NBA prospect primer: Top 10 small forwards

CSNE

A. SHERROD BLAKLEY

BOSTON — Jeff Green set career highs in a number of statistical categories this past season, but near the end both Green and Celtics brass indicated the need for more talent going forward.

That help may come in the form of a small forward, Green's position, in June's NBA draft.

It has become the marquee position in the NBA and to the same degree, in this year's draft.

The Celtics are guaranteed to pick no worst than No. 8, but if they're fortunate enough to land one of the top 3 picks -- and they decide to keep it -- there's a very good chance  the selection would be a small forward.

Here are CSNNE.com's top 10 small forwards in this year's NBA draft.

1. Andrew Wiggins, 6-8, 200, Kansas

STRENGTHS

* Best athlete in the draft

* Has elite defensive skills

* His first step + his long strides = long night for most defenders

* Got better as the season progressed

WEAKNESSES

* Tends to float in and out of games at times

* Needs to get stronger

* Has yet to develop the killer instinct that the great ones possess

* Long range shooting very much a work in progress
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2. Jabari Parker, 6-8, 235, Duke

STRENGTHS

* Has an NBA body

* Versatile scorer

* High basketball I.Q.

* Extremely competitive

WEAKNESSES

* Struggles defensively, especially in pick and rolls

* Shot selection sketchy at times

* Lateral quickness may be an issue at both ends of the floor

* Settles for jumpers too often

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3. Rodney Hood, 6-8, 215, Duke

STRENGTHS

*  Lefty who shoots well from all points on the floor

* Makes good decisions with the ball in his hands

* Recognizes mismatches and often exploits them

* Excellent shooting mechanics

WEAKNESSES

* Defense lacks intensity, consistency

* Needs to get stronger

* Rarely attacks the rim

* Below-average rebounder for his size
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4. Kyle Anderson, 6-8, 233, UCLA

STRENGTHS

* Arguably the most versatile player in the draft, can play at least three positions

* Has 7-2 wing span

* Great court vision

* High basketball I.Q.

WEAKNESSES

* Below-average athleticism (hence the nickname, 'Slo-Mo')

* Creating his own shot challenging at times

* Perimeter shooting needs work

* Defense not bad, but potentially problematic against smaller guards
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5. Dario Saric, 6-10, 233, Croatia

STRENGTHS

* Can play multiple positions in the frontcourt

* Good rebounder

* Handles the ball well enough to initiate transition offense

WEAKNESSES

* Below-average athleticism

* Defensive tweener (too slow for NBA 3s, not strong enough for NBA 4s)

* Turnover prone

* Shooting mechanics, touch both need work

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6. Doug McDermott, 6-7, 225, Creighton

STRENGTHS

* High basketball I.Q.

* Prolific scorer

* Plays well without the ball

WEAKNESSES

* Below-average athleticism

* Tweener (too slow to play SF, not big/strong enough to play PF)

* Below-average ball handler

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7. T.J. Warren, 6-8, 225, N.C. State

STRENGTHS

* Come hell or high water, he finds a way to get buckets

*  Runs the floor extremely well

* Excellent mid-range shooter

WEAKNESSES

* Below-average lateral quickness

* Tweener (Is he a super-sized small forward, or  undersized power forward?)

* Not much of a passer

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8. Jerami Grant, 6-8, 210, Syracuse University

STRENGTHS

* Has 7-2 wing span

* Excellent shot blocker for his size and position

* Good offensive rebounder

WEAKNESSES

* Extremely raw talent

* Below-average ball handler

* Perimeter game, a major question mark
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9. Cleanthony Early, 6-8, 220, Wichita State

STRENGTHS

* Good slasher, finisher around the rim

* Excellent strength for his size and position

* Does a good job of exploiting mismatches in his favor

WEAKNESSES

* Mechanics (his jumpers have little to no arc on them)

* Below-average passer

* At 23 years old, upside seems somewhat limited going forward
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10. C.J. Fair, 6-7, 215, Syracuse University

STRENGTHS

* Lefty with a solid mid-range game

* Great mechanics, fluid release on his shooting form

* Moves well without the ball

WEAKNESSES

* Defense hard to project at the next level coming out of Syracuse's zone system

* Creating own shot at next level will be challenging

* Not a deep range threat despite really good shot form

Surprised no K.J. McDaniels on this list, would love to see him in green with the second 1st rounder this year. I got to watch McDaniels play at the Dome this year vs. Syracuse, amazing athlete and his NIT Performances backed it up.

As far as the Syracuse guys, I am a huge Jerami Grant fan. He won Syracuse the Duke game this year and was by far their most athletic and consistent player all year. He can't shoot, can't handle the ball, and hasn't had to play defense but hey, why not. He certainly plays above the rim and has incredible athleticism, and I have a good relationship with him off the court. Actually I just ran into him today on campus.



CJ Fair is different. Really quiet guy, stayed for four years, and quite frankly not going to amaze you with anything. Nice lefty touch, and I see him best case being very similar to a Thaddeus Young kind of player, which certainly is not a bad thing. He shot many more 3's his senior years and fell a little too in love with it, so I'll be curious if he could stretch it out even further in the NBA.

Also, today was Syracuse's "Mayfest", which is just another reason to go out and wear a Paul Pierce jersey and get hammered. Nothing quite like opening your dorm door and running into the likely NBA Rookie of the Year (Carter-Williams) hitting on some girls. But hey, whatever works.

Hey Marcus, you're getting chummy with the elite. Sounds like you're well immersed in what's going to be a super four years at SU.

Sam

Boy Marcus you made that transition really easily, you must be smooth, like Sam back in the day when he schmoozed his way to hang out with the Celtics.

Well I wouldn't quite go that far, but it is really neat to get to know a couple guys then see them have the ability to go to the NBA. IF the Celtics do take a Syracuse guy (Ennis, Grant, or Fair), lets pray they turn out better than the last two.

Sam

Remember that first board get together in 08?

And the bouncing? Seems we all left you in a tough spot if I recall.


beat

My list (based on my combined draft rankings):
EDITED to include this weeks mock draft updates ( Numbers are overall rank)

1. Wiggins
3. Parker
10. McDermott
13. Saric
14. Hood
15. Anderson
17. Warren
21. J. Grant
25. KJ McDaniels
THIS IS MY FIRST ROUND LINE

31. G. Robinson
43. LaQuinton Ross
52. Thanasis Antetokounmpo
53. Melvin Ejim