Frank Ntilikina

[Finito]

The more I watch the more I want this kid if we go the point guard route.

I want Jackson more than anyone but this kid looks to have as much raw talent as anyone. he obviously needs to get stronger and that's pretty much the case with all these guys but he's already an elite defender and shows great court vision and he can pass aswell as anyone. Very interesting prospect

19 6'5 with a 7' wing span

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[Chris_Sanders]

The Dragan Bender of PGs.

 

[sunsfan88]

He's such a huge project. He has promise and upside but I don't think he's like year or two away, he's more like 4 years away from being a quality contributing player.

I wouldn't take someone like that in the top 10.

Utah tried this with Exum and while Exum may still end up good one day, I think they do regret drafting him in the top 10.

 

[Finito]

That's the NBA draft now none of these guys are ready day 1 anymore.

 

[Hoop Head]

Other than Tony Parker has there been any really good point guards come from Europe or outside of the US? I know Rubio and Exum were highly touted before coming to the league but neither have come close to living up to the hype.

Best case, drafting Ntilikina means we can keep Bledsoe for the duration of his contract because it's unlikely he'll be ready to start within 2 years. You don't spend a top 5 pick on someone who can't play meaningful minutes within a year or two though. Especially in a draft where there are plenty of guys who are NBA ready with similar or higher upside in Fultz, Ball, and Fox. Jackson and Tatum should also be available and able to contribute right away. Players like Ntilikina shouldn't be considered until the late lottery as mid 1st round picks.

 

[Ronin]

Fran Fraschilla @franfraschilla
France's 6-5 Frank Ntilikina doesn't possess elite NBA speed (It's good) but has above average feel for game for 18. Size allows versatility

 

[Ronin]

Do you think Ntilikina is more NBA PG or SG?

Fran Fraschilla‏Verified account@franfraschilla 1h1 hour ago
Fran Fraschilla Retweeted Chris Stone

He's a guard. Size, feel, shooting, defense but young. Adjustments coming but bright future. Will be 19 entire rookie year.

 

[overseascardfan]

The Dragan Bender of PGs.

Or the next Dante Exum.

 

[Finito]

A little early to be killing Exum.

if we find ourself in a trade back situation I think he's the perfect pick.

 

[sunsfan88]

How is his 3pt range? Is his floor as a 3 & D player?

Those are the questions which need to be answered most about him imo.

 

[slinslin]

Frank Ntilkina is no lottery prospect. Mystique is the only thing that has him there.

He is no athletic, poor handle, cant run an offense, okayish shooter... He is more of a SG than PG.

Dennis Schroeder was a better player at the same stage. Ntilkina averages 5pts 2reb 1ast..

 

[Finito]

Frank Ntilkina is no lottery prospect. Mystique is the only thing that has him there.

He is no athletic, poor handle, cant run an offense, okayish shooter... He is more of a SG than PG.

Dennis Schroeder was a better player at the same stage. Ntilkina averages 5pts 2reb 1ast..

Lol dude just stop. I swear to God your the smartest guy in the room routine is just old.

You must be the greatest basketball scout who ever lived

 

[slinslin]

Lol dude just stop. I swear to God your the smartest guy in the room routine is just old.

You must be the greatest basketball scout who ever lived

Well yeah based on my draft record I guess so, I have been right far more often than I have been wrong evaluating draft prospects.
Last year I wanted Chriss at 4, Labissiere at 13, Dejounte Murray or Zubac/Zizic at 28 and Ulis or Felder at 34. Seems pretty spot on right, on the other hand the same people loving Ntilkina and some of the other obscure picks hated Marquese Chriss as a prospect and hyped Sabonis or even Poetl.

In 2015 I was all-in on Myles Turner, I take that as a win too even though Booker was the better pick but could hardly be evaluated without access to practice at Kentucky. While half of the people on this board claimed that Myles Turner was running akwardly and shouldn't be picked by the Suns.

And in 2014 I wanted Zach Lavine, going to count that as a win as well when the majority opinion on this board was that Zach Lavine sucks and does not know how to play basketball and could only jump.

At least I could see Ntilkina play and could read local European coverage of the guy.

What have you seen of Ntilkina? The Draftexpress page and a 3 min youtube highlight reel?

The difference between the top 4 PGs and Ntilkina is gargantous. Ntilkin right now is not even a good player on a mediocre team in a mediocre European league.

What do you even know about European basketball? There is a reason that there have been little to no success stories of European guards in the NBA unless you you Tony Parker(American Father who was a college player) and Manu Ginobili (Argentinian) and maybe Schroeder.

 

[slinslin]

A little early to be killing Exum.

if we find ourself in a trade back situation I think he's the perfect pick.

A little early? Exum is in the league for 3 years as a top 5 pick and is still one of the worst players.

 

[Finito]

Well yeah based on my draft record I guess so, I have been right far more often than I have been wrong evaluating draft prospects.
Last year I wanted Chriss at 4, Labissiere at 13, Dejounte Murray or Zubac/Zizic at 28 and Ulis or Felder at 34. Seems pretty spot on right, on the other hand the same people loving Ntilkina and some of the other obscure picks hated Marquese Chriss as a prospect and hyped Sabonis or even Poetl.

In 2015 I was all-in on Myles Turner, I take that as a win too even though Booker was the better pick but could hardly be evaluated without access to practice at Kentucky. While half of the people on this board claimed that Myles Turner was running akwardly and shouldn't be picked by the Suns.

And in 2014 I wanted Zach Lavine, going to count that as a win as well when the majority opinion on this board was that Zach Lavine sucks and does not know how to play basketball and could only jump.

At least I could see Ntilkina play and could read local European coverage of the guy.

What have you seen of Ntilkina? The Draftexpress page and a 3 min youtube highlight reel?

The difference between the top 4 PGs and Ntilkina is gargantous. Ntilkin right now is not even a good player on a mediocre team in a mediocre European league.

What do you even know about European basketball? There is a reason that there have been little to no success stories of European guards in the NBA unless you you Tony Parker(American Father who was a college player) and Manu Ginobili (Argentinian) and maybe Schroeder.

Oh your "draft record" oh damn my bad bro. How long you worked for an NBA team. I'm sorry I didn't know

 

[Ronin]

Mike Schmitz @Mike_Schmitz

Watching more Ntilikina tape. Could argue he's draft's best defensive prospect. Long, rangy, competes, great frame. Will check 1-3 in time.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Talk about a stab in the dark. This kid is just a total unknown as far as potential. I would be extremely upset if the Suns took him. If they manage to get an additional mid first round pick and want to take a flyer on him, I might be OK with it, but who would you NOT be picking in order to pick him.

He is long and can dribble, but not great. His is fairly slow. Not that impressed.

 

[Raze]

He's such a huge project. He has promise and upside but I don't think he's like year or two away, he's more like 4 years away from being a quality contributing player.

I wouldn't take someone like that in the top 10.

Utah tried this with Exum and while Exum may still end up good one day, I think they do regret drafting him in the top 10.

I agree, he's many years away from being an offensive contributor. But he's a year away from being a great defensive contributor. While that doesn't excite too many people, he would compliment a great SG that isn't a D first kind of guy. When he played for Strasbourg he was a wall to wall Defender. Heart is always hard to read, but that guy displays gobs of heart on D. He occasionally gambles, but shows great recovery and smarts to compensate for errors. I don't think he's elite yet, mostly because he hasn't tried to guard guys like Kyrie Irving, but he shows potential for it. His reach is crazy long which helps.

He's also a pass first guy, which I'm sure Booker would also be fond of. Unfortunately, he's too much of a pass first guy. Many times on film he's passing up open shots to set up his team mates. Sometimes he passes up lay ups. He absolutely needs to learn when to shoot and when to pass. He also needs to learn the subtleties of soaking up the D to create better shots for others. He's so quick to give the ball up that he puts his team mate in a bad spot. He got better with this over time which hopefully suggests he's aware of it and is working on it.

Exum is a fair comparison. This may take a while for Frank to meet his full potential. But as Finito pointed out, that's today's NBA draft. There most likely won't be a single senior taken in the 1st round this year. And I can't think of a top 10 pick this year who's going to be polished by the end of year 1. Still expectations should be tempered with this kid.

I wouldn't take him at #4 over guys like Jackson or Isaac. However, if we had a pick near #10 I'd take a hard look at him.

 

[Mainstreet]

It is interesting to go back a page and read Slinslin's take on Ntilikina. Have to ignore the interaction. LOL

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/frank-ntilikina.250242/