2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[JCSunsfan]

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.

Yeah. I was really primarily talking about the frustratingly non assertive part.

 

[BC867]

I still feel that Bender will be marginal at best in a power position. But I guess when you're at the bottom, anything is a step up.

Most of this team is so unproven. It is all conjecture. And, as always, our two most talented players at this moment are Guards. The Suns ID.

If we have room on this young roster for one solid draft pick, I hope it's a Center and not another Guard or wing.

 

[Errntknght]

I think Walt Williams is the best comp for Doncic... after watching the video. (I'm drawing a complete blank on him even after watching it.) I was about to suggest John Havlicek but, of course, Hondo was a terrific defender. Also he didn't negotiate traffic as well as Doncic. I don't think there were three pointers in his day so that would make another difference.

 

[3rdside]

Magic Johnson is the closest comparison - a SF sized player with distribution skills that means the ball's in his hands. No he's not as good as Magic but that's your comparison.

 

[3rdside]

I'm coming to the conclusion this draft isn't as good as everyone's making it out to be. From the last two drafts + this one, i would take / have taken Simmons over everyone and Ball over everyone else. Maybe it's deep in high quality players but only average at superstar quality.

Tier 1
Ayton
Doncic

Tier 2
JJJ
Porter

Tier 3
Young
Bagley (i need to watch more tape but i don't like what i've seen)
Bamba


Bagley and Porter and JJJ are those I think can move up a tier but they're not out of place where they are, and I haven't watched anything of Carter.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I'm coming to the conclusion this draft isn't as good as everyone's making it out to be. From the last two drafts + this one, i would take / have taken Simmons over everyone and Ball over everyone else. Maybe it's deep in high quality players but only average at superstar quality.

Curious what you like about Ball over Doncic...

Everyone has been looking for a Doncic comparison, and it seems to me he's basically Lonzo Ball with a jump shot and a much less annoying father.

Both are very large point guards who are average athletes with super high basketball iq and phenomenal playmaking vision.

The difference is Lonzo's biggest weakness (shooting) is a plus for Doncic.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Magic Johnson is the closest comparison - a SF sized player with distribution skills that means the ball's in his hands. No he's not as good as Magic but that's your comparison.

Uh oh.

You better duck.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Curious what you like about Ball over Doncic...

Everyone has been looking for a Doncic comparison, and it seems to me he's basically Lonzo Ball with a jump shot and a much less annoying father.

Both are very large point guards who are average athletes with super high basketball iq and phenomenal playmaking vision.

The difference is Lonzo's biggest weakness (shooting) is a plus for Doncic.

I think Lonzo is a better passer and defender.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I think Lonzo is a better passer and defender.

I firmly disagree with both, but especially the defense part. Lonzo will average more steals and blocks, but that is simply because he is far more aggressive going for those things than most other players. Otherwise I believe Doncic will be a far more solid overall defender.

 

[SirStefan32]

I firmly disagree with both, but especially the defense part. Lonzo will average more steals and blocks, but that is simply because he is far more aggressive going for those things than most other players. Otherwise I believe Doncic will be a far more solid overall defender.

So, this is one area where it's really difficult to compare them due to where they play. I'd say Doncic is a better defender in Europe than Ball is in the NBA, and I'd say Doncic is the equal passer in Europe as Ball is in the NBA, but it's reallt hard to extrapolate anything from that. Doncic is a very disciplined defender, but so was Nash- he just could not stay in front of anyone.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Weaknesses: His biggest flaw is his lack of quickness and lateral speed, which affects his effectiveness in 1 on 1 defense against more explosive opponents ... Furthermore this also limits his offensive effectiveness in ISO situations

Doncic and Ball both can't make there own Iso shot. But I really don't want Doncic if he can't guard anyone or create his own shot. The Suns have wings in Jackson Warren, Booker @ 2 Guard, I am praying sun's go Big or a PG like Young over Doncic. Not a Euro fan and not a fan of someone less athletic and slower and weaker the most people he will be facing

 

[Hoop Head]

So, this is one area where it's really difficult to compare them due to where they play. I'd say Doncic is a better defender in Europe than Ball is in the NBA, and I'd say Doncic is the equal passer in Europe as Ball is in the NBA, but it's reallt hard to extrapolate anything from that. Doncic is a very disciplined defender, but so was Nash- he just could not stay in front of anyone.

Doncic edges out Lonzo because he's a threat to score. Lonzo is a good passer but he can't shoot so it's fairly easy for defenses to contain him. They just need to force him to beat you by trying to score rather than setting up his teammates.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm coming to the conclusion this draft isn't as good as everyone's making it out to be. From the last two drafts + this one, i would take / have taken Simmons over everyone and Ball over everyone else. Maybe it's deep in high quality players but only average at superstar quality.

Tier 1
Ayton
Doncic

Tier 2
JJJ
Porter

Tier 3
Young
Bagley (i need to watch more tape but i don't like what i've seen)
Bamba


Bagley and Porter and JJJ are those I think can move up a tier but they're not out of place where they are, and I haven't watched anything of Carter.

I think you might be alone in those thoughts. I think ayton might be #1 overall. Simmons might be in battle with doncic for #2 due to his height but doncic is a better shooter.

 

[Chaplin]

I'm coming to the conclusion this draft isn't as good as everyone's making it out to be. From the last two drafts + this one, i would take / have taken Simmons over everyone and Ball over everyone else. Maybe it's deep in high quality players but only average at superstar quality.

Tier 1
Ayton
Doncic

Tier 2
JJJ
Porter

Tier 3
Young
Bagley (i need to watch more tape but i don't like what i've seen)
Bamba


Bagley and Porter and JJJ are those I think can move up a tier but they're not out of place where they are, and I haven't watched anything of Carter.

It's certainly arguable taking Ball over Doncic or Young, but over Ayton, Porter, JJJ and Bamba?

I don't think you've seen much of Ball this year, have you? And don't forget the baggage he brings. Are you saying he is going to be a superstar?

 

[GatorAZ]

We need to see Porter in action. Otherwise he's a bigger Jabari Parker to me.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

We need to see Porter in action. Otherwise he's a bigger Jabari Parker to me.

He could be, but that also might not be the worst thing in the world. I believe if Parker hadn’t had his injuries he’d probably be a scorer in the Wiggins range by now.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I've already prepared myself the inevitable lottery bad luck and we end up with the #3 pick while hometown kids Bagley/Ayton go #1 and #2 and become All Stars.

This is the Suns after all

 

[devilalum]

Ok, I finally watched some video of Doncic and the question for me is can he play at NBA speed with NBA athletes and do those things. The Suns will know after they bring him in and work him out with Booker and the gang.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pokerface]

I've already prepared myself the inevitable lottery bad luck and we end up with the #3 pick while hometown kids Bagley/Ayton go #1 and #2 and become All Stars.

This is the Suns after all

Then you don't know what bad luck is. I read an article last night that thinks the suns could slip to the 5-7 range with Booker and Payton playing. I'd be thrilled if we ended up at #3. I don't take our current position for granted because there is a lot of games left to play.

 

[Mainstreet]

Then you don't know what bad luck is. I read an article last night that thinks the suns could slip to the 5-7 range with Booker and Payton playing. I'd be thrilled if we ended up at #3. I don't take our current position for granted because there is a lot of games left to play.

I think there is more than a fair chance for this to happen... the Suns drafting in the 5-7 range.

What worries me more, is them sliding further.

 

[pokerface]

I think there is more than a fair chance for this to happen... the Suns drafting in the 5-7 range.

What worries me more, is them sliding further.

Agreed.

Drafting 6 or 7 we still could consider this a good draft. Any further and we might just be going off a cliff.

 

[Mainstreet]

Agreed.

Drafting 6 or 7 we still could consider this a good draft. Any further and we might just be going off a cliff.

Go Nets... win!

 

[3rdside]

I should clarify my comments:

1. I don’t mean comparing the current Ball to Ayton, I mean considering how pumped I was on Ball at the time of the draft; I’m less pumped on big guys in general these days although ayton is the real deal, and given the chance I’d probably select him #1 this year (and largely because we may have a steal in Payton...no Payton, then I might lean Doncic).

2. As always I should have said ‘arguably’.

3. I would have taken Ball over Doncic for the similar reasons people are writing him off altogether (white euro stiff, even though he’s not), and again, how pumped I was on Ball.

Mock draft 2016-2018 (based on the top two picks only and a what I feel / felt at the time of the draft):

1. Simmons
2. Ayton (or Ball)
3. Ball (or Ayton)
4. Doncic
5. Ingram
.
.
.
6. Fultz (didn’t like him)


I stand by my comment that I don’t think this draft is as good as everyone’s saying - not saying it’s not good; it is - but bamba is definitely overrated, there’s a good argument the same can be said for bagley (looks a bit soft) and possibly young also (maybe I’m being hard on him because his stats seem disproportionate to what I actually see; 6’2” only, doesn’t seem particularly great at anything other than throwing up hail Mary’s (that hit more often than not)), and Porter’s injury is serious enough to worry about.

As long as we get one of ayton, Doncic or jackson I’m good.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pokerface]

Go Nets... win!

I'm all geared up to watch some scores today! Let the games begin.

 

[3rdside]

*there’s obviously shortcomings of the top two draft list above.

The Simmons draft felt like a strictly two player draft with garbage behind which is why I did it, but for reference the Ball draft felt like a 4 or 5 player draft with 1 each for ball, jackson, Tatum, Fultz and Fox, this one is top 6 (maybe 7, I haven’t looked at carter) but most of them would fall below the 5 and 2 picked in previous years.

While I’m on a roll (if that’s what it’s called):

Big time player Draft Pick Mock Draft ‘16-‘18 (again, based on what I felt / feel at the time of the draft, not with the benefit of hindsight):


1. Simmons
2. Ayton (or Ball)
3. Ball (or Ayton)
4. Doncic
5. Josh Jackson
6. JJJ
7. Tatum
8. Ingram
9. Fultz
10. Fox
11. Porter (marked down for injury - would be higher otherwise)
11. Young
12. Bagley
13. Bamba

Kind of a fluffy way to say what I said before - the ‘18 draft is deep at the top but the quality might not be there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk