The 2014 NBA draft in retrospect certainly wasn't the 2003 draft. Or, going back a bit further, 1984.
The 2014 edition already has had some can-miss prospects to date, led by the ever-expanding frame of injury-prone Joel Embiid.
No LeBrons or Jordans have emerged from the first draft to feature handshakes and photo ops with Commissioner Adam Silver.
Only one player, Andrew Wiggins, owns clear-cut future All-Star ability, though some others will eventually stand up and join him. Won't they?
The Philadelphia 76ers surely would like to redraft after taking Embiid third overall, but they don't have that luxury. Thankfully, we do.
Here's a redo of the lottery portion of the 2014 draft:
1) Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota, SF/SG
Originally drafted: 1
The draft's most capable scorer has started playing some defense in recent weeks. Minnesota has become a young, fun team and might even tiptoe into the dark den of the Western Conference playoffs. Wiggins deserves to be No. 1 all over again.
2) Elfrid Payton, Orlando, PG
Originally drafted: 10
The triple-double threat is the draft's best setup man. If he had a more reliable shot, he'd be a bigger scorer. But he doesn't, which is why he had 24 points against Minnesota and then went scoreless a handful of days later against Cleveland.
3) Jabari Parker, Milwaukee, SF
Originally drafted: 2
Gets the dreaded "Incomplete" grade more than any other 2014 draftee after rookie season was cut short by a torn knee ligament. (Embiid gets an "F," not an "I." Sorry, 76ers fans.)
4) Julius Randle, Lakers, PF
Originally drafted: 7
Of all the 2014 big men, he's closest to averaging a double-double. Still needs work on his outside shot and hasn't quite developed a finishing touch around the basket. Works hard, though, and is fun to watch barrel down the court after taking a defensive rebound.
5) Marcus Smart, Boston, PG
Originally drafted: 6
Hard-nosed player scored 26 points recently against Oklahoma City in a potential breakout game. But 36.2 percent accuracy is a problem so far in his young career.
6) Jordan Clarkson, Lakers, PG/SG
Originally drafted: 46
The redraft's largest chart-climber has shown proficiency with and without the ball. His main problem is his team -- the Lakers' awful start has created inconsistency for everybody. On the other hand, Clarkson's 14.9 points a game are coupled with 46.6 percent accuracy, a gift from the shooting gods compared to teammates Kobe Bryant (31.1 percent), Lou Williams (35.1 percent) and rookie D'Angelo Russell (40.1 percent).
7) Rodney Hood, Utah, SG
Originally drafted: 23
Starting to understand the NBA game after making the jump from sixth man to starter this season. Still miles behind Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors in Utah's pecking order.
8) Gary Harris, Denver, SG
Originally drafted: 19
Starter has come on lately as a scoring contributor in Nuggets' perky but unpredictable offense. Needs to work on filling out the stat sheet.
9) Zach LaVine, Minnesota, SG/PG
Originally drafted: 13
The Timberwolves tried and tried (and tried) to make him their starting point guard during exhibition season. Then they stopped trying and he became a good contributor off the bench.
10) Aaron Gordon, Orlando, PF
Originally drafted: 4
Gaining traction with rebounding and defensive efforts as Magic's sixth man. Lack of outside touch makes him a limited player on offense.
11) T.J. Warren, Phoenix, SF
Originally drafted: 14
Has become a dependable scorer as the Suns' sixth man. Like Harris, though, he needs to start filling out the stat sheet.
12) Jusuf Nurkic, Denver, C
Originally drafted: 16
Showed some scoring and shot-blocking ability as a rookie but hadn't played this season because of knee surgery in May. Center Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets' second-round pick in 2014, has put up good numbers recently and could steal some of Nurkic's time.
13) Clint Capela, Houston, C/PF
Originally drafted: 25
Has become a more-than-adequate replacement when Dwight Howard is out. This happens quite a bit.
14) Doug McDermott, Chicago, SF
Originally drafted: 11
Great college shooter is having trouble making inroads on a stacked Bulls roster. Maybe it's just a matter of time before he starts putting up Kyle Korver-type numbers. Maybe.
Notable dropouts, with original draft position: Embiid (3); Dante Exum (5); Nik Stauskas (8), Noah Vonleh (9), Dario Saric (12).
