2016 NBA Draft thread

[slinslin]

Zizic isn't as big as Zubac, but he's putting up incredible production for a 19-year-old in the Adriatic league. It might be a smart move for the Suns to use both their late 1st and early 2nd on draft-and-stash bigs and see who develops. There is an abundance of foreign bigs with potential this year. (assuming they enter the draft)

Zizic, Zubac would be great picks at 28 and 33. I would even pick both but I don't think they are great draft and stash candidates.

Bogdan was more ready to contribute on top european teams when drafted. Zizic and Zubac are talents, they are unlikely to get lots of playing time on a european top team if the Suns draft them so you might just as well bring them over and develop them in practice.

Like I said European Centers in the late first round or early 2nd have been pretty good value picks, you can't do much wrong there.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

It's my understanding that they both (Zizic and Zubac) play in the Adriatic league. It's not a top, top league, but it has produced a large amount of NBA players and draft picks, including Jokic and Nurkic.

Zizic gets 25 minutes per game already for Cibona and is actually the top producer on that entire team. He is putting up historic numbers for a player his age.

From what I could piece together online (there isn't a ton of info in English), Zubac has an injury right now, but he was recently moved to Mega Leks. That team is unique because it relies on a core of young players. All of their starters are young, and their leading scorer is the 20-year-old Luwawu.

I think, given their unique situations, they should be able to get playing time to develop even if their teams know they are leaving soon for the NBA.

That said, if you drafted one of them, I don't see the harm in having him practice against Len and Chandler and develop that way. Zizic, I think, could even come in and make a contribution early on given his reputation as an energy player who rebounds at a high level.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I am strongly leaning towards Labissiere if we draft between #3-6 unless he compeltely disappears again.

At that point the decision is drafting a project between Labissiere or Bender, I favor Labissiere. Not too long ago he outplayed Towns.

DX moved him back up to #10 now already. 7', can shoot, 7'2 wingspan, 35" vertical.

A Len/Labissiere frontcourt sounds promising.

Labissiere scares me, especially with our top pick, but it's hard to ignore his upside. In that 3-6 range I think the Suns should take the player with the most upside, even if he's a gamble, but I need to wrap my mind around drafting Skal given that most of the year he's been seen as an epic bust.

Hopefully, it's not an issue. I really, really, really want Simmons or Ingram. The Suns are certainly overdue for a little luck.

 

[Russ Smith]

At this point it is qiute unlikely that Labissiere will declare this draft.

From what i've read he has to, he won't be academically eligible next season.

 

[Catlover]

From what i've read he has to, he won't be academically eligible next season.

Couldn't Simmons tutor him?

 

[slinslin]

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[ColdPickleNachos]

I've got to admit, that video makes a compelling case. Labissiere needs to add a significant amount of strength, but that is true of many top prospects. What excites me is his jumper. He has beautiful form, and his release point is epic. He gets so high on that beautiful jump shot!

As scary as it would be to draft a guy who couldn't contribute much in college for the better part of the season, the thought of pairing Skal with Len and having two bigs with the mobility and length they would present is enticing.

Andre Drummond never looked very good in college, and he ended up being a huge steal at #9. I know they are very different players, but their career trajectory could be similar. Drummond put up better stats, but only because he played more minutes. He was very underwhelming in college.

 

[Errntknght]

Geez, could we draft the entire Kentucky team.

 

[Mainstreet]

Geez, could we draft the entire Kentucky team.

This is not a bad thought. Although the Suns cannot draft the entire Kentucky roster, they do provide a good source for NBA players.

 

[sunsfan88]

Geez, could we draft the entire Kentucky team.

Then maybe we can get Callipari to come coach them too

 

[Phrazbit]

Then maybe we can get Callipari to come coach them too

I'd rather not. He is a phenomenal recruiter and a really mediocre (probably being kind) Xs and Os coach. He belongs in college, in the NBA he sucks.

 

[Russ Smith]

Skal was great in that game. It was over and over they'd triple Simmons he'd make a great pass and then Skal would come over and block the shot or make the kid miss.

Best I've seen of him.

 

[Russ Smith]

Couldn't Simmons tutor him?

Simmons wasn't eligible for the Wooden award no idea if he'd be eligible to come back but obviously won't matter. There are apparently a few kids in that same boat one and done no matter what because they don't have the grades to come back.

 

[Catlover]

Simmons wasn't eligible for the Wooden award no idea if he'd be eligible to come back but obviously won't matter. There are apparently a few kids in that same boat one and done no matter what because they don't have the grades to come back.

It was a weak attempt at humor based on him being declared ineligible for the Wooder. You know, blind leading the blind?

It's hard to blame these kids for ignoring their schoolwork, they already know where their future lies. Or at least where they think their future lies and to them, that's all that matters.

 

[Russ Smith]

It was a weak attempt at humor based on him being declared ineligible for the Wooder. You know, blind leading the blind?

It's hard to blame these kids for ignoring their schoolwork, they already know where their future lies. Or at least where they think their future lies and to them, that's all that matters.

Some ******* at USA Today wrote a column about it and blamed John Wooden, said he was sanctimonius etc. What a tool, I have no problem with Ben Simmons deciding that he's going to be rich soon so why bother to go to class, which was reported as the reason he was suspended for 4 minutes recently.

But make no mistake, if you can't maintain a 2.0 at LSU, as a basketball star, for 8 months, you CHOSE that. He's not in over his head academically he's just not bothering to try because he knows he's going pro. He has a perfect right to do so, but for a reporter to blast the rules of the Wooden award, which have been around forever, is nonsense. John Wall made the honor roll at UK while he was there and then admitted later he didn't even know the name of the math class he got an A in. Shaq has admitted multiple times he only attended the classes that interested him and skipped the rest. Jokes about it now that he has a son in highschool he's pushing to be a better student than he was.

If you are Ben Simmons and you know you're about to get rich by all means do what he's doing, but for a reporter to blast the award rules when it's that easy to maintain a 2.0 is nonsense.

The farce is that they even have to pretend to be students in the first place but that's on the NCAA and the colleges, not the Wooden Award.

 

[Catlover]

Some ******* at USA Today wrote a column about it and blamed John Wooden, said he was sanctimonius etc. What a tool, I have no problem with Ben Simmons deciding that he's going to be rich soon so why bother to go to class, which was reported as the reason he was suspended for 4 minutes recently.

But make no mistake, if you can't maintain a 2.0 at LSU, as a basketball star, for 8 months, you CHOSE that. He's not in over his head academically he's just not bothering to try because he knows he's going pro. He has a perfect right to do so, but for a reporter to blast the rules of the Wooden award, which have been around forever, is nonsense. John Wall made the honor roll at UK while he was there and then admitted later he didn't even know the name of the math class he got an A in. Shaq has admitted multiple times he only attended the classes that interested him and skipped the rest. Jokes about it now that he has a son in highschool he's pushing to be a better student than he was.

If you are Ben Simmons and you know you're about to get rich by all means do what he's doing, but for a reporter to blast the award rules when it's that easy to maintain a 2.0 is nonsense.

The farce is that they even have to pretend to be students in the first place but that's on the NCAA and the colleges, not the Wooden Award.

I didn't know about the article. I agree, what a tool. It's not an award for the basketball player most likely to be drafted first and it comes with requirements. Work to change it or promote another award that doesn't include any academic restrictions but taking a cheap shot at Wooden is unwarranted.

 

[Errntknght]

Some ******* at USA Today wrote a column about it and blamed John Wooden, said he was sanctimonius etc. What a tool, I have no problem with Ben Simmons deciding that he's going to be rich soon so why bother to go to class, which was reported as the reason he was suspended for 4 minutes recently.

But make no mistake, if you can't maintain a 2.0 at LSU, as a basketball star, for 8 months, you CHOSE that. He's not in over his head academically he's just not bothering to try because he knows he's going pro. He has a perfect right to do so, but for a reporter to blast the rules of the Wooden award, which have been around forever, is nonsense. John Wall made the honor roll at UK while he was there and then admitted later he didn't even know the name of the math class he got an A in. Shaq has admitted multiple times he only attended the classes that interested him and skipped the rest. Jokes about it now that he has a son in highschool he's pushing to be a better student than he was.

If you are Ben Simmons and you know you're about to get rich by all means do what he's doing, but for a reporter to blast the award rules when it's that easy to maintain a 2.0 is nonsense.

The farce is that they even have to pretend to be students in the first place but that's on the NCAA and the colleges, not the Wooden Award.

The really sad thing about college athletics is not the guys that can go on to the pros but the other 95% - who nevertheless adopt the same view of education as the top ones. The guys I knew from the minor sports - gymnastics, swimming/diving, and track in my case - were not like that. They expected to do their homework and take their tests like everyone else - and they wanted that diploma! I 'tutored' six guys who played basketball or football and with none of them was there a discussion of the subject matter they were supposed to learn. All they wanted was someone to fix their grade. One of them went on to the pros but the other five were marginally successful in college and didn't even graduate. An unrealistic idea of how to get along in the world was about all they took away from their college days. (My sorrow for them is theoretical because personally they as bad of jerks as they sound like.)

 

[slinslin]

Brandon Ingram is struggling lately.

Kris Dunn is overrated. I am not even sure if he is the best player on his own team. Ben Bentil(38 points last night) might be simply better and younger than him.

Jaylen Brown also struggling and has ways to go.

Good lord I pray that we are not getting in a situation where we have to chose one of Brown, Dunn, Poetl or Bender. Bender scares me so much because I am not even sure if he is the best best or third best Croatian prospect in the draft (Zubac and Zizic could both be better).

Noteworthy games from last night

Ivan Rabb 21 points 15 rebounds 1 assist 4 blocks vs Oregon St

Gary Payton II 20 points 17 rebounds 2 assists 2 steals 2 blocks vs California

GPII is already 23 (only 1 year younger than Knight) and a limited playmaker. But he is a great defender, good size, good athlete. He looks like a solid 3rd string PG. He could take Ronnie Price's job.
Also the whole 2nd generation thing which is a plus I think especially when we will have 2-3 first round picks.

 

[overseascardfan]

Keep an eye on Zach Auguste of ND. He had a monster game against Duke last night and has had a very good SR year. I could see him sneaking into Round 1 maybe mid first round if he has a great tournament.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

The ESPN lottery mock draft simulator is now up. I would link to it, but I don't have enough posts. I ran the simulation five times. The Suns got the #1 pick once and the #2 pick twice!

 

[Ronin]

The ESPN lottery mock draft simulator is now up. I would link to it, but I don't have enough posts. I ran the simulation five times. The Suns got the #1 pick once and the #2 pick twice!

 

[GatorAZ]

Jamal Murray is going top-5 with his shooting abilities.

 

[sunsfan88]

I'm predicting now that at the very least, one of either Murray or Skal will be drafted by the Suns in the draft. Their the two best Kentucky players and they will likely be available with at least one of the Suns picks.

McD's admiration for Kentucky players can't go overlooked. And after the success that the Kentucky players he brought to the Suns have had, can't really blame him either.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'm predicting now that at the very least, one of either Murray or Skal will be drafted by the Suns in the draft. Their the two best Kentucky players and they will likely be available with at least one of the Suns picks.

McD's admiration for Kentucky players can't go overlooked. And after the success that the Kentucky players he brought to the Suns have had, can't really blame him either.

It has nothing to do with that they went to Kentucky. It's because Kentucky routinely gets half of the top 10 recruits every season.

 

[Catlover]

It has nothing to do with that they went to Kentucky. It's because Kentucky routinely gets half of the top 10 recruits every season.

Correct. We want these guys for the same reason Kentucky wanted them.