College basketball and 2017 draft - One more poll after last game

[bwgood77]

De'Aaron Fox with 27, 6 and 6 on 10-16 shooting. Best player for Kentucky today.

[No-Man]

I'm not worried about missing out on the top 3. This draft is solid up until about 9 or 10. I like Ntilikina, Simmons, Tatum about as much as anyone else not named Marquelle Fultz. I don't think teams will have a very easy time distinguishing the stars from this group of potential stars.

Solid is the difference between KAT and porzingis vs hezonja and stanimal.
This is a year we need a top pick. We get top picks in years without clear top end talent. We need that top pick to solidify our core or it could extend our rebuild another two years.

I think we can get a good player in the 5-8 range but I believe we need a top 4 pick this year.

I do like both Tatum and Jackson more than Ingram and jaylen brown. I'm just totally underwhelmed by monk and fox. Wouldn't mind French frank but I think he's a tier below the top 3 point guards and small forwards.

I really wish Giles didn't have the knee issues, loved him before the injuries.

There probably isn't a clear cut top 3. I don't think there is a Towns/Porzingis caliber player for sure. Ford was saying some GMs have Jayson Tatum #1. He also mentioned in that mock I posted above that Giles might be the best player if he could get over his knee issues. I don't think there are that many teams we will pass, if any. Brooklyn has no incentive to lose and was missing Lin for a long time. Philly will probably get better. Minnesota will certainly get better. Their pt differential would put them in about the 8 seed.

But what's going to happen is going to happen. I think this is the year we probably REALLY play the rookies heavy minutes down the stretch though, which will most likely lead to losses.

I do believe there is a sizable difference between Fultz, especially, Jackson and Smith and the rest of the top10 (Tatum, Giles, Ball, Ntilikina, Isaac,...).

I would not have Monk and Fox there, at all.

[MrMiyagi]

De'Aaron Fox with 27, 6 and 6 on 10-16 shooting. Best player for Kentucky today.

You get to see the Arizona Cats? Markkanen with 22 points and 6 boards in 22 minutes on 6/12 shooting, 4/5 from 3 and 6/7 from the charity stripe. He was in foul trouble, but still a darn good night in spite of that.

[bwgood77]

De'Aaron Fox with 27, 6 and 6 on 10-16 shooting. Best player for Kentucky today.

You get to see the Arizona Cats? Markkanen with 22 points and 6 boards in 22 minutes on 6/12 shooting, 4/5 from 3 and 6/7 from the charity stripe. He was in foul trouble, but still a darn good night in spite of that.

No, I couldn't find it online, so I just followed the box score.

[Foliohattu]

De'Aaron Fox with 27, 6 and 6 on 10-16 shooting. Best player for Kentucky today.

You get to see the Arizona Cats? Markkanen with 22 points and 6 boards in 22 minutes on 6/12 shooting, 4/5 from 3 and 6/7 from the charity stripe. He was in foul trouble, but still a darn good night in spite of that.

I just watched the press conference and from what coach Miller said it looks like Lauri tried to draw a charge with 3 fouls and caught the 4th foul. Not familiar with Miller but I figure he´s a disciplined defensive coach right? Just what Markkanen needs, the scoring and shooting will come naturally for him but if he becomes even avarage defender and rebounder (relative to his position),watch out.

[bwgood77]

De'Aaron Fox with 27, 6 and 6 on 10-16 shooting. Best player for Kentucky today.

You get to see the Arizona Cats? Markkanen with 22 points and 6 boards in 22 minutes on 6/12 shooting, 4/5 from 3 and 6/7 from the charity stripe. He was in foul trouble, but still a darn good night in spite of that.

I just watched the press conference and from what coach Miller said it looks like Lauri tried to draw a charge with 3 fouls and caught the 4th foul. Not familiar with Miller but I figure he´s a disciplined defensive coach right? Just what Markkanen needs, the scoring and shooting will come naturally for him but if he becomes even avarage defender and rebounder (relative to his position),watch out.

Yes, Miller is a defensive coach and that is his primary emphasis. That's one reason guys like Gordon, McConnell and RHJ play so well on defense. He would often bench Stanley Johnson for not focusing enough on defensive assignments which is basically what Stan Van Gundy is doing.

I think Markkanen will be a thicker, better rebounding player in the mold of Dirk who is best suited as a stretch 4. Not the best defender and should play with a rim protector, but a very good shooter and rebounder.

[Zelaznyrules]

I still have serious doubts about whether Lonzo can be the primary ballhandler at the next level. But you know what? I don't care. I think I'd take him with the first pick and figure it out from there.

[gaspar]

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[Duke4life831]

I still have serious doubts about whether Lonzo can be the primary ballhandler at the next level. But you know what? I don't care. I think I'd take him with the first pick and figure it out from there.

I think you guys and Ball are a match made in heaven. I don't know what better way to help guys like Booker, Warren, and Bender to take the next level than playing with Ball. I just think system and the players on the team is just the perfect fit for Ball and Ball is the exact type of PG you guys need.

[Damkac]

If I was Suns GM and had 1st pick I would choose Fultz but Ball is the player I want the most. Is that making any sense?
From what I know Smith is like a younger, more talented Bledsoe. He gave up on one game lately and that also reminds me of Bledsoe. I'm afraid with him Suns offense would be as unorganized as it is now.

[Duke4life831]

If I was Suns GM and had 1st pick I would choose Fultz but Ball is the player I want the most. Is that making any sense?
From what I know Smith is like a younger, more talented Bledsoe. He gave up on one game lately and that also reminds me of Bledsoe. I'm afraid with him Suns offense would be as unorganized as it is now.

Hes a much better PG though than Bledsoe. Bledsoe was never really a PG, he was just an athletic basketball player with the size of a PG. DSJ actually has legit PG instincts and vision. Athletically ya they're both strong bulls who have tremendous explosion, but thats about where the comparisons stop. I think DSJ is the best prospect in the draft but I don't like his fit with you guys at all. If you go with DSJ you gotta go with a PnR heavy offense with him.

Ill admit I haven't caught too many of your guys games this year, but from the few I've seen and from looking at your roster, it seems like you guys are built for a high paced free flowing type offense, that is Ball's specialty. I also think Fultz is a bad fit as well, worst out of the 3.

I think you and I are saying the same thing though just flipped with DSJ and Fultz. You think Fultz is the overall better prospect but Ball fits your guys team much better.

[Mulhollanddrive]

To me Jackson and Ball would be a waste of a pick as they are never going to be no.1 players on a championship team. Their comparisons might be Draymond Green and Jason Kidd who still needed 2 better players to do it.

I think Ntilikina or Isaac will be great value picks as they are more speculative but with a higher ceiling. Both would be the longest sized shooters for their position in the NBA.

Fultz and Smith seem to be top 2 at the moment.

[DirtyDez]

To me Jackson and Ball would be a waste of a pick as they are never going to be no.1 players on a championship team. Their comparisons might be Draymond Green and Jason Kidd who still needed 2 better players to do it.

I think Ntilikina or Isaac will be great value picks as they are more speculative but with a higher ceiling. Both would be the longest sized shooters for their position in the NBA.

Fultz and Smith seem to be top 2 at the moment.

Let's take a look at #1 players on championships teams over the years: Lebron, Curry, Duncan, Dirk, Kobe, Wade... I mean you're expecting a top-20 player all time?

[MrMiyagi]

To me Jackson and Ball would be a waste of a pick as they are never going to be no.1 players on a championship team. Their comparisons might be Draymond Green and Jason Kidd who still needed 2 better players to do it.

I think Ntilikina or Isaac will be great value picks as they are more speculative but with a higher ceiling. Both would be the longest sized shooters for their position in the NBA.

Fultz and Smith seem to be top 2 at the moment.

Let's take a look at #1 players on championships teams over the years: Lebron, Curry, Duncan, Dirk, Kobe, Wade... I mean you're expecting a top-20 player all time?

It's the whole Giannis infatuation. If you redraft 2013, he's probably #1 overall, but there was no guarantee that he would become anywhere near the player he has.

People don't realize you can't tell who will become All Stars or Hall of Famers. So many guys come touted and don't make the leap, others are overlooked and do. Some are touted and do make the leap and others who were overlooked don't. Any way you slice it, it's a risk, and you can only base your decision on the information you gather coupled with slight projection. Joel Embiid could've been - and still could be - Greg Oden 2.0. Hell, Greg Oden could've been Bill Russell 2.0. Draymond Green could've been just another second round tweener who didn't work out.

IMO, we don't need to make a super risky pick. We've already got Bender and Chriss who have incredible boom potential. I think what we need is an engine to run out offense and an elite wing defender. We might have both already - Booker and Bledsoe could improve and get us playing well every night and Bender might develop into an elite perimeter defender - but that's what feel like this team is missing right now.

While I can't attest to having watched a lot of Ntilikina or Isaac, their write ups say they've got physical tools but really need to improve their skill level. I think we need to add players with surefire skills. Ball is my favorite engine, but I am PAC-12 biased (more because that's what I watch, not because I believe The Conference of Champions to be superior ). Fultz is a worthy pick, though I'm uncertain of how well he fits alongside Booker. I haven't seen any of Smith, but he seems to have good playmaking skills. Josh Jackson seems like he'll become an elite perimeter defender. Anunoby is another guys who looks like he'll defend well next level, but he might be a reach where we pick.

And I haven't even gotten to some other guys like the Duke and Kentucky boys, and my guy Markkanen. There just seem to be more polished players with great upside, that we don't need to risk a wasted pick on string beans who may or may not pan out (isn't Bender enough for you people!).

Also, insane amount of disrespect to Jason Kidd who took the Nets to back-to-back Finals appearances.

[Zelaznyrules]

To me Jackson and Ball would be a waste of a pick as they are never going to be no.1 players on a championship team. Their comparisons might be Draymond Green and Jason Kidd who still needed 2 better players to do it.

I think Ntilikina or Isaac will be great value picks as they are more speculative but with a higher ceiling. Both would be the longest sized shooters for their position in the NBA.

Fultz and Smith seem to be top 2 at the moment.

At the end of his career, sure. But give him two more great players while he was still in his prime and I believe he's good enough to get a ring or two. He was never at the level of a Lebron, Kobe, Shaq, Duncan but he was right there with the next level of players that have led the right mix of players to a championship.

[bwgood77]

To me Jackson and Ball would be a waste of a pick as they are never going to be no.1 players on a championship team. Their comparisons might be Draymond Green and Jason Kidd who still needed 2 better players to do it.

I think Ntilikina or Isaac will be great value picks as they are more speculative but with a higher ceiling. Both would be the longest sized shooters for their position in the NBA.

Fultz and Smith seem to be top 2 at the moment.

Let's take a look at #1 players on championships teams over the years: Lebron, Curry, Duncan, Dirk, Kobe, Wade... I mean you're expecting a top-20 player all time?

I know, if you're assured of a Green or Kidd type of player, you take him, unless you are absolutely sure a guy will be superstar, which you really can't be outside of maybe picks like Shaq, Hakeem, Alcindor, Robinson and Duncan at the times.

[jcsunsfan]

To me Jackson and Ball would be a waste of a pick as they are never going to be no.1 players on a championship team. Their comparisons might be Draymond Green and Jason Kidd who still needed 2 better players to do it.

I think Ntilikina or Isaac will be great value picks as they are more speculative but with a higher ceiling. Both would be the longest sized shooters for their position in the NBA.

Fultz and Smith seem to be top 2 at the moment.

Let's take a look at #1 players on championships teams over the years: Lebron, Curry, Duncan, Dirk, Kobe, Wade... I mean you're expecting a top-20 player all time?

I know, if you're assured of a Green or Kidd type of player, you take him, unless you are absolutely sure a guy will be superstar, which you really can't be outside of maybe picks like Shaq, Hakeem, Alcindor, Robinson and Duncan at the times.

Fultz is going to be a Westbrook type of player. Ball, to me looks like Kidd with a three point shot (imagine what Kidd's career would have been if he came into the league with a 40% three pointer). Both are two way players.

Tough to choose there. I would probably take Fultz first because he is more likely to be an alpha.

[bwgood77]

Let's take a look at #1 players on championships teams over the years: Lebron, Curry, Duncan, Dirk, Kobe, Wade... I mean you're expecting a top-20 player all time?

I know, if you're assured of a Green or Kidd type of player, you take him, unless you are absolutely sure a guy will be superstar, which you really can't be outside of maybe picks like Shaq, Hakeem, Alcindor, Robinson and Duncan at the times.

Fultz is going to be a Westbrook type of player. Ball, to me looks like Kidd with a three point shot (imagine what Kidd's career would have been if he came into the league with a 40% three pointer). Both are two way players.

Tough to choose there. I would probably take Fultz first because he is more likely to be an alpha.

Still too early for me to call. Ball plays with better teammates so doesn't have to take on as big of load.

[MrMiyagi]

Fultz is going to be a Westbrook type of player. Ball, to me looks like Kidd with a three point shot (imagine what Kidd's career would have been if he came into the league with a 40% three pointer). Both are two way players.

Tough to choose there. I would probably take Fultz first because he is more likely to be an alpha.

Still too early for me to call. Ball plays with better teammates so doesn't have to take on as big of load.

That's true, but I also feel like he'd do well with Booker, TJ, Chriss, Bender (I think his confidence will boost next season, especially if Ball can help get him open looks) and even Len at his disposal. Ball's shot is still odd as hell and it'll be interesting to see if it works next level.

As for Fultz, I guess the good thing about our squad is Booker doesn't seem to have an ego when it comes to his teammates. He seems very quick to make friends with his new teammates, so I don't imagine there being any friction with who is "alpha". But again, my worry is Fultz will have his head down too often in tight games when he has good players at his disposal. It's not a huge worry, like he's a chucker with blinders on or something, but that's the thing that goes off when I think about him with this team.

[bwgood77]

I will likely merge this into the draft thread, but wanted a new one for those that don't check it. Feel free to post DX write ups, rankings, videos or whatever.

I think we end up top 7, and likely top 4 based on draft order. I don't know what happened to Brooklyn, but I think they are the only sure thing of finishing behind us based on recent play, particularly if we trade vets. But wherever we place, we could always drop a spot or three or in between...most likely 1 spot unless we luck out and win a spot on the draft, but I'd love to see lists...and you can update it based on new posts in the previous ones you made of course, but it would be good to quote your first post and explain why things changed.

Feel free to add more if you'd like.