2018 NBA Draft Live Discussion Thread

[jlove]

Knicks picked up Trier UFA

 

[GatorAZ]

Remember when Arizona was a top-3 talented team in the country preseason?

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I actually like King in Phoenix. Rebounds, long arms, will space the floor, plays hard. Hes another combo-forward and fits how the Suns are building/want to play.

If you like that sort of thing

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Okobo will be on the roster next year according to McD as well.

 

[Cheesebeef]

so, what's Josh Jackson thinking tonight? It's weird... pre-draft, it was all about adding Ayton to Booker and Jackson, but all of a sudden, NO ONE on the post-shows is mentioning him, looking at our new Big 3 as Book/Bridges/Ayton.

 

[Raze]

I think @Raze was giving his opinion on Okobo being a reach at 16.... Most didn’t expect him to drop out of the first rd.

I actually said...

I watched a couple of his games. He's a mess on defense. Tons of bad tendencies. He's also playing against marginal talent. He's one I'd be very careful putting next to Book. He's not a reach at #16, but he has some uncomplimentary flaws to our current roster.

and...

With Book being our future, I think it's wise to land someone at PG that excels at D. That's why I'd shy away from a guy like Okobo. The guy "might" be good one day at D, but the film right now shows a guy who doesn't put much effort on D. He's often lagging on plays and is absolutely infuriating with his poor footwork and body control. True, he has physical gifts which might amount to something. But I trust what I see until I don't see it anymore.

As I stated in another thread, I don't hate the pick. I'm sober minded enough to realize this is pick #31 we're talking about, which usually amounts to nothing. Still, I don't like how he fits next to Book on D. I would have been far happier with Melton, Carter, Thomas, or even Graham.

Objectively this is a low risk/high reward type of move. He could really blow up, fix his D, and shine. I'll be rooting for EXACTLY that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

bitching about compensation on the trade aside, I am pretty much JUMPING OUT OF MY SKIN TONIGHT!

This team has shooters, slashers and a crazy athletic big man possible unicorn in the middle and they're all YOUNG. There will undoubtedly be growing pains with this group, but grow they will and into a force to be reckoned with in a couple years.

 

[Proximo]

bitching about compensation on the trade aside, I am pretty much JUMPING OUT OF MY SKIN TONIGHT!

This team has shooters, slashers and a crazy athletic big man possible unicorn in the middle and they're all YOUNG. There will undoubtedly be growing pains with this group, but grow they will and into a force to be reckoned with in a couple years.

Yeah, if Ayton, Bridges, and Okobo work out, and Bender wakes up, this team is scary talented.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Grayson Allen is undoubtedly the most Jazz pick the Jazz have ever and will ever make.

We are going to HATE HIS ASS when we're battling with them in future WC Semi-Final Wars.

 

[Covert Rain]

Really? Taking shots at a rookie coming in because a bunch of sports analysts compare you?

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...om&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

 

[jbjarko]

Grayson Allen might be the most Jazz pick the Jazz could have ever made.

Indeed. They are the jazz. And the owners of the jazz are my employer. Soooo I respect their team given what I know about the family that owns them.

 

[jlove]

Toronto grabbed Alkins UFA

 

[82CardsGrad]

I'm willing to admit I may be living in the past with having that little size on the floor, but it's the lack of protection on that pick that really grates my cheese here.

Cheese, don’t the Suns still have the Milwaukee first round pick, which I believe would be unprotected in 2021...no?

 

[SunsTzu]

Cheese, don’t the Suns still have the Milwaukee first round pick, which I believe would be unprotected in 2021...no?

That pick likely conveys in 2020 when it is only top 7 protected, but yes if the Bucks end up with a pick 1-3 or 17-30 next year and top 7 the follow year it would be unprotected in 2021.

 

[mojorizen7]

Suns have been collecting picks and assets for like 7 years. Its time to cash in and stop holding. Good to see.

 

[sunsfan88]

I don't dislike this draft for the Suns like many on social media. I think they came out well. Ayton was the pick for weeks so nothing more needs to be said there. The Bridges trade is interesting but he's such a perfect plug and play player that it makes sense. Does the two things that we need in 3pt shooting and defense. Okobo pick fills a need and if he can improve as a playmaker and shows better motor defensively then it's a steal in the 2nd round.

Losing the Heat picks sucks but it was 3 years away. If they feel this strongly about Bridges then its dice that you have to roll.

 

[Phrazbit]

Top 5 protected first.

On this note...

I recall during the draft a twitter post concerning the pick the Mavs surrendered was linked that was quite absurd, but taken rather seriously.

I know, just like in several levels and forms of media, people want to be the first to get the scoop, but I wish people would be a little more discerning on what they pass along. The post, which was from someone whom upon a few seconds of inspection obviously had no inside information, was wildly innaccurate and generated quite a bit of conversation here.

Please my fellow posters, it isn't that hard, before passing along a quote from an outside source, check to see if the source itself is worth paying attention to at all. You'll save others from wasting breath and yourself from looking silly.

 

[Hoop Head]

If the Suns traded that Miami pick and #16 for SGA, I don't think anyone would be complaining. I know Bridges is a bit redundant but look at Boston, they've been successful without a true PF. I know that's the east but 2 hard nosed and physical SF's like Bridges and Jackson at forward with Ayton at Center is a realistic frontcourt in today's NBA. We'll be outmatched against the Pelicans, if they keep Cousins, but that's about it in the West. The NBA has changed a lot. I trust the pairing of Bridges and Jackson a whole lot more than Jackson and Warren at forward. What team in the West is really that much bigger than the Suns? Bigger and more talented?

That Heat pick was an asset, no doubt, and I don't like giving it up but ultimately for that pick to turn into something good it requires Pat Riley to do his job poorly. I can't see that. The odds of that being a top 10 pick were slim. The main appeal was the possibility that the NBA ditched the 1 and done.

 

[Western Font]

Really? Taking shots at a rookie coming in because a bunch of sports analysts compare you?

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...om&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

Yeah, weak IMO. He better be healthy whenever the Sixers visit.

 

[pokerface]

If the Suns traded that Miami pick and #16 for SGA, I don't think anyone would be complaining. I know Bridges is a bit redundant but look at Boston, they've been successful without a true PF. I know that's the east but 2 hard nosed and physical SF's like Bridges and Jackson at forward with Ayton at Center is a realistic frontcourt in today's NBA. We'll be outmatched against the Pelicans, if they keep Cousins, but that's about it in the West. The NBA has changed a lot. I trust the pairing of Bridges and Jackson a whole lot more than Jackson and Warren at forward. What team in the West is really that much bigger than the Suns? Bigger and more talented?

That Heat pick was an asset, no doubt, and I don't like giving it up but ultimately for that pick to turn into something good it requires Pat Riley to do his job poorly. I can't see that. The odds of that being a top 10 pick were slim. The main appeal was the possibility that the NBA ditched the 1 and done.

I wanted SGA as much as anyone but the higher ups in suns management probably wanted Bridges because they saw more. In some ways both players bring similar things to the table so I'm not totally disappointed.

 

[Western Font]

so, what's Josh Jackson thinking tonight? It's weird... pre-draft, it was all about adding Ayton to Booker and Jackson, but all of a sudden, NO ONE on the post-shows is mentioning him, looking at our new Big 3 as Book/Bridges/Ayton.

Quick, someone give him the vaccine for Marion syndrome... Along with the trade rumors, could be a weird time. But there’s no reason why he can’t be the breakout star this season. Ayton and Bridges will have to make adjustments JJ made last year in worse circumstances.

 

[pokerface]

I think more moves are to come. I dont see Warren/Jackson/Bridges co-existing together. We have three small forwards and no point guard...pffft.


And please don't bring up Brandon Knight at pg! He's an unknown variable right now.

 

[taz02]

Suns have been collecting picks and assets for like 7 years. Its time to cash in and stop holding. Good to see.

Right! It's time to cash in and make a run.

When the draft is the most exciting part of the season there's a problem. We can worry about 2021 later. We need to win games.

Bridges looks to me like JJ with a 3p shot. At the very least this could make JJ expendable which would be just as valuable in a trade as the Miami pick.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Right! It's time to cash in and make a run.

When the draft is the most exciting part of the season there's a problem. We can worry about 2021 later. We need to win games.

Bridges looks to me like JJ with a 3p shot. At the very least this could make JJ expendable which would be just as valuable in a trade as the Miami pick.

Jackson is WAY more valuable than the Miami pick. Also, we shouldn't be looking to move him.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I wanted SGA as much as anyone but the higher ups in suns management probably wanted Bridges because they saw more. In some ways both players bring similar things to the table so I'm not totally disappointed.

I felt like the Miami pick was a lot to give to move up six spots, but I have zero issues with Bridges as a player. I am willing to go on record saying he is significantly better than SGA. SGA gets credit as a defender, but Bridges is light years better. He's also a much better athlete.

AND....

SGA made 23 three pointers last year.

Bridges made 104 three pointers last year!