Sunday, July 27, 2014

2014 Draft Class - Fantasy Effect

How does the 2014 NBA Draft affect your fantasy league this year?  In case you missed it, here is how it went.
                             Round 1
1.CavaliersAndrew WigginsSG
2.BucksJabari ParkerSF
3.76ersJoel EmbiidC
4.MagicAaron GordonPF
5.JazzDante ExumPG
6.CelticsMarcus SmartPG
7.LakersJulius RandlePF
8.KingsNik StauskasSG
9.HornetsNoah VonlehPF
10.76ersElfrid PaytonPG
11.NuggetsDoug McDermottSF
12.MagicDario SaricPF
13.TimberwolvesZach LaVinePG
14.SunsT.J. WarrenSF
15.HawksAdreian PaynePF
16.BullsJusuf NurkicC
17.CelticsJames YoungSF
18.SunsTyler EnnisPG
19.BullsGary HarrisSG
20.RaptorsBruno CabocloSF
21.ThunderMitch McGaryPF
22.GrizzliesJordan AdamsSG
23.JazzRodney HoodSG
24.HornetsShabazz NapierPG
25.RocketsClint CapelaPF
26.HeatP.J. HairstonSG
27.SunsBogdan BogdanovicSG
28.ClippersC.J. WilcoxSG
29.ThunderJosh HuestisPF
30.SpursKyle AndersonPF
                         
                               Round 2
No.TeamPlayerPos.
1.BucksDamien InglisSF
2.76ersK.J. McDanielsSF
3.CavaliersJoe HarrisSG
4.KnicksCleanthony EarlySF
5.JazzJarnell StokesPF
6.BucksJohnny O'BryantPF
7.RaptorsDeAndre DanielsSF
8.PistonsSpencer DinwiddiePG
9.76ersJerami GrantSF
10.TimberwolvesGlenn Robinson IIISF
11.NuggetsNikola JokicPF
12.RocketsNick JohnsonSG
13.HawksWalter TavaresC
14.TimberwolvesMarkel BrownSG
15.HornetsDwight PowellPF
16.WizardsJordan ClarksonPG
17.76ersRuss SmithSG
18.BucksLamar PattersonSF
19.BullsCameron BairstowPF
20.SunsAlec BrownC
21.KnicksThanasis AntetokounmpoSF
22.76ersVasilije MicicPG
23.TimberwolvesAlessandro GentileSF
24.76ersNemanja DangubicSG
25.HeatSemaj ChristonPG
26.NuggetsRoy Devyn MarbleSF
27.PacersLouis LabeyrieC
28.SpursJordan McRaeSG
29.RaptorsXavier ThamesPG
30.SpursCory JeffersonPF
 (Thank you, http://espn.go.com/nba/draft)

So what order should you pick them in your fantasy draft?  Certainly not in the order they were drafted.  Here is my recommendation.

1. Jabari Parker, Bucks SF 

Jabari Parker lived up to the hype at Duke, and has proven himself multi-dimensional in the NBA Summer League.  The Bucks had the worse record in the NBA last year, and have basically nobody on their roster who is going to make this next year any different.  Except Parker.  Parker is going to be the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd option on this team; the scorer, the playmaker, the defender.  Needless to say, he will be the do-it-all guy, but with that huge responsibility brings a lower field goal percentage and higher turnovers.  He may not be the best fantasy rookie, but he very much so has the highest potential.

2. Doug McDermott, Bulls SF 


Surprised?  There is a very good chance that McDermott will be staying in Chicago this season, but even if he is somehow traded to Minnesota, I still leave him at #2.  The 2014 NCAA leading scorer can shoot the ball, and has drawn comparisons to Larry Bird and even Kevin Love.  That being said, McDermott is going to be productive and efficient from deep on the receiving end of Derrick Rose, and is, as it stands, the best or second-best shooter on the team.  In addition, he's proven he can block shots, rebound, and even pass the ball.  I contemplated putting him at #1, but considering that Parker is in the draft, I felt obligated to put him at #1.

3. Marcus Smart, Celtics PG

Smart is still up in the air.  His production really depends on Rajon Rondo's future.  If Rondo stays in Boston, completely ignore this.  However, if Rondo is traded, look for Smart to command the point and be an all-around point-guard who can score, pass, rebound, and grab steals like very few point-guards can do.  If Rondo leaves Boston, draft Smart.

4. Aaron Gordon, Magic PF

Gordon dazzled us at Arizona.  His athleticism was a shock to every basketball fan, and Gordon has the potential to be an extremely solid, all-around player in the NBA.  I put him at #4 because Orlando isn't an awful team.  They have pieces to a puzzle, but each piece has a solid game, meaning he's not in the Parker-situation.  He won't be the center of attention for teams defensively, so he will get his own throughout the season.

5. Noah Vonleh, Hornets PF

The Indiana power forward is strong, willful, and can rebound and finish as good as any forward in this draft.  He showed flashes of brilliance in the NBA Summer League, and alongside Big Al Jefferson, I think the two make a strong inside presence.  Offensively, defensively, and on the glass.  Jefferson may take away from Vonleh's production, but considering the loss of Josh McRoberts, the Hornets will start Vonleh and play him upwards of 30 minutes a game.

6. Nik Stauskas, Kings SG

Nik Stauskas surprised everybody in the NBA Draft Combine with his athleticism, proving that he is more than just a shooter.  That being said, he is also a very good shooter.  The Kings are fairly solid everywhere except their shooting guard position.  You stick Gay at the small forward position and Stauskas at the shooting guard, and you've got a pretty dynamic 2-3.  Stauskas should provide efficient scoring and three-point shooting, while picking up a little bit else here and there.  My only worry is that Gay tends to take around 20 shots a game, but if he's truly chasing a championship, there is a good chance he will open the door for others this year.

Other notable rookies who I would draft are as follows:
P.J. Hairston, Hornets SG
Nick Johnson, Rockets SG
Andrew Wiggins, Cavaliers SG
Adreian Payne, Hawks PG
James Young, Celtics SF
Dante Exum, Jazz PG
Rodney Hood, Jazz SG
Julius Randle, Lakers PF

I realize that putting Wiggins at #9 of the rookies doesn't make much sense, but considering the star-studded talent in Cleveland, I think it's safe to say.  Similarly with Randle, the Lakers have re-signed Jordan Hill and have grabbed Carlos Boozer as well.  

Side note, I wouldn't draft Joel Embiid.  There's no telling when he'll be back, if at all this season.

These are just my educated opinions, but I feel that I make fair and objective rankings.  If they weren't, I would have stuck Nick Johnson at #3.  Best of luck!

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