Cleanthony Early is a Top 5 talent..

I disagree but I like any bold prediction if it comes from an informed source.  

Nonetheless, you’re about to get negged like crazy, but remember this post because if this bold prediction comes true, you’ll able to dish out a lot of "I-told-you-so’s". 

I disagree but I like any bold prediction if it comes from an informed source.  

Nonetheless, you’re about to get negged like crazy, but remember this post because if this bold prediction comes true, you’ll able to dish out a lot of "I-told-you-so’s". 

No he’s not.  He is more than four years older than Noah Vonleh and Aaron Gordon so imagine what Early is today and what those two will be in four years time with all that NBA coaching.  He may end up being the better player and the young guys don’t develop but talent wise he’s outside the top 10 in this draft.

No he’s not.  He is more than four years older than Noah Vonleh and Aaron Gordon so imagine what Early is today and what those two will be in four years time with all that NBA coaching.  He may end up being the better player and the young guys don’t develop but talent wise he’s outside the top 10 in this draft.

Top 10 I will buy but Top 5…not in this draft.

Top 10 I will buy but Top 5…not in this draft.

 Nothing wrong with that. It’s bold but I stick to your guns. I’m not sure I could take Early top 5 though. Think maybe after 8 he’d be in play. The less potential for 4 year players is ridiculous though. Parsons played 4 years and I think is now seen as being a player with a lot of potential. All I look for is has he gotten better every year. Parsons did and Early has too. Just like Payne. Got better every year and I think that will continue. With these 4 year guys you can get immediate help plus there is plenty of potential especially in the case of Early and Payne,

 Nothing wrong with that. It’s bold but I stick to your guns. I’m not sure I could take Early top 5 though. Think maybe after 8 he’d be in play. The less potential for 4 year players is ridiculous though. Parsons played 4 years and I think is now seen as being a player with a lot of potential. All I look for is has he gotten better every year. Parsons did and Early has too. Just like Payne. Got better every year and I think that will continue. With these 4 year guys you can get immediate help plus there is plenty of potential especially in the case of Early and Payne,

Very bold prediction, but I also saw that Kentucky Game and to say he impressed  me would be an understatement. I remember some guy made a threat talking about how Bradley Beal would be a flat out bust in the NBA……lol. So only time will tell.

Very bold prediction, but I also saw that Kentucky Game and to say he impressed  me would be an understatement. I remember some guy made a threat talking about how Bradley Beal would be a flat out bust in the NBA……lol. So only time will tell.

Most believe (including myself) Early can play as a 3 in the NBA, projecting him as a big wing player with a 6’8 frame and nice handles. He has all the tools, from jump shot to athleticism (he showed it all during this NCAA tournament), and most importantly plays hard, intelligent and is a proven winner. The only thing he needs to improve is 1-on-1 defense (vs. wing players), but considering his athleticism and his feel for the game he should be able to morph into an (above) average defender.

I see him having an immediate impact in the NBA, especially when he can play in a complementary role to some veteran players. As far as his destination goes, I like him in Chicago (#19), Atlanta (#15) or even as high as Minnesota (#13). I especially like him in Chicago, where he fits in nicely at the 3, and Thibs will learn him to defend better like he does. 

Most believe (including myself) Early can play as a 3 in the NBA, projecting him as a big wing player with a 6’8 frame and nice handles. He has all the tools, from jump shot to athleticism (he showed it all during this NCAA tournament), and most importantly plays hard, intelligent and is a proven winner. The only thing he needs to improve is 1-on-1 defense (vs. wing players), but considering his athleticism and his feel for the game he should be able to morph into an (above) average defender.

I see him having an immediate impact in the NBA, especially when he can play in a complementary role to some veteran players. As far as his destination goes, I like him in Chicago (#19), Atlanta (#15) or even as high as Minnesota (#13). I especially like him in Chicago, where he fits in nicely at the 3, and Thibs will learn him to defend better like he does. 

Early will go to memphis at 22 that is the best destination for him to maximize his talents as well as develop his defense. Once we move Prince Early can come in and be the starter from day one and develop with a veteran team.

Early will go to memphis at 22 that is the best destination for him to maximize his talents as well as develop his defense. Once we move Prince Early can come in and be the starter from day one and develop with a veteran team.

I disagree. Guys you have going behind Early like Smart, Randle, Vonleh, Young IMO have higher ceilings (more talented, younger) than Early. He is a good player, but he played in a weak confererence and lacks the size/athletic ability of a Paul George, and Stephen Curry flat out dominated at Davidson. Im not seeing star potential, just my opinion. 

I disagree. Guys you have going behind Early like Smart, Randle, Vonleh, Young IMO have higher ceilings (more talented, younger) than Early. He is a good player, but he played in a weak confererence and lacks the size/athletic ability of a Paul George, and Stephen Curry flat out dominated at Davidson. Im not seeing star potential, just my opinion. 

 I dont think him being drafted low has the biggest impact on his being drafted lower, I think his lack of handle and tweener status are what is hurting his stock right now. If he goes into workouts and shows that he has good enough perimeter skills to operate in the NBA as a 3 then he will go lottery. I’m still  not convinced he can guard NBA 3’s, certainly not like Luol does, so I’m on the fence with this guy.

 I dont think him being drafted low has the biggest impact on his being drafted lower, I think his lack of handle and tweener status are what is hurting his stock right now. If he goes into workouts and shows that he has good enough perimeter skills to operate in the NBA as a 3 then he will go lottery. I’m still  not convinced he can guard NBA 3’s, certainly not like Luol does, so I’m on the fence with this guy.

Lottery but not top 5, I would take him over McDermott and Kyle Anderson. 

Lottery but not top 5, I would take him over McDermott and Kyle Anderson. 

I LOVE the guy at 22 for Memphis too.  He can contribute right away.  He can hit the 3, the long jumpers, and finish on the break for dunks.  He would be a good fourth option for us behind Conley, Z Bo, and Gasol.  Then down the road, he can be a core guy on a new Big Three along with Mike Conley.

I don’t see him going that low though.  If he does, good for us.

In my All Rookie Team projections I had him as my sleeper pick right after my 2 all rookie teams (including Nerlens Noel). 

DeAndre Daniels is another guy I like at 22, as well.  He is long, athletic, can shoot the 3, and dunk.  He averaged a good number of blocks too.  He can be a new age version of Robert Horry.  He also reminds me a bit of another UConn Huskie (at least from a skill set point of view) of Cliff Robinson. 

Early is more of a well-rounded scorer and a fourth option kind of guy, with Daniels being a solid 5 or 6th option on offense. 

Both guys are good, with Daniels’ ceiling possibly being higher. 

The thing I like about DeAndre Daniels is that his skill set as a LONG small forward or a guy with good size for a stretch four in small ball lineups will translate to the NBA — especially the NBA playoffs.

If my team had a pick in that 7-15 range and I was looking for wings, I would DEFINITELY bring Early and Daniels in for a workout. 

At some point, you need a guy you can throw at LeBron, Durant, Carmelo, Paul George, Rudy Gay, and those guys.  I am tempted to go with DeAndre Daniels over Doug McDermott for some reason.  lol

And, back to Early, he had that highlight dunk this year in the tourney and one last year (I think in the Final Four).  He can throw it down on the break as well as Andrew Wiggins or anyone else.  He might not be as good of a two-foot "show dunker" as Wiggins, but he is solid.  Early might even be better at filling the lanes. 

Against Kentucky, Cleanthony Early was the guy we thought Andrew Wiggins was going to be. 

DeAndre Daniels also did the things that we wanted Andrew Wiggins to do: dunk, block shots, run the floor, rebound, make athletic plays, shoot the 3, and drive.  Oh, and win.

I LOVE the guy at 22 for Memphis too.  He can contribute right away.  He can hit the 3, the long jumpers, and finish on the break for dunks.  He would be a good fourth option for us behind Conley, Z Bo, and Gasol.  Then down the road, he can be a core guy on a new Big Three along with Mike Conley.

I don’t see him going that low though.  If he does, good for us.

In my All Rookie Team projections I had him as my sleeper pick right after my 2 all rookie teams (including Nerlens Noel). 

DeAndre Daniels is another guy I like at 22, as well.  He is long, athletic, can shoot the 3, and dunk.  He averaged a good number of blocks too.  He can be a new age version of Robert Horry.  He also reminds me a bit of another UConn Huskie (at least from a skill set point of view) of Cliff Robinson. 

Early is more of a well-rounded scorer and a fourth option kind of guy, with Daniels being a solid 5 or 6th option on offense. 

Both guys are good, with Daniels’ ceiling possibly being higher. 

The thing I like about DeAndre Daniels is that his skill set as a LONG small forward or a guy with good size for a stretch four in small ball lineups will translate to the NBA — especially the NBA playoffs.

If my team had a pick in that 7-15 range and I was looking for wings, I would DEFINITELY bring Early and Daniels in for a workout. 

At some point, you need a guy you can throw at LeBron, Durant, Carmelo, Paul George, Rudy Gay, and those guys.  I am tempted to go with DeAndre Daniels over Doug McDermott for some reason.  lol

And, back to Early, he had that highlight dunk this year in the tourney and one last year (I think in the Final Four).  He can throw it down on the break as well as Andrew Wiggins or anyone else.  He might not be as good of a two-foot "show dunker" as Wiggins, but he is solid.  Early might even be better at filling the lanes. 

Against Kentucky, Cleanthony Early was the guy we thought Andrew Wiggins was going to be. 

DeAndre Daniels also did the things that we wanted Andrew Wiggins to do: dunk, block shots, run the floor, rebound, make athletic plays, shoot the 3, and drive.  Oh, and win.

 that kid is overrated. people have totally over reatced after his big game against UK.

he’s already around 22-23 years old. the kid is such a bad defender and doesnt pass the ball. not even a great shooter, just a decent one.

at best he’s a role player at the next level.
 

 that kid is overrated. people have totally over reatced after his big game against UK.

he’s already around 22-23 years old. the kid is such a bad defender and doesnt pass the ball. not even a great shooter, just a decent one.

at best he’s a role player at the next level.