Game 32: Phoenix Suns (11-20) @ Sacramento Kings (12-19), Sat, 12/28, 7pm MST

[SuperSunsFan]

Every time a new slow feet white dude who was hailed as the newborn king of european basketball is drafted, the basketball gods toss the coin in the air and the fans hold its breath to see how it will land. For 1 dragon reborn Luka there were 10 false dragons who busted out into nothingness. Phoenix is fortunate enough to be the home of no shortage of them (Turkoglu, Alex Len, Lampe, Zarko,Tskitishvili, Marko Milic, Dragan Bender, and the latest member Saric) Suns got burned so many times by europeans can you really blame Suns for getting cold feet from drafting another one?

[bwgood77]

Every time a new slow feet white dude who was hailed as the newborn king of european basketball is drafted, the basketball gods toss the coin in the air and the fans hold its breath to see how it will land. For 1 dragon reborn Luka there were 10 false dragons who busted out into nothingness. Phoenix is fortunate enough to be the home of no shortage of them (Turkoglu, Alex Len, Lampe, Zarko,Tskitishvili, Marko Milic, Dragan Bender, and the latest member Saric) Suns got burned so many times by europeans can you really blame Suns for getting cold feet from drafting another one?

There is a difference between playing limited minutes in like 4 games for a lower level european team and being the best player on one of the best clubs in the toughest european league or toughest league period outside of the NBA and winning the MVP at 18 years old.

[Saberestar]

Every time a new slow feet white dude who was hailed as the newborn king of european basketball is drafted, the basketball gods toss the coin in the air and the fans hold its breath to see how it will land. For 1 dragon reborn Luka there were 10 false dragons who busted out into nothingness. Phoenix is fortunate enough to be the home of no shortage of them (Turkoglu, Alex Len, Lampe, Zarko,Tskitishvili, Marko Milic, Dragan Bender, and the latest member Saric) Suns got burned so many times by europeans can you really blame Suns for getting cold feet from drafting another one?

Every player is different, it doesn't matter his nationality, race or whatever.

Milic for example was a terrific athlete. He was strong, fast and an amazing leaper. He wasn't an "slow feet white dude" at all, but his skills and mentality weren't good enough to be successful in the league.

Turkoglu was a good starter in the league for a long period, a borderline All Star on a few years. But he was old when he was traded to the Suns, that was OUR mistake.

[SuperSunsFan]

When Cuban was searching for a running mate for Luka did he go get a similar player playing the same position with similar skill sets? No, he went out to get Porzingis, a big because partnering a guard with a big man is the way to go. We thought we had a Luka type player in Booker and it would be foolish to have two players both projected to be horrendous defenders playing together in the backcourt, when there was a talented center there to be had with tie with Arizona of course the choice was obvious. yeah it was a wrong choice, we f**k up, you have made your point, can we move on or are we going to hear about it again and again after each loss through out the durable of Luka's career?

[Frank Lee]

whoops... post moved for proper discussion

[sunsbg]

I challenge Luka fans to give their honest predictions pre-draft about his stats and their reply is 'I don't remember'. Saying I knew he'd be good is not saying anything.

Some improvements in the Kings game - not out-rebounded on missed FT, no error on inbounding the ball. No idea what Monty was thinking with leaving Baynes on the floor to defend Barnes, open 3 was a logical result.

Well, I did say I saw similarities to Bird, Harden and LeBron. I was called crazy, and mentioned I don't know that he will be as good as them but he has the instincts of Bird, a very similar game to Harden and sees the game like LeBron.

Did I predict stat lines? No, but I don't do that for anyone pre draft. I don't think anyone expected him to be a top 5 or possibly 3 MVP candidate in his 2nd year though...or put up these kind of stat lines, probably because no one ever has at this age, or even barely regardless of age. But it was pretty clear he had the fire to win, and it seemed pretty clear that you only saw that in 1 or 2 games out of 30 or so from Ayton in college, and he severely lacked defense, which is the most important thing from a C.

What's done is done, so I don't like to bring it up any more too much unless someone claims no one had big time predictions for Luka.

Not sure why would anyone call you crazy for pointing out similarities with other players. It was pretty obvious he's modeling his game after Harden even back then. Pointing out similarities is not really a prediction.

In 5-6 years I viewed him as a 25/7/7 player and almost guaranteed a bad defender, Ayton as 25/12/3/2 guy, so even if Doncic ends better not that much of a difference and Ayton was obviously a better fit with Booker.

It's obvious your opinion is mostly based on dislike for Ayton's personality than anything else(can't argue with that after what happened this season). Doncic was never the clear cut Nr1 pick though, evidenced by the bookies odds of winning ROY. They were in favor of Deandre after that first game vs the Mavs, when Doncic was closer to what the world expected out of him.

[bwgood77]

I challenge Luka fans to give their honest predictions pre-draft about his stats and their reply is 'I don't remember'. Saying I knew he'd be good is not saying anything.

Some improvements in the Kings game - not out-rebounded on missed FT, no error on inbounding the ball. No idea what Monty was thinking with leaving Baynes on the floor to defend Barnes, open 3 was a logical result.

Well, I did say I saw similarities to Bird, Harden and LeBron. I was called crazy, and mentioned I don't know that he will be as good as them but he has the instincts of Bird, a very similar game to Harden and sees the game like LeBron.

Did I predict stat lines? No, but I don't do that for anyone pre draft. I don't think anyone expected him to be a top 5 or possibly 3 MVP candidate in his 2nd year though...or put up these kind of stat lines, probably because no one ever has at this age, or even barely regardless of age. But it was pretty clear he had the fire to win, and it seemed pretty clear that you only saw that in 1 or 2 games out of 30 or so from Ayton in college, and he severely lacked defense, which is the most important thing from a C.

What's done is done, so I don't like to bring it up any more too much unless someone claims no one had big time predictions for Luka.

Not sure why would anyone call you crazy for pointing out similarities with other players. It was pretty obvious he's modeling his game after Harden even back then. Pointing out similarities is not really a prediction.

In 5-6 years I viewed him as a 25/7/7 player and almost guaranteed a bad defender, Ayton as 25/12/3/2 guy, so even if Doncic ends better not that much of a difference and Ayton was obviously a better fit with Booker.

It's obvious your opinion is mostly based on dislike for Ayton's personality than anything else(can't argue with that after what happened this season). Doncic was never the clear cut Nr1 pick though, evidenced by the bookies odds of winning ROY. They were in favor of Deandre after that first game vs the Mavs, when Doncic was closer to what the world expected out of him.

I agree he was never the clear cut #1 pick, but I thought he was the clearest cut can't miss prospect..you'd heard about him since he was like 13..like LeBron. I never thought his defense would be bad....the biggest argument I saw in regards to that was that he couldn't guard PGs, which is true. For us he would have played more of a point PF who is a great rebounder and passer. No, I don't mind Ayton's personality....though he is a little goofy, it was just more his lack of instincts on the defensive end and not so good teams knowing how to exploit his weaknesses after watching him for 30 games in college. I still expect him to be pretty good and had him right there at #2, slightly ahead of JJJ and Trae.

[King4Day]

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[dremill24]

Luka WAS the clear cut #1 pick...to anyone who knew what they were talking about.

But it’s over & done with, and the lemonade must be made with the less than ripe lemons we have.

We got a win...tried to give it away...but finally benefited from luck instead of being kicked in the nuts by it.

[LesGrossman]

[cberry78]