[h=1]Jabari Parker favored for No. 1 pick[/h][h=3]Among 30 NBA executives, Parker is chosen over Embiid and Wiggins[/h]By Jeff Goodman | ESPN Insider
It's almost assumed these days that the top overall pick in the NBA draft will come out of the Kansas program, whether it's Andrew Wiggins or freshman teammate Joel Embiid.
However, in an ESPN poll of 30 NBA executives, it was Duke's Jabari Parker who racked up more votes than both Wiggins and Embiid.
Wiggins entered the season as the consensus favorite to be the first to shake new commissioner Adam Silver's hand on June 26 at the NBA draft.
Early on I cautioned those who already had anointed Wiggins, the ultra-athletic Canadian, as the top overall pick. It didn't take long for people to realize that Parker, the Blue Devils' skilled forward, also was in the equation for the top spot. Then a third freshman, the 7-foot Embiid, thrust himself into the mix.
Embiid, a native of Cameroon, moved his way into the forefront of the conversation early in league play, a skilled big man who possessed the key words for NBA scouts: size and upside. But then came his back issues, the ones that kept him out of the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments -- and most people seemed to naturally revert back to where it all began: Wiggins.
However, after polling 30 NBA executives shortly after all three players had officially declared for the draft -- from numerous GMs to player personnel guys and NBA scouts -- you might be surprised at the results of who they would choose No. 1 overall:
<OFFER></OFFER>
Jabari Parker: 17 votes
Joel Embiid: 8 votes
Andrew Wiggins: 5 votes
Obviously, it will depend on the team and the general manager who winds up getting the No. 1 pick. Wiggins could still go with the top selection due to his high ceiling and athleticism, but many NBA folks are worried about his lack of consistency, whether he possesses a killer instinct and also whether he can get by defenders in the half court.
Most NBA guys gush at Embiid due to his size and potential -- but there's a huge lingering concern with the recent back issues. Right now many NBA executives would go with Parker because he's the safe selection, the known commodity. Sure, they might not feel he has quite the upside of Wiggins or Embiid -- but they do also see Parker as a potential perennial NBA All-Star.
In short, they trust Parker.
Milwaukee has the most ping-pong balls in the May 20 draft lottery, with Philadelphia, Orlando, Utah and Boston rounding out the top five. Team needs probably won't be much of a factor, since most, if not all of those teams, won't pass on whoever they consider to be the best player of the trio.
"This is about as close of a top three as I've seen in a long, long time," said one veteran general manager. "It really does depend on who gets the top pick and whether they are willing to take a risk or not."
"I think one GM would go with Parker, another would go with Embiid and another with Wiggins," added another. "No one knows who will go first right now."
Parker is the low-risk selection, a 6-foot-8 forward who can score in just about every way on the court. Many compare him to Carmelo Anthony, and many feel he's a sure thing at the next level because of his skill set, basketball IQ and demeanor.
Embiid has been playing basketball for just a few years, but he has made tremendous progress, and could give a franchise what has become a rarity these days in the NBA: a skilled, tough, big man who can impact the game on both ends of the court.
Wiggins is a tremendous athlete who has an improved perimeter shot, but his greatest asset comes in transition and also on the defensive end. There are several comparisons -- from Tracy McGrady to Rudy Gay to DeMar DeRozan to Corey Brewer.
Here are several comments from NBA executives on why they would take Parker, Embiid and Wiggins with the top pick:
On Parker:
"Skill, skill skill, feel and character. He is tougher than you think. A winner."
"He's the most ready to play in the league."
"Best combination of highest floor with still a high ceiling."
"He is the most NBA ready and will be a solid pro for many years, an All-Star, Olympian, etc. He can play any style."
"He's a Carmelo Anthony-type offensive player, but huge deficit defensively. Hopefully he's more into team and winning than Melo."
"I just trust him more than the other two guys."
"I'm unsure of Embiid's health and I just think Jabari has better intangibles than Wiggins."
On Embiid:
"Skilled size always has to go first. There aren't many guys that size with that potential. He has a chance to be a difference-maker at both ends."
"He changes the game with his length, athleticism and motor -- and he has a developing offensive game."
"He has an extremely high ceiling, a huge heart, great character and tremendous work ethic."
"I'm taking Embiid -- as long as his back checks out."
On Wiggins:
"He has more upside and his game will translate better in the NBA."
"He has elite athleticism -- which in the NBA to a special degree is rewarded by the rules and style of play. He has a decent skill set that he can improve on, he is a good kid and he wants to be a player. Major question for me is whether there are any killer instincts - like Jordan and Kobe."
It's almost assumed these days that the top overall pick in the NBA draft will come out of the Kansas program, whether it's Andrew Wiggins or freshman teammate Joel Embiid.
However, in an ESPN poll of 30 NBA executives, it was Duke's Jabari Parker who racked up more votes than both Wiggins and Embiid.
Wiggins entered the season as the consensus favorite to be the first to shake new commissioner Adam Silver's hand on June 26 at the NBA draft.
Early on I cautioned those who already had anointed Wiggins, the ultra-athletic Canadian, as the top overall pick. It didn't take long for people to realize that Parker, the Blue Devils' skilled forward, also was in the equation for the top spot. Then a third freshman, the 7-foot Embiid, thrust himself into the mix.
Embiid, a native of Cameroon, moved his way into the forefront of the conversation early in league play, a skilled big man who possessed the key words for NBA scouts: size and upside. But then came his back issues, the ones that kept him out of the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments -- and most people seemed to naturally revert back to where it all began: Wiggins.
However, after polling 30 NBA executives shortly after all three players had officially declared for the draft -- from numerous GMs to player personnel guys and NBA scouts -- you might be surprised at the results of who they would choose No. 1 overall:
<OFFER></OFFER>
Jabari Parker: 17 votes
Joel Embiid: 8 votes
Andrew Wiggins: 5 votes
Obviously, it will depend on the team and the general manager who winds up getting the No. 1 pick. Wiggins could still go with the top selection due to his high ceiling and athleticism, but many NBA folks are worried about his lack of consistency, whether he possesses a killer instinct and also whether he can get by defenders in the half court.
Most NBA guys gush at Embiid due to his size and potential -- but there's a huge lingering concern with the recent back issues. Right now many NBA executives would go with Parker because he's the safe selection, the known commodity. Sure, they might not feel he has quite the upside of Wiggins or Embiid -- but they do also see Parker as a potential perennial NBA All-Star.
In short, they trust Parker.
Milwaukee has the most ping-pong balls in the May 20 draft lottery, with Philadelphia, Orlando, Utah and Boston rounding out the top five. Team needs probably won't be much of a factor, since most, if not all of those teams, won't pass on whoever they consider to be the best player of the trio.
"This is about as close of a top three as I've seen in a long, long time," said one veteran general manager. "It really does depend on who gets the top pick and whether they are willing to take a risk or not."
"I think one GM would go with Parker, another would go with Embiid and another with Wiggins," added another. "No one knows who will go first right now."
Parker is the low-risk selection, a 6-foot-8 forward who can score in just about every way on the court. Many compare him to Carmelo Anthony, and many feel he's a sure thing at the next level because of his skill set, basketball IQ and demeanor.
Embiid has been playing basketball for just a few years, but he has made tremendous progress, and could give a franchise what has become a rarity these days in the NBA: a skilled, tough, big man who can impact the game on both ends of the court.
Wiggins is a tremendous athlete who has an improved perimeter shot, but his greatest asset comes in transition and also on the defensive end. There are several comparisons -- from Tracy McGrady to Rudy Gay to DeMar DeRozan to Corey Brewer.
Here are several comments from NBA executives on why they would take Parker, Embiid and Wiggins with the top pick:
On Parker:
"Skill, skill skill, feel and character. He is tougher than you think. A winner."
"He's the most ready to play in the league."
"Best combination of highest floor with still a high ceiling."
"He is the most NBA ready and will be a solid pro for many years, an All-Star, Olympian, etc. He can play any style."
"He's a Carmelo Anthony-type offensive player, but huge deficit defensively. Hopefully he's more into team and winning than Melo."
"I just trust him more than the other two guys."
"I'm unsure of Embiid's health and I just think Jabari has better intangibles than Wiggins."
On Embiid:
"Skilled size always has to go first. There aren't many guys that size with that potential. He has a chance to be a difference-maker at both ends."
"He changes the game with his length, athleticism and motor -- and he has a developing offensive game."
"He has an extremely high ceiling, a huge heart, great character and tremendous work ethic."
"I'm taking Embiid -- as long as his back checks out."
On Wiggins:
"He has more upside and his game will translate better in the NBA."
"He has elite athleticism -- which in the NBA to a special degree is rewarded by the rules and style of play. He has a decent skill set that he can improve on, he is a good kid and he wants to be a player. Major question for me is whether there are any killer instincts - like Jordan and Kobe."
