The Draft Thread: Ayton Vs Doncic 1

[matt131]

I ask myself to be critical, so I did some more reading. I need a little more Luka in my life, but here’s what I found out about Ayton:

there are moments that came frequently enough during the season where he couldn’t make an 8 footer, didn’t have the right touch around the basket. there were nights he wouldn’t be proud of.

then there’s this. 32 pts on 16 shots. he made 13 of them. most of them were at least 6 feet away:

Watch on YouTube

I’m still impressed. They say no one works harder than DA. If that’s true, he can be an absolute monster. If he can do that, now, imagine what he can do at 21?

He could average 30 in this league. I firmly believe that. He’s not there yet, but there are flashes of Kevin Durant-ness where he just doesn’t miss.

I promise you guys I will watch as much Luka as I can.

If that is indeed the case, then I would be happy drafting him even though I lean toward Luka. I have watched a few games with Ayton where he just doesn't look interested in playing help defense. I saw multiple times where a layup is shot and it looks like a player with Ayton's length and quickness should be able to block the shot, but he just stands there watching it. If he truly has drive and a champion's work ethic, then I will be glad he's on our team.

[Fo-Real]

[BobbieL]

I don’t think the Suns can go wrong either way. I get it, Ayton is a very good selection, if the pick. The upside and potential is obvious. And he would add a level for a low post scorer with other skills.

But as said earlier, if McD drafts Doncic - that will take the brass ones. Like the quote from the executive or scout.

[8on]

I love this dude.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22023803/arizona-wildcats-freshman-deandre-ayton-not-afraid-do-big-things

[Bob8]

What do you think conversation would have been, if Doncic was local boy and Ayton Euro? Who would be drafted by Suns?

[8on]

What do you think conversation would have been, if Doncic was local boy and Ayton Euro? Who would be drafted by Suns?

Who could’ve done anything to stop Ayton in the Euroleague? Is there one center he would have to worry about? I don’t know; I’m sincerely asking.

[8on]

What do you think conversation would have been, if Doncic was local boy and Ayton Euro? Who would be drafted by Suns?

I want to say this again:

It doesn’t matter what you did in the Euroleague or Division I.

It matters what we think you’ll do in the NBA.

[BobbieL]

What do you think conversation would have been, if Doncic was local boy and Ayton Euro? Who would be drafted by Suns?

I want to say this again:

It doesn’t matter what you did in the Euroleague or Division I.

It matters what we think you’ll do in the NBA.

This is the question to be answered. I think right now Doncic is the best player . But this is not about one year, it’s about 8-9 years at minimum. Ayton probably has the most growth potential - along with Bamba, JJJ - but can they get there. Doncic doesn’t have the ceiling but he should be a solid NBA player at worst

[JMac1]

I'd move Jackson for Doncic/Ayton, easily. As much as I love Jackson

I thought we needed defense. Nah.....I’m good. I’m keeping JJ

JJ had one of the worst DRPM in the league and iirc, 2nd worst on the Suns behind only Warren (excluding mid season acquisition Payton).

Well let’s cut to him then. Because those stats obviously means he can’t play defense. I’m sure Doncic is better....

[DRK]

I ask myself to be critical, so I did some more reading. I need a little more Luka in my life, but here’s what I found out about Ayton:

there are moments that came frequently enough during the season where he couldn’t make an 8 footer, didn’t have the right touch around the basket. there were nights he wouldn’t be proud of.

then there’s this. 32 pts on 16 shots. he made 13 of them. most of them were at least 6 feet away:

Watch on YouTube

I’m still impressed. They say no one works harder than DA. If that’s true, he can be an absolute monster. If he can do that, now, imagine what he can do at 21?

He could average 30 in this league. I firmly believe that. He’s not there yet, but there are flashes of Kevin Durant-ness where he just doesn’t miss.

I promise you guys I will watch as much Luka as I can.

Alot of them were against a zone defence that is lacking in coverage around the 15-18 feet area. I dont disagree that Ayton has a nice stroke from that range, forgive me that highlight video isnt blowing me away by watching Ayton get easy points against a zone defence.
Im tossing and turning between Ayton and Doncic, and to be honest, Im leaning Doncic over Ayton.

To me, Ayton reminds me of a JJ Hickson with a low post game... is that comparison totally wrong?

[TheLogician]

What do you think conversation would have been, if Doncic was local boy and Ayton Euro? Who would be drafted by Suns?

Ayton's playing locally definitely helps his stock with the Suns. That's undeniable. Nevertheless, he was slotted at #1 in mocks before the draft lottery. One could argue our hiring Luka's coach gives him a similar edge over guys like Bagley, MPJ, Bamba, etc.

[JMac1]

I'd move Jackson for Doncic/Ayton, easily. As much as I love Jackson

I thought we needed defense. Nah.....I’m good. I’m keeping JJ

So in this draft you'd have JJ #1?

Uh no. I have him and Ayton greater for the Suns over Doncic and Ayton.

[Sunsfan12]

I’m curious as to why some think Doncic’s ceiling isn’t as high as any other player in this draft. If it is athleticism then how could Nash win two MVP awards? I understand that two players with the same skill set but one has more athletic ability that player will have a higher ceiling. However, Doncic checks more boxes than anyone in this draft as far as basketball IQ and skills.

[JMac1]

I ask myself to be critical, so I did some more reading. I need a little more Luka in my life, but here’s what I found out about Ayton:

there are moments that came frequently enough during the season where he couldn’t make an 8 footer, didn’t have the right touch around the basket. there were nights he wouldn’t be proud of.

then there’s this. 32 pts on 16 shots. he made 13 of them. most of them were at least 6 feet away:

Watch on YouTube

I’m still impressed. They say no one works harder than DA. If that’s true, he can be an absolute monster. If he can do that, now, imagine what he can do at 21?

He could average 30 in this league. I firmly believe that. He’s not there yet, but there are flashes of Kevin Durant-ness where he just doesn’t miss.

I promise you guys I will watch as much Luka as I can.

Alot of them were against a zone defence that is lacking in coverage around the 15-18 feet area. I dont disagree that Ayton has a nice stroke from that range, forgive me that highlight video isnt blowing me away by watching Ayton get easy points against a zone defence.
Im tossing and turning between Ayton and Doncic, and to be honest, Im leaning Doncic over Ayton.

To me, Ayton reminds me of a JJ Hickson with a low post game... is that comparison totally wrong?

There easy point because he is making shots. That’s the point isn’t? Make open shots.

It’s funny. Ayton just dominates inside and out and you hear, well he is bigger or those guys aren’t good. How does any college player dominate?

I’m struggling to understand the knock on him for being too good or making it look too easy.

[gaspar]

Ugh. Ayton is so soft and all around unimpressive. And we are most likely gonna waste a #1 pick on him. ****.

[Bob8]

What do you think conversation would have been, if Doncic was local boy and Ayton Euro? Who would be drafted by Suns?

Who could’ve done anything to stop Ayton in the Euroleague? Is there one center he would have to worry about? I don’t know; I’m sincerely asking.

if he came to Real directly from HS, he wouldn't do anything. Everything is too different that even experienced players coming from Nba suffer In first season. Game is faster than in NCAA, much more physical, many tactical variations, different rules and players are bigger and stronger. Real has 3 players 6.11 or more.

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/teams/showteam?clubcode=mad&seasoncode=E2017

The biggest problem is that nobody will wait for you to understand offensive and defensive plays. Nobody cares how good prospect you are, if veteran is better he gets the minutes and you don't. In clubs like Real only wins and titles matters. Ayton should have come in Europe few years before and in that case the story would be different, like Luka came with 13 years.

[8on]

I ask myself to be critical, so I did some more reading. I need a little more Luka in my life, but here’s what I found out about Ayton:

there are moments that came frequently enough during the season where he couldn’t make an 8 footer, didn’t have the right touch around the basket. there were nights he wouldn’t be proud of.

then there’s this. 32 pts on 16 shots. he made 13 of them. most of them were at least 6 feet away:

Watch on YouTube

I’m still impressed. They say no one works harder than DA. If that’s true, he can be an absolute monster. If he can do that, now, imagine what he can do at 21?

He could average 30 in this league. I firmly believe that. He’s not there yet, but there are flashes of Kevin Durant-ness where he just doesn’t miss.

I promise you guys I will watch as much Luka as I can.

Alot of them were against a zone defence that is lacking in coverage around the 15-18 feet area. I dont disagree that Ayton has a nice stroke from that range, forgive me that highlight video isnt blowing me away by watching Ayton get easy points against a zone defence.
Im tossing and turning between Ayton and Doncic, and to be honest, Im leaning Doncic over Ayton.

To me, Ayton reminds me of a JJ Hickson with a low post game... is that comparison totally wrong?

put it another way:

how many 19 year old 7 footers could do this?

[GeraldsGreenery]

They say Sarver is in love with Doncic, but I dont but it. Sarver is a U of A alumni and I dont see him passing on a chance to take the first U of A guy #1

Read on Twitter

[TheXgasm]

Can we talk about the thing we're all ignoring?

As a person born and raised in Phoenix that has lived here my whole life, do you know how hard it would be to have to cheer on someone who played in Tucson? And to look at them as our savior? It would make me want to die a little each time I cheered on my most beloved team. It's born into me to hate Tucson with the fury of a dying star, and all I can think of when I see Ayton is that gross uniform. It hurts, guys. My soul is hurting. Owwwie.

[bigfoot]

What do you think conversation would have been, if Doncic was local boy and Ayton Euro? Who would be drafted by Suns?

I want to say this again:

It doesn’t matter what you did in the Euroleague or Division I.

It matters what we think you’ll do in the NBA.

Very true and we have not seen anything of Ayton playing against NBA players. He could be a complete bust with lack of motor and questionable defense.

We have seen Doncic play against NBA players. Those who now play in Euroleauge and also in friendly games against full-NBA teams (OKC). I'm surprised that people don't respond at some level of amazement about Doncic's highlights in the friendly game from October 2016 against OKC.

The kid was 17 years old and competing against NBA players. Watch the video and check out the boxscore. Then think about a 17 year playing against Westbrook (27), Oladipo (24), Sabonis (20), Adams (22) and other much older NBA talent. Real NBA talent. Plus the Real Madrid team won the game. Doncic played 18 minutes with 3pts/5rbs/4asts at 17 freaking years old. Ayton wouldn't have even sniffed the floor at 17 in that game.

http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400897113

Watch on YouTube