ESPN Insider: NBA Draft player polls

In April, the NCAA named John Wall a consensus All-America. In May, NBA GMs praised his all-league talent. Now, it’s June and in our confidential survey of 30 likely draftees, Wall is the clear No. 1. But after we asked the obvious, our 10-question survey turned to tougher topics — agents, scouts and workouts. That’s when the players had a question: “This is anonymous, right?” Yep. After that, they dished like, well, Wall with a ball.

Who is the draft’s best player?
The vast majority — 60% — picked Wall. Three players (10%) couldn’t believe we had the audacity to inquire: “Well, of course it’s John Wall.” Duh. Others talked about his game: “Real good point guard who can run and lead a team.” Still others seemed to just plain like him: “He’s a good guy. John’s not someone who is just potential.” Projected top-fiver Evan Turner was the only other player named more than once, getting eight votes (26.7%).

Which NBA player do you most want to dunk on?
This one wasn’t even close. LeBron and Shaq tied for second at 20%. But the winner for most desired-to-dunk-upon … Dwight Howard, who earned 35% of the vote. Most players wanted to slam on the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Others just wanted to slam Howard. “He bullies people,” says one likely second-rounder.

Which team had the toughest workout?
One-third of respondents had Heat fatigue. As in, Pat Riley and the Miami brass hosted the toughest run (and run-again) throughs. “It’s like a track workout. Everything’s full-court, one-on-ones, two-on-twos, three-on-threes,” says one out-of-breath early entrant. At the other end of the spectrum, 21.4% of players thanked Chicago for the league’s easiest workout.

When was your first contact with an agent?
“They reach out to you on Facebook, Twitter, games — random guys literally coming out of corners,” said a player who was part of the 90% contacted before their eligibility was complete. “I was walking off my college practice floor one day, and this guy with a black leather jacket handed me his card and said to call him. It was like out of a movie.”

What is more of a grind, recruiting by colleges or evaluations by NBA teams?
More than three-quarters (76.7%) went with the pros. A common sentiment? “Every time you work out for NBA teams, you’re trying to show them your best,” said one guard on the lottery bubble. “Coming out of high school, colleges were trying to show you their best.”

What traits or skills do scouts underrate the most?
Players had 12 different answers, but No. 1 was résumé. “It’s easier to get drafted on potential than achievements,” said one Tourney veteran. As for most overrated, 23.3% named size/wingspan. “It’s just measurements,” said a likely lottery pick who happens to have impressive measurements.

Who’s the draft’s most overrated player?
Scouts see Daniel Orton’s springy 6’10”, 260-pound frame and envision Kendrick Perkins. But his peers look at the ex-Kentucky player and see a frosh who had zero starts and saw just 13.2 minutes per game. Said one of the 20% who tabbed Orton as most overrated: “Top 20? Come on. He came off the bench for a good college team!”

How many agents did you meet with?
Three players met with only one agent. One prospect met with 10 agents, and three more interviewed eight agents each. The final tally: The average interview process involved 4.2 suits per sweat suit. How did the rooks make their final choices? Nine said they chose an agent they felt comfortable with. Five said they based their decision on who connected best with their families. And four more cited trust as the No. 1 factor.

On a scale of 10 (1 being incredibly fun; 10 being incredibly not fun), how would you rate the draft process?
With an average rating of 4.8, most players said the draft evaluation process is more enjoyable than excruciating. But, those who didn’t like it were a lot more vocal. “This is hard as hell,” said a center who gave the process an eight. “You don’t know where you’re going to end up, and you have no control over it.”

Who’s your dream team to be picked by?
Sure, many rooks (11.7%) want the Lakers to hand them a jersey. But the team most named was the Spurs, with 16.7% of the vote. Respondents point to tradition, Gregg Popovich (one of five coaches in NBA history with four league titles) and playing with 12-time All-Star Tim Duncan. “I want to go somewhere I can learn,” says one great college big man. The nightmare team? The Bucks. Explains a projected second-rounder: “They’re young, but they always seem young.”