Fultz vs. Tatum: What do you think now?

[ParticleMan]

The two best offensive players in the draft. Been saying that since like this time last year. I think Fultz is the best prospect because of his elite physical tools at the PG position combined with his advanced offensive skill set. His length is freakish as demonstrated by some of the blocks he was getting out there. If he realizes his defensive potential, then we're probably gonna be looking back at this trade and questioning it for years to come.

Was upset at the trade, but I got over it pretty quickly when we drafted Tatum. Probably the best 1 on 1 scorer in the draft, his shooting stroke is pure (despite the percentages), and his physical tools and athleticism are underrated too. If Tatum is even a comparable player to Fultz, we win the trade. The pressure is all on Fultz to prove to be head and shoulders above the class. If he isn't, Philly will look bad for giving up another lottery pick to move up to #1 and not select the best player in the draft.

I don't think Philly will look bad if Fultz isn't "head and shoulders" above the rest. He's a much better fit for their team than the players that would have been available at 3 - they took a gamble on rounding out their roster, which I think in this case is respectable. The scenario where they look bad is if the Celtics land a superstar with that pick, but that's why it's a gamble.

they look bad only because ainge said he would have taken tatum anyways.

then they would have had either fultz or ball, and probably fultz since ball was always going to LA. they basically gave ainge a lotto pick for nothing.

[tlee324]

Don't want to rule out the knee concerns on Fultz. People said he's not as quick as expected; he might've been playing hurt still.

[Falstaff]

The two best offensive players in the draft. Been saying that since like this time last year. I think Fultz is the best prospect because of his elite physical tools at the PG position combined with his advanced offensive skill set. His length is freakish as demonstrated by some of the blocks he was getting out there. If he realizes his defensive potential, then we're probably gonna be looking back at this trade and questioning it for years to come.

Was upset at the trade, but I got over it pretty quickly when we drafted Tatum. Probably the best 1 on 1 scorer in the draft, his shooting stroke is pure (despite the percentages), and his physical tools and athleticism are underrated too. If Tatum is even a comparable player to Fultz, we win the trade. The pressure is all on Fultz to prove to be head and shoulders above the class. If he isn't, Philly will look bad for giving up another lottery pick to move up to #1 and not select the best player in the draft.

I don't think Philly will look bad if Fultz isn't "head and shoulders" above the rest. He's a much better fit for their team than the players that would have been available at 3 - they took a gamble on rounding out their roster, which I think in this case is respectable. The scenario where they look bad is if the Celtics land a superstar with that pick, but that's why it's a gamble.

they look bad only because ainge said he would have taken tatum anyways.

then they would have had either fultz or ball, and probably fultz since ball was always going to LA. they basically gave ainge a lotto pick for nothing.

I don't think people pay much credit to that kind of statement after the fact. What else is Ainge going to say?

[SeizeCoup]

I liked the trade but mostly for the future pick lol. I did not think Tatum would be this ready. I know it's one game, but he showed me a lot. Plus he looks bigger than I remember him in college, and he's got a great frame to put on strength while still keeping his agility. Both teams got the player they needed. I do think Fultz has a higher ceiling, but there's no guarantee he pans out, while playing a position where we have less of a hole.

I started a thread a while back about how bigger is better- referencing the glut of big men next year. But now I think it can also apply to the Fultz vs Tatum comparison. They are both nba ready scorers who have a variety of shots in their arsenal. They both provide positional versatility but Tatum (especially as he gets stronger) can probably cover more positions on defense with all the switches that go on.

[chakdaddy]

But who counts as the taller player? Fultz has great PG size. Tatum is an undersized stretch 4 or is part of a potential logjam of 2 or hopefully 3 cornerstones at SF. By positional scarcity and size I still prefer Fultz.

[ArtistNBA]

Tatum will be an All-star, first NBA game setting he made a game winner, cold blooded

[Slartibartfast]

Poll options pretty silly. Can dislike the trade without thinking Ainge should be fired. It was solid value.

I just liked Fultz a lot more than Tatum and still do.

[Homerclease]

Poll options pretty silly. Can dislike the trade without thinking Ainge should be fired. It was solid value.

I just liked Fultz a lot more than Tatum and still do.

Agreed with this, I liked Fultz more and feel we sold too early and too cheap on the top overall pick. If it were both picks like originally reported then I'd be doing backflips

[exculpatory]

Poll options pretty silly. Can dislike the trade without thinking Ainge should be fired. It was solid value.

I just liked Fultz a lot more than Tatum and still do.

Quandary.

[Duke4life831]

Don't want to rule out the knee concerns on Fultz. People said he's not as quick as expected; he might've been playing hurt still.

He looked like normal Fultz to me. Hes not a quick or overly explosive guy.

[UHar_Vinnie]

I loved the trade at the time and after last night I still do. I think both Fultz and Tatum will be studs. Fultz really looked like a guy who can score from anywhere and proved worthy of the hype. However, I think last night Tatum proved Ainge's point that picks 1-4 were comparible talents and therefore trading sideways to get another lottery pick was very wise. It's still early but I think Tatum showed me enough to believe that Ainge was serious when he said he would have picked him first.

I'm really curious to see what others think.

This post is like my ejaculation... premature. Oops, I meant like my friend's.

[Havlicek17]

Tatum and Fultz were the two most elite scorers in this year's draft, and both looked good in their first summer league game.

I was OK with the trade because I was cool with either Josh Jackson or Tatum instead of Fultz. I think getting someone who can fit into the position-less 2/3/4 in the modern NBA is the most valuable. Plus we got a possible 2-5 pick in a pretty stacked draft next year for our troubles.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, I remember KO looking pretty good in his summer league games too. Both still have a long way to go...

[VeryMuchWoke]

My opinion hasn't changed based on one SL game. Both guys played about how I expected and are pretty close as prospects.

Fultz showed the expected weaknesses: Trouble finishing, low percentage shots, mediocre NBA athleticism
and the expected strengths: Great awareness in P&R, length makes for some plays on D, ability to get his own shot, crafty ball-handling, awesome spin moves.

Same for Tatum:

Strengths: Can get his own shot, length makes for some good defensive plays, good hands, ability to move his feet on the perimeter (for a rookie)
Weaknesses: Bit of a ballstopper at times, can settle for mediocre shots, not always locked in defensively, can be bullied by stronger guys.

[Kalela]

Fultz, Tatum and Isaac were the players I wanted the Celtics to get in this draft if the pick wasn't traded. I am happy with Tatum and doubling the Celtics chances to draft Bamba next season. Tatum was the guy I wanted the Celtics to get as the top overall pick before the trade. Isaac the player I was most intrigued by. I watched many Florida State games and I still think he has the highest ceiling of all the players in this draft. DSJ will probably be the most NBA ready player though and will probably be an all star.

[igotthatheat]

I dont think Fultz played well at all ..17 points on 16 shots and 1 assist and 4 turnovers....I said this before the draft, I dont think Fultz ever showed great court vision as a passer and hes not that explosive/athletic. I think you guys robbed the 6ers

[Fidel Sarcasmo]

Nobody wants to be the team that picked Jalil Okafor and passed on Porzingis. I don't want to look back n feel the way Philli feels

[Spin Move]

Summer League means squat, even after 1 full NBA season we won't know, both looked good in the SL which means absolutly nothing. Tatum had the better game of the two and i am glad he did not make a fool of himself but you can't judge anything based on summer league.

[AlCelticFan]

Think it was one game and both guys looked good. Still think Ainge could've held out for a better deal though

So far Tatum 1, Fultz 0. Tatum closed out the game for us with clutch shooting, but Fultz wasn't able to close it out for Phili

[Marvel]

Fultz doesn't look that good tbh. I'm happy with the Tatum pick. His length is a plus and when he gets stronger he could play the 2/3/4. Obviously this is based off 1 SL game so don't quote me on it.

[AlCelticFan]

I saw some highlights of one of Isaac's games. He's really intriguing looking. Heard he got injured? Still, he's the one I"m curious to follow for the next few years to see how he develops.