Alex Sarr

[tontoz]

Pretty sure Reed was off our board when the combine measurements came out.

If i was making the pick i might have picked Topic in spite of his injury. He was the only guy i really wanted. I liked Clingan more than Sarr but it would have been tough taking him at 2.

[nate33]

I still think Sheppard might be one of the best picks in this draft. Hyperathletic PG's like John Wall and Ja Morant typically break out right away at the NBA level, but smaller, skill-based PG's take some time to acclimate themselves to the NBA game.

Darius Garland was a bust after his first season. So was Tyrese Maxey. So was Jalen Brunson. So was Steve Nash for that matter.

[tontoz]

I still think Sheppard might be one of the best picks in this draft. Hyperathletic PG's like John Wall and Ja Morant typically break out right away at the NBA level, but smaller, skill-based PG's take some time to acclimate themselves to the NBA game.

Darius Garland was a bust after his first season. So was Tyrese Maxey. So was Jalen Brunson. So was Steve Nash for that matter.

Yeah but apparently Dawkins has a vision of the team he wants to build and Reed wasn't a fit. I am not going to make a big issue of it because at least he has a vision. Our previous GMs just threw crap at a wall hoping something would stick.

[Dat2U]

Man, if only we had drafted Reed Sheppard.

In other words you cant defend Sarr's ineptitude so you have to change the subject. Sarr's inefficiency isnt something new. It was a national joke in summer league. I don't even pay attention to summer league but i couldn't help but hear about his brick fest.

There isn't a center in the NBA with a worse TS than Sarr. There are only 4 pfs that are worse and none of them play 20 minutes a game. It is a problem no matter how often you guys make excuses for him.

Teenagers getting drafted isn't a new thing. Sarr isn't even the youngest guy on this team.

Taking 15 shots and 4 foul shots to score 17 points isnt "great". Gleague Brown scored 15 in 12 minutes lol. I wonder why.

They were never going to draft Sheppard due to his size. That was obvious to most of us before the draft.

Nah, I'm criticizing the idea that a 19 yr old big is going to be some polished product which it sounds like you want. No one came in with the expectation that Sarr was going to defend the C position at an elite level while being an efficient scorer as well right away. He was very much a project. A high level talent who needed high level development. He's flashing nearly every game. That's all I was hoping for. The fact he's remotely holding up defending Cs when he clearly needs to get stronger is encouraging.

If anything, I'm more disappointed we missed on Jared McCain but that's no shade towards Bub Carrington who's development I'm just as encouraged about. I just wish we were able to deal Kuz for that xtra mid 1st.

[tontoz]

Man, if only we had drafted Reed Sheppard.

In other words you cant defend Sarr's ineptitude so you have to change the subject. Sarr's inefficiency isnt something new. It was a national joke in summer league. I don't even pay attention to summer league but i couldn't help but hear about his brick fest.

There isn't a center in the NBA with a worse TS than Sarr. There are only 4 pfs that are worse and none of them play 20 minutes a game. It is a problem no matter how often you guys make excuses for him.

Teenagers getting drafted isn't a new thing. Sarr isn't even the youngest guy on this team.

Taking 15 shots and 4 foul shots to score 17 points isnt "great". Gleague Brown scored 15 in 12 minutes lol. I wonder why.

They were never going to draft Sheppard due to his size. That was obvious to most of us before the draft.

Nah, I'm criticizing the idea that a 19 yr old big is going to be some polished product which it sounds like you want. No one came in with the expectation that Sarr was going to defend the C position at an elite level while being an efficient scorer as well right away. He was very much a project. A high level talent who needed high level development. He's flashing nearly every game. That's all I was hoping for. The fact he's remotely holding up defending Cs when he clearly needs to get stronger is encouraging.

If anything, I'm more disappointed we missed on Jared McCain but that's no shade towards Bub Carrington who's development I'm just as encouraged about. I just wish we were able to deal Kuz for that xtra mid 1st.

I never said I expected him to defend opposing Cs at an elite level, or even average level. I just didn't expect him to be this bad, even though I wasn't high on him to begin with. He's been awful at defending centers and his scoring is bottom of the league inefficient.

One of the arguments people made for drafting him is that he was already productive in a pro league, that he wasn't a complete project.

[TheBlackCzar]

In other words you cant defend Sarr's ineptitude so you have to change the subject. Sarr's inefficiency isnt something new. It was a national joke in summer league. I don't even pay attention to summer league but i couldn't help but hear about his brick fest.

There isn't a center in the NBA with a worse TS than Sarr. There are only 4 pfs that are worse and none of them play 20 minutes a game. It is a problem no matter how often you guys make excuses for him.

Teenagers getting drafted isn't a new thing. Sarr isn't even the youngest guy on this team.

Taking 15 shots and 4 foul shots to score 17 points isnt "great". Gleague Brown scored 15 in 12 minutes lol. I wonder why.

They were never going to draft Sheppard due to his size. That was obvious to most of us before the draft.

Nah, I'm criticizing the idea that a 19 yr old big is going to be some polished product which it sounds like you want. No one came in with the expectation that Sarr was going to defend the C position at an elite level while being an efficient scorer as well right away. He was very much a project. A high level talent who needed high level development. He's flashing nearly every game. That's all I was hoping for. The fact he's remotely holding up defending Cs when he clearly needs to get stronger is encouraging.

If anything, I'm more disappointed we missed on Jared McCain but that's no shade towards Bub Carrington who's development I'm just as encouraged about. I just wish we were able to deal Kuz for that xtra mid 1st.

I never said I expected him to defend opposing Cs at an elite level, or even average level. I just didn't expect him to be this bad, even though I wasn't high on him to begin with. He's been awful at defending centers and his scoring is bottom of the league inefficient.

One of the arguments people made for drafting him is that he was already productive in a pro league, that he wasn't a complete project.

who made this argument?

[tontoz]

who made this argument?

It wasn't one person. His stats in Australia aren't a secret. He averaged 20/9 per 36 with 3 blocks shooting 60% on 2s, 30% on 3s and 71% from the foul line.

I don't follow Australian ball but from what I've heard there is plenty.of size over there.

I actually posted the full game video of Perth against the G league ignite in an exhibition and Sarr has a big game which led to him to becoming the top pick on many mock drafts.

Sarr had 26/10 with 6 blocks shooting 10-14 from the field.

https://www.espn.com/nba-g-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401592230

[TheBlackCzar]

who made this argument?

It wasn't one person. His stats in Australia aren't a secret. He averaged 20/9 per 36 with 3 blocks shooting 60% on 2s, 30% on 3s and 71% from the foul line.

I don't follow Australian ball but from what I've heard there is plenty.of size over there.

I actually posted the full game video of Perth against the G league ignite in an exhibition and Sarr has a big game which led to him to becoming the top pick on many mock drafts.

Sarr had 26/10 with 6 blocks shooting 10-14 from the field.

https://www.espn.com/nba-g-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401592230

So you think we drafted him off of one game, and not to traits that he possesses which were viewed as very raw.... He was never projected as an advanced or even polished prospect.... His upside was based on the fact that he was 7-1 or 7-2 with the movement ability that he had which led people to project him to having future DPOY potential..... His offense has never been lauded as ahead of his defense, and having a good game didn't change that.......

[tontoz]

who made this argument?

It wasn't one person. His stats in Australia aren't a secret. He averaged 20/9 per 36 with 3 blocks shooting 60% on 2s, 30% on 3s and 71% from the foul line.

I don't follow Australian ball but from what I've heard there is plenty.of size over there.

I actually posted the full game video of Perth against the G league ignite in an exhibition and Sarr has a big game which led to him to becoming the top pick on many mock drafts.

Sarr had 26/10 with 6 blocks shooting 10-14 from the field.

https://www.espn.com/nba-g-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401592230

So you think we drafted him off of one game, and not to traits that he possesses which were viewed as very raw.... He was never projected as an advanced or even polished prospect.... His upside was based on the fact that he was 7-1 or 7-2 with the movement ability that he had which led people to project him to having future DPOY potential..... His offense has never been lauded as ahead of his defense, and having a good game didn't change that.......

I am saying what actually happened in the mock drafts and in his season with Perth.

In fact this year is actually Sarr's THIRD year as a pro. He played a year for Overtime Elite before going to Perth last year. Again I am sure this is news to you.

Yves Missi was the guy seen as a project. Same size as Sarr but more athletic. He was drafted at 21 which is the range where projects are typically drafted.

[dobrojim]

who made this argument?

It wasn't one person. His stats in Australia aren't a secret. He averaged 20/9 per 36 with 3 blocks shooting 60% on 2s, 30% on 3s and 71% from the foul line.

I don't follow Australian ball but from what I've heard there is plenty.of size over there.

I actually posted the full game video of Perth against the G league ignite in an exhibition and Sarr has a big game which led to him to becoming the top pick on many mock drafts.

Sarr had 26/10 with 6 blocks shooting 10-14 from the field.

https://www.espn.com/nba-g-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401592230

A thought which might be relevant here re the Aussie league is that the Zards signed
the Aussie MVP (Xavier something) and he could barely crack the rotation on a mediocre or bad team.
That hints at how strong the talent level is in the Aussie league relative to the NBA.

[tontoz]

who made this argument?

It wasn't one person. His stats in Australia aren't a secret. He averaged 20/9 per 36 with 3 blocks shooting 60% on 2s, 30% on 3s and 71% from the foul line.

I don't follow Australian ball but from what I've heard there is plenty.of size over there.

I actually posted the full game video of Perth against the G league ignite in an exhibition and Sarr has a big game which led to him to becoming the top pick on many mock drafts.

Sarr had 26/10 with 6 blocks shooting 10-14 from the field.

https://www.espn.com/nba-g-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401592230

A thought which might be relevant here re the Aussie league is that the Zards signed
the Aussie MVP (Xavier something) and he could barely crack the rotation on a mediocre or bad team.
That hints at how strong the talent level is in the Aussie league relative to the NBA.

I wouldn't know I never watched any of his games other than the ones against Ignite. Buzelis and Holland were on ignite and were seen as top 3 picks before the season started and they both put up some numbers in the Sept 8 game.

Playing in a weak league certainly didn't hurt his draft stock.

Nat is the international expert on here lol.

[AFM]

Maybe that is why you are disappointed, if you were expecting less of a project. He was always a total project to me which is why I'm cautiously enthusiastic. To me he passes the proverbial eye test, whatever that means to you.

[TheBlackCzar]

It wasn't one person. His stats in Australia aren't a secret. He averaged 20/9 per 36 with 3 blocks shooting 60% on 2s, 30% on 3s and 71% from the foul line.

I don't follow Australian ball but from what I've heard there is plenty.of size over there.

I actually posted the full game video of Perth against the G league ignite in an exhibition and Sarr has a big game which led to him to becoming the top pick on many mock drafts.

Sarr had 26/10 with 6 blocks shooting 10-14 from the field.

https://www.espn.com/nba-g-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401592230

A thought which might be relevant here re the Aussie league is that the Zards signed
the Aussie MVP (Xavier something) and he could barely crack the rotation on a mediocre or bad team.
That hints at how strong the talent level is in the Aussie league relative to the NBA.

I wouldn't know I never watched any of his games other than the ones against Ignite. Buzelis and Holland were on ignite and were seen as top 3 picks before the season started and they both put up some numbers in the Sept 8 game.

Playing in a weak league certainly didn't hurt his draft stock.

Nat is the international expert on here lol.

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft



The Athletic behind a pay wall so a short summary and not the entire article...
"Sarr is a defensive difference-maker who covers a ton of ground with his arms and quick feet, much like bigs such as Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton. Sarr flies around off the ball and can thrive in a variety of ball-screen coverages ranging from switching to drop. If he’s waiting at the rim and opponents challenge him, odds are he’ll contest the shot, if not outright block it.

The other end is the question. Sarr has shown potential as a rim runner in ball screens, but for the most part, his offensive game involves pick-and-pops, and he doesn’t make great screen contact. He’s not a high-impact defensive rebounder, which has led to some questioning if he can consistently play center in the NBA. If Sarr indeed requires a more physical center alongside him, his limited offensive game may be exposed. He’s best served playing next to a floor-spacing five, unless he can become a dangerous perimeter shooter himself."


Cbssports.com
"Despite the rising stock of Zaccharie Risacher and Donovan Clingan, I still can't see the Hawks passing on Sarr at No. 1 -- assuming they keep the pick. Rim protection is paramount in the NBA these days, even more so for a Hawks defense that finished 27th in the league last season, and Sarr's 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes with Perth show how much of an impact he can have in that area right away. Offensively, we're talking about a very high floor as a Dereck Lively II-esque rim-runner, but also seemingly limitless potential if Sarr's jump shot and ball-handling continue to evolve. The more you dig into it, the more Sarr stands out as the best prospect in the draft, and Atlanta won't overthink this one."


Everything that you are complaining about has been outlined as things he needs to improve by each of these 3 independent media outlets in his mock projections pre-draft.....

[penbeast0]

I tell you, DC is the only fan base that goes out of their way to hate on their young talent. It's not just Alex, I'm watching Jayden Daniels getting BBQ'd on X now. I remember all the random hate RG3 got when he put his body & career on the line for Skins. We trashed Wall & Beal until they became young all-stars, then continued to trash 'em thereafter. It's a built-in defense mechanism where we can't acknowledge any success or growth because we're so trained to brace for eventual failure.

First, we're not. New York or Philly in particular can be brutal for a young player, though McCain is presumably shutting up the naysayers pretty quickly.

Second, I haven't seen much trashing of Bub or Kyshawn, people are disappointed more with Sarr because he was drafted so high and because they hoped for more. Bub and Kyshawn are meeting or exceeding expectations.

[DCZards]

Second, I haven't seen much trashing of Bub or Kyshawn, people are disappointed more with Sarr because he was drafted so high and because they hoped for more. Bub and Kyshawn are meeting or exceeding expectations.

What makes you think people are disappointed with Sarr? I think most Zards fans recognize that he’s a 19 yr old that needs time to develop…and are pretty excited about his upside.

[penbeast0]

Not everyone is but he gets significantly more negative posts here than the other rookies.

[tontoz]

The Athletic behind a pay wall so a short summary and not the entire article...
"Sarr is a defensive difference-maker who covers a ton of ground with his arms and quick feet, much like bigs such as Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton. Sarr flies around off the ball and can thrive in a variety of ball-screen coverages ranging from switching to drop. If he’s waiting at the rim and opponents challenge him, odds are he’ll contest the shot, if not outright block it.

Exactly. No mention here about Sarr getting punk'd by opposing centers, which is happening routinely.

On the other end a 7 footer with "limitless potential" shouldnt have a TS of 43.4%. Theis is listed as last in the NBA in TS among centers at 49.6%. Just out of curiosity i looked at PGs and only one in the entire league has a TS worse than Sarr.

[DCZards]

Not everyone is but he gets significantly more negative posts here than the other rookies.

Seems to me that all the negative posts are coming from one person while others here acknowledge Sarr’s potential and are willing to give the 19 yr old an opportunity to develop.

[tontoz]

Not everyone is but he gets significantly more negative posts here than the other rookies.

Seems to me that all the negative posts are coming from one person while others here acknowledge Sarr’s potential and are willing to give the 19 yr old an opportunity to develop.

If there is a storm outside and i say it's raining, I am not hating on the weather. I am stating the obvious.

Let's not forget that Sarr isn't the only guy on our roster picked at 2. Bagley's TS in his rookie year was 13% higher than Sarr's current 43.4%. Bagley's rookie year was actually his first as a pro, not his 3rd.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Not everyone is but he gets significantly more negative posts here than the other rookies.

Seems to me that all the negative posts are coming from one person while others here acknowledge Sarr’s potential and are willing to give the 19 yr old an opportunity to develop.

If there is a storm outside and i say it's raining, I am not hating on the weather. I am stating the obvious.

Let's not forget that Sarr isn't the only guy on our roster picked at 2. Bagley's TS in his rookie year was 13% higher than Sarr's current 43.4%. Bagley's rookie year was actually his first as a pro, not his 3rd.

This is the new normal on this board, defend Dawkins at all cost. He's doing something, so free of criticism.

The problem I had with the Sarr pick all along was that 1) he had too cozy a relationship with Dawkins, 2) he wanted to be catered to and not play a position he very well should be playing, and 3) his strengths seem to be overshadowed by some very fundamental weaknesses (bad hands, wants to be given Durant when he's clearly not, doesn't want to mix it up down low, etc.). And I'm a huge fan of guys that are supposed to be defenders.

Sarr could pan out with that said, but man if I'm hedging he's got a lot of big fundamental gaps in his game that I think he's going to need to thread the needle on to live up to being the second pick (albeit it a crappy draft).