With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

[INFORMER]

‘Don’t get cute’: ESPN’s Marks says Suns’ decision on Ayton is clear-cut

http://arizonasports.com/story/1551337/ ... -get-cute/

“And then the upside factor. I know we’re in a league right now where we look in the finals and we’ve got guys out there who are, I guess we say positionless. And you probably say, ‘What’s the role for a center? Shouldn’t we look at Luka Doncic maybe, more of a wing or a guard here?’ and I say, ‘Don’t get cute with the draft.’ Eventually, this cycle is going to end and we’re probably going to get back in the day and age where bigs are dominant again.”

I'm not really sure how drafting Doncic is "getting cute."

And sorry to break it to Bobby, but the league isn't going to slow down, the 3-point shot isn't going to be de-emphasized, and passing/playmaking isn't going to become obsolete. It sounds like he is having hard time understanding the difference between a fad and fundamental change.

And people need to stop acting like the Warriors play an exclusive brand of basketball. First, this was pioneered circa 2004 in Phoenix, AZ. Secondly, you look at most teams in the playoffs are playing a brand of basketball based on spacing, passing, and marginalization of post play.

I'm not going to make a sweeping statement that centers don't matter, but I will say the way you play does matter. And there are certain types of players that are optimal to play NBA Basketball at a championship level.

[Mori Chu]

Basically. I like Ayton, and he is VERY talented, but I am to the point that it upsets me that Doncic won't be a Sun. I think he is exactly what we need, and I think we can build a better team with him than with Ayton.

That's exactly right. It isn't that I think Ayton stinks. I just see Doncic as the more unique player who is more suited to (a) the direction the league has gone, and (b) the needs of our young roster. We need an awesome point guard and lead ballhandler. SO. BADLY. We also need more talent at the 4/5 spots, badly, which is a big part of the argument for Ayton. But I think we can fill that need much more easily. Players who can really run a team and get others involved and lift up a whole team and make it better are so rare and precious. I think Doncic is one of those players. Whatever team gets him will be extremely fun and will overachieve for 12 years. We have all the pieces in place: the Euro head coach, the SG and other talent begging for easy passes for open shots, the run-and-gun history and culture from SSOL days, the young wing scorers like Jackson who are just aching for more fastbreaks and easy passes for layups ... Doncic is EXACTLY what this team needs. It's tragic.

[Shabazz]

https://twitter.com/OldTakesExposed/status/1004579344843526145 Colin Cowherd with an awful take from 2007 that sounds very familiar to what we're hearing now in some of the Ayton-Doncic debates.

[Shabazz]

Here's a good hour-long deep dive on Ayton. Sam Vecenie is Team Ayton and he debates Cole Zwicker, who is not quite as high on Deande.

https://gametheorysam.libsyn.com/the-de ... own-rumors

[Shabazz]

[youtube][/youtube]

[The Bobster]

Why are people still bringing up Oden/Durant as a comparison for Ayton/Doncic?

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability. And Durant was considered the clear #2 prospect that year. He just came off a freshman year where he averaged 25,8 points ans was a consensus first team All-American. I don't think it was a surprise to anyone that year that they went 1-2 in the draft.

And I think both Ayton and Doncic will have successful NBA careers.

[carey]

I'm starting to come around on Ayton. The thing is... we may need that special PG to unlock his talents like Nash did for Amare. How can we get that with #16 & #31 as ammunition? A talent like Nash is very rare. Do we have enough assets to get into Trae Young range?

Trae-Booker-Jackson-Bender-Ayton
Nash-IsoJoe-Marion-Q.Rich-Amare

[TOO]

I'd rather have Holiday or Melton than Trae.

I really wish we'd just draft Doncic and go after Capela or DAJ. I like Ayton a lot, I hope he turns out to be the game changer that nobody in the NBA has an answer for ala Shaq. If he can prove to be a high efficiency big who defends and rebounds then that'd be fantastic, that makes things easier for Booker and Co.

[MightyMoog]

What do you guys think of Chandler + Duds + 16 for Parsons + 4. Maybe we need to sweeten it a bit and throw in the Milwaukee pick. I'd do this trade in heartbeat if doncic falls past Sacto.

[Superbone]

I was listening to the Empire of the Suns podcast tonight and I think they're right. The drama is now gone as Ayton is our pick. Why else would we have a press conference after his workout? Are we going to have a press conference after all the potential top draft picks' workouts? Frankly, I'm glad to be able to select Ayton with our first #1 pick in our 50 year franchise history. He will also be the first franchise center we've ever had in that 50 year history. It's about time.

[Democritus]

I'm almost sorry that we got the first pick...

[Furlanfufi]

I keep hearing the "Shaq and Kobe" comparison from Ayton, and I don't think Shaq and Kobe Lakers would win it in this NBA.
And I would really prefer that our team was inspired by any Nash era Suns than any Lakers team.

[Flagrant Fowl]

What do you guys think of Chandler + Duds + 16 for Parsons + 4. Maybe we need to sweeten it a bit and throw in the Milwaukee pick. I'd do this trade in heartbeat if doncic falls past Sacto.

Memphis wouldn't make that trade even with the Milwaukee pick.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I was listening to the Empire of the Suns podcast tonight and I think they're right. The drama is now gone as Ayton is our pick. Why else would we have a press conference after his workout? Are we going to have a press conference after all the potential top draft picks' workouts? Frankly, I'm glad to be able to select Ayton with our first #1 pick in our 50 year franchise history. He will also be the first franchise center we've ever had in that 50 year history. It's about time.

Didn't you hear? He's only playing power forward.

[Cap]

Why are people still bringing up Oden/Durant as a comparison for Ayton/Doncic?

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability. And Durant was considered the clear #2 prospect that year. He just came off a freshman year where he averaged 25,8 points ans was a consensus first team All-American. I don't think it was a surprise to anyone that year that they went 1-2 in the draft.

And I think both Ayton and Doncic will have successful NBA careers.

Speaking of the big’s body breaking down...

Ayton is listed at 250 lbs., but he’s just 19 years old. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ultimately has a playing weight around 265-270. I wonder if the combination of that with a 44 inch vertical might be a recipe for knee injuries in the long run.

[Superbone]

I was listening to the Empire of the Suns podcast tonight and I think they're right. The drama is now gone as Ayton is our pick. Why else would we have a press conference after his workout? Are we going to have a press conference after all the potential top draft picks' workouts? Frankly, I'm glad to be able to select Ayton with our first #1 pick in our 50 year franchise history. He will also be the first franchise center we've ever had in that 50 year history. It's about time.

Didn't you hear? He's only playing power forward.

Please. Actually, I did hear. If you bothered to listen to his press conference, when asked about that, said that he's a "basketball player" and that he'll "do whatever the coach tells" him.

[Superbone]

Why are people still bringing up Oden/Durant as a comparison for Ayton/Doncic?

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability. And Durant was considered the clear #2 prospect that year. He just came off a freshman year where he averaged 25,8 points ans was a consensus first team All-American. I don't think it was a surprise to anyone that year that they went 1-2 in the draft.

And I think both Ayton and Doncic will have successful NBA careers.

Speaking of the big’s body breaking down...

Ayton is listed at 250 lbs., but he’s just 19 years old. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ultimately has a playing weight around 265-270. I wonder if the combination of that with a 44 inch vertical might be a recipe for knee injuries in the long run.

Wonderful thought. We can only hope. The negativity on this board astounds me.

[Superbone]

Here's a good hour-long deep dive on Ayton. Sam Vecenie is Team Ayton and he debates Cole Zwicker, who is not quite as high on Deande.

https://gametheorysam.libsyn.com/the-de ... own-rumors

Thank you! Just downloaded to my ipod for my commute.

[Cap]

Why are people still bringing up Oden/Durant as a comparison for Ayton/Doncic?

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability. And Durant was considered the clear #2 prospect that year. He just came off a freshman year where he averaged 25,8 points ans was a consensus first team All-American. I don't think it was a surprise to anyone that year that they went 1-2 in the draft.

And I think both Ayton and Doncic will have successful NBA careers.

Speaking of the big’s body breaking down...

Ayton is listed at 250 lbs., but he’s just 19 years old. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ultimately has a playing weight around 265-270. I wonder if the combination of that with a 44 inch vertical might be a recipe for knee injuries in the long run.

Wonderful thought. We can only hope. The negativity on this board astounds me.

I think it’s a legitimate concern. He reminds me of Amar’e in so many ways. Bigger and more skilled than Amar’e when he was drafted, admittedly.

[In2ition]

Why are people still bringing up Oden/Durant as a comparison for Ayton/Doncic?

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability. And Durant was considered the clear #2 prospect that year. He just came off a freshman year where he averaged 25,8 points ans was a consensus first team All-American. I don't think it was a surprise to anyone that year that they went 1-2 in the draft.

And I think both Ayton and Doncic will have successful NBA careers.

Speaking of the big’s body breaking down...

Ayton is listed at 250 lbs., but he’s just 19 years old. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ultimately has a playing weight around 265-270. I wonder if the combination of that with a 44 inch vertical might be a recipe for knee injuries in the long run.

I thought he was listed as 260 this past season. He's gaining muscle easily while cutting body fat. I wish I won the genetic lottery like he did, haha. I wouldn't be surprised if he gained another 10 lbs of muscle before the season, bit he really needs to focus on improving his agility and flexibility while doing it.