Post by DERRENMATTS on Aug 15, 2017 14:10:57 GMT -5
The 2018 draft is shaping up to be an interesting and exciting one, with many high potential players vying for the top 5-6 spots.
Among them, and the most mysterious one, is the European sensation, Luka Doncic. Since he plays internationally, there are concerns about if, and how, his game will translate in the NBA. But positive endorsements are coming from the mouths of successful European players who are doing well in the NBA (Dragic, Udrih, Saric, Sergio).
While many observe Doncic and immediately point out that he lacks top shelf speed and athleticism to warrant a very high draft slot, I'm making a case that Doncic SHOULD be our pick (wherever we will be picking, once the lottery selection has been made. I don't expect us to get the [HASH]1 pick, so what I'm saying is I'd draft Doncic anywhere from 3 - 5).
I expect guys like Porter and Bagley, and even guys like Ayton and Bamba, possibly even Robert Williams to get serious consideration before Doncic, because speed, athleticism, height and length are the sexy words in the NBA. Doncic sticks out like a sore thumb among these other candidates, because they have those things, and they are all big men (3/4's and 4/5's). So he's the shortest of this group, and I wouldn't put my money on him blowing them away in a foot race. And that's where the hang up starts when slotting Doncic. He plays the Point, but he's not your prototypical modern day NBA PG who bas blazing speed and crazy handles. Oh, he can't guard guys like Steph and Westbrook. He's too slow and unathletic.
Ah, but Doncic isn't a prototypical PG, and we don't have to play him at the 1. He's a legit 6'7" - 6'8" wing who can handle and pass, as well as shoot and rebound.
His NBA comparison, IMO, is Gordon Hayward. GH can play every position from 1 - 4 (in a small ball lineup) and do well at any of those positions.
With the NBA's new favorite word being "positionless", Doncic will give us that. Theoretically, the more positionless players you have, the more versatile and creative a coach can be with his lineups. I'm sure Brad would love to have 10 guys who can play 2 - 3 positions.
With Hayward and Doncic, and Jayson and Jaylen, we'll have 4 guys who can grab a rebound, lead a fastbreak, make the right pass or hit a transition 3. Or we'll have 4 guys who can orchestrate a halfcourt offense, run a pick and roll, take it to the basket, isolate, or hit a 3. You can probably add Al Horford to this group too.
Porter might give us all this, but he doesn't handle the ball well enough. Ayton, Bamba, Williams and Bagley are mostly 4/5's who I wouldn't trust running a break or directing a pick and roll.
Pound for pound, Doncic will give us the most bang for the buck, and give us the most versatility.
Among them, and the most mysterious one, is the European sensation, Luka Doncic. Since he plays internationally, there are concerns about if, and how, his game will translate in the NBA. But positive endorsements are coming from the mouths of successful European players who are doing well in the NBA (Dragic, Udrih, Saric, Sergio).
While many observe Doncic and immediately point out that he lacks top shelf speed and athleticism to warrant a very high draft slot, I'm making a case that Doncic SHOULD be our pick (wherever we will be picking, once the lottery selection has been made. I don't expect us to get the [HASH]1 pick, so what I'm saying is I'd draft Doncic anywhere from 3 - 5).
I expect guys like Porter and Bagley, and even guys like Ayton and Bamba, possibly even Robert Williams to get serious consideration before Doncic, because speed, athleticism, height and length are the sexy words in the NBA. Doncic sticks out like a sore thumb among these other candidates, because they have those things, and they are all big men (3/4's and 4/5's). So he's the shortest of this group, and I wouldn't put my money on him blowing them away in a foot race. And that's where the hang up starts when slotting Doncic. He plays the Point, but he's not your prototypical modern day NBA PG who bas blazing speed and crazy handles. Oh, he can't guard guys like Steph and Westbrook. He's too slow and unathletic.
Ah, but Doncic isn't a prototypical PG, and we don't have to play him at the 1. He's a legit 6'7" - 6'8" wing who can handle and pass, as well as shoot and rebound.
His NBA comparison, IMO, is Gordon Hayward. GH can play every position from 1 - 4 (in a small ball lineup) and do well at any of those positions.
With the NBA's new favorite word being "positionless", Doncic will give us that. Theoretically, the more positionless players you have, the more versatile and creative a coach can be with his lineups. I'm sure Brad would love to have 10 guys who can play 2 - 3 positions.
With Hayward and Doncic, and Jayson and Jaylen, we'll have 4 guys who can grab a rebound, lead a fastbreak, make the right pass or hit a transition 3. Or we'll have 4 guys who can orchestrate a halfcourt offense, run a pick and roll, take it to the basket, isolate, or hit a 3. You can probably add Al Horford to this group too.
Porter might give us all this, but he doesn't handle the ball well enough. Ayton, Bamba, Williams and Bagley are mostly 4/5's who I wouldn't trust running a break or directing a pick and roll.
Pound for pound, Doncic will give us the most bang for the buck, and give us the most versatility.
