2018 NBA Draft

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think it's also SUPER hard to figure out how a college big man will translate defensively to the NBA.

The reality is we're "stuck" with KAT as our Center and we just have to hope he gets better defensively over time. In the meantime, we should be doing everything possible to surround him with better defenders and 3-point shooters along the perimeter.

[thedoper]

I think it's also SUPER hard to figure out how a college big man will translate defensively to the NBA.

The reality is we're "stuck" with KAT as our Center and we just have to hope he gets better defensively over time. In the meantime, we should be doing everything possible to surround him with better defenders and 3-point shooters along the perimeter.

I think this is accurate. I like looking at lanky athletic big types to be a contrast to Taj. Bamba would be the ideal in my mind but I think he is going to keep rising in the boards and will end up top 3. But someone of that ilk, lots of length, rim protector. And then, shooting, lots of shooting.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think it's also SUPER hard to figure out how a college big man will translate defensively to the NBA.

The reality is we're "stuck" with KAT as our Center and we just have to hope he gets better defensively over time. In the meantime, we should be doing everything possible to surround him with better defenders and 3-point shooters along the perimeter.

I think this is accurate. I like looking at lanky athletic big types to be a contrast to Taj. Bamba would be the ideal in my mind but I think he is going to keep rising in the boards and will end up top 3. But someone of that ilk, lots of length, rim protector. And then, shooting, lots of shooting.

Lanky, athletic bigs in theory seem like great NBA defenders. A guy like Capela has turned out awesome. Others end up being foul-prone, leave their feet too much, or are so poor offensively you simply can't play them much. Biyombo is a good example of someone that probably does more harm than good while on the court even though he checks the box in terms of a rim protecting, athletic big.

[Monster]

I think it's also SUPER hard to figure out how a college big man will translate defensively to the NBA.

The reality is we're "stuck" with KAT as our Center and we just have to hope he gets better defensively over time. In the meantime, we should be doing everything possible to surround him with better defenders and 3-point shooters along the perimeter.

I think this is accurate. I like looking at lanky athletic big types to be a contrast to Taj. Bamba would be the ideal in my mind but I think he is going to keep rising in the boards and will end up top 3. But someone of that ilk, lots of length, rim protector. And then, shooting, lots of shooting.

An intruiging big if he stays in the draft Jontay Porter. He is an upside guy but damn he is has a sweet looking shot when it's going in. He doesn't turn 19 till November so...yeah but his skill set is interesting.

[Monster]

Well now we know the order. It should be interesting to see what the Suns do at the top.

[bleedspeed]

It is pretty sad that I have gotten so turned off by this team that I don't even enjoy the best time of the year as a Wolves fan anymore. (Draft Season)

[mrhockey89]

It is pretty sad that I have gotten so turned off by this team that I don't even enjoy the best time of the year as a Wolves fan anymore. (Draft Season)

You're just not used to having a pick outside the lottery :)

[bleedspeed]

It is pretty sad that I have gotten so turned off by this team that I don't even enjoy the best time of the year as a Wolves fan anymore. (Draft Season)

You're just not used to having a pick outside the lottery :)

That and Thibs

[Lipoli390]

Well now we know the order. It should be interesting to see what the Suns do at the top.

Just our luck. As if the West isn't tough enough, the top two picks go to Western Conference rivals. The Suns are really well positioned to eventually become a really good team. They already have a cornerstone allstar caliber player in Booker and another potential all-star caliber cornerstone player in Josh Jackson, who played really well the latter portion of the season. Now they can add another allstar, possible superstar, with the first pick in this year's draft. Note that the Suns also have the first pick in the second round.

Here's a question. If you were PBO of an NBA team, would you rather have have Butler, KAT and Wiggins over Booker, Josh Jackson and the top picks in both the 1st and 2nd rounds this year? Look at it not only from a talent perspective, but also factor in age and contract perspective as you would if you were PBO rather than a head coach focused on just the upcoming season.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I really like the long-term potential of Booker/Jackson, with Jackson being the "do shit" Iggy type defender and hustler on the wing and Booker being more of a pure scorer and shooter that can also make plays for others. I would argue this pair is much more complimentary in their skill-set than Wiggins and Butler. But Jackson needs to pick up where he left off and keep improving. That's never a guarantee.

I highly doubt Ayton will be better than KAT offensively, as very few existing NBA players are as good. The question is whether he can help anchor a Suns defense that was 30th in the NBA last year. I have no clue on that one. But assuming he eventually becomes a strong interior defensive presence that can also rebound and get some easy buckets, I'd probably take the Booker/Jackson/Ayton trio over the KAT/Butler/Wiggins trio.