Pre Draft Discussion

[Saberestar]

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Miles Bridges at 16 would be a steeaaaalllllll.

That would be crazy good.

[WeekapaugGroove]

For the best fits for the suns falling to 16 we should be rooting for Williams to go top 15. Good prospect but bad fit for Phoenix. It would be awesome if Mitchell Robinson somehow went top 15 too.

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[Wilber85]

My problem with Ayton is that I feel like his main goal was to be the number 1 pick. It feels like he just wants the stardom. Sorry sir , you are not an entertainer first. You are a basketball player. A basketball player that I want to have a killer mindset.

I think he lacks that drive. So my concern is, he made it. Does he settle now?? I don’t get the feeling that he wants to be the best player ever. Nor do I get the feeling that winning is his number one priority.

So everyone on team Ayton, keep talking about his stats and his build. It’s his drive and his desire to be the best, that throws up red flags to me.

He's got drive... He wants to climb out of his previous situation (hardship) and be a rich athlete and he knows he needs to be a star to be that.


If There's any concern it will be whether he's doing it for money rather wins.


But they're all like that.... The competitive nature comes out once they realize it's hard work and the feeling of winning is great.


Hence why it's important to have the right coaching staff to give advice and steer young players away from compacency.

Come out if the hardship? How much is his rookie contract worth? Just shy of 50 million? A shoe deal?

I’m concerned that is what drives him. He has the money now, what motivates him to get better over the next ten years? What motivates him to put the extra work in?

Does he love the game or love what the game gives him.

This is why the NBA should be like football. The money shouldn't be guaranteed. It should be earned!

Then players will work harder, play harder, etc.

[bwgood77]

Thats the first time I've read anything questioning his work ethic.

Ayton's biggest question is his consistency with on-court work ethic.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/deandre-aytons-best-comp-is-between-garnett-and-a-young-tim-duncan/

But he can fall in love with his still-developing outside shot, and there are questions about his work ethic and defensive tenacity.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/arizona-deandre-ayton-allonzo-trier-200004727.html

Those who have worked with him cite his work ethic as being average. - Jonathan Givony

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/23470275/2018-nba-draft-lottery-prospects-comps-projections-strengths-weaknesses

There have also been questions dating back to his time in high school concerning his work ethic.

https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/nba-draft-preview-arizonas-deandre-ayton-060118

Despite all the physical qualifications in the world, Ayton routinely got exposed on the defensive end at Arizona thanks to seriously lacking defensive instincts and what’s been described as an average work ethic.

https://www.obsev.com/sports/deandre-ayton-or-luka-doncic-suns.html

There are some concerns about his work ethic, and his Wildcats were upset as a 4-seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but the talent is undeniable.

http://thedrive.bangordailynews.com/2018/06/18/sports/2162/

Yeah, I remember reading a lot about his work ethic not being great outside of the weight room early and throughout the season and then when Miller came out and said he won the award for hardest worker in practice every week but one when he was sick or whatever it made me feel better. Then again, that team may have all had a crappy work ethic.

Who knows? But it's definitely something that was mentioned in various places as you pointed out.

He definitely as a work ethic in some areas, so it's in there, so hopefully he has that hunger to get better every day once in the NBA in all facets, particularly team concepts.

[ATTL]

Thats the first time I've read anything questioning his work ethic.

Ayton's biggest question is his consistency with on-court work ethic.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/deandre-aytons-best-comp-is-between-garnett-and-a-young-tim-duncan/

But he can fall in love with his still-developing outside shot, and there are questions about his work ethic and defensive tenacity.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/arizona-deandre-ayton-allonzo-trier-200004727.html

Those who have worked with him cite his work ethic as being average. - Jonathan Givony

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/23470275/2018-nba-draft-lottery-prospects-comps-projections-strengths-weaknesses

There have also been questions dating back to his time in high school concerning his work ethic.

https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/nba-draft-preview-arizonas-deandre-ayton-060118

Despite all the physical qualifications in the world, Ayton routinely got exposed on the defensive end at Arizona thanks to seriously lacking defensive instincts and what’s been described as an average work ethic.

https://www.obsev.com/sports/deandre-ayton-or-luka-doncic-suns.html

There are some concerns about his work ethic, and his Wildcats were upset as a 4-seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but the talent is undeniable.

http://thedrive.bangordailynews.com/2018/06/18/sports/2162/

Thanks, i guess its been talked about. I'd like some details, but that's probably too much to ask. Seeing how his body has developed, its hard to believe he has a bad work ethic. I'm not sure if those articles are citing high school sources since everything out of Arizona sounds like he's the hardest worker on the team.

[NTB]

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[bwgood77]

If Ayton has the drive and work ethic - if he channels his "inner KG Big Ticket-ness" - makes the pick that much easier.

I like Doncic a lot -- but for me, the pick still is Ayton. Too much time to come up with negatives with this pre-draft stuff. And getting the top pick - well, this is what you have to decide.

Ayton or Doncic - good problem to have. But Ayton, Booker Jackson as your core - love it

I believe that I read some reports that at UoA they have a program for a gold shirt or something awarded to the person who works the hardest in practice that week. Ayton got it the first week and keep it for the rest for the rest of the season.

Good bit of information. I really think getting into the analysis by paralysis. Ayton to see has what you are looking for in a top pick. Athleticism, he has an offensive skill set already, can rebound. I am sure with coaching - he can be a serviceable defender.

I think you mean paralysis by analysis.

[bwgood77]

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Miles Bridges at 16 would be a steeaaaalllllll.

That would be crazy good.

Yeah, I hadn't seen that mock but saw him mocked at 14 and thought "wow, if he slides to 16 that will be a steal".

[darealjuice]

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We better hit the phone hard if Trae Young drops

[matt131]

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We better hit the phone hard if Trae Young drops

I want Doncic so badly, but I would be happy going for young.

My more realistic goal was to draft Doncic 1 and then trade up for Wendell Carter, but looks like he is in a tough range to trade for now.

[Waylay13]

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We better hit the phone hard if Trae Young drops

I can understand MPJ dropping after it was said that he may have to redshirt his rookie year but Trae Young dropping spooks me as I havent heard any reasoning behind him dropping. The way I am looking at it as far as point guards go it is Doncic ------->Young ----> SGA ----> 3 or 4 other players ----------------------------------------------------------> my dog ---> Sexton.

[bwgood77]

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We better hit the phone hard if Trae Young drops

I had Young going like 12 or 13 in my mock. I won't be surprised if he starts tumbling, he keeps tumbling because others have been targeted. I think there is a good chance Shai goes before him and if Sexton does, he could really fall....if the Clips passed on him, he doesn't seem like an ideal pick for Denver or Washington (though those picks, and the Clips picks, may be traded).

I wouldn't be surprised if something like 12 and 13 and Harris for 3 and then the Hawks nab Young if he falls that far...to 12...end up with like Tobias Harris, Trae Young and Robert Williams or something.

[matt131]

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But...but...but AYTON HAS MUSCLES AND IS TALL.

[Blackification]

https://theathletic.com/395660/2018/06/18/finch-returns-nba-scouts-give-their-brutally-honest-takes-about-this-years-top-draft-prospects/

For those that don't have The Athletic

Damn the most important attribute of them all...

Thats the first time I've read anything questioning his work ethic.

I think the work ethic bull goes back to when he was in the aau circuit basically surrounded by vultures that werent focused on helping him and instead where making money off him. I posted that article from yahoo sports yesterday detailing how much of a difference it was when he went from aau to ncaa

[bwgood77]

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We better hit the phone hard if Trae Young drops

I can understand MPJ dropping after it was said that he may have to redshirt his rookie year but Trae Young dropping spooks me as I havent heard any reasoning behind him dropping. The way I am looking at it as far as point guards go it is Doncic ------->Young ----> SGA ----> 3 or 4 other players ----------------------------------------------------------> my dog ---> Sexton.

I agree, but I can see a team like the Hawks, who like him thinking it's too high...and then Orlando likes length and toughness and could use a C (if Vucevic isnt' in long term plans)....I could see them go Carter or try to trade down a coupe spots and take Shai...or just take Shai.

Then the Bulls like him, do they really need a PG? After that, teams may already be settled on certain guys or not need point guards...or just be afraid of defense. He is a guy that might be overanalyzed like Doncic is and people might overthink it. Of course there are a lot of risks with Trae's defense but at some point with that offensive potential, you gotta take him.

[Kerrsed]

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[WeekapaugGroove]

I don't think young going 10-14 is that big of a fall. I think that's where alot of teams have had him this whole time.

The margin for error with him is slim. He needs to be great offensively to be a net positive because he's drawing dead defensively at his size and athleticism. I know people love him and he might be great but he might also be tre Burke.

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[Kerrsed]

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[Kerrsed]

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[LukasBMW]

If only

In a game of Marry / **** / Kill ... I'd **** and Kill Rachel but I'd marry Lindsey Smith.

Lindsey seems like a cool chick. You could play video games with her, go to the gym with her, and she'd get along with your friends. She's a keeper.

Rachel seems like a bitch. She's the kinda girl that gets drunk off two mixed drinks and then tried to start a fight with the bouncer. Then (after she gets you both kicked out of the bar), she asks you why you didn't beat up the bouncer. The next morning, she changes her profile photo on facebook and posts some passive agressive **** about you.

(Yes, I've had experience with both).

All you said could be true but Rachel also seems like the one that would be wild in bed...if you're into that.

True. The crazy ones are always better in the sack.