2014 NBA Draft Thread

[100027]

There are plenty of tweeks that can be done now to freshen this up, let alone improvements. For starters show the ping pong balls being picked (as we have gone over countless times). Second add stipulations where it's not possible teams can win three out of four years.

Maybe I'm just dreaming, and maybe some people like the "randomness" of it all and let the chips fall where they may. I get that. The NBA is also serious business and random suddenly becomes a problem. What if Cleveland wins it again next year and has four out of five? We should just stand pat, "it is what it is?" Personally I'm not feelin that.

You have a system where other rotten franchises like the Kings have not had the #1 pick in 25 years and the Timberwolves in 16 lottery appearances have not moved up from their original position one single time.

That's life....but it also needs to change with the times.

I agree with your point about the Kings and Wolves

 

[IATT]

i dont think the best pick should automatically go to the worst team.. i dont believe in rewarding losing

but i do agree with what was said above, they need transparency with the process

 

[onetrust]

^

I don't trust anything I can't see.

If I watched the pin going balls land in the Cavs, then *shrug*.

But come on....

Agreed. Have no idea why they don't show the actual ping pong balls dropping but this whole envelope thing ain't working and calls for things to be questioned. I am, however, probably in the minority, with the results though. I was hella happy it was Cleveland rather than the Bucks getting it since the Bucks just suck and my boy Kyrie gets another shot to play with a stud.

 

[pmatic]

Ford says the Cavs were leaning towards Parker before the lottery drawing then Wiggins after the lottery drawing. Now Goodman is saying the Cavs have Embiid #1.

[size]Sources: Cavs target Joel Embiid[/size]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have 7-footer Joel Embiid at the top of their draft board, but it's still early in the process and the team needs to obtain medical information on the Cameroon native's back injury, sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday.

Sources also told ESPN.com that while Embiid is first on the organization's wish list, that doesn't mean that Cavs general manager David Griffin -- who had the interim tag lifted earlier this month -- isn't also considering Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker with the first pick.

Cleveland, which went into the draft lottery with a 2.4 percent chance of landing one of the top three picks, was far more focused on players who were likely to go in the middle or back end of the lottery than having to decide between Embiid, Wiggins and Parker.

With the likely departure of free agent Luol Deng, the Cavs' most pressing need is for a skilled small forward who can shoot. However, Cleveland -- which has Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao up front, could also sorely use a skilled big man who is able to score in the post and also step out and make shots from the perimeter.

The Cavaliers, who have yet to name a coach to replace Mike Brown, also can offer a five-year max extension in July to All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, the team's best player. If he declines the offer, the Cavs could put him on the trade market.

Embiid, who played alongside Wiggins at Kansas, is also an effective two-way player who can rebound and block and alter shots.

Sources told ESPN.com that Embiid is the early front-runner for the top pick as long as his back is OK. The team's medical personnel will get an in-depth look at him in the coming weeks.

A source with direct knowledge told ESPN's Andy Katz that Embiid's agent, Arn Tellem, still is going to decide whether he's going to send Embiid to Cleveland for a physical or interview. Tellem might try to direct Embiid to a certain franchise and not have him go through a physical or interview for any team but the team he wants Embiid to play for next season.

Embiid, who averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game this past season as a freshman, missed both the Big 12 and NCAA tournament due to what Kansas deemed a stress fracture in his lower back.

He did not attend last week's NBA combine in Chicago, fueling further speculation regarding his health status. However, Tellem did not send Parker either.

The Milwaukee Bucks hold the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft on June 26, and the Philadelphia 76ers will pick third.

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/st...-embiid-top-draft-board-no-1-pick-per-sources

 

[RyGuy45]

I don't trust anything I can't see.

If I watched the pin going balls land in the Cavs, then *shrug*.

But come on....

I agree with this

The whole randomness of the entire process though just allows for such strange scenarios to take place.

The Wolves have been in the lottery 16 times since 1989. They've never moved up one spot, and they've never had the number one pick.

The Spurs have been in the lottery 3 times since 1987. They moved up all three times, and they had the number one pick twice.


Obviously you cannot feel sorry for sorry franchises though - you have to hit on your picks no matter where you sit.

 

[finallyfamous]

Jason Lloyd who is the Cavs beat writer for the Akron Beacon Journal said Parker is #1 on the Cavs list.

Wiggins #2.

there is no #3.

Who knows.

 

[captainsneakerhead23]

Sixers end up with Wiggins or Parker at 3. Not a bad position to be in.

 

[100027]

Ugh Embiid is my favorite player in this draft and now his career will be ruined

 

[jjs07]

There should just be a loser's tournament for draft order.

Take the worst 13 teams in the league and have them play single elimination games (tourney style) to determine who gets that #1 overall. It would be more money in the NBA's pocket with additional games going on.

Play-in game for the 12/13 seed. Whoever wins that is obviously the #12 in the tourney. Top 4 teams get 1st round byes and go from there.

 

[100027]

There should just be a loser's tournament for draft order.

Take the worst 13 teams in the league and have them play single elimination games (tourney style) to determine who gets that #1 overall. It would be more money in the NBA's pocket with additional games going on.

Play-in game for the 12/13 seed. Whoever wins that is obviously the #12 in the tourney. Top 4 teams get 1st round byes and go from there.

That would be the most ideal way

Actually it could be easily gamed though

 

[7thave btn 31stn33rd st]

i dont think the best pick should automatically go to the worst team.. i dont believe in rewarding losing

but i do agree with what was said above, they need transparency with the process

That's kind of the point with this process, though. They do this to attempt to maintain a competitive balance. However, it's hard to do that with 30 teams in which only about 5-6 are making actual profit, and a watered down talent pool. Bu that is for another thread.

 

[finallyfamous]

There should just be a loser's tournament for draft order.

Take the worst 13 teams in the league and have them play single elimination games (tourney style) to determine who gets that #1 overall. It would be more money in the NBA's pocket with additional games going on.

Play-in game for the 12/13 seed. Whoever wins that is obviously the #12 in the tourney. Top 4 teams get 1st round byes and go from there.

did you read this somewhere or just make this up?

 

[MVP]

That's kind of the point with this process, though. They do this to attempt to maintain a competitive balance. However, it's hard to do that with 30 teams in which only about 5-6 are making actual profit, and a watered down talent pool. Bu that is for another thread.

You would have teams continuously trying to tank year after year to load up on young players that really never develop and end up leaving those putrid franchises anyway. I don't think the lottery in itself is not a fair process, the way the NBA implements it now (not being LIVE) IS and leaves everyone open to their own interpretation and conspiracy theory.

 

[7thave btn 31stn33rd st]

You would have teams continuously trying to tank year after year to load up on young players that really never develop and end up leaving those putrid franchises anyway. I don't think the lottery in itself is not a fair process, the way the NBA implements it now (not being LIVE) IS and leaves everyone open to their own interpretation and conspiracy theory.

And we all suck it up. They continue to win.

 

[bhzmafia14]

The way Cleveland select players in the draft, nothing would surprise me.

I'm expecting them to draft Exum at #1

 

[big j 33]

It has nothing to do with Cleveland, but there needs to be some sort of balance. Teams like Minny or Sac get royally screwed for years.. then Cleveland gets 3 number 1 picks in 4 years? The randomness is fair in theory.. but when you look at the history.. not so much.

I've got no issues with not showing it live.. because people would find SOME way to complain and think up conspiracy theories. And besides.. if the NBA wanted to fix it for Cleveland.. would they be THIS OBVIOUS? Maybe 2 number 1s and another top 3.. but three number ones is absurd even for conspiracy theorists.

 

[MVP]

The way Cleveland select players in the draft, nothing would surprise me.

I'm expecting them to draft Exum at #1

That's what I'm expecting to, contingency plan when Kyrie leaves.

big j 33 so you would be in favor of implementing a cap type deal for getting the no. 1 pick in a period of time, like 1 max every 5 years, and once you do that you're out of the possibility of getting another one until another 5 year cycle. I just feel the Cavs have gotten so many mulligans and have royally screwed them up, for them to be continuously "rewarded" for being inept is not what the process is supposed to be all about.

 

[jjs07]

did you read this somewhere or just make this up?

I think Bill Simmons might have touched on it in the past, but it's something that I really believe in.

The only thing that gets tricky is if you are a non-lottery team who has the rights to another team's pick. Taking all that out, and JUST looking at the worst 13 teams in the league, here's how it would have shook out:

13 - Milwaukee
12 - Philly
11 - Orlando
10- Utah
9 - Boston
8 - LA
7 - Sacramento
6 - Detroit
5 - Cleveland
4 - New Orleans
3 - Denver
2 - New York
1 - Minnesota

First Round: Minnesota, NY, Denver, and NO get byes. Play-in between Milwaukee and Philly....we'll just say Milwaukee wins.

Milwaukee vs. Cleveland
Orlando vs. Detroit
Utah vs Sacramento
Boston vs. LA

Round 2:

Cleveland vs. Minnesota
New York vs. Detroit
Denver vs. Utah
New Orleans vs. Boston

Round 3:

Minnesota vs. Boston
New York vs. Denver

Championship:

New York vs. Minnesota

Winner: Minnesota

Draft order redone:

1 - Minnesota
2 - New York
3 - Boston
4 - Denver
5 - New Orleans
6 - Cleveland
7 - Detroit
8 - Utah
9 - Sacramento
10 - LA
11 - Orlando
12 - Milwaukee
13 - Philly

Or, something along those lines...

 

[100027]

That's what I'm expecting to, contingency plan when Kyrie leaves.

big j 33 so you would be in favor of implementing a cap type deal for getting the no. 1 pick in a period of time, like 1 max every 5 years, and once you do that you're out of the possibility of getting another one until another 5 year cycle. I just feel the Cavs have gotten so many mulligans and have royally screwed them up, for them to be continuously "rewarded" for being inept is not what the process is supposed to be all about.

I think saying 2 max is fine. I'm not sure it would be totally fair with only 1, after all this is the NBA where sometimes the entire draft is just horrible.

 

[shoelyesses]

iuno if anyone posted but ms Mallory edens was the number trending topic on twitter, and the most searched thing online after yesterday draft

 

[Based Jesus]

 
iuno if anyone posted but ms Mallory edens was the number trending topic on twitter, and the most searched thing online after yesterday draft

I know I searched her. More than once too. Donteemcurr

 

[dacomeup]

I hate the wheel idea. Let the worst team get the first pick. Cleveland wasn't even tanking and got the pick. They tried to make the playoffs and have up 5 picks in various trades.

 

[shoelyesses]

 
I know I searched her. More than once too. Donteemcurr

lol whats funny I saw an article and they was like why are dudes going crazy over a girl still in highschool... that and she had 15 followers and right when she showed on screen her followers shot up to 30k and constantly growing

 

[antidope]

There should just be a loser's tournament for draft order.


Take the worst 13 teams in the league and have them play single elimination games (tourney style) to determine who gets that #1 overall. It would be more money in the NBA's pocket with additional games going on.


Play-in game for the 12/13 seed. Whoever wins that is obviously the #12 in the tourney. Top 4 teams get 1st round byes and go from there.

I love this idea.

 

[seymore cake]

 

We'll see. I think Wiggins is a lock @ 1 right now. Makes too much sense for reasons that go beyond anything on the floor. 

Buck could use Embiid....but with that city desperately needing a star from day one...I don't see how they pass on Parker.

I kind of have a sense like Parker has the biggest chance to not be a franchise changer.  Maybe it's because people compare him to Melo, and I can't stand Melo 

But we know both Embiid and Wiggins can be two way forces.  Parker is a terrible defender and there's a good chance that will never change.

While you may hate Melo, he was a franchise changer considering that Denver hadn't been to the playoffs in the previous 8 seasons prior to drafting him where they improved their record by 26 wins and have been to the playoffs every year after him until this season. That's not to say that Bari will have that type of impact off the cusp but I think he will be fine.

If I'm the Cavs, I take Embiid...

*shrugs*

Originally I thought Wiggins when they won last night, but Embiid just makes too much sense, addresses a lot of issues.

Has the NBA even thought about doing another process or is this just another worthless discussion?

Nah.  Grantland and all them types have been talking about it for years, but all their ideas are frankly stupid.

It's been Bill Simmons' pet bugaboo since the Celtics got the #6 pick in the Greg Oden draft after tanking the season.  

But like I said, these are the same folks always complaining about tanking.

It was the 97 draft for Duncan that permanently blew him. Boston had the 2nd worst record and a 36% chance of winning the draft lottery only to get the 3rd pick and draft Chauncey Billups. The only other player besides those two drafted to make an all star or nba team was Tracey McGrady. He's never gotten over that and rightfully so