Spurs @ Suns game thread 2-7-18

[elindholm]

Taking a not very athletic Euro over guys we’ve seen look like superstars would be suicide Suns style.

Yeah, I've decided to come out as racist-xenophobic when it comes to NBA prospects. I don't want any more white Euros. Let someone else make those mistakes.

 

[SirStefan32]

Here is one of them- note that he is playing against NBA-level competition here- gasol brothers, Rubio, Rodriguez, etc.

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He carved Serbia even worse, if I remember correctly.

 

[Mainstreet]

So, I share your concerns to some degree. I am really not sure how he will be able to guard typical NBA guards, but the thing is that the alternative (Young) is actually quite a bit worse defensively.

As you pointed out, the big knock on Booker was speed and athleticism. Same goes for Warren. I tend to think that "athleticism" definition has really gone to hell over the last few years. Doncic is not super-quick or explosive, but he has a good balance, understands the angles really well, so I am not overly concerned with his "lack of athleticism." Again, Young is not really explosive or quick either.

I will tell you that he is an outstanding passer, a very good shooter, and an incredibly smart player. One hell of a competitor too. The games I've seen, he was better than Dragic right now. I can't remember who Slovenia played, but I watched two games where he just carved their defense like a Thanksgiving turkey. It was like watching Nash play back in the day. I hate cliches, but I really think he would make every single player on the roster better. Booker's job would be much easier, Warren would get plenty of easy layups, Jackson would get plenty of easy dunks, and Bender would get a ton of open three pointers. Let me do some digging and see if I can find highlights at least.

If Doncic can pass and shoot he brings something to the table besides potential.

I've decided I want players that have some proven skills coming into the draft.

 

[elindholm]

Here is one of them- note that he is playing against NBA-level competition here- gasol brothers, Rubio, Rodriguez, etc.

He reminds me of JJ Barea. No thanks.

 

[hcsilla]

Outstanding in Europe. Not very athletic. Like the sleepy eyed Spaniard who plays for the Jazz, Rubio (took a while to remember his name)...

Rubio was a solid starter at the time he was drafted. Doncic is a star.

 

[hcsilla]

He reminds me of JJ Barea. No thanks.

He is much taller and a much better passer than Barea.

Doncic will have (some) trouble against NBA super athletes but he is a fantastic prospect while at the same time his floor is incredibly high too.

 

[hsandhu]

I guess I could be convinced to take him ahead of porter, who has speed concerns as well.

But can't move him ahead of bagley who is a super athlete at 6 11, and no way in hell can you pass up potentially the next david robinson in ayton if you end up with 1.

 

[hcsilla]

I take Doncic over Bagley and Young.

Him over Ayton, Bamba and maybe even Jackson are tougher decisions.

That's why taking one of Doncic and Young AND one of the bigmen would be fantastic and probably would mean that the Suns rebuilding is over just like in case of Philly.

However, getting another top6 pick seems very difficult if not impossible.

 

[SirStefan32]

Here is another one, and I really like that it shows EVERYTHING, including the missed shots.

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[hsandhu]

I hope if suns end up with 1, there is a consensus among the fans they should take ayton, to the point they realize it's not worth the risk in passing on him.

 

[SirStefan32]

I guess I could be convinced to take him ahead of porter, who has speed concerns as well.

But can't move him ahead of bagley who is a super athlete at 6 11, and no way in hell can you pass up potentially the next david robinson in ayton if you end up with 1.

So, I haven't seen enough of Bagley, so my perception may be off, but I am not high on Bagley. I'd take Ayton over Doncic for sure, but I would be inclined to pick him over anyone else.

 

[SirStefan32]

He reminds me of JJ Barea. No thanks.

Oh come on, man! He is eight inches taller, a much better scorer right now at the age of 20 than Barea ever was, and a better passer as well.

 

[Mainstreet]

I hope if suns end up with 1, there is a consensus among the fans they should take ayton, to the point they realize it's not worth the risk in passing on him.

Plenty of good PGs available (not just in the draft) but not so with good big men. I lean towards Ayton as well with the top pick.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think the concern or biggest question with Doncic is what position he'd play in the NBA. I know a lot of people say he'll be a PG but the only way I see that happening is similar to how Philly is using Ben Simmons because he's not a traditional PG in terms of his size or speed. He won't be able to guard opposing PG's. He looks like a solid player but he shouldn't be picked ahead of Ayton or Bagley. I'd take him before Young, Porter, and Bamba though. The choice between him and Young would be tough though. I think that would depend on individual workouts and hopefully they'd get Booker to come up for those if they're choosing between those 2.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Oh come on, man! He is eight inches taller, a much better scorer right now at the age of 20 than Barea ever was, and a better passer as well.

18*

 

[SirStefan32]

18*

Jesus, I have no idea as to why I wrote 20. I know he is 18. It's been a long week!

 

[Cheesebeef]

He is much taller and a much better passer than Barea.

Doncic will have (some) trouble against NBA super athletes but he is a fantastic prospect while at the same time his floor is incredibly high too.

If you’ve got a top three pick in a LOADED draft, it’s mind-boggling to make a decision on a “high floor” guy. You should be going for the highest ceiling with high floors... which is what Ayton and Bagley are supposed to be.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yeah, I've decided to come out as racist-xenophobic when it comes to NBA prospects. I don't want any more white Euros. Let someone else make those mistakes.

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[Cheesebeef]

Here is one of them- note that he is playing against NBA-level competition here- gasol brothers, Rubio, Rodriguez, etc.

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He carved Serbia even worse, if I remember correctly.

You’ve got to be kidding me. We’re going to pass on the next David Robinson, Bagley or a possible Stef Curry for THAT?!

That didn’t look like carving up anyone. Looked like a low to the ground, slowish tall guy getting around a bunch of other slow white guys.

And you can say “athleticism” doesn’t matter all that much, but truth is Warren is a PATHETIC defender, Book ain’t much better (god love him anyway) and now you’re talking about adding ANOTHER non-athlete... at the 1-3 positions which are the most athletic positions with the best scorers in the league?

How SOFT do you guys want this team to be and have you not seen where that’s gotten us FOREVER?!

Man... for the life of me, I can’t figure out where so many of you are coming from in so many different parts of this team.

 

[SirStefan32]

Good Lord, you are an angry man. CAPITALIZING random words doesn't make anything any more valid.
You are welcome to disagree, of course. By the way, eight posts up, I said I'd take Ayton over Doncic. If you'd read what people are saying instead of whatever the hell it is that you do, you'd add something to the conversation other than insults and random capitalized words.

 

[pokerface]

You’ve got to be kidding me. We’re going to pass on the next David Robinson, Bagley or a possible Stef Curry for THAT?!

That didn’t look like carving up anyone. Looked like a low to the ground, slowish tall guy getting around a bunch of other slow white guys.

And you can say “athleticism” doesn’t matter all that much, but truth is Warren is a PATHETIC defender, Book ain’t much better (god love him anyway) and now you’re talking about adding ANOTHER non-athlete... at the 1-3 positions which are the most athletic positions with the best scorers in the league?

How SOFT do you guys want this team to be and have you not seen where that’s gotten us FOREVER?!

Man... for the life of me, I can’t figure out where so many of you are coming from in so many different parts of this team.

I just think some of us are sick of project players. If we can get a big that already has some game (and upside) by all means sign me up. But no more Lens and Benders...I mean what if the decision came down to Doncic or Bamba? After getting burned on project bigs many on here might lean towards Doncic.

 

[Phrazbit]

Yeah, I've decided to come out as racist-xenophobic when it comes to NBA prospects. I don't want any more white Euros. Let someone else make those mistakes.

Build a wall! Those eruo stiffs will never be able to climb it!

 

[Phrazbit]

I just think some of us are sick of project players. If we can get a big that already has some game (and upside) by all means sign me up. But no more Lens and Benders...I mean what if the decision came down to Doncic or Bamba? After getting burned on project bigs many on here might lean towards Doncic.

Absolutely no question I'd lean towards Doncic... I'd be ecstatic for Ayton or Young and thrilled with Bagley, but of all the highly regarded guys in the draft Bamba scares me the most, he reminds me of Nerlens Noel.

 

[pokerface]

Absolutely no question I'd lean towards Doncic... I'd be ecstatic for Ayton or Young and thrilled with Bagley, but of all the highly regarded guys in the draft Bamba scares me the most, he reminds me of Nerlens Noel.

Yeah that's how I'm feeling. Elite bigs with game ONLY. We have enough projects. Otherwise Doncic or Young like you're saying.

 

[Hoop Head]

It's kind of odd how there a lot of people now bashing on the idea of drafting Doncic considering he was one of the players mentioned most often when people complained that the Suns weren't losing enough to get a top pick and they wouldn't have the chance to select him.

I don't think anyone has said they'd take Doncic over Ayton but he's definitely one of the top prospects in this draft. For the Suns though they'd be better off picking either Ayton or Bagley because they've never had a franchise center or a really good big since Amare and either of one of them should be able to play from day 1 on this team.