Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[jayu70]

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[HoopsMalone]

Michael porter jr does not have the potential to carry a roster. I don't even think he will be very good.

Doncic on the other hand is a can't miss stud

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[Jamaaliver]

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I have doubts he can singlehandedly carry a team to contention, but he'd be a nice piece in a system like ours.

NOTE: I don't think he and Dennis would be natural fits on our squad.

My top 3 picks for 2018 at this point:

1) Ayton
2) Porter
3) Doncic

(Subject to change)

Spoiler:

The hallmark of Doncic’s young career has been his remarkable production against grown men. Doncic has also displayed special floor vision and passing ability during his short time as a pro.

He’s excellent running the break, where his creativity is able to shine in the open court. He has a chance to go No. 1.

Doncic is the best passer, shooter, and ball handler of the bunch. But Doncic is also the worst natural athlete. He lacks explosion going to the rim and he isn’t super quick from side to side. sbnation

[Jamaaliver]

A young man climbing my personal draft boards:

Wendell Carter | PF/C | Duke

First off, if I were drafting straight off personality, I'd pick Carter first overall. He's smart, witty and a winner. As a basketball player, Carter is large (6-10, 260) but surprisingly mobile, a mature scorer who I worry a little bit about on defense, especially at the NBA level. Duke is going to be fun to watch this season. Carter is a big reason why.

CBS Sports

Not a superstar, but a solid all around big man with maturity and leadership skills. It doesn't hurt that the player he's most compared to is AL Horford.

If we fall out of the top 5, this is the kid I'd go after.

[kg01]

A young man climbing my personal draft boards:

Wendell Carter | PF/C | Duke

First off, if I were drafting straight off personality, I'd pick Carter first overall. He's smart, witty and a winner. As a basketball player, Carter is large (6-10, 260) but surprisingly mobile, a mature scorer who I worry a little bit about on defense, especially at the NBA level. Duke is going to be fun to watch this season. Carter is a big reason why. CBS Sports

Not a superstar, but a solid all around big man with maturity and leadership skills. It doesn't hurt that the player he's most compared to is AL Horford.

If we fall out of the top 5, this is the kid I'd go after.

No Duke bigs!

Seriously though, I'd pass only because I think he and Collins overlap too much but Collins is much better and has a higher upside (JMHO).

Do we disagree on everything, @Jamaaaaaaaaliver?

[Jamaaliver]

No Duke bigs!

Seriously though, I'd pass only because I think he and Collins overlap too much but Collins is much better and has a higher upside (JMHO).

Do we disagree on everything, @Jamaaaaaaaaliver?

LOL

Not everything.

But I'm not sold enough on anyone on this roster to base future draft picks around.

This Carter kid has a modest ceiling, but a High Floor. (The opposite of Collins?)

So, I absolutely understand the reluctance to use the team's highest draft pick in a decade--on a guy who has no shot at being a franchise player.

[Jamaaliver]

Another candidate for the Minny pick. A blue collar player available likely outside the top 14:

Bruce Brown | G | Miami

Perhaps the top two-way guard in this draft. Brown is built like a strong safety and gets after it 100 percent of the time. Spending this sophomore season at Miami ought to give Brown a chance to polish his offensive skills, which could make him a lottery pick.

CBS Sports

[Jamaaliver]

NBA Exec Says Luka Doncic 'Leap Years Above Anyone' After EuroBasket Brilliance

step-back three.

Luka Doncic is already raising the bar for college basketball's top NBA prospects and gamely challenging proven NBA pros like Porzingis.

Doncic, who went for 27 points and nine rebounds against Latvia, is building confidence in scouts and momentum in the debate as the No. 1 overall draft pick for 2018.

Yes, 100 percent," said the executive when asked if Doncic could go first. "His game is leap years above anyone. Continues to shine and impress."

In 2018, Porter won't be able to cake-walk to No. 1 at Missouri with empty team production, the way Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz did in college. Flashes of upside will not be enough for Duke's Bagley, like they were for Karl-Anthony Towns at Kentucky.

Doncic has entered their tier, putting together a resume no 2017-18 college star will match.

Bleacher Report


This much hype seems...premature.

And overstated. Leap years? Really?

FTR, I suspect Ayton has the best season of any of these guys next year and puts up top production on a top 10 team.

[azuresou1]

Dunno much about Bagley, but Doncic is leap years ahead of Porter, Ayton, and Bamba

[Spud2nique]

Right now...like right this second I'd go..

1. Bagley
2. Doncic
3. Ayton
4. Porter
5. Bamba

This could easily change in 9 months though. It's crucial to get a top 5 pick...but a top 2 is even better lol

[ATL Boy]

Just watched what Doncic did for Slovenia in Eurobasket... Boy would he look good in a Hawks uni next season.


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[Jamaaliver]

Just watched what Doncic did for Slovenia in Eurobasket... Boy would he look good in a Hawks uni next season.

I do think Doncic, in the right situation, can be a star in this league. In SAS, BOS, HOU, Atlanta, GSW, LAL he'd be great.

But I also can see him flaming out under bad coaches on bad franchises. See: Orlando, New York, New Orleans or Cleveland.

The comparison I've heard that seems most fitting for Doncic is prime Manu Ginobili.

Does that seem right to you guys? Combo guartd who can play off-ball or run point--who makes heady, unselfish plays even if they lack in top end athleticism.

[kg01]

I like Ba-Doncic-donk too. However, is he an alpha or is he the ultimate guy to take a good team over the top? I think he's more the latter thus I'm not sure how good he'd really be for us. Meaning, I could see him taking us basically back to where we were the last 2-3 years. Low-ceiling playoff team (aside: I'm sooo over that).

That said, if we're eggspecting to land a whale via trade (again, the mythical 'Har_en' scenario) then Doncic would be a great pick at this point in time.

[Spud2nique]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20668236/there-never-nba-draft-prospect-slovenia-luka-doncic


He's the real deal...

[Spud2nique]

Just watched what Doncic did for Slovenia in Eurobasket... Boy would he look good in a Hawks uni next season.

I do think Doncic, in the right situation, can be a star in this league. In SAS, BOS, HOU, Atlanta, GSW, LAL he'd be great.

But I also can see him flaming out under bad coaches on bad franchises. See: Orlando, New York, New Orleans or Cleveland.

The comparison I've heard that seems most fitting for Doncic is prime Manu Ginobili.

Does that seem right to you guys? Combo guartd who can play off-ball or run point--who makes heady, unselfish plays even if they lack in top end athleticism.

Position wise yes, I think Doncic can play 1-3 like Manu, but skill set wise, from the tape I've seen, and again this is very premature but I'd say Drazen. He can put the ball on the floor, and shoot very well, a couple of things that Drazen did as well, however I do think that Doncic can pass the ball much much much better than Drazen. Again, way too early but he could end up being the first pick and if it's in a Hawks uni, even better.


2 things you can't teach in basketball:

1. Height
2. Feel for the game

Doncic obviously has the height at 6'8", but watching his tape, he has a tremendous feel for the game. Very creative with the ball.

I'm gonna make a prediction that we can all look back at in 10 years and laugh or cry but here it goes:

Doncic will be in the top 5 Europeans that have ever laced them up...that includes the entire list....Dirk, Peja, Vlade, Sarunas,Gasols, and yes, even Drazen Petro.


If I had a nickel for every time I say the following I'd be a billionaire but I'll say it again..

2018 draft is the draft of all drafts...84,96,2003 and now 2018.

We HAVE to get a top 5 pick.

[Jamaaliver]

^I like your style Spud.

NOTE: I have not idea who Drazen Petro is. Does he play basketball?

LOL

[Spud2nique]

^I like your style Spud.

NOTE: I have not idea who Drazen Petro is. Does he play basketball?

LOL

Thanks I'm glad. It's nice to have your style liked. lol. At least I know I won't get booted off Realgm for not doing anything wrong.


Ps I think you know ur Drazens well

[kg01]

Heh, do you two need a room?

Let me ax y'all this though, do you think Manu could've led a team? Been the 1a guy? I'm not talking when he was in his prime (pre-NBA), I'm talking at the time he came over. Since that's really the only perspective most of us have.

I highly doubt he could've done so.

[Jamaaliver]

I like Ba-Doncic-donk too. However, is he an alpha or is he the ultimate guy to take a good team over the top?

Let me ax y'all this though, do you think Manu could've led a team? Been the 1a guy? I'm not talking when he was in his prime (pre-NBA), I'm talking at the time he came over. Since that's really the only perspective most of us have.

I highly doubt he could've done so.

Bingo!!!

And that's the question I have about Doncic in a 'generational' draft. Manu, Gordon Hayward, Steve Nash...all the comps I've read, I'm not sure any of those guys were good enough to singlehandedly lead a franchise to the promised land.

If we draft Doncic, I think we still have to pursue another top flight, elite player to pair with him. (Which is why I've already pondered trading Dennis/Collins/future picks to get another stud from next year's draft.)

But, to be fair, I don't think Curry, Klay or Draymond could singlehandedly lead a team to the heights they've reached collectively.

This leads me to conclude that Doncic would be a great piece but likely not the centerpiece of a Hawks renaissance.

[jayu70]

Forgive me, but I haven't had a chance to watch the 'Doncic Tapes'. How would he compare to Toni Kukoc?