On Tuesday November 12, we saw 4 of the top 5 ranked teams in college hoops square off against each other. While the games were enjoyable, most people were paying attention to NBA draft and futures of the top 3 prospects: Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, and Julius Randle. The 2014 draft class is supposed to be the best class since at least the year of Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwayne Wade, and maybe even better. Jabari Parker is the most NBA ready out of the three. His athletic ability and size will allow him to play successful for defense against the top forwards in the NBA like James, Durant, Carmelo, and Paul George. He also has the ability to handle the ball like a Lebron James or Paul George. His body is the most developed, however his draft stock is dropping because he struggles when it comes to marking mid-range jumpers. Despite all that, he is lights out from the beyond the 3 point arc, and the most physically ready to play in the NBA out of the three.
On the other hand, Julius Randle isn’t ready for the NBA. He is too slow, and struggles using his right hand in the post. In addition, we haven’t seen him do much away from the basket. In the NBA, a 4 being able to hit a 15 foot jumper is crucial because when you have bigger stronger defenders, it is tougher to get easier shots in the post. Randle is a monster in the boards and will continue to be. But in a smaller NBA, his lack of speed will make him liability on defense until he loses his belly fat and gains more speed and agility.
Andrew Wiggins, a player who many are excited to see, is unpredictable right now. Even though he was projected to be the top overall pick going into the draft this year however, he could be going anywhere from 1 to 15. He could be this year’s Shabazz Mohammed. Even though he has more talent than anyone else he might be the least mature. It’s difficult to say. Also, the kid is six eight and only weighs around 200 pounds. If you ask me it’s a pretty generous 200, when Parker is the same height and weighs at least 225. Is natural ability to score is similar to a Carmelo Anthony or Kevin Durant. Yet his defensive skills aren’t complete but could improve. Plus I don’t think he has sense of identity this year we could see him being played at 2, 3, or 4, and he’s not quite sure if he can play the 2 or 3 in the NBA. I think he would be best played at a 2. Wiggins has a lot of potential but he needs to gain muscle and become more mature is he wants to be the Kobe Bryant or maybe even the MJ. We’ll just have to wait and see. The one thing with Wiggins is he has the most upside and downside of this group of three.
