[chocboywndrParticipant]

 I am amazed but not shocked at all surpriesed at how quickly the tide is changing with Andrew Wiggins. After 1 game for him 2 for Randle and 1 for Parker scouts are already throwing themselves off the wagon. Any person who can have there opinion swayed after 2 games I would give no credability. They could never have believed in him in the first place.

Hey I am not saying that Wiggins is the end all be all but you knew it was coming after Wiggins got all those covers and all that hype.I watched the same thing happen with Harrison Barnes and he didn’t even have half the coverage Wiggins has. 

I knew this was coming becuase both Parker and Randle were already alpha dogs.That is what people  want from Wiggins. He is not there yet much like Paul George was not coming out of college even though everyone else saw the talent oozing out of him. Just like George I think it will take him time and maturity to get there.

That  is really is what seperates Wiggins from the other 2 guys. Wiggins until pushed will let the game come to him. He is not going to force shots up or hunt for shots. He is not a rah rah guy. He does however step everytime challenged. Remember the first sports illustrated was not so nice. Wiggins response according to his coach

"He didn’t say much before or after the game about the story, but Wiggins exploded for 57 points in a rout over the Marietta College JV Pioneers last February, making 24 of 28 shots and grabbing 13 rebounds."

This what scouts said after watching Wiggins play Randle head to head in Peach Jam

"Randle is a beast. He’s about 6-foot-8 and likely checks in at around 235 pounds or so. He’s big, strong, athletic and just flat-out dominates every forward he goes up against on the summer circuit

But not Wiggins.

Wiggins made Randle look ordinary, as if he was just another Top 100 player. I will confess that I’m a huge Randle fan, but he was outclassed — in every manner.

I felt bad for Randle on this one because he didn’t have a chance. Wiggins started slow, but by the end of the game he had racked up 28 points, grabbed 13 boards and done a magnificent job turning Randle into a non-factor for most of the contest. Randle finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but the numbers were misleading. Wiggins wanted the defensive challenge against Randle and used his length, quickness and athleticism to continuously frustrate the big Texan."

Wiggins did not create the hype. By every account he is a super quiet polite kid. His play was that good last year. He dominated the EYBL he dominated the season thats is why they ranked him number one.

All 3 guys are going to be great players I think. It will be at least 5 years before we know who is the best of 3. But Wiggins earned his spot as the best coming by his play it wasn’t given to him. 

So whether he rips it up tonight or not I thought he was best coming into the year. Its is going take a lot bigger sample size than few games to change my mind. When the season is done and there is time to refelect then there will factual eveidence to make an opinion on who should be number 1.

 

 

 

[ChrispyParticipant]

 but we also have to be intelectually honest. Most are not saying that Randle has passed Wiggins on their big board, at least not yet. What they are saying is that right now they see Randle as more NBA ready. Don’t confuse that for being seen as a better prospect. Take into consideration that the two are demonstrably two completely different types of players, with Wiggins potential as a wing scorer/defensive stopper and Randle as a power face-up player with potential stretch ability/rebounding machine. The "evidence" will have some to do with who goes one, but moreso will team need. All this has shown is that others will be in the discussion.

[ChrispyParticipant]

 but we also have to be intelectually honest. Most are not saying that Randle has passed Wiggins on their big board, at least not yet. What they are saying is that right now they see Randle as more NBA ready. Don’t confuse that for being seen as a better prospect. Take into consideration that the two are demonstrably two completely different types of players, with Wiggins potential as a wing scorer/defensive stopper and Randle as a power face-up player with potential stretch ability/rebounding machine. The "evidence" will have some to do with who goes one, but moreso will team need. All this has shown is that others will be in the discussion.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

The season is still extremely young but the reason people are talking about Parker and Randle more is because they’ve given us more to talk about than Wiggins.

Nobody is downgrading Wiggins or saying he’s not as good as Randle/Parker but he’s played one very good game while the other two have played excellent in their game(s).

I mean, seriously, are we supposed to make posts and threads talking about how great Wiggins’ 16-3-2 outing was or the fact that Randle is averaging 22pts and 14rebs?

In a nutshell, we’re talking about Randle and Parker more because they’ve given us more to talk about.  Not because Wiggins is not good.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

The season is still extremely young but the reason people are talking about Parker and Randle more is because they’ve given us more to talk about than Wiggins.

Nobody is downgrading Wiggins or saying he’s not as good as Randle/Parker but he’s played one very good game while the other two have played excellent in their game(s).

I mean, seriously, are we supposed to make posts and threads talking about how great Wiggins’ 16-3-2 outing was or the fact that Randle is averaging 22pts and 14rebs?

In a nutshell, we’re talking about Randle and Parker more because they’ve given us more to talk about.  Not because Wiggins is not good.

[NickWayne87Participant]

where prince james is comparing Andrew Wiggins to Shawn Marion and Andre Frickin Iguodala…….when you go from calling a guy the best prospect since Lebron james to Andre Iguodala someone is definitely DOWNGRADING him

[NickWayne87Participant]

where prince james is comparing Andrew Wiggins to Shawn Marion and Andre Frickin Iguodala…….when you go from calling a guy the best prospect since Lebron james to Andre Iguodala someone is definitely DOWNGRADING him

[NickWayne87Participant]

creaming their pants over Julius Randle. Like they’ve never seen Al Jefferson before.

[ChrispyParticipant]

 but I’m creaming my pants over this entire draft classs!! oh, and Randle = Jefferson?? Didn’t see THAT one coming! ; )

[ChrispyParticipant]

 but I’m creaming my pants over this entire draft classs!! oh, and Randle = Jefferson?? Didn’t see THAT one coming! ; )

[NickWayne87Participant]

creaming their pants over Julius Randle. Like they’ve never seen Al Jefferson before.

[NickWayne87Participant]

It will be Jabari Parker and Wiggins will go number two that’s as far as he COULD fall

[NickWayne87Participant]

It will be Jabari Parker and Wiggins will go number two that’s as far as he COULD fall

[SiggyParticipant]

 This is basically people doing due diligence.  The hype surrounding Wiggins was so strong that people just accepted that he was as good as people said he was, when in reality there was always more than one option for the #1 pick.  This is not a LeBron and the rest of his draft class situation.  Even if you think Wiggins is better, he’s not far and away better.

Basketball is more than a 1 on 1 competition.  The more pertinent questions have to do with what kind of responsibilities might a player be able to handle (like can he be a number 1 option and have offensive sets built around his ability)?  How does his talent translate to a more organized team setting? What skills translate to the next level? Does the player have the mentality to be a franchise player of a winning team? 

 

[SiggyParticipant]

 This is basically people doing due diligence.  The hype surrounding Wiggins was so strong that people just accepted that he was as good as people said he was, when in reality there was always more than one option for the #1 pick.  This is not a LeBron and the rest of his draft class situation.  Even if you think Wiggins is better, he’s not far and away better.

Basketball is more than a 1 on 1 competition.  The more pertinent questions have to do with what kind of responsibilities might a player be able to handle (like can he be a number 1 option and have offensive sets built around his ability)?  How does his talent translate to a more organized team setting? What skills translate to the next level? Does the player have the mentality to be a franchise player of a winning team? 

 

[NickWayne87Participant]

Wiggins is NOT LeBron far and away better than everyone….I never thought he was. I still think he will become a perennial allstar at the least and could be a superstar player.

[NickWayne87Participant]

Wiggins is NOT LeBron far and away better than everyone….I never thought he was. I still think he will become a perennial allstar at the least and could be a superstar player.

[NickWayne87Participant]

Julius Randle Big Al Jefferson is not a knock on him………..how quickly we forget……big al was a first name 20 last name 10 player with similar size

[ChrispyParticipant]

 but I don’t see the similarity in their games at all. Jefferson never had the on-ball potential that Randle has already begun to show, with plenty of room left with which to work. Jefferson never had the same explosiveness. Jefferson never had the potential as a coast to coast player. Jefferson is a very good player, simply a much different player. All I was pointing out. 

[ChrispyParticipant]

 but I don’t see the similarity in their games at all. Jefferson never had the on-ball potential that Randle has already begun to show, with plenty of room left with which to work. Jefferson never had the same explosiveness. Jefferson never had the potential as a coast to coast player. Jefferson is a very good player, simply a much different player. All I was pointing out. 

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Honestly, I don’t remember Jefferson ever grab a board, bring the ball up, take his defender off the dribble and finish at the rim.

They couldn’t be more different.  Randle is a face-up high-block player while Jefferson is a back-to-the-basket low-block player.

[ChrispyParticipant]

And boom goes the dynamite 

[ChrispyParticipant]

And boom goes the dynamite 

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Honestly, I don’t remember Jefferson ever grab a board, bring the ball up, take his defender off the dribble and finish at the rim.

They couldn’t be more different.  Randle is a face-up high-block player while Jefferson is a back-to-the-basket low-block player.

[NickWayne87Participant]

Julius Randle Big Al Jefferson is not a knock on him………..how quickly we forget……big al was a first name 20 last name 10 player with similar size

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I agree that this is way too soon to write a guy off, and feel that has been the case for Wiggins since this summer has progressed. I just read an article by Marc J. Spears where a scout apparently went as far as calling Wiggins the third best freshman on Kansas, which to me is INSANE. Joel Embiid has major upside, but their is no way he is as good as Wiggins right now. Just cannot believe that. Plus, so far, Wiggins definitely appears to be the best player on Kansas in the small sample size I have witnessed.

Want to know the guys who made Wiggins seem to be the apparent lock for the #1 pick? To me, it was not the media or the opinions of fans using social media. It was actual NBA scouts, some of whom seem to be questioning that decision. Still, these sources used by Goodman or Spears are not necessarily the opinions of every NBA scout out there. Things do indeed change and maybe some teams are warming to Randle over Wiggins, just still think Wiggins seems to be the favorite of most teams out there. It will be based on skills, production and potential, a combination of which I feel favors Wiggins at the NBA level over both Randle and Parker.

Remember as well, great players were not always absolutely killing it. Michael Jordan averaged 13.5 ppg as a freshman. Tim Duncan scored 0 points in his first college game. Derrick Rose scored single digits in 11 out of his 40 games at Memphis (though by the tournament, he was indeed a monster. Ask Darren Collison). I am NOT comparing Andrew Wiggins to these players. What I am saying is, it can take time for great players to develop and that I do believe Wiggins could become a great player. I think Jabari Parker and Julius Randle are both very good prospects, but neither have the athletic attributes along with the basketball ability possessed by Andrew Wiggins in account to both sides of the court. 

Every year it is the same thing, guess it is mostly boredom. People want something to be excited about, so they make predictions and analyze things to minutiae. Now that the time is here, Randle has killed it and Wiggins showed flashes, yet left you wanting more. Some take this as a sign for their future, I really do not think that is the case. We have a long way from here until June, yet absolutely agree that what I have seen from Andrew Wiggins makes him the top prospect in the Draft. Randle and Parker may be further ahead physically, at least having much more meat on their bones, just really think Wiggins has an absolute ability to be the best player from this class and in seeing them all in person, looked like the best to me.

One thing I do know is that in April, did not hear a single scout say the things that are being said now. They did say they wanted more energy, they did say that he was NOT LeBron James, however they still seemed to be liking Andrew Wiggins more than any other prospect out there. Things do change, Julius has an excellent body, Jabari is the better shooter and playmaker right now. What Andrew Wiggins does better is defend, he is a blur in transition and he is a great finisher near the basket. His agility and body control are amazing, plus his speed for his size to me is the closest of anyone to LeBron James.

Which brings me to my final point: Being the best SINCE someone is not necessarily being compared to someone. I think a lot of people confuse that as being the case. Well, I do not think Andrew Wiggins is LeBron James. I think he is a great prospect with a chance to be special down the line and I have him as my #1 prospect in the Draft Class of 2014. Nothing I have seen or heard thus far changes my opinion as of yet. Things could change, just the way I see things as of right now. Really looking forward to how it turns out and I am not believing the hype as much as what I believe these prospects will mean to NBA teams down the line.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I agree that this is way too soon to write a guy off, and feel that has been the case for Wiggins since this summer has progressed. I just read an article by Marc J. Spears where a scout apparently went as far as calling Wiggins the third best freshman on Kansas, which to me is INSANE. Joel Embiid has major upside, but their is no way he is as good as Wiggins right now. Just cannot believe that. Plus, so far, Wiggins definitely appears to be the best player on Kansas in the small sample size I have witnessed.

Want to know the guys who made Wiggins seem to be the apparent lock for the #1 pick? To me, it was not the media or the opinions of fans using social media. It was actual NBA scouts, some of whom seem to be questioning that decision. Still, these sources used by Goodman or Spears are not necessarily the opinions of every NBA scout out there. Things do indeed change and maybe some teams are warming to Randle over Wiggins, just still think Wiggins seems to be the favorite of most teams out there. It will be based on skills, production and potential, a combination of which I feel favors Wiggins at the NBA level over both Randle and Parker.

Remember as well, great players were not always absolutely killing it. Michael Jordan averaged 13.5 ppg as a freshman. Tim Duncan scored 0 points in his first college game. Derrick Rose scored single digits in 11 out of his 40 games at Memphis (though by the tournament, he was indeed a monster. Ask Darren Collison). I am NOT comparing Andrew Wiggins to these players. What I am saying is, it can take time for great players to develop and that I do believe Wiggins could become a great player. I think Jabari Parker and Julius Randle are both very good prospects, but neither have the athletic attributes along with the basketball ability possessed by Andrew Wiggins in account to both sides of the court. 

Every year it is the same thing, guess it is mostly boredom. People want something to be excited about, so they make predictions and analyze things to minutiae. Now that the time is here, Randle has killed it and Wiggins showed flashes, yet left you wanting more. Some take this as a sign for their future, I really do not think that is the case. We have a long way from here until June, yet absolutely agree that what I have seen from Andrew Wiggins makes him the top prospect in the Draft. Randle and Parker may be further ahead physically, at least having much more meat on their bones, just really think Wiggins has an absolute ability to be the best player from this class and in seeing them all in person, looked like the best to me.

One thing I do know is that in April, did not hear a single scout say the things that are being said now. They did say they wanted more energy, they did say that he was NOT LeBron James, however they still seemed to be liking Andrew Wiggins more than any other prospect out there. Things do change, Julius has an excellent body, Jabari is the better shooter and playmaker right now. What Andrew Wiggins does better is defend, he is a blur in transition and he is a great finisher near the basket. His agility and body control are amazing, plus his speed for his size to me is the closest of anyone to LeBron James.

Which brings me to my final point: Being the best SINCE someone is not necessarily being compared to someone. I think a lot of people confuse that as being the case. Well, I do not think Andrew Wiggins is LeBron James. I think he is a great prospect with a chance to be special down the line and I have him as my #1 prospect in the Draft Class of 2014. Nothing I have seen or heard thus far changes my opinion as of yet. Things could change, just the way I see things as of right now. Really looking forward to how it turns out and I am not believing the hype as much as what I believe these prospects will mean to NBA teams down the line.

[NickWayne87Participant]

Were the two best prospects SINCE LeBron James

[NickWayne87Participant]

Were the two best prospects SINCE LeBron James

[chocboywndrParticipant]

I think both Jabari and Randle will have better stats than Wiggins. Wiggins has just scratched the surface of his ability and I think that is what they have to look at. If he gets better every month. How he preforms in big games , the tournament, those are what should be looking at for all the guys. Wiggins clearly has most upside if they max out. I just wish people would enjoy these guys more instead of picking them apart. Especially with one and done these 30-35 games is there whole college carreer.

 

[chocboywndrParticipant]

I think both Jabari and Randle will have better stats than Wiggins. Wiggins has just scratched the surface of his ability and I think that is what they have to look at. If he gets better every month. How he preforms in big games , the tournament, those are what should be looking at for all the guys. Wiggins clearly has most upside if they max out. I just wish people would enjoy these guys more instead of picking them apart. Especially with one and done these 30-35 games is there whole college carreer.

 

[NickWayne87Participant]

but yall compare him to Zach Randolph and he doesn’t have the same explosiveness either…..also it remains to be seen if he’ll be as much of a coast to coast threat at the next level.

[NickWayne87Participant]

but yall compare him to Zach Randolph and he doesn’t have the same explosiveness either…..also it remains to be seen if he’ll be as much of a coast to coast threat at the next level.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If Randle were 6’10 with a 7’2 wingspan then I think he could live up to just about any hype.  But, right now he looks like a younger, more athletic Z Bo.  About the same size 6’8 to 6’9 but with a shorter wingspan at 6’11.  Love passing and the coast to coast stuff so that should help Randle.  His game and size is closer to Z Bo but with some C Webb comparisons thrown in. 

Wiggins vs. Parker tonight will be fun to watch.  I kind of want to say that in today’s league the better shooter would have the upper hand even if the other guy is a more explosive athlete. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

If Randle were 6’10 with a 7’2 wingspan then I think he could live up to just about any hype.  But, right now he looks like a younger, more athletic Z Bo.  About the same size 6’8 to 6’9 but with a shorter wingspan at 6’11.  Love passing and the coast to coast stuff so that should help Randle.  His game and size is closer to Z Bo but with some C Webb comparisons thrown in. 

Wiggins vs. Parker tonight will be fun to watch.  I kind of want to say that in today’s league the better shooter would have the upper hand even if the other guy is a more explosive athlete. 

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

 but like a few people hinted at, scouts, commentators, etc. may be swaying after two games but isn’t that better than basing a opinion after no games like they did when they crowned Wiggins heir to the throne. 

You can’t condemn them for making a judgement on such a small sample size when you would have preffered them keep there opinion of the 2014 draft based on a preseason idea invovling no sample size. 

He is gonna be good and more than likely the first pick, it will all work itself out. I would take him there but even with that said he is a bit of a sg/sf tweener. 

 

 

 

   

[alex23Participant]

 If Wiggins is 6’8 with a 7 foot wingspan i highly doubt he should be considered a tweener, he can play the 3 just fine due to this athletic attributes already(even thought he will still needa out up weight) and he has enough ball skills to tranistion to a sg later on if he can’t already, he is a swingman at every level.

[alex23Participant]

 If Wiggins is 6’8 with a 7 foot wingspan i highly doubt he should be considered a tweener, he can play the 3 just fine due to this athletic attributes already(even thought he will still needa out up weight) and he has enough ball skills to tranistion to a sg later on if he can’t already, he is a swingman at every level.

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

 but like a few people hinted at, scouts, commentators, etc. may be swaying after two games but isn’t that better than basing a opinion after no games like they did when they crowned Wiggins heir to the throne. 

You can’t condemn them for making a judgement on such a small sample size when you would have preffered them keep there opinion of the 2014 draft based on a preseason idea invovling no sample size. 

He is gonna be good and more than likely the first pick, it will all work itself out. I would take him there but even with that said he is a bit of a sg/sf tweener. 

 

 

 

   

[omphalosParticipant]

Randle is Thomas Robinson all over again. I’m not buying it.

[omphalosParticipant]

Randle is Thomas Robinson all over again. I’m not buying it.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

T-Rob: 17PPG, 11RPG in his 3rd year in college without a post-move or jumper.

Randle: 24PPG, 14RPG in his first year in college with an advanced post-game and a jumper.

T-Rob: 239 FTA in 39 games.
Randle: 42 FTA in 3 games.

If you watch them play, they have the same motor and the same body but Julius Randle’s skill-set is much more advanced.  I’m willing to say he has more post-up and face-up moves than 70% of the bigs in the L right now.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

T-Rob: 17PPG, 11RPG in his 3rd year in college without a post-move or jumper.

Randle: 24PPG, 14RPG in his first year in college with an advanced post-game and a jumper.

T-Rob: 239 FTA in 39 games.
Randle: 42 FTA in 3 games.

If you watch them play, they have the same motor and the same body but Julius Randle’s skill-set is much more advanced.  I’m willing to say he has more post-up and face-up moves than 70% of the bigs in the L right now.

[Author]

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