NBA Rookies 2014: Top Stars Who Will Have Biggest Immediate Impact
The highly-touted 2014 NBA draft class had two standout blue-chip prospects in Andrew Wiggins of Kansas and Duke's Jabari Parker. Those two figure to be franchise-changing players, but both still have a lot to prove at the professional level.
While it's reasonable to expect both Wiggins and Parker will have moments of brilliance and strong overall 2014-15 seasons, they won't be the only ones making an immediate impression on the Association landscape.
Here is a closer look at how Parker and Wiggins fit in with their respective teams, along with another lottery pick who figures to loom large in year one.
Jabari Parker, PF/SF, Milwaukee Bucks
Parker is the likeliest starter among all rookies, so he figures to make the biggest splash of all of them.
Capable of playing the 3 or 4, Bucks coach Jason Kidd can deploy Parker at either position and have success. That depends on how exactly Kidd wants to utilize the unique talents of "Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo.
From the sounds of what Parker says, he will be a stretch 4 more often than not, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Charles F. Gardner:
"As of right now I'm more comfortable with the 4 position. That's where I played previously, before getting drafted, at Duke. I played a lot of 4. Even in high school. I know this is a different level.
But in coach's style of play, it's more a stretch 4. That's where I like to play my game, even though I like to post up a little. Just being on the perimeter, setting screens and popping, that's what we've been doing so far. That's what coach Kidd has been anticipating me playing that role.
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As reported by Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy, the 6'11" Antetokounmpo is actually adjusting to a new role as a point guard. There are few better coaches to learn the position from than Kidd, a sensational NBA floor general in his heyday.
Kidd had to adjust as coach of the Brooklyn Nets last year by placing Paul Pierce at the 4 in a smaller lineup when center Brook Lopez went down with an injury early in the season. The move brought the Nets from the brink of implosion to a hard-nosed playoff team.
The climate in Brooklyn brought the ultimate pressure on Kidd, as the team's roster was built on a championship-or-bust mentality. Key contributors like Parker and Antetokounmpo are still teenagers, so Kidd can mix and match to get a feel for how to best play with his intriguing, youthful nucleus.
With his stellar shooting range, underrated athleticism and back-to-the-basket game, Parker has a pro-ready arsenal of moves on offense on a team that desperately needs scoring. The skill set he has at power forward will be a mismatch for most opponents.
Julius Randle, PF, Los Angeles Lakers
The one-year wunderkind who helped lead Kentucky to the NCAA title game has room to make his presence felt in the NBA right away.
A strong value at No. 7 overall in the draft, Randle has all the tools to be an offensive force with his face-up game, array of post moves and strong finishing ability around the rim. Chris Geeter McGee of TWC SportsNet expects big things from the ex-Wildcat:
The tenacity Randle has as a rebounder and his level of hustle will also bode well for logging minutes.
Only aging veteran Carlos Boozer is clearly ahead of Randle at the power forward position, so the opportunity to crack the rotation—even the starting five, eventually—should be ripe.
Randle can handle the ball exceptionally well for his size, so he could see some time at the 3 when L.A. goes to a bigger lineup. That would create serious matchup problems, provided Randle pulls his weight on defense.
Benefiting from Boozer at his position as a mentor, a hopefully healthy Steve Nash as a rock-solid staple to run the offense and the legendary competitiveness of Kobe Bryant, the climate is ideal for Randle to thrive as a Laker in 2014-15.
Andrew Wiggins, SF/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
If he is placed as a 2-guard, Wiggins will begin the year behind incumbent starter Kevin Martin.
Wiggins has the best shot of any rookies to become a premier defender, since his quickness and length allow him to guard any perimeter position. Getting him on the floor will be a priority to make Minnesota more competitive, so Wiggins may wind up starting at small forward over Corey Brewer.
It's reasonable to see Minnesota's season playing out a certain way.
The Timberwolves are still at least a year or two away from contention in a deep Western Conference. Presuming the going is tough in the beginning, coach Flip Saunders will want to expedite the development process by playing his young prospects more.
That could actually benefit Minnesota in the immediate future, too. Ricky Rubio running the point will create numerous easy-bucket opportunities with his flashy, pinpoint passing, which is where Wiggins and fellow first-rounder Zach LaVine are at their best right now.
ESPN's Chris Palmer has high praise for the dazzling duo:
Athleticism doesn't translate to substance. Rather, it's usually a commentary on how raw a particular player is. That's to be expected at this beginning phase of Wiggins' career anyway.
The knock on the No. 1 overall pick of the draft is his jumper. How that develops will determine just how dangerous Wiggins is as a scorer. Some critics argue he isn't assertive or aggressive enough to be the cornerstone of an NBA franchise, either.
After the Cleveland Cavaliers traded him away to Minnesota in the blockbuster Kevin Love deal, Wiggins should already have a chip on his shoulder to prove himself, in spite of his gaudy draft status. It could accelerate Wiggins' seemingly inevitable path to NBA stardom.
