NBA Draft and NCAA Basketball

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

NBADraft.Net has us taking Young.

I’m just hoping the tank doesn’t break down and we get Young. I’m cool with all of the bigs, however, Young is still my guy.

Draft young
Pray JJ keeps developing and we will have a triumvirate of
Young
Booker
JJ.....

Young is my guy as well. I know our defense isn't great, but in my view, it's our offense that really needs a shot in the arm. We just don't have enough playmakers.

Plus, I'm a big fan of Mitchell Robinson and am hopeful we could nab him by moving up into the back of the lottery.

[bwgood77]

NBADraft.Net has us taking Young.

I’m just hoping the tank doesn’t break down and we get Young. I’m cool with all of the bigs, however, Young is still my guy.

Draft young
Pray JJ keeps developing and we will have a triumvirate of
Young
Booker
JJ.....

Young is my guy as well. I know our defense isn't great, but in my view, it's our offense that really needs a shot in the arm. We just don't have enough playmakers.

Plus, I'm a big fan of Mitchell Robinson and am hopeful we could nab him by moving up into the back of the lottery.

To get Young, we also better hope Brooklyn doesn't jump ahead of us in the lottery.

Sure enough, Gilbert was spotted with Altman and several Cavs scouts at the Oklahoma-Alabama game Saturday, taking in a matchup of two top points guards in the draft, Trae Young and Collin Sexton.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2756488-cavs-front-office-mistakes-pushing-lebron-and-co-to-breaking-point

[Walt_Uoob]

This definitely doesn't need to be the main criterion for our selection, but man it would be so sweet to be in the Rookie of the Year conversation with whoever we get in this draft. That kind of buzz (Booker blossoming into stardom + XX proves to be the best rookie of a strong class + Warren one of the best deals in the league + other young guys coming along + cap space) would mean a lot for fans and FAs. Who from this year's crop do you think would be most likely to win ROY for us (assuming the rest of the roster doesn't change significantly)?

I'm thinking Ayton is a clear #1 here: clear path to playing time and should put up offensive stats even if he's not a generational two-way C. Then probably Doncic: pro experience, versatility means he should get plenty of minutes even if positional fit is questionable and he doesn't start.

But then who? JJJ fits a need at Center but is young and not likely to score a lot as a rookie. Bamba fits the need too but is a project. Not sure what to expect of Young as a rookie but the most likely scenario based on history is major growing pains and low efficiency. Porter sounds like he could have a Tatum-like rookie year on the right team but we have so many 3s and 4s that it doesn't seem we're that team (though of course maybe we draft him and make other moves). Bagley and Sexton seem like they'd get opportunity to put up numbers here.

Any thoughts?

[bwgood77]

This definitely doesn't need to be the main criterion for our selection, but man it would be so sweet to be in the Rookie of the Year conversation with whoever we get in this draft. That kind of buzz (Booker blossoming into stardom + XX proves to be the best rookie of a strong class + Warren one of the best deals in the league + other young guys coming along + cap space) would mean a lot for fans and FAs. Who from this year's crop do you think would be most likely to win ROY for us (assuming the rest of the roster doesn't change significantly)?

I'm thinking Ayton is a clear #1 here: clear path to playing time and should put up offensive stats even if he's not a generational two-way C. Then probably Doncic: pro experience, versatility means he should get plenty of minutes even if positional fit is questionable and he doesn't start.

But then who? JJJ fits a need at Center but is young and not likely to score a lot as a rookie. Bamba fits the need too but is a project. Not sure what to expect of Young as a rookie but the most likely scenario based on history is major growing pains and low efficiency. Porter sounds like he could have a Tatum-like rookie year on the right team but we have so many 3s and 4s that it doesn't seem we're that team (though of course maybe we draft him and make other moves). Bagley and Sexton seem like they'd get opportunity to put up numbers here.

Any thoughts?

Probably Doncic, Young, Ayton. Porter is tough to know...with the year off..if he was healthy and ready to go he could be in the mix at 2 or 3 there if we were to start him at the 4 all year.

[Bogyo]

NBADraft.Net has us taking Young.

I’m just hoping the tank doesn’t break down and we get Young. I’m cool with all of the bigs, however, Young is still my guy.

Draft young
Pray JJ keeps developing and we will have a triumvirate of
Young
Booker
JJ.....

Young is my guy as well. I know our defense isn't great, but in my view, it's our offense that really needs a shot in the arm. We just don't have enough playmakers.

Plus, I'm a big fan of Mitchell Robinson and am hopeful we could nab him by moving up into the back of the lottery.

To get Young, we also better hope Brooklyn doesn't jump ahead of us in the lottery.

Sure enough, Gilbert was spotted with Altman and several Cavs scouts at the Oklahoma-Alabama game Saturday, taking in a matchup of two top points guards in the draft, Trae Young and Collin Sexton.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2756488-cavs-front-office-mistakes-pushing-lebron-and-co-to-breaking-point

I think that only happens if they get a top3, Russel just returned, and our schedule is a lot tougher than theirs.

[bwgood77]

Young is my guy as well. I know our defense isn't great, but in my view, it's our offense that really needs a shot in the arm. We just don't have enough playmakers.

Plus, I'm a big fan of Mitchell Robinson and am hopeful we could nab him by moving up into the back of the lottery.

To get Young, we also better hope Brooklyn doesn't jump ahead of us in the lottery.

Sure enough, Gilbert was spotted with Altman and several Cavs scouts at the Oklahoma-Alabama game Saturday, taking in a matchup of two top points guards in the draft, Trae Young and Collin Sexton.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2756488-cavs-front-office-mistakes-pushing-lebron-and-co-to-breaking-point

I think that only happens if they get a top3, Russel just returned, and our schedule is a lot tougher than theirs.

I do think they finish with a better record simply because they have a better team, but according to SOS played so far, we've played the 13th and 14th toughest schedules, so remaining schedules shouldn't differ too much other than us playing possibly more teams in the west..but the conferences are more equal these days anyway.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2018.html#misc_stats::8

Note in that link who has played the 7 toughest schedules.

[lilfishi22]

With this crop of players in the top 5, I'm fairly comfortable with all of them TBH. From a talent perspective, I'd put Ayton, Porter, Young, Doncic, JJJr and even Bamba above that of Chriss, Len and Bender. Even if they don't reach their potential, I already think these players would be better players than Chriss, Len and Bender. I know I give people **** for thinking players who haven't even touch the NBA hard court can be better than guys who has already played but I'm pretty down on Chriss and Bender right now. I'm only half-serious. Jackson I think probably sits right around that the 6-8 range in this range imo.

Right now we're at #3, which could mean we drop to #5 (knowing our luck) but if Doncic, Young, Ayton are gone, that still leaves Bagley, Porter, Bamba and JJJr available, all of whom I'm comfortable with drafting at #5.

[bwgood77]

With this crop of players in the top 5, I'm fairly comfortable with all of them TBH. From a talent perspective, I'd put Ayton, Porter, Young, Doncic, JJJr and even Bamba above that of Chriss, Len and Bender. Even if they don't reach their potential, I already think these players would be better players than Chriss, Len and Bender. I know I give people **** for thinking players who haven't even touch the NBA hard court can be better than guys who has already played but I'm pretty down on Chriss and Bender right now. I'm only half-serious. Jackson I think probably sits right around that the 6-8 range in this range imo.

Right now we're at #3, which could mean we drop to #5 (knowing our luck) but if Doncic, Young, Ayton are gone, that still leaves Bagley, Porter, Bamba and JJJr available, all of whom I'm comfortable with drafting at #5.

We're at #3 according to what? BPI? That's the only place I see that projects us as third worst record. 538 projects 4th. Currently, though, in the tank rankings on tankathon or just in the standings we have the 5th worst record.

[lilfishi22]

With this crop of players in the top 5, I'm fairly comfortable with all of them TBH. From a talent perspective, I'd put Ayton, Porter, Young, Doncic, JJJr and even Bamba above that of Chriss, Len and Bender. Even if they don't reach their potential, I already think these players would be better players than Chriss, Len and Bender. I know I give people **** for thinking players who haven't even touch the NBA hard court can be better than guys who has already played but I'm pretty down on Chriss and Bender right now. I'm only half-serious. Jackson I think probably sits right around that the 6-8 range in this range imo.

Right now we're at #3, which could mean we drop to #5 (knowing our luck) but if Doncic, Young, Ayton are gone, that still leaves Bagley, Porter, Bamba and JJJr available, all of whom I'm comfortable with drafting at #5.

We're at #3 according to what? BPI? That's the only place I see that projects us as third worst record. 538 projects 4th. Currently, though, in the tank rankings on tankathon or just in the standings we have the 5th worst record.

No, I think I meant to say #5. I had a look at the standings yesterday and when I typed this out I must've been thinking about the standings last year.

I do think we continue to drop to #3 though. BPI seems to think we're in the bottom 3. We're not far off anyway from #1.

[bwgood77]

With this crop of players in the top 5, I'm fairly comfortable with all of them TBH. From a talent perspective, I'd put Ayton, Porter, Young, Doncic, JJJr and even Bamba above that of Chriss, Len and Bender. Even if they don't reach their potential, I already think these players would be better players than Chriss, Len and Bender. I know I give people **** for thinking players who haven't even touch the NBA hard court can be better than guys who has already played but I'm pretty down on Chriss and Bender right now. I'm only half-serious. Jackson I think probably sits right around that the 6-8 range in this range imo.

Right now we're at #3, which could mean we drop to #5 (knowing our luck) but if Doncic, Young, Ayton are gone, that still leaves Bagley, Porter, Bamba and JJJr available, all of whom I'm comfortable with drafting at #5.

We're at #3 according to what? BPI? That's the only place I see that projects us as third worst record. 538 projects 4th. Currently, though, in the tank rankings on tankathon or just in the standings we have the 5th worst record.

No, I think I meant to say #5. I had a look at the standings yesterday and when I typed this out I must've been thinking about the standings last year.

I do think we continue to drop to #3 though. BPI seems to think we're in the bottom 3. We're not far off anyway from #1.

BPI is very close for the bottom 4 http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/BPI-Playoff-Odds/espn-nba-basketball-power-index-playoff-odds but I think 538 is a little better...but actually it has us tied for 3rd with the Magic, and only one game ahead of the Hawks and Kings.. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-nba-predictions/?ex_cid=rrpromo

.if any of these are somewhat accurate it could be close. It would be nice to be safe enough to be able to afford moving down 2 spots....or even 3 spots, though that is less likely the further down you are..

[lilfishi22]

I don't really feel anything is safe when it comes to lotto balls and the Phoenix Suns

[Midnight_Suns]

Trae Young with 44 on 55% shooting, 9 assists, and two steals. The Suns have the worst point guard rotation of this century. He will be ours. I believe. Forever Young.

[bwgood77]

Trae Young with 44 on 55% shooting, 9 assists, and two steals. The Suns have the worst point guard rotation of this century. He will be ours. I believe. Forever Young.

Shai with 30 tonight as well.

[Qwigglez]

I'd rather get Ayton than Young. Ayton reminds me of a mix of Drummond and Embiid. We could use a low post presence, and could easily nab a PG via free agency or through trade. If we coud get Ayton then I would say this crappy tank year was well worth it.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Name doesn't matter to me just draft an All-Star.

0 from 5 from tanks would be not good.

[Funky Tut]

With this crop of players in the top 5, I'm fairly comfortable with all of them TBH. From a talent perspective, I'd put Ayton, Porter, Young, Doncic, JJJr and even Bamba above that of Chriss, Len and Bender. Even if they don't reach their potential, I already think these players would be better players than Chriss, Len and Bender. I know I give people **** for thinking players who haven't even touch the NBA hard court can be better than guys who has already played but I'm pretty down on Chriss and Bender right now. I'm only half-serious. Jackson I think probably sits right around that the 6-8 range in this range imo.

Right now we're at #3, which could mean we drop to #5 (knowing our luck) but if Doncic, Young, Ayton are gone, that still leaves Bagley, Porter, Bamba and JJJr available, all of whom I'm comfortable with drafting at #5.

Yeah if you end up top 5 in this draft you’re money.

[jcsunsfan]

Trae Young with 44 on 55% shooting, 9 assists, and two steals. The Suns have the worst point guard rotation of this century. He will be ours. I believe. Forever Young.

Shai with 30 tonight as well.

Gotta admit, Shai and Shamet are intriguing. I don't want Sexton.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Trae Young with 44 on 55% shooting, 9 assists, and two steals. The Suns have the worst point guard rotation of this century. He will be ours. I believe. Forever Young.

Shai with 30 tonight as well.

Gotta admit, Shai and Shamet are intriguing. I don't want Sexton.

Sexton's shot form isn't great. His quickness is very good, but he hasn't shown enough in addition to that for me to be in love with him as a prospect.

I like Shai, but worry a bit about his ability to create his own shot. Most of his threes are wide open, catch and shoot, from what I've seen. He also needs at least another 15 pounds of muscle to be able to play at this level. I think he'll get there.

Haven't seen enough of Shamet to have formed an opinion. That's on me.

[darealjuice]

This team needs a top 5 pick. The top of this draft is so talented and everyone save Porter and Bagley (although he might be a good fit with Bender living on the perimeter) fits a position and role we need. In the end, I would be content with any one of Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, Doncic, Jackson Jr., Porter, and Young, but finding our way into the top 3 and having our pick of the litter come draft day would give us a serious reason to feel confident that we have a foundation of youth to build around for sustained success.

I'm all on the Young to the Suns bandwagon right now. It almost feels like too good of a fit. He'd bring some much needed hype to Phoenix and is probably the closest thing to Steve Nash to come out of college in years as far as shooting, ball handling, and passing ability displayed in college go. A Young/Booker backcourt after another half season of Booker playing point guard to develop his playmaking skills would drive coaches nuts.

[JMac1]

Young then Ayton then any of the top 7 after that.