Guard

Devin Booker, Kristaps Porzingis, Aaron Gordon, and Boogie Cousins are players that come to mind that developed in less than ideal situations. Sure, you want a great infrastructure early in a players development but development can still occur if a talent is legit and he has the drive to get better. That doesn’t mean Schlenk can hire whoever though. This coaching hire will be very important. I’m just saying it is possible. Even if Bud stays, this team won’t be good next season. No telling if he’d want to stay beyond the 2019 season. It’s clear that he doesn’t want to be like Carlisle. He wants to compete now and what ever team he goes to will have more to work with.

Can’t wait until this Bud stuff is over and we can focus on the draft. Regardless of the coach, if we don’t nail this upcoming draft, we’re going to be screwed. A good coach isn’t saving a bad draft class.

That sounds like Orlando or Atlanta.

Of course. Tanking works when you know what you’re doing.

Embiid moved like a gazille at Kansas while showing off the dream shake and the ability to hit 3’s. To say he wasn’t projected to be the top pick is comical. He was a generational prospect in every sense. Injuries dropped him to Philly.

Philly definitely got a lot wrong but it’s impossible to hit every time. No team has done it. It’s why Hinkie loaded up on draft picks to give the Sixers multiple opportunities to make selections. The excitement is understandable. There is a possibility Philly never wins a championship but they’ve got ingredients to get the job done eventually. That’s all any team can ask for.

Phillys success is a result of good talent evaluation more than anything. Sure, getting Embiid to fall due to injury is lucky. Same with Ben getting hurt allowing them to grab Fultz. But there is clearly competent talent evaluation going on in Philly. Being able to hit on players will always have teams in favorable positions. Finding Saric and Covington outside of the top ten wasn’t a fluke. Hell, they’ve got some oversees guys that could make some noise in the near future.

There isn’t one. Embiid is better than every young player on both Boston and Utah. Simmons is a big time talent too. I can keep going but I think most us already know how talented this Philly squad is.

Philly definitely is the best young team in the league. They’re on the OKC trajectory. Just a stud team with young players with high end talent. Imagine if they didn’t tank and kept the treadmill they had going.

Booker/Jackson/ Warren + Draft picks(Including high draft pick)+ plenty of capspace. Phoenix situation isnt drastic. There is upside there and their GM has made it known they’re going to be aggressive in the offseason. It also doesn’t hurt to have family in the area. Bud being interested makes a lot of sense to me. Also, don’t be surprised if he’s still interested in having more power. Phoenix could also give him that.

I really don’t understand why KB21 is acting like he has precognition because Bud wants to leave. Logically, if a team takes away presidential powers and a new GM comes in, a coach wanting to leave that situation isn’t surprising. That’s simple logic.

Bud being interested in the Suns shows I’m not crazy in thinking Phoenix can turn things around real quickly. He won’t be the only coach interested. Hell, Kidd was lobbying for the job months ago. This is what happens when you build an intriguing core and have assets to get better with. Coaches can read the tea leaves.

Expected. Not expecting the lottery to favor Atlanta either.

I actually think the Suns can turn things around sooner than later. Amongst the worst teams, they’re the only squad that has a semblance of a young core with upside. They’re set at the 2 and 3 and have a really good 6 man canidate in Warren. This draft lines up perfectly with their needs( C, PF, and PG) and they have the draft pick currency to address them. Not saying they’re making the playoffs next season but the cupboard isn’t as bare as it is with some of these other teams picking high.

Deja vu

Considering there isn’t a high upside core in place, going BPA is the right move.

Ofcourse the worst case scenario has a strong possibility of actually happening. This is so Atlanta. Not even getting my hopes up.

Luka compares his game to Ben Simmons. They’re similar in some ways. Both players are able to run an offense despite not being traditional guards. The athleticism and defensive gap is real however. Players who are able to guard as many positions as Ben don’t come into the NBA very often. I think Doncic will be the better shooter between the two but I don’t think he’ll have as much overall impact as Simmons. He’s incredibly unique and still has upside which is frightening.

Playoff appearances are also profitable.

Yep. Systems aren’t magic. The defenses are too good in the playoffs for a team with a platoon of solid players in a good system having the ability to win the whole thing. Lead dogs are still needed. There is a reason why tanking has been prevalent in the NBA for decades.

5-8 pick here we come.

Clowns

If you build the right core, Atlanta will be an attractive destination to coaches if Bud leaves. The perception of this team essentially rests on Schlenk’s shoulders. Draft well and we become a free agent destination while also being appealing to coaching circles. Draft terribly and we’re screwed with or without Bud. Bud is important but nailing the draft can change everything for the better.

I said this a while back but it’s a very good sign that Schlenk hit on two players in his first draft. If his drafting is the real deal, it could be what makes this team a legit contender in the future. Good drafting usually ends up being a catalyst for future success.

Pretty much. Teams with championship potential usually have an offensive anchor and a defensive anchor anchoring their team. It’s a requirement for any team with championship aspirations. A system can only take you so far.