2014 NBA Redraft: A tale of two big men and two missed picks

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nuggets 97-92, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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#1 Pick: Joel Embiid (Originally: Andrew Wiggins)

This was a tossup between two players, ultimately coming down to personal preference. I fully understand the injury concerns with Joel Embiid and if you wanted to take the other player I would not fault you for it.

And yet, Embiid is the truest definition of what a franchise star is. He has the biggest personality and is the most marketable player in this draft. While that is not the only thing that matters at the top of the draft, it helps set him apart.

The other things that set him apart are his worst scoring season is equal to the best scoring season of the man who will go second in this draft and Embiid did that in only 25.4 minutes per game.

Embiid is also a better rebounder (career 11.5 rebounds per game, 13.6 per game in his best season) and defensive player than the next player in this draft. Also, he has a semi-reliable 3-point shot, averaging 34.8 percent from distance this season.

You cannot go wrong with either prospect but there was a reason Embiid was slated to go number one in this draft before injuries put a pause on things. That will always be a concern for the big man. But he is unstoppable when on the court.

Moving on, with the second pick in the 2014 NBA Redraft, the Milwaukee Bucks select…

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