Thoughts Before 2014 NBA Draft

I really don't know why. But watch the entire draft process in the U.S. is quite different from doing it back home in Taiwan. The all-day TV coverage? Maybe. Or the different news coming from different media outlets. Anyway, as the 2014 NBA Draft is just a day away, let me put down my thoughts about it.

1. Just a week ago, drafting Joel Embiid is like investing in the emerging market couple of years ago. He is the "high risk-high reward" type of player. But that was before he is diagnosed with a stress fracture. Now he looks like the second coming of Greg Oden. I will not bet on him if I were a GM with lottery pick(s). Second round? Maybe. But I am sure he is not going to slip that far.

2. Why the hell did Jabari Parker weigh in 254 lbs with 11% body fat? His offensive skills and his maturity are undeniable. But every time I watch him play, I cannot help but think he is out of shape and wonder how much better he can be if he had spent more time in the training room.

3. DO NOT DRAFT JABARI PARKER, CAVS. Get a player who wants to play for you. You will get more out of the player who wants to play for you, especially when he has higher ceiling than the one who does not.

4. Poor Sixers. After a season of "Tanking", they are not going to get the player they have been longing for. A young core of MCW, Nerlens Noel, and Andrew Wiggins would have been so exciting. MCW and Dante Exum? Not so much.

5. Such a pity for Isaiah Thomas. He just had his career year yet everyone is talking about the Kings needs a point guard. At this point, he is probably the most under-appreciated player in the NBA. Oh, the same can be said about Trey Burke.

6. That said, I am truly interested in watching Elfrid Payton play. The way all the analysts and scouts talked about him makes me think of another explosive point guard from another small school. Guess who? (Hint: The one who ended Rockets' season!)

7. The comparison between Julius Randle and Zach Randolph is almost unavoidable. Both are left-handed PF who can rebound very well. He is one of my favorite in this year's draft. I always draft him when I play the 'myGM Mode" in NBA2K14.

8. Gary Harris is next Eric Gordon. Maybe with better defense.

9. Please draft PJ Hairston, Bulls. You desperately need outside shooting and he can give you that. Remember the last time you drafted a junior shooting guard from North Carolina? Keep that in mind.

10. Mitch McGary might be the biggest steal of this draft. His stock plummeted because of his back injury and off-the-court issues. He can be a really nice addition to the Clippers' front court.

Now let us get excited for the Draft tomorrow!