Official Draft Thread 3: Picks #4 and #12

[IllMagic04]

Im sorry but I hate both of these picks. I'm not excited for two dudes who can't shoot. Our team free throw % is about to dip back to the Dwight Howard days (maybe worse). I'll admit that I only saw Payton play once but the stats speak for themselves. The dude cannot shoot. Both guys clearly have great defensive potential but at some point you have to put the ball and the basket. We gave away our best perimeter shooter in AA so unless Dipo has a huge improvement offensively I dunno how we will score from the perimeter consistently. I hate being negative and I trust Rob as he has done all the right things since being here but I was excited about what I thought was a really deep draft and Im underwhelmed with what we got. I thought sure we were taking Exum. Rob has alot of guts without a doubt cause this could easily blow up in his face.

[MAGICian619]

Payton
Oladipo
Harris
Gordon
Vucevic

I like this team.

[Magic#1]

Who leads the team in scoring this year? Tobias?

I'm hoping Dipo can take that step. JV just needs to run the offense through him, Tobias and Vooch. It won't be pretty at times but it's what we need to do for the future.

[Magic#1]

Im sorry but I hate both of these picks. I'm not excited for two dudes who can't shoot. Our team free throw % is about to dip back to the Dwight Howard days (maybe worse). I'll admit that I only saw Payton play once but the stats speak for themselves. The dude cannot shoot. Both guys clearly have great defensive potential but at some point you have to put the ball and the basket. We gave away our best perimeter shooter in AA so unless Dipo has a huge improvement offensively I dunno how we will score from the perimeter consistently. I hate being negative and I trust Rob as he has done all the right things since being here but I was excited about what I thought was a really deep draft and Im underwhelmed with what we got. I thought sure we were taking Exum. Rob has alot of guts without a doubt cause this could easily blow up in his face.

I see a lot of where you're coming from. I think we got two really good prospects, but I think people are underrating how much we are going to struggle to score. We need a guy we can go to with the clock winding down and who can score and we don't have that. Dipo may be able to develop into that, but I think he needs a partner in crime. We'll see. I do think we've got great collection of young talent though.

[FloridaHoosier]

Gordon and Payton gonna prove ya'll wrong!!!

I hope you're right! Just glad all that talk about trading Victor was bogus!

[G-Heel]

6ers read Hennigan like a book, knew he wanted Payton after he took Gordon. I gotta say, 6ers GM is very good and took advantage of his draft position to take back their 1st rounder.

[Potterman]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

[G-Heel]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

I feel bad for their fans, having to tank another season. They're taking some big risks but they're stockpiling talents while tanking. It can be an effective strategy. In 2 years, they'll have MCW entering his prime, Saric, Noel, Embiid, possibly one of the top pick of next draft, and any other assets they obtained throughout the way. I think their GM knows what he's doing and that team will be scary if their risks pay off for them.

[orlando1214]

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/who-were-the-winners-of-the-2014-nba-draft/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=who-were-the-winners-of-the-2014-nba-draft&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Yeah, it seems like a lot of people really liked our draft. Some of our fans, not so much unfortunately. I know though that ESPN seemed to really like our draft. They gave us a A- rating and during the recap video on the front page, Jalen Rose says he really liked what we did and they all agreed and said we quietly had a very good night. NBA.com seemed to be fans as well.

[Optimus_Steel]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

I feel bad for their fans, having to tank another season. They're taking some big risks but they're stockpiling talents while tanking. It can be an effective strategy. In 2 years, they'll have MCW entering his prime, Saric, Noel, Embiid, possibly one of the top pick of next draft, and any other assets they obtained throughout the way. I think their GM knows what he's doing and that team will be scary if their risks pay off for them.

He is stockpilling assets but lets be honest, that team hinges on Noel and Embid staying healthy thru out their careers and man thats hard to see. The way that Noel plays and his injury history and lack of skill suggest that he might break down after several years. Noel losses his athleticism and suddenly he is very pedestrian. Embid same situation, except for the lack of skill part. I dont want to think what Sixers fans are thinking. Sure they probably feel like they are happy their GM is taking a gamble, but they have been hard to watch for 2 years now, will be hard to watch for 2 more years most likely. At least we have several young players we can watch on the court and see grow, they have MCW and maybe finally Noel, then other guys that are MIA. Must be tough to watch.

[mhectorgato]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

I feel bad for their fans, having to tank another season. They're taking some big risks but they're stockpiling talents while tanking. It can be an effective strategy. In 2 years, they'll have MCW entering his prime, Saric, Noel, Embiid, possibly one of the top pick of next draft, and any other assets they obtained throughout the way. I think their GM knows what he's doing and that team will be scary if their risks pay off for them.

How are we not going to also have to endure another similar season?

We traded our best scorer and vet leader, for a talent. We will have how rookie contract players?

I feel that we'll be in a much better situation than them in the near future, but our immediate future hasn't suddenly become rosy.

Not that our picks were bad, but Henny's presser about us "staying the course".

[G-Heel]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

I feel bad for their fans, having to tank another season. They're taking some big risks but they're stockpiling talents while tanking. It can be an effective strategy. In 2 years, they'll have MCW entering his prime, Saric, Noel, Embiid, possibly one of the top pick of next draft, and any other assets they obtained throughout the way. I think their GM knows what he's doing and that team will be scary if their risks pay off for them.

He is stockpilling assets but lets be honest, that team hinges on Noel and Embid staying healthy thru out their careers and man thats hard to see. The way that Noel plays and his injury history and lack of skill suggest that he might break down after several years. Noel losses his athleticism and suddenly he is very pedestrian. Embid same situation, except for the lack of skill part. I dont want to think what Sixers fans are thinking. Sure they probably feel like they are happy their GM is taking a gamble, but they have been hard to watch for 2 years now, will be hard to watch for 2 more years most likely. At least we have several young players we can watch on the court and see grow, they have MCW and maybe finally Noel, then other guys that are MIA. Must be tough to watch.

It will be tough to watch, for sure. But Noel didn't play last year, so he's essentially a high pick rookie, giving fans a reason to tune in. They'll have Embiid by the end of the season. Next year they should be competitive and the year after that they can bring in Saric for their playoff runs, or at least that's what they're hoping.

As for Noel and Embiid's injuries, maybe that's why they take Saric. If one of them go down, they have a backup plan.

[G-Heel]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

I feel bad for their fans, having to tank another season. They're taking some big risks but they're stockpiling talents while tanking. It can be an effective strategy. In 2 years, they'll have MCW entering his prime, Saric, Noel, Embiid, possibly one of the top pick of next draft, and any other assets they obtained throughout the way. I think their GM knows what he's doing and that team will be scary if their risks pay off for them.

How are we not going to also have to endure another similar season?

We traded our best scorer and vet leader, for a talent. We will have how rookie contract players?

I feel that we'll be in a much better situation than them in the near future, but our immediate future hasn't suddenly become rosy.

Not that our picks were bad, but Henny's presser about us "staying the course".

I feel bad for us too! I'm holding out hope that we'll sign a star somehow and that we'll be competitive. But yea, I'm not surprised if Magic suck next season.. it's going to be difficult.

[magic22s]

The Best Pick: 4. Orlando Magic: Aaron Gordon, PF, Arizona

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2111 ... -and-picks

Outside of the obvious such as grabbing an Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker, Orlando's decision at No. 4 overall was the best of the night.

Many were quick to label it as too high for Aaron Gordon, but for Orlando, it was quite an easy decision. Fans understand that the draft is a balancing act not only between need and value, but the present and future.

In the present, Gordon allows the Magic to contend for a playoff spot each year.

But in the future, it is impossible to know just how great the young Gordon can be. The Arizona product also happened to be the youngest player in the class.

We're talking about a tweener who, at 6'9", can play either forward spot and is coming off a season in which he tallied averages of 12.4 points, 8.0 boards, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals.

A defensive specialist already who can blossom into a force in the paint, Gordon fits perfectly in the paint next to the defensively lax Nikola Vucevic. A decade from now, Gordon may very well turn out to be the best in class, especially because of the situation he landed in with the Magic.

[HeartBreakKid]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

The Sixers are in a way better position, Orlando is still a bottom feeder after this draft, and the Sixers have better prospects.

Orlando was dumb to give up a draft pick to move up so little in the draft, a first rounder for Payton? Makes no sense.

[Orlando Tragic]

Is there anybody worth tanking for in the 2015 draft? I know it probably doesn’t follow the plan of “staying on course”, but I would love to have a heart and hustle 7 or 8 seed team this year that brings some excitement. I’m just not up for another tank.

[Optimus_Steel]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

The Sixers are in a way better position, Orlando is still a bottom feeder after this draft, and the Sixers have better prospects.

Orlando was dumb to give up a draft pick to move up so little in the draft, a first rounder for Payton? Makes no sense.

Orlando has more talented and proven young players on their roster. They also drafted after Philly both times so they can't help that.

[UtahMagic]

This is the full game of our guys playing together vs Serbia on the U19 team ..Im about to start watching it
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbVHDt5b0fc[/youtube]

[Potterman]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

The Sixers are in a way better position, Orlando is still a bottom feeder after this draft, and the Sixers have better prospects.

Orlando was dumb to give up a draft pick to move up so little in the draft, a first rounder for Payton? Makes no sense.

The only position the 6ers are better in now is tanking. They drafted Embid a high risk high reward who may or may not be what we all visioned. But wont play this year either.

How do they resolve this? They pick up a guy who wont play in the NBA for a minimum of 2 + years. The pick they "got from us" was actually part of the pick that wasn't protected. I see the glass half full for us in this deal.

Sure 6ers are in "acquiring talent" mode. But lets face facts, as of now besides Carter Williams, they have only collected a bunch of players who haven't played a game for them yet. That's not showcasing anything.

Meanwhile at least for us, I am confident that Gordon & Payton will not just play significant roles but possibly start and help the development process this year. Which potentially puts us ahead of them in the game or at least knowing what our return of investment is.

I repeat, all the 6ers have is a bunch of names that nobody has seen play.

[silent1900]

6ers GM is an idiot savant. His two picks won't even play for him this season. Sure they are full on tank mode and they acquired future assets but they did nothing to improve where they are today.

In short, we wanted Payton. We paid for him, I can at least say that Henny got his man and will contribute right away. I cannot say that the 6ers are better now nor in the future if all they keep doing is drafting players for next season.

Also, to me the vision is now a lot more clear. This is Dipo's team I think. I see him as the No 1 option going forward.

The Sixers are in a way better position, Orlando is still a bottom feeder after this draft, and the Sixers have better prospects.

Orlando was dumb to give up a draft pick to move up so little in the draft, a first rounder for Payton? Makes no sense.

Orlando has more talented and proven young players on their roster. They also drafted after Philly both times so they can't help that.

But keep in mind, Orlando started with D12, Ryno, JJ, and Afflalo, while Philly had what, Jrue Holiday? For the two teams to be even remotely close to each other in terms of talent tells you how bad a job Hennigan has done managing his assets. Hinkie plunking him last night was just the icing on the cake.