NBA Draft 2019

[ojandpizza]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Yeah Luka-mania was huge, and Trae broke out in the 2nd half of the year, but Ayton was a really great rookie in his own right as well.

Only 3 rookies have ever averaged 15/10+ and shot 55% or better, Shaq and Buck Williams. He didn't even have a point guard to get the ball to him all season long. I think he's a good passer in the half-court, and his defense from game 1 to the end of the year is a night and day difference IMO.

Good mid range game, good free throw shot, top rookie in PER, more win shares than Luka or Trae even though his team didn't have hardly any wins. I think he did well, his biggest issues all year long was not getting touches. He's not a guy to create a look, and Phoenix did little to ensure that he got quality touches.

My biggest concern for him would be hoping he doesn't turn out soft like Towns. When he shows flashes of playing aggressive he's pretty damn impressive for a rookie.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Is this a shot? Cause Ayton is a beast. There was nothing wrong with that pick.

I've said my piece on Ayton a million times; it's more about today's league than him. I'm not taking a big man #1 overall (esp one that had defensive concerns) when a uber-skilled 6'7 playmaker is on the board, not to mention one with an unbelievable resume in the second-best league in the world.

Ayton will be a 20 & 10 guy for his whole career but I'm skeptical on the impact he'll have towards turning a franchise around like I am with any big. Cousins couldn't do it in this league, KAT isn't doing it in this league, hell even Anthony Davis isn't doing it in this league. Ayton has to become Embiid for that pick to even be debated as having made sense (or Luka completely flames out). Both Luka and Trae and will be more impactful guys when it comes to turning their franchises around simply because that's what the NBA is right now. Teams who aren't paying attention to how the league works these days are shooting themselves in the foot.

We won't know for several more years but yes, there very well could be plenty wrong with that pick.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Can we even compare Ayton and Trae’s situations right now?

[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

I've said my piece on Ayton a million times; it's more about today's league than him. I'm not taking a big man #1 overall (one had had defensive concerns) when a uber-skilled 6'7 playmaker is on the board, not to mention one with an unbelievable resume in the second-best league in the world.

Ayton will be a 20 & 10 guy for his whole career but I'm skeptical on the impact he'll have towards turning a franchise around like I am with any big. Cousins couldn't do it in this league, KAT isn't doing it in this league, hell even Anthony Davis isn't doing it in this league. Ayton has to become Embiid for that pick to even be debated as having made sense (or Luka completely flames out). Both Luka and Trae and will be more impactful guys when it comes to turning their franchises around simply because that's what the NBA is right now. Teams who aren't paying attention to how the league works these days are shooting themselves in the foot.

We won't know for several more years but yes, there very well could be plenty wrong with that pick.

Did you just say AD isnt doing it?

[3304Life]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Can’t disagree too much. AD is one of the best players in the league but has two playoff appearances, two winning seasons and the Pelicans/Hornets are just as bad a franchise as they were when he arrived. That’s not down to him though.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Doesn’t that say more about the people in charge than it does AD though?

[3304Life]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Definitely.

But if I understood his point right it’s essentially that the best bigs in the game can’t make a franchise great single handedly. I actually think the way the Cavs defended the Warriors in 2017 was a sign of how little teams value the interior in the modern game. With how the game is now, the so-called positionless basketball, you’re better off drafting a skilled guard or wing who can finish inside and can shoot than a great post player.

If Davis had a great point guard though (Jrue is fantastic but he’s not at the level) I think the Pelicans would’ve had some success in recent years. If AD had time with Chris Paul, it could’ve been one of the best duos we’ve seen in the modern NBA, with Davis being such a great all round player.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Did you just say AD isnt doing it?

Turning his franchise around and carrying them deep into the playoffs? He's not. Of course it's not all his fault and that's exactly my point. Elite big men carried their franchises back in the day even with less than ideal supporting casts. Patrick Ewing had no second star and was within seconds of winning a championship. You put prime Ewing on a good but not great supporting cast in today's league and they wouldn't get out of the first round. David Robinson, Hakeem. Who was the second-best player on the '94 Rockets? Otis Thorpe? Mad Max? It hardly mattered since Hakeem was insanely dominant on both ends of the court--the entire game.

We haven't had one of the game's best bigs reach the conference finals in years, let alone the Finals or actually winning a championship. An All-NBA center hasn't reached the conference finals or further since Duncan in 2013.

The roles have flipped from last generation. A great big used to be able to carry a mediocre team, now it's great guards/playmakers. Houston is nothing special as a team but it's Harden and ideal roleplayers and they're one of the best teams in the league, same as it was with a great big and well-fitting role players 20+ years ago.

The league has changed so much. The proof and signs are all over the place. Why wouldn't you draft accordingly, especially when you've seen championship teams have two playmaker/PnR guys? LeBron/Kyrie, KD/Steph, even HOU with CP3/Harden. Could have been lining that up with Booker and Luka while finding a cheaper role-playing big who's versatile defensively. I'd calmed down on the Ayton pick over the course of the season but now I'm fired up about it again.

Hell, even look at Embiid. His supporting cast of Butler, Simmons, and Harris probably won't be enough to even reach the conference finals. That is insane.

[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Turning his franchise around and carrying them deep into the playoffs? He's not. Of course it's not all his fault and that's exactly my point. Elite big men carried their franchises back in the day even with less than ideal supporting casts. Patrick Ewing had no second star and was within seconds of winning a championship. You put prime Ewing on a good but not great supporting cast in today's league and they wouldn't get out of the first round. David Robinson, Hakeem. Who was the second-best player on the '94 Rockets? Otis Thorpe? Mad Max? It hardly mattered since Hakeem was insanely dominant on both ends of the court--the entire game.

We haven't had one of the game's best bigs reach the conference finals in years, let alone the Finals or actually winning a championship. An All-NBA center hasn't reached the conference finals or further since Duncan in 2013.

The roles have flipped from last generation. A great big used to be able to carry a mediocre team, now it's great guards/playmakers. Houston is nothing special as a team but it's Harden and ideal roleplayers and they're one of the best teams in the league, same as it was with a great big and well-fitting role players 20+ years ago.

The league has changed so much. The proof and signs are all over the place. Why wouldn't you draft accordingly, especially when you've seen championship teams have two playmaker/PnR guys? LeBron/Kyrie, KD/Steph, even HOU with CP3/Harden. Could have been lining that up with Booker and Luka while finding a cheaper role-playing big who's versatile defensively. I'd calmed down on the Ayton pick over the course of the season but now I'm fired up about it again.

Hell, even look at Embiid. His supporting cast of Butler, Simmons, and Harris probably won't be enough to even reach the conference finals. That is insane.

It's funny because what your saying use to be said about elite PG's. Besides Curry. What elite PG's has won the Championship?

The only reason I bring up AD like this. Is because AD is a player the league has never seen before. The only guy I can compare him to is The Dream. AD in my opinion has very few weakness in his overall game. He just hasn't had the chances either because of injury or his teammates suck.

This theory that drafting a big or drafting vs small guy. I don't think that holds weight. MJ dominated when it was a big mans league. From the looks of it to me. It's about your team. Maybe Ayton will turn into a bum. Maybe he might be a solid player. The pieces need to fit. Is the league shifting away from traditional Power Forward. Yeah it seems like that. But Draymond Green is still in the league lol. Take him off the Warriors... And I don't think they win anything. That's just my opinion.

I still think it's draft the best player. Obviously no one is draft Green with the first pick lol. But it's building blocks. Did MJ win once he got in the league? Nope. Did Magic win a championship in his year in the league? Yup. But he was coming into a very special situation.

[georgiafan]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

A sign Atlanta has been following my hawks 2k dynasty and also the first step toward me getting mad on draft day when they pass on him. Bol linked to Atlanta

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2019/4/29/18522520/bol-bol-atlanta-hawks-surprise-lottery-pick-nba-draft-oregon-2019-health-projection-shooting

[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

A sign Atlanta has been following my hawks 2k dynasty and also the first step toward me getting back on draft day when they pass on him. Bol linked to Atlanta

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2019/...ction-shooting

To me it makes a lot of sense. So maany people keep saying he's a gamble. But man... He's got a lot of things going on. He's just not another big.

[georgiafan]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

To me it makes a lot of sense. So maany people keep saying he's a gamble. But man... He's got a lot of things going on. He's just not another big.

Atlanta likely will have the 9th / 10th pick (9th being the best case) as its 2nd pick with the first pick player being a wing. If the medicals check out then I think its a great fit atleast worth the try. His shooting would fit nice along Collins and he could be brought along slow his rookie year. You don't find 7'2 guys with his skills and 3 point ability especially in this weak of a draft. His non shot blocking defense is a issue, but if his offense works I can live with that. Last year we took the best 3 point shooting PG, wing and big in the draft. I have a feeling Boston is going to want him.

[ehh]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Outside of the top four or so I don't think Bol is a bigger risk than anyone else in the draft; he's just a risk for a different reason. If he stays healthy, you're probably getting a steal. He can do stuff at 19 that Porzingis couldn't.

[jeebs9]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

Outside of the top four or so I don't think Bol is a bigger risk than anyone else in the draft; he's just a risk for a different reason. If he stays healthy, you're probably getting a steal. He can do stuff at 19 that Porzingis couldn't.

One of the things that amazing me about Bol is his running. That guy has to be the best running big since (can I say) AD. He runs like a small guy, Very fluid strides.

But your right. Could be a steal. He also fits in with the current Hawks. Young was a great pick. His running mate Kevin could be a steal if he keeps developing. Prince is also a solid pick. Collin at the 4. And Bol Bol.... Yeah man. They are all shooters .

[georgiafan]

Re: NBA Draft 2019

One of the things that amazing me about Bol is his running. That guy has to be the best running big since (can I say) AD. He runs like a small guy, Very fluid strides.

But your right. Could be a steal. He also fits in with the current Hawks. Young was a great pick. His running mate Kevin could be a steal if he keeps developing. Prince is also a solid pick. Collin at the 4. And Bol Bol.... Yeah man. They are all shooters .

Most don't realize Atlanta only has a 2% chance of staying in the 5th spot so odds are the first pick isn't going to be as easy as take whoever from Culver or Hunter is on the board. If we jump up to the 2nd / 3rd spot then its almost a lock we trade down. Regardless of where the 1st pick is it will be a wing.

Prince is someone I expect to be traded judging his value is tough my guess is a lottery protected 1st from some over the cap team like the Thunder or Blazers would do it. Huerter I'm very high on once he can learn to be more aggressive and Collins might make the all star team next year.

Bol playing alongside Trae would be extremely fun to watch and dangerous on offense. Bol can at least block shots on defense and rebound on defense so that's something that's lacking. I don't see how you pass up on his upside with a "free" 1st round pick. Alex Len was surprisingly solid this year so at worst he could be the starting C while Bol is brought along slowly.