The Draft Thread: Ayton Vs Doncic 1

[mabundo_nagumbe]

Knowing what Deandre Ayton could become is enough reason to take him #1 overall

I wish you were in our FO!! Exactly. Can you imagine if you guys would have traded Kobe for an established player because Kobe could have busted?!? Makes no sense.

your reasoning makes no sense. You can only say that because you know he didn't bust. It's easy to be a general after a won battle. Would you say the same for Anthony Bennet, KBrown or Wiggins? I don't think so either

[WalterBenjamin]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

[Kerrsed]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

The Booker/Ayton Pick and Roll would be the most deadly in the NBA. Hell, just having a big that we can dump the ball into for a high percentage FG would be nice and something that we havent had for a decade. Aytons a rebounding machine ang gets close to 4 offensive rebounds a game, which is great if we are bombing away, and him down low getting us second chance points.

I mean by you logic/Question, why would we take Doncic if his whole allure is that he is a playmaking ball dominant SF. Wouldnt that more likely take the ball out of Booker and Jacksons hands more than Ayton would? And if that is the issue, then taking the ball out of Doncic's hands would eliminate exactly what it is that is supposed to make him unique. His is ok on offense, not great, but good (Solid), just so-so on defense (I'd put him and Ayton neck-to-neck but for different reasons), rebounds pretty good for a SF, but the major reason you draft him is because of his playmaking/court vision (Which would be taking the ball away from Booker).

At least with Ayton you know you are getting around 20/10 a night on great percentages and unlike most dominant bigs, he is a great FT shooter, so no worrying about having to sub him out late in the games due to intentional fouling. The kid is 19 (1 year older than Doncic), yet has only been playing basketball for a total of 5 YEARS! Imagine that, he is this good after only 5 years. Doncic has been playing professionally for 5 years (Since he was 13), but his dad has had him playing ball since he was the size of a ball. I think that While both of them have plenty of room to grow, Ayton has quite a bit more because of how little he has actually played. I mean he learned under an AAU coach for 4 years, then under Sean Miller for a season. Thats pretty much been the extent of his basketball education. Imagine giving him some real time, say like a year or two, under a real coach, and sending him to "Big man school" like ones that Garnett/Hakeem/Malone teach. He already is a dominant presence on offense from every single way that you want a bigman to be. From P&R to Dribble-handoffs to Post work to Mid-Range to the 3 Point Shot, he has them ALL covered right down to the free throws. He plays good man-2-man defense as well, just need to work with him on being able to read the defense better and work on his team/help defense and then he is AD level.

So thats what the "allure" is for me, i cant speak for everybody and im not going to try to, but this is what i see.

Both Ayton and Doncic are going to be great in the NBA, but for different reasons. You just have to choose which one you value more and which one you think is going to end up the better player and have the bigger impact, and in my eyes right now its Ayton**.






**THIS STATEMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE BEHEST OF THE WRITER.

[DaleyBlind]

Knowing what Deandre Ayton could become is enough reason to take him #1 overall

I wish you were in our FO!! Exactly. Can you imagine if you guys would have traded Kobe for an established player because Kobe could have busted?!? Makes no sense.

That logic goes both ways....Can you Imagine not trading Anthony Bennett for an establised star because of not knowing what he could become

[stitches]

I've been listening to some Arizona sports radio the last week or so and the homerism and jingoism on this topic has been quite impressive to witness. I kind of want the Suns to draft Doncic only so I can see the ensuing meltdown. The talking heads in your market are setting up your fanbase for disappointment.

[Villalobos]

I mean, what do you expect? Local radio is 99% homer garbage. Add in a top local prospect and it's predictably worse.

[thamadkant]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

he's not a player that dribbles for 7+ seconds then hoist a post shot...

He's a guy you dump the ball down to if he has a good matchup and an open PAINT.... have you seen his moves? it takes a second or two for him to get the ball... do a spin move and get a shot or a dunk... or he kicks it back out to an open shooter.


Ayton is like a quick, agile, bigger and faster Horford down low.... and he's been huge for Celtics and helps to score points when the outside is guarded.


Ayton provides another way to score when the shots are out and the defense is heavily guarding the arc...

[MrMiyagi]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

he's not a player that dribbles for 7+ seconds then hoist a post shot...

He's a guy you dump the ball down to if he has a good matchup and an open PAINT.... have you seen his moves? it takes a second or two for him to get the ball... do a spin move and get a shot or a dunk... or he kicks it back out to an open shooter.


Ayton is like a quick, agile, bigger and faster Horford down low.... and he's been huge for Celtics and helps to score points when the outside is guarded.


Ayton provides another way to score when the shots are out and the defense is heavily guarding the arc...

People like to talk about "today's game" and needing 6'6+ wings at every position because the Warriors are playing that way and Boston is playing that way, but the next evolution of the game will be dominant bigs who can keep up with these wing players and abuse them on the glass and in the post.

[JoRain]

Watch on YouTube

Back on the Ayton train Love Doncic though. But Ayton is soooo skilled. J's, spins, power, baby hooks, turn around, touch, step backs...WTH? 19 year old Center

We are so fortunate. He and JJ in Summer League

Love his feet, watch how nimble they are. Slide, shuffle, and light on his feet.

Edit: lob finisher, passer

one thing I noticed and could not unnotice after was how Ayton is how often Ayton is kicking out his foot when jumping. a lot of one leg landings, kind a like Amare before his knee trouble.

[Revived]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

I'm not looking forward to playing the Warriors and having GSW screen to death till they get Ayton on Curry or Ayton on Durant and disaster unfolds for the Suns

[Revived]

He's a very special player. Hopefully Sarver saw that too (who am I kidding?)

It's a shame that for the Suns, Robert Sarver went to the Euroleague semi finals game instead of McDonough. But I do completely understand McD needing to be at the Combine instead to scout other guys especially for picks #16 and 31. It's just that I think Sarver is the type that expects stats like 30 pts, 10 assists, 7 rebounds in order it to be considered impressive without realizing that it is extremely difficult to get good stats in Euroleague due to the way they play. I doubt he must have been impressed with the stats below without taking it in context of how challenging it is to get these numbers due to the style of play in Euroleague and I doubt he appreciates the impact Doncic had on the game which don't show up in the statistics.

[Revived]

This was posted on another site.

1. Which will bother you more. Picking Ayton and having Doncic turn out better, or picking Doncic and having Ayton turn out better?
2. Who has the higher floor? Who has the higher ceiling?

Fanboys who create their own websites like the Ringer but have never played the game love Doncic. People who have played the game want Ayton.

You sound like Charles Barkley and all the idiot players from the past who boast and brag about how the NBA is weak now and how teams like the Warriors would get beat by 50 every night if they played back in the 90s or 80s.

Stop living in the past and adapt to the present.

I bet people like you have fun calling guys like Daryl Morey and Sam Hinkie nerds, geeks and fanboys since "they never played the game"...and yet here they are arguably two of the better basketball minds in the game.

People on the Ringer are actually smart and hard working people. They actually watch game film of these players before forming an opinion. Do you think for a second that Charles Barkley and all these people who "played the game" have watched Doncic play before declaring Ayton the better prospect/player?

[Mulhollanddrive]

Ayton has an interesting personality I don't know whether he's going to be an Alpha or a goof.

[76ciology]

A selling point for me on Ayton is the mindset of drafting for absolute upside with a number overall pick. Sixers went for this route for 4 years 2013-2017. It’s a situational thing but the most optimal IMO, where a team that can take risk are more suited for this route.

[Blonde]

Doncic would be just as good off ball as on ball. He’s far from ball dominant.

[kuclas]

The question is can Doncic shoot? People can be gifted passers with size (Lonzo ball/Simmons). But at the end of the day. If they can’t shoot that’s a huge problem for a primary ball handler.

On the other hand. Can Ayton defend? Or will he be another white side on the defensive end? Getting good “block stats”. But not really affecting the defensive end.

I’m not sold on either one.

I think if Suns can manage to drop to the 5th-8th slot along with acquiring an all star level player(not necessary top 15 player. But a top 25 nba player) for number 1 That’s the best move.

Cause bamba, bagley, porter jr, young or at worst bridges will still be there in the 5-8th

Best case is they trick Atlanta to trading Dennis Schroeder Plus Atlanta’s 3rd overall pick for the number 1 pick. Atlanta probably wants to tank for another year.

Suns can be competing quickly by 2019 season if they have booker, Jackson, Schroeder, (Plus the 3rd overall pick)

[JMac1]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

He can do what ever is required. Pick and pop pick and roll post up when needed, that’s why he is going to be number 1.

[WalterBenjamin]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

He can do what ever is required. Pick and pop pick and roll post up when needed, that’s why he is going to be number 1.

That is my point. You don't want it to be your 1 option. With him you are making It your 1 option. You can get that with outh the ego in WCJ. Not a 1 pick vamlue.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

If u have Booker and Jackson do you really want Ayton to post up? Is it because of his pick and pop? What is the allure?! I just can't see an instance where I would like a more ball dominant big that would take the ball out of the hands of those two.

I'm not looking forward to playing the Warriors and having GSW screen to death till they get Ayton on Curry or Ayton on Durant and disaster unfolds for the Suns

What about when we screen to death til they get Curry or Durant on Ayton? Or anyone else on their roster for that matter?

You need to put a big on a true big. It's been so long since we've seen one that people forget. And if you're switching a Booker/Ayton P&R... who the **** can guard both Booker and Ayton?

[ATTL]

I've been listening to some Arizona sports radio the last week or so and the homerism and jingoism on this topic has been quite impressive to witness. I kind of want the Suns to draft Doncic only so I can see the ensuing meltdown. The talking heads in your market are setting up your fanbase for disappointment.

I can assure you, the past week has been the best week in the past decade for basketball talk. I dont know if I could take another summer of constant Cardinals talk when there is literally nothing to talk about but they keep forcing cardinals talk. Before the lottery it was 80% Cardinals, 10% other NFL, 10% all other sports.