2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[Russ Smith]

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.

The surprise in there to me is where he says he planned on beign a 1 and done since his soph year of HS. I always believed he was the most likely of the high lottery guys to possibly stay 2 years because of his academics, guess he never really even considered it

 

[JCSunsfan]

The surprise in there to me is where he says he planned on beign a 1 and done since his soph year of HS. I always believed he was the most likely of the high lottery guys to possibly stay 2 years because of his academics, guess he never really even considered it

He is really smart. So he is coming out now, which is the smart thing to do.

 

[SirStefan32]

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

BC would have a heart attack.

 

[Mainstreet]

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

Just looked it up. Sounds awesome.

I'm expecting expecting you to post 3 times more.

 

[Covert Rain]

I'm sure there will be a mob mentality on the Suns forum if this happens and it won't be pretty.

Not just here. When the Suns dropped last time, TWITTER EXPLODED with how the Suns got screwed and not just by Suns fans.

 

[Mainstreet]

Not just here. When the Suns dropped last time, TWITTER EXPLODED with how the Suns got screwed and not just by Suns fans.

If the Suns drop again, especially to #4, it will the same and likely worse.

It is too late for this draft lottery, but teams who have never had a first round pick in franchise history should have better odds.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

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 dont take anythine from Marcellus' basketball opinions. They couldnt be further from mine at all. The Laker homers were excited because "typical Clippers", and "this is going to look terrible when they try to make a pitch to any free agent", none of which is true. A few mentioned how they were surprised at how well they did on the CP3 and Blake deals, mainly people like Ireland who are NBA guys.

 

[BC867]

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.

BC would have a heart attack.

I was about to post that I wouldn't put it past our Suns.

And, Stef, thank you for your health concern. I've been a Suns fan for almost half a century and my heart hasn't attacked me yet.

 

[Covert Rain]

If the Suns drop again, especially to #4, it will the same and likely worse.

It is too late for this draft lottery, but teams who have never had a first round pick in franchise history should have better odds.

It gets worse after this year as the new rules have already been announced. The worst team won't have much of an advantage going forward.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Fill in the blank. Of the top 7 players. Multiple players allowed.

"If we end up with ________________________________ it will be a real let down."

 

[elindholm]

Fill in the blank. Of the top 7 players. Multiple players allowed.

"If we end up with ________________________________ it will be a real let down."

AnyoneOtherThanAyton

 

[SirStefan32]

Bamba, probably.

 

[Errntknght]

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.

Thanks for posting the article about Bamba... he's the reason I'm not worried about drafting fourth, though I can imagine McD going with Trae Young instead despite the fact we are much more in need of frontcourt talent than a PG, especially a rather frail defensive liability. After reading that article, I've moved him up on a par with Bagley - he's always been ahead of Doncic though because of the better fit, and I almost always take D over O.

 

[Phrazbit]

D is more about scheme than players, interior bigs are have a hard ceiling on how much they can impact a game.

The only thing I'm sure Bamba will do in the NBA is lurk around for weakside blocks. You don't take that guy in a draft filled with dudes who've shown multiple NBA level skills.

 

[Raindog]

AnyoneOtherThanAyton

This, mostly. Although I wouldn't be too broken up over coming away with Bagley, who I think will instantly be an impact player, too. The rest of the players in this draft all have varying degrees of risk IMO, so anyone beyond those two will be very "wait-and-see" kinds of prospects.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'd also like to point out that the best 3 defensive centers in the league all just got wrecked by teams who rely on wings and guards.

 

[Raindog]

I'd also like to point out that the best 3 defensive centers in the league all just got wrecked by teams who rely on wings and guards.

Maybe... but the present by no means guarantees the future. And those three centers are youngsters on (mostly) young teams getting their first taste of the playoffs, while those wing/guard dominated teams are all veteran loaded teams that will probably be fading away in another year or two.

The Suns have to be looking three or four years down the road, because that's where their developmental timeline is. Who's to say that NO, Philly, and Utah won't be the teams we will have to be competing against for dominance in 2021 or so? It's extremely certain that it won't be GS, Cleveland, and Houston we will have to be worrying about then - at least not in their current configurations.

Possible exception is Boston... they are built around a young core. But you can bet they will be looking to add some size in upcoming years, too

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'd also like to point out that the best 3 defensive centers in the league all just got wrecked by teams who rely on wings and guards.

At the same time, I’d also like to point out that the Suns Arent and shouldn’t be drafting prisoner of the moment style, trying to match up with today’s title contenders but should be keeping an eye on future up and coming teams that will be our roadblocks.

And that all three of those teams either had zero playoff experience (Sixers/Jazz) or only been there once (NO... who literally has next to nothing around their stud in the middle) and were playing against teams that have consistent playoff experience and at least some level of success.

Beware of looking at the draft for what works NOW when we still won’t be competing for titles until at least a couple years into the future when the teams who currently rule the roost are gonzo or on their last legs.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Maybe... but the present by no means guarantees the future. And those three centers are youngsters on (mostly) young teams getting their first taste of the playoffs, while those wing/guard dominated teams are all veteran loaded teams that will probably be fading away in another year or two.

The Suns have to be looking three or four years down the road, because that's where their developmental timeline is. Who's to say that NO, Philly, and Utah won't be the teams we will have to be competing against for dominance in 2021 or so? It's extremely certain that it won't be GS, Cleveland, and Houston we will have to be worrying about then - at least not in their current configurations.

Beat me to it and said much more succinctly.

 

[Phrazbit]

At the same time, I’d also like to point out that the Suns Arent and shouldn’t be drafting prisoner of the moment style, trying to match up with today’s title contenders but should be keeping an eye on future up and coming teams that will be our roadblocks.

And that all three of those teams either had zero playoff experience (Sixers/Jazz) or only been there once (NO... who literally has next to nothing around their stud in the middle) and were playing against teams that have consistent playoff experience and at least some level of success.

Beware of looking at the draft for what works NOW when we still won’t be competing for titles until at least a couple years into the future when the teams who currently rule the roost are gonzo or on their last legs.

I am not arguing against Ayton with that post, I am arguing against a guy I view as being purely one dimensional (rim protector)... and that one dimension being arguably the least valuable in the league at the moment.

 

[Mainstreet]

It gets worse after this year as the new rules have already been announced. The worst team won't have much of an advantage going forward.

Let's hope the Suns do not have to worry about this for a long time.

And if they do, hopefully they will not hit rock bottom and they will benefit from the new lottery odds beginning in 2019 where the worse teams have more diluted odds of getting the top pick.

It would be just like the Suns to get the #1 pick when the odds are decreased.

 

[Phrazbit]

Maybe... but the present by no means guarantees the future. And those three centers are youngsters on (mostly) young teams getting their first taste of the playoffs, while those wing/guard dominated teams are all veteran loaded teams that will probably be fading away in another year or two.

The Suns have to be looking three or four years down the road, because that's where their developmental timeline is. Who's to say that NO, Philly, and Utah won't be the teams we will have to be competing against for dominance in 2021 or so? It's extremely certain that it won't be GS, Cleveland, and Houston we will have to be worrying about then - at least not in their current configurations.

Possible exception is Boston... they are built around a young core. But you can bet they will be looking to add some size in upcoming years, too

Totally fair, but I think Embiid being a well rounded big who impacts in multiple ways gives them far less of a hill to climb than the Jazz with Gobert.

But IMO stud wings and guards are going to continue to have a larger impact than all but the absolute elite all-around bigs unless the league changes the rules.

And, as I mentioned, I'm arguing this in reference to the idea of taking Bamba in the top 4. I don't see that value. IMO, his ceiling is good rebounding, stud rim protector, a guy who wins some block titles. There are 5 or 6 guys who I think have much higher ceilings. I also think Bamba's floor is reeeeeeeally low.

 

[Errntknght]

D is more about scheme than players, interior bigs are have a hard ceiling on how much they can impact a game.

The only thing I'm sure Bamba will do in the NBA is lurk around for weakside blocks. You don't take that guy in a draft filled with dudes who've shown multiple NBA level skills.

Bamba is a smart kid - and he's doing the smart thing to get himself ready to play at the next level. He's working with a successful basketball coach, a fitness expert and a dietician. He's not just a gym rat who works on his favorite things instead of what he needs to improve. With his attitude and outlook he's pretty sure bet to reach close to his physical ceiling - which is way up there, as you know.
From that article it appears that he has a good sense of humor and is quite personable, making friends easily. And he likes to play chess. What does this crap mean - that he'll be a good teammate and, likely, a team player.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd also like to point out that the best 3 defensive centers in the league all just got wrecked by teams who rely on wings and guards.

The Jazz would have been much tougher to beat if they had Gordon Hayward and a healthy Rubio.

This does not take away from your argument but Gobert would have been more effective with these players especially Hayward.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I am not arguing against Ayton with that post, I am arguing against a guy I view as being purely one dimensional (rim protector)... and that one dimension being arguably the least valuable in the league at the moment.

gotcha.