2014 NBA Mock Draft

As the NBA season nears its halfway point, I feel that it is now time to begin a mock draft series on Total Sports Live. I should let you know that the draft order is based on where the teams are right now, not where they’ll be at the end of the season. This is assuming that the order will not change and the draft lottery will be exactly like we expect it to, which won’t happen. So, without further adieu, here is the first Total Sports Live mock draft of 2014:

1. Milwaukee Bucks select SF Jabari Parker: Jabari Parker is a 6-foot-8 small forward out of Duke. He is a very talented player when it comes to offense, similar to Carmelo Anthony. Parker is smarter than Anthony when it comes to shot selection though. His defense could use some work, but it’s pretty good when he tries as hard as he can. Effort is key for Parker, and I know that all NBA coaches are going to make sure that he goes as hard as he can.
2. Orlando Magic select SF Andrew Wiggins: Andrew Wiggins is a 6-foot-8 small forward out of the University of Kansas. Wiggins is a “freakish athlete”, who is a tremendous player on both offense and defense. Wiggins isn’t very NBA ready as his basketball skills are still developing, but he will be one of the NBA’s greatest players a few years from now. The Magic don’t need him to be good right away, because they’re still rebuilding. I think he’ll end up being a player like Rudy Gay, only better- a lot better.
3. Philadelphia 76ers select C Joel Embiid: Joel Embiid is a 7-foot center out of Kansas University. Embiid is an insane shot blocker. Some even say he has the potential to be the next Hakeem Olajuwon. He’s also good at rebounding and scoring in the paint. Embiid has first pick potential, but he’s not a good fit with the Bucks or the Magic in my opinion, mainly because they already have two great centers in Larry Sanders and Nikola Vucevic. I’m not saying that either Sanders or Vucevic are better than Embiid, I’m just saying that I think they will focus on their weak positions instead of increasing their depth.
4. Boston Celtics select PF Julius Randle: Julius Randle is a 6-foot-9 power forward out of the University of Kentucky. Randle is really strong and talented. He’s a beast in the paint. He’s the best player on Kentucky’s basketball team right now, and this is one of the better teams they’ve had in a while based on talent. He has been compared to many NBA players, such as Zach Randolph, Elton Brand, and even Chris Webber.
5. Utah Jazz select SF Rodney Hood: Rodney Hood is a 6-foot-8 small forward out of Duke. Hood is an amazing outside shooter, and he has a solid mid-range game. The biggest problem with him right now is that he’s very small and weak. By the time the 2014-15 NBA season starts, though, he should be a lot stronger. A lot of people have compared him to Rashard Lewis, which definitely makes sense.
6. Sacramento Kings select PG/SG Marcus Smart: Marcus Smart is a 6-foot-4 point guard/shooting guard out of Oklahoma State University. He’s a shooting guard that is being forced to play point guard, which I like. It gives NBA teams an option; they can use him at shooting guard or point guard. I have the Kings drafting him; it’s likely that they will be using him at shooting guard. He’s very mature, as shown by his shot selection and his decision to stay in college for his sophomore season. Many people have been comparing him to Jason Kidd.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers select SG Gary Harris: Gary Harris is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard out of Michigan State University. Harris is one of the most mature guards in the NCAA right now. He plays with great poise as well. He’s also a very consistent three point shooter. I think that he plays like O.J. Mayo.
8. Los Angeles Lakers select PG Dante Exum: Dante Exum is a 6-foot-6 point guard from Australia. He’s kind of a mystery at this point. Not too many scouts have gone out to Australia to see him play, but the ones who have said a lot of great things about him. Many scouts have compared him to Penny Hardaway.
9.  Denver Nuggets select PG Zach LaVine: Zach LaVine is a 6-foot-4 point guard out of UCLA. He’s an offensive point guard, kind of like Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook. He’s also a very good passer, which is one of the most important qualities for point guards.
10. Atlanta Hawks select SF Jerami Grant: Jerami Grant is a 6-foot-8 small forward out of the University of Syracuse. He’s a great defensive player, and he’s very quick. He has great athleticism, which is important. His offensive game is still developing, but it will be great someday. I think that he’s a great fit with the Atlanta Hawks. He has been compared to Thaddeus Young by a lot of people, which definitely makes sense.
11. Philadelphia 76ers select SF Glenn Robinson III: Glenn Robinson III is a 6-foot-6 small forward out of the University of Michigan. He’s an amazing athlete. He has great leaping ability, he’s strong, and he’s a tremendous all-around player. If the 76ers drafted him then he would be their starting small forward, probably.
12. Memphis Grizzlies select PG Jordan Clarkson: Jordan Clarkson is a 6-foot-5 point guard out of the University of Missouri. Clarkson is a great passer, and he has the ability to create his own shot if necessary. He’s 6-foot-5, which is pretty tall for a point guard. I like that. I love his overall playing style. I would say he’s like Michael Carter-Williams; the only difference between the two is that Clarkson is a better shooter.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves select PF Noah Vonleh: Noah Vonleh is a 6-foot-9 power forward out of the University of Indiana. Vonleh is a great rebounder, and he can block shots. He’s an insane athlete. His offensive game is still developing, as well as his handles. Once his skills develop, he will be an amazing player.
14. Orlando Magic select PG Tyler Ennis: Tyler Ennis is a 6-foot-2 point guard out of the University of Syracuse. Ennis is a tremendous passer, but like most prospects entering the NBA Draft, his offensive game is still developing. He lacks athleticism but his ability to change speeds is great, meaning he can easily get by defenders to create his own shot. I would compare him to George Hill.
15. Charlotte Bobcats select SF Doug McDermott: Doug McDermott is a 6-foot-7 small forward out of Creighton University. McDermott is an amazing shooter. He can also pass very well. His defense is not very good, but he is just such an amazing shooter that his lack of defense isn’t a big deal. I would compare him to Kyle Korver.
16. Charlotte Bobcats select SG James Young: James Young is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard out of the University of Kentucky. Young is very athletic. He’s also very competitive; he will give 100% all of the time. He has a very pure shooting stroke, which is great to see, especially from a shooting guard. I think he’s the definition of a perfect shooting guard, based on playing style. I would compare him to Michael Redd
17. Chicago Bulls select SG TJ Warren: TJ Warren is a 6-foot-7 shooting guard out of North Carolina State University. Warren is an elite scorer. He tends to take whatever the defense gives him; he isn’t picky. He’s not a very good three point shooter but he’s very good at driving to the basket and shooting mid-range.
18. Phoenix Suns select PG Vasilije Micic: Vasilije Micic is a 6-foot-5 point guard out of Serbia. Micic is probably the best passer in this draft class. He’s accurate with his passes and he has tremendous vision. If you’re open, then he will find you. His offensive game is questionable but it will get better, for now he uses his passing ability to set teammates up.
19. Boston Celtics select PF Aaron Gordon: Aaron Gordon is a 6-foot-8 power forward out of the University of Arizona. Gordon is an explosive leaper, like Blake Griffin. Gordon isn’t an explosive dunker like Griffin, but they do show some similarities. Gordon is a great kid. He’s very nice and he handles the press well. This is important. He’s also a very good teammate; he’s easy to get along with. He’s great on and off of the court, something that is necessary in today’s game.
20. Toronto Raptors select C Willie Cauley-Stein: Willie Cauley-Stein is a 7-foot center out of the University of Kentucky. Cauley-Stein brings great energy to the court. He’s all effort, all of the time. He’s a great shot blocker. He’s very athletic, so he scores via the put-back and alley-oop quite a bit.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder select PF Adreian Payne: Adreian Payne is a 6-foot-9 power forward out of Michigan State University. Payne is really strong. He’s also a pretty good jump shooter, which is becoming more and more common in today’s NBA. His personality isn’t as good as his game, but that’s something that you can look past.
22. Oklahoma City Thunder select SG Markel Brown: Markel Brown is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard out of Oklahoma State University. Brown is undersized, but that’s not a big deal because he’s an insane athlete. His ball handling and jump shot have improved quite a bit over the course of his four year college career. I would compare him to Avery Bradley.
23. Utah Jazz select PF Dario Saric: Dario Saric is a 6-foot-10 power forward out of Split Croatia. Saric has an amazingly high basketball IQ, which allows him to beat opponents with his brain. Based on his skill set I think it would be better for him to stay in the Euroleague but he’ll still be a good NBA player.
24. Houston Rockets select PF Montrezl Harrell: Montrezl Harrell is a 6-foot-8 power forward out of the University of Louisville. Harrell is very explosive and powerful. He’s very physical around the basket, and he forces a lot of fouls because of that. Most of his scoring comes from offensive rebounds, because he plays with Russ Smith and Chris Jones, a very selfish backcourt. He has been compared to JJ Hickson and Ben Wallace.
25. Los Angeles Clippers select SF Kyle Anderson: Kyle Anderson is a 6-foot-9 small forward out of UCLA. Anderson can set himself up for shots as well as other teammates. He is a great three point shooter but he doesn’t shoot too much, which is good. His shot selection is like an NBA veteran. He’s very mature. His speed is his biggest problem, but that’s not too big of a deal.
26. Miami Heat select PG Semaj Christon: Semaj Christon is a 6-foot-3 point guard out of the University of Xavier. Christon is a great athlete. He’s very fast and very quick, which is great for a point guard. He’s great at driving to the basket. He’s kind of like Derrick Rose. His shooting needs some work but he doesn’t shoot too often, so he doesn’t let it hurt him. Scouts have compared him to Kenyon Dooling.
27. Oklahoma City Thunder select PG Deonte Burton: Deonte Burton is a 6-foot-1 point guard out of the University of Nevada. Burton is a great leader, something that is important for point guards. He’s very mature and efficient. His athleticism is top notch. He has been known to be a human highlight reel. People compare him to Louis Williams, an electric scorer in the NBA.
28. Charlotte Bobcats select PG Oliver Hanlan: Oliver Hanlan is a 6-foot-3 point guard out of Boston College. Hanlan is an amazing scorer with great ball handling skills. He is like Steph Curry on the offensive side of the court. He creates space for his own shots. He has great hand/eye coordination, something that is very important for point guards. A lot of people compare him to CJ McCollum.
29. San Antonio Spurs select PF Roscoe Smith: Roscoe Smith is a 6-foot-8 power forward out of UNLV. Smith is an amazing rebounder. He’s very athletic and that allows him to move around the paint really quickly. He’s an aggressive player, which is both good and bad. He fouls a lot of people but he gets fouled a lot, so it balances out. Scouts compare him to Hakim Warrick.
30. Phoenix Suns select PG Shabazz Napier: Shabazz Napier is a 6-foot-1 point guard out of the University of Connecticut. Napier is a great leader and he’s very clutch. He’s very quick. Some scouts compare him to Tyronn Lue.