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

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

Deandre Ayton
31
54%
Luca Doncic
25
44%
Other
1
2%
 
Total votes: 57

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

Post by Cap »

O_Gardino wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:38 am
I keep looking at the top 10 and wishing for a couple more picks. So many of them look like future stars, or at least difference makers.

To balance that enthusiasm, I try to remind myself that about half of the top 10 in any given draft are huge disappointments.

Jut look at how great Len seemed in his Draft Express video.

[youtube][/youtube]
Everybody looks awesome when you watch the STRENGTHS part of the video.
“Are you crazy?! You think I’m going to go for seven years and try to get there? You enjoy the 2030 draft picks that we have holding? I want to try to see the game today.” — Ish 3/13/25

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In2ition
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Re: With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

Post by In2ition »

Cap wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 9:08 am
O_Gardino wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:38 am
I keep looking at the top 10 and wishing for a couple more picks. So many of them look like future stars, or at least difference makers.

To balance that enthusiasm, I try to remind myself that about half of the top 10 in any given draft are huge disappointments.

Jut look at how great Len seemed in his Draft Express video.

[youtube][/youtube]
Everybody looks awesome when you watch the STRENGTHS part of the video.
So, do you look at the WEAKNESSES part and see who looks the least worst?
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Cap
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Re: With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

Post by Cap »

In2ition wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 9:20 am
Cap wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 9:08 am
O_Gardino wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:38 am
I keep looking at the top 10 and wishing for a couple more picks. So many of them look like future stars, or at least difference makers.

To balance that enthusiasm, I try to remind myself that about half of the top 10 in any given draft are huge disappointments.

Jut look at how great Len seemed in his Draft Express video.

[youtube][/youtube]
Everybody looks awesome when you watch the STRENGTHS part of the video.
So, do you look at the WEAKNESSES part and see who looks the least worst?
Something like that. It might be a good idea to at least watch the WEAKNESSES part first, so you can watch the STRENGTHS part in context and not fall so completely in love during the STRENGTHS part that it’s too late for anything from WEAKNESSES to penetrate your skull. I think that’s what happens a lot with the strengths-then-weaknesses format.
“Are you crazy?! You think I’m going to go for seven years and try to get there? You enjoy the 2030 draft picks that we have holding? I want to try to see the game today.” — Ish 3/13/25

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Mori Chu
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Re: With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

Post by Mori Chu »

I must be the last Len defender here. I think he's good and will continue to get better. On the right team he can be a productive starting NBA center.

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

Post by Cap »

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 10:28 am
I must be the last Len defender here. I think he's good and will continue to get better. On the right team he can be a productive starting NBA center.
Did you like the part of his video where his strengths included good hands and finishing lobs?
“Are you crazy?! You think I’m going to go for seven years and try to get there? You enjoy the 2030 draft picks that we have holding? I want to try to see the game today.” — Ish 3/13/25

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The Bobster
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Re: With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

Post by The Bobster »

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 10:28 am
I must be the last Len defender here. I think he's good and will continue to get better. On the right team he can be a productive starting NBA center.
You're not the only one. I think he's limited, but he does some positive things (rebounding and defense). I think he's coming off the best season of his career so far and he'll probably get better.
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The Bobster
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Re: With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

Post by The Bobster »

Cap wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 11:09 am
Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 10:28 am
I must be the last Len defender here. I think he's good and will continue to get better. On the right team he can be a productive starting NBA center.
Did you like the part of his video where his strengths included good hands and finishing lobs?
He doesn't have good hands, and we haven't had to many guards who could really pass the ball well either. Not a good combination.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695

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

Post by Superbone »

https://twitter.com/sbordow/status/1003749422700720128
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.

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

Post by jonh »

Im going out on a limb and saying Bordow has a preference for who the Suns take at 1.

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Split T
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Re: With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

Post by Split T »

jonh wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:04 pm
Im going out on a limb and saying Bordow has a preference for who the Suns take at 1.
He quoted Joel berry about Marvin Bagley in a tweet as well

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

Post by jonh »

Split T wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:54 pm
jonh wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:04 pm
Im going out on a limb and saying Bordow has a preference for who the Suns take at 1.
He quoted Joel berry about Marvin Bagley in a tweet as well
I might be mistaken, but I feel like Scott has hinted a few times about how he feels Ayton would be what he would consider the best pick in the draft. It does feel like that is the direction most of the mock drafts have leaned towards the past week or so.

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

Post by n4th4n »

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 10:28 am
I must be the last Len defender here. I think he's good and will continue to get better. On the right team he can be a productive starting NBA center.
You aren't alone. I think Len is going to have a long NBA career.

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

Post by Flagrant Fowl »

The problem with Len is where he was drafted. He's never going to be a starter on a title contender, but his draft position artificially inflates his second contract. That's why it's smart to let him become a RFA, the market will hopefully re-correct his value and the Suns can keep him for a fair price at his best role of a rotation bench player. Or some dumb ass GM will come a long and over pay him, but it doesn't feel like that's happening as much for players like him in the NBA recently.
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Re: With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

Post by Superbone »

Flagrant Fowl wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:39 pm
The problem with Len is where he was drafted. He's never going to be a starter on a title contender, but his draft position artificially inflates his second contract. That's why it's smart to let him become a RFA, the market will hopefully re-correct his value and the Suns can keep him for a fair price at his best role of a rotation bench player. Or some dumb ass GM will come a long and over pay him, but it doesn't feel like that's happening as much for players like him in the NBA recently.
Yep, we all know he's going to go to another team and do quite well. Robin Lopez level or better.
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.

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

Post by Split T »

jonh wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:23 pm
Split T wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:54 pm
jonh wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:04 pm
Im going out on a limb and saying Bordow has a preference for who the Suns take at 1.
He quoted Joel berry about Marvin Bagley in a tweet as well
I might be mistaken, but I feel like Scott has hinted a few times about how he feels Ayton would be what he would consider the best pick in the draft. It does feel like that is the direction most of the mock drafts have leaned towards the past week or so.
No I think you're right. Just pointing out that him asking prospects who played against Ayton what they think of him isn't necessarily a sign he is all in on ayton because he was asking them about Bagley too.

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

Post by Split T »

Superbone wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:42 pm
Flagrant Fowl wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:39 pm
The problem with Len is where he was drafted. He's never going to be a starter on a title contender, but his draft position artificially inflates his second contract. That's why it's smart to let him become a RFA, the market will hopefully re-correct his value and the Suns can keep him for a fair price at his best role of a rotation bench player. Or some dumb ass GM will come a long and over pay him, but it doesn't feel like that's happening as much for players like him in the NBA recently.
Yep, we all know he's going to go to another team and do quite well. Robin Lopez level or better.
Hmmm, I don't think he'll ever amount to much. I think he's a small role off the bench when you need a big body to rebound and somewhat competently defend the paint.

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

Post by Cap »

Assuming we’re going to draft Ayton, Len has no role here. I wish him success with his new team.
“Are you crazy?! You think I’m going to go for seven years and try to get there? You enjoy the 2030 draft picks that we have holding? I want to try to see the game today.” — Ish 3/13/25

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

Post by jonh »

Cap wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:44 pm
Assuming we’re going to draft Ayton, Len has no role here. I wish him success with his new team.
I really do think he will be a serviceable starter over the next few years. He will be another addition to the pile of Suns players over the past few years that have gone on to bigger and better things outside of the desert--I really wish we could talk him into backing up Ayton for a reasonable deal, but I think Len is ready to move on.

Side note--I am ok not taking Doncic, but the need for a legitimate facilitator on this team is real. I think there is a lot of big-man talent that isnt being utilized because there isn't someone that knows how to run an offense.

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

Post by Indy »

jonh wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:57 pm
Cap wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:44 pm
Assuming we’re going to draft Ayton, Len has no role here. I wish him success with his new team.
I really do think he will be a serviceable starter over the next few years. He will be another addition to the pile of Suns players over the past few years that have gone on to bigger and better things outside of the desert--I really wish we could talk him into backing up Ayton for a reasonable deal, but I think Len is ready to move on.

Side note--I am ok not taking Doncic, but the need for a legitimate facilitator on this team is real. I think there is a lot of big-man talent that isnt being utilized because there isn't someone that knows how to run an offense.
Completely agreed. Let's say the Suns are fine with resigning Payton or even using Knight as our PG. If we just replace Tyson Chandler with rookie Ayton, does that get us more than 5 extra wins? We still don't have anyone that is a starting level facilitator on the floor, or a backup one that can run the show for another 15-20 minutes a night.

I am not advocating for us to do everything we can to try and squeeze out 40 wins next year (even though that is the goal that McD said he has), but if we were to try and get there, I think Doncic provides more ability to win games for the team than Ayton does.

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

Post by The Bobster »

Indy wrote:
Tue Jun 05, 2018 6:27 am
jonh wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:57 pm
Cap wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:44 pm
Assuming we’re going to draft Ayton, Len has no role here. I wish him success with his new team.
I really do think he will be a serviceable starter over the next few years. He will be another addition to the pile of Suns players over the past few years that have gone on to bigger and better things outside of the desert--I really wish we could talk him into backing up Ayton for a reasonable deal, but I think Len is ready to move on.

Side note--I am ok not taking Doncic, but the need for a legitimate facilitator on this team is real. I think there is a lot of big-man talent that isnt being utilized because there isn't someone that knows how to run an offense.
Completely agreed. Let's say the Suns are fine with resigning Payton or even using Knight as our PG. If we just replace Tyson Chandler with rookie Ayton, does that get us more than 5 extra wins? We still don't have anyone that is a starting level facilitator on the floor, or a backup one that can run the show for another 15-20 minutes a night.

I am not advocating for us to do everything we can to try and squeeze out 40 wins next year (even though that is the goal that McD said he has), but if we were to try and get there, I think Doncic provides more ability to win games for the team than Ayton does.
Well, if this team only makes one change this summer I will be greatly disappointed. There are several avenues to pursue for changes at PG if they use the 1st pick on Ayton.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695

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