2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[pokerface]

I go back and forth on Bamba as a top 3 pick. The Suns have so many raw young players that bringing in another concerns me in a draft the Suns can't afford to mess up. However, he would potentially be the perfect fit, his upside is huge, and he strikes me as the type of person who will work hard to reach that upside.

I mean, how many prospects can say they have a 7'9" wingspan AND attended the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at MIT TWICE?!

That is my general feelings about Bamba as well. He seems like he'd be a perfect fit with his defense and rebounding but we've been getting burned on "project" big men so I'm concerned there.

If the suns picked him I'd be excited but not as excited as getting Ayton obviously.

 

[Mainstreet]

Thinking out loud here... actually brainstorming... but the Suns need a player with their first pick that is ready to play.

Drafting a power forward or center might fill the Suns biggest need providing they keep Payton.

The big men might be the safest selections in the draft like Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter.

Doncic seems to be a popular pick but the Suns cannot afford a player slow to develop.

Is Young going to slide in the draft?

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Doncic and Bamba I really hope the Suns stay away from, for Doncic his lack of athleticism and toughness whenhe gets banged and pounded in the Real NBa he could struggle and for Bamba I think the other big men fit Suns offense better.

I like Ayton, Jackson, BagleyB Young, Porter way better.

Bamba I see as the 4th best big man.

Jackson seems to fit the Suns well: Young too. If there not in the top spot for Ayton, I want Young, Jackson; Porter or Bagley

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Thinking out loud here... actually brainstorming... but the Suns need a player with their first pick that is ready to play.

Drafting a power forward or center might fill the Suns biggest need providing they keep Payton.

The big men might be the safest selections in the draft like Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter.

Doncic seems to be a popular pick but the Suns cannot afford a player slow to develop.

Is Young going to slide in the draft?

I can't imagine that Doncic wouldn't be an instant impact player for the Suns. He is arguably the best player in a very tough league and guys from Euroleague tend to transition pretty well to the NBA. I think he will be a good player from day 1. The only other player in the draft that I feel confident will make an immediate impact is Ayton and mixed with his upside makes him the only player I would take over Doncic.

 

[Mainstreet]

I can't imagine that Doncic wouldn't be an instant impact player for the Suns. He is arguably the best player in a very tough league and guys from Euroleague tend to transition pretty well to the NBA. I think he will be a good player from day 1. The only other player in the draft that I feel confident will make an immediate impact is Ayton and mixed with his upside makes him the only player I would take over Doncic.

It sounds like Doncic can play forward if he does not play PG. Actually, The Stepien talks about him being a point forward and lists him at 6'9. Perhaps he is one of those rare players that can play 1-4 positions on the court.

I think I have found the best player to compare him too.... Grant Hill.

If true, who wouldn't want a young Grant Hill. However, Doncic may not be as good a player on defense.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hillgr01.html

 

[hcsilla]

Grant Hill was a great athlete before his ankle collapsed.

 

[Mainstreet]

Grant Hill was a great athlete before his ankle collapsed.

Indeed, Grant Hill was a great athlete and a great player before his ankle collapsed. He set a very high bar. In that regard, it's not fair to compare another player to him when he was at his peak.

 

[Chaplin]

Thinking out loud here... actually brainstorming... but the Suns need a player with their first pick that is ready to play.

Drafting a power forward or center might fill the Suns biggest need providing they keep Payton.

The big men might be the safest selections in the draft like Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter.

Doncic seems to be a popular pick but the Suns cannot afford a player slow to develop.

Is Young going to slide in the draft?

Guaranteed Young will NOT slide past the Orlando Magic, wherever they are picking.

 

[Mainstreet]

Guaranteed Young will NOT slide past the Orlando Magic, wherever they are picking.

This may be true but if teams can game plan for Young in college... and be successful... they are definitely going to do it in the NBA.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ma-sooners-pins-struggles-being-defended-else

 

[SirStefan32]

Guaranteed Young will NOT slide past the Orlando Magic, wherever they are picking.

Yep, and Doncic isn't gonna slide past Sacramento.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

This may be true but if teams can game plan for Young in college... and be successful... they are definitely going to do it in the NBA.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ma-sooners-pins-struggles-being-defended-else

I have to disagree. He has no help on that OU squad and has to do almost everything by himself on offense. That is why teams are able to effectively gameplan him. However, if he had some legit talent around him teams wouldn't be able focus on him nearly as much as they have.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It sounds like Doncic can play forward if he does not play PG. Actually, The Stepien talks about him being a point forward and lists him at 6'9. Perhaps he is one of those rare players that can play 1-4 positions on the court.

I think I have found the best player to compare him too.... Grant Hill.

If true, who wouldn't want a young Grant Hill. However, Doncic may not be as good a player on defense.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hillgr01.html

Mainstreet... I’m not sure you remember pre-ankle Grant Hill. He had DISGUSTING athletic ability. He was one of the fastest, strongest and most explosive players in the league, was extremely long and had very good handles and was an elite defender.

There’s no comparison between those two.

 

[Mainstreet]

Mainstreet... I’m not sure you remember pre-ankle Grant Hill. He had DISGUSTING athletic ability. He was one of the fastest, strongest and most explosive players in the league, was extremely long and had very good handles and was an elite defender.

There’s no comparison between those two.

Exactly. I came back with a caveat to @hcsilla but you are right, Hill had ridiculous athletic ability. Too bad he had injury problems. He was one of the all time greats. Comparing anyone to Grant Hill is a reach.

 

[Mainstreet]

I have to disagree. He has no help on that OU squad and has to do almost everything by himself on offense. That is why teams are able to effectively gameplan him. However, if he had some legit talent around him teams wouldn't be able focus on him nearly as much as they have.

I'm not sure we are disagreeing except to what extent he can be game planned. Sure, with more weapons Young will be more effective. In the NBA Booker is game planned for every game and he is still effective but he is more athletic. If Young goes to an NBA team without some weapons, he may struggle like at OU... at least initially.

If the Suns drafted Young, I think he could be successful. I want to get away from player comparisons but Young has some of the same skills and weaknesses of Steve Nash and he turned out pretty good.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

It sounds like Doncic can play forward if he does not play PG. Actually, The Stepien talks about him being a point forward and lists him at 6'9. Perhaps he is one of those rare players that can play 1-4 positions on the court.

I think I have found the best player to compare him too.... Grant Hill.

If true, who wouldn't want a young Grant Hill. However, Doncic may not be as good a player on defense.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hillgr01.html

Grant hill was very explosive

It’s really not. At 6’8 he’s a tweeter who will be going up against guys bigger and faster than him.

Again... I’m not saying he’ll be BAD. He could prob be pretty good. But the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of generational talents... talents at #1 that can define title winners and sustain long roads of contention have either great size, great athleticism or both.

He has neither and I think that when you draft that high, you don’t go with the high floor guy... especially when you have a high floor high ceiling guy in Ayton above him.

I just don’t see him as a high ceiling guy. I’ve watched so many different highlights of him and he’s got nice plays, but I’ve never been taken aback by anything he did. At the first or second pick in a loaded draft, you have to score someone who does.

First off, Doncic isn't playing PG in the NBA EVER... no way, no how. At 6-8, he would have to be some otherworldly kind of athlete to even consider that, and he's not.

Secondly, I am hard pressed to find what anyone sees as so out of this world about him anyway. Yes, he has a decently mature court awareness and maybe above average handle for his age. But what does that really translate into? He shows no particular signs of being an outstanding shooter, rebounder, defender. I highly doubt he will be an especially high volume scorer, especially being defended by mostly superior athletes at the next level. If he does reach his full potential you maybe end up with a guy who at best is an offensively sound one way player, maybe a decent third or fourth option on a good team.

I see his ceiling as being something like a 15 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg kind of player. Not bad... assuming he even reaches his full potential. But not something you pass on two potentially all-league talents like Ayton and Bagley for... or even two high ceiling bigs like Bamba and Jackson.

I would be fine with Doncic as a pick if we end up slotted at somewhere like 5 or 6, or maybe even at 4. But as the top choice with some of the other guys on the board this year? It is sheer folly.

Exactly after watching tons on him, nothing pops out as that will translate great in the NBA, add in his lack of athleticism with the knock that he can struggle against top defenders, makes him someone I want at maybe the 6th spot. When he reaches the NBA were everyone is a super athlete and legit defender, followed by lack of athleticism ability and being a tweener and lacking no Iso game without the ability too make his own shot too many red flags. Once every night he has a great defender on him and he is matched against someone more athletic and tougher against him, I can see problems arising. I would rather have Porter than Doncic. Ayton, Jackson, Young, Bagley and Porter I would take over Doncic, all seem to have a game that would translate better in the NBA than Doncic. When Dragic came out, we could all see he was a beast defender and could handle the toughness and quickness of the NBA, Doncic I don't see that, I think when everyone he's facing becomes faster, bigger and tougher, we will see him having a tougher time transitioning.

 

[Mainstreet]

@DevonCardsFan

In fairness to Doncic, he has played against top competition in Europe... likely better competition than the NCAA. Good players make things look easy and this may be the case with him. His height, passing skills and shooting ability should transfer to the NBA. Doncic' lack of lateral quickness bothers me some but the same issue exists with Young.

My thoughts, if Doncic cannot play PG in the NBA he should be able to play point forward. His projected position bothers me as much as anything else however he should adapt. I would just as soon see the Suns draft a big man like Ayton though.

In regard to Michael Porter Jr., am I the only one concerned about his reported back issues?

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/mizzou-football/pros-cons-michael-porter-jr-returning-court/

 

[JCSunsfan]

Indeed, Grant Hill was a great athlete and a great player before his ankle collapsed. He set a very high bar. In that regard, it's not fair to compare another player to him when he was at his peak.

Doncic seems to me to be more of a Larry Bird style player--even a Magic Johnson style player. Neither were top athletes. Neither were extremely fast. But both were extremely skilled and smart. Bird was a better shooter. Magic became a better shooter. So Magic might be the closest comparison. Magic was also similar in size. Doncic might end up being Magic's size. Doncic even has a bit of Magic's charisma.

 

[SirStefan32]

Doncic seems to me to be more of a Larry Bird style player--even a Magic Johnson style player. Neither were top athletes. Neither were extremely fast. But both were extremely skilled and smart. Bird was a better shooter. Magic became a better shooter. So Magic might be the closest comparison. Magic was also similar in size. Doncic might end up being Magic's size. Doncic even has a bit of Magic's charisma.

Better put up the disclaimer that you are not comparing him to Magic or Bird, or the angry posters will show up with torches and pitchforks.

On a serious note, I am glad you mentioned his charisma. He is VERY charismatic for such a young kid.

 

[Mainstreet]

Doncic seems to me to be more of a Larry Bird style player--even a Magic Johnson style player. Neither were top athletes. Neither were extremely fast. But both were extremely skilled and smart. Bird was a better shooter. Magic became a better shooter. So Magic might be the closest comparison. Magic was also similar in size. Doncic might end up being Magic's size. Doncic even has a bit of Magic's charisma.

I know what you are saying but I disagree about comparing Doncic to Magic even if we are talking about style. Magic was a top athlete and player. He was one of the all time greats. The thing about Magic, he did everything well... even play all five positions on the court. Magic made the game look effortless.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

@DevonCardsFan

In fairness to Doncic, he has played against top competition in Europe... likely better competition than the NCAA. Good players make things look easy and this may be the case with him.

In regard to Michael Porter Jr., am I the only one concerned about his reported back issues?

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/mizzou-football/pros-cons-michael-porter-jr-returning-court/

@DevonCardsFan

In fairness to Doncic, he has played against top competition in Europe... likely better competition than the NCAA. Good players make things look easy and this may be the case with him. His height, passing skills and shooting ability should transfer to the NBA. Doncic' lack of lateral quickness bothers me some but the same issue exists with Young.

My thoughts, if Doncic cannot play PG in the NBA he should be able to play point forward. His projected position bothers me as much as anything else however he should adapt. I would just as soon see the Suns draft a big man like Ayton though.

In regard to Michael Porter Jr., am I the only one concerned about his reported back issues?

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/mizzou-football/pros-cons-michael-porter-jr-returning-court/

Yes I hate Tweener, Doncic won't be a point and as a Wing he will be facing far more athletic players, than himself. Followed by him playing pro at so young of an age, we are seeing a way more finished product, which is good and bad, he wont have a massive ceiling but he won't be a busy, which makes him have much less of a floor, than the other prospects. A Euro Tweener that lacks speed; strength and quickness, that struggles with tough defenders will have a tough time.

It will be interesting how Porter fairs, post back injury. But he would fit the Suns perfect and his game will translate perfect in the NBA. Porter and Jackson/Warren with Booker would be legit. My pipe dream is he falls a little and Suns could do a Chris's like trade and keep there 1 and land another stud in the draft like Porter if he slips in the draft, due to injury

 

[Cheesebeef]

Doncic seems to me to be more of a Larry Bird style player--even a Magic Johnson style player. Neither were top athletes. Neither were extremely fast. But both were extremely skilled and smart. Bird was a better shooter. Magic became a better shooter. So Magic might be the closest comparison. Magic was also similar in size. Doncic might end up being Magic's size. Doncic even has a bit of Magic's charisma.

Come the F on... magic is now the closest comparison?

Puff, puff pass on that please.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Better put up the disclaimer that you are not comparing him to Magic or Bird, or the angry posters will show up with torches and pitchforks.

d.

JC LITERALLY wrote “Magic might be the closest comparison.” How that is supposed to be construed as anything other than comparing him to Magic is mind-boggling.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Come the F on... magic is now the closest comparison?

Puff, puff pass on that please.

I am just looking at body type, athleticism, type of skill set, maybe even role on a team. I am not talking about career trajectory. No one can know that. C'mon man. Can't a guy post anything without being accused of being high? Look at my other posts. Doncic is the guy of the top 7 that scares me the most.

The guy on ESPN this morning called Doncic a mix between Ginobili and Gordon Hayward and said he should be drafted #1. There they go again. Comparing white players with white players. It just doesn't fit here. Doncic's skillset does not match those two. He is not nearly the defense player they are. To me, the skill set he matches most is Magic as a rookie (strengths and weaknesses), but that is ALL I am saying. Any time we look at a rookie skillsets and compare them with a player, we are just getting a sense of the role or type. Not saying they well have the same type of career as that player. Good grief.

 

[SirStefan32]

Come the F on... magic is now the closest comparison?

Puff, puff pass on that please.

Called it!

 

[DevonCardsFan]

JC LITERALLY wrote “Magic might be the closest comparison.” How that is supposed to be construed as anything other than comparing him to Magic is mind-boggling.

Yes I'd say he's closer to Walt Williams point forward than a Magic Johnson. If you compare Walt to Doncic