2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[JCSunsfan]

Let's hope it happens this way for the sake of humanity.
Otherwise, no prisoners will be taken.

Cannot do that. My new Surface 2 hits my desk tomorrow. Sweet.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Actually his lateral quickness is questionable at best. He's a disinterested defender and, offensively, no one has convinced him that he shares the floor with other players. He has some skills but he's very inconsistent even in his strong areas. I would not want to spend the 16th pick on someone whose ceiling is Tobias Harris. He doesn't seem like the kind of player that will ever get close to his ceiling.

Fair enough. Agree to disagree. I dont think hes shown anything near what hes capable of defensively, which is part of the issue. That said, I think he would be fine defending the 3 and 4 in the NBA, athletically. Hes not locking anyone down though.

Also, Tobias is a quality NBA player, capable of being a 3rd option on a good team. If thats his ceiling, thats not bad at all. He is only 18 too.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

They don't really run the dribble drive anymore, or not that much. They've been more pick and roll for several years. Partly because Calipari got feedback from NBA people that his kids were unprepared for the NBA because the dribble drive uses no pick and roll, mainly clearouts or handoffs.

Yeah thats true. Cal does like his guys to stick to the roles he asks them to play as well. Not saying Knox has all kinds of off the dribble game we havent seen, but you spread the floor around him at the 4 and I think his game looks a bit better, as hes attacking closeouts instead of leading your offense.

 

[Mainstreet]

Cannot do that. My new Surface 2 hits my desk tomorrow. Sweet.

So are they making them now?

 

[Mainstreet]

Fair enough. Agree to disagree. I dont think hes shown anything near what hes capable of defensively, which is part of the issue. That said, I think he would be fine defending the 3 and 4 in the NBA, athletically. Hes not locking anyone down though.

Also, Tobias is a quality NBA player, capable of being a 3rd option on a good team. If thats his ceiling, thats not bad at all. He is only 18 too.

Like Tobias Harris a lot. I thought the Clippers upgraded their roster with him in lieu of Blake Griffin.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Like Tobias Harris a lot. I thought the Clippers upgraded their roster with him in lieu of Blake Griffin.

Surprisingly, I was one of the few who loved that deal from the Clippers end (of the people I speak and interact with). I know the organization was ecstatic. That was a really good deal on the Clippers end. Not that it cant work out for the Pistons, but that contract is going to be brutal later in his career.

 

[Mainstreet]

Surprisingly, I was one of the few who loved that deal from the Clippers end (of the people I speak and interact with). I know the organization was ecstatic. That was a really good deal on the Clippers end. Not that it cant work out for the Pistons, but that contract is going to be brutal later in his career.

We are part of the few.

Griffin's contract is ridiculous.

 

[Hoop Head]

Even if Knox ends up like Tobias Harris, I'm not sure what more you can expect from the 16th pick in the draft. That's a solid addition at that spot, IMO. Harris is a 6th man at worst. He's had a good career so far on bad teams. Now that he's on the Clippers I expect we'll see him reach his potential because he won't be held back by a system ran through Drummond or that's a complete mess, like what he dealt with in Orlando. He's a guy who can get 15 and 7 every night easily. That's not great but it's solid and the Suns would do well to add a forward like that.

 

[Mainstreet]

Even if Knox ends up like Tobias Harris, I'm not sure what more you can expect from the 16th pick in the draft. That's a solid addition at that spot, IMO. Harris is a 6th man at worst. He's had a good career so far on bad teams. Now that he's on the Clippers I expect we'll see him reach his potential because he won't be held back by a system ran through Drummond or that's a complete mess, like what he dealt with in Orlando. He's a guy who can get 15 and 7 every night easily. That's not great but it's solid and the Suns would do well to add a forward like that.

Dislike bringing up age, but Knox is only 18. Lots of upside for this young man if a team is patient.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Even if Knox ends up like Tobias Harris, I'm not sure what more you can expect from the 16th pick in the draft. That's a solid addition at that spot, IMO. Harris is a 6th man at worst. He's had a good career so far on bad teams. Now that he's on the Clippers I expect we'll see him reach his potential because he won't be held back by a system ran through Drummond or that's a complete mess, like what he dealt with in Orlando. He's a guy who can get 15 and 7 every night easily. That's not great but it's solid and the Suns would do well to add a forward like that.

I'd be thrilled if he ended up like Tobias Harris given that it's a 16th pick. But few players ever reach their peak. And with Knox, I just don't find any reason to believe he'll even come close to that peak. Each to their own though.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Surprisingly, I was one of the few who loved that deal from the Clippers end (of the people I speak and interact with). I know the organization was ecstatic. That was a really good deal on the Clippers end. Not that it cant work out for the Pistons, but that contract is going to be brutal later in his career.

really? seemed like everyone in LA I know and on the radio knew Blake was an albatross once the season started and we're happy about the trade.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If the Suns have Doncic at the top of their draft board right now then I hope they get the #2 pick in the lottery. Picking him before Ayton, or while Ayton is on the board, would cause Suns fans to lose their minds. Doncic may end up being the better player statistically but I think Ayton will be more impactful.

I think Ayton ends up better statistically and more impactful.

I really think people are sleeping on just how ridiculously talented Ayton already is at such a young age. Even with motor concerns and what I believe to be atrocious coaching, the guy put up 20/12/2 on 60% shooting. And that's not his "per" which extrapolates hypotheticals.

Those are RAW STATS... as a freshman.

If the Suns take Doncic over him... especially while they already have TWO GREAT WINGS, they'll only prove why they've been one of the laughingstocks of the league for the better part of a decade, IMO.

Doncic at 2, 3 or 4? Sure. I pretty much have no problems there. But the level of talent, size, speed and polished game at such a young age isn't just rare, it's practically unheard of. They just need to make sure they have the right staff to get the best out of that kid because the sky is literally the limit for him... and the floor is probably the highest in the draft. At worst, that kid is going to be a 15/10/2 guy, IMO, barring injury of course.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I those mushrooms must’ve been extra strong because no way you ever dunked on a 9.5 foot rim.

they were suuuuuuuuuuuper strong.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I think Ayton ends up better statistically and more impactful.

I really think people are sleeping on just how ridiculously talented Ayton already is at such a young age. Even with motor concerns and what I believe to be atrocious coaching, the guy put up 20/12/2 on 60% shooting. And that's not his "per" which extrapolates hypotheticals.

Those are RAW STATS... as a freshman.

If the Suns take Doncic over him... especially while they already have TWO GREAT WINGS, they'll only prove why they've been one of the laughingstocks of the league for the better part of a decade, IMO.

Doncic at 2, 3 or 4? Sure. I pretty much have no problems there. But the level of talent, size, speed and polished game at such a young age isn't just rare, it's practically unheard of. They just need to make sure they have the right staff to get the best out of that kid because the sky is literally the limit for him... and the floor is probably the highest in the draft. At worst, that kid is going to be a 15/10/2 guy, IMO, barring injury of course.

I consider myself a Doncic guy, but if you get the chance to take Ayton...you take Ayton.

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[Cheesebeef]

I consider myself a Doncic guy, but if you get the chance to take Ayton...you take Ayton.

ya.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So are they making them now?

Excuse me SurfaceBook 2. Yup. Terabyte. Docking station. The works.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think Ayton ends up better statistically and more impactful.

I really think people are sleeping on just how ridiculously talented Ayton already is at such a young age. Even with motor concerns and what I believe to be atrocious coaching, the guy put up 20/12/2 on 60% shooting. And that's not his "per" which extrapolates hypotheticals.

Those are RAW STATS... as a freshman.

If the Suns take Doncic over him... especially while they already have TWO GREAT WINGS, they'll only prove why they've been one of the laughingstocks of the league for the better part of a decade, IMO.

Doncic at 2, 3 or 4? Sure. I pretty much have no problems there. But the level of talent, size, speed and polished game at such a young age isn't just rare, it's practically unheard of. They just need to make sure they have the right staff to get the best out of that kid because the sky is literally the limit for him... and the floor is probably the highest in the draft. At worst, that kid is going to be a 15/10/2 guy, IMO, barring injury of course.

They won’t take Doncic over him. They just won’t. First, McD loves bigs. And when asked if hiring Igor meant they were drafting Doncic he immediately said no and mentioned Ayton as a possibility.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think Ayton ends up better statistically and more impactful.

I really think people are sleeping on just how ridiculously talented Ayton already is at such a young age. Even with motor concerns and what I believe to be atrocious coaching, the guy put up 20/12/2 on 60% shooting. And that's not his "per" which extrapolates hypotheticals.

Those are RAW STATS... as a freshman.

If the Suns take Doncic over him... especially while they already have TWO GREAT WINGS, they'll only prove why they've been one of the laughingstocks of the league for the better part of a decade, IMO.

Doncic at 2, 3 or 4? Sure. I pretty much have no problems there. But the level of talent, size, speed and polished game at such a young age isn't just rare, it's practically unheard of. They just need to make sure they have the right staff to get the best out of that kid because the sky is literally the limit for him... and the floor is probably the highest in the draft. At worst, that kid is going to be a 15/10/2 guy, IMO, barring injury of course.

Put this way. Ayton is better than Bagley in every skill AND he is longer, stronger and probably faster.

 

[Raindog]

Taking Ayton is a no-brainer. I guess we'll find out if the Suns currently have any brains, assuming they end up picking first.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

really? seemed like everyone in LA I know and on the radio knew Blake was an albatross once the season started and we're happy about the trade.

There are about a handful of pro-Clipper radio personalities out here. Marcellus Wiley being the biggest. I thought he was gonna walk out of the studio he was so upset.

I wanted them to re-sign him, but thought the full, five-year max, was too much. Was hoping we would find a way to flip him, and that deal is about as good as one you can possible receive in return.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I think Ayton ends up better statistically and more impactful.

I really think people are sleeping on just how ridiculously talented Ayton already is at such a young age. Even with motor concerns and what I believe to be atrocious coaching, the guy put up 20/12/2 on 60% shooting. And that's not his "per" which extrapolates hypotheticals.

Those are RAW STATS... as a freshman.

If the Suns take Doncic over him... especially while they already have TWO GREAT WINGS, they'll only prove why they've been one of the laughingstocks of the league for the better part of a decade, IMO.

Doncic at 2, 3 or 4? Sure. I pretty much have no problems there. But the level of talent, size, speed and polished game at such a young age isn't just rare, it's practically unheard of. They just need to make sure they have the right staff to get the best out of that kid because the sky is literally the limit for him... and the floor is probably the highest in the draft. At worst, that kid is going to be a 15/10/2 guy, IMO, barring injury of course.

Been saying it since October, but Ayton's upside is virtually unlimited offensively. Defensively, he needs some work and if he reaches his peak and overcomes his deficiencies on that end, dude is HOF caliber.

 

[Cheesebeef]

There are about a handful of pro-Clipper radio personalities out here. Marcellus Wiley being the biggest. I thought he was gonna walk out of the studio he was so upset.

I wanted them to re-sign him, but thought the full, five-year max, was too much. Was hoping we would find a way to flip him, and that deal is about as good as one you can possible receive in return.

Yeah, but come on. I listen to Marcellus also and he is an IDIOT for the most part, especially when I.T comes to basketball and even more especially (great grammar I know) when I.T comes to his Clippers. Most of the callers were supportive of the move as were all the Laker honks in the radio who were surprised they got away with moving that contract.

 

[Phrazbit]

Yeah, but come on. I listen to Marcellus also and he is an IDIOT for the most part, especially when I.T comes to basketball and even more especially (great grammar I know) when I.T comes to his Clippers. Most of the callers were supportive of the move as were all the Laker honks in the radio who were surprised they got away with moving that contract.

I feel like you guys are arguing the same side of the coin.

Boldin is saying that the deal the Clippers got to dump Griffin is about as good as they could hope for, you're saying the Clippers fans were surprised they could move it at all.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Really good article on Bamba:

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/5/10/17337970/mo-bamba-nba-draft-lottery

The ability to work hard and be intrinsically motivated to improve is huge. My guess is most top prospects are following this type of routine, but it's still good to know.

I really like Bamba. If we fall to 4th or even 3rd, I think he's worth strong consideration.

 

[elindholm]

Doncic at 2, 3 or 4? Sure. I pretty much have no problems there.

Whew, for a while I read that as you endorsing Doncic to play PF for the Suns.