Christmas was yesterday for most, but for NBA draft enthusiasts, it’s six months and one day away. June 27th is the date for this year’s selection meeting, and with so much attention focused on the 2014 draft class, we’ll be hearing plenty about it between now and then. Here’s the latest:
- Athleticism, size, scoring touch and an ability to play both guard spots have made Zach LaVine the fastest riser among this year’s draft class, as Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv examines. The UCLA freshman is No. 39 among the DraftExpress top 100 prospects, but he’s No. 10 on the ESPN Insider draft board and No. 6 at NBADraft.net. Still, LaVine’s production has slipped in his latest performances, as ESPN’s Joe Kaiser points out in an Insider piece.
- HoopsWorld’s Steve Kyler unveils his latest mock, with Jabari Parker at the top. LaVine checks in at No. 28.
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe joins those calling for a rules change that would bar college freshmen like Parker and LaVine from entering the draft. Washburn points to the career of Lakers forward Shawne Williams, the first true freshman taken under the “one-and-done” rule, as an example of what can go wrong.