Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[thr3ep01nte4]

Bagley doesn’t have the physical tools (6-11 in shoes, 7-0 wingspan, standing reach a bit taller than Doncic’s) or the instincts/fundamentals to be impactful as an interior defender. He’s built like a big wing but has the game of a big man. Although he will probably be averaging 20+10 in the NBA, it is hard to see him contribute to winning. He’s basically empty calories like SAC Boogie.

[kg01]

Bagley doesn’t have the physical tools (6-11 in shoes, 7-0 wingspan, standing reach a bit taller than Doncic’s) or the instincts/fundamentals to be impactful as an interior defender. He’s built like a big wing but has the game of a big man. Although he will probably be averaging 20+10 in the NBA, it is hard to see him contribute to winning. He’s basically empty calories like SAC Boogie.

That's actually a pretty good description of my thoughts. Are you the voice in my head? Nice to finally meet you.

"Empty calories", empty stats, etc. I'm thinking Bagley will ride the wave to being a top pick. Then, will largely disappoint when it comes to actually contributing to winning.

[thr3ep01nte4]

Doncic scoring-wise plays a crafty stepback/pull-up game. The closest comp would be a mid-to-late career Paul Pierce, who was not a great athlete either but was very smart and had a terrific jump shot. Doncic is likely to be measured at 6-8 w/o shoes with a 6-11 wingspan and he's strong, so I don't really worry about his scoring at the NBA level. Doncic also has tremendous passing ability which will open the game up even more for him. Defensively, he will probably play more like James Harden. The rockets usually switch Harden onto big guys since Harden has a low center of gravity with quick hands (Doncic too) and he usually does a good job guarding them.

Ayton is a physical monster with the upside of Embiid. (If Embiid can stay healthy for the next 10 years, he will go down as one of the all-time greatest centers.) But he does have some maturity concerns, e.g., he retweets every compliment given to him. And his interior defense needs to get better.

I think Ayton will be the consensus no.1 pick coming the draft time, since most GMs don't want to get fired by passing up on Ayton and he blossoming into a healthy Embiid/Oden. Doncic will likely be a perfect no.2 pick for the Hawks or the Mavs.

[kg01]

Doncic scoring-wise plays a crafty stepback/pull-up game. The closest comp would be a mid-to-late career Paul Pierce, who was not a great athlete either but was very smart and had a terrific jump shot. Doncic is likely to be measured at 6-8 w/o shoes with a 6-11 wingspan and he's strong, so I don't really worry about his scoring at the NBA level. Doncic also has tremendous passing ability which will open the game up even more for him. Defensively, he will probably play more like James Harden. The rockets usually switch Harden onto big guys since Harden has a low center of gravity with quick hands (Doncic too) and he usually does a good job guarding them.

Ayton is a physical monster with the upside of Embiid. (If Embiid can stay healthy for the next 10 years, he will go down as one of the all-time greatest centers.) But he does have some maturity concerns, e.g., he retweets every compliment given to him. And his interior defense needs to get better.

I think Ayton will be the consensus no.1 pick coming the draft time, since most GMs don't want to get fired by passing up on Ayton and he blossoming into a healthy Embiid/Oden. Doncic will likely be a perfect no.2 pick for the Hawks or the Mavs.

Agree with all the above. However, the knock I have on Doncic is the fact that I want us drafting the battleship, not one of the planes on the battleship. If we have to surround him with guys to make him successful, I'd rather pass. I want the guy who'll be the guy.

I don't know if Ayton would be that guy but I think he or Porter have a better shot at it than Doncic. I also don't think it's automatic that Doncic will score at a high level in the league. I truly see him as another Hedo do-it-all type which is nice. I just don't want 'nice' as a top-3 pick. Give me 'nice' with HOU's pick.

[macd-gm]

My two cents...

I think any of the top 6 players on the board (Ayton, Doncic, JJJ, Porter, Bamba, Bagley) would be a great selection. So if we ended up getting the #1 pick, why not trade down in the top 6 with a team who really wants someone, save a bit of $$$, and possibly bring in some extra assets to along with it. The hawks are rebuilding, so I am sure that getting almost a 2 for 1 deal would be a lot more help than just one.

If Young is going to fall out of the top-6 (which i doubt) then we should be trading Dennis and picks to move up.

[thr3ep01nte4]

Agree with all the above. However, the knock I have on Doncic is the fact that I want us drafting the battleship, not one of the planes on the battleship. If we have to surround him with guys to make him successful, I'd rather pass. I want the guy who'll be the guy.

I don't know if Ayton would be that guy but I think he or Porter have a better shot at it than Doncic. I also don't think it's automatic that Doncic will score at a high level in the league. I truly see him as another Hedo do-it-all type which is nice. I just don't want 'nice' as a top-3 pick. Give me 'nice' with HOU's pick.

Well, let's hope they can get the no.1 pick. The back injury is a serious thing. Larry Johnson and Brad Daugherty's careers were destroyed by that. In today's league, it's almost certain takes more than one guy to win a championship if that's the goal. It always takes a great team or two/two-and-a-half superstars to win. The fundamental change comes from the rule changes. It used to be illegal defense without defensive 3 seconds which is beneficial to individual scoring. Now the zone defense and defensive three second rule makes it tough to play one-on-one. (People can argue about hand-checking. But I think it was too hard to score with the new rules and hand-checking so they implemented the no-hand-checking rule.) Pick-and-roll and great ball movement are the best way to win. So I guess drafting a foundational piece this year is not enough.

Here is a good video talking about defensive rule changes and its impact.

Watch on YouTube

[hawkmanreturns]

My two cents...

I think any of the top 6 players on the board (Ayton, Doncic, JJJ, Porter, Bamba, Bagley) would be a great selection. So if we ended up getting the #1 pick, why not trade down in the top 6 with a team who really wants someone, save a bit of $$$, and possibly bring in some extra assets to along with it. The hawks are rebuilding, so I am sure that getting almost a 2 for 1 deal would be a lot more help than just one.

If Young is going to fall out of the top-6 (which i doubt) then we should be trading Dennis and picks to move up.

I fully agree with this.

[Jamaaliver]

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[CP War Hawks]

Doncic scoring-wise plays a crafty stepback/pull-up game. The closest comp would be a mid-to-late career Paul Pierce, who was not a great athlete either but was very smart and had a terrific jump shot. Doncic is likely to be measured at 6-8 w/o shoes with a 6-11 wingspan and he's strong, so I don't really worry about his scoring at the NBA level. Doncic also has tremendous passing ability which will open the game up even more for him. Defensively, he will probably play more like James Harden. The rockets usually switch Harden onto big guys since Harden has a low center of gravity with quick hands (Doncic too) and he usually does a good job guarding them.

Ayton is a physical monster with the upside of Embiid. (If Embiid can stay healthy for the next 10 years, he will go down as one of the all-time greatest centers.) But he does have some maturity concerns, e.g., he retweets every compliment given to him. And his interior defense needs to get better.

I think Ayton will be the consensus no.1 pick coming the draft time, since most GMs don't want to get fired by passing up on Ayton and he blossoming into a healthy Embiid/Oden. Doncic will likely be a perfect no.2 pick for the Hawks or the Mavs.

If he measures at 6-9 or taller, you'd draft and stick him at sf day 1. With that size and height, he'll play spot minutes 2 and 4. The combine will be the most exciting part of the season behind the draft for me personally.

If Doncic decides to fully test at the combine, that'll show me he has nothing to hide.

[macd-gm]

6-8 w/o shoes? Around here we call that a CENTER!

[MaceCase]

6-8 w/o shoes? Around here we call that a CENTER!

Doncic's size is what propels him as a prospect to me. It's the versatility between him being Pierce, Hedo, and Diaw in the span of only a few possessions that intrigues me. If he's limited to just being a wing I think he drops.

[thr3ep01nte4]

If he measures at 6-9 or taller, you'd draft and stick him at sf day 1. With that size and height, he'll play spot minutes 2 and 4. The combine will be the most exciting part of the season behind the draft for me personally.

If Doncic decides to fully test at the combine, that'll show me he has nothing to hide.

Usually top prospects only go to the combine to do interviews. In Doncic’s case, I’m not sure if he will be available coming May since the ACB and euroleague will have games through late May and Early June.

[Jamaaliver]

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[jayu70]

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Wait...what? Isn't he a Center?

[MaceCase]

Wait...what? Isn't he a Center?

He's played predominantly at PF next to Dusan Ristic.

[jayu70]

Wait...what? Isn't he a Center?

He's played predominantly at PF next to Dusan Ristic.

Saw that after I read the article. At 7'--1" i just assumed C.. guess i should watch a game or 2

[Jamaaliver]

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Ohio State’s Keita Bates-Diop was named Big Ten Player of the Year by conference coaches and media.

Michigan State freshman Jaren Jackson, a projected NBA lottery pick, was named Freshman of the Year by conference coaches and media and Defensive Player of the Year by conference coaches.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Agree with all the above. However, the knock I have on Doncic is the fact that I want us drafting the battleship, not one of the planes on the battleship. If we have to surround him with guys to make him successful, I'd rather pass. I want the guy who'll be the guy.

I don't know if Ayton would be that guy but I think he or Porter have a better shot at it than Doncic. I also don't think it's automatic that Doncic will score at a high level in the league. I truly see him as another Hedo do-it-all type which is nice. I just don't want 'nice' as a top-3 pick. Give me 'nice' with HOU's pick.

I agree with this. As I mentioned before, Doncic feels like a top guy more than a top 3 guy. We really can't afford to draft the higher floor guy in hopes that his floor will be enough to justify not having risk it all on higher ceiling guys.

Like t he above states, we need a battleship. Not one of planes on it.

[Jamaaliver]

Stock Up, Stock Down for the Top NBA Prospects in College Basketball

Wendell Carter Jr., Duke
Numbers That Matter: 14.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 50.0% 3PT%, 124.8 offensive rating

NBA Appeal: Carter is not as athletic as some of the bigs in front of him, but he's probably the most skilled. He's an excellent scorer from the blocks and comfortably slides out to the perimeter to knock down jumpers. He doesn't take a lot of threes, but he's shooting 50 percent and is also proficient from the mid-range.

Stock: Even

There would probably be more buzz around Carter if he didn't play alongside Marvin Bagley III. There will be some questions about his athleticism, particularly on the defensive end. He's had some struggles defending outside the paint this year. His offense should not be a concern. He's a savvy scorer who is going to figure out how to get buckets in the NBA.

Bleacher Report

[macd-gm]

No way I even consider Carter with a top 5 pick. I'm not really sold on Bagley either but at least he has more athleticism.