Minnesota Sports Forum

I don't consider Ayton or Booker's defense to be that good. Ayton in fact seems like a guy that can be pushed around a bit inside and I just don't know how much he scares guys taking it to the rim. So in that respect, he sort of feels a bit KAT-like...... Yet Phoenix was a top 10 defense. That's where Bridges, Crowder, and Paul come in. You gotta have some bull dogs out there. All three defend while not hurting you on offense, with Paul of course being a future hall-of-famer.

Q12543 wrote:I don't consider Ayton or Booker's defense to be that good. Ayton in fact seems like a guy that can be pushed around a bit inside and I just don't know how much he scares guys taking it to the rim. So in that respect, he sort of feels a bit KAT-like...... Yet Phoenix was a top 10 defense. That's where Bridges, Crowder, and Paul come in. You gotta have some bull dogs out there. All three defend while not hurting you on offense, with Paul of course being a future hall-of-famer.

Monte Williams can probably get some credit too.

FWIW Ayton when it comes to advanced stats has been making progressions as a defender. Do I think he is a top defensive center? No. Advanced stats say he is simply a better defender than Towns and certainly going the right direction. That wouldn't be all that surprising because if he just makes solid plays instead of doing all kinds of stuff that would be an improvement over Towns. Ayton doesn't have or do as much stuff on offense either so that may help his D.

Watching Booker the bit I have seen him this year he doesn't look like a bad defender to me especially when he is playing one on one on a guy. He seemed to have no problem being physical as a defender in the Clipper game yesterday. Do I think he is a positive on that end game in game out? Probably not (I will be watching this series from now on) but not being a liability is a big upgrade for some guys. At this point if he is the worse defender in your starting lineup that's probably pretty good...especially since a couple of their starters are really good on that end. Of course the players you mentioned can improve how everyone plays on that end. Being part of a unit of guys that actually has a clue about what they are doing is pretty helpful.

monsterpile wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

Volans19 wrote:Didn't think they would end up in the ECF. These playoffs have been awesome

Good call on your part. Congrats to that front office. Atlanta and Phoenix have really done a great job with drafting and then filling in with some key pieces around their young talent.

Yes. Two really savvy front offices that built winning teams without relying on any headline free agent acquisitions. And they both build their foundations primarily through the draft while later filling in a key piece or two via trade. Check out this list of draft picks for both teams:

SUNS:
Booker - #13
Ayton - #1
Bridges - #10
Cam Johnson - #11

Their signature trade acquisition was Chris Paul

HAWKS
Trae Young - #5
Huerter - #18
Collins - #19
Hunter - #4

Their signature trade acquisition was Capela who they got for next to nothing.

How about a look at the Wolves draft picks still on the roster:

WOLVES
KAT - #1
Edwards - #1
Okogie - #20
McDaniels - #28

Comparing Wolves picks to the Suns and Hawks:

1. Can Edwards and KAT turn out to be as good a combo as Booker and Ayton? I say yes, but it will take a couple years for Edwards to get there. He can actually be better than Booker.

2. Can McDaniels turn out to be as good as Bridges? Yes, and actually better (maybe much better) than Bridges.

3. Can Edwards, KAT and McDaniels turn out to be as good or better than Young, Huerter and Collins? Yes.

Bridges Defense in that game one against the Clippers impressed me. Dude looks like he might be one of the best wing defenders in the league. I agree McDaniels could be better but I would probably take another version of Bridges he is a super super valuable guy.

The biggest thing I see is that each of these teams got a significant addition to their roster for nothing particularly significant in terms of assets. There are opportunities like this every few months and I hope the Wolves can pull off a deal like this at some point in the next few months/couple of years. Hawks also got Bogdonovic for literally nothing. So far they missed on Reddish but they have done well overall in the draft. You aren't going to hit on every pick.

Totally agree with you on Bridges.