The Suns with the 2018 #1 overall pick select....

[pokerface]

Most of the pro-Doncic crowd is pretty anti-Ayton. They focus on what makes Doncic good and what makes Ayton bad and nothing else.

I have to strongly disagree with that Chaplin. I'm not aware of any 'strong' ant Ayton sentiment ....look at the poll dude. Over 90% want him. Muggum might be one of the few Doncic guys that is anti Ayton...or anti big man because of current NBA trends.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I have to strongly disagree with that Chaplin. I'm not aware of any 'strong' ant Ayton sentiment ....look at the poll dude. Over 90% want him. Muggum might be one of the few Doncic guys that is anti Ayton...or anti big man because of current NBA trends.

That's just this site. Bright Side of the Suns for instance is about 65% Ayton and there are some pretty hot takes from the people that prefer Doncic. Granted the hot takes go both ways as well.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I have to strongly disagree with that Chaplin. I'm not aware of any 'strong' ant Ayton sentiment ....look at the poll dude. Over 90% want him. Muggum might be one of the few Doncic guys that is anti Ayton...or anti big man because of current NBA trends.

Most of the anti-Doncic crowd here has softened their stance but yeah, there's been very little anti-Ayton. But on some other sites, it's far more polarizing on each player. From some of the stuff I've read, you'd think Ayton would be a long shot to see a second contract.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If Sarver really really liked Doncic I wouldn't cut my wrists . I mean let's look at the positives ...

He probably would coexist with Booker nicely

He probably would help get better production out of Bender/Chriss

I think the suns would run more smoothly ...more like a machine

He can play almost any position

He's been improving consistently

He comes across as a winner and clutch...more than Ayton

I'd be very unhappy. We'd be the NBA version of the Matt Millen Lions, IMO.

 

[Chaplin]

I have to strongly disagree with that Chaplin. I'm not aware of any 'strong' ant Ayton sentiment ....look at the poll dude. Over 90% want him. Muggum might be one of the few Doncic guys that is anti Ayton...or anti big man because of current NBA trends.

I'm not talking about this board. I actually think this board is the most grounded and realistic about the draft. But a good amount of the Suns podcasts and even fansites out there are HEAVILY favoring Doncic.

Apparently there is a massive Twitter war going on between the two sides.

 

[Raindog]

As far as I can tell, the vast majority of the (vocal) anti-Ayton crowd on other sites is either A) Euro posters who are suddenly Suns fans just because Doncic might end up here, or B) leftover fanatics of the SSOL-era who have the delusion that getting Doncic will somehow result in us instantly becoming SSOL 2.0 and competing with or surpassing GSW/Hou at their own game.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'm not talking about this board. I actually think this board is the most grounded and realistic about the draft. But a good amount of the Suns podcasts and even fansites out there are HEAVILY favoring Doncic.

Apparently there is a massive Twitter war going on between the two sides.

There is a media war going on. Pretty fishy. So, do you think they had a staff meeting the morning after the draft at 98.7 FM and said "Ok now. Who is going to take Doncic?" Gambo pipes up. "I want Ayton!." Then Bick, you get Doncic. "No problem, I can even make them believe it. We can milk this for a couple weeks."

 

[Mainstreet]

It was part of the "to tank or not to tank" argument. Some people thought Millsap was a good idea as an acquirable veteran "star" who could give us enough for a run at the 8th playoff spot. Some were proposing we go all in and trade a package of the several draft picks we own. I think some of the sentiment was due to disappointment about the Griffin thing.

It was a bad idea all the way around, as the result would have only pushed us out of the top of the lottery to much lower in the lottery... and further futility. But I guess quick (but foolish) fixes have an appeal to those who have no patience for building slowly but wisely.

Again, I do not recall any posters wanting Millsap. If you can find some via quotes, I would be interested.

 

[pokerface]

I'd be very unhappy. We'd be the NBA version of the Matt Millen Lions, IMO.

If we ended up with Doncic and Capela would that make you feel any better?


And I know it's a long shot to get Capela...

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

This draft can't happen fast enough. I now have people on other sites saying that Bagley will be better because Ayton is robotic in his movements and doesn't have "quick twitch" moves to the basket like Bagley. Shoot me now...

 

[Cheesebeef]

If we ended up with Doncic and Capela would that make you feel any better?


And I know it's a long shot to get Capela...

Not really. That pairing locks us into the team for the foreseeable future and I don’t see one guy who’s potentially DOMINANT amongst the bunch.

Don’t get me wrong. That’s a pretty nice team. But I don’t see the possibility of that team being dominant, if Ayton pans out to his ceiling.

 

[AzStevenCal]

This draft can't happen fast enough. I now have people on other sites saying that Bagley will be better because Ayton is robotic in his movements and doesn't have "quick twitch" moves to the basket like Bagley. Shoot me now...

I do worry about Ayton's tendency to play rigidly upright at times and I can see it being described as robotic. But he scores efficiently and he passes out of the double team well and he should excel in the NBA PnR game. With his athleticism, strength and length, I can't see him failing.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I do worry about Ayton's tendency to play rigidly upright at times and I can see it being described as robotic. But he scores efficiently and he passes out of the double team well and he should excel in the NBA PnR game. With his athleticism, strength and length, I can't see him failing.

Robotic compared to wings and guards? Maybe, but compared to most other guys anywhere near his size he looks incredibly smooth on offense.

The things people will come up with to justify the player they like being picked over another player just baffles me...

 

[Mainstreet]

This draft can't happen fast enough. I now have people on other sites saying that Bagley will be better because Ayton is robotic in his movements and doesn't have "quick twitch" moves to the basket like Bagley. Shoot me now...

Bagley's limited wingspan alone will limit what he can do in the NBA especially if he has to play center.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Robotic compared to wings and guards? Maybe, but compared to most other guys anywhere near his size he looks incredibly smooth on offense.

The things people will come up with to justify the player they like being picked over another player just baffles me...

I watched every game he played and I agree with the "robotic" concern although I think "occasionally" rigidly upright is more accurate. It's the reason I'm not thoroughly convinced Ayton will be the best player from this group.

But I have some concerns about most of the other top pick candidates too. Fortunately, I'm more confident of Ayton's floor than I am Bagley's or Bamba's or Porter's or JJJ's and so on. I'd take him first but this isn't the slam dunk some people make it out to be (IMO).

 

[JCSunsfan]

Robotic compared to wings and guards? Maybe, but compared to most other guys anywhere near his size he looks incredibly smooth on offense.

The things people will come up with to justify the player they like being picked over another player just baffles me...

Man, there is nothing robotic about Ayton to me. If he is robotic, so was David Robinson and Tim Duncan. His jumper is very compact, but he has such great strength, he doesn't have to have a lot of movement. That is a good thing.

 

[hsandhu]

So, russillo said sarver is big on luka, but basketball people want ayton? Not sure how reliable russillo is? Dont remember him breaking stories in the past.

Is it possible sarver watching him in person twice (the first time sarver was already on vacation in europe, and stopped to see doncic) is the reason he said that and not some leaks from the suns?

I would think if russillo is correct, there will eventually be more talk about ayton to kings, because they will snag him in a second. Right now there is not that talk
Interested what gambo says about report.

But if sarver really does overrule what the basketball people want, for one of the biggest decisions in franchise history, not to sound hysterical, I would actually be done with the suns at that point.

 

[Cheesebeef]

So, russillo said sarver is big on luka, but basketball people want ayton? Not sure how reliable russillo is? Dont remember him breaking stories in the past.

Is it possible sarver watching him in person twice (the first time sarver was already on vacation in europe, and stopped to see doncic) is the reason he said that and not some leaks from the suns?

I would think if russillo is correct, there will eventually be more talk about ayton to kings, because they will snag him in a second. Right now there is not that talk
Interested what gambo says about report.

But if sarver really does overrule what the basketball people want, for one of the biggest decisions in franchise history, not to sound hysterical, I would actually be done with the suns at that point.

Me too.

And then you know we’ll be back here bitching and moaning come start of next season...

 

[JCSunsfan]

So, russillo said sarver is big on luka, but basketball people want ayton? Not sure how reliable russillo is? Dont remember him breaking stories in the past.

Is it possible sarver watching him in person twice (the first time sarver was already on vacation in europe, and stopped to see doncic) is the reason he said that and not some leaks from the suns?

I would think if russillo is correct, there will eventually be more talk about ayton to kings, because they will snag him in a second. Right now there is not that talk
Interested what gambo says about report.

But if sarver really does overrule what the basketball people want, for one of the biggest decisions in franchise history, not to sound hysterical, I would actually be done with the suns at that point.

Nah. Doncic is a good player too. They will make a collective decision where everyone is on board. I think they will do everything they can to try to nab both though.

 

[hsandhu]

Me too.

And then you know we’ll be back here bitching and moaning come start of next season...

Nope, I've somewhat tuned out suns at times.

Post 2010 when they were on the NBA treadmill going nowhere, running through worthless players and front offices, it's hard to really care about a team.

Not until the emergence of booker as a rookie, and you can see something being built did i start closely following again. But....

What would be sickening about sarver making a unilateral decision is that even if the team ever becomes good, we know what's going to happen because we've seen it...

Not paying your own free agents (joe johnson), cutting corners not to pay luxury tax and most importantly running through people in the front office, even those that prove to have done a good job (bc, kerr) because he's the smartest man in the room.

There's no point to put oneself through that, I'm done. Sun's have been my team since I was a kid, but I would just have to accept they've been affected with the virus that is Robert sarver. And the only cure is him selling, which will never happen

 

[GatorAZ]

So, russillo said sarver is big on luka, but basketball people want ayton? Not sure how reliable russillo is? Dont remember him breaking stories in the past.

Is it possible sarver watching him in person twice (the first time sarver was already on vacation in europe, and stopped to see doncic) is the reason he said that and not some leaks from the suns?

I would think if russillo is correct, there will eventually be more talk about ayton to kings, because they will snag him in a second. Right now there is not that talk
Interested what gambo says about report.

But if sarver really does overrule what the basketball people want, for one of the biggest decisions in franchise history, not to sound hysterical, I would actually be done with the suns at that point.

I’m guessing it’s believed that Sarver is “enamoured” with Doncic b/c he went over to watch him twice.

 

[hsandhu]

Nah. Doncic is a good player too. They will make a collective decision where everyone is on board. I think they will do everything they can to try to nab both though.

Sarver doesnt know a damn thing about basketball, if he wants to give his opinions fine.

But if the environment of the front office is set up where sarver has unilateral control on the basketball descions, or worse where there is a facade that everyone has a voice... but really people know the boss and feel they have to agree to make him happy, that's a joke. i.e this was the first thing I though about:

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

VIvek thinks stauskas is the greatest and everyone has to agree with him. Sadly sarver's reputation is even lower than vivek, probably only above james dolan.

I really was hoping this time was different... and am not convinced the russillo report is true or even if true sarver will have final decision... but if it is the case where he overrules what basketball people want, it is clear the sarver virus will infect the suns for the foreseable future.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Sarver doesnt know a damn thing about basketball, if he wants to give his opinions fine.

But if the environment of the front office is set up where sarver has unilateral control on the basketball descions, or worse where there is a facade that everyone has a voice... but really people know the boss and feel they have to agree to make him happy, that's a joke. i.e this was the first thing I though about:

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

VIvek thinks stauskas is the greatest and everyone has to agree with him. Sadly sarver's reputation is even lower than vivek, probably only above james dolan.

I really was hoping this time was different... and am not convinced the russillo report is true or even if true sarver will have final decision... but if it is the case where he overrules what basketball people want, it is clear the sarver virus will infect the suns for the foreseable future.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1518060/suns-james-jones-players-love-owner-robert-sarver/

 

[Folster]

Sarver doesnt know a damn thing about basketball, if he wants to give his opinions fine.

But if the environment of the front office is set up where sarver has unilateral control on the basketball descions, or worse where there is a facade that everyone has a voice... but really people know the boss and feel they have to agree to make him happy, that's a joke. i.e this was the first thing I though about:

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

VIvek thinks stauskas is the greatest and everyone has to agree with him. Sadly sarver's reputation is even lower than vivek, probably only above james dolan.

I really was hoping this time was different... and am not convinced the russillo report is true or even if true sarver will have final decision... but if it is the case where he overrules what basketball people want, it is clear the sarver virus will infect the suns for the foreseable future.

That video was cringey.

 

[hsandhu]

Ok, feeling a little better that russillo may be full of it....as I listen to more of the podcast

1) he says there is feeling doncic might be wanting to avoid Phx because, wait for it...Dragic is advising him how horrible his time in Phoenix was!

Everything we heard from doncic agents months ago, as people on the board have pointed out, was that he wanted to direct Igor and luka to phx.. So that is bs.

And wasn't it also reported dragic and mc d not only made up, but both said they should have handled things differently?

He casually mentioned he heard rumors about bagley at 1, but not sjre. Not sure anyone else reported that.


Russilo sounded like some dude on a message board just throwing things out there.