Kansas big man Joel Embiid was a total unknown entering this college basketball season. Even though he has major back issues, and often played like a freshman for the Jayhawks this past season, he still ascended to the value of a top three overall draft pick. Some even rated his NBA Draft stock as top pick worthy.
Now Joel Embiid is out 4-6 months with a foot fracture. By the time he finally plays in the NBA, he may become obscure again. Sort of.
At least obscure in a Nerlens Noel kind of way.
Here to break it down is our very own David Kmiecik, who had the most accurate NBA mock draft the past three years.
Here’s his latest NBA Mock Draft, first round and second round. Kmiecik appeared on 87.7 The Game Chicago to talk NBA Draft, the Jabari Parker versus Andrew Wiggins debate, the slide of Joel Embiid, who the Chicago Bulls will take with their two picks in the top 20, Kentucky’s Julius Randle, and much much more.
Listen here.
Two things we are CERTAIN about: the Cavaliers had a total disaster with their first overall pick last season. In hindsight, Anthony Bennett was the biggest disaster possible, so the Cavs REALLY need to slam dunk this pick. Secondly, this draft is light years ahead of last year’s in talent. Bennett would probably go 10th or 11th in this year’s class.
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also a frequent guest on talk shows across the world. Banks has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including NFL.com, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Deadspin, ESPN, Washington Times, NBC and the History Channel. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)