Pre Draft Discussion

[TheLogician]

The draft analysts Like Givony, Kevin O'Connor, the staff at TheStepien, also need people to return to their sites.

If they hype unwarranted prospects people would stop valuing their opinion, so i feel your point is a bit simplistic.

I feel the difference between evaluators is more on what they value the most, just like with us. Some value build/athleticism the most (potential), some value production, some value shooting, defence or BBIQ. We all value a combination, but emphasize different traits.

Those guys do hype unwarranted prospects every year and many fans don't value their opinions as a result. Again, I'm not saying Doncic doesn't deserve attention and appreciation. It's the over-the-top adulation from professionals that I'm criticizing.

I agree. All the outlets do.

Last year Ball got alot of hype in the main outlets, while Fultz was the darling of DraftXpress, The Stepien, etc. Almost no one had Mitchell or Tatum being as good as they are.

The year before was a weak draft. many were hyping Bender as second to Simmons, which seems a mistake now. Very few had Brown as a top 4 prospect.

Before that, most had KAT as #1, while some had Okafor as an outsider. Many predicted Porzingis as a bust. Mudiay and Winslow were also hyped up.

It's not an exact science.

Yep, they all do it to some extent. And people will keep clicking their mocks and listening to their speculation because we all love basketball.

[Revived]

I doubt Luka tips at all. It's not customary in Spain or Europe in general. Also, Ayton is Bahamian and does not have an NBA contract yet. The ESPN story about $100K was fake news. Funny that has now become $250K.

Very professional to take to twitter over $20.

Hilarious that you compared a tweet about Ayton shorting a tip immediately to Luka

At first I thought you were being sarcastic and then I realized you were actually serious trying to bring Doncic into a thing that he has nothing to do with

[TheLogician]

At first I thought you were being sarcastic and then I realized you were actually serious trying to bring Doncic into a thing that he has nothing to do with

I know you're not very perceptive, but try reading the posts above mine next time. Glad you went back several pages to embarrass yourself yet again.

[Revived]

At first I thought you were being sarcastic and then I realized you were actually serious trying to bring Doncic into a thing that he has nothing to do with

I know you're not very perceptive, but try reading the posts above mine next time. Glad you went back several pages to embarrass yourself yet again.

There is nobody comparing how much Luka tips at restaurants vs how much Ayton tips at restaurants except you. Someone right above you posted his stat line from the game as an obvious joke but that's it Only one person being embarrassed here and it's not me fam.

[TheLogician]

At first I thought you were being sarcastic and then I realized you were actually serious trying to bring Doncic into a thing that he has nothing to do with

I know you're not very perceptive, but try reading the posts above mine next time. Glad you went back several pages to embarrass yourself yet again.

There is nobody comparing how much Luka tips at restaurants vs how much Ayton tips at restaurants except you. Someone right above you posted his stat line from the game as an obvious joke but that's it Only one person being embarrassed here and it's not me fam.

There's no way to do that unless Bob8 can tell us how much Luka tips. I was making a point about cultural norms as others were piling on Ayton for being cheap. There's truly no saying what will become of you when we take DA over Luka. God help us.

[Archx]

No idea when this was filmed but it's interesting that Igor says "we are projecting that he is going to be even better in a couple years."

Watch on YouTube

This was filmed after Eurobasket, he was 18 and a lot of clips are from his younger days. Most of them at the end of the video are when he was 17/18.

[Archx]

Also, I don't fault European fans for the hype at all. It's natural to be excited about a player you've watched excel for years. I'm talking about the major sports outlets like ESPN/Draft Express, SB Nation, Ringer, etc. These "draft analysts" want to build intrigue with updating mock drafts that drive visitors to their sites. FWIW, the vast majority of high school and college analysts have Ayton #1. Given Givony's most recent tweet that Doncic is sliding, it seems front offices feel similarly. It's really only a debate amongst fans, draft "experts," and international evaluators. This is significant since most high-end NBA talent comes from the HS/AAU/NCAA ranks.

Read on Twitter

But when you said that he is sliding, i hope you didn't mean this tweet? Because he was trolling here. He simply said, some people think he is sliding because he is not doing workouts 1vs a broomstick like other prospects are doing. He is actually playing pro games 5v5. So in his mind, it doesn't make sense that his stock continues to fall. And to be fair, he is right but then again, we don't know how NBA teams really think.

[Revived]

I know you're not very perceptive, but try reading the posts above mine next time. Glad you went back several pages to embarrass yourself yet again.

There is nobody comparing how much Luka tips at restaurants vs how much Ayton tips at restaurants except you. Someone right above you posted his stat line from the game as an obvious joke but that's it Only one person being embarrassed here and it's not me fam.

There's no way to do that unless Bob8 can tell us how much Luka tips. I was making a point about cultural norms as others were piling on Ayton for being cheap. There's truly no saying what will become of you when we take DA over Luka. God help us.

Okay again, what does others piling on Ayton have anything to do with Luka? Nobody said “Ayton tips bad, Luka tips better” or anything mentioning anything about Doncic’s tipping besides you.

You brought Luka into a topic of conversation that had nothing to do with him. I’ll admit, I got a chuckle out of it so I must thank you for that.

Moving on..

[TheLogician]

Also, I don't fault European fans for the hype at all. It's natural to be excited about a player you've watched excel for years. I'm talking about the major sports outlets like ESPN/Draft Express, SB Nation, Ringer, etc. These "draft analysts" want to build intrigue with updating mock drafts that drive visitors to their sites. FWIW, the vast majority of high school and college analysts have Ayton #1. Given Givony's most recent tweet that Doncic is sliding, it seems front offices feel similarly. It's really only a debate amongst fans, draft "experts," and international evaluators. This is significant since most high-end NBA talent comes from the HS/AAU/NCAA ranks.

Read on Twitter

But when you said that he is sliding, i hope you didn't mean this tweet? Because he was trolling here. He simply said, some people think he is sliding because he is not doing workouts 1vs a broomstick like other prospects are doing. He is actually playing pro games 5v5. So in his mind, it doesn't make sense that his stock continues to fall. And to be fair, he is right but then again, we don't know how NBA teams really think.

He was being sarcastic but not about Doncic's draft stock. Woj and others have reported the same thing.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[Archx]

Also, I don't fault European fans for the hype at all. It's natural to be excited about a player you've watched excel for years. I'm talking about the major sports outlets like ESPN/Draft Express, SB Nation, Ringer, etc. These "draft analysts" want to build intrigue with updating mock drafts that drive visitors to their sites. FWIW, the vast majority of high school and college analysts have Ayton #1. Given Givony's most recent tweet that Doncic is sliding, it seems front offices feel similarly. It's really only a debate amongst fans, draft "experts," and international evaluators. This is significant since most high-end NBA talent comes from the HS/AAU/NCAA ranks.

Read on Twitter

But when you said that he is sliding, i hope you didn't mean this tweet? Because he was trolling here. He simply said, some people think he is sliding because he is not doing workouts 1vs a broomstick like other prospects are doing. He is actually playing pro games 5v5. So in his mind, it doesn't make sense that his stock continues to fall. And to be fair, he is right but then again, we don't know how NBA teams really think.

He was being sarcastic but not about Doncic's draft stock. Woj and others have reported the same thing. Listen around the 19:20 mark.

Ah yeah ok, i just thought you meant specific tweet. Otherwise i know about those rumors yea. Meh don't think he will go past Kings... That pic of him Vlade, Vivek and others from Kings org, makes me believe they are taking him. They scouted him in person more than anyone.. I'll be shocked if he falls below 2nd spot.

[TheLogician]

But when you said that he is sliding, i hope you didn't mean this tweet? Because he was trolling here. He simply said, some people think he is sliding because he is not doing workouts 1vs a broomstick like other prospects are doing. He is actually playing pro games 5v5. So in his mind, it doesn't make sense that his stock continues to fall. And to be fair, he is right but then again, we don't know how NBA teams really think.

He was being sarcastic but not about Doncic's draft stock. Woj and others have reported the same thing. Listen around the 19:20 mark.

Ah yeah ok, i just thought you meant specific tweet. Otherwise i know about those rumors yea. Meh don't think he will go past Kings... That pic of him Vlade, Vivek and others from Kings org, makes me believe they are taking him. They scouted him in person more than anyone.. I'll be shocked if he falls below 2nd spot.

Kings probably will take him and if not it's possible someone (possibly even the Suns) trades up for him. But you have to remember ESPN/Draft Express has been hyping Doncic more than anyone, hence the spin that NBA front offices are overthinking reasons not to take Doncic, rather than other prospects just being better NBA talents or team fits.

[Jstock12]

Doncic sliding in mocks is a bit baffling. I know he's playing against grown men so he can't look as dominant as the college prospects, but still... Scouts should take the quality of competition into their evaluation. Doncic will be a steal if he goes #3 or lower. Heck, even at #2 he's a steal.

[Bjorpa]

Team fit shouldn't count unless the two prospects are seen as equall value.

I see Doncic as better value, since I think combining him with Jackson and Booker will make us very difficult to defend.

But:
If we take Ayton, I can se many avenues for us to get a lead ball handler to make us better
- Trade for Kemba, using Chriss, Warren or Bender + #16
- Trade for Ball+ Deng.
- Trade for Beverley (if healthy)

If we take Doncic, it is more complicated to get a solid sstarting C
- We might draft Robinson or Mitchell at 16, even if they haven't ben to workouts.
- We could try to sign Capela under the max (likely matched) or Jordan or Noel. None of who contribute much ofensively.

Are there any trades that would land us our center of the future? Or do we believe Chriss or Bender can do a job there?

[Jstock12]

Are there any trades that would land us our center of the future? Or do we believe Chriss or Bender can do a job there?

Bender is only 8 months older than Ayton. People really shouldn't write him off just yet.

[Damkac]

Would be funny (not for their fans) if Kings would draft Trae at 2nd. They love college shooters. Drafting Luka would be too logical move for Kings to make.

[Jstock12]

Would be funny (not for their fans) if Kings would draft Trae at 2nd. They love college shooters. Drafting Luka would be too logical move for Kings to make.

Kings would be stacked. They'd have Curry 2.0 AND Curry 3.0 on their roster. That's 2 MVPs right there.

[JMac1]

6AM......3 day to count down Ayton!!!

[jsierra1985]

only a few more days till this what if talk is over with....Ayton to the suns

[Bjorpa]

Are there any trades that would land us our center of the future? Or do we believe Chriss or Bender can do a job there?

Bender is only 8 months older than Ayton. People really shouldn't write him off just yet.

Not at all.

I still believe in him as a starting role player. Just unsure if he has the build to play center long term.

[bondom34]

Doncic and Porzingis have different roles, different bodies, different responsibilities and different levels of experience. They’re not comparable just because they’re from the same continent.

So why Doncic haters compare him to every bust from Europe in history?

It probably has to do with the insane amount of hype surrounding him. He played with the same club for six years, and while he delivered, there are concerns about his shooting, athleticism, point skills, and transition to the NBA. I don't think it's fair to compare him to busts but calling Doncic a "prodigy" and "wonderboy" should wait until he proves himself at the highest level of basketball.

From the same angle, we've seen less of other prospects at a lower level, and they're being hyped as the top pick too.