by Joseph Fafinski (06.26.2014)
Welcome to the 60 Picks live NBA Draft blog!
Here's a breakdown of the top 10 selections--
1. Cleveland Cavaliers-- Andrew Wiggins: The best two-way player in the draft and the rightful choice at number one. Now we await the unlikely possibility of a trade.
2. Milwaukee Bucks-- Jabari Parker: Parker was pretty much a given once Wiggins flew off the board. Parker stated upon being selected that he wanted to be a guy who stayed with one club his whole career. So the Bucks have their franchise face.
3. Philadelphia 76ers-- Joel Embiid: I can't lie--I was surprised with this pick at three. With so many solid power forwards in the class and an up-and-coming center in Nerlens Noel eagerly awaiting his Sixers debut, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Philly is making it known they're planning towards the future. Nonetheless, Embiid's sky is the limit, although his post-pick face isn't.
4. Orlando Magic-- Aaron Gordon: The Magic probably should've gone point guard here (edit: they dealt for Elfrid Payton about an hour later. Solid pickup.), but I guess the most athletic prospect in the class had to do. Gordon could be a beast with Nik Vucevic down low.
5. Utah Jazz-- Dante Exum: The best all-around point guard in the class is headed to Utah. Exum, an Australian import, couples his ability on the floor with his excellent humor (and accent) in those new Foot Locker commercials.
6. Boston Celtics-- Marcus Smart: Oh, boy. Expect Rajon Rondo's days with the C's to be numbered. Nonetheless, a good pick.
7. Los Angeles Lakers-- Julius Randle: Kobe Bryant approved this move. Is there any better indication of a seal from the Lakers?
8. Sacramento Kings-- Nik Stauskas: Was anyone as awesome as Nik Stauskas tonight? I don't think so. Sacramento continues to put together, as a buddy of mine said, "the weirdest roster in the NBA."
9. Charlotte Hornets-- Noah Vonleh: Prior to tonight, many folks predicted they'd take a shooter like Stauskas or Creighton's Doug McDermott. Instead, they harnessed a gem in Vonleh, an enormous-handed, rebounding freak.
10. Philadelphia 76ers-- Elfrid Payton: Another interesting pick by the Sixers, who are in no means to exit tanking mode. Oh, well. Whiff for Cliff? (edit: Payton was later traded to the Magic in exchange for two-years-down-the-road Croatian stud Dario Saric. It doesn't get better, Philadelphia.)
Welcome to the 60 Picks live NBA Draft blog!
Here's a breakdown of the top 10 selections--
1. Cleveland Cavaliers-- Andrew Wiggins: The best two-way player in the draft and the rightful choice at number one. Now we await the unlikely possibility of a trade.
2. Milwaukee Bucks-- Jabari Parker: Parker was pretty much a given once Wiggins flew off the board. Parker stated upon being selected that he wanted to be a guy who stayed with one club his whole career. So the Bucks have their franchise face.
3. Philadelphia 76ers-- Joel Embiid: I can't lie--I was surprised with this pick at three. With so many solid power forwards in the class and an up-and-coming center in Nerlens Noel eagerly awaiting his Sixers debut, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Philly is making it known they're planning towards the future. Nonetheless, Embiid's sky is the limit, although his post-pick face isn't.
4. Orlando Magic-- Aaron Gordon: The Magic probably should've gone point guard here (edit: they dealt for Elfrid Payton about an hour later. Solid pickup.), but I guess the most athletic prospect in the class had to do. Gordon could be a beast with Nik Vucevic down low.
5. Utah Jazz-- Dante Exum: The best all-around point guard in the class is headed to Utah. Exum, an Australian import, couples his ability on the floor with his excellent humor (and accent) in those new Foot Locker commercials.
6. Boston Celtics-- Marcus Smart: Oh, boy. Expect Rajon Rondo's days with the C's to be numbered. Nonetheless, a good pick.
7. Los Angeles Lakers-- Julius Randle: Kobe Bryant approved this move. Is there any better indication of a seal from the Lakers?
8. Sacramento Kings-- Nik Stauskas: Was anyone as awesome as Nik Stauskas tonight? I don't think so. Sacramento continues to put together, as a buddy of mine said, "the weirdest roster in the NBA."
9. Charlotte Hornets-- Noah Vonleh: Prior to tonight, many folks predicted they'd take a shooter like Stauskas or Creighton's Doug McDermott. Instead, they harnessed a gem in Vonleh, an enormous-handed, rebounding freak.
10. Philadelphia 76ers-- Elfrid Payton: Another interesting pick by the Sixers, who are in no means to exit tanking mode. Oh, well. Whiff for Cliff? (edit: Payton was later traded to the Magic in exchange for two-years-down-the-road Croatian stud Dario Saric. It doesn't get better, Philadelphia.)