How to pick a bust...

[~Wretch~]

Let me preface this by saying that I actually like Trae Young. His quickness and the range on his jumper is legit. I'm not afraid of his size (I had the same arguments for Chris Paul 13 years ago). More importantly, he's a Hawk now and all those other prospects are the enemy. So I wish him nothing but the best. This post isn't about Trae...it's about how you shoot yourself in the face trying to get cute in the draft.

Seriously, how many times is a guy "James Worthy with a jumpshot" or "Baby Jordan" or "The next LeBron James" or "KD 2.0?" And how many times does that player actually become THAT player? In my 30 year experience, it almost never happens. What I've seen in the draft is consensus guys/generational talent going on to become great NBA players and sleepers who slide and eventually blossom. These players always set a standard and like lemmings, GMs are always lining up trying to find the next iteration of them. But it's never the second coming of Jesus Shuttlesworth that they find (little OG reference there ).

You don't put the blinders on and chase one idea - such as an all 6'8" team or one player because you think he's the next Tim Duncan. You take the 6'8" kid who has been leading a professional team for years, who can shoot the ball and finish in the lane. He's the guy that'll set the standard and have GM's scrambling to find the next one. You take Luca. That's the guy to pick. You don't pass on that guy because you have the blinders on and all you see is Steph Curry 2.0. That is how you pick a bust and it haunts you for years to come.

Not saying Trae will bust, because again...I do like him. However, from all the pre-draft mocks and rumors, it seems like our GM was locked in on him and nobody else. If he pans out and we end up with a good lottery pick next year, I'll breathe a sigh of relief. It's not a total loss. Though, the ATL Sports Fan in me just expects the worst and this is a surefire way to stir up the curse.

[jayu70]

Let me preface this by saying that I actually like Trae Young. His quickness and the range on his jumper is legit. I'm not afraid of his size (I had the same arguments for Chris Paul 13 years ago). More importantly, he's a Hawk now and all those other prospects are the enemy. So I wish him nothing but the best. This post isn't about Trae...it's about how you shoot yourself in the face trying to get cute in the draft.

Seriously, how many times is a guy "James Worthy with a jumpshot" or "Baby Jordan" or "The next LeBron James" or "KD 2.0?" And how many times does that player actually become THAT player? In my 30 year experience, it almost never happens. What I've seen in the draft is consensus guys/generational talent going on to become great NBA players and sleepers who slide and eventually blossom. These players always set a standard and like lemmings, GMs are always lining up trying to find the next iteration of them. But it's never the second coming of Jesus Shuttlesworth that they find (little OG reference there ).

You don't put the blinders on and chase one idea - such as an all 6'8" team or one player because you think he's the next Tim Duncan. You take the 6'8" kid who has been leading a professional team for years, who can shoot the ball and finish in the lane. He's the guy that'll set the standard and have GM's scrambling to find the next one. You take Luca. That's the guy to pick. You don't pass on that guy because you have the blinders on and all you see is Steph Curry 2.0. That is how you pick a bust and it haunts you for years to come.

Not saying Trae will bust, because again...I do like him. However, from all the pre-draft mocks and rumors, it seems like our GM was locked in on him and nobody else. If he pans out and we end up with a good lottery pick next year, I'll breathe a sigh of relief. It's not a total loss. Though, the ATL Sports Fan in me just expects the worst and this is a surefire way to stir up the curse.

You have echoed my feelings exactly.
I pointed out this same exact thing a month ago 'the guy touted as the next so and so' never turns out to be that guy.
It's always some other guy setting a standard to have everybody saying 'who's the next'.
Like i also said it's Schlenk's tunnel vision in trying to recreate the Warriors that has me concerned.

[~Wretch~]

I pointed out this same exact thing a month ago 'the guy touted as the next so and so' never turns out to be that guy.
It's always some other guy setting a standard to have everybody saying 'who's the next'.
Like i also said it's Schlenk's tunnel vision in trying to recreate the Warriors that has me concerned.

+1000 Jaybird

Does that ever work either? Trying to replicate another team's success? The best teams are grown organically and pieces are brought in later that fit the mold. Find a couple of cornerstones, regardless of what they look like, and build around them. With a little luck, that's how you build a contender. GM's and their "visions" are always shooting themselves in the foot. I don't want to try and build the next Golden State Warriors. That's fool's gold.

I'm not going to start dumping on him, but I'm very uneasy about the direction we're headed with this rebuild.

[Robo_Claw]

I pointed out this same exact thing a month ago 'the guy touted as the next so and so' never turns out to be that guy.
It's always some other guy setting a standard to have everybody saying 'who's the next'.
Like i also said it's Schlenk's tunnel vision in trying to recreate the Warriors that has me concerned.

+1000 Jaybird

Does that ever work either? Trying to replicate another team's success? The best teams are grown organically and pieces are brought in later that fit the mold. Find a couple of cornerstones, regardless of what they look like, and build around them. With a little luck, that's how you build a contender. GM's and their "visions" are always shooting themselves in the foot. I don't want to try and build the next Golden State Warriors. That's fool's gold.

I'm not going to start dumping on him, but I'm very uneasy about the direction we're headed with this rebuild.

I feel the same way, this whole draft was my worst case scenario.

[Jamaaliver]

I am skeptical as well.

I would suggest at least holding off until Summer League.

Let us see what Coach Pierce and Young Trae have in store..

[J_T]

I don't understand at all why Marc Stein said that both Hawks and Mavs won the draft. I just don't see it in Young. If at least Hawks picked somebody else... I think this has potential to be a move talked about in 10 years: "Hey, you remember when Hawks picked Young with third picked and they could have picked these 10 players that are much better?"

Does anyone know what exactly your GM sees in him? He sees next Curry, am I wrong here? Just like GM's were busting out by looking for next Yao, next Dirk, next Jordan... don't look for next X, all GM's should know that.

[atlantabbq99]

I've said this a few months ago and I've believe this for a decade now, in that, you draft the most talented player, but if you identify a guy with an insane Jordan or Kobe like work ethic, like going to the gym at 4am, and sacrificing your family life and kids just for practice like Jordan and Kobe, then you take the insane work ethic guy over the guy who is alittle bit more talented.

I think Doncic is easily the best player, better than Trae Young, but I've never meet the two guys, and in the work outs and scouting, "IF" they identified Trae Young as that insane work ethic guy, then I would have probably done the same and taken Young over Doncic, and Bagley. This has remain to be seen yet and we will have to wait.

[reazun]

I've said this a few months ago and I've believe this for a decade now, in that, you draft the most talented player, but if you identify a guy with an insane Jordan or Kobe like work ethic, like going to the gym at 4am, and sacrificing your family life and kids just for practice like Jordan and Kobe, then you take the insane work ethic guy over the guy who is alittle bit more talented.

I think Doncic is easily the best player, better than Trae Young, but I've never meet the two guys, and in the work outs and scouting, "IF" they identified Trae Young as that insane work ethic guy, then I would have probably done the same and taken Young over Doncic, and Bagley. This has remain to be seen yet and we will have to wait.

Say it louder for the people in the back!

Trae Young = I want to be the best that ever played. I want to be a role model to all the kids out there.

Luka Doncic = I will make the teams that passed on me sorry.

Luka seems to think he has arrived. No the NBA is a different animal in regards to athleticism. He is going to have to work hard to play at the same level as the ACB b/c, although his is talented, his deficiencies will come out that did not come out in Euroball..I am not saying ACB is not a premier and tough league. Its more competition than the NCAA, but its a different game and it hides his deficiencies, those same deficiencies will be exploited in the NBA if he is not teachable, humble, and willing to work hard. He has to change his game. He has to play wing, he wont be able to see over opposing players as easily b/c his height advantage will be diminished. As a wing, he needs to learn to shoot the 3, etc, etc.

[atlantabbq99]

I've said this a few months ago and I've believe this for a decade now, in that, you draft the most talented player, but if you identify a guy with an insane Jordan or Kobe like work ethic, like going to the gym at 4am, and sacrificing your family life and kids just for practice like Jordan and Kobe, then you take the insane work ethic guy over the guy who is alittle bit more talented.

I think Doncic is easily the best player, better than Trae Young, but I've never meet the two guys, and in the work outs and scouting, "IF" they identified Trae Young as that insane work ethic guy, then I would have probably done the same and taken Young over Doncic, and Bagley. This has remain to be seen yet and we will have to wait.

Say it louder for the people in the back!

Trae Young = I want to be the best that ever played. I want to be a role model to all the kids out there.

Luka Doncic = I will make the teams that passed on me sorry.

Luka seems to think he has arrived. No the NBA is a different animal in regards to athleticism. He is going to have to work hard to play at the same level as the ACB b/c, although his is talented, his deficiencies will come out that did not come out in Euroball..I am not saying ACB is not a premier and tough league. Its more competition than the NCAA, but its a different game and it hides his deficiencies, those same deficiencies will be exploited in the NBA if he is not teachable, humble, and willing to work hard. He has to change his game. He has to play wing, he wont be able to see over opposing players as easily b/c his height advantage will be diminished. As a wing, he needs to learn to shoot the 3, etc, etc.

I hope you are right.

I want an insane work ethic guy and a "boring" guy, a guy like Matt Ryan, or Julio, who hates going out to the club and loves staying home on the weekend and sleeping early

[td00]

I never compared TY to Steph....my comparison to TY is Iverson. He is bigger box office, bigger hype and the kid is electric over ‘safe pick’ Doncic. He may not have the skillset, but all eyes will be on him, and for the Hawks, this is the match.

[Jamaaliver]

I want an insane work ethic guy and a "boring" guy, a guy like Matt Ryan, or Julio, who hates going out to the club and loves staying home on the weekend and sleeping early

Wendell Carter...I'm just saying.


His mother doesn't let him go to clubs.

[Ball4life32]

I don't understand at all why Marc Stein said that both Hawks and Mavs won the draft. I just don't see it in Young. If at least Hawks picked somebody else... I think this has potential to be a move talked about in 10 years: "Hey, you remember when Hawks picked Young with third picked and they could have picked these 10 players that are much better?"

Does anyone know what exactly your GM sees in him? He sees next Curry, am I wrong here? Just like GM's were busting out by looking for next Yao, next Dirk, next Jordan... don't look for next X, all GM's should know that.

Well let’s see he’s the only player EVER to lead the nation in points and assists and did it as a 19 year old freshman despite double/triple teams. But because he gets Steph Curry (Trae looks up to Nash) comparisons we shouldn’t pick him? Lol

[J_T]

I don't understand at all why Marc Stein said that both Hawks and Mavs won the draft. I just don't see it in Young. If at least Hawks picked somebody else... I think this has potential to be a move talked about in 10 years: "Hey, you remember when Hawks picked Young with third picked and they could have picked these 10 players that are much better?"

Does anyone know what exactly your GM sees in him? He sees next Curry, am I wrong here? Just like GM's were busting out by looking for next Yao, next Dirk, next Jordan... don't look for next X, all GM's should know that.

Well let’s see he’s the only player EVER to lead the nation in points and assists and did it as a 19 year old freshman despite double/triple teams. But because he gets Steph Curry (Trae looks up to Nash) comparisons we shouldn’t pick him? Lol

So you think that's it? He has been the only player ever to lead NCAA in points and assists? Gotta be more than that. I still think that him hoping to become Curry is the major part of it. Because objective "unique" stats are easy to come up with, for most of the top prospects. Everyone is unique in some way.

[djjob23]

Totally agree here! The pressure to become that next 2.0 player never ends well. On top of this burden, Young also has to deal with the Doncic comparison the rest of his career.

It all comes down to how mentally tough and how much work ethic he has. Without these traits, this trade could end up like the Dirk - Traylor trade.


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[the_process]

If ATL had just gotten less protection on that DAL pick I’d call the trade a win for you. But top 5 is too steep to let a team move from 5 to 3 IMO.

As far as Trae vs. Doncic, they both have serious question marks. But it’s easier for Trae to hit the weight room than it is for Luka to get quicker.

[Jamaaliver]

If ATL had just gotten less protection on that DAL pick I’d call the trade a win for you. But top 5 is too steep to let a team move from 5 to 3 IMO.

As far as Trae vs. Doncic, they both have serious question marks. But it’s easier for Trae to hit the weight room than it is for Luka to get quicker.

1. Our GM (apparently) got the guy he really wanted all along.

2. It's kind of a moot point unless Dallas actually garners a top-5 selection next year.

Something that hasn't occurred in 24 years....

[Ball4life32]

I don't understand at all why Marc Stein said that both Hawks and Mavs won the draft. I just don't see it in Young. If at least Hawks picked somebody else... I think this has potential to be a move talked about in 10 years: "Hey, you remember when Hawks picked Young with third picked and they could have picked these 10 players that are much better?"

Does anyone know what exactly your GM sees in him? He sees next Curry, am I wrong here? Just like GM's were busting out by looking for next Yao, next Dirk, next Jordan... don't look for next X, all GM's should know that.

Well let’s see he’s the only player EVER to lead the nation in points and assists and did it as a 19 year old freshman despite double/triple teams. But because he gets Steph Curry (Trae looks up to Nash) comparisons we shouldn’t pick him? Lol

So you think that's it? He has been the only player ever to lead NCAA in points and assists? Gotta be more than that. I still think that him hoping to become Curry is the major part of it. Because objective "unique" stats are easy to come up with, for most of the top prospects. Everyone is unique in some way.

You act like leading the nation in points and assists despite all the attention he drew is not impressive.

[birdlives_ma]

I see Salim Stoudamire. I really really hope I'm wrong. I'm just terrified that if you put even an average NBA defender on him, he's not gonna be able to get a shot off with those stubble t-rex arms. I'm going into it writing him off as being out of the league in 4 years, so anything he gives us is just gravy. Hopefully we don't get as cute with the 2 top-10 picks (with any luck, aka probably not) next year.

[the_process]

If ATL had just gotten less protection on that DAL pick I’d call the trade a win for you. But top 5 is too steep to let a team move from 5 to 3 IMO.

As far as Trae vs. Doncic, they both have serious question marks. But it’s easier for Trae to hit the weight room than it is for Luka to get quicker.

1. Our GM (apparently) got the guy he really wanted all along.

2. It's kind of a moot point unless Dallas actually garners a top-5 selection next year.

Something that hasn't occurred in 24 years....

You guys just needed to maximize the chance that you got two top 10 picks next year. Of course, you could get an unprotected 2020 DAL 1st, which is pretty good in its own right. Sixers fans are ecstatic we got an unprotected 2021 pick

[Jamaaliver]

I see Salim Stoudamire. I really really hope I'm wrong. I'm just terrified that if you put even an average NBA defender on him, he's not gonna be able to get a shot off with those stubble t-rex arms. I'm going into it writing him off as being out of the league in 4 years, so anything he gives us is just gravy. Hopefully we don't get as cute with the 2 top-10 picks (with any luck, aka probably not) next year.

Very good comp.

Very valid concern.

The passing is the difference. If Doncic is the best passer in the draft. Young Trae is a close second.


In the image below, Trae is going up against Jevon Carter...easily the best defending PG in this draft and a Patrick Beverly-level defender in the league.

He holds his own. And it'll be easier with NBA level teammates nearby to help out.