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

[kennydorglas]

Watch on YouTube

Highlights from Future Phoenix Sun Josh Jackson's dominant game earlier today

Cant wait to see this guy here.
Make it happen, McD.

[Bogyo]

The only problem I have with Suns drafting Jackson is it would mean they are keeping Bledsoe and I'm not sure it's a good thing long term.
I'm intrigued with the possibility of trading for another lottery pick and getting Jackson and Ntilikina. That would be 2 potentially elite defenders to pair with Booker. But would Suns be content with another years of rebuild?

I'm thinking more and more of a draf-day trade of Bledsoe to a team with a pick between 5-10 (+other parts to fit salaries, etc). Orlando, Minnesota, Dallas, Sacramento, New York, Milwaukee - I can see multiple teams who could go for a more established, veteran PG instead of a non-top 3 PG (Fultz, Ball, Smith) rookie. Heck, we might even get Smith if a couple guys shoot up the boards like R. Williams lately, and Smith ends up at 8-10.
The other question is legit, but I'd have a lot more fun and follow the team more closely with that group than the current one. Depends on Sarver mostly...

[MathiasPW]

He's now 15 / 30 from 3 recently, which is a big enough sample size to suggest it's for real.

5 / 7 FTs is 71%, if he can do that for a similiar stretch (improving from 54%) he's our number 1 pick.

No, it's not a big enough sample.

A link has been posted in this thread already showing how college 3 pointers translate poorly to the NBA and FT shooting is a better predictor, in which Jackson still struggles mightily.

He does so many things well, but shooting is something to be worried about. The comparisons that article makes, with athletic forwards who have yet to pan out, is concerning.

I'd actually love if he could become a better playmaking OKC Andre Roberson, who shoots the 3 well but is abysmal from the FT line. But that is uncommon.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I agree on his FTs, needs to reach around 70% for a stretch, would make a huge difference.

[MrMiyagi]

He's now 15 / 30 from 3 recently, which is a big enough sample size to suggest it's for real.

5 / 7 FTs is 71%, if he can do that for a similiar stretch (improving from 54%) he's our number 1 pick.

No, it's not a big enough sample.

A link has been posted in this thread already showing how college 3 pointers translate poorly to the NBA and FT shooting is a better predictor, in which Jackson still struggles mightily.

He does so many things well, but shooting is something to be worried about. The comparisons that article makes, with athletic forwards who have yet to pan out, is concerning.

I'd actually love if he could become a better playmaking OKC Andre Roberson, who shoots the 3 well but is abysmal from the FT line. But that is uncommon.

When I first read that I was like "That's a pretty low threshold" but then I was like - good, maybe we won't start rosterbating about trading him during his rookie season if we have lowered expectations.

[darealjuice]

He's now 15 / 30 from 3 recently, which is a big enough sample size to suggest it's for real.

5 / 7 FTs is 71%, if he can do that for a similiar stretch (improving from 54%) he's our number 1 pick.

No, it's not a big enough sample.

A link has been posted in this thread already showing how college 3 pointers translate poorly to the NBA and FT shooting is a better predictor, in which Jackson still struggles mightily.

He does so many things well, but shooting is something to be worried about. The comparisons that article makes, with athletic forwards who have yet to pan out, is concerning.

I'd actually love if he could become a better playmaking OKC Andre Roberson, who shoots the 3 well but is abysmal from the FT line. But that is uncommon.

I definitely agree that the sample size is too small to call him a good shooter, but any improvement is promising.

With that said, it's not that college 3-pointers are bad indicators of NBA 3-point shooting ability, but that FT% is better because it's a better representation of shooting form consistency, which has definitely been one of Josh's issues. It's one of those things that he'll have to put work in to fix, and based on everything I've heard about him from Bill Self and seen from him on the court I have no doubt he's willing to do it to be great. Even if he ends up only being around a league average shooter from 3, the impact he has outside of shooting definitely compensates for it.

We were all enamored with TJ Warren being the starter at the beginning of the year and being the future, and Jackson is much more athletic, a better ball handler, a better defender, a better playmaker, a better rebounder, and worst case will be just as good of an outside shooter (TJ at 25% this season and 31% on his career while being hesitant to even try most of the time). TJ is probably a more natural scorer, but I wouldn't even guarantee that with how the only time we've seen Josh Jackson as the man on offense was last game when Frank Mason was fouled out and Devontae Graham was ice cold, and he put up 31/12/4 on ridiculous efficiency and basically won them the game.

I'd be happy with any of the top 4, but Josh Jackson is probably my favorite to watch out of all of them right now with how he's taken another step up in conference play. He just has that killer, winning mentality and high motor that I never saw from Wiggins with all of the athleticism and skill, more fire, and a worse shooting form.

[Zelaznyrules]

He's now 15 / 30 from 3 recently, which is a big enough sample size to suggest it's for real.

5 / 7 FTs is 71%, if he can do that for a similiar stretch (improving from 54%) he's our number 1 pick.

No, it's not a big enough sample.

A link has been posted in this thread already showing how college 3 pointers translate poorly to the NBA and FT shooting is a better predictor, in which Jackson still struggles mightily.

He does so many things well, but shooting is something to be worried about. The comparisons that article makes, with athletic forwards who have yet to pan out, is concerning.

I'd actually love if he could become a better playmaking OKC Andre Roberson, who shoots the 3 well but is abysmal from the FT line. But that is uncommon.

I definitely agree that the sample size is too small to call him a good shooter, but any improvement is promising.

With that said, it's not that college 3-pointers are bad indicators of NBA 3-point shooting ability, but that FT% is better because it's a better representation of shooting form consistency, which has definitely been one of Josh's issues. It's one of those things that he'll have to put work in to fix, and based on everything I've heard about him from Bill Self and seen from him on the court I have no doubt he's willing to do it to be great. Even if he ends up only being around a league average shooter from 3, the impact he has outside of shooting definitely compensates for it.

We were all enamored with TJ Warren being the starter at the beginning of the year and being the future, and Jackson is much more athletic, a better ball handler, a better defender, a better playmaker, a better rebounder, and worst case will be just as good of an outside shooter (TJ at 25% this season and 31% on his career while being hesitant to even try most of the time). TJ is probably a more natural scorer, but I wouldn't even guarantee that with how the only time we've seen Josh Jackson as the man on offense was last game when Frank Mason was fouled out and Devontae Graham was ice cold, and he put up 31/12/4 on ridiculous efficiency and basically won them the game.

I'd be happy with any of the top 4, but Josh Jackson is probably my favorite to watch out of all of them right now with how he's taken another step up in conference play. He just has that killer, winning mentality and high motor that I never saw from Wiggins with all of the athleticism and skill, more fire, and a worse shooting form.

I mostly agree with you. There's probably 6 guys near the top of this draft that I'd be thrilled with but I guess it depends on who you're calling "top 4". If your short list includes Smith, I'd have to say I'd be happy with 3 of the top 4. I just don't want to ever risk a top pick on someone that plays like him. I just don't like the chance of his knees holding up to the pounding they are going to take and that's without considering his prior injuries. I'm tired of high fliers; give me smart and highly skilled players that only leave their feet when they really need to and never thrill the crowd with a powerful dunk. As much as I enjoyed watching both of them play, no more Bledsoes or Amares.

[Sampagne]

surprisingly a close game, UCLA up 32-27

Lonzo: 11pts 5reb 2ast

[Sampagne]

Lonzo finishes with 22pts 9ast 7reb

[bhawk]

How many months until the draft? Am I crazy to already be excited about some of the prospects? I was looking at Jackson this morning and came across the Wiggins vs. Jackson thread. It is here:

viewtopic.php?t=1479658

Good read if you have the time and the consensus is that they are similar prospects. Wiggins is the better athlete and has a better shot. Jackson has the better IQ and competitive fire.

In the 2017 draft, there is no doubt that we all want the Suns to draft a "franchise" player. From my amateur analysis, there are 3 franchise players in this class. Jackson is not one of them. I think Fultz, Ball and Smith will all start on Day 1 and will be perennial All-Stars. The Suns are in the enviable position (right now) to select one of them.

BUT. BUT. BUT... we have our franchise guard in Bledsoe already. What do the Suns do? What is most logical? Do we draft for need or draft for franchise talent?

My conclusion... trade Bledsoe and draft one of the top 3 guards.

Where the 2017 is STACKED at guard, 2018 is the year of the BIG. There is some GREAT PF/C talent coming out in 18. Take the franchise guard now and next year we may be in a position to get a better big.

Oh... we should trade Knight while we're at it...

[Mulhollanddrive]

Even if we finish 2nd last there's a 44% chance of picking 4 or 5.

Who would you pick outside of Fultz, Ball, Jackson?

What could you get for Bledsoe though? Maybe pick 8-10?

[bhawk]

Even if we finish 2nd last there's a 44% chance of picking 4 or 5.

Who would you pick outside of Fultz, Ball, Jackson?

That would suck. If we pre-preemptively trade Bledsoe, then next guard up. And arguably, Ntilikina and Fox may be the next best players and they may project to be better than J. Jackson.

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/frank-ntilikina

Overall: Ntilikina is undoubtedly one of the best International players of his generation. His elite physical tools and feel for the game, combined with his high upside makes him a really intriguing prospect ... He is not NBA ready just yet, but he has all the tools to become a very good player in the future ...

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/deaaron-fox

Strengths: 6’3 shifty left handed point guard … Good size and length for the position … Explosive athleticism and high skill level. Changes speeds very well. Great lead guard in transition. Pushes the ball at every opportunity and is a blur in the open floor. Elite quickness: quick hands, feet, and great reaction time … Good court vision and passing ability. Great touch on lob passes and floaters. Handles the ball very well ... Has the ability to avoid traps and break a press by himself ...

If Bledsoe is still on the roster... then look at Jackson, Issac, and I'm intrigued by the upside of Robert Williams. He may be this years, Marquesse Chriss.

[bhawk]

What could you get for Bledsoe though? Maybe pick 8-10?

That would be phenomenal! I have no idea what we can get for Bled... hopefully a windfall.

[bhawk]

Question... if you are drafting a guard this year where would Kris Dunn, Buddy and Jamal Murray rank?

Fultz
Ball
Smith
Ntilikina
Fox
Dunn
Murray
Buddy

Is that fair?

[ATTL]

Question... if you are drafting a guard this year where would Kris Dunn, Buddy and Jamal Murray rank?

Fultz
Ball
Smith
Ntilikina
Fox
Dunn
Murray
Buddy

Is that fair?

I think that is fair. I didn't like buddy going into the draft and Dunn was douchey go teams so that kept him down. Plus dunn was 22 coming into the draft as opposed to the 19 and under group this year.

[gaspar]

Read on Twitter

This pretty much sums up how I feel about the draft this year. IMO Fultz is a much, MUCH better prospect than anyone else in this draft.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

This pretty much sums up how I feel about the draft this year. IMO Fultz is a much, MUCH better prospect than anyone else in this draft.

I didn't even realize there was a debate. I thought Fultz was clear cut #1 most every place I saw. That being said, Simmons hasn't done a thing either nor did he accomplish much in college. Can't really shoot and as good as he is talked about as a passer, his less than 1.5-1 ast/to ratio wasn't all that impressive.

Last year's draft class may have had some depth but there really were not any or many top tier prospects at all.

[Sampagne]

Read on Twitter

This pretty much sums up how I feel about the draft this year. IMO Fultz is a much, MUCH better prospect than anyone else in this draft.

i dont agree, Simmons was MUCH MUCH better than ingram, the duke congolomerate hyped him like they do all his prospects and he was #2 in a very weak class.

fultz is still overall better than ball but its much closer than last year

In terms, if this year had simmons, ingram, what would the top 5 be?

I say

Simmons
Fultz
Ball
jackson
Smith
Ingram

[wheezy]

Unless nbadraft.net somehow got better at scouting, I would stick with draftexpress for strengths/weaknesses/etc. I get the comps on nbadraft are kind of fun, but they've always overstated a ton.

The one thing I do really like about Jackson is that he plays to the needs of the team. He's largely been deferring to the upper classmen at KU because he is the new guy on the team, then he'll step his game up a ton when they need him. Dude plays within the system and seems like he can play defense against at least 2-4. I think that would do wonders on the Suns considering a few of our guys are more up and down with their effort.

[Phoenix-Sons]

From looking at the box score Josh Jackson hasn't had the best game.

Anyone watching KU-WVU right now?