3. Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid C/PF, 7'0 Kansas
Joel Embiid was once considered the unanimous No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. But a foot injury stopped that from happening; so the 76ers picked up the best player in the Draft at No. 3. Embiid has the potential to become a Hakeem Olajuwon-type player that can affect the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He is a game changer type player that fell to No. 3 due to injury concerns. With the 76ers not in any hurry to win now, they can let him sit the season to fully recover and not rush him back. Then next year with Nerlens Noel also healthy, the 76ers could have a twin tower effect where people would be scared to drive to the basket and they could dominate the boards with their athleticism.
Joel Embiid was once considered the unanimous No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. But a foot injury stopped that from happening; so the 76ers picked up the best player in the Draft at No. 3. Embiid has the potential to become a Hakeem Olajuwon-type player that can affect the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He is a game changer type player that fell to No. 3 due to injury concerns. With the 76ers not in any hurry to win now, they can let him sit the season to fully recover and not rush him back. Then next year with Nerlens Noel also healthy, the 76ers could have a twin tower effect where people would be scared to drive to the basket and they could dominate the boards with their athleticism.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Noah Vonleh PF, 6'10 Indiana
The Charlotte Hornets got a steal when Vonleh dropped from potentially being No. 5 pick to being picked at No. 9. With Vonleh's ability to become a stretch 4 at the next level and have the athleticism to make contributions on both sides of the ball at such a young age. There is tons of potential of him being a Chris Bosh-type player in the NBA if he can get quality time on the court and stay healthy.
The Charlotte Hornets got a steal when Vonleh dropped from potentially being No. 5 pick to being picked at No. 9. With Vonleh's ability to become a stretch 4 at the next level and have the athleticism to make contributions on both sides of the ball at such a young age. There is tons of potential of him being a Chris Bosh-type player in the NBA if he can get quality time on the court and stay healthy.
19. Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris SG, 6'3 Michigan State
Gary Harris dropped from a potential lottery pick to being picked at No. 19. So the Nuggets got a steal of a player at the position they picked. They could have picked him at No. 11 and people would have been good with the pick, but to move back with the Chicago Bulls and still pick him was a great move by the Nuggets. He is undersized for the shooting guard position; but Gary Harris can provide good shooting ability, ball-handling, slashing, and defending for the Nuggets. However, with Arron Afflalo just being acquired, Harris might not get much playing time. Arron Afflalo will probably opt out of his contract after this year, so picking Harris is a great pick for the Nuggets in the long-term.
Gary Harris dropped from a potential lottery pick to being picked at No. 19. So the Nuggets got a steal of a player at the position they picked. They could have picked him at No. 11 and people would have been good with the pick, but to move back with the Chicago Bulls and still pick him was a great move by the Nuggets. He is undersized for the shooting guard position; but Gary Harris can provide good shooting ability, ball-handling, slashing, and defending for the Nuggets. However, with Arron Afflalo just being acquired, Harris might not get much playing time. Arron Afflalo will probably opt out of his contract after this year, so picking Harris is a great pick for the Nuggets in the long-term.
24. Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier PG, 6'0 Connecticut
The Miami Heat have one goal and it is to keep the Big 3 and win another championship by getting complementary players. So to get a player that LeBron wants on his team is a big steal for Miami. With Napier, they get a player that knows how to win, that has the ability to command an offense, play defense, and can make shots. The only reason that he wasn't picked earlier in the draft was because there was concerns about his height. Napier is the perfect fit for the Miami Heat; with him and Norris Cole they have quality point guards that will be good complements to the Big 3.
The Miami Heat have one goal and it is to keep the Big 3 and win another championship by getting complementary players. So to get a player that LeBron wants on his team is a big steal for Miami. With Napier, they get a player that knows how to win, that has the ability to command an offense, play defense, and can make shots. The only reason that he wasn't picked earlier in the draft was because there was concerns about his height. Napier is the perfect fit for the Miami Heat; with him and Norris Cole they have quality point guards that will be good complements to the Big 3.
26. Charlotte Hornets: P.J. Hairston SG/SF, 6'5 North Carolina (D-League)
Hairston has all the tools that you want at shooting guard position; but wasn't a lottery type player because he got in trouble off the court. The Hornets got a player that can has the athleticism and shooting ability to play right away for the Hornets. He provides the Hornets the ability to stretch the floor and gives them another option at shooting guard. Hairston could beat out Gerald Henderson, and then he could become even more of a steal in the draft.
30. San Antonio Spurs: Kyle Anderson SF, 6'9 UCLA
The Spurs are already NBA Champions, so they don't need much help. But with Boris Diaw about to hit free agency, they needed a player that could help replace him. They found the perfect player in Kyle Anderson who is the best passer in the draft at 6'9, 230 lbs. He's a good rebounder and has an improving shot that is very similar to Boris Diaw. For Anderson to be a real steal for the Spurs he needs to learn how to play defense. Nonetheless, with Popovich and the Spurs ability to play team defense; he should have a chance to play a role for them.
The Spurs are already NBA Champions, so they don't need much help. But with Boris Diaw about to hit free agency, they needed a player that could help replace him. They found the perfect player in Kyle Anderson who is the best passer in the draft at 6'9, 230 lbs. He's a good rebounder and has an improving shot that is very similar to Boris Diaw. For Anderson to be a real steal for the Spurs he needs to learn how to play defense. Nonetheless, with Popovich and the Spurs ability to play team defense; he should have a chance to play a role for them.
32. Philadelphia 76ers: K.J. McDaniels SF, 6'6 Clemson
K.J. McDaniels has 1st Round level talent and has a skill that most teams love, which being a lockdown defender on the perimeter. Yet somehow he was forgotten til the 2nd Round, and the 76ers were there to scoop him up. McDaniels is an uber-athletic player that is a lockdown defender, finisher in transition, and can hit open shots when his feet are set. These are skills that fit perfectly with the 76ers needs. They were awful in perimeter defending and with McDaniels they got what they needed; plus he fits their uptempo system of offense. Another interesting thing about this pick is that they will have shot-blockers everywhere after this year with Joel Embiid and Noel in the frontcourt, then MCW and McDaniels on the wing. Overall, this was a great steal for team that badly needs perimeter defenders.
K.J. McDaniels has 1st Round level talent and has a skill that most teams love, which being a lockdown defender on the perimeter. Yet somehow he was forgotten til the 2nd Round, and the 76ers were there to scoop him up. McDaniels is an uber-athletic player that is a lockdown defender, finisher in transition, and can hit open shots when his feet are set. These are skills that fit perfectly with the 76ers needs. They were awful in perimeter defending and with McDaniels they got what they needed; plus he fits their uptempo system of offense. Another interesting thing about this pick is that they will have shot-blockers everywhere after this year with Joel Embiid and Noel in the frontcourt, then MCW and McDaniels on the wing. Overall, this was a great steal for team that badly needs perimeter defenders.
34. New York Knicks: Cleanthony Early SF, 6'7 Wichita State
Early would have been a 1st Round pick if teams weren't concerned with his ball-handling. It was a concern because players at the small forward position need to have some dribbling ability. Yet a player like Early can still be effective due to his athleticism and shooting ability. So the Knicks got a steal of player in the 2nd Round after not having a pick at all a couple of days ago. The Knicks got a player that could help ease the pain if Carmelo Anthony leaves them in free agency. This is a great steal for any team, but since the Knicks didn't even have a pick a couple days ago, it is a tremendous steal to get a player of this caliber.
Early would have been a 1st Round pick if teams weren't concerned with his ball-handling. It was a concern because players at the small forward position need to have some dribbling ability. Yet a player like Early can still be effective due to his athleticism and shooting ability. So the Knicks got a steal of player in the 2nd Round after not having a pick at all a couple of days ago. The Knicks got a player that could help ease the pain if Carmelo Anthony leaves them in free agency. This is a great steal for any team, but since the Knicks didn't even have a pick a couple days ago, it is a tremendous steal to get a player of this caliber.
38. Detroit Pistons: Spencer Dinwiddie PG/SG, 6'6 Colorado
Injuries can make your stock fall really quickly no matter how talented you are. So in the case of Dinwiddie, that is exactly what happened after he tore his ACL five games into Pac-12 Conference. Before the injury he was considered a first round talent that could play point guard or shooting guard with terrific length, that has a high basketball IQ, scores, and handles the ball very well. Nonetheless, if he can heal completely from his injury then he can be the player that people considered to be a 1st Round pick.
Injuries can make your stock fall really quickly no matter how talented you are. So in the case of Dinwiddie, that is exactly what happened after he tore his ACL five games into Pac-12 Conference. Before the injury he was considered a first round talent that could play point guard or shooting guard with terrific length, that has a high basketball IQ, scores, and handles the ball very well. Nonetheless, if he can heal completely from his injury then he can be the player that people considered to be a 1st Round pick.
40. Minnesota Timberwolves: Glenn Robinson III SF, 6'7 Michigan
The Timberwolves got a great player in Glenn Robinson III. He is a big-times athlete with great pedigree. He is a smooth scorer with range that doesn't need the ball in his hands to be an effective player. He cuts to the basket and has the length/athleticism to defend. Robinson III reminds me of Kawhi Leonard when I watch him play, and if the Timberwolves get anything that close to the Finals MVP than they got a steal on their hands.
The Timberwolves got a great player in Glenn Robinson III. He is a big-times athlete with great pedigree. He is a smooth scorer with range that doesn't need the ball in his hands to be an effective player. He cuts to the basket and has the length/athleticism to defend. Robinson III reminds me of Kawhi Leonard when I watch him play, and if the Timberwolves get anything that close to the Finals MVP than they got a steal on their hands.
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