[contestwinnerParticipant]

In my opinion, Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Jabari Parker have the greatest chance of being a franchise player. And all are unique (Embiid – footwork and athleticism for big man, Wiggins – Fantastic athlete, Parker – so skilled offensively). Smart and Exum Wild Cards. No one thought Paul George, Damian Lillard, Rajon Rondo, Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, or Kemba Walker were sure-fire stars (I know Andre Drummond isn’t but he proved many to be wrong, and he is still improving). So lets just talk about likelihood of stardom and not whether they will be a star or not. Getting drafted into the right situation plays an enormous factor. Getting drafted to the Celtics or the 76ers would be much better than the Kings (The worst team to get drafted to in my opinion).

So who are your most likely to be superstars for the 2014 NBA draft? Try not to use stats so much and before bashing another player, make sure you’ve watched them…

[ngnqqParticipant]

 I think James Young will explode in the NBA. 

[ngnqqParticipant]

 I think James Young will explode in the NBA. 

[contestwinnerParticipant]

I kind of relate him to Tim Hardaway jr from last years draft. He just has something about him that makes me want him on my team. Great team player and spot up shooter with the potential to do more.

[contestwinnerParticipant]

I kind of relate him to Tim Hardaway jr from last years draft. He just has something about him that makes me want him on my team. Great team player and spot up shooter with the potential to do more.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Here’s what I think: there is often a common misconception of what a franchise player and superstar really are.  Is he the highest paid player on the team?  Is he the best player on the team?  A perennial All-Star?  One of the best in the league?  When it comes down to superstars, I think there are only a handful in the NBA.  LeBron, Durant, CP3, Bryant, George, Harden, Westbrook, Curry, healthy Rose, Aldridge… and that’s probably it.  Superstars are players that lead a team to wins as well as put up great numbers.

Remember that, when you begin to read my analysis.

I don’t think Wiggins has superstar potential.  He could be a late bloomer like Andre Drummond and find a motor out of nowhere but usually guys that sleepwalk throughout high school and college, will continue to sleep walk throughout their NBA career.  Andre Iguodala is a solid player.  He’s an All-Star and a gold medalist, if Wiggins turns out to be as good as him, I’d say that’s pretty damn good.

If you consider a prime 20-10 Zach Randolph a superstar, then you would consider Julius Randle a superstar.  I think Randle is going to have a similar career in terms of play style as well as numbers.  Bully-ball, terrific rebounder, great hustle, and more athletic than Z-Bo ever was as well as being one of the most polished low-post scorers in college.  All-Star?  Yes.  Superstar?  I don’t think so.

Joel Embiid is the epitome of high-risk/high-reward.  He could turn out to be one of the great centers or a run-of-the-mill bust.  Anywhere from Hakeem to Kwame.  I think that’s a big difference.  I think he, out of all the players in this draft, has the highest potential to be a superstar but he also has the highest potential to be a bust in this draft.

Jabari Parker is solid and will be solid in the NBA.  He’ll be a solid scorer, solid athlete, eventually a solid defender and a solid player overall.  I don’t think he’ll be a Carmelo Anthony and average nearly 30 a game year-in and year-out but he can very well average 22-7r-4a.  He may end up being a perennial All-Star.  He reminds me a lot of a better shooting pre-injury Grant Hill.  I think he also has some superstar potential and probably 2nd most in this draft class.

Marcus Smart is a very talented player that can play either guard spot but is best as a shoot-first PG.  He reminds me a bit of Deron Williams as well as Baron Davis.  I think he also has the potential to be a perennial All-Star and damn close to superstar status.

I think the top-3 in terms of potential, in order are: Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker, and Marcus Smart

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Here’s what I think: there is often a common misconception of what a franchise player and superstar really are.  Is he the highest paid player on the team?  Is he the best player on the team?  A perennial All-Star?  One of the best in the league?  When it comes down to superstars, I think there are only a handful in the NBA.  LeBron, Durant, CP3, Bryant, George, Harden, Westbrook, Curry, healthy Rose, Aldridge… and that’s probably it.  Superstars are players that lead a team to wins as well as put up great numbers.

Remember that, when you begin to read my analysis.

I don’t think Wiggins has superstar potential.  He could be a late bloomer like Andre Drummond and find a motor out of nowhere but usually guys that sleepwalk throughout high school and college, will continue to sleep walk throughout their NBA career.  Andre Iguodala is a solid player.  He’s an All-Star and a gold medalist, if Wiggins turns out to be as good as him, I’d say that’s pretty damn good.

If you consider a prime 20-10 Zach Randolph a superstar, then you would consider Julius Randle a superstar.  I think Randle is going to have a similar career in terms of play style as well as numbers.  Bully-ball, terrific rebounder, great hustle, and more athletic than Z-Bo ever was as well as being one of the most polished low-post scorers in college.  All-Star?  Yes.  Superstar?  I don’t think so.

Joel Embiid is the epitome of high-risk/high-reward.  He could turn out to be one of the great centers or a run-of-the-mill bust.  Anywhere from Hakeem to Kwame.  I think that’s a big difference.  I think he, out of all the players in this draft, has the highest potential to be a superstar but he also has the highest potential to be a bust in this draft.

Jabari Parker is solid and will be solid in the NBA.  He’ll be a solid scorer, solid athlete, eventually a solid defender and a solid player overall.  I don’t think he’ll be a Carmelo Anthony and average nearly 30 a game year-in and year-out but he can very well average 22-7r-4a.  He may end up being a perennial All-Star.  He reminds me a lot of a better shooting pre-injury Grant Hill.  I think he also has some superstar potential and probably 2nd most in this draft class.

Marcus Smart is a very talented player that can play either guard spot but is best as a shoot-first PG.  He reminds me a bit of Deron Williams as well as Baron Davis.  I think he also has the potential to be a perennial All-Star and damn close to superstar status.

I think the top-3 in terms of potential, in order are: Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker, and Marcus Smart

[HitsterParticipant]

 On another site a few years ago, a very astute poster who has sadly only posted on here a few times described a franchise player as a player who at their peak is a year in year out All Star and someone who is in one of the First, Second or Third All NBA Teams or is a regular All Defensive Selection or in the running for DPA.

To judge how guys still 9 months away from their NBA debuts is just our personal judgements so for once I’ll defer an opinion.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 On another site a few years ago, a very astute poster who has sadly only posted on here a few times described a franchise player as a player who at their peak is a year in year out All Star and someone who is in one of the First, Second or Third All NBA Teams or is a regular All Defensive Selection or in the running for DPA.

To judge how guys still 9 months away from their NBA debuts is just our personal judgements so for once I’ll defer an opinion.

 

[contestwinnerParticipant]

I disagree on Wiggins, he has superstar written all over him. The T-Mac comparison isn’t terrible. Yes, Wiggins doesn’t have the great shoot off the dribble ability yet, but I see him trying it in games a handful of times. He can become a better shooter, he’s already a phenomenal defender, and has ridiculous athleticism.

Wiggins has athleticism that doesn’t come around very often. He will also benefit from better spacing in the NBA. I just think he has a very good chance of becoming a franchise changing player.

For Embiid, his athleticism and footwork for a 7-footwork is super rare. I cannot see him being a bust, but yes I agree with you that he has enormous potential.

Parker does lack some quickness, which makes the Melo comparison not as identical as people hope. Parker is a very safe pick, I cannot see him failing either, but he lacks he athleticism that superstars posses.

I’m not very high on Randle, however, he is more athletic than people give him credit for. He is a bit of a bully, and I don’t see a post game or good defense. He doesn’t have a long wingspan (6’11), and is a bit undersized. He could maybe be a 15 and 10 guy sometime, but that is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.

I do like the Baron Davis comparison for Smart. Baron Davis in his prime was a beast.

[machu46Participant]

In terms of build and the way that they score, Smart and Baron are very similar IMO, but Baron was lightyears ahead of Smart in terms of passing and ball-handling.

[machu46Participant]

In terms of build and the way that they score, Smart and Baron are very similar IMO, but Baron was lightyears ahead of Smart in terms of passing and ball-handling.

[contestwinnerParticipant]

I disagree on Wiggins, he has superstar written all over him. The T-Mac comparison isn’t terrible. Yes, Wiggins doesn’t have the great shoot off the dribble ability yet, but I see him trying it in games a handful of times. He can become a better shooter, he’s already a phenomenal defender, and has ridiculous athleticism.

Wiggins has athleticism that doesn’t come around very often. He will also benefit from better spacing in the NBA. I just think he has a very good chance of becoming a franchise changing player.

For Embiid, his athleticism and footwork for a 7-footwork is super rare. I cannot see him being a bust, but yes I agree with you that he has enormous potential.

Parker does lack some quickness, which makes the Melo comparison not as identical as people hope. Parker is a very safe pick, I cannot see him failing either, but he lacks he athleticism that superstars posses.

I’m not very high on Randle, however, he is more athletic than people give him credit for. He is a bit of a bully, and I don’t see a post game or good defense. He doesn’t have a long wingspan (6’11), and is a bit undersized. He could maybe be a 15 and 10 guy sometime, but that is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.

I do like the Baron Davis comparison for Smart. Baron Davis in his prime was a beast.

[CavFanPRParticipant]

I still stand by the Marcus Smart / James Harden comparison. They don’t possess elite athleticism but they are skilled and smart enough to make up for it. They are both combo guards that can facilitate for others when needed.

[contestwinnerParticipant]

Yes, I think they are similar in the way that they run the pick and roll, but Smart doesn’t quite have the scoring ability of Harden. Harden was known as a scorer in college if I remember correctly. Smart is more of an all around player, and I think will put up more Rondo-like stats NBA rather than Harden’s high ppg. I’m not really comparing Smart and Rondo as players (just stats mainly)…but they both aren’t great shooters to be honest. Smart’s release looks kind of ugly if you ask me.

[contestwinnerParticipant]

Yes, I think they are similar in the way that they run the pick and roll, but Smart doesn’t quite have the scoring ability of Harden. Harden was known as a scorer in college if I remember correctly. Smart is more of an all around player, and I think will put up more Rondo-like stats NBA rather than Harden’s high ppg. I’m not really comparing Smart and Rondo as players (just stats mainly)…but they both aren’t great shooters to be honest. Smart’s release looks kind of ugly if you ask me.

[CavFanPRParticipant]

I still stand by the Marcus Smart / James Harden comparison. They don’t possess elite athleticism but they are skilled and smart enough to make up for it. They are both combo guards that can facilitate for others when needed.

[eyefortalentParticipant]

 are guys like Kareem, Magic, Bird, MJ, Olajwon, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron

[eyefortalentParticipant]

 are guys like Kareem, Magic, Bird, MJ, Olajwon, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron

[eyefortalentParticipant]

 are guys like Kareem, Magic, Bird, MJ, Olajwon, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron

[contestwinnerParticipant]

You are talking hall of famer and top 20 of all time there. Dominique Wilkins was a franchise player; when you think of the Hawks, he comes to mind. Anthony Davis is morphing into a franchise player, and I consider Damian Lillard well on his way (you can have 2 on a team>>>Thunder). Paul George is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the Pacers. A franchise player turns around a franchise and makes it a competitive team in the playoffs.

Lower the bar…think of impact on a franchise.

[contestwinnerParticipant]

You are talking hall of famer and top 20 of all time there. Dominique Wilkins was a franchise player; when you think of the Hawks, he comes to mind. Anthony Davis is morphing into a franchise player, and I consider Damian Lillard well on his way (you can have 2 on a team>>>Thunder). Paul George is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the Pacers. A franchise player turns around a franchise and makes it a competitive team in the playoffs.

Lower the bar…think of impact on a franchise.

[eyefortalentParticipant]

 are guys like Kareem, Magic, Bird, MJ, Olajwon, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron

[eyefortalentParticipant]

 Franchise players, to me, are guys who you can with titles with as your number one player, so a player like Nique doesn’t fit that category. But this is subjective and you’re entitled to your opinion.

[eyefortalentParticipant]

 Franchise players, to me, are guys who you can with titles with as your number one player, so a player like Nique doesn’t fit that category. But this is subjective and you’re entitled to your opinion.

[Author]

Posts