum, both in his ability and in the fact that he will remain more of a mystery than the other players in the draft. I can't really fault him for trying to take care of his family and earning a paycheck, but he is someone who could really benefit from good college coaching. An 18 year old moving to China sounds like a difficult adjustment, so I wonder if there is some potential for him to slip up and he could end up falling in the draft as it inches closer.
Karl Towns-Fresh.-Kentucky-PF/C-7'0"-242lbs
Has great size and a solid frame for a kid his age, and possess solid athleticism for a big man. Has a very interesting skill set and can knock down jumpers with a lot of confidence. Has a wonderful touch around the rim and can finish with defenders closely guarding him. Size and athleticism make him a potential strong defender, but isn't necessarily always engaged on defense and is susceptible to dumb fouls. Soft touch and shooting ability is a blessing and a curse because he sometimes seems content to stand on the perimeter and launch outside shots.
While Towns has the size to be an NBA Center, he is most likely going to end up as a PF in the NBA. He will be paired with a legitimate center in Willie Cauley-Stein at Kentucky and will likely showcase his strengths and hide his weaknesses. If his athleticism translates into him being able to guard quicker NBA PF's, he could be a matchup nightmare. Probably has the most to lose/gain out of potential top 10 picks.
Jahlil Okafor- Fresh. Duke University-C-6'11" 272lbs.
Undisputed number one overall pick right now. NBA ready body right now and a legitimate NBA Center with a 7'5" wingspan and just a ridiculous frame that can still add a good deal of muscle onto it. Brutal post player already owning a decent combination of spin-moves, drop-steps, and hook shots, widely recognized as the best offensive post-prospect in his class. Isn't afraid of contact and should spend a lot of time at the free throw line. Face-up game is still developing, but he shows promise as a jump shooter and a guy that can step out and hit a 15 footer, which is really all he is going to need. Heady player that knows his strengths and doesn't overstretch his ability. Defensively he needs some work. He has great size, but is a pretty mediocre athlete, and quicker bigs can beat him off the dribble and force him into foul trouble.
CBS Sports predicted Okafor would end up on the All-American Team and tabbed him as the preseason Player of the Year. Guys in the normally tight-lipped Duke camp are just gushing about him. My personal comparison would be Boogie Cousins without the headcase potential.
Emmanuel Mudiay- 18 years old- Guangdong-PG-6'5"-200lbs
Made waves earlier this year when he bypassed a chance to play at SMU for Larry Brown to start earning a paycheck in China. Lanky PG with excellent ball skills and a solid NBA body. An excellent athlete in the vein of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose, although it remains to be seen if he is indeed at that level of athleticism. Extremely aggressive when it comes to attacking the rim and draws a lot of fouls. Has shown the ability to be a talented playmaker, but doesn't seem to always be in control and is extremely turnover prone. Because of his solid frame and athleticism, has potential to be a very good defender that can guard both backcourt spots. Poor shooter with poor mechanics.
Mudiay strikes me as this years Dante Exum, both in his ability and in the fact that he will remain more of a mystery than the other players in the draft. I can't really fault him for trying to take care of his family and earning a paycheck, but he is someone who could really benefit from good college coaching. An 18 year old moving to China sounds like a difficult adjustment, so I wonder if there is some potential for him to slip up and he could end up falling in the draft as it inches closer.
Karl Towns-Fresh.-Kentucky-PF/C-7'0"-242lbs
Has great size and a solid frame for a kid his age, and possess solid athleticism for a big man. Has a very interesting skill set and can knock down jumpers with a lot of confidence. Has a wonderful touch around the rim and can finish with defenders closely guarding him. Size and athleticism make him a potential strong defender, but isn't necessarily always engaged on defense and is susceptible to dumb fouls. Soft touch and shooting ability is a blessing and a curse because he sometimes seems content to stand on the perimeter and launch outside shots.
While Towns has the size to be an NBA Center, he is most likely going to end up as a PF in the NBA. He will be paired with a legitimate center in Willie Cauley-Stein at Kentucky and will likely showcase his strengths and hide his weaknesses. If his athleticism translates into him being able to guard quicker NBA PF's, he could be a matchup nightmare. Probably has the most to lose/gain out of potential top 10 picks.