2015 NBA Draft Preview

2015 NBA Draft Preview

1) Jahlil Okafor - C - Duke

Best case: Al Jefferson. Worst case: Derrick Favors. Most likely: Greg Monroe.

Nutz: The knock on Oakdawg, as he will be known next year, is that he's just not that exciting. He's kind of slow. Doesn't throw down big dick swinging dunks like Deandre Jordan. Doesn't have unlimited three point range and won't block 5 shots a game off the backboard. I would have to agree with most critics on these points. Okafor is not a flashy Amare Stoudemire type player, but he's a damn good post player that has a high basketball IQ, a great (GREAT) back to the basket game and a great NBA body. I'd be willing to bet he averages a solid 19-9 through his career. People think he's going to be out of shape for some reason, but that didn't seem to be an issue while he was playing 30 mpg on the way to a national title. BUT NO LET'S TAKE THE GUY THAT PLAYED 20 FUCKING MINUTES PER GAME WHO ALREADY LOOKS FAT! HE'LL BE IN GREAT SHAPE.

Catz: First off this dude carried Duke to a national championship at an age where most kids are still learning how to lift the seat up when they take a piss (I've almost got the hang of it). Sure you can argue that Justise and Tyus contributed way more to them cutting down the nets, but the Oak tree (you heard it here first) was very solid. His low post game will already be top 5-10 the moment he puts on an NBA uniform and if he goes to the right team (one with a defensive center) he can make an instant impact with 12-15 ppg and 6 or 7 boards. My biggest concern besides the obvious defense and weight concerns are the comments of Coach K, basically telling whatever fan base that ends up with him to give him some time because he is not quite the polished product that the general public has made him out to be. A little concerning, because the last time Coach K said something like that it was about Austin Rivers and we all saw how that one turned out...In the end his low post game should be enough to secure him a roster spot for 10 years, but I won't be surprised if he doesn't amount to more than a rotation player.

2) Karl Anthony Towns - C - Kentucky

Best case: . Worst case: . Most likely: Greg Monroe.

Nutz: I do not see the hype around KAT. When scouts and analysts are saying "he can do it all" and "no weaknesses" or "can shoot it from three with ease" all I want is a little tape backing these things up. KAT is not a transcendent number one draft pick! He's a project that has some nice tools to be the third or fourth best player on your team. He's not this 20 point scorer that everyone has been talking about, he's not an elite rebounder, he's not an elite shooter, he's a basketball player with good size. When you can take a solid wing player like Justise Winslow who can guard the best players in the league, you do it! Don't grab some guy that made an OK impact on his college team. The hype train is running full steam at this point and eventually it's going to fall off a cliff when people realize Towns is Derrick Coleman. 

Catz: It's easy to see why NBA GM's are interested in the notorious KAT. He's a 7 footer who not only can walk and talk at the same time, but also play a little bit of basketball. He definitely has a higher ceiling than the Oak tree due to his size, defensive abilities and a very smooth shooting stroke. Unlike Jahlil though, he doesn't have much on the block besides a decent left hook that he uses probably a little too much. All that being said he could be a really nice player in a few years, possibly even on the verge of a "franchise player" but that is probably setting the bar a little too high. Now if he comes in and is able to knock down the jumper consistently and even extend his range beyond the three point line, you are getting a solid NBA player...but if he doesn't get stronger and never develops on the offensive end, you are basically looking at Andrew Bogut, and where was Bogut this last finals? On the bench.

3) Justise Winslow - F - Duke 

Best case: Jimmy Butler. Worst case: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Most likely: Luol Deng.

Catz: The unsung hero of March Madness. Seriously if Duke didn't have this dude to go off against Arizona and Gonzaga there was no way they cut down the nets at the end of the tournament. He's got great size, very athletic, and can score the basketball. Throw in the fact that he's a lefty and can get to the rim at will and you have the makings of a very solid "combo guard" at the NBA level. While he isn't exactly Ray Allen with his jump shot, he's not Michael Kidd-Gilchrist either, and a couple of minor tweaks and bam you got a respectable NBA 3 point shooter. Whoever gets him is going to be super pumped, he can come in and contribute right away and has a decently high ceiling, like NBA all-star ceiling. Also he's from Houston, Texas and he dominated at the high school level, so you know he's not scared of shit. This dude is a winner, again I would take him first if I had the pick. 

Nutz: Justise is my favorite player in this draft and it's not even close. Not only does he have the name of a black superhero from the 80's, he's a great wing defender with an above average offensive game. Winslow comes in with an NBA ready body, a high motor and a championship pedigree. His defensive ability will cement him as a starter from day one and his ability on the fast break will surprise a lot of people. There is not a lot else to say about Winslow except that he is the most NBA ready prospect in this draft. You draft Justise, you know what you're getting. 

4) Emmanuel Mudiay - G - China???

Best case: Russell Westbrook. Worst case: Rodney Stuckey. Most likely: John Wall .

Catz: The great Chinese unknown! Okay, that's a little misleading, he's actually from the Congo, went to high-school in Texas and then played in China for the last year on the same team as NBA LEGEND Yi Jianlian!! So is he ready for the NBA? That's what GM's will have to ask themselves when they are on the clock next Thursday. Me personally, I have a thing for tall point guards, so I am definitely in his corner. He's 6'5 and can score/pass really well at the point guard position. To me personally, him and Winslow have the potential to be the best players coming out of this class, but you know NBA teams always have to take the tall guys because you can't teach height! Seriously if this guy went to SMU like he was supposed to, he would be in contention for the number one pick, but who says playing in China for a year isn't a good thing? He knows what it's like to be a pro and play against pros, so he should be ready to go right from the jump? Am I missing something here? Oh Yi dominates in the CBA, that should tell you about the level of competition over there. So it might take a little bit, but I think this guy is going to be a future all-star.

Nutz: I enjoy Mudiay. He pulled a Brandon Jennings and said "fuck education" to all the naysayers out there. Can't say that's smart, but I admire his swag. Mudiay's biggest strength is his body. The man is an athlete. He's fast, has great body control and is strong as fuck. He's tall for a point guard and has great vision which is more than can be said for an Eric Bledsoe or Marcus Smart. I really think there is some Russell Westbrook potential here, but I'm not sure that Mudiay is that driven. He definitely has the tools to be a 20-7-5 guy in the NBA, but there is still a fair share of unknown with the Tex-Cong point guard. I project him to have a fairly productive rookie year on paper, but one in which he's not very efficient, almost a Tyreke Evans type of rookie year. 

5) D' Angelo Russell - G - Ohio St.

Best Case: Penny Hardaway (not injured) Worst Case: Evan Turner Most likely: Some Sort of Lance Stephenson

Catz: Of all the big time prospects in this draft, this is the guy I have the least confidence in. Just too many red flags being thrown around here like not the best athlete, or not a traditional point guard. I understand that there is a lot of talent here for a 19 year old who was very impressive at times in a conference that had a solid year, but I think the rep he is getting as the best point guard prospect in the draft is a little too much. Could he be a solid point guard in the NBA? Sure. Is he the next Russell Westbrook as I've heard a couple scouts throw out there? Doubt it. Don't expect too much out of this guy early on especially if he goes to a team that expects him to run the point from day one.

Nutz: I'm not as down on D Russ as Mr. Catz is. He just seems like one of those guys that is a really, really good basketball player. There's nothing he does that sticks out more than anyone elses main skill. He's not a great shooter, great athlete, certainly not a bad ass defender; so what the hell is he? He can ball out. He cares about the game and he was a leader on the floor as a freshman! He could turn out to be Evan Turner, but he could also be a very good hybrid guard. Either way, Russell  has a nice 10 year career ahead, even if it's as the 8th man on the bench.

6) Kristaps Porzingis - F - Latvia

Best Case: Dirk Nowitzki Worst Case: Yi Jianlan Most likely: Andrea Bargnani

Catz: The talk of the 2015 NBA draft!! This dude has been blowing up lately, mostly because of a workout video of him that surfaced showing him killing it against air for his NBA draft workout. If anything that should be a huge red flag, because the last two examples we have of someone shooting up the charts because of a great workout were Yi Jianlian and Darko Milicic. Then there was a flood of articles about how it is actually unfair to compare him to these busts because this guy isn't your typical European prospect, I mean for god sakes he speaks English fluently!! His immediate impact is largely going to depend on what team ends up selecting him and how much of a leash he is given from the start. If he goes to the Lakers two or the Knicks at four he is more fucked than a hooker at a GOP convention! If he gets ten years to develop with the Sixers or someone like that, he could actually develop into a poor mans Mirotic in a couple of years. No he's not gonna be the second coming of Dirk, but he could definitely contribute in a couple of years if he goes in to the right situation.

Nutz: Nope. This won't work. Take this guy outside of the top 10 and you have a smart, helpful draft pick. Take him 5-9, you're reaching, but can make it work. Top 4? NOPE! You lose. You're taking a skinny, weak, slow, non rebounding 7ft shooter that has never played against the best of the best in the US. Dirk is one of a kind, let's stop trying to replicate him. I love Euro players. They play team ball, they're smart and they can all shoot somehow. When you throw an insane multi billion dollar franchise expectation on them, you're killing their career. Sorry Zinger, but you're Andrea Bargnani.

BEST OF THE REST

Now that we have taken a look at the top prospects in this draft you might as well shut off your TV after about the sixth pick right? Well hold on there Skippy...This draft doesn't have a lot of superstars up top, but there is some solid depth and some real diamonds in the rough if you look at the right places.

Catz

The rest of Kentucky

I know big KAT gets all the pub, but the rest of this team could all be solid NBA veterans for the next ten years. Seriously every single one of them, some of them even have potential to be stars. It blows my mind that Willie Caulie-Stein isn't going higher in this draft. I get that he is probably maxed out offensively already, but he could be Tyson Chandler in a couple of years, and with the right point guard that is a very solid combination. **UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT** but I think at least one of the Harrison twins could develop into a solid NBA role player. It may not happen right away, but now that the pressure of playing at Kentucky is off, they could settle in and actually find their niche. Dakari Johnson is going to be a solid back up NBA center. But the real gems here are Trey Lyles and Devin Booker. This might just be the 24 oz of Red Bull speaking, but I honestly think that these two could end up being the best players in this draft 5-10 years from now. Booker is an assassin, and carried UK offensively at times, despite only getting limited minutes off the bench. Lyles is a Swiss Army knife that showed the potential to play SF out of necessity, but is projected as more of a stretch 4, and oh yeah he is legit 7 ft tall.

Tyus "M'FIN" Jones!!

I think I speak for both basketball writers of DP when I say that Tyus was our favorite college player last year, and legitimately could be a stud at the next level. Yeah he has the size concerns because he is tiny even for an NBA point guard, but this dude knows the game. Listen to the way Coach K raves about him and how he basically handed him the keys to the offense as an 18 year old because this dude was way ahead of his peers. He hit big shots time and time again and basically controlled the game like CP3 when he wasn't running the Duke offense as smoothly as '67 Chevy Impala. Am I saying he is gonna be a franchise player...damn it's tempting, but more than likely he will be a solid NBA rotation player, maybe even a starter on a bottom half team. And if he goes to the Rockets, which almost every mock has him doing, that is almost too perfect of a fit and he will absolutely thrive.

Mr. Nutz

Mario Hezonja

If I were a GM and wanted to roll the dice on a young marketable player, I'm pulling the Mario H card! Number 1 player in the draft! He brings confidence, insane brashness and an incredible shooting touch that can only be rivaled by the legendary JR Smiff! Hezonja is the reincarnation of Rudy Fernandez without the emotional problems. He's either going to dunk on you or he's going to shoot a 3. The man is going to be a star. Mark my words. 

SUPER SUPER SLEEPER!!

Cliff Alexander

So he had a terrible year for Kansas where he could barely crack the rotation and ultimately ended up leaving the team early. BUT, this dude was compared to Amare Stoudamire coming out of high school, and there was almost a riot in his home state after he pranked the fans of Indiana before ultimately committing to Kansas. Well the joke was ultimately on him, but I think his game could translate better to the NBA. He is definitely going to need a few years to develop, but he could be a solid NBA PF sooner rather than later.

NBA Draft & Conference Finals

NBA Draft Lottery

NYK +325; LAL +575

Either way here you're good. The NBA fixes the draft lottery and all of you sheep who don't believe in conspiracies better GTFO right now. What happened last year? Cavs won, LeBron went home, you mean to tell me that wasn't rigged? Buy that and I got a trunk full of original DaVinci sculptures that I'd like ya to take a look at . Seriously though anyone that thinks the NBA is going to go through another season where the two biggest markets are bottom five in talent desperately needs a wake up call. I know this ain't horse racin, but if I could I would even bet the Knicks get one, the Lakers get two and odds on favorite Minnesota gets the three hole. So good luck to both Karl Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor because after tonight you're going to either get yelled at by Kobe for a year or play in dinosaur offense with Phil Jackson and NY. Meanwhile the Wolves get Mudiay and roll out the best backcourt in the NBA in five years.

NBA Conference Finals 

Houston Rockets (+10) at Golden State Warriors

This could be a terrible, terrible series. The Rockets took advantage of one of the worst coaching jobs of all time and beat the Clippers to reach the conference finals. As Oklahoma City fans and Kevin Durant continue to pretend they don't miss James Harden, the Rocks are going to be looking for any slight advantage they can find as they get destroyed by the Warriors. Steph Curry has to be ROCK HARD knowing Jason Terry and James Harden are going to try to guard him all series, oh and Pablo Prigioni. Those poor dudes have no chance. Nevertheless, the Rockets might be able to keep this one close. Harden will need to cause some foul issues for the Rockets, but if the Warriors' bench plays half as well as they are capable of, Houston is fucked. 

Catz: New series....Same old Catz. After closely examining these two teams, I've come to the conclusion that should be a relatively easily win for the Dubs in four or five games tops. So why the hell would I back the losing team? Because the Rockets have been hearing all week that no one is giving them a shot against the Warriors. Look for a spirited Harden effort to fall just short as the Splash bros make their way towards their first NBA finals appearance.

2015 NBA DRAFT WATCH

Making the Case for the Harrison Twins

I’m sure you probably had the same reaction that I did when you first saw the news that the Harrison twins were declaring for the NBA draft in June. WHAT??? Why the hell would they do that?? Those dudes suck!! Initially I was on the exact same page, I didn’t get it either. They were both highly ranked recruits that never lived up to the hype. So after two average seasons (for them, not the team) they decided to strike while the iron was hot and throw their names in the proverbial NBA hat. But was this a good decision? Well your boy Bobby Catz is here to tell you that; yes, yes it is. First off their stock is never going to get any higher. Sure they could come back for another season and maybe move up to being selected late first round,  but far more likely is they hurt their stock even further or worst case scenario get hurt and don’t get drafted altogether. So they should absolutely capitalize on what little momentum they have after such an impressive season for Kentucky, and two consecutive final four appearances.

Now, here is the other question that people always find themselves asking, are they any good?? Well…that’s a little more complicated.

The Suck Meter: How do we judge the Harrisons?

The first strike against them is that they play for Kentucky and have such a spotlight on them at all times. If they were to play at some random big ten school or even a different school in the SEC, their stock would probably be a lot higher. But when you are part of a team that every media outlet covers on a daily basis, you better be fuckin fantastic night in and night out. Instead for the most part of the first season they played like they were freshmen, not freshmen at Kentucky who are notorious for one and dones.

The second strike against them is that they are twins and carried themselves like they were about to be selected number one and two whenever they decided to grace the NBA with their presence. I suppose that is what happens when you are the top two players coming out of the state of Texas and you choose to play college basketball at Kentucky.  But throw all of that nonsense aside for a second. What do they really have going for them?

Do the Harrisons suck as much as we've all been saying? Maybe not.

A Tale of Two Harrisons

First off, let’s start with Andrew Harrison, otherwise known as the Harrison twin who plays point guard. The reason it was so hard to tell these two apart when they first got to Lexington was mainly due to Andrew trying to jack up a bunch of shots and play much more like his brother Aaron.  Then Calipari had a revelation during a practice one time. He pulled Andrew aside and told him to stop shooting and start passing!! It only took him five months to realize that his point guard should be passing the ball primarily instead of shooting it (are we sure Calipari is a good coach??). From that moment on the team took off and the offense actually looked competent as they shocked their way to a title game run before reeling off 38 straight wins as an encore. Now why couldn’t that translate to the NBA level? I am here to tell you that I actually think it can. I think NBA GM’s see this too, because we have this one little thing in common when it comes to our point guards….we love tall ones!! Seriously when has a tall point guard ever failed?? Some GM is sitting in an office right now watching tape on Drew, just muttering to himself “but he’s 6’5….” again and again as he watches him turn the ball over three times in a row against a guard from South Carolina that wouldn’t crack Kentucky’s top 12. I think he goes late first round, and the real shocker, he actually becomes a competent NBA point guard. Now I’m not talking first team all-pro, or even third team, but he could be a solid backup getting 15-20 min a game on a contending team! That’s pretty good considering how far his stock has fallen since coming out of high-school.

Now for Aaron Harrison aka the Harrison who plays shooting guard. He is legitimately the reason why they get so much hate outside of every city in the country besides Lexington and Jasper TX (hometown). Something about the way he carries himself before games, and then his reactions when he throws up a terrible floater and screams at the ref that the light contact was the reason the ball went fifteen feet over the basket.  So there’s absolutely no saving grace for him right?? He’s the Harrison destined to fail correct? Well, slow your roll on that one too. First off he’s got the same attractive trait of his twin brother (funny how that happens right?) of being 6’4 or 6’5. That’s the size of an average NBA 2 guard, and he definitely fits the image of what a shooting guard is supposed to look like. But there are hundreds of 2 guards who are 6’5 right? Correct, but how many of them have played crunch time minutes on a big stage, and have not only come away without shitting their pants, but have actually thrived in that situation?? Well Aaron fits that bill too. He took some of the most ill-advised shots that I have ever seen, especially in last year’s tournament, and you know what? He hit almost every one of them. Now we aren’t talking about off balance toss ups that hit the backboard and luckily bounced in, he was legitimately standing three feet behind the line squared up a three and drilled it. Not just once, but no less than five times! He won the final four game against Wisconsin with one of those shots, and the amount of ballz that it takes to not only take a shot like that, but to hit it?? HUGE!! That cannot be taken lightly. Shit, Robert Horry made an entire career off standing in the right spot and taking big ass shotz when they were most needed by his team. With all that being said I don’t think that will actually improve his draft stock much as he will still go second round, but it should improve his potential NBA role player stock.

 The Verdict

In the end, are the Harrison twins going to be all stars in the NBA? Probably not, no, but are they going to be NBA players who will get a decent second contract and contribute to an NBA team? Yeah they actually should be, especially Andrew aka the point guard Harrison. Hopefully once they get drafted and stashed away on an NBA bench, they will finally get a chance to develop away from the spotlight for the first time since I am assuming middle school. Now I don’t want people going out and saying “Catz said the Harrison twins are going to make it in the NBA”, but the Harrison twins are going to make it in the NBA and that’s a direct quote (thanks Mike Vick).

2014 NBA Draft

2014 NBA Draft Team Rankings

Top 10 Grades of the NBA Draft

10) Atlanta Hawks
Picks: Adreian Payne (15), Walter Tavares (43), Lamar Patterson (48)
Payne was a GREAT pick for the Hawks, whoa re quickly trying to become Spurs East. Without tanking, the Hawks can build upon their solid playoff debut under head coach Mike Budenholzer, while maintaining cap flexibility. Payne will play a solid 20 minute backup role for the Hawks until Paul Millsap comes off the books next year. Lamar Patterson will also be an early contributor off the bench and honestly reminds me of Demarre Carroll. Smart draft by a smart team. 
Grade B-

9) Denver Nuggets
Picks: Jusuf Nurkic (16), Gary Harris (19), Nikola Jokic (41)
I don't like Timofey Mozgov 2.0 at 16 for the Nuggets, but Gary Harris is a steal at 19. He should have been a top 15 pick, but when words like "potential" and "girth" get thrown around, shit gets messed up. Harris can shoot and defend. He's a bit of a gamble because he could be the second coming of Jeremy Lamb. Either way, he will be a rotation player in the NBA. If the two Euro dudes can play quality backup minutes a year down the road, the Nugs will definitely deserve a top 10 spot in this draft.
Grade: B-


8) Miami Heat
Picks: Shabazz Napier (24)
The Heat are here for the same reason the Spurs are. They picked up a quality NBA player, despite being at the tail end of this draft. If they wind up keeping their Big 3 and adding two more quality players, they will be back in the Finals. Shabazzkets is a great ballhandler, tough defender and big time shotmaker. Great scoop for the Heat.
Grade: B

7) San Antonio Spurs
Picks: Kyle Anderson (30)
Yeah the Spurs did it again. They found a very, very skilled player in Kyle Anderson. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but he can do it all! They will try to mold him into the next Boris Diaw, in a Lamar Odom type of role. For a team that just won the title, this is a great move.
Grade: B 

6) Los Angeles Lakers
Picks: Julius Randle (7), Jordan Clarkson (46)
The Lakers made a smart choice here by keeping their pick and drafting Julius Randle. If anything, Randle will have the motor and energy to clean up the offensive boards on a lot of Kobe Bryant misses. He will also provide a low post option with Pau Gasol on the move. I expect a career 15 and 9 out Randle, not an all-star, but not a scrub.
Grade: B

5) Milwaukee Bucks 
Picks: Jabari Parker (2), Damien Inglis (31), Johnny O'Bryant (36)
The Bucks are here for the same reason the Cavs are. They knew who they wanted the whole time and he was right there after the first pick. Jabari is going to be great for the Bucks, and they drafted two other guys who might find a couple minutes this year. Parker makes this a great draft for Milwaukee.
Grade: B+

4) Cleveland Cavaliers
Picks: Andrew Wiggins (1), Joe Harris (33)
The Cavs should not be praised for making an easy pick, but then again, it's the Cavs. Great job by picking Wiggins who will make an immediate impact on defense. They could have picked ANOTHER offensive player in Parker or a potential big time Center in Embiid, but they did the smart thing. Joe Harris doesn't really factor in here...
Grade: B+

3) Philadelphia 76ers
Picks:  Joel Embiid (3), Dario Saric (12), K.J. McDaniels (32), Jerami Grant (39), Vasilije Micic (52), Nemanja Dangubic (54), Jordan McRae (58)
The Sixers are not messing around with their "Tank and Build" strategy. They have Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams, Thad Young and a bunch of garbage on their roster now, but in 3 years, this team could be great. Or they could be the 2013/14 Jazz. In all, this draft works. They got Embiid, the supposed #1 pick, at 3. Then they added Saric who should at the least be a rotation player in the future. Neither will play next year. They added 5 other guys of which at least 2 should be able to crack an NBA rotation. So if you think about it, the Sixers added at least 4 NBA players to their Franchise,  and at minimum, one will be a quality starter. In all, a quality, smart draft for the Sixers. Not for now, but later.
Grade: B+

2) Boston Celtics
Picks: Marcus Smart (6), James Young (17)
The Celtics came up big and brought on two players that coach Brad Stevens will love. Smart, who would have been a top 3 pick last year, is an NBA ready guard who will make an impact immediately. If Rajon Rondo is shopped, Smart will be a top candidate for ROY. Young could be a very solid wing player down the line if he continues to develop his shot and works on his defense. A great draft for the rebuilding Celtics. Getting Smart alone warrants at least a B, Young only adds to that.
Grade: A

1) Utah Jazz
Picks: Dante Exum (5), Rodney Hood (23)
The Jazz somehow came up huge in this draft and might have the best group of under 25 prospects and players in the league. Exum is a big PG that will be able to guard both positions while giving the Jazz a little swag and pop on offense. Hood was probably overlooked in this draft, but he was a STEAL for the Jazz. A solid wing player that can shoot and score, with length to defend at the wing. The Jazz edge the Celtics here because Exum could become a better player than Marcus Smart and Hood is better than James Young right now.
Grade: A

Bottom 5 Grades of the 2014 NBA Draft

5) Oklahoma City Thunder
Picks: Mitch McGary (20)

You know, the more I sat and thought about this one, the more I really despised this pick. Let's really take a look at what the Thunder got here, the same exact type of player that Nick Collison is/was. And don't get me wrong, I love Nick Collison! He is a great player, who does everything to help his team win. But does he ever get more than 20 minutes a game? No. Will he take you to the finals? No. Do the Thunder need to make a good move, since their last 30 have all been bad? Yes. I think the Thunder should have really swung for the fences on this pick and got someone that has a higher ceiling. Well, who would that be Catz? Glad you asked. They should have gone for someone like Kyle Anderson who went to the Spurs with the final pick of the evening. This guy is sick, do not be surprised if he ends up being one of the top five players in this draft, especially now because he landed with San Antonio. The Thunder could have let him come in and play the point forward on their second team alongside Reggie Jackson. He is a playmaker and match up nightmare. Once again a tall point guard, and you know Dirty Picks loves tall point guards.

Grade: C

4) Sacramento Kings 
Picks: Nic Stauskas (8)

You know this pick is not even because I think Stauskas is going to be bad. With his shooting he should always be able to find a spot on an NBA rotation, the main reason for this ranking is because it is the Kings. The most under the radar dysfunctional organization in the last 10 years. How many guys have they drafted to a terrible situation and ruined the career of? Well you can add Stauskas to the list, because he is going to come in and realize that he will not be shooting, barely getting any touches, and if he calls for the ball Boogie might hit him. Because that is what happens when you play with Boogie, Rudy Gay, and Isiah Thomas. It really is too bad because Stauskas had a decent amount of promise, but unfortunately now the world will never know. Kings get a C- here, and only because of the three point shooting prowess of Nic.

Grade: C-

3) Charlotte Hornets
Picks: Noah Vonleh (9), PJ Hairston (drafted by Miami) 

So the Hornets took another PF with athleticism and outside shooting ability? Did they not just draft a similar player (albeit a white guy) last year in Cody Zeller? And then just in case you were not sure if Michael Jordan was indeed the worst owner in the history of professional sports, he traded Shabazz Napier to the Heat. To the HEAT!!! He just traded the guy that carried his team a college national championship to the team that has played in the last four finals! Either MJ is a huge fan of LeBron and wants to help him equal the number of titles he won, or he enjoys watching LeBron get there and then lose and is willing to go whatever lengths possible to make that happen? Either way, MJ really screwed the pooch with that trade, and took an almost identical player to the lottery player he selected just a year ago.  So he gets a D, and the only reason it is not lower MJ? Because I like Hairston and he could be a DECENT player someday.

Grade: D

2) Minnesota Timberwolves 
Picks: Zach LaVine (13), Markel Brown (44), Glenn Robinson III (40)

I hope Zach LaVine does not read our blog (he might) because these next few lines are going to be directed at him and pretty rough. He will not play in the NBA. He will not even become a decent rotation player in the best possible scenario. He will follow the mold of all the incredible physical intangibles prospects of the last fifteen years and end up in Europe somewhere. To summarize, this guy is not good and this was a terrible pick. To make matters even worse, you have Kevin Love who is leaving the team after the season (or sooner, if he gets traded) and to entice him to stay you draft one of the rawest players in the pool? This pick just does not make any sense, and the only reason it is not a F, like their Northern brothers received, is because of their second round picks. I think both Brown and Little Big Dog can be serviceable NBA bench players, which is more than you can say for Mr. LaVine.

Grade: D

1) Toronto Raptors

Picks: Bruno Caboclo (20), Deandre Daniels (37), Xavier Thames (59)

What the hell were the Raptors thinking here?? In the deepest draft in years they took a player who does not look like he can play in the NBA (youtube him). Best case scenario only if he improves by 700%, it is going to take him a minimum of four years!! Who drafts for four years down the road? You made the playoffs as a three seed this year TORONTO! But, I guess they do not like winning, or maybe they enjoy the lottery as much as I do and just really want to be a part of it? I even knocked them down another letter grade because Kyle Anderson and Shabazz Napier were still on the board (more on Kyle later).

Grade: F

Draft Pt.2

Top 10 Players in the 2014 NBA Draft Pt. 2

1. Jabari Parker — Duke —SF

What BJ says: "Jabari Parker should be the #1 pick in this draft. He can shoot the ball (winner!), rebound, and he knows what the hell he is doing on the basketball court. Defensively he sucks. Great, who cares. We know that the difference between good defense and bad defense is just a Tom Thibodeau way. Parker spent a good amount of time rehabbing an injury and is probably just starting to feel normal on the court. He is going to build some more strength in the NBA and will develop a few more moves to become a very solid starter for years to come.

What Bob says: Jabari is an elite scorer with a great midrange jumper that has a quick release, which allows him to get his shot off against anyone. He doesn't have elite athletic ability, but understands angles and positioning well and has an elite basketball IQ that should translate to the next level. There is potential for a post game to be developed that would allow him to exploit mismatches with smaller forwards. He is not in top physical shape yet, but give him time with an NBA team and that could quickly change. Uses his size and positioning skills to be a very good rebounder and that could also translate to the next level. The biggest knock on him right now is his defense, but again that could change at the NBA level when he gets into shape and a specific scheme that limits his weaknesses.

Player Comparison: Best case: Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony; Worst Case: Corey Maggette

Risk Meter (out of 10 Hasheem Thabeets): 1 Thabeet! Even if Parker doesn't improve and stays pudgy, he'd still be a good role player scoring 15 ppg.

Best Fit: Utah Jazz - Yeah we are pulling the Mormon card, but still, it's a good organization with a young talented roster. If the Jazz can get Parker and move Gordon Hayward and his awkward contract situation, they'll do it.

Worst fit: Los Angeles Lakers - He's going to need shots and some stability to grow as a player. Kobe isn't going to be a forgiving leader for a rookie that needs shots to be successful.

NBA2K Rating: 78-80


2. Andrew Wiggins — Kansas —SF

What Bob says: "Wiggins has all the tools to be a legitimate NBA superstar. His size and elite athleticism is why so many teams are infatuated with him. He makes plays from time to time that are spectacular in nature. Great rebounder for his size and the mechanics on his jump shot are solid. Still very raw, but he looks like, with a few years of experience and if everything goes right he could be a top NBA player. He does disappear in games sometimes for long stretches at a time. Other games he will make 2 spectacular plays and then do noting else the rest of the game. Needs to put weight on his frame in order to bang with NBA players. Doesn't create his own shot very well, instead relies on others to give him catch and shoot opportunities or fast break dunks. Is an elite defender already and at the very least should be a great 3 and D player that NBA GM's covet so much. If he can improve his consistency and gets lucky enough to play on a team with a pass first point guard this guy could be special."
What BJ says: "I was on the Wiggins train before the start of the NCAA season, then watched him play and wasn't happy at all with what I saw. The Canadian "Phenom" was just a hyper-athletic wing player with a mediocre jump shot with no edge to him. Wiggins COULD score, and he COULD make plays, but he was never the type of guy that looked like he would take a game over. I also remembered that we had this same knock on a lot of Kansas guys in the past. With Wiggins, I was expecting a dominant player that recklessly attacked the rim. After taking a step back, I saw Wiggins for what he really is. A very good defender, an athlete that know exactly what he can and can't do AND the makings of a very talented offensive player. Wiggins is going to be more Luol Deng than Tracy McGrady, but that's not a bad thing. His offense may never be at that 25 ppg level, but being a 17 points, 7 rebounds guy averaging 1.5 steals and 1 block per game is absolutely worth a top 3 pick.  We will rate Wiggins overrated for the first few years of his career until we realize that he is what he is; a rock solid defender that is best in transition. I'm sold on Wiggins as an All-Star caliber, defensive player.

Player comparison: Best case: Paul George or Scottie Pippen; Worst case: Marvin Williams

Risk Meter: 4 Thabeets; Look, Wiggins might not be the star everybody wants him to be, but he is going to be good enough to play at least 25 mpg in the NBA.

NBA2K Player Rating:  77-78

3. Joel Embiid — Kansas — C

What BJ says: "Embiid is only in this spot because Mr. Bobby Cats thinks he should be. I have not been sold on Embiid all season and I probably never will be. You can not convince me that a guy that supposedly started playing basketball in 2011 should be a lottery pick. Just because a big guy can walk and text at the same time, doesn't mean he's going to average 20 & 10 every night. What I see with Embiid is a guy that can come in and protect the rim, clean up weak side rebounds and run the pick and roll from time to time. Best case for Embiid: He averages 15 points and 10 rebounds while blocking 1.5 shots per game. That is worthy of a top 10 pick. But betting your future on a guy that now has a back injury, a foot injury, can't score and only averages 11 points and 8 rebounds per game in college?! You know who Embiid is? Derek Favors! Who put up similar stats at Georgia Tech as a 19 year old freshman. So let's stop comparing Embiid to Hakeem and Duncan. If you want a guy that's going to put up solid numbers á la Favors, here is your guy."

What Bob says:  "Athletic 7 footers do not grow on trees. Very smooth runner and general basketball player even though he has only played organized ball since 201-11. Defensively he uses his height and athleticism well enough to be a severe detriment to opposing teams. Offensively he is very limited right now, but the few post moves he does use are smooth and effective. NBA scouts are drooling over his potential because of his size and limited exposure to the game of basketball. The comparisons are to Hakeem are goddamn ridiculous and shouldn't be given any more thought than what you would to the ramblings of a homeless street preacher. The potential to be one of the top centers in the NBA however is a possibility, but he has quite a lot of ground to cover between now and then. The center position in the NBA is one of the weakest in the league behind maybe shooting guard. At the very least his athleticism and size should allow him to be a competent back up if he doesn't reach his full potential. There is a slight injury concern due to his size and recent maladies that have held him out of a few contests this year. Hopefully these injuries turn out to be anomalies and not a sign of something more serious."

Player Comparison: Best Case: Roy Hibbert / Worst Case: Ian Mahinmi, Hasheem Thabeet

Risk Meter: 8 Thabeets! Huge risk. You are most likely drafting a bench player here.

Best Fit: Boston Celtics: Brad Stevens will be able to capitalize on Embiid's strengths and slowly work on his weaknesses. Having Rajon Rondo there to get the ball to the rookie in just the right spots will also help. The Celtics desperately need a big in this rebuilding process and Embiid is solid enough to help.

Worst Fit: The Orlando Magic: They already have a raw center with potential in Nikola Vucevic. A raw center with potential that is already good, by the way. So unless they plan on holding on to both as assets there is no point. Especially when Jameer Nelson is your point guard.

NBA2K rating: 68-71

4. Julius Randle — Kentucky — PF

What BJ says: "I'm not a fan of undersized power forwards, but Julius Randle is a beast. I'm really hoping that he measures out to like 6"9' 3/4 or something because he has a solid skill set. When he gets the ball on the block, he puts his head down, creates space and finishes at an very efficient rate. His bruising, physical style is going to get him to the line plenty and he will be a menace on the offensive boards. What I most like about Randle is that he is clearly not afraid of his competition. If he misses or gets his shot blocked, he gets it and puts it back up. He might not be a star in this league, but at least you're getting a player that will work his ass off. He reminds a lot of people of Zach Randolph, which is fair. But Randle is a faster, more athletic Z-Bo that has a better handle. You're not getting a franchise player, but you are getting someone that can help your team immediately."

What Bob says:  Julius Randle is an exceptional rebounder at the college level. Despite consistently not being the tallest player on the court, thanks to his relentless energy Randle find himself pulling in 10+ boards a game. He has a knack for finding himself in the right place, where the ball just bounces right to him. Randle also shows a lot of similarities to Kevin Love when it comes to rebounding at a high level despite the athletic and physical limits. Shows excellent positioning on the offensive glass that allows him to consistently be in the mix to snatch up an offensive board. His offensive low post game consists of a lot of pump fakes and moves that take him right to the front of the rim. Draws a ton of fouls in the low post thanks to his multiple pump fakes and herky jerky body movements. Even when his shot isn't falling he is able to draw fouls consistently which should serve him well at the NBA level. He isn't quite there defensively, but a lot of that could be attributed to the fact that the Harrison twins consistently let opposing guards blow by them and he has to leave his man to help leaving an easy dump pass that most middle schoolers can make. Because of his effective post game most teams at the NBA level will think about double teaming him which will allow him to rack up 3 or 4 assists on easy kick outs when the double comes. Has potential to play the stretch four position due to his decent handle and shooting ability that he hasn't been able to showcase too much at Kentucky, but hopefully will be allowed to flourish at the NBA level. Might never become a star at the NBA player, but he could very easily be a solid role player for a championship contending team.

Player Comparison: Best Case: Elton Brand or Zach Randolph. Worst Case: Michael Beasley

Risk Meter: 5 Thabeets. Randle might not turn into a star. If he doesn't, he'll be a great bench guy; think Carl Landry.

Best Fit: Lakers or Sixers. The Lakers' roster is in flux, but as long as Kobe is on the team, there will be a ton of weak side rebounds to be had. Assuming the Sixers trade Thad Young, Randle could slide into that role well along Nerlens Noel.

Worst Fit: Utah. The Jazz don't need another front court player and they certainly don't need to try and play Randle at the small forward position.

NBA2K Rank: 72-75

5. Rodney Hood — Duke — SF

What Bob says: "Slashing, athletic, lefty that looks like he has the talent to play well at the NBA level. Prefers to take the ball to the rack rather than shoot the three, but his jumper is solid and his range can definitely be extended. At times he has carried the offense for Duke despite having the possible number one pick on his team. This definitely shows that Rodney can play with the big boys. Defensively he doesn't show the flashes of being an elite defender, but he puts in the effort so he shouldn't a liability at the NBA level, but don't expect him to make any all defensive teams at any point in his career. Rebounds well using his size and effort, and this should be able to translate over into the NBA. Does not have star potential, but very well could end being a solid role player that could be the third or fourth option on a championship team."

What BJ says:  "Rodney Hood might be my favorite player in the draft. He's going to get picked a couple spots too late and teams are going to regret it. He's a silky smooth 6'8" wing that has not filled out yet. People knock him because he doesn't jump out of the building and isn't super flashy. He's just a good basketball player, but of course that doesn't get you drafted in the top 5. Hood can get to the bucket and use his length to get to the rim. He also has a solid mid-range and outside game which is most impressive. It's hard to put a pin on a player comparison. He is built like Tayshaun Prince, but plays like Rashard Lewis almost. I think Hood will turn out to be a solid 17-6 wing player. If a team gets him after the 6th pick, it's a steal.

Player Comparison: Best case: Rashard Lewis; Worst case: Marvin Williams

Risk Meter: 5 Thabeets. There's that chance that Hood doesn't fill out and is never strong enough to be a reliable two way player. Right now, he is worth the pick.

Best Fit: Charlotte, Orlando, Phoenix. Hood needs time to get comfortable and build strength. Playing with a guard like Kemba Walker or next to a ball dominant player like Victor Oladipo would definitely help him develop. Phoenix would plug him into the system right away.

Worst Fit: Milwaukee. Hood isn't ready to be the number one guy, yet! If he can grow next to other solid, young players, he could be a great #2.

NBA2K Rank: 70-72

2014 Top NBA Prospects Pt. 1

Top 2014 NBA Lottery Prospects 

How many times have you typed in "NBA MOCK DRAFT 2014" this year, clicked on a result and said, "this makes no fuckin sense!" ? We here at Dirty Picks respect the effort it takes to come up with a full on mock draft; mainly because it takes a shit ton of time and research. However, you can not convince me that coming up with a half-decent top 10 is some Herculean task that most people would never attempt. If your top 10 mock only compares people to current All-Stars or Hall of Fame greats, you've fucked up. If your mock doesn't consider playing style and personnel fit, you've let the people down. We have taken the guess work out of drafting this year and are giving you, what we believe, is a an extremely honest and accurate take on 2014's top NBA Draft prospects. As you'll see, this is not a mock, but more of a ranking system, based on fit and overall talent level. Some of these guys are stars, some are just solid role players. The most important thing is, you know exactly what you are getting. We've also attached an NBA 2K rating to each incoming rookie to give an overall idea of where each player is coming in to the NBA. Here are the bottom 5:

10. Aaron Gordon—  Arizona — F

What Bob says: Aaron Gordon is athletic as fuck. Because of his length and incredible athleticism he will not only make Jay Bilas hard, but he could become one of the premier defensive players in the NBA. He gets rebounds using his jumping skills and arms that are longer than fuck. Raw isn't even fair to call him on the offensive end, retarded is actually a closer description. The only points he gets are off of oops, putbacks, and wide open dunks. His jump shot and free throw shooting are borderline atrocious, and this will definitely be a primary concern for GM's looking to draft him. With the right coaching though he has the potential to become at least a competent NBA scorer, but his defense will be his calling card. He could serve as a lockdown defender for a title winning team, think Tayshaun Prince on the Bulls or Kawhi Leonard for the Spurs. Defense will get him in the league, his potential on offense could make him a star.

What BJ says: I don't think Aaron Gordon is very good. He shouldn't go top 10, nor should anyone expect him to be great in the NBA. He can be a good role player, or a shitty version of Shawn Marion. He's only on here because Bob didn't want to put Gary Harris on the list. Everybody loves a tweener that can't score, rebound well or guard at an elite level! That being said, if he goes to a team that doesn't need his scoring, he COULD turn into the next coming of Marion.

Risk Meter: 7 Thabeets. If he doesn't learn to do something on offense, he's going to suck.

Player comparison: Best case: Shawn Marion, Andrei Kirilenko. Worst case: Wes Johnson

Worst fit: 

Best fit: Dallas. Great coach, great organization, old Shawn Marion. Phoenix and Denver as well, because of their style of play.

NBA2K Rating: 65-69

9. Doug McDermott —  Creighton — F

What Bob says: "McDouble is already capable of being a quality NBA 3 point shooter. Very quick release allows him to get his shot off with little to no space from defenders. Also possesses an underrated post game that allows him to take advantage of smaller defenders. Can get "hot" and put up a bunch of points in a hurry. Not a very good athlete, and will be someone that opposing players abandon their game plan so that they can take him one on one. Decent rebounder for his size and limited athleticism. Positions himself well and uses his body to create great rebounding opportunities. Definitely won't be a star at the NBA level, but on the right team he could be an absolutely essential piece to a title contender. His ability to shoot from deep will keep him on a roster for years to come."

What BJ says: "Let's make on thing perfectly clear: Doug McDermott is probably not an NBA starter. He is not going to be a star player. He is a role player. Now that we have that out of the way...So, why should a lottery team take a guy that's not going to be a star? Because you know exactly what you're getting with McDermott! He's going to play the wing, be a liability on defense and need a lot of screens and ball movement to get around. It's sad that we have to compare all white guys to other white guys, but he really does remind me of Kyle Korver. Except maybe a little more polished than Korver. So if you're sitting there with the 7th-15th pick in the draft, just take a look at that 2003 lottery. Korver was taken in the second round. In the lottery ALONE there are 6 guys who haven't been the NBA for years! Take the guy that is going to have a solid NBA career, not some asshole that can jump super high.

Risk Meter: 5 Thabeets. There's a chance McDermott is so far below average defensively and in other offensive areas that he just flames out after 2 seasons. If Steve Novak and Matt Bonner can get contracts, McDermott should be able to as well.

Player comparison: Best case: Kyle Korver. Worst case: Luke Jackson, Joe Alexander.

Best fit: Chicago, Boston, Philly. These three coaches know how to use screens and ball movement to get shooters open. That's exactly what McDermott does best, so he needs to land with a  smart coach.

Worst fit: LAL, Milwaukee, Sacramento. These teams do not understand spacing or ball movement. Even if Steve Nash comes back, Lakers remember having Troy Murphy and Jason Kapono. No open looks.

NBA2K Rating: 67-69

8. Tyler Ennis —  Syracuse — PG

What Bob says: "Freshmen point guard who was not on a lot of NBA radars until midway through the college season. Does not possess outstanding or even above average athleticism or physical intangibles of say a Marcus Smart, but makes up for it with an incredibly high basketball IQ (last two minutes of the Dayton game not considered). Controls the game, tempos and makes smart passes consistently while rarely turning the ball over. Not fast, but quick and consistently gets to his spot on the court. Has a nifty package of floaters and push/scoop shots when he does get in the lane. Very impressive poise/confidence for an 18 year old freshmen especially during their brief run in the NCAA tournament because of the confidence he has in his game. Never looked like the moment was too big for him and didn't seem intimidated at all by the position he was in. Needs to develop an outside shooting/midrange game, currently he can hit the shot and his jumper does look smooth, but NBA defenses will test it out until he proves he can consistently knock it down. Once again he will never be an above average athlete at the NBA level, and this could lead him to consistently getting destroyed by quality NBA point guards, but there have been a lot of points who were terrible on defense and still had a positive impact on the game (Steve Nash won two MVP's!!). If he gets drafted by the right team/coaching staff he could immediately come in and average 6-8 assists a game and start at point guard. "

What BJ says: "I wasn't very high on Ennis throughout most of the season, but he really started to catch my eye by doing a few little things. As Mr. Catz mentioned, he is very poised. He's not like a Johnny Flynn or an Austin Rivers who has little to no idea of what's going on around him. His court awareness and leaderships skills are going to make him a good player in this league. He also has a nice frame for a PG and I could see him becoming a strong guy that can bully smaller guards. He'll probably never be a D-Rose, Westbrook, Lillard type player, but he could definitely be a championship PG."

Risk Meter: Six Thabeets. Ennis doesn't have anything that jumps out at you. Which isn't good. He can't shoot, he's not explosive, he doesn't have a mean handle. He could just be a bench player forever.

Player comparison: Best case: Ramon Sessions, Andre Miller. Worst case: Kendall Marshall.

Best fit: Orlando, Dallas. There would not be a ton of pressure on Ennis here and he could take over for an aging, borderline useless guard in Jameer Nelson. There's a solid core of young guys here that Ennis could grow with. Dallas could use a PG of the future and playing with Dirk and in a great organization could get Ennis going faster than expected.

Worst fit: Milwaukee, Utah, Boston, Sacramento. Anywhere that already has a point guard or needs more scoring. Ennis can't be the guy that comes in and has to score.

NBA2K Rating: 70-71

7. Adreian Payne —  Michigan St. — PF

What Bob says: "Starting out his career at Michigan State, Payne did not look anything like an NBA player, now he's one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. This season, Payne looked like a quintessential stretch 4 that is all the rage right now in the NBA. Being a four year player, he should be able to step in and contribute right away. His performance in the NCAA tournament was especially eye-opening and probably moved his draft position up three or four spots. He consistently looked like the best player on the floor and showed that he can knock down the 3 with consistency. Uses his length and athleticism to make plays on the defensive end and cleaning the glass. Won't be an elite rebounder, but should be able to pull down 6-8 boards a game consistently because of his size. Lately in games he's been settling for threes too often instead of trying to take his man off the dribble or exploiting smaller matchups in the post. Doesn't show enough consistency on the defensive end that makes you think he is gonna be considered a stopper, but he shouldn't be a liability either. If he proves that he can come in and knock down the 3 with consistency he should be a very strong role player for the right team."

What BJ says: "There are multiple reasons to like Payne. He has great size, strength and speed. That will always translate in the NBA, but the fact that he can put it all together into one, coordinated body of work is what is going to make him valuable. Payne can stretch the floor, but he will bang with big guys down low and punish smaller guys. The only thing to worry about is his assertiveness. If he continues to polish that low post game and improves his rebounding, he will be a very nice piece on a good team."

Risk Meter: 4 Thabeets. In any case he will be one of the Morris Twins. His size, IQ and his awareness of his own strengths and weaknesses will keep him in an NBA rotation.

Player comparison: Best Case: Markieff Morris; Worst Case: Patrick Patterson

Worst fit: Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pellies. Neither of these teams need another stretch 4.

Best fit: The Bobcats. We know Michael Jordan loves prominent college guys! He could be great with Kemba off the pick and roll.

NBA2K Rating: 71-74

6. Marcus Smart — OK St. — PG

What Bob says: "Taller combo guard that contributes in multiple categories consistently. Disrupts passing lanes and hounds smaller guards into forcing the issue or turning the ball over. He is also a fantastic rebounder for the point guard position. Stayed an extra year in college so he should be able to adjust to the NBA game faster than some of his counterparts. Solid passer, is able to consistently get by his defender and then finds the open man for an easy dunk or corner three. His assist numbers should only improve at the NBA level due to the talent that will be surrounding him (unless he ends up a Buck! zing!!). The biggest question mark right now is whether he is going to be able to improve his outside shooting to be considered a threat from distance. Athleticism is not as great as some of the other combo guards in league such as Eric Bledsoe or Wesley Matthews, but he can hold his own. Could really blossom into a star on the right team and at the very least should be a solid backup point guard due to his passing and defensive skills."

What BJ says: "Smart reminds me of this new hybrid breed of point guard now in the league. On one hand we have distributors like Rondo, CP3 and Rubio. On the other, there are scoring guards like Westbrook, Rose and Irving. Then there's guys like Eric Bledsoe, Kyle Lowry and Patrick Beverly. These dudes are just raw energy, aggressive on both end DAWGS. They can come in off the bench and spark your second unit, or frustrate a starting point guard with their defense and physicality. Smart is going to be well-built for being a rookie, and that will work to his advantage. I see his career playing out a little more like fellow college standout Kemba Walker, but I think he has more potential on the offensive end. "

Player comparison: Best Case: Eric Bledsoe. Worst Case: Jarret Jack.

Risk Meter: 4 Thabeets. Even if you aren't getting a starting point guard, you're getting a combo guard off the bench that can score and defend.

Best fit: New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers. Smart has obviously been through a few things this year. He's going to come out pretty polished media wise and I think he will be ready for the bright lights; specifically LA or NY. Both teams need a PG of the future and Smart not only brings the skills, the toughness and the mental readiness, but a passion for the game.

Worst fit: Milwaukee. Sacramento. If one of these teams decides they need to "bring in some competition" it's only going to be awkward. Smart needs to go to a team and be the guy from day 1.

NBA2K Rating: 71-73

NBA Draft 2014

NBA DRAFT RULES

By +Bobby Sugar 

As March Madness gets closer, it is time for all GMs of tanking NBA teams to take a good hard look at this year's crop of prospects. No doubt names like Wiggins, Parker, Embiid and Smart will be featured in discussions leading up to draft day, but it is the relative unknowns and future tourney stars that most are waiting for.

For fans and NBA execs alike, this time of year becomes a statistical feeding frenzy as we try to find the strengths and weaknesses of each prospect. Words like "wingspan," "vertical," and "genital circumference" will be thrown around like monkey feces, and,  on draft day, we will see the result of all that hard scouting work.

But what really goes on in those draft rooms? If teams are scouting for months on end and breaking down film, why the hell do we have so many first round misses? As a fan, it has to be extremely frustrating watching your GM take disappointing player after disappointing player as your team sets up permanent base in the lottery. 

This is why we have created the "Five Rules of NBA Drafting"; an easy and quick reference for all GM's and execs itching to improve their teams. With these rules, you will no longer be subject to seeing your team draft a 6 ft 9 in African center that hasn't played more than 4 months of organized basketball with the 2nd pick in the draft. Go ahead and print this out, put it right next to your mock draft and any time you are skeptical about a pick, consult the list. And as a multi-racial collaboration of writers here at Dirty Picks, we don't want to hear any cries of racism or bigotry. If you are a GM and your job is on the line, looking at Robert Swift or Meyers Leonard and saying "no" is not racist; IT'S JUST THE DAMN TRUTH!

NOTE: These rules are meant for the NBA lottery! Not second round picks! As a matter of fact most of the players subject to these rules are great mid-first or second round picks. So when you're reading this, remember LOTTERY. 

THIS LIST WILL WEED OUT 98% OF DRAFT BUSTS! 

THE 5 RULES OF THE NBA DRAFT

Rule I: 
Never take giant white centers who are "projects" because they are over seven feet tall.

Examples

Chris Mihm, Joel Pryzbilla, Robert Swift, Shawn Bradley, Meyers Leonard, Alex Len (kind of, he's slightly Euro), Cole Aldrich etc.
Comments
Is this racist? Probably, but you know what? These dudes do NOT work out as lottery picks! Now if you want to draft a guy to be a contributor for 12-18 minutes off the bench and get some rebounds (Nick Collison, Josh McRoberts, Tyler Hansborough) do it....later in the draft!

This is what happens

Analysts Say:
"He's a better athlete than you'd expect! He has a high basketball IQ and should be a solid contributor right away"


TRANSLATION
"He's more athletic than most white guys! Also, since he's white, we have to mention that he's a smart player for some reason. He's not going to be very good, but he should be a good role player for the next 10 years."

Rule II: 
Do not take big men described as "raw," "athletic," or "has potential on offense."

Examples
Hasheem Thabeet, Kwame Brown, Bismack Biyombo, Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright, Tyrus Thomas, Patrick O'Bryant, Hilton Armstrong, Sheldon Williams, Desagana Diop.

Comments
When does this work out?! You draft a guy that blocks 4 shots per game and pulls down 10 rebounds, but can't score! Oh yeah, and those guys that he's blocking and boarding over? Unathletic, college dudes that won't sniff the NBA. Oh by the way, there's no defensive 3 second rule in college, feel free to camp around the rim and block 6 ft point guard's layins and collect rebounds. If you can't score against these same guys, how the hell are you scoring on NBA bigs?

Raw on Offense  = That's not going in

Analysts say:
"This guy is raw, but he has a lot of potential. Great wingspan, athletic, he's going to be a force on defense and on the boards. If he ever gets his offensive game going, watch out!"

TRANSLATION
"This guy really doesn't know what he's doing. He is pretty athletic, but hey we're in the NBA! Everybody is fuckin athletic! He will never average over 10 points per game, and you wasted a lottery pick on him instead of picking up Reggie Evans for a second round pick!"

RULE III: 
Do not take a player that doesn't have at least one elite skill. 

Examples

Joe Alexander, Otto Porter, Sean May, Austin Rivers, Darko Milicic, and Mateen Cleaves (sorry Sugar), Wes Johnson, Evan Turner to an extent, MARVIN WILLIAMS.

Comment
I don't care if it's being able shoot 3's (JJ Reddick), lockdown-D (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist), or he can pull down twenty rebounds against the Monstars from Space Jam (Kenneth Faried). If a player does not

Next Stop! D-League!

possess one elite skill, he better be fuckin amazing at every other skill in the book. Like LeBron good; in other words it doesn't work out. Also, athleticism does not qualify as an elite skill. This ain't baseball, these players are all superior athletes. The only exception to that is if the player is so athletic that he even impresses other NBA players, example: Gerald Green.

What analysts say:

"Jim, this player contributes in a variety of ways, he's very versatile and that flexibility will allow him to thrive at the NBA level."

TRANSLATION

"Jim this guy isn't very good at anything, but he had to do a lot for his team in college! He definitely can't shoot threes, he can dribble a little bit, but not past anyone. He can pass the ball, but not very well and you can expect pedestrian rebound numbers. This guy should be able to give you 15 minutes off the bench for the rest of his career."

Rule IV: 

Do not take international players that fail to dominate their own league.

Examples

Darko Milicic, Jan Vesely, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Andrea Bargnani

Comments

This rule has not become as important lately as teams have moved away from drafting international players early, but you'd be surprised how many teams still struggle with this concept. If there is a guy playing 15 minutes per game and averaging single digits in everything, how the hell is he going to succeed in the NBA? Unless the guy kills it against the US, Spain or Argentina, don't bother taking him in the lottery. 

"and Jan never scored again..."

What analysts say:

"I tell ya, this guy is not like most international players, he's physical, athletic and he likes to get in there and bang! He only averaged 3 points per game in the Dakminstanistan league, but his physical gifts and style of play are more suited the NBA game."

TRANSLATION

"I tell yeah, this guy is more of a physical specimen than the other guys in his league who don't work out and chain smoke constantly. He can NOT score, so don't expect that. Oh and he's used to a different rule set, so expect him to never know what the fuck is going on. He also doesn't speak English and has never played more than 12 minutes per game. Expect him to be back in Europe in 2 years."

Rule V 
Do not draft a player in the lottery if you do not know his main position.

Examples

Marvin Williams, Derrick Williams, Renaldo Balkman, Jared Jeffries, Melvin Ely, Marcus Haislip, Cedric Simmons, Anthony Randolph, Ekpe Udoh, Al-Farouq Aminu, Tyrus Thomas, Ike Diogu, Yi Jianlan

"BUT HE PLAYS EVERY POSITION!"

Comments

This is one of the most egregious draft offenses! You see a guy that looks like a small forward, that wants and basically needs to play power forward or center! Or, he is 6'9" and you justify the pick because, "he's so versatile, he can play both positions!" No, that's not how it works. Your 6'9" power forward is not guarding LeBron, Melo, KD, Paul George or Kawhi. Oh you want to stick that guy at the three? Well, he can't shoot or dribble so good luck with that! Magic Johnson was versatile; LeBron James is versatile; Andre Iguodala is versatile; Marvin Williams is NOT versatile.

What analysts say:

"This guy is more of 4 that can kind of play the three and that versatility is going to help this team. He's got good length and quick feet, he'll be able to help this team in a lot of ways. He should be able to slide into the lineup easily and become a contributor."

TRANSLATION

"I have no fucking clue what position this guy can play. He definitely can't play the 4, so they're going to try him at the 3, but that shit won't work at all! He can't dribble well or shoot to space the floor so he'll have to post up. Unfortunately he has 0 post moves because he thinks he is a small forward and he's way undersized. Oh and they already have a solid guy that plays his primary position so they will force the rookie to play with him and fail miserably. He'll be shooting a lot of long, jumpers at a 30% clip."