Schlenk: 2018 was top heavy, 2019 is a deep draft

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

[King Ken]

I agree. Outside of Reddish, I am not in love with anyone. Even with Reddish, if he goes 4 or 5. It's not the end of the world.

[REHawksFan]

I see a lot of guys with potential to be solid NBA players if not stars. And for a guy that tends to skew optimistic, that means I see a whole lotta right answers. Plus I think we have one of the very best talent evaluators on our side. So I'm pretty much good with trusting Travis.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

A main takeaway for me is that, more so than in any other previous quote I've seen, he seems set on taking what 2019 gives him instead of actively looking to 2020.

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

And if that's the case, then we can set aside this idea of drafting purely on the basis of projectable upside/ceiling.... widening the door for a bunch of players with a decidedly lower ceiling but higher floor than Reddish.

[King Ken]

A main takeaway for me is that, more so than in any other previous quote I've seen, he seems set on taking what 2019 gives him instead of actively looking to 2020.

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

And if that's the case, then we can set aside this idea of drafting purely on the basis of projectable upside/ceiling.... widening the door for a bunch of players with a decidedly lower ceiling but higher floor than Reddish.

Reddish floor isn't that low. His floor is higher than Kevin and Josh Okogie a year ago at this time. If you want low floor, that's Nassir Little who does have very good upside.

[REHawksFan]

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

You don't say.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I'll grant that his floor isn't that low. I'm just saying there will be others who definitely do not offer anything close to Reddish's upside who become viable options... ie, virtually anyone who is currently getting commonly mocked ahead of Reddish.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

You don't say.

We just think differently.

From where I sit, you're far too anxious to reach a conclusion on that point.

Even now, notice I said "maybe."

Seems likely he won't reveal much more than he's revealed, but ultimately, it will be what he does on draft day that will be most indicative of his true beliefs.

And unlike a lot of people on message boards, I don't lock-in on anything and defend it to the death... I let the evidence lead me instead of me doing the confirmation bias thing.

[Buzzard]

I like Reddish if he drops to us. I like White if he drops to us. After those two, I am not really sold on anyone. I think either Reddish or White will be there at 8. I don't see Culver or Hunter making it to 8. At 10, trading down with Boston for 14 and 20 even if we have to throw in a 2nd round pick works for me.

The more updated info I read on Bitadze, the more I want him. The bigs are the biggest question marks for me and I hope Schlenk gets it right. There is bound to be one or two that hit out of this years crop and we need one of them.

[King Ken]

White and Garland not dropping to 8

[Buzzard]

White and Garland not dropping to 8

Garland is gone. He most likely has a promise already from Cleveland, Phoenix, or Chicago. If some team thinks future superstar in Reddish and potential DPOY in Hayes, White could drop. It would not be the first time a team has reached for potential.

I expect this draft to have at least one reach/surprise before we get to pick at 10. As I already said, I am good with Reddish or White.

[graymule]

Life is wonderful! Ignorance is bliss! I know nothing! I don't watch and don't know anyone.

Therefore, I trust our GM and scouts and coaches to get this right and I just know that they will !!

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

:D

Life is wonderful! Ignorance is bliss! I know nothing! I don't watch and don't know anyone.

Therefore, I trust our GM and scouts and coaches to get this right and I just know that they will !!

Some people are big fans of arranged marriages... no need for the headaches of evaluation when you can just sit back and let the wisest people you know figure it out, right???

[High 5]

A main takeaway for me is that, more so than in any other previous quote I've seen, he seems set on taking what 2019 gives him instead of actively looking to 2020.

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

And if that's the case, then we can set aside this idea of drafting purely on the basis of projectable upside/ceiling.... widening the door for a bunch of players with a decidedly lower ceiling but higher floor than Reddish.

I don't know about that "us" and "we." I'm fairly certain that you're the only one here who believed Schlenk doubted Trae as a franchise cornerstone and that he would be desperately shooting for the stars because of it.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

A main takeaway for me is that, more so than in any other previous quote I've seen, he seems set on taking what 2019 gives him instead of actively looking to 2020.

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

And if that's the case, then we can set aside this idea of drafting purely on the basis of projectable upside/ceiling.... widening the door for a bunch of players with a decidedly lower ceiling but higher floor than Reddish.

I don't know about that "us" and "we." I'm fairly certain that you're the only one here who believed Schlenk doubted Trae as a franchise cornerstone and that he would be desperately shooting for the stars because of it.

High 5, first, let's get something straight. I purposefully make a habit of trying to be as precise with my words as possible, and it appears you, not so much...

My belief about Schlenk has been that we don't know what Schlenk believes.

That's still the case. We don't know because he hasn't said "I believe Trae Young is our cornerstone." There are hints, and depending on how one translates the hints, one can surmise his/her own belief about what Schlenk believes.

But I'm not wrong and never have been to have said we don't know what Schlenk believes.

To the contrary, those who've desired to shut down the conversation have tried unsuccessfully to take the angle, "Well, he hasn't mentioned anything about getting an elite player in a long time now." Their problem has been that Schlenk has continually reassured us whenever any kind of player acquisition topic has arisen, practically exact words every time... "We haven't changed the plan from Day One" or "From Day One, we have said... "

So that's when they just leave the discussion because they have no way to respond to that and cogently still achieve the validity of their conclusion that they know where Schlenk' mind is at with regard to acquiring or having acquired an elite player.

Second, let's set aside your lack of precision and just go with the general idea... what I think or what anyone here thinks about Young's future as an elite talent or something less than that.

So, let me not put words in your mouth here... you really believe that 100% of the posters who frequent this board would be willing to state unequivocally that they are confident that Trae Young will be spoken of in the same realm as the Steve Nashes and Allen Iversons of NBA history before it's all over... ???

100%. Do I have that right?

I think the majority have been like me... on the fence.

I even voted in this poll...



...with those who said "1". Pretty confident about that much... putting him in the same company as a whole lot of ASG point guards, actually. But not elite players who have been lead dogs in their teams' championship treks.

But then, being on the fence, believing better safe than sorry on such a critical point in the audacious pursuit to be the one of 30 teams to claim a championship in the next 4-8 years... and the logic being that you then have to approach the 2019 draft from that perspective.

So you want to put this to a test? I'm all for it.

[jayu70]

Read on Twitter

We will be getting more info on these workouts.

[Buzzard]

A main takeaway for me is that, more so than in any other previous quote I've seen, he seems set on taking what 2019 gives him instead of actively looking to 2020.

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

And if that's the case, then we can set aside this idea of drafting purely on the basis of projectable upside/ceiling.... widening the door for a bunch of players with a decidedly lower ceiling but higher floor than Reddish.

I don't know about that "us" and "we." I'm fairly certain that you're the only one here who believed Schlenk doubted Trae as a franchise cornerstone and that he would be desperately shooting for the stars because of it.

High 5, first, let's get something straight. I purposefully make a habit of trying to be as precise with my words as possible, and it appears you, not so much...

My belief about Schlenk has been that we don't know what Schlenk believes.

That's still the case. We don't know because he hasn't said "I believe Trae Young is our cornerstone." There are hints, and depending on how one translates the hints, one can surmise his/her own belief about what Schlenk believes.

But I'm not wrong and never have been to have said we don't know what Schlenk believes.

To the contrary, those who've desired to shut down the conversation have tried unsuccessfully to take the angle, "Well, he hasn't mentioned anything about getting an elite player in a long time now." Their problem has been that Schlenk has continually reassured us whenever any kind of player acquisition topic has arisen, practically exact words every time... "We haven't changed the plan from Day One" or "From Day One, we have said... "

So that's when they just leave the discussion because they have no way to respond to that and cogently still achieve the validity of their conclusion that they know where Schlenk' mind is at with regard to acquiring or having acquired an elite player.

Second, let's set aside your lack of precision and just go with the general idea... what I think or what anyone here thinks about Young's future as an elite talent or something less than that.

So, let me not put words in your mouth here... you really believe that 100% of the posters who frequent this board would be willing to state unequivocally that they are confident that Trae Young will be spoken of in the same realm as the Steve Nashes and Allen Iversons of NBA history before it's all over... ???

100%. Do I have that right?

I think the majority have been like me... on the fence.

I even voted in this poll...



...with those who said "1". Pretty confident about that much... putting him in the same company as a whole lot of ASG point guards, actually. But not elite players who have been lead dogs in their teams' championship treks.

But then, being on the fence, believing better safe than sorry on such a critical point in the audacious pursuit to be the one of 30 teams to claim a championship in the next 4-8 years... and the logic being that you then have to approach the 2019 draft from that perspective.

So you want to put this to a test? I'm all for it.

I did not get to vote on this one; but I would bet the over under in Vegas is 1. Judging from his rookie season, I think one top five finish is doable. Westbrook got his with a team that finished 6th; so its not out of the realm of possibilities for him even if it is during a not so stellar team performance. As far as the bet goes, I am assuming this is over Trae's whole career. 15 years from now, if I am still around collecting, my paycheck won't be that much

[High 5]

I don't know about that "us" and "we." I'm fairly certain that you're the only one here who believed Schlenk doubted Trae as a franchise cornerstone and that he would be desperately shooting for the stars because of it.

...

You should work on pairing your precision with more concision. Here is what we know: Schlenk said he was looking for a franchise cornerstone and made the decision to tank --> Schlenk took a huge risk trading Doncic for Trae (and a protected pick) --> Trae had an incredible rookie season and outperformed nearly everyone's expectations. The most logical takeaway, by far, would be that Schlenk sees Trae as a franchise cornerstone. That is why you have been the only Hawks fan in these threads (as far as I've seen) saying otherwise. A poll on the general board about Trae's future MVP placements is irrelevant.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I did not get to vote on this one; but I would bet the over under in Vegas is 1.

Well, maybe, but if this is any indication from some dispassionate observers on the General Board here, the over-under is a decisive 0, which I suppose would eliminate it from being bet-able.

Judging from his rookie season, I think one top five finish is doable. Westbrook got his with a team that finished 6th; so its not out of the realm of possibilities for him even if it is during a not so stellar team performance. As far as the bet goes, I am assuming this is over Trae's whole career. 15 years from now, if I am still around collecting, my paycheck won't be that much

Agreed.

[Buzzard]

A main takeaway for me is that, more so than in any other previous quote I've seen, he seems set on taking what 2019 gives him instead of actively looking to 2020.

So, then, maybe he's more persuaded than some of us seem to be that Trae is, indeed, going to be the elite cornerstone of this franchise after all.

And if that's the case, then we can set aside this idea of drafting purely on the basis of projectable upside/ceiling.... widening the door for a bunch of players with a decidedly lower ceiling but higher floor than Reddish.

I don't know about that "us" and "we." I'm fairly certain that you're the only one here who believed Schlenk doubted Trae as a franchise cornerstone and that he would be desperately shooting for the stars because of it.

Schlenk traded away a player who was at one time seen as a lock for the #1 pick. I have to believe he did that because he saw the same potential in Trae as he did in Luka. Plus he got a pick that his stats/metric people told him would be around 8.

Logic tells us you don't trade away a lock cornerstone for a plain old starting PG and a 8th pick. So either Travis did not see Luka as a cornerstone; or he saw them as pretty close to equals in that regard.