College basketball and 2017 draft - One more poll after last game

[darealjuice]

The thing that worries me the most with Josh Jackson is his jump shot. He has a low, weird release on his shot, it's almost like he gets it around eye level and flicks it up from there instead of extending and getting a high release at the top. I've also noticed he has a habit of shooting on the way down of his jump instead of releasing at the peak, and that with his low release makes me a bit afraid he'll have a lot of inconsistency with his shot and will be prone to getting his shot blocked when he's not the longest, most athletic guy on the court. He's got all the physical tools and athleticism to be very good, but I'm going to be looking for improvements on his shooting form throughout his season at Kansas.

[Mulhollanddrive]

3-point shooting is the question mark for 8 of my top 10 players (4 PGs and 4 SFs)

So you have Fultz, Smith, Ntilikina, Fox, Jackson, Tatum, Anuoby, Isaac who according to DraftExpress shoot mostly in the 20s% from 3, with a couple in the lower 30s% from 3.

No PG, SG, SF has been in the top 25 Win Shares in any of the past 5 seasons, without shooting at 37% from 3 at least once in their career.

[AtheJ415]

Positional versatility is key imo. We still need a backup C imo going forward (assuming Len is the starter once Tyson is moved or retires).

Also could use a 2/3 swingman since we lost Bogdan, who I think would've fit that role.

I don't really think we will take a PG unless we decide to move Bledsoe or Knight, or maybe both. Ulis and Bledsoe would eat up a lot of rotation minutes even before factoring in Knight.

Jackson is the best fit for us among the top guys. Giles's knees scare me. If we fall into the late lottery, I think we take a center.

[Damkac]

Now that Suns have a prospect at every position they can just take BPA and not care about team needs.

[bwgood77]

Positional versatility is key imo. We still need a backup C imo going forward (assuming Len is the starter once Tyson is moved or retires).

Also could use a 2/3 swingman since we lost Bogdan, who I think would've fit that role.

I don't really think we will take a PG unless we decide to move Bledsoe or Knight, or maybe both. Ulis and Bledsoe would eat up a lot of rotation minutes even before factoring in Knight.

Jackson is the best fit for us among the top guys. Giles's knees scare me. If we fall into the late lottery, I think we take a center.

So you feel we should be confident that Bledsoe's knees will hold up no matter what or if they don't that Knight is a fine option at PG for a competitive team? I do expect Ulis to be a good player but not sure I expect him to be the type of playmaker that could be the PG on a contender. I think we have quite a bit of versatility throughout the lineup but may want either a young pass first PG with size or a rim protecting defensive center, particularly if no one in this draft group can shoot from deep.

[jcsunsfan]

Positional versatility is key imo. We still need a backup C imo going forward (assuming Len is the starter once Tyson is moved or retires).

Also could use a 2/3 swingman since we lost Bogdan, who I think would've fit that role.

I don't really think we will take a PG unless we decide to move Bledsoe or Knight, or maybe both. Ulis and Bledsoe would eat up a lot of rotation minutes even before factoring in Knight.

Jackson is the best fit for us among the top guys. Giles's knees scare me. If we fall into the late lottery, I think we take a center.

BPA, BPA. We have potential young centers in Len and Chriss. Even Bender could play that position eventually. We have youth at every stinking position. Just take the player who has the best chance to be a superstar.

[bwgood77]

Positional versatility is key imo. We still need a backup C imo going forward (assuming Len is the starter once Tyson is moved or retires).

Also could use a 2/3 swingman since we lost Bogdan, who I think would've fit that role.

I don't really think we will take a PG unless we decide to move Bledsoe or Knight, or maybe both. Ulis and Bledsoe would eat up a lot of rotation minutes even before factoring in Knight.

Jackson is the best fit for us among the top guys. Giles's knees scare me. If we fall into the late lottery, I think we take a center.

BPA, BPA. We have potential young centers in Len and Chriss. Even Bender could play that position eventually. We have youth at every stinking position. Just take the player who has the best chance to be a superstar.

I think everyone always agrees with BPA but as we all know there will likely be a wide range of opinions as to who that is. So the question boils down to "Without a clear BPA, if you were to look at biggest potential future needs 3-4 years down the road, what will likely be the greatest need?" It's fairly rare there is a clear BPA.

[Damkac]

I looked at lottery prospects at DraftExpress and made short notes:

Markelle Fultz PG 6'5
DraftExpress # 1 NBADraft.net # 4
+ size, scoring, playmaking
- shooting

Dennis Smith PG 6'2
DraftExpress # 2 NBADraft.net # 1
+ athletic freak
- decision making

Harry Giles PF 6'11
DraftExpress # 3 NBADraft.net # 3
+ size, athleticism, post scoring, rebounding
- health issues, shooting

Jayson Tatum SF 6'8
DraftExpress # 4 NBADraft.net # 7
+ scoring skills
- ball stopper, 3pt shooting

Josh Jackson SF 6'8
DraftExpress # 5 NBADraft.net # 2
+ athleticism, passing, rebounding, defense
- strenght, shooting, wingspan

Frank Ntilikina PG 6'5
DraftExpress # 6 NBADraft.net # 6
+ size, playmaking, defense, personality
- shooting, strength

Marques Bolden C 6'11
DraftExpress # 7
+ size, post scoring
- free throws, DRebounding

Ivan Rabb PF 6'10
DraftExpress # 8 NBADraft.net # 10
+ athleticism, rebounding
- strenght, shooting

Edrice Adebayo PF 6'9
DraftExpress # 9
+ athleticism, motor
- skills

Jarrett Allen C 6'11
DraftExpress # 10 NBADraft.net # 13
+ size, quickness, defense
- strenght, offensive skills

De'Aaron Fox PG 6'4
DraftExpress # 11 NBADraft.net # 8
+ defense, ball handling, size, playmaking
- shooting, strenght

Jonathan Isaac SF 6'11
DraftExpress # 12 NBADraft.net # 5
+ size, athleticism, shooting mechanics
- strenght

Lauri Markkanen PF 7'
DraftExpress # 13
+ size, shooting, ball handling, athleticism, bbIQ
- wingspan, strenght, rebounding

Lonzo Ball PG 6'4
DraftExpress # 14 NBADraft.net # 9
+ size, playmaking, rebounding, defense
- shooting mechanic, strenght, athleticism

Conclusions:
- majority of those players have problems with shooting
- many players are thin and lack strenght (this may be because of young age)
- plenty of tall PG who are good playmakers and defenders (but bad shooters)
- also many nice wings
- lack of typical SG (good for Suns as they has Booker already)

So far this draft don't have clear #1 or set order but from what people say about it it's because of abundance of talent not because lack of it. Hope it won't end like 2014 draft that was supposed to be very strong and deep but so far it is big disappointment imo. One more good draft choice from McD and the future of the Suns is bright

[darealjuice]

I'm a pretty big fan of Lonzo Ball, really excited to see him at UCLA this year. He's got a damn ugly shooting form, but he still seems to have a bit of range with it. Obviously we need to see him play in college, but he reminds me a whole lot of Jason Kidd with his size, how he mixes it up on the boards, defends well, and can flat out pass the ball. If we end up being somewhere between 7-10 in the draft next year, I'd love to take a shot on this kid, and I think he'd be a great fit with Book.

[MathiasPW]

Positional versatility is key imo. We still need a backup C imo going forward (assuming Len is the starter once Tyson is moved or retires).

Also could use a 2/3 swingman since we lost Bogdan, who I think would've fit that role.

I don't really think we will take a PG unless we decide to move Bledsoe or Knight, or maybe both. Ulis and Bledsoe would eat up a lot of rotation minutes even before factoring in Knight.

Jackson is the best fit for us among the top guys. Giles's knees scare me. If we fall into the late lottery, I think we take a center.

So you feel we should be confident that Bledsoe's knees will hold up no matter what or if they don't that Knight is a fine option at PG for a competitive team? I do expect Ulis to be a good player but not sure I expect him to be the type of playmaker that could be the PG on a contender. I think we have quite a bit of versatility throughout the lineup but may want either a young pass first PG with size or a rim protecting defensive center, particularly if no one in this draft group can shoot from deep.

Ullis' playmaking is fine. It's his "playbreaking" that will block him from the starting spot in a contender. His amazing college defense will not translate well against more athletic PG, as is the norm in the NBA. And yes I am well aware of his good defense in Summer League

[NavLDO]

Positional versatility is key imo. We still need a backup C imo going forward (assuming Len is the starter once Tyson is moved or retires).

Also could use a 2/3 swingman since we lost Bogdan, who I think would've fit that role.

I don't really think we will take a PG unless we decide to move Bledsoe or Knight, or maybe both. Ulis and Bledsoe would eat up a lot of rotation minutes even before factoring in Knight.

Jackson is the best fit for us among the top guys. Giles's knees scare me. If we fall into the late lottery, I think we take a center.

BPA, BPA. We have potential young centers in Len and Chriss. Even Bender could play that position eventually. We have youth at every stinking position. Just take the player who has the best chance to be a superstar.

I think everyone always agrees with BPA but as we all know there will likely be a wide range of opinions as to who that is. So the question boils down to "Without a clear BPA, if you were to look at biggest potential future needs 3-4 years down the road, what will likely be the greatest need?" It's fairly rare there is a clear BPA.

Or, it could be this year? To me, a lot of questions need to be answered this year:

Does Bledsoe lose half a season again due to knees? And if so, what does Knight and/or Ulis show us?

I hate to even think it, but what if Booker has a sophomore slump, or he sustains a bad injury? Barbosa'a not the future, so how does Jenkins fair in relief? Or Goodwin?

This is Tucker's final year, and he's 30. What if Warren has a very 'meh' season? Are we confident enough in Bender to play SF going forward, or is he more of a PF?

How does Chriss show in his opportunity? Do we bring in another PF to compete? Or does Bender play there?

And finally, Len. If he doesn't turn the corner this year, then Center might be the biggest need, assuming Alan Williams is just average and neither rookie shows much at the position.

I think we are all very optimistic that Bledsoe, Ulis, Booker, Warren, Bender, Chriss, and Len all stay healthy and play to such an extent that we believe none of these positions could be upgraded, but I get the feeling that at least one of these positions will 'show less' than the others, prompting us to really push for our player be at a certain position, and if I had to guess, I'd say it's Center or PG, but who knows right now.

[bwgood77]

Positional versatility is key imo. We still need a backup C imo going forward (assuming Len is the starter once Tyson is moved or retires).

Also could use a 2/3 swingman since we lost Bogdan, who I think would've fit that role.

I don't really think we will take a PG unless we decide to move Bledsoe or Knight, or maybe both. Ulis and Bledsoe would eat up a lot of rotation minutes even before factoring in Knight.

Jackson is the best fit for us among the top guys. Giles's knees scare me. If we fall into the late lottery, I think we take a center.

So you feel we should be confident that Bledsoe's knees will hold up no matter what or if they don't that Knight is a fine option at PG for a competitive team? I do expect Ulis to be a good player but not sure I expect him to be the type of playmaker that could be the PG on a contender. I think we have quite a bit of versatility throughout the lineup but may want either a young pass first PG with size or a rim protecting defensive center, particularly if no one in this draft group can shoot from deep.

Ullis' playmaking is fine. It's his "playbreaking" that will block him from the starting spot in a contender. His amazing college defense will not translate well against more athletic PG, as is the norm in the NBA. And yes I am well aware of his good defense in Summer League

Yeah, not sure why I said "playmaker" there instead of player. That's not really what I meant at all. I think he'll be a great playmaker.

[bwgood77]

BPA, BPA. We have potential young centers in Len and Chriss. Even Bender could play that position eventually. We have youth at every stinking position. Just take the player who has the best chance to be a superstar.

I think everyone always agrees with BPA but as we all know there will likely be a wide range of opinions as to who that is. So the question boils down to "Without a clear BPA, if you were to look at biggest potential future needs 3-4 years down the road, what will likely be the greatest need?" It's fairly rare there is a clear BPA.

Or, it could be this year? To me, a lot of questions need to be answered this year:

Does Bledsoe lose half a season again due to knees? And if so, what does Knight and/or Ulis show us?

I hate to even think it, but what if Booker has a sophomore slump, or he sustains a bad injury? Barbosa'a not the future, so how does Jenkins fair in relief? Or Goodwin?

This is Tucker's final year, and he's 30. What if Warren has a very 'meh' season? Are we confident enough in Bender to play SF going forward, or is he more of a PF?

How does Chriss show in his opportunity? Do we bring in another PF to compete? Or does Bender play there?

And finally, Len. If he doesn't turn the corner this year, then Center might be the biggest need, assuming Alan Williams is just average and neither rookie shows much at the position.

I think we are all very optimistic that Bledsoe, Ulis, Booker, Warren, Bender, Chriss, and Len all stay healthy and play to such an extent that we believe none of these positions could be upgraded, but I get the feeling that at least one of these positions will 'show less' than the others, prompting us to really push for our player be at a certain position, and if I had to guess, I'd say it's Center or PG, but who knows right now.

Well it will be too early to judge PF, and I think many, particularly outside of Suns fans always point to SF, so not everyone is sold that Warren will be that. But yes, clearly, as part of our true core, Len is the biggest question mark as he gets to his second contract and we don't know exactly what we have and how healthy he can remain. But he's still a lot younger and has less injury concern than Bledsoe. So yes, PG and C seem to be the biggest needs, but the deepest position with potential elite quality in the lottery is PG, not C, and then Jackson if we get a very high pick.

[NavLDO]

I think everyone always agrees with BPA but as we all know there will likely be a wide range of opinions as to who that is. So the question boils down to "Without a clear BPA, if you were to look at biggest potential future needs 3-4 years down the road, what will likely be the greatest need?" It's fairly rare there is a clear BPA.

Or, it could be this year? To me, a lot of questions need to be answered this year:

Does Bledsoe lose half a season again due to knees? And if so, what does Knight and/or Ulis show us?

I hate to even think it, but what if Booker has a sophomore slump, or he sustains a bad injury? Barbosa'a not the future, so how does Jenkins fair in relief? Or Goodwin?

This is Tucker's final year, and he's 30. What if Warren has a very 'meh' season? Are we confident enough in Bender to play SF going forward, or is he more of a PF?

How does Chriss show in his opportunity? Do we bring in another PF to compete? Or does Bender play there?

And finally, Len. If he doesn't turn the corner this year, then Center might be the biggest need, assuming Alan Williams is just average and neither rookie shows much at the position.

I think we are all very optimistic that Bledsoe, Ulis, Booker, Warren, Bender, Chriss, and Len all stay healthy and play to such an extent that we believe none of these positions could be upgraded, but I get the feeling that at least one of these positions will 'show less' than the others, prompting us to really push for our player be at a certain position, and if I had to guess, I'd say it's Center or PG, but who knows right now.

Well it will be too early to judge PF, and I think many, particularly outside of Suns fans always point to SF, so not everyone is sold that Warren will be that. But yes, clearly, as part of our true core, Len is the biggest question mark as he gets to his second contract and we don't know exactly what we have and how healthy he can remain. But he's still a lot younger and has less injury concern than Bledsoe. So yes, PG and C seem to be the biggest needs, but the deepest position with potential elite quality in the lottery is PG, not C, and then Jackson if we get a very high pick.

Agreed. And if we do not feel that Ulis is the long-term solution at PG, and with the class appearing to be very strong at PG, it might make the most sense to go that route in the 1st, and see if there is a developmental C, assuming we are picking top-10 again, that is left on the board in the 2nd to grab; basically a top 40ish guy, someone like an Onuaku or a Diallo-type that have all the makings to be very good, but need some time.

Heck, we grabbed Ulis at 34 and I would say, at worst, he's looking like a 6th/7th man type, though I know SL performance doesn't always reflect future success, but Ulis looked very in control of his game, and while he'll likely never be 'elite', he could potentially start in a few years if he keeps developing. But if we are dratfting around 8-12, which I suspect will be our range next draft, and a prospect like Ntilinka, Smith, Fultz, Ball or Fox is available, maybe that's the best play??

A lot will depend upon a) how Bender is developed (SF or PF) and b) how Warren does, and to me, that's the clincher, and you know my opinion...I think Warren breaks out this year and solidifies his starting/6th Man role, while playing a little PF as well.

But then again, I AM the RealGM Suns Forum DPOY and feel all our young guys are gonna turn out great!

[PackSuns]

As mentioned by many. This is a loaded draft. I see several future All-Stars. I would like D. Smith Jr but I am selfish.

[bwgood77]

As mentioned by many. This is a loaded draft. I see several future All-Stars. I would like D. Smith Jr but I am selfish.

Because you think he's the best PG or because he is going to NC State or both? What if another PG or two end up looking better this year?

[PackSuns]

As mentioned by many. This is a loaded draft. I see several future All-Stars. I would like D. Smith Jr but I am selfish.

Because you think he's the best PG or because he is going to NC State or both? What if another PG or two end up looking better this year?

I think he is in the running for best PG/Player in the draft. Fulz is a stud too. I also like D'aaron Fox a lot. He slipped quite a bit over the past 5 months. He will be good as well. Josh Jackson is a no brainer as well. I was able to see a lot of film this year.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

This may be the year we trade our pick. We have a ton of young guys we like, we have cap space, we have a good mix of contracts. Especially if we can be a viable destination for free agents, I could see us trading the pick for a key contributor.

You can think of it as us taking our 2017 pick a year early by taking Bender and Chriss this year.

[bwgood77]

This may be the year we trade our pick. We have a ton of young guys we like, we have cap space, we have a good mix of contracts. Especially if we can be a viable destination for free agents, I could see us trading the pick for a key contributor.

You can think of it as us taking our 2017 pick a year early by taking Bender and Chriss this year.

I think it's pretty stupid to trade picks with the way the cap and rookie contracts are. They more guys you can have under rookie contract the better your cap situation will be. And this is not a good draft to trade a lottery pick unless you are getting a clear young difference maker back, but I still prefer growing organically and through the draft and don't want this team to think that if they sign a vet next offseason they will be ready to be a 2nd round playoff contender. The core is still EXTREMELY young.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

This may be the year we trade our pick. We have a ton of young guys we like, we have cap space, we have a good mix of contracts. Especially if we can be a viable destination for free agents, I could see us trading the pick for a key contributor.

You can think of it as us taking our 2017 pick a year early by taking Bender and Chriss this year.

I think it's pretty stupid to trade picks with the way the cap and rookie contracts are. They more guys you can have under rookie contract the better your cap situation will be. And this is not a good draft to trade a lottery pick unless you are getting a clear young difference maker back, but I still prefer growing organically and through the draft and don't want this team to think that if they sign a vet next offseason they will be ready to be a 2nd round playoff contender. The core is still EXTREMELY young.

PG: Ulis
SG: Booker
SF: Warren, Bender
PF: Chriss
C: Len

All of these guys need PT to develop, and all of them have demonstrated that they are worth developing. We have all our own picks, as well as additional picks in 2019 and 2021.

I'd be happy taking a center, in particular, with a mid-late first rounder next year, to develop behind Len. But I also think right now is our opportunity to build momentum and begin to assemble a contender using a mix of trades and free agents. With the Miami picks coming in, we don't have to drown ourselves in the deep end of the NBA rankings in order to pick up another top-tier talent.

The 2017 draft picks should have exceptional value. But they are still draft picks. I've been singing the opposite tune for about six years straight. Now, if Ryan decided to trade a future first, I'm okay with it. Just be sure you're getting the right assets in return. A 2017 pick should fetch tremendous value.