2017 Draft Discussion Part 4: 3 Day Countdown!

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[Zelaznyrules]

We need more than one scorer just as much as we need defense at this point in time. Every great team has at least two guys who can get their own shot when needed, especially when the other is on the bench resting.

So I hope we don't put the defensive horse cart in front of the offensive cart, especially when the offensive guy is better at what he does than the defensive guy.

Not really. Check this out.

http://stats.nba.com/teams/defense/#!?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2016-17&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

We need to improve defensively but I think our offensive woes are hidden somewhat by the pace we play, which also magnifies our defensive woes. Given that we were still horrible on defense when Bledsoe, Tucker and Chandler were all starting, I think it's clear we are more than a single player away from fixing our D. We need improvement across the board. But our offense is also inept so if the best player available shines mostly on offense, I see no reason not to take him.

[Villalobos]

They may have tried to move up, but I doubt it. It seems like as the years pass, the info Ford has is way off. I mean he never gets anything right anymore and even got called out for rearranging his mock AFTER the draft.

WOJ seems to be much more in tune with things. But here is what Ford said.

Didn't he get Thon Maker right? IIRC he put Thon to the Bucks at #10 on draft day when everyone else was assuming he was a second rounder. That was a big one.

[bwgood77]

We need more than one scorer just as much as we need defense at this point in time. Every great team has at least two guys who can get their own shot when needed, especially when the other is on the bench resting.

So I hope we don't put the defensive horse cart in front of the offensive cart, especially when the offensive guy is better at what he does than the defensive guy.

Not really. Check this out.

http://stats.nba.com/teams/defense/#!?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2016-17&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

We need to improve defensively but I think our offensive woes are hidden somewhat by the pace we play, which also magnifies our defensive woes. Given that we were still horrible on defense when Bledsoe, Tucker and Chandler were all starting, I think it's clear we are more than a single player away from fixing our D. We need improvement across the board. But our offense is also inept so if the best player available shines mostly on offense, I see no reason not to take him.

So if we are a bottom team defensively and a lot of players need to improve, we shouldn't take a defensive player? Best player available is obviously subjective so it's a cop out to say that's what we should take.

Tatum for example is scary because of what was noted by an astute poster,

he can't finish left, his jumper is likely not going to be sustainable and he's not a great athlete. He might get by with good footwork as a PF but I wouldn't be betting on it - particularly given how little he's shown as a team defender.

And as noted by DX

there is some concern projecting certain aspects of Tatum's offensive game to the next level, most notably his ability to get to the rim against similar athletes. Like many tall forwards at the collegiate level, Tatum played a large portion of his minutes at the power forward spot to make way for Duke's deep perimeter attack. This afforded Tatum a quickness advantage that may not always be there at the next level.

Despite Tatum's size and fluidity, he's not an exceptionally explosive athlete by NBA standards, with an average first step that was further slowed down by a high and loose dribble....he settled for more difficult pull-ups and floaters than you would have preferred, shots with a high degree of difficulty and a comparatively low expected value. Tatum will have to further refine his ball handling and diversify his skill set in order to consistently create efficient shots for himself at a high level in the NBA. It would also be beneficial for Tatum if some of his ancillary skills were a little bit more consistent.

He's gotten better shooting off the dribble, but it's still not at the point where he can consistently create value out of pick and roll sets. He's gotten better shooting off the catch but, even with a high release point, still shows inconsistencies in his mechanics, and can be bothered by a strong closeout. His handle has improved to the point where he can consistently attack a closeout and utilize some of his advanced footwork, but is still unrefined enough where it slows him down considerably and can be prone to smaller guys digging from the perimeter and forcing turnovers. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jayson-Tatum-7249/ ©DraftExpress

[bwgood77]

They may have tried to move up, but I doubt it. It seems like as the years pass, the info Ford has is way off. I mean he never gets anything right anymore and even got called out for rearranging his mock AFTER the draft.

WOJ seems to be much more in tune with things. But here is what Ford said.

Didn't he get Thon Maker right? IIRC he put Thon to the Bucks at #10 on draft day when everyone else was assuming he was a second rounder. That was a big one.

Maybe, but I don't remember Thon being nearly that high anywhere, which is why everyone was shocked when he went that high. I can't recall for sure though.

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[Saberestar]

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[Qwigglez]

I hope Tatum lays an egg in the workout today. Take Jackson or Isaac please.

[TheFire]

It's certainly looking like Jackson will be there at 4 on draft day. Based on McDonough's BPA approach, you have to think we are going to take him unless he has Isaac or Fox ranked higher.

[nymets1]

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If the Celtics were to take Tatum at 3rd pick, Josh Jackson would be considered the BPA at 4th pick I think

If the Celtics took Josh Jackson at 3rd pick, Jayson Tatum would be considered the BPA at 4th pick I think

So I don't think the Suns are taking Isaac at 4th.

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[Kerrsed]

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[Kerrsed]

I guess the "Rumor Mill" is saying Issac to the Suns.

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[Jdiddy701]

What's times are better, draft day or trade deadline? I love the NBA.


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[BobbieL]

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Good - I hope they take him. Of the three, Isaac, Tatum and Jackson, he is third on my list. Jackson, if not for the off court stuff, is easily the top guy.

[BobbieL]

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Love is 28 and will be 29 when season starts. So he is probably not an option for that 19-27 range.

But interesting he mentioned they are involved as part of a three team deal. Hmm, the Paul George trade perhaps

[LukasBMW]

I'm gonna be bumed if we pass on Tatum. I think he's the second best bet in this draft.

I'm not a big fan of Issac, but if McDonough likes him, then they must have seen something they really like.

[WeekapaugGroove]

What's times are better, draft day or trade deadline? I love the NBA.


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Draft day by a mile. The deadline can be fun and crazy but draft day is the one day where almost every fan base gets to think their team go better and you get to dream about all the best case scenarios for the prospect your team just picked. Best day of the NBA calendar and it's not even close IMO. Plus I think the NBA draft is a fun watch in general; I usually cut out from work early every year to sit and watch the whole thing.