[MopgrassParticipant]

It’s really hard this year because there are 10 guys I want to put at the absolute top. Based off a lot of footage (where the real thing doesn’t translate), this is what I came up with.

1. Karl Towns- So skilled around the basket. Footwork is very impressive. Can do a lot to get around any big man. Post moves won’t be a problem. Great jumper. Will fade back and shoot. He may over-compensate trying to get around others. He’s big, strong, and forceful. He could play in the NBA right out of high school. Incredibly solid. Totally solid athlete. Can really move effortlessly around.

2. Cliff Alexander- More ferocious than Julius Randle. A total monster blocking shots and dunking emphatically. Can get up solidly. His shot form is good at the free-throw line and when given time, but it falls apart under pressure. Is very much mobile enough to get around most. Unlike Randle, plays serious defense. Is extremely emphatic without being unreasonably emotional.

3. Myles Turner- Pretty mobile, great mid-range shot. John Henson type. Wingspan looks longer than the 7’4″ it’s listed as. Looks great for shot blocking. He is on his way to dunking emphatically. He’s very skinny and I’m not sure he’d ever be tough enough to be a center. He’d rather shoot a jumper over someone. His shot form may be inconsistent, but it looks really pretty. Can hit from pro range. Can catch and shoot or off the dribble. Has a nice step-back jumper. He has a lot of quickness to move around people, but he’d never go through anyone. He’s a great passer. Needs to hit the gym.

4. Stanley Johnson- Great lateral movement. Known as a Ron Artest-type. Can dribble really well and needs the ball in his hands to score. Does a lot of PG-type duties. Can pass well. The jumper is rumored to be bad, but doesn’t look so broken. He really is an ankle breaker handling the ball sometimes. He can jump well enough to get the job done, but is not a well regarded leaper. Really wants to get to the rack and finds a way to get there.

5. Chris Walker- Total monster. Though his handle and some moves are questionable, he’s very strong (listed only at 220?), really attacks, drives hard to the hoop and does dunks that win contests (especially windmills). He runs hard and plays hard. He has a lot of ways of getting around a defender, but in college and pro he will turn the ball over. He dribbles too high, though his lateral movement is so great he can break ankles. His tenacity will assure his success, especially given his strength and leaping ability. He’s less agile than he realizes. I need to see him shoot outside more. It looks acceptable from mid-range and questionable further out.

6. Kelly Oubre- Can dunk pretty hard, but is known for his jumper (which looks solid). He doesn’t drive well: he doesn’t drive quick, doesn’t handle the ball well in traffic, and makes some due in HS out of length. His jumper will cary him and his driving in transition. His ability to create is questionable unless it’s a jumper. Really wants to get to the rack though. Very skilled. Physically looks like a great ball player.

7. Jahil Okafor- Very skilled around the rim. Very mobile near the rim. Is generally slow and below the rim, but attacks with great strength. Solid touch in the paint. Athletic players will always give him trouble and he will never be a rim protector.

8. Terry Rozier- Has easily the best juke moves in college and is very ambidextrous. Is crazy fast and can really get up for someone 6’2″. His height does seam to still be a problem around the rim. Despite his amazingness, 40% FG is pretty crumby. Good 3 point shooter (not amazing). Can overdo it, force things, and make bad decisions.

9. Kevon Tooney- Fancies himself a 3 point shooter, more likely a great mid-range guy for now. The form needs a minute amount of help from further out, but he often makes it. Has a great turn around jumper. Likes to handle the ball. Shouldn’t too much. Played inferior competition. Can fight really hard to get inside and score. Has incredibly long arms. Likes to dunk nice and hard. Above average leaper. Blocks a decent amount of shots. Should consider gaining a ton of weight and becoming a PF (given his forcefulness).

10. Emmanual Mudiay- Given credit for being very fast and athletic. Can solidly get up but no footage shows much speed (under average). Makes some pretty good passes. His jumper is said to be streaky and it looks a little under average in form. He has great size for a PG and can post up others. His free throw shooting isn’t good yet. 60%. Red flag. Known to make teammates better. Amazing handles, great spin moves. Great around the rim. Always look under control. May actually be a better 2 guard despite the handles.

11. Alex Poythress- Can jump out of the building and is outrageously strong. Easily a defensive specialist. He fights real hard for the ball and is called in for energy. MKG with a possible jumper.63% FG, 41% 3PT, 67% FT as a freshman. Was told not to drive though he can drive quite well (but gets one tracked). He will do anything to get to the rack. Can be abit wild. His range could be developed.

12. Caris LeVert- Amazing lateral speed. Can cover all kinds of ground sideways. His shot starts low and is a little flat. Shot a bunch of 3’s well last year at Michigan and 13 points a game. He can dunk pretty well and seems extremely fast. Really fast. Will contort his body and be falling on the ground to get a shot off and make it. There is something meek about his game: he never goes right down the center. Afraid of contact? There is little footage of him in college.

13. Mario Hezonja- A lot more athletic than most European players and looks fast enough. Has average NBA hang time. Decent passer. Can shoot from anywhere. His form is inconsistent (really great from mid-range). His 3 shot looks very slightly like a throw (depending on the day). Great touch around the rim.

14. Willy Cauley Stein- Two years ago looked clueless. Now he looks atheletic and increasingly aggressive. Looks afraid of contact on offense. He settles for bank shots. Starting to block shots. He has bursts of energy and runs the court very well. If he put it all together, he could be quite good.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

1. Chris Walker- Total monster. Though his handle and some moves are questionable, he’s very strong (listed only at 220?), really attacks, drives hard to the hoop and does dunks that win contests (especially windmills). He runs hard and plays hard. He has a lot of ways of getting around a defender, but in college and pro he will turn the ball over. He dribbles too high, though his lateral movement is so great he can break ankles. His tenacity will assure his success, especially given his strength and leaping ability. He’s less agile than he realizes. I need to see him shoot outside more. It looks acceptable from mid-range and questionable further out.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

1. Chris Walker- Total monster. Though his handle and some moves are questionable, he’s very strong (listed only at 220?), really attacks, drives hard to the hoop and does dunks that win contests (especially windmills). He runs hard and plays hard. He has a lot of ways of getting around a defender, but in college and pro he will turn the ball over. He dribbles too high, though his lateral movement is so great he can break ankles. His tenacity will assure his success, especially given his strength and leaping ability. He’s less agile than he realizes. I need to see him shoot outside more. It looks acceptable from mid-range and questionable further out.

[ahuang16Participant]

If the draft was today, I can’t see why a team would go with Turner over Okafor since the latter is so much further along in his development.  And Rozier doesn’t have enough sample size to justify being selected over Mudiay.  It’s an okay list but not the best.  I applaud you though for providing some reasoning to your selections.

[ahuang16Participant]

If the draft was today, I can’t see why a team would go with Turner over Okafor since the latter is so much further along in his development.  And Rozier doesn’t have enough sample size to justify being selected over Mudiay.  It’s an okay list but not the best.  I applaud you though for providing some reasoning to your selections.

[MopgrassParticipant]

I figured more people object. Especially since a lot of people have Mudiay and Okafor at #1 & #2. Since my list is off footage, I tend to miss a players intangible skills. It takes watching a game to understand why a guy like Jabari Parker deservedly goes 2nd in a draft. 

This is just an early draft prediction because the boards are a little dead in here. 

My only objection here is to the idea that players that are further along should go higher. That works for a contender, but if you’re one of the worst team in the league, you go for the best prospects. Aaron Gordon is all potential and doesn’t have a skilled shot at all, but went 4th over Julius Randle who’s way further along. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

I figured more people object. Especially since a lot of people have Mudiay and Okafor at #1 & #2. Since my list is off footage, I tend to miss a players intangible skills. It takes watching a game to understand why a guy like Jabari Parker deservedly goes 2nd in a draft. 

This is just an early draft prediction because the boards are a little dead in here. 

My only objection here is to the idea that players that are further along should go higher. That works for a contender, but if you’re one of the worst team in the league, you go for the best prospects. Aaron Gordon is all potential and doesn’t have a skilled shot at all, but went 4th over Julius Randle who’s way further along. 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

with his ability to score in the post and rebound,dakari johnson might end up a lotto pick…

texas guard isaiah taylor showed some promise his freshman yr…alot of people r expecting him to be 1 of the nation’s premier guards..he’s going to need some work on his shooting ,gain some strength and play smarter,if he does he could shoot up the draft board..

rj hunter helped his stock this summer and might move up….

as always there are usually 2 or 3 players that emerge out of nowhere and become lottery picks..7 foot freshman paschal chukwu could be a surprise this season..

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

with his ability to score in the post and rebound,dakari johnson might end up a lotto pick…

texas guard isaiah taylor showed some promise his freshman yr…alot of people r expecting him to be 1 of the nation’s premier guards..he’s going to need some work on his shooting ,gain some strength and play smarter,if he does he could shoot up the draft board..

rj hunter helped his stock this summer and might move up….

as always there are usually 2 or 3 players that emerge out of nowhere and become lottery picks..7 foot freshman paschal chukwu could be a surprise this season..

[ph90702]

Dakari Johnson was arguably the worst player in the Bahams tour.

[ph90702]

Dakari Johnson was arguably the worst player in the Bahams tour.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

Alex Poythress is not a defensive specialist. He has the tools to develop into one, but he doesn’t warrant that label. Also, where did you get this " was not told to drive"from? Its completely false. He just doesn’t have the handles and creativty to drive to the rim consistently. 

Interesting you have Okafor dropping out the top 5. 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

Alex Poythress is not a defensive specialist. He has the tools to develop into one, but he doesn’t warrant that label. Also, where did you get this " was not told to drive"from? Its completely false. He just doesn’t have the handles and creativty to drive to the rim consistently. 

Interesting you have Okafor dropping out the top 5. 

[ph90702]

Call me a homer, but Rashad Vaughn and Christian Wood have the ability to develop into lottery picks in next year’s draft.

[ph90702]

Call me a homer, but Rashad Vaughn and Christian Wood have the ability to develop into lottery picks in next year’s draft.

[MopgrassParticipant]

I’m totally on board with Christian Wood. I barely left him off this list.

[MopgrassParticipant]

I’m totally on board with Christian Wood. I barely left him off this list.

[IhateusernamesParticipant]

Homer^^^^^^^^^

[IhateusernamesParticipant]

Homer^^^^^^^^^

[theprophetParticipant]

 is there any chance grayson allen makes next lottery?

[theprophetParticipant]

 is there any chance grayson allen makes next lottery?

[rileymcshea3Participant]

Top 10
1.Jahlil Okafor- Skilled big man with array of post moves. He’s like a 6’11 version of Jared Sullinger with his soft touch and great footwork to score in many different ways near the basket. Uses long arms and big body (270 pounds) to rebound and block shot. See a future 20 and 10 Center. Comparison: Demarcus Cousins/ Jared Sullinger

2.Cliff Alexander- A man amongst boys at the highschool level. Around 6’8 or 6’9 with 250 pounds of solid muscle and long arms with a wingspan of 7’3 and dunks everything. Mobile big that dominates the boards and great at cutting to the basket for dunk after dunk. Explosiveness reminds me of young Amare back in Phoenix. Good looking form and skills around basket. Should be great for the pick n role game that is taking over the NBA. Comparison: Amare Stoudemire/ Kenneth Faried

3.Emmanuel Mudaiy- Big athletic PG with good court vision. 6’5 can do everything in the court in mold of Russell Westbrook but not as explosive. Great handle, great passer, great finisher, and a developing jump shot. Who knows how much playing in China will effect his stock, but the less exposure and lack of competition will make Mudaiy a risky pick. Comparison: Penny Hardaway/ Tyreke Evans

4.Karl Towns- One of my favorite prospects. 7 footer can score inside and out. Great IQ and feel for the game. He’s like a Tim Duncan with 3 point range. Can do just about everything post moves, hits 3s, rebounds, can pass and block shots. Could even be higher if he didn’t have to share time with all of the other Kentucky big men. Comparison: Duncan/ Marc Gasol

5.Stanley Johnson- Competitor and leader that wins. Great defender, with good IQ. Decent shot,nice handles, and good passer.Combo wings,but I like him as more of SG. Comparison: Andre Iguadala/ Jimmy Butler

6.Myles Turner- 7 footer with long arms that has some guard skills and a pretty good shot. Think he comes in as a stretch 4 then eventually add weight and muscle improving his defensive ability and moving him to center Comparison:Lamarcus Aldridge/ Channing Fry

7.Kelly Oubre- Ultra athletic SF with a good looking stroke is always makes a player very intriguing in terms of potential. Has star potential, but also potential to be nothing. Comparison: Rudy Gay

8.Caris Levert- Nice all around SG. Gets after it on D with his quickness and lank at 6’6. Good ball handling and shot, expect him to take on a big role at Michigan. Comparison: Jordan Crawford/Dion Waiters but with more defense

9.Chris Walker- Explosive athlete catches oops and blocks shots can play the 4 or 5. Will be a defensive specialist in NBA. Comparison: Deandre Jordan

10.Mario Hazenja- Usually at least one international players cracks the top 10 every year. This year I think it’s Mario. Good athlete and height at SG position and scoring and passing skills. Comparison: Marco Belineli/ Evan Fournier

11.Montrezle Harrell: Great defensive big, but a bit shirt for the an NBA big

12.Theo Penson: Length with a developing jumper

13.Chris Walker: Explosive athlete, shot blocker and dunker.

14.Malik Pope: Long 6’8 SF with skills and a jumper

Barely missed

Tyler Ulis: Eventually will win the staring PG position at Kentucky and lead them deep in the tournament

Wayne Seldon: Good size and shot

Paschal Chukwu- 7’2 defensive anchor, reminds me of Mutumbo

[rileymcshea3Participant]

Top 10
1.Jahlil Okafor- Skilled big man with array of post moves. He’s like a 6’11 version of Jared Sullinger with his soft touch and great footwork to score in many different ways near the basket. Uses long arms and big body (270 pounds) to rebound and block shot. See a future 20 and 10 Center. Comparison: Demarcus Cousins/ Jared Sullinger

2.Cliff Alexander- A man amongst boys at the highschool level. Around 6’8 or 6’9 with 250 pounds of solid muscle and long arms with a wingspan of 7’3 and dunks everything. Mobile big that dominates the boards and great at cutting to the basket for dunk after dunk. Explosiveness reminds me of young Amare back in Phoenix. Good looking form and skills around basket. Should be great for the pick n role game that is taking over the NBA. Comparison: Amare Stoudemire/ Kenneth Faried

3.Emmanuel Mudaiy- Big athletic PG with good court vision. 6’5 can do everything in the court in mold of Russell Westbrook but not as explosive. Great handle, great passer, great finisher, and a developing jump shot. Who knows how much playing in China will effect his stock, but the less exposure and lack of competition will make Mudaiy a risky pick. Comparison: Penny Hardaway/ Tyreke Evans

4.Karl Towns- One of my favorite prospects. 7 footer can score inside and out. Great IQ and feel for the game. He’s like a Tim Duncan with 3 point range. Can do just about everything post moves, hits 3s, rebounds, can pass and block shots. Could even be higher if he didn’t have to share time with all of the other Kentucky big men. Comparison: Duncan/ Marc Gasol

5.Stanley Johnson- Competitor and leader that wins. Great defender, with good IQ. Decent shot,nice handles, and good passer.Combo wings,but I like him as more of SG. Comparison: Andre Iguadala/ Jimmy Butler

6.Myles Turner- 7 footer with long arms that has some guard skills and a pretty good shot. Think he comes in as a stretch 4 then eventually add weight and muscle improving his defensive ability and moving him to center Comparison:Lamarcus Aldridge/ Channing Fry

7.Kelly Oubre- Ultra athletic SF with a good looking stroke is always makes a player very intriguing in terms of potential. Has star potential, but also potential to be nothing. Comparison: Rudy Gay

8.Caris Levert- Nice all around SG. Gets after it on D with his quickness and lank at 6’6. Good ball handling and shot, expect him to take on a big role at Michigan. Comparison: Jordan Crawford/Dion Waiters but with more defense

9.Chris Walker- Explosive athlete catches oops and blocks shots can play the 4 or 5. Will be a defensive specialist in NBA. Comparison: Deandre Jordan

10.Mario Hazenja- Usually at least one international players cracks the top 10 every year. This year I think it’s Mario. Good athlete and height at SG position and scoring and passing skills. Comparison: Marco Belineli/ Evan Fournier

11.Montrezle Harrell: Great defensive big, but a bit shirt for the an NBA big

12.Theo Penson: Length with a developing jumper

13.Chris Walker: Explosive athlete, shot blocker and dunker.

14.Malik Pope: Long 6’8 SF with skills and a jumper

Barely missed

Tyler Ulis: Eventually will win the staring PG position at Kentucky and lead them deep in the tournament

Wayne Seldon: Good size and shot

Paschal Chukwu- 7’2 defensive anchor, reminds me of Mutumbo

[Lotto StudParticipant]

3.Emmanuel Mudaiy- Big athletic PG with good court vision. 6’5 can do everything in the court in mold of Russell Westbrook but not as explosive. Great handle, great passer, great finisher, and a developing jump shot. Who knows how much playing in China will effect his stock, but the less exposure and lack of competition will make Mudaiy a risky pick. Comparison: Kyrie Irving

9.Chris Walker- Explosive athlete catches oops and blocks shots can play the 4 or 5. Will be a defensive specialist in NBA. Comparison: Amir Johnson

[Lotto StudParticipant]

3.Emmanuel Mudaiy- Big athletic PG with good court vision. 6’5 can do everything in the court in mold of Russell Westbrook but not as explosive. Great handle, great passer, great finisher, and a developing jump shot. Who knows how much playing in China will effect his stock, but the less exposure and lack of competition will make Mudaiy a risky pick. Comparison: Kyrie Irving

9.Chris Walker- Explosive athlete catches oops and blocks shots can play the 4 or 5. Will be a defensive specialist in NBA. Comparison: Amir Johnson

[Robb_CParticipant]

 NBA Scouts will drool over Jahlils hands and footwork and a big wide thick body (hes much bigger than Sullinger and has better feet).. He has better coordination than majority of the big men in the league right now.. Hes a top 2 pick for sure,  hes a Tim Duncan/Al Jefferson old school back to the basket center which obviously dont grow on trees anymore..

[Robb_CParticipant]

 NBA Scouts will drool over Jahlils hands and footwork and a big wide thick body (hes much bigger than Sullinger and has better feet).. He has better coordination than majority of the big men in the league right now.. Hes a top 2 pick for sure,  hes a Tim Duncan/Al Jefferson old school back to the basket center which obviously dont grow on trees anymore..

[Author]

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