The Draft Thread: Top Prospects

[Kerrsed]

The Battle Continues! Choose Your Side!

To re-read all the fun and relive the glory of the last thread, click here!

Last poll ended at 109 for Ayton and 98 for Doncic!

[Mjee]

I voted Ayton but I have faith in our FO regardless of who the chosen sun is.....

[saintEscaton]

Give me Trae or give me death! /just kidding

[Archx]

Well to kick off the real debate X vs Y, hope i won't get in trouble because this was posted in Atlanta Hawks forum by another poster Jamaaliver. But i think it is an interesting read how other teams think of Luka. Even though i always thought PHX will draft Ayton i'm kinda curios how NBA is shifting towards different play style. And i get the feeling more and more teams will look for Ginobili type of smart players who can do little bit of everything on the floor.

Draft Q&A: Hawks assistant GM Jeff Peterson on Luka Doncic

Part of Jeff Peterson’s responsibilities as Hawks assistant general manager is to oversee the team’s scouting process.

I recently sat down with Peterson to get his thoughts on prospects in the 2018 draft.

Luka Doncic, PG/SG, Real Madrid

Q. (Cunningham) Americans don’t get to see Doncic very much. I watched some of his games on video and it seems his vision, his passing and play-making are off the charts. Are those the things that make him a top prospect?

A. (Peterson) Yes. Just his ability to make guys better, make the game easier for guys really stands out. Up until this (Rockets-Warriors) playoff series I think you saw a lot of ball movement especially with Golden State. I think they reverted back to the (isolation plays) this series just because of the (defensive) switching that was occurring. But, in general, the NBA is moving more toward ball movement, player movement and (Doncic) really thrives in that area. It’s his vision, his willingness to make passes, his unselfishness. His size allows him to see over guys and find guys in different angles. He’s a decent shooter. The thing with him is, he’s not afraid to take big shots and he makes big shots. He has a ton of confidence to be able to do what he’s doing at that age at that level in that league is pretty impressive.


Q. For Americans who don’t see much of the competition he’s facing, what’s it like in the Spanish league (Liga ACB) and Eurloeague?


A. Some would say the ACB is the second-best league in the world, that and the Euroleague. There is a ton of ex-NBA players over there. There’s a ton of high-level European players who, for whatever reason, never made their way to the states. It is a very, very good league. It’s very good basketball. Very good coaches and players. For what he’s been able to do for a couple years over there, to win MVP at his age, it’s never been done. It’s really impressive. The competition is higher than any college league. It’s higher than the ACC, the Big 10, the SEC. He’s playing with grown men over there. It’s pretty impressive.



Q. Is he a point guard? A wing? Or does it even matter?


A. I don’t think it matters. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and he’s comfortable without the ball in his hands, too. He’s shown that with the Slovenian national team with he played with (Miami Heat point guard) Goran Dragic. Dragic had the ball a lot and they would play off one another. And Doncic is smart so he can figure it out with or without the ball. I think he’s one of those guys that you put him out there and you figure it out. He’s a guy you want out there because he’s reliable and comfortable with the ball in his hands and typically makes good decisions.



Q. From watching him in video, it doesn’t seem he’s an elite athlete but he’s a big dude. How do you think that plays out as far as turning the corner, getting to the basket, finishing at the basket and those kinds of things?


A. It’s an area he will have to improve in. From an athletic standpoint he’s not elite but nor is he deficient. But absolutely in the NBA it’s a completely different level, different caliber of athletes. He’s smart. He’ll be able to adjust. I think his body has room for improvement. If he improves that, his athleticism should improve a little bit as well. But he’s going to be a guy who beats you more with his mind—angles, change of pace and direction—rather than just outright speed.



Q. His shooting has been OK, not great. What is his potential there?

A. His shot looks fine. I’m not a shooting expert by any means but I’m sure our coaches would get with him and if they want to tweak anything minor then maybe they do it. But it’s not broke. Again, he makes big shots, which is a testimony to him. He’s confident. I think he will be a fine shooter.

myAJC

[sunsbg]

The nonsense of teams searching for the next Ginobili with the 1st pick in a draft continues in a new thread.

Better to have the 16th pick than and draft the next Giannis.

[Archx]

The nonsense of teams searching for the next Ginobili with the 1st pick in a draft continues in a new thread.

Better to have the 16th pick than and draft the next Giannis.

I was purely speculating and i guess it is a reason why we are debating all of this on these forums. But if GMs or whoever works for pro teams love these type of players i think it is nothing wrong if we debate it. Or what would you suggest we do for the next 20 days? Just draft Ayton and lock the topic?

[Preacherpj]

Checking in. Still fully onboard #TeamDoncic hype train.

If its close, and most seem to think its Ayton and Doncic by themselves in the top tier, then give me the guy with better basketball IQ and vision while playing the type of postionless basketball the league is trending towards.

Won't be upset either way though, like many I just assumed we would get screwed in the lottery. ending up with either Ayton or Doncic is amazing.

[SuperSunsFan]

Aytonbots vs Doncicons
Choice is easy to make, we all know which side are the good guys.

[Kerrsed]

Aytonbots vs Doncicons

MO BAMBA! Robots in disguise!

[ATTL]

The only acceptable answer is Ayton, russian burner accounts are attempting to rig the vote.

[bhawk]

#TeamAyton #GenerAYTONal

Repost:

Not sure how to describe the "IT" factor, but Ayton has IT. Ayton is just different in a really, REALLY good way than everybody else on the court.

The first time I really felt and saw the "IT" factor with with Amare in Summer League... and it was like WOW! Amare was amazing that summer league and he created some real optimism going into the season. Dare I say that, Amare dominated from Day 1.

Booker in his first Summer League had IT too. Bender nope. Chriss, sadly, no.

Ayton is a special athlete and you don't have to be a PHD rocket scientist or NBA scout to see how obviously good Ayton is today, AND project his potential for tomorrow.

Does Ayton pass the eye test physically? YES. Does he look like he can play in the NBA? YES. Does he have a mid-range game that is arguably better than most of the superstar bigs at the same college age - YES.

Ayton vs. Doncic should not be a debate. There is ONE obvious and generational pick for the Suns at #1 and it is DeAndre Ayton.

If you're still not sold, just watch some tape on the kid. He is just so freaking good at such a young age. Great for us and bad for the teams that have to play against the Suns for the next 15 years. Size, agility, shooting, dunking, tip ins, reach, range... Ayton seriously has it all.

This is like when the Spurs drafted David Robinson and then Tim Duncan at #1. When we are old and grey our kids will still be talking about the time the Suns got the #1 pick and drafted DeAndre Ayton.

Sorry to lay it on so thick... but man... Ayton is really, really good.

[Superhuman]

If Ayton was never born then Doncic would be the obvious pick. But Ayton's parents had sex and named the baby Deandre. Ayton is 7'1", 260 pounds, has a 43 inch vertical. Can stroke it from outside, inside, spin moves for days, face up jumper, hook shots, can pass out of double teams and to cutters. You don't pass that up. He's only been playing ball for 4 years but through hard work he already has the talent, skills, and intelligence to be the #1 pick in the NBA draft. His bball IQ has been understated around here. People talk about Doncic like he is the Slovenian Einstein/Hawking and they describe Ayton as a tall dumb dumb who can only put the ball in the hoop. Their bball IQ is a lot closer than you think.

Yes he has defensive deficiencies and a lack of motor at times but he has all the tools to correct that with proper coaching. Let's see what Igor can do. Arizona put him in an archaic offense that didn't showcase his skills but still averaged 20/11/1.9 blks. Put him in the NBA with better playmakers, shooters, more ball screens, more space, and you'll see him thrive

[kennydorglas]

Doncic, Done Deal
or
Oh mama it's Mo Bamba

[Foliohattu]

For me it's still
1. Doncic

2. JJJ
3. Ayton

But don't think JJJ will be an actual option for Suns and think Ayton will be the pick. Anyways we're getting a great prospect so won't be too bummed which ever way we go.

[mabundo_nagumbe]

BBIQ is not even close. And we also know, by past results who is a born winner, and who ended his season with dissapointment.

[Jwetz83]

I would be happy with Ayton, Doncic or Bamba.

I would look to trade with Atlanta and see what they are willing to give to move up.

Then at 3, take whoever is left.

I really like Bamba. I think if the Suns are able to deal for a veteran point guard, they have enough offense. They really lack a rim protector.

Bamba knows what he is good at and accepts his role. And I think his offensive game will improve enough that teams will have to still respect him. Will he ever be the go to offensive player? No. But I just see his defensive upside and willingness to get better as something that will make him the best prospect in this draft.

[SuperSunsFan]

people who said they would be happy with Ayton, Doncic, JJJ, Bagley or Bamba could be the same people who said they would be happy with Duncan, Van Horn, Billups, Antonio Daniels or Tony Battie.

Lets be clear, Ayton is the undisputed number 1 pick of this draft and Ayton's talents and potentials are astronomically higher than Doncic and everyone else expected to be drafted in the lottery, there wouldn't be a debate of whom to be drafted first if Igor, Doncic's godfather, wasn't by complete shear coincidence hired by the Suns a month ago.

[SuperSunsFan]

Having Igor as the coach is a bad thing for our player evaluation process, his attachment to Doncic prevents the Suns from looking at this player objectively. He is like a father to Doncic, I bet you if Doc Rivers had the first overall pick in the 2012 draft he would have drafted Austin Rivers over Anthony Davis.

Drafting Doncic is bad for the team Chemistry, you are bringing the Doc/Austin situation to the suns, people would think Suns drafting Doncic was a reach happened due to his relationship to the coach not by his own merit, especially after Booker and JJ demanded Ayton, everyone would be hostile to Doncic like the clippers to Austin.

[Preacherpj]

Having Igor as the coach is a bad thing for our player evaluation process, his attachment to Doncic prevents the Suns from looking at this player objectively. He is like a father to Doncic, I bet you if Doc Rivers had the first overall pick in the 2012 draft he would have drafted Austin Rivers over Anthony Davis.

Drafting Doncic is bad for the team Chemistry, you are bringing the Doc/Austin situation to the suns, people would think Suns drafting Doncic was a reach happened due to his relationship to the coach not by his own merit, especially after Booker and JJ demanded Ayton, everyone would be hostile to Doncic like the clippers to Austin.

sure.... except Doncic is actually good at basketball and Austin isn't.... so there is that.

[Archx]

Having Igor as the coach is a bad thing for our player evaluation process, his attachment to Doncic prevents the Suns from looking at this player objectively. He is like a father to Doncic, I bet you if Doc Rivers had the first overall pick in the 2012 draft he would have drafted Austin Rivers over Anthony Davis.

Drafting Doncic is bad for the team Chemistry, you are bringing the Doc/Austin situation to the suns, people would think Suns drafting Doncic was a reach happened due to his relationship to the coach not by his own merit, especially after Booker and JJ demanded Ayton, everyone would be hostile to Doncic like the clippers to Austin.

Are you trolling?

Jmac1 and another poster told you how FO is evaluating multiple players. It's not just about one person lol... I'm pretty sure if they think Ayton is their top prospect they will draft him. If they think JJJ is the guy, they'll go with him. There is no "father/son" situation here.