Ghost of Kleine wrote:Not to rehash old argument points or be a revisionist on this, But for my part, I would still ask to that specific situation:
1- Who had final say on such decisions and upon reflection of the innumerable reports of Savers' iron fisted megalomatic controlling nature and meddling in all personnel decisions.
2- Who had correlative business interests/ incentive with the Arizona boosters/ Arizona alumni with such a decision to draft a player from that very university conveniently??
3- who ( upon research) promoted/ pursued bringing in Kokoskov as coach during that time.
4- what was that infamous animated argument about between Saver and McDonough shortly after the draft?
For the record, I'm not a McDonough apologist and still do like Ayton although I'm really disappointed and frustrated by his lackluster effort after getting paid. But I can't yet make any concrete determinations on the Ayton/ Doncic decision until I have those questions answered. Personally I lean towards the belief that Savers' ego wouldn't at all let his GM make such a big decision on our franchises first ever #1 pick. And I do believe that he exercised having the final say on drafting Ayton to Carter to his fellow Arizona Alumnis' and AZ boosters interests with underlying business interests effecting his decision.
I don't know why it always comes here. McD wanted Ayton. It couldn't have been more obvious. Did Sarver prefer Ayton to Doncic? There is a good chance he did, or he could have been fine with either. It was reported by Rusilo that Sarver was enamored with Doncic and him and Jones went to see him...McD didn't bother (and of course he could have gone if he wanted).
Now nothing being guaranteed and McD pressing on for Ayton, Sarver and Jones signed off on the deal (it was reported they all 3 agreed on pick). So Sarver could have been fine with either or preferred Ayton. McD made it obvious he preferred Ayton at the time.
People just came out later saying stuff regarding the UA connection, etc, and all that...just the same types of rumors we all buy.
As a UofA fan, I can tell you right now, if you watched Ayton at UofA, you would certainly have many hesitations about taking Ayton #1.
I also got the feel when Rusilo said Sarver was enamored with him that it made him think of Nash, with the playmaking, and also Dragic, given they played together, etc...Sarver LOVED those guys. McD wasn't involved with them outside of pissing off Dragic and seemingly always wanting to get rid of him anyway, obviously preferring Bledsoe.
