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MANILA, Philippines — On the eve of the NBA draft, Rappler gives you the list of players to watch out for and quick facts about the likely first round picks.
Anthony Davis
The 6’11” power forward from Kentucky is known for his unibrow, so much that he trademarked the likeness of it and the phrases “fear the brow” and “raise the brow.” Fitting, as his game is truly frightening. While his offensive game is not up to that standard he could challenge Dwight Howard and Tyson Chandler for defensive player of the year right away. He led the NCAA in blocked shots with 186 and his athleticism allows him to defend any position without worry. He’s guaranteed to be picked first by the New Orleans Hornets and is being compared to Kevin Garnett.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
MKG, as he is known, is a coach’s dream of a player. No one works harder and plays harder than the 6’7” small forward from Kentucky. He has an impressive pedigree of championships from high school to college and is a great leader. He routinely led optional practices for the Kentucky Wildcats before breakfast. He may not be the greatest shooter but is the ultimate glue guy. Comparisons range from Gerald Wallace to Andre Iguodala due to his blend of length (7’0” wingspan), athleticism and defensive play.
Thomas Robinson
Considered by many to be the number 2 overall draft pick this year, Thomas Robinson is a 6’9” power forward from Kansas. He led the Jayhawks to the national championship but lost to Kentucky. A ferocious rebounder at 11.9 boards a game last year was 2nd in the nation. Robinson is projected to be a solid starter for many years to come but not a multiple time all star caliber player.
Bradley Beal
The first shooting guard to be taken in the draft is the 6’4” player from Florida. His quickness and shooting stroke make him a nightmare to guard on the perimeter. Much like Eric Gordon of the Hornets, Beal is somewhat undersized but fearless when it comes to attacking the basket. Beal is a deadeye shooter with a stroke that should translate easily to the NBA.
Harrison Barnes
Barnes has been receiving media attention since early in high school. Comparisons to Kobe Bryant and Lebron James have put him under intense scrutiny. While those comparisons are farfetched, the 6’8” forward from North Carolina has dealt with the hoopla with class and composure. He struggles to create his own shot off the dribble but is a great mid-range shooter with a very high basketball IQ. He could be similar to a Brandon Roy or Glen Rice type of player who could thrive as a number 2 scorer on a team.
Andre Drummond
One of the biggest enigmas in the draft is the 18 year old 7’0” center from Connecticut. His size, athleticism and length make him easy to compare to Dwight Howard but he lacks very basic basketball skills. He is the biggest project a team will take a risk on because he could easily end up being a Hasheem Thabeet rather than a Dwight Howard.
Dion Waiters
He’s undersized at 6’4” for shooting guard but is being compared to Dwyane Wade in his ability to fly above the rim. He’s not a great shooter but is very comfortable at the free throw line, where he spends a lot of time due to his aggressive play. There are worries about how he will be able to guard NBA shooting guards who are on average 6’6”.
Kendall Marshall
The 6’4” point guard from North Carolina is easily the best passer in the draft. Comparisons to Andre Miller seem to be right on the money. He gets by using his craftiness and savvy rather than speed and jumping ability. He controls the game without scoring much. He only averaged 8.1 points per game and will struggle guarding quicker players but he is one of the most fun players to watch.
Austin Rivers
His name might sound familiar to many. That’s because the 6’5” combo guard from Duke is the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. It is unlikely that the Celtics will get the chance to reunite the family in Boston because he will be picked quite early. Austin is fearless, as seen by his game winner against hated rival North Carolina earlier this year and projects a Kobe Bryant like confidence in his game.
Royce White
Everything about the 6’8” forward from Iowa State on the basketball court indicates a sure fire basketball player. White’s problems have come off the court however; legal issues forced him to transfer from the University of Minnesota before even setting foot on the court. White was brave to announce to teams that he has an anxiety disorder that makes it close to impossible for him to fly in planes. These red flags will probably affect his draft position but if he can overcome them he can be a real sleeper next year.
Jared Sullinger
The 6’9” forward from Ohio State is one of the more accomplished players in this draft. The problem is that his game is not as well suited to the NBA as it was in college. Sullinger is an old-school back to the basket player in an NBA that is evolving more and more to athletic players. Much like Big Baby Glen Davis, Sullinger plays below the rim and might struggle with the speed of the game. There are concerns about his hamstrings which might lead to back problems. He still won the NCAA’s best player award (James Naismith award) in 2010 and has sometimes been compared to Kevin Love. – Rappler.com
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