BI's Lotto Picks

BI's Lotto Picks wrote:This will be the hub of information for Swish. Look for monthly changes in rank and comments.

Nov 13, 2013 at 5:03pm wrote:
1. Andrew Wiggins



+ well rounded overall game
+ closer mentality/big time scorer
+ elite shot blocker/defender 

- jumper/range
- playmaking/passing
- doesn't get to the line as much as he should

Clearly the best prospect available in this class, Wiggins reminds us of a bigger Wade without the court vision. Could led the league in scoring one day. Main concern? Will he elevate his teammates (in terms of playmaking) or will he be Durant with better defense and a worst jump shot. 

Projection: Durant (with better defense)

2. Andrew Harrison



+ size
+ consistency
+ jump shot

- defense
- passing 
- IQ

Harrison is really a combo guard, but in a good way. He is a great scorer who can light it up and at PG he will be able to exploit mismatches consistently. Very mature for his age, though I question his decision making and his handle is just good but a 6'5 PG who can competently run the point (ideally alongside a point-forward) and score at a high rate is a top 5 pick for sure, we like him better then Smart who went #1 last draft. 

Projection: Russel Westbrook (with a 6'5 frame)

3. Julius Randle



+ complete offensive game (inside/outside)
+ good finisher
+ draw foul rate

- defense
- size 
- CSL readiness (raw)

Randle is a beast on the left/right block and he can take it inside or outside depending on what the defense gives him. He looks like he'll be a good rebounder though it's hard to say as many things go into player development. His defense needs work, this is a project but if he pans out he could be a big time player in the CSL.

Projection: Kevin Love (with less rebounding)

4. Alex Len



+ efficient inside; post up player with pick and pop potential
+ rebounding
+ passing

- scoring
- durability  
- handles

Len might end up being a really solid center who can do a bit of everything. That would be his worst case scenario. Len is a good FT shooter who has a jump shot that he doesn't use much, but given the right coaching he could turn into a guy that can dominant in the post and take guys out to 15 feet and hit the J consistently.

Projection: Marc Gasol (with less defense)

5. Shabazz Muhammad



+ 3 point shot
+ scoring
+ work ethic

- defense
- discipline  
- IQ

Bazz made a good decision going back to school, he really refined his scoring skills. The red flags from last season are still there, his BBIQ isn't great but if you need a scorer at the wing who can spread the floor and take guys off the dribble and get to the line...Bazz is your man.

Projection: James Harden (with less playmaking)

6. Perry Ellis




+ inside game 
+ shotblocking
+ O and D rebounding

- jump shot
- passing  
- defense

Ellis is an interesting prospect. He can certainly score but he'll never be a go to guy, or an elite bucket getter. His defense is average at best at this point, and although his jump shot isn't a strength, he can still hit the occasional 15 footer. Where Ellis really excels though is on the boards. A Faried like intensity allows him to grab boards on both ends at a high level and his shot blocking ability is impressive.

Projection: Shawn Marion (with less defense)

7. Willie Cauley-Stein




+ defense
+ discipline
+ O rebounding

- scoring
- ball handling 
- D rebounding

Physically, Cauley-Stein resembles his UK alum DeMarcus Cousins but that is where the comparison stops. Cauley can really play defense, and our scouts drooled over his frame and defensive instincts. Decent touch around the basket, and a guy that will work the offensive glass and get put backs...well his weakness is that his game on that end is pretty much limited to garbage buckets. For now. 

Projection: Tyson Chandler (with a bigger body)

8. Jahii Carson




+ 3 point shot
+ scoring
+ work ethic

- size
- passing 
- handle

This kid can flat out score. We love his ability to create separation but the thing that dropped him down on our board is that he looks to create for himself more then he does for others. He's also pretty miniature for an CSL prospect but so was Isaiah Thomas. Projects to be an elite scorer and not much else in our books, but scoring is at a premium now. If he had SG size he'd be the 1st pick in this class in all likelihood.

Projection: Brandon Jennings (with better decision making)

9. Gary Harris




+ jump shot
+ defense
+ passing

- raw
- finishing 
- inside game

One scout had this to say:

This kid is gonna be great. Top 10 prospect with top 3 talent. Could be the Kyle Anderson of this class.

Another had this to say:

Tough to say this early on, he's just so raw. He reminds me a bit of Austin Daye, a tantalizing prospect who couldn't handle the physical nature of the CSL


Projection: Klay Thompson (with more upside) *one scout said his ceiling is Kobe Bryant 


10. Vasilije Micic




+ size
+ aggressive nature 
+ jump shot

- defense
- passing 
- handle

Huge frame, good (potentially great) jump shot and an "attack attack attack" mentality. Micic isn't your typical Euro prospect (Bargs/Vesley), his mentality is more of your American style of player. His defense is horrid, and no one knows if it will get better but if you need a guy to "get buckets" then this might be the guy for you. Would work well beside a point-forward (MKG/K.Anderson/etc.) who can run the team and allow Micic to play off ball.

Projection: Baron Davis (with less defense)

11. Elfrid Payton




+ discipline 
+ IQ
+ passing

- weight
- jump shot 
- foul draw rate

Payton isn't as good as his name sake, particularly on defense. He is however a great playmaking prospect. He has great vision, and the height to look over defenders and find his guys. Some have called him a basketball genius, and others have critized him for not improving his jump shot from last year to this. All in all, I wouldn't mind him running my team if I had scoring and more importantly shooting and finishers around him.

Projection: Jason Kidd (with less defense)

12. Kaleb Tarczewski




+ defense
+ scoring
+ shot blocking

- rebounding
- passing 
- handle

Tarczewski really impressed our scouts the last time he played. He's such a big body and uses his size well on defense which is the reason he's a lotto prospect on ou board. A very respectable offensive game, decent hands and he can finish more often then not off the pick and roll. Can't really create for himself, but if he you need a 7 footer in the middle who can anchor your defense...this might be a good fit for you.

Projection: Omer Asik (with more acne)

13. Shabazz Napier




+ scoring
+ passing
+ ball handling

- defense
- discipline  
- raw

He started off as a late first rounder for us, but after scouts watched him this year at UConn they were really impressed by his development. He is quite raw and won't be a contributor for a while but man are his scoring instincts amazing. He can pull up, create off the dribble and finish at the rim no problem. His defense leaves a lot to be desired but he projects to be an above average starting PG from our perspective.

Projection: Kyrie Irving (with less handles)

14. Lorenzo Brown




+ passing
+ steals
+ ball handling

- defense
- IQ
- discipline 

Pass first point who can run a team like a professional and find the hot hand no problem. Very unselfish. The issue is that he can be turnover prone and you want your PG to have a high BBIQ and good discipline. That said, he won't hurt you that much and his vision is coveted in a league that doesn't have many 10 APG guys. Brown could be that, but you take the good with the bad. 

Projection: Kendall Marshall (with worst BBIQ)