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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 24, 2017 1:11:35 GMT -5
Austin Ainge was interviewed on CLNS recently (it is a good listen, btw, as he gives interesting insights). He was asked why Tatum was picked, and aside from the usual (they liked his character, his brains, his beautiful shooting stroke, etc), Ainge said Brad likes 6'6" - 6'9" guys who give him roster flexibility. Then about the 16:50 mark, Austin says an added benefit to the Tatum trade was that we have a chance to draft another one of these type of players in this year's draft, or next year's. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxc5l3en0E0Sounds to me like Danny, Brad and Austin are already pegging who they want to pick, which is a player like Tatum and Brown -- a 6'6" - 6'9" player who is versatile enough to handle the ball, shoot from the perimeter, and play multiple positions. Based on that, I think we can eliminate Centers and Power Forwards like Ayton, Bamba and Robert Williams. That possibly leaves us with Michael Porter, Marvin Bagley and Luka Doncic (though Bagley isn't much of a ball handler, and mostly an interior player). My bet is they're targeting Porter and Doncic. |
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Post by freshnthehouse on Jul 24, 2017 1:45:03 GMT -5
Austin Ainge was interviewed on CLNS recently (it is a good listen, btw, as he gives interesting insights). He was asked why Tatum was picked, and aside from the usual (they liked his character, his brains, his beautiful shooting stroke, etc), Ainge said Brad likes 6'6" - 6'9" guys who give him roster flexibility. Then about the 16:50 mark, Austin says an added benefit to the Tatum trade was that we have a chance to draft another one of these type of players in this year's draft, or next year's. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxc5l3en0E0Sounds to me like Danny, Brad and Austin are already pegging who they want to pick, which is a player like Tatum and Brown -- a 6'6" - 6'9" player who is versatile enough to handle the ball, shoot from the perimeter, and play multiple positions. Based on that, I think we can eliminate Centers and Power Forwards like Ayton, Bamba and Robert Williams. That possibly leaves us with Michael Porter, Marvin Bagley and Luka Doncic (though Bagley isn't much of a ball handler, and mostly an interior player). My bet is they're targeting Porter and Doncic. I think at the end of the day they still go BPA. If Ayton is heads and tails better than anyone else available when they pick, I'd be shocked if they didn't take him. |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 24, 2017 1:55:57 GMT -5
That's what I'd hope they'd do. But maybe they see the trend, that 7 foot Centers are obsolete. Maybe it's better to use a 6'10" guy who can run like a SF, do some passing and ball handling.
But for the record, I think Ayton is a worthy pick. He is a good rebounder and can hit perimeter shots.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 24, 2017 18:40:02 GMT -5
A few comments:
*One of the reasons Sully was not resigned; lack of versatility.
*Doncic, I watched some highlights and I thought he lacked foot speed/quickness for a PG/SG; he has size though.
*Draftexpress.com had measurements for all positions. I was surprised the C position was circa 6'10. However, are measurements truely accurate? Example - I only get a sense of how accurate or inaccurate measurements are when two players stand next to each other (like posing).
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 24, 2017 19:11:17 GMT -5
A few comments: *One of the reasons Sully was not resigned; lack of versatility. *Doncic, I watched some highlights and I thought he lacked foot speed/quickness for a PG/SG; he has size though. *Draftexpress.com had measurements for all positions. I was surprised the C position was circa 6'10. However, are measurements truely accurate? Example - I only get a sense of how accurate or inaccurate measurements are when two players stand next to each other (like posing). Doncic does indeed lack above average foot speed for a backcourt player; but at 6'8" he can play the "swing" (3 and 4). What he lacks in foot speed, though, he more than makes up in almost every other area. An 18 year old thinking and playing like a 28 year old is to his advantage. |
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Post by freshnthehouse on Jul 25, 2017 0:27:51 GMT -5
That's what I'd hope they'd do. But maybe they see the trend, that 7 foot Centers are obsolete. Maybe it's better to use a 6'10" guy who can run like a SF, do some passing and ball handling. But for the record, I think Ayton is a worthy pick. He is a good rebounder and can hit perimeter shots. I dont think 7 foot centers are obsolete. Pretty much every team still incorporates a traditional big man at the 5. Heck, even GS starts Zaza. |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 25, 2017 1:25:11 GMT -5
That's what I'd hope they'd do. But maybe they see the trend, that 7 foot Centers are obsolete. Maybe it's better to use a 6'10" guy who can run like a SF, do some passing and ball handling. But for the record, I think Ayton is a worthy pick. He is a good rebounder and can hit perimeter shots. I dont think 7 foot centers are obsolete. Pretty much every team still incorporates a traditional big man at the 5. Heck, even GS starts Zaza. But the transition has begun. More and more, young big men are learning to take their games outside, and they're learning how to dribble and pull up. It makes sense because big men who play the perimeter means the paint will be vacant for guards to drive to the basket -- and from there it is a higher percentage shot or a kickout to a three point shooter. But going back to the Warriors using Zaza, look at the minutes per game dispersal: Klay: 34 mpg Curry: 33.4 Durant: 33.4 Draymond: 32.5 Andre: 26.3 Zaza: 18.1Livingston: 17.7Though Zaza starts the game, Iguodala plays more minutes off the bench, and Livingston is right there with Zaza in minutes. Warriors like to use their small ball lineup a lot, and as more teams utilize Centers who are lighter and perimeter oriented, I see Zaza losing more minutes. |
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 25, 2017 18:22:17 GMT -5
Small ball works when you have the players. I think if teams do not have the players, they should not counter and go with their traditional line-up.
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