Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Jabari Parker are the unanimous top 3 selections in this year’s NBA Draft.
Though we are nearly 2 weeks from the draft, the order they will be selected in is still a mystery.
Below is what mock drafts updated within the past month have to say. This chart was created using Walter Football’s 2014 NBA Mock Draft database at http://walterfootball.com/nbadraftdata.php.
|
Mock Draft Site |
Updated |
No. 1 |
No. 2 |
No. 3 |
6/10 | J.Embiid | J.Parker | A.Wiggins | |
6/9 | J.Embiid | J.Parker | A.Wiggins | |
6/9 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
6/6 | J.Parker | A.Wiggins | J.Embiid | |
6/5 | J.Parker | A.Wiggins | J.Embiid | |
6/5 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
6/5 | J.Embiid | J.Parker | A.Wiggins | |
6/4 | A.Wiggins | J.Embiid | J.Parker | |
6/4 | J.Embiid | J.Parker | A.Wiggins | |
6/2 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
6/2 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
5/30 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
5/29 | A.Wiggins | J.Embiid | J.Parker | |
5/28 | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | J.Embiid | |
5/28 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
5/27 | J.Embiid | J.Parker | A.Wiggins | |
5/24 | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | D.Exum | |
5/23 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
5/23 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
5/23 | J.Embiid | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | |
5/21 | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | J.Embiid | |
5/21 | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | J.Embiid | |
5/21 | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | J.Randle | |
5/21 | A.Wiggins | J.Parker | J.Embiid | |
5/21 | A.Wiggins | J.Embiid | J.Parker | |
5/15 | J.Embiid | J.Parker | A.Wiggins |
Compiling the data, here’s the distribution for the projected No.1 pick:
Embiid - 57.7%, Wiggins - 34.6%, Parker - 7.7%
No.2:
Wiggins - 42.3%, Parker - 42.3%, Embiid - 7.7%
No.3:
Parker - 46.1%, Wiggins - 23.1%, Embiid - 23.1%, Other - 7.7%
As each player possesses very distinct attributes, lets review what each has to offer:
Joel Embiid
Embiid has all the “tools” to be a dominant NBA big man. His feel around the basket is excellent, as is his footwork. He possesses top notch physical attributes — size, athleticism, body control, and fluidity.
Having averaged 2.6 blocks per game in college, he also has the potential to be an elite defender. To top it off, Embiid has only played organized ball for 4 years; he is still learning and growing into the game.
The major knock on Embiid are his injury concerns; in particular, his back issues.
Embiid has the potential to be become a generational big man capable of anchoring a team a la Olajuwon. But if he gets hurt, it could single-handily prevent the promising center from reaching his potential, as with Greg Oden in 2007.
Andrew Wiggins
Coming out of high school, Wiggins was perhaps the most hyped player since Lebron James. In his only season at Kansas, Wiggins retained his reputation as a freakish-athlete with sky-high potential.
However, despite averaging 17.1ppg and being named a consensus 2nd team All American, his lone year in college was considered somewhat underwhelming. Though this may have been partially due to the enormous expectations surrounding him, a recurrent topic of concern is his drive and love for the game. Wiggins often appears complacent during games, lacking the instinct to dominate and take games over.
Wiggins has an intriguing all-around skill set, is supremely athletic, and truly has the potential to become one of the NBA’s best. The question is whether he himself is committed to realizing his potential.
Jabari Parker
Parker is viewed as the safest pick of the three, as well as the most NBA-ready.
Highly touted in high school, Parker delivered as one of college basketball’s best players. He is an extremely polished offensive player that is able to carry the load by himself on that end.
It’s a different story on the defensive end, where Parker’s effort and ability has been the subject of much scrutiny. Parker also lacks the athleticism and physical gifts of Wiggins. In particular, his weight could be a frequent cause for concern at the next level.
Parker is a highly talented player, and of the three, is the best bet to realize these talents at the NBA level. However Parker somewhat lacks flair compared to the insane athleticism of Wiggins. He also has the lowest ceiling of the three.
