Post by Cleasby on Nov 9, 2013 20:50:26 GMT
Number 1
We are waiting, Detroit is waiting, the world is waiting for the lottery gods to decide who exactly will be picking where in the draft to end all drafts. The draft that will decide the new landscape of the remodelled NBA the NAH.
Whilst the franchises and fans will be wondering who goes where the players themselves are also in a new sense of the unknown. Not knowing exactly where they will be picked and where. The question for them and their agents is who will be picked as the elusive number one pick. Whilst the contacrt will be the same they have signed previously that number one pick will essentially be declared not just the top of his college year in a typical draft but will be seen as the very best player in NAH. This is a accolade that many players are striving for.
So who exactly is in the running for that number one pick?
LeBron James – Small Forward
It is hard to argue with LeBron not taking the top spot. Leading his previous franchise Miami to back to back titles and already a future hall of famer. The ability to play positions 1 to 5 in any situation and if the decision was made on pure talent the pick would be a no brainer. However when you delve a bit deeper you realise why the number one pick is not a forgone conclusion. LeBron is widely known as disloyal and would you really take the first pick on a guy who could jump ship in just three years time? Yes he has a player option in the forth year but do you really see him taking that? Plus at the age of 27 LeBron would mean the team taking him would have to go into a win now mode and maybe gamble a bit more than they would like.
Kevin Durant – Small Forward
Arguably next in line for the number two spot. Durant is a fantastic scorer and a good defender with nice length which will be a great piece for anyone to build a team around. Whilst he is not as versatile as LeBron he is everything you could want from a number one pick. Above average at everything and great range. Plus at just 23 years of age and a contract locked in for four years he could be a strong candidate to take the number one pick. The only question would be whether he alone could carry a team just by scoring?
Dwight Howard – Centre
What a great way to start your franchise off with taking the very best centre the league has to offer. Dwight is quit simply a dominant force. He can score when in the paint and his mere presence makes other teams plan strategies to prevent him. He will be a beast defensively and will cause any franchise not to underestimate you. Did I mention he is only 26 years old too? The downside? Well you get the best centre in the league for a guaranteed year. Yep just one year only. Maybe too much of a gamble for the number one pick.
Chris Paul – Point Guard
The best point guard surely gets a mention here. He has scoring ability and is the best playmaker in the league. His ability to read and react is second to none. So why not take a guy who can be a leader and also score like Durant and LeBron? Well again like Howard he only has that one year on his contract. Add to that at 27 he may not be a long enough term if the team gets stuck at the bottom of the rankings early on.
Anthony Davis – Power Forward
Finally we take a look at the rookie. Recently taken number one in the draft before the leagues collapse Davis is seen to be the future of the league. A dominant forward who can play the 4 and 5. Whilst he is still a bit raw he has the potential that many GM's will be looking for. He is only 19 and so has a very long career ahead of him and its hard to argue that he will not at some point be the league best post defender. But unlike the others it depends on how badly you buy into his potential. Plus if the GM is prepared to wait to really compete. It could be a high risk great reward gamble with the number one pick.
So there we have it I am sure there are many more guys who people will look at with the number one pick but who would you choose?