Phoenix doing what they should be doing 2,3,4 years ago, tanking hard. They always were mediocre with no real shot at the second round. I guess we'll "battle" with NJ for the 3rd spot...
I don't know what the mocks say and draft position for the players, but what does everyone think about Buddy Hield? Watched that OU/Baylor game last night and there are stretches where he looks like a 5 year NBA vet out there. Very interesting kid, obviously not afraid of THE SHOT (which I've heard rumblings about that being BS's problem) plus he's a senior and came back to "work on his game" so you gotta love the attitude with him. Not sure where he'd fit here or where he's at in terms of "draft board" but he gets me excited as a spectator in a way that Ben Simmons doesnt.
Honestly games like last night are vastly more important to our future success than the tank. It's more important that veterans look at our team and see enough talent here to sign than it is we tank to lose the pick. Showcasing D'Angelo and Julius and Jordan is the only way we're going to convince anyone to come here. That being said it took nearly 40 points from our rookie to beat Brooklyn by under 10 points. The tank is still alive and well.
Well, he's a senior which scares a lot of NBA teams away because they think he can't get a lot better. We have Russell and Clarkson as young guards. I doubt we'd look at him with sf and c being such glaring holes. Our draft board is probably Simmons-Ingram-Brown in that order.
Hield will probably be an adequate wing in the NBA. I don't give up anything for him, and I'm happy to trade if that's what we are getting in the draft.
I disagree, only because I do not want to get near Whiteside with a 10 foot pole. I feel more comfortable with Noel/Batum than I do Whiteside/Ingram. Noel is already a really good defender at the NBA level. I don't think Noel will gain 35 pounds two weeks after he signs his first big contract like I am convinced Whiteside will. Batum is a great defender and good 3-point shooter.
I must have caught hield at just the right times. he looks pretty good to me. I think he can play sg in the nba on both ends, and supposedly he's top notch off the court. I don't think the lakers have a ton of use for him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's better than adequate at the next level. regarding the other discussion: I'm not a noel fan. if he could do all he does and hold his ground against opposing centers (like mid-career marcus camby did), good. as he is now...that's a pf with center skills. I don't want to deal with figuring out how to pay that guy when the time comes.
Speaking of college ball .... was in a restaurant tonight that had Cal and Arizona up on a couple of their flat panels and was surprised and very happy to see Bill Walton with headphones on working the game. Did not know he was back in the game. :Headbang:
Whaaaat!? You mean it might not have been worth sacrificing half a season or so of our rookies development on the slim chance we get to keep our top 3 pick and select yet another rookie who needs to be developed and is not an instant savior? Nonsense! Blasphemy!
Ingram has shot under 40 percent the last six games. That is some kind of slump he's in. Simmons numbers look nice, but it's bothers me he never takes games over like we've already seen D'Angelo do this season.
Simmons has routinely quit on his team this season. While it's completely understandable that he's been frustrated by his teammates' lack of talent, it's inexcusable to not give 100% effort on the floor. That's Dwight Howard talk. I understand not loving where you're at, but hey buddy this is the team you picked. Make your bed and sleep in it.
That's a little short sighted. Quitting like he has been is a sign of immaturity. Maturity can be developed over time. The problem with Howard is he's too old to still act the way he does. Simmons is still just a kid. For instance: Randle and Russell will occasionally quit on plays with us.
I don't see it that way. Quitting on your team is a b**** move anyway you look at it. It's not something I want. Anytime there is a little adversity they could quit again. I haven't seen Russell or Randle quit on the team. Yeah sometimes they get frustrated and struggle, but they haven't quit all season. They play as hard as anyone.
I said quit on a play and yes they have many times. It was even pointed out by Hubie Brown last week on national television against the Hawks. It's okay. They're young and they'll learn. Simmons can too. Nothing is as black and white as you're making it. The only point of my post was to illustrate that there's issues with almost any of these picks this year. It's not a strong group. It would hurt to lose the pick but I don't know if anyone from this year is going to change your team right away.
Yeah, huge difference between between being 27 yrs old and 9 seasons in the NBA vs. 18 yrs old and a freshman in college.
when you're a vet, you have the wisdom to know that you're already a champion in your mind, results be damned.
I thought the reference was obvious there... because, really, F Dwight howard and the broken down donkey he rode in on.
