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Chad Ford's latest chat:
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/49663
Tim (DC)
Everyone is raving about Marcus Smart's intangibles, but I remember reading very similar things about Michael Kidd-Gilchrist two years ago. Both players both have significant flaws in their game, and for MKG no amount of intangibles has been able to fix those flaws. Are you, or NBA teams worried about overrating intangibles and overlooking issues because of it?
Chad Ford
(1:30 PM)
I was guilty of that with MKG and probably have been again with Smart. You love players that play as hard and as selflessly as they do. But you're right. Despite all of the talk about the work Smart did on his jumper this summer -- it's only marginally better and he still is working on his feel for running the point. The thinking is that hard working kids like this with a love for the game will figure it out. I still think MKG will -- especially if he ever landed on the right team. Think Smart will as well. But you're right, there are risks.
Everyone is raving about Marcus Smart's intangibles, but I remember reading very similar things about Michael Kidd-Gilchrist two years ago. Both players both have significant flaws in their game, and for MKG no amount of intangibles has been able to fix those flaws. Are you, or NBA teams worried about overrating intangibles and overlooking issues because of it?
Chad Ford
(1:30 PM)
I was guilty of that with MKG and probably have been again with Smart. You love players that play as hard and as selflessly as they do. But you're right. Despite all of the talk about the work Smart did on his jumper this summer -- it's only marginally better and he still is working on his feel for running the point. The thinking is that hard working kids like this with a love for the game will figure it out. I still think MKG will -- especially if he ever landed on the right team. Think Smart will as well. But you're right, there are risks.
Nik (Canada)
Who has a better upside, Wiggins or Joel Embiid?
Chad Ford
(1:37 PM)
They are the two players with the most upside in the draft. We've been talking like Wiggins is that guy all year. But the more I watch Embiid, the more I think he's the guy with the highest ceiling. And frankly, lately he's been the best player for KU. He's going to get a lot of looks at No. 1. Risky, but he has sooooo much potential. Teams kicking themselves for not rolling the dice on Antetokoumnpo.
Who has a better upside, Wiggins or Joel Embiid?
Chad Ford
(1:37 PM)
They are the two players with the most upside in the draft. We've been talking like Wiggins is that guy all year. But the more I watch Embiid, the more I think he's the guy with the highest ceiling. And frankly, lately he's been the best player for KU. He's going to get a lot of looks at No. 1. Risky, but he has sooooo much potential. Teams kicking themselves for not rolling the dice on Antetokoumnpo.
Rick (Seattle)
Who's the No. 1 pick if the draft were held today?
Chad Ford
(1:40 PM)
No consensus at the moment. Scouts and GMs all over the place. For the conservative GMs, it will be either Parker or Randle. Both guys are NBA ready now and have almost zero downside. Hard to imagine either guy busting at the next level. For the risk takers, Wiggins, Embiid and Exum are the names. They have more upside than Parker and Randle, but considerably more downside as well. Wiggins remains atop our Big Board at No. 1. But Embiid and Parker are both making very strong pushes.
Who's the No. 1 pick if the draft were held today?
Chad Ford
(1:40 PM)
No consensus at the moment. Scouts and GMs all over the place. For the conservative GMs, it will be either Parker or Randle. Both guys are NBA ready now and have almost zero downside. Hard to imagine either guy busting at the next level. For the risk takers, Wiggins, Embiid and Exum are the names. They have more upside than Parker and Randle, but considerably more downside as well. Wiggins remains atop our Big Board at No. 1. But Embiid and Parker are both making very strong pushes.
Caden (Michigan)
Why do you still have Wiggins ahead of Parker? Parker is a sure thing and could be a 24-7-3 guy in the NBA. Wiggins is very inconsistent and has a lot of risk to him.
Chad Ford
(1:42 PM)
Our Top 100 and Big Board are based on the consensus of NBA scouts and GMs I speak with. About 50 people's opinions go into it. Right now Wiggins has a very slight lead. It's all about upside. They feel the NBA style of play will free up Wiggins and think his athletic upside will ultimately make him a better player in the long run. No one is disputing that right now, Jabari Parker is the best prospect. They're trying to project 3 to 5 years from now.
Why do you still have Wiggins ahead of Parker? Parker is a sure thing and could be a 24-7-3 guy in the NBA. Wiggins is very inconsistent and has a lot of risk to him.
Chad Ford
(1:42 PM)
Our Top 100 and Big Board are based on the consensus of NBA scouts and GMs I speak with. About 50 people's opinions go into it. Right now Wiggins has a very slight lead. It's all about upside. They feel the NBA style of play will free up Wiggins and think his athletic upside will ultimately make him a better player in the long run. No one is disputing that right now, Jabari Parker is the best prospect. They're trying to project 3 to 5 years from now.
John Calipari (Lexington)
How is James Young not in your top 10? He scores effortlessly and is a fluid athlete. The the scouts who saw Kentucky's scrimmages this summer rated him higher than Randle. Is Kentucky's failure to roll off decisive wins hurting his stock?
Chad Ford
(1:44 PM)
He's sitting right outside it. Needs to be more consistent with that jumper. Scouts and our reporters also said Wayne Selden was the best freshman at KU. Not in the Top 2 once the season began. Games > scrimmages.
How is James Young not in your top 10? He scores effortlessly and is a fluid athlete. The the scouts who saw Kentucky's scrimmages this summer rated him higher than Randle. Is Kentucky's failure to roll off decisive wins hurting his stock?
Chad Ford
(1:44 PM)
He's sitting right outside it. Needs to be more consistent with that jumper. Scouts and our reporters also said Wayne Selden was the best freshman at KU. Not in the Top 2 once the season began. Games > scrimmages.
Cory (US)
Zach Lavine is quick and athletic but he doesn't use his ability to attack the basket, instead he jacks up 20 footers all game, what GM actually thinks he is ready for the NBA?
Chad Ford
(1:47 PM)
No one thinks he's ready. No thinks Wiggins or Embiid or Aaron Gordon is ready. I think scouts thought the entire 2013 draft class wasn't ready. Ready isn't the most important thing. It's long-term potential. LaVine has all the tools that scouts are looking for. He's, for the most part, produced all year. He had a bad second half against Duke on national TV in front of a bunch of scouts. He was pressing too much and took a bunch of ill advised shots. But ultimately, you can't put too much on one game. Go back and watch the tape. He's a NBA player. Just needs some time.
Zach Lavine is quick and athletic but he doesn't use his ability to attack the basket, instead he jacks up 20 footers all game, what GM actually thinks he is ready for the NBA?
Chad Ford
(1:47 PM)
No one thinks he's ready. No thinks Wiggins or Embiid or Aaron Gordon is ready. I think scouts thought the entire 2013 draft class wasn't ready. Ready isn't the most important thing. It's long-term potential. LaVine has all the tools that scouts are looking for. He's, for the most part, produced all year. He had a bad second half against Duke on national TV in front of a bunch of scouts. He was pressing too much and took a bunch of ill advised shots. But ultimately, you can't put too much on one game. Go back and watch the tape. He's a NBA player. Just needs some time.
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/49663
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