2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[Mainstreet]

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 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

We will see about Doncic but I do not like the idea of the Suns taking the chance but that's just me.

I'd consider a slight trade down scenario like the Celtics did in the last draft if the Suns drafted number #1 to acquire another draft pick. The player the Suns want would still have to be there.

Then the Suns could trade back into the top since 7 or 10 with picks and/or a player, e.g., Chriss.

 

[Mainstreet]

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

This is a name I haven't seen in a long time. I can see the comparison.

 

[Cheesebeef]

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.

Magic was bigger, faster, could post and was already the best passer of all time... even in his rookie year. There’s literally no comparison in ANY of their skills.

Do you think Donicic as a rookie could play all five positions and start in a deciding game of the NBA Finals and put up 42/15/7 to win the title without his best teammate?

THATS what Magic was as a ROOKIE.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Called it!

Lol... you got me there! How dare I accuse JC of comparing Donicic to Magic when JC LITERALLY wrote “Magic might be the closest comparison.”

Not surprised at the above though since you also said his ceiling was Magic-esque... which is quite frankly ridiculous. He doesn’t have freshman Michigan St size, speed, athleticism or passing ability that Magic had.

 

[SirStefan32]

Lol... you got me there! How dare I accuse JC of comparing Donicic to Magic when JC LITERALLY wrote “Magic might be the closest comparison.”

Not surprised at the above though since you also said his ceiling was Magic-esque... which is quite frankly ridiculous. He doesn’t have freshman Michigan St size, speed, athleticism or passing ability that Magic had.

See, you take everything out of context. OBVIOUSLY, NOBODY is comparing Doncic to Magic. JC was talking about the "type" of a player. I referenced Magic in order to point out how ridiculous it was for you to proclaim Ayton to be the next David Robinson. (Ayton to Robinson is what Docic is to Magic).

Most posters here are smart enough not to make those comparisons. I can assure you that JC and I know that Doncic is not Magic Johnson. It should be obvious, but the likes of you jump at every opportunity to attack if we don't put an obvious disclaimer on there, much like you did this time.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Lol... you got me there! How dare I accuse JC of comparing Donicic to Magic when JC LITERALLY wrote “Magic might be the closest comparison.”

Not surprised at the above though since you also said his ceiling was Magic-esque... which is quite frankly ridiculous. He doesn’t have freshman Michigan St size, speed, athleticism or passing ability that Magic had.

OK. You refuse to accept my explanation of what I said, even though that is how we ALL talk about draft prospects when we try to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Don't see where I said anything about Doncic's ceiling. Again. I am on record here quite often saying that he is the player that scares me the most and could easily be a bust.

Not much I can do about it when your point to proclaim others idiots.

 

[devilalum]

I don’t like drafting euros.
For every Dirk there’s a hundred Jake Tsuckalotises.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cheesebeef]

OK. You refuse to accept my explanation of what I said, even though that is how we ALL talk about draft prospects when we try to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Don't see where I said anything about Doncic's ceiling. Again. I am on record here quite often saying that he is the player that scares me the most and could easily be a bust.

Not much I can do about it when your point to proclaim others idiots.

Relax. My response wasn’t to you. It was to Stef.

 

[Cheesebeef]

See, you take everything out of context. OBVIOUSLY, NOBODY is comparing Doncic to Magic. JC was talking about the "type" of a player. I referenced Magic in order to point out how ridiculous it was for you to proclaim Ayton to be the next David Robinson. (Ayton to Robinson is what Docic is to Magic).

Most posters here are smart enough not to make those comparisons. I can assure you that JC and I know that Doncic is not Magic Johnson. It should be obvious, but the likes of you jump at every opportunity to attack if we don't put an obvious disclaimer on there, much like you did this time.

That's the point though. There is no Magic "type" of player because he's LITERALLY a one of a kind. You can't compare a guy with less athleticism/less passing ability/less size/less speed to a Magic because ALL of those is what made Magic literally different than any other player EVER in the league. So when you bring up his name and LITERALLY say Donicic's closest comparison is a once in a lifetime player, you're making a terrible comparison.

Magic doesn't FIT a type. Magic BROKE THE MOLD. So, unless you're saying Donicic is going to break the mold, there's literally no reason to bring Magic's name up.

 

[Mainstreet]

They are coming for you Stef.

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[JCSunsfan]

Relax. My response wasn’t to you. It was to Stef.

I am not mad or anything. Its just hard to have a conversation this way. Mainstreet took issue with me too. But he made his case about why he did not see Magic as the same type of player.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I am not mad or anything. Its just hard to have a conversation this way. Mainstreet took issue with me too. But he made his case about why he did not see Magic as the same type of player.

So did I. Just because I made a joke about puff, puff, pass shouldn't get you so bent out of shape.

EDIT: I apologize if that derailed the conversation. Was just trying to make light of something I strongly disagreed but didn't need to be a jerk to do so.

 

[Mainstreet]

ESPN had the Suns picking #1 in their recent mock and they drafted Doncic for his ability to play positions 1-4 and his fit with the team.

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[elindholm]

It's bugging me, because I feel like there is a previous NBA player whose skill set is similar to Doncic's, but I can't put my finger on who it is. I keep thinking it will come to me. Can't remember the skin color of the player I think I'm thinking of.

Dunleavy is still the best comparison from my perspective, although Dunleavy was more fluid than what I've seen of Doncic.

 

[hcsilla]

I am certainly not arguing against Ayton at #1. I am concerned about his defense, work ethic, and motor, but he is way too talented to not draft at #1.

These concerns about Ayton were legitimate before the season.

But since then he improved his defensive awareness (especially on the perimeter), passing and overall attitude (according to espn/old DX staff).

He reminds me of an even more fluid Joel Embiid or if he bulks up, Jermaine O'Neal.

There is something about Bagley that bothers me, though I can't put my finger on it- he does a lot of thinks well, but he is not exceptional at any one thing.

Yes, he is long and athletic (but not an exceptional one), but what exactly are his NBA skills? His position?

He is the new, upgraded version of Cody Zeller, servicable and effective but it is difficult to see how and why he becomes a star.

 

[Hoop Head]

Question for those who follow the NCAA season a bit closer, who appears to be the best shooter coming out in this draft class?

I ask because I was reading reactions to Booker's selection back in 2015 and the consensus amongst the people who commented was Booker was the best pure shooter in that draft. There was some skepticism about his readiness since he was also the youngest player in that draft class but shooters always find a way to get on the court. Being able to put the ball in the basket at a high percentage is what the game is about. Even if a player is young, they'll get some playing time if they're a knockdown shooter. It's up to them to maximize their time on the floor like Booker did in his rookie year and has done since.

Since then, it was said that either Buddy Hield or Jamal Murray were the best shooters in the 2016 draft, both have done ok in the NBA so far. From what I've found in 2017 it was said that Markkannen was the best shooter and he's done well in Chicago so far.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So did I. Just because I made a joke about puff, puff, pass shouldn't get you so bent out of shape.

EDIT: I apologize if that derailed the conversation. Was just trying to make light of something I strongly disagreed but didn't need to be a jerk to do so.

OK. Good. Moving on. Thx.

 

[hcsilla]

It's bugging me, because I feel like there is a previous NBA player whose skill set is similar to Doncic's, but I can't put my finger on who it is. I keep thinking it will come to me. Can't remember the skin color of the player I think I'm thinking of.

Taller Sam Cassell?

Dunleavy is still the best comparison from my perspective, although Dunleavy was more fluid than what I've seen of Doncic.

Dunleavy was more athletic, but Doncic is a far more advanced playmaker and one-on-one player, IMO.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It's bugging me, because I feel like there is a previous NBA player whose skill set is similar to Doncic's, but I can't put my finger on who it is. I keep thinking it will come to me. Can't remember the skin color of the player I think I'm thinking of.

Dunleavy is still the best comparison from my perspective, although Dunleavy was more fluid than what I've seen of Doncic.

Better than average shooter
Excellent ball handler for his size
Excellent passer
Great court vision
Very good finisher
Team leader
Very high bball IQ
Minus defender (slightly so)
Somewhere between 6-6 and 6-9 (I have a hunch he is 6-8)
Average athlete in NBA terms
Average speed laterally
Knows how to turn speed on in spurts

Tom Chambers? But Doncic is a better passer and ball handler than Chambers
Danny Ainge? Doncic is bigger
Danny Manning? Maybe that one is close. Manning was bigger.
Detlef Schremph? Yes. That one could be close, but honestly I don't remember the specifics of his game.
Dan Majerle? There are some similarities. But Majerle was a better defender, and Doncic is better in everything else.
Gordon Haywood. Yes. This one is close. But Doncic is more of a leader, plays with more passion.

Guess I am stumped.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am certainly not arguing against Ayton at #1. I am concerned about his defense, work ethic, and motor, but he is way too talented to not draft at #1. It gets murky after that, though. There is something about Bagley that bothers me, though I can't put my finger on it- he does a lot of thinks well, but he is not exceptional at any one thing. Doncic and Young- very concerned about their defense. Mamba is interesting, but I am just not sure about how he is going to develop. Jackson is interesting- he actually reminds me of Bender in a lot of ways- he can do a few things really well, seems to understand the game, and doesn't make too many silly mistakes. I think he has a fairly high floor, but I don't know what his ceiling is. Can't say anything about Porter because I have never seen him play.

Marvin Bagley III made some interesting moves to go through high school and onto Duke. This is how he initially came on my radar.

A path that led him to three high schools in two states over three years and resulted in Bagley completing four online courses during a California summer isn't a traditional one for athletes or for students in general. It's a path that his father, Marvin Jr., has turned down a reporter's invitations to discuss.

http://www.journalnow.com/sports/co...cle_270ad52b-dd3a-53a3-8ac6-3611b7625616.html

 

[DevonCardsFan]

It's bugging me, because I feel like there is a previous NBA player whose skill set is similar to Doncic's, but I can't put my finger on who it is. I keep thinking it will come to me. Can't remember the skin color of the player I think I'm thinking of.

Dunleavy is still the best comparison from my perspective, although Dunleavy was more fluid than what I've seen of Doncic.

It's bugging me, because I feel like there is a previous NBA player whose skill set is similar to Doncic's, but I can't put my finger on who it is. I keep thinking it will come to me. Can't remember the skin color of the player I think I'm thinking of.

Dunleavy is still the best comparison from my perspective, although Dunleavy was more fluid than what I've seen of Doncic.

Watching tape he seems like Walt Williams to me same size, can run Point Forward, thats what I see if you compare tape

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[Mainstreet]

Okay, can't resist... Boris Diaw.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Okay, can't resist... Boris Diaw.

Bender reminds me of Diaw. Frustratingly non-assertive.

The skills might be similar, but the mentality is worlds apart. Doncic is definitely and alpha personality.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Bender reminds me of Diaw. Frustratingly non-assertive.

The skills might be similar, but the mentality is worlds apart. Doncic is definitely and alpha personality.

not seeing the skills all that similar. Boris had a KILLER post game and was a great passer. Haven't seen any post game from Bender so far and he's a decent passer, but skills don't reach Boris', IMO.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bender reminds me of Diaw. Frustratingly non-assertive.

The skills might be similar, but the mentality is worlds apart. Doncic is definitely and alpha personality.

I have seen Bender pass the ball out from underneath the basket when he has layups so I see your point. He is getting better about not doing it though. Diaw did much the same early in his career.