2018 NBA Draft Thread

[INFORMER]

package Warren and our later picks to try and snag maybe snag 8, 9 or 10 and take a solid big like Wendell Carter.

A 20 ppg+2 mid-first rounders for a lotto pick?! That's a gross overpay.

[specialsauce]

package Warren and our later picks to try and snag maybe snag 8, 9 or 10 and take a solid big like Wendell Carter.

A 20 ppg+2 mid-first rounders for a lotto pick?! That's a gross overpay.

Agree. The two mid first rounders on their own should be adequate if not too much.

[specialsauce]

Defense matters. Can Doncic defend PGs? I know, I know we can cross match and Jackson can guard PGs. And "who really plays defense anyway?" But it does matter. And while Simmons plays PG, they still mix in guys like Reddick, McConnell and Bayless to match up with guards.

Porter lists at 6-10 215-220, he'll get stronger and fill out and can project as a PF. He's got a solid, thick build already so I'm not concerned there. The back surgery is the biggest red flag. If that checks out, he should be in the mix.

Back surgery isn’t like an ACL. I really think It will come back to plague his career. I would steer clear unless it’s with the MIL/MIA pick.

[TOO]

Defense matters. Can Doncic defend PGs? I know, I know we can cross match and Jackson can guard PGs. And "who really plays defense anyway?" But it does matter. And while Simmons plays PG, they still mix in guys like Reddick, McConnell and Bayless to match up with guards.

Porter lists at 6-10 215-220, he'll get stronger and fill out and can project as a PF. He's got a solid, thick build already so I'm not concerned there. The back surgery is the biggest red flag. If that checks out, he should be in the mix.

Back surgery isn’t like an ACL. I really think It will come back to plague his career. I would steer clear unless it’s with the MIL/MIA pick.

I had the same surgery, and if he didn't have any nerve damage, which I didnt read that anywhere, he should be fine. Its a minor procedure with a fairly long healing time. I'm sure he's in far better shape than I am and will have access to some of the best medical care available, I think he'll be fine for the long run.

[INFORMER]

The best bigs in the league seem to play for middling teams like New Orleans (A. Davis and Boogie), New York (Porzingis), Minnesota (Towns), and so on. None of those teams are dominating the league. If anything, most of those big men are playing "small," shooting a lot of 3s, playing more like perimeter players.

I think it is a little more complex than that.

NY was struggling because outside of Porzingis and Kanter, their roster is very lackluster. Ditto for the Cousins-Boogie combo. What's holding those teams back are bad rosters, not the fact that their best players are big.

Minnesota is a team on the rise. It's not like they have been stuck in the 4th or 5th seed year after year. They've gone from the lottery to a top five team.

You could easily point to teams like Washington and Portland, whose talent is mostly in their backcourts, and they haven't been able to contend.

[INFORMER]

This is probably highlights bias - but I really like both Porter brothers. Jontay can pass, and that's a great sign of hoops IQ, especially in a big guy. I would be very happy to get him with one of our later picks.

I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would be high on Michael Porter Jr.

I am sold on Jontay with one of our mid-first rounders though.

[TOO]

This is probably highlights bias - but I really like both Porter brothers. Jontay can pass, and that's a great sign of hoops IQ, especially in a big guy. I would be very happy to get him with one of our later picks.

I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would be high on Michael Porter Jr.

I am sold on Jontay with one of our mid-first rounders though.

Interesting. MPJ's highschool tape that I saw showed him to be easily a cut above whatever opponent they were playing.

[specialsauce]

Defense matters. Can Doncic defend PGs? I know, I know we can cross match and Jackson can guard PGs. And "who really plays defense anyway?" But it does matter. And while Simmons plays PG, they still mix in guys like Reddick, McConnell and Bayless to match up with guards.

Porter lists at 6-10 215-220, he'll get stronger and fill out and can project as a PF. He's got a solid, thick build already so I'm not concerned there. The back surgery is the biggest red flag. If that checks out, he should be in the mix.

Back surgery isn’t like an ACL. I really think It will come back to plague his career. I would steer clear unless it’s with the MIL/MIA pick.

I had the same surgery, and if he didn't have any nerve damage, which I didnt read that anywhere, he should be fine. Its a minor procedure with a fairly long healing time. I'm sure he's in far better shape than I am and will have access to some of the best medical care available, I think he'll be fine for the long run.

Anecdotal evidence is the worst evidence. Spine surgery is far from guaranteed and the relapse rate and the need for future intervention is much higher than other procedures. That is in the general population and is probably even riskier in someone who is expecting to perform at a world class level every day.

[INFORMER]

Interesting. MPJ's highschool tape that I saw showed him to be easily a cut above whatever opponent they were playing.

I have a hard time getting excited over HS highlights. Most of the guys on the court won't even play division 2 basketball.

Porter Jr. has good handles, good range, and before the back injury, solid athleticism. But I don't see enough to warrant taking him in the top 10.

[TOO]

Defense matters. Can Doncic defend PGs? I know, I know we can cross match and Jackson can guard PGs. And "who really plays defense anyway?" But it does matter. And while Simmons plays PG, they still mix in guys like Reddick, McConnell and Bayless to match up with guards.

Porter lists at 6-10 215-220, he'll get stronger and fill out and can project as a PF. He's got a solid, thick build already so I'm not concerned there. The back surgery is the biggest red flag. If that checks out, he should be in the mix.

Back surgery isn’t like an ACL. I really think It will come back to plague his career. I would steer clear unless it’s with the MIL/MIA pick.

I had the same surgery, and if he didn't have any nerve damage, which I didnt read that anywhere, he should be fine. Its a minor procedure with a fairly long healing time. I'm sure he's in far better shape than I am and will have access to some of the best medical care available, I think he'll be fine for the long run.

Anecdotal evidence is the worst evidence. Spine surgery is far from guaranteed and the relapse rate and the need for future intervention is much higher than other procedures. That is in the general population and is probably even riskier in someone who is expecting to perform at a world class level every day.

What's life like being super negative all the time? You must kill at parties.

[O_Gardino]

Interesting. MPJ's highschool tape that I saw showed him to be easily a cut above whatever opponent they were playing.

I have a hard time getting excited over HS highlights. Most of the guys on the court won't even play division 2 basketball.

Porter Jr. has good handles, good range, and before the back injury, solid athleticism. But I don't see enough to warrant taking him in the top 10.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see meaningful play from MPJ at any level besides high school, so we know less about him than any other top prospect. It's more extrapolation, which means more room for error.

But I would add to those strengths the ability to get make-able shots for himself, good feel for spacing and movement, and willingness to work on defense. If healthy, I think he has the potential to be the most balanced 2-way star in the draft.

[INFORMER]

I don't want to add another shot-hunter to the mix. Booker will and should put it up 20+ times a game. But with Josh Jackson's affinity to bring the ball up and launch shots, I don't really consider it a plus that Porter Jr. does the same thing.

[TOO]

I agree, Doncic looks to get others involved so I think he fits well with JJ/Book. I still love the bigs too, I really cannot be unhappy with any of my top 4. Some wont like Bamba, I love him.

[INFORMER]

I really cannot be unhappy with any of my top 4. Some wont like Bamba, I love him.

Agreed. Bagley's defensive deficiencies really have me down on him, but I think he has an "it" factor and superstar potential on the offensive end, so I'd be ok with even him.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Troy Brown declared for the draft. He didn't show much NBA level skill at Oregon so I'm a little surprised, but I guess he's a pretty safe bet for the first round. I think Harrison Barnes is a good comp for him if he can become a more consistent shooter.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2301 ... -nba-draft

[specialsauce]

Defense matters. Can Doncic defend PGs? I know, I know we can cross match and Jackson can guard PGs. And "who really plays defense anyway?" But it does matter. And while Simmons plays PG, they still mix in guys like Reddick, McConnell and Bayless to match up with guards.

Porter lists at 6-10 215-220, he'll get stronger and fill out and can project as a PF. He's got a solid, thick build already so I'm not concerned there. The back surgery is the biggest red flag. If that checks out, he should be in the mix.

Back surgery isn’t like an ACL. I really think It will come back to plague his career. I would steer clear unless it’s with the MIL/MIA pick.

I had the same surgery, and if he didn't have any nerve damage, which I didnt read that anywhere, he should be fine. Its a minor procedure with a fairly long healing time. I'm sure he's in far better shape than I am and will have access to some of the best medical care available, I think he'll be fine for the long run.

Anecdotal evidence is the worst evidence. Spine surgery is far from guaranteed and the relapse rate and the need for future intervention is much higher than other procedures. That is in the general population and is probably even riskier in someone who is expecting to perform at a world class level every day.

What's life like being super negative all the time? You must kill at parties.

Seriously dude?

I'm sorry that facts and evidence based medicine get in the way. No need to make it personal. If you're going to make statements like that, you can go fuck yourself.

[TOO]

Back surgery isn’t like an ACL. I really think It will come back to plague his career. I would steer clear unless it’s with the MIL/MIA pick.

I had the same surgery, and if he didn't have any nerve damage, which I didnt read that anywhere, he should be fine. Its a minor procedure with a fairly long healing time. I'm sure he's in far better shape than I am and will have access to some of the best medical care available, I think he'll be fine for the long run.

Anecdotal evidence is the worst evidence. Spine surgery is far from guaranteed and the relapse rate and the need for future intervention is much higher than other procedures. That is in the general population and is probably even riskier in someone who is expecting to perform at a world class level every day.

What's life like being super negative all the time? You must kill at parties.

Seriously dude?

I'm sorry that facts and evidence based medicine get in the way. No need to make it personal. If you're going to make statements like that, you can go f*** yourself.

Cute.

[carey]

What's life like being super negative all the time? You must kill at parties.

If you're going to make statements like that, you can go fuck yourself.

Let's not do this, guys. It has been a long terrible season. Take it out on the management if you need to vent. Not on each other.

[specialsauce]

What's life like being super negative all the time? You must kill at parties.

If you're going to make statements like that, you can go f*** yourself.

Let's not do this, guys. It has been a long terrible season. Take it out on the management if you need to vent. Not on each other.

I'm done. Just needed to give my 2 cents back.

[Mori Chu]

Sauce: The "Go f--- yourself" is a bit much. It isn't the profanity that bothers me; it's the tone directed at another member. TOO's message to you was rude, but you took it up another notch. We 12 remaining Suns fans need to stick together in these tough times!