Absurdly early 2018 NBA Draft Thread

[Jamaaliver]

With the Suns hiring Korkosov, does this mean they're more apt to draft Doncic?

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[Jamaaliver]

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[atlantabbq99]

Atlanta will get the #1 pick.

Hawks are the only NBA team that has never had the #1 pick.

The NBA has had 51 draft lotteries so far.

Mathematically, by the law of averages, Atlanta will get the #1 pick.

[Jamaaliver]

[Jamaaliver]

Wendell Carter, Duke, freshman
6-10, 260, age 19, C/PF

Why he's rated so highly: Oodles of potential are the main reason. He won't turn 20 until after the 2018-19 regular season is finished (birthday is April 16, 1999). He has a good mix of size and speed and can pass, shoot and handle the ball well for a big man.

What stands out most is his efficiency. He hit 58 percent of his shots from inside the arc and 46 percent from outside it. He is long on fundamentals, but not necessarily flashy. Think Al Horford, although Carter has a long way to go to reach that level. Both of his parents were basketball players, his 6-5 mother playing at Ole Miss. Carter may not have the sizzle, but his game is pure steak.


Why he's not higher: The biggest problem is that there are so many big men in this draft that somebody has to fall. Plus the league is preoccupied with faster, smaller players in this era. There's only one other problem: his defense. The Blue Devils played a lot of zone in part because Carter had trouble switching in the pick and roll or staying with his man. It's something that can be taught, but he's going to have to work on it. And, despite decent speed, he's not a real threat on the fast break. Might be more dangerous as a trailer than somebody who streaks to the rim.


Final thoughts: We like this kind of player. He's solid, pure and simple. And those kinds of players tend to stick around and have very productive careers. Maybe not an All-Star, but the kind of player who can help you win games rather than helping you lose them.

Dallas News

[tbhawksfan1]

Hey Jamaal, I'm 100% with you on Carter. Love to add him. Wouldn't trade back unless it's too good to be true. We need top talent and the point of tanking is to get the best ergo top picks.

I say TS needs to earn the praise that some are giving him by adding another top 10 and landing Carter with our second pick

[DirtybirdGA]

Didn't ATL have David Thompson #1 in 1975?

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1975.html

[MaceCase]

Didn't ATL have David Thompson #1 in 1975?

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1975.html

He was also drafted 1st overall and opted to go to the ABA in the same year. His rights were traded to the Nuggets and when the ABA and NBA merged a season later he remained with the Nuggets. So in true Atlanta fashion they drafted a player #1 overall who never played for them.

[jayu70]

Didn't ATL have David Thompson #1 in 1975?

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1975.html

He was also drafted 1st overall and opted to go to the ABA in the same year. His rights were traded to the Nuggets and when the ABA and NBA merged a season later he remained with the Nuggets. So in true Atlanta fashion they drafted a player #1 overall who never played for them.

Such an Atlanta thing.

[Spud2nique]

Bill Russell and Julius Erving was worse.

[DirtybirdGA]

Yeah that's what I thought, I guess folks just wanted to exclude Thompson after what followed.

[King Ken]

My Hawks board is still the same:

1. Bagley
2. Ayton
3. Bamba
4. Doncic
5. Porter Jr.
6. Mikal B.
7. Miles B.
8. Carter Jr.
9. JJJ
10. Sexton

I would prefer we avoid JJJ and I would take Trae Young over him considering what we have and what we are doing. That said, the player I think could shoot up my top 10 board is Porter Jr. It is said that will play in the 5v5 at the NBA Combine. If he does and plays well, he could move up. He is still the one player that plays this style of Basketball, can fit our personnel grouping and is a #1 option. I really feel like a #1 option is critical. You must have one in this league. I am also extremely high on Bamba and I really want to see what he does in workouts. Bagley, Ayton, and Doncic, I am pretty sold on them and know what they bring and what are their improvement areas.

[Spud2nique]

My Hawks board is still the same:

1. Bagley
2. Ayton
3. Bamba
4. Doncic
5. Porter Jr.
6. Mikal B.
7. Miles B.
8. Carter Jr.
9. JJJ
10. Sexton

I would prefer we avoid JJJ and I would take Trae Young over him considering what we have and what we are doing. That said, the player I think could shoot up my top 10 board is Porter Jr. It is said that will play in the 5v5 at the NBA Combine. If he does and plays well, he could move up. He is still the one player that plays this style of Basketball, can fit our personnel grouping and is a #1 option. I really feel like a #1 option is critical. You must have one in this league. I am also extremely high on Bamba and I really want to see what he does in workouts. Bagley, Ayton, and Doncic, I am pretty sold on them and know what they bring and what are their improvement areas.

Interesting take. It’s different than a lot of mocks out there which is kind of a breath of fresh air. Having said that, here’s mine. (subject to change)


1. Luka Doncic
2. Deandre Ayton
3. Marvin Bagley
4. Michael Porter Jr.
5. Trae Young
6. Mo Bamba
7. M. Bridges
8. JJJ
9. Wendell Carter
10. Collin Sexton

[Spud2nique]

They have us getting Bagley, Gary Trent jr and Anfernee Simons. I’m not mad. Don’t love the Trent pick at 20 but we could do worse.


https://www.yardbarker.com/mobile/content/article/s1__26337689

[Jamaaliver]

Apparently, mathematically...we're most likely to end up picking 5th in the draft.

Interesting that we bear a better chance of getting the #1 pick than getting the #4.

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[Spud2nique]

Apparently, mathematically...we're most likely to end up picking 5th in the draft.

Interesting that we bear a better chance of getting the #1 pick than getting the #4.

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Ya we touched on this 3 weeks ago when they did the tiebreakers. Initially I thought it was a mistake. I thought getting 4th was a higher % for us than 5th...guess not.

[ATL Boy]

I'm still really high on Bamba as well, dude has unicorn attributes and if his ceiling really is a Gobert who plays better offense than that would make him one of the most valuable players in the league. The 7'9 wingspan is something to drool over.

If we miss out on Doncic and Ayton then I'd have no problem taking Mohamed as high as 3.


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[Spud2nique]

I'm still really high on Bamba as well, dude has unicorn attributes and if his ceiling really is a Gobert who plays better offense than that would make him one of the most valuable players in the league. The 7'9 wingspan is something to drool over.

If we miss out on Doncic and Ayton then I'd have no problem taking Mohamed as high as 3.


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Well that worked out well for you in this mock.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2774257-2018-nba-mock-draft-predictions-for-elite-frontcourt-prospects?share=other

[Jamaaliver]

This poor boy. GETTING terrible advice from a fool...

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[Jamaaliver]

But LiAngelo isn't the only kid getting bad advice.

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