Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Spud2nique]

Let the chips fall where they may. Play hard and develop but try and trade the vets by the deadline. I'm all for pride and everything but we kind of need a franchise guy and a top 5 pick here would be great. Play hard and win 24 games. We are young and we will run. It'll be a fun year and as a die hard I'm hoping this is the one year we DONT overachieve.

[ATL Boy]

I don't know man. I get the importance of getting a top 5 pick in this year's draft but I just can't root for losses. I did it during the 2013 Falcons season and that 2014 Hawks season and it was just a miserable experience.

[macd-gm]

Let the chips fall where they may. Play hard and develop but try and trade the vets by the deadline. I'm all for pride and everything but we kind of need a franchise guy and a top 5 pick here would be great. Play hard and win 24 games. We are young and we will run. It'll be a fun year and as a die hard I'm hoping this is the one year we DONT overachieve.

Wait. Let me get this straight. You want to lose a bunch to get a high draft pick? Well you've really changed your tune mister. I've never heard you mention that before.

[Spud2nique]

Let the chips fall where they may. Play hard and develop but try and trade the vets by the deadline. I'm all for pride and everything but we kind of need a franchise guy and a top 5 pick here would be great. Play hard and win 24 games. We are young and we will run. It'll be a fun year and as a die hard I'm hoping this is the one year we DONT overachieve.

Wait. Let me get this straight. You want to lose a bunch to get a high draft pick? Well you've really changed your tune mister. I've never heard you mention that before.

Lol...I know right. I just want a superstar that is ours from the start. I like to grow mines organic..lol.

[Lazy10]

Dunno much about Bagley, but Doncic is leap years ahead of Porter, Ayton, and Bamba

Skills wise maybe. I just see Doncic as #2 player on championship team instead of being main guy

[Lazy10]

Just watched what Doncic did for Slovenia in Eurobasket... Boy would he look good in a Hawks uni next season.

I do think Doncic, in the right situation, can be a star in this league. In SAS, BOS, HOU, Atlanta, GSW, LAL he'd be great.

But I also can see him flaming out under bad coaches on bad franchises. See: Orlando, New York, New Orleans or Cleveland.

The comparison I've heard that seems most fitting for Doncic is prime Manu Ginobili.

Does that seem right to you guys? Combo guartd who can play off-ball or run point--who makes heady, unselfish plays even if they lack in top end athleticism.

Position wise yes, I think Doncic can play 1-3 like Manu, but skill set wise, from the tape I've seen, and again this is very premature but I'd say Drazen. He can put the ball on the floor, and shoot very well, a couple of things that Drazen did as well, however I do think that Doncic can pass the ball much much much better than Drazen. Again, way too early but he could end up being the first pick and if it's in a Hawks uni, even better.


2 things you can't teach in basketball:

1. Height
2. Feel for the game

Doncic obviously has the height at 6'8", but watching his tape, he has a tremendous feel for the game. Very creative with the ball.

I'm gonna make a prediction that we can all look back at in 10 years and laugh or cry but here it goes:

Doncic will be in the top 5 Europeans that have ever laced them up...that includes the entire list....Dirk, Peja, Vlade, Sarunas,Gasols, and yes, even Drazen Petro.


If I had a nickel for every time I say the following I'd be a billionaire but I'll say it again..

2018 draft is the draft of all drafts...84,96,2003 and now 2018.

We HAVE to get a top 5 pick.

Slow down comparisons this to other historic drafts. Let's see how 2015 and 2017 play out.

Also in that European list, only Dirk was true alpha and he was 7 footer. Hawks need to draft alphas

[Lazy10]

I like Ba-Doncic-donk too. However, is he an alpha or is he the ultimate guy to take a good team over the top?

Let me ax y'all this though, do you think Manu could've led a team? Been the 1a guy? I'm not talking when he was in his prime (pre-NBA), I'm talking at the time he came over. Since that's really the only perspective most of us have.

I highly doubt he could've done so.

Bingo!!!

And that's the question I have about Doncic in a 'generational' draft. Manu, Gordon Hayward, Steve Nash...all the comps I've read, I'm not sure any of those guys were good enough to singlehandedly lead a franchise to the promised land.

If we draft Doncic, I think we still have to pursue another top flight, elite player to pair with him. (Which is why I've already pondered trading Dennis/Collins/future picks to get another stud from next year's draft.)

But, to be fair, I don't think Curry, Klay or Draymond could singlehandedly lead a team to the heights they've reached collectively.

This leads me to conclude that Doncic would be a great piece but likely not the centerpiece of a Hawks renaissance.

Curry is MVP level player who can be alpha on championship team. That's what you're looking for when drafting in top 5

[Jamaaliver]

If we draft Doncic, I think we still have to pursue another top flight, elite player to pair with him. (Which is why I've already pondered trading Dennis/Collins/future picks to get another stud from next year's draft.)

But, to be fair, I don't think Curry, Klay or Draymond could singlehandedly lead a team to the heights they've reached collectively.

This leads me to conclude that Doncic would be a great piece but likely not the centerpiece of a Hawks renaissance.

Curry is MVP level player who can be alpha on championship team. That's what you're looking for when drafting in top 5

Everything you've said is accurate. I was of the mindset that even if we get Doncic and he's all that's been advertised, we'd still need to acquire much more top flight talent to contend in the future.

LeBron can carry a team of bums to the Finals. He's done it multiple times.

Curry would have a hard time carrying one of these mediocre Cavs teams under a mediocre coach--deep into the playoffs. (Even Kobe failed to do that.)

And no one in this draft seems capable of doing so, either. Least of all Bamba or Doncic.

[Jamaaliver]

Bleacher Report created early top five boards for the teams expected to pick in the lottery. They rank the top prospects specific to our Hawks team:

Hawks' way-too-early top five big board

1. Marvin Bagley III (Duke, PF/C, Freshman)

Bagley has the highest ceiling in the draft for his elite athleticism and two-way versatility. A 6'11" big that can handle the ball, score in the post, finish above the rim and guard multiple positions, Bagley is a jump-shot away from the full package. Improved shooting would unlock All-Star potential. Michael Porter Jr. and Luka Doncic will be viewed as the safer options.

2. Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri, SF/PF, Freshman)

On paper, Porter could give Atlanta exactly what the lineup needs: a go-to scorer. At 6'10", he creates shots like a wing and shoots an easy three-ball.

3. Luka Doncic (Slovenia, PG/SG, 1999)

Doncic isn't known for scoring and could struggle to maximize his effectiveness without talent to play off. He's still too proven, skilled and unique to pass on for Atlanta once Bagley and Porter are gone. Dennis Schroder and Doncic would give Atlanta an interesting mix of size, speed, scoring, playmaking and shooting in the backcourt.

4. DeAndre Ayton (Arizona, C, Freshman)

Depending how dominant Ayton looks at Arizona, he could be higher than No. 4 on Atlanta's board. The Hawks' frontcourt lacks scoring and defense and Ayton can potentially offer both.

5. Mohamed Bamba (Texas, C, Freshman)

Ayton versus Bamba could come down to the eye of the beholder. Bamba isn't as strong or convincing from outside, but muscle can be added and shooting can improve. He also has the highest defensive ceiling in the draft.

I concur with us having Porter over Doncic. But I simply haven't seen enough of the Bagley kid to put him at the top of our draft board.

NOTE: I do wonder if potential fallout at Arizona from the NCAA scandal could impact Ayton's season and/or draft stock.

[kg01]

Oh snap, per Woj, lottery reform has passed. Effective 2019 draft. IOW ... we ded.

[Jamaaliver]

Bleacher Report, which churns out a ton of content, scouts what some of the returning college players need to improve on:

Miles Bridges (Michigan State, SF/PF, Sophomore)

No. 1: Validate case as a shooter
Bridges' stock will slip if last year's shooting numbers start looking fluky. The jumper is a big part of his sales pitch. He averaged two three-point makes per game at a solid 38.9 percent clip, but he only shot 68.5 percent from the line—a potential red flag.

Bringing up that free-throw percentage, while maintaining 2017's three-point rate and accuracy, will help to validate Bridges' case as a shooter.


No. 2: Sharpen shot-creation
We saw flashes of one-on-one shot-creation, but Bridges mostly tapped into his quickness and explosiveness (not ball skills) for scoring off transition, drives, lobs and putbacks.

He'll want to look sharper off the dribble in getting into his own shot and putting pressure on the defense in face-up situations. For a player with his power and burst, 3.3 free-throw attempts in 32 minutes per game aren't enough.


Bottom line
Bridges is a National Player of the Year candidate and a threat to average around 20 points per game after averaging 16.9. He'll use this year to clear up his fit as a small-ball 4 and a mismatch due to his strength, quickness, explosiveness and perimeter skills, the latter of which he'll look to polish up.

Bruce Brown (Miami, SG, Sophomore)

No. 1: Consistency
The guard exploded a number of times in his freshman season, having gone for 30 in a win over [UNC] and 25 points against Duke. Despite the sporadic eruptions, Brown finished 13 games with fewer than 10 points. That won't fly in 2017-18. Brown needs to emerge as Miami's No. 1 weapon every game to make a case for lottery consideration.


No. 2: Shooting
Brown shot 34.7 percent from three and finished without a triple in 12 games. He converted just 3-of-23 pull-ups, per ESPN. Entering the draft as a shaky-shooting 21-year-old isn't a great look.


No. 3: Off-the-dribble game
His handle is basic, which limits him as a shot-creator. Tightening it would also help the game slow down for Brown, whose assist-to-turnover ratio isn't flattering.

Bridges is, IMO, a sleeper to sneak into the top 5. His biggest flaw is height. But he can be a great, game changing PF in the right situation.

Brown is a player to watch from afar. But this is definitely an unflattering scouting report.

[Spud2nique]

Bleacher Report, which churns out a ton of content, scouts what some of the returning college players need to improve on:

Miles Bridges (Michigan State, SF/PF, Sophomore)

No. 1: Validate case as a shooter
Bridges' stock will slip if last year's shooting numbers start looking fluky. The jumper is a big part of his sales pitch. He averaged two three-point makes per game at a solid 38.9 percent clip, but he only shot 68.5 percent from the line—a potential red flag.

Bringing up that free-throw percentage, while maintaining 2017's three-point rate and accuracy, will help to validate Bridges' case as a shooter.


No. 2: Sharpen shot-creation
We saw flashes of one-on-one shot-creation, but Bridges mostly tapped into his quickness and explosiveness (not ball skills) for scoring off transition, drives, lobs and putbacks.

He'll want to look sharper off the dribble in getting into his own shot and putting pressure on the defense in face-up situations. For a player with his power and burst, 3.3 free-throw attempts in 32 minutes per game aren't enough.


Bottom line
Bridges is a National Player of the Year candidate and a threat to average around 20 points per game after averaging 16.9. He'll use this year to clear up his fit as a small-ball 4 and a mismatch due to his strength, quickness, explosiveness and perimeter skills, the latter of which he'll look to polish up.

Bruce Brown (Miami, SG, Sophomore)

No. 1: Consistency
The guard exploded a number of times in his freshman season, having gone for 30 in a win over [UNC] and 25 points against Duke. Despite the sporadic eruptions, Brown finished 13 games with fewer than 10 points. That won't fly in 2017-18. Brown needs to emerge as Miami's No. 1 weapon every game to make a case for lottery consideration.


No. 2: Shooting
Brown shot 34.7 percent from three and finished without a triple in 12 games. He converted just 3-of-23 pull-ups, per ESPN. Entering the draft as a shaky-shooting 21-year-old isn't a great look.


No. 3: Off-the-dribble game
His handle is basic, which limits him as a shot-creator. Tightening it would also help the game slow down for Brown, whose assist-to-turnover ratio isn't flattering.

Bridges is, IMO, a sleeper to sneak into the top 5. His biggest flaw is height. But he can be a great, game changing PF in the right situation.

Brown is a player to watch from afar. But this is definitely an unflattering scouting report.

Not only in ur opinion is Bridges a top 5 guy.... I had him in my top 5 a month ago but nobody raised a brow....comon Jamal UR not gonna cite me as a source...smh maaaaaan...oh also...Doncic>Porter.

[Spud2nique]

Sorry I needed to claim what was mine.

[Jamaaliver]

Not only in ur opinion is Bridges a top 5 guy.... I had him in my top 5 a month ago but nobody raised a brow....comon Jamal UR not gonna cite me as a source...smh maaaaaan...oh also...Doncic>Porter.

True. I knew I'd read it somewhere.

Sometimes I can't differentiate the voices in my head from the voices on the board.


Regarding Doncic v Porter -- They're both really good prospects.

Porter's an elite jump shooter. And for years Budenholzer's system has generated a ton of open looks that we couldn't knock down.

Doncic would be great here. But I think Porter is tailor made for this offense. He's easily a 20-25 ppg scorer under Bud and a guy who could carry us in postseason play.

Porter is also a 2-way player while Doncic would likely need to be hidden on defense his entire career.

...all great shooter[s] mesh with Bud with ease.

And Porter would easily become the best shooter this team has had in years.

[Spud2nique]

Not only in ur opinion is Bridges a top 5 guy.... I had him in my top 5 a month ago but nobody raised a brow....comon Jamal UR not gonna cite me as a source...smh maaaaaan...oh also...Doncic>Porter.

True. I knew I'd read it somewhere.

Sometimes I can't differentiate the voices in my head from the voices on the board.


Regarding Doncic v Porter -- They're both really good prospects.

Porter's an elite jump shooter. And for years Budenholzer's system has generated a ton of open looks that we couldn't knock down.

Doncic would be great here. But I think Porter is tailor made for this offense. He's easily a 20-25 ppg scorer under Bud and a guy who could carry us in postseason play.

Porter is also a 2-way player while Doncic would likely need to be hidden on defense his entire career.

...all great shooter[s] mesh with Bud with ease.

And Porter would easily become the best shooter this team has had in years.

Haha I know man all this stuff is out there and we read so much it's all the same...


Good call on Porter but isn't Luka just as good from outside? I dunno maybe Porter is better. At this point, I'd take either..just give us something Adam Silver and you will see Atlanta rise again!

[Jamaaliver]

NBADraft.net updates their prospect rankings and player comparisons:

1. Michael Porter 6-10 215 SF/PF Missouri Fr.
Porter is arguably the most talented draft prospect to come along in years. His elite skill set is reminiscent of a smaller KD, as he's already a skilled outside shooter with high level athleticism. His shooting and character gives him the edge over mega-talents Bagley and Ayton, making him the top prospect.
NBA Comparison: Kevin Durant



2. Marvin Bagley 6-11 225 PF Duke Fr.
NBA Comparison: Lamar Odom



3. DeAndre Ayton 7-0 250 C Arizona Fr.
Ayton is a generational center talent and should end up a top 5-10 center in the league. But, he has stagnated since his sophomore year when it looked like he could become a better version of David Robinson. There's still time for him to change things around, but Ayton needs to embrace coaching and being challenged. Internet hype doesn't do any favors for young supremely talented 7-footers. He's a superior talent, but how hungry is he to be great?
NBA Comparison: David Robinson


4. Mohamed Bamba 7-0 215 C Texas Fr.
NBA Comparison: Ralph Sampson


5. Luka Doncic 6-7 220 SG/SF Slovenia Intl.
Doncic is a natural, a special talent, with an amazing feel for the game and an ability to make those around him better. But his best attribute is his playmaking ability as a PG. But, with below average speed and athleticism at 6'7, his upside may be maxing out quickly. WIll he be able to consistently beat NBA level athletes off the dribble and can he consistently defend NBA athletes considering his below average foot speed? He likely ends up closer to a Toni Kukoc level player than a franchise level guy due to his athletic limitations.
NBA Comparison: Steve Smith

NBADraft.net


Jam's personal draft wish list:

1)Porter 2)Ayton 3)Doncic 4)Bagley 5)Bamba 6)Bridges 7)Wendell Carter

[jayu70]

After 1 preseason game, I think we need a wing (subject to change) that can handle and give us some offense off the dribble - who fits that mold?

[Jamaaliver]

^Tyler Dorsey?
D'Andre Bembry?

[kg01]

After 1 preseason game, I think we need a wing (subject to change) that can handle and give us some offense off the dribble - who fits that mold?

Jabari Parker once we implant the titanium knees using leftover titanium from wHorford's titanium t...

[macd-gm]

I think she means in the upcoming draft