Markelle Fultz

[oldtype]

I do kind of wish this was the year we had a billion first round picks instead of last year, but I'll take that very-likely top 3 pick in a stacked draft and be happy with it nevertheless.

[CelticGuardian]

Whatever happens in this Draft there should be at least 7 teams getting an exciting young player.

And Philly may be getting two.

I can't even begin to sort this draft out at this point.  I am still hoping that Giles comes on and proves to be the real deal and we get him.  We will have another crack at a wing/guard in 2018 (every draft has a few) but we may not have a crack at a top tier big.  You never know but chances at top tier bigs tend to be fewer and farther between than chances at wings/guards.

Yeah Giles coming on strong and proving his injury is a fluke, could make Danny's decision a little easier since a talented big is who we are aiming for anyways. Another guard could mean we'd have to blow up the backcourt, and I don't want to miss out on an amazing player but our backcourt needs seem less immediate ATM. 

I know for a fact Mavs and Sixers are taking guards, Sixers might get lucky enough to nab two of Fultz/Ball/Monk.

[mmmmm]

two keys in your analysis are

'effortless' -- almost as if he is toying with the other players.

'playmaking' -- his play making shows great vision.

I was particularly impressed by the play where he tapped the rebound to his teammate.

Maybe if he'd expend a little more effort and stop "toying" with other players his team wouldn't be losing badly to Yale.

UW suffers from a serious lack of size.

[td450]

I get the general feeling that Boston isnt going to resign IT4 after next season anyway. Fultz steps in as the starting PG for him.

I have no idea where your feeling is coming from, other than a place of misunderstanding.

Currently, the top 10 2017 talent is at point guard, with a few interesting small forwards in the mix.  Giles has shown no signs he's still the elite talent he was pre-injury. The wing players are talented, but no one looks like they have substantially more potential than Jaylen Brown. Do we really want to pick another raw young wing when we have a solid starter and a promising #3 draft choice on the bench?

On the other hand, their are a few point guards that have quite a bit more potential to be two-way superstars, with Fultz leading the pack. He would pair with Bradley perfectly because he's big and long and probably is better suited to covering shooting guards, but should play point on offense. The same is true of Ball, Fox and Ntilikina.

Unless a big man emerges that isn't evident now, we are most likely to select a point guard. So it comes down to what Ainge will be offered for his assets, and that includes both the choice and IT.

We need a home run at some point, and we aren't going to win a title with Isaiah as our best player. The issues with paying him big money well into his 30's have been thoroughly discussed.

The only guy I see us having any chance at trading for that might make us a top tier contender is Cousins, and getting him without gutting the team is a long shot. A player like Jimmy Butler or Gordon Hayward won't get us past Cleveland

Unless we get lucky, the smart play is to build a monster that emerges in 3-4 years, after LeBron returns to earth.

A scenario where Ainge selects Fultz or Ball and trades a package that includes IT is as likely as any.

[tazzmaniac]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games. 

[CelticGuardian]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

I think a lot of these top prospect dudes just don't want to play the extra games like Ben Simmons from last year, especially considering the current collegiate sports climate.

He probably also has people in his circle already convinced that it wouldn't improve his draft stock, especially since he's already in talks for #1 pick. I think we can see enough to say that he is special for his age. Maybe more special-er than Lonzo, who's team will definitely make it there. I think UCLA is winning it all, actually.

[tazzmaniac]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

I think a lot of these top prospect dudes just don't want to play the extra games like Ben Simmons from last year, especially considering the current collegiate sports climate.

He probably also has people in his circle already convinced that it wouldn't improve his draft stock, especially since he's already in talks for #1 pick. I think we can see enough to say that he is special for his age. Maybe more special-er than Lonzo, who's team will definitely make it there. I think UCLA is winning it all, actually.

If top prospects don't want to play for and compete against top teams in the NCAA, they should go overseas and play for a year like Mudiay did.  From a marketing standpoint playing in the Chinese league makes a lot of sense.  Choosing a better Euro league would get them paid and help with their development.   

[saltlover]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

Lorenzo Romar has always been a great recruiter out in Washington.  Not quite sure how, given his results, but Fultz going out there doesn't raise a red flag for me.  Any program that helped produce IT is okay in my book.

[BitterJim]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

I think a lot of these top prospect dudes just don't want to play the extra games like Ben Simmons from last year, especially considering the current collegiate sports climate.

He probably also has people in his circle already convinced that it wouldn't improve his draft stock, especially since he's already in talks for #1 pick. I think we can see enough to say that he is special for his age. Maybe more special-er than Lonzo, who's team will definitely make it there. I think UCLA is winning it all, actually.

If top prospects don't want to play for and compete against top teams in the NCAA, they should go overseas and play for a year like Mudiay did.  From a marketing standpoint playing in the Chinese league makes a lot of sense.  Choosing a better Euro league would get them paid and help with their development.

Moving to a different country, with a totally different culture, and where people speak a different language, for 1 year is a lot to expect from anyone, never mind an 18 year old kid fresh out of high school.  Not to mention how bad the competition in Chinese or lower European leagues is, or how little playing time they'd likely get in top European leagues, or how much more difficult it would be to learn if your coaches are quite literally speaking a different language, or even how much less scouting there is overseas (although that could be good for very high picks).

I'm not saying that going to a lower-tier school instead of a top one is a good decision (it's not), but expecting people to go overseas instead of going to a lower tier NCAA school if they don't want to play at a top school ignores a lot of the factors in play

[Boris Badenov]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

Aren't there 4 top 25 teams in his conference? Including UCLA meaning he will match up against Ball a few times? And other good players/teams?

[CelticGuardian]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

Aren't there 4 top 25 teams in his conference? Including UCLA meaning he will match up against Ball a few times? And other good players/teams?

Yeah, his conference still has serious programs to go up against, his team is just not equipped to make any long runs. I think that's how he might of wanted it and honestly it's a solid plan. Ball out of his mind against these top teams and then while the other top players are worried about tournament runs, Fultz would be getting ready for the draft process and life in the NBA. He has a good agent.

[tazzmaniac]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

Aren't there 4 top 25 teams in his conference? Including UCLA meaning he will match up against Ball a few times? And other good players/teams?

I said play against top talent in meaningful games.  Washington has already played against Gonzaga but it didn't show anything about Fultz since Gonzaga built up a big lead at the start and then went on cruise control.  UCLA is going to obliterate Washington so the Ball/Fultz matchups are going to be anticlimactic. 

[tazzmaniac]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

Lorenzo Romar has always been a great recruiter out in Washington.  Not quite sure how, given his results, but Fultz going out there doesn't raise a red flag for me.  Any program that helped produce IT is okay in my book.

It is not a red flag but it is a negative in my book.  Even if it is only from a player development standpoint.  During his pre-draft interviews, I definitely ask why he chose Washington. 

[Boris Badenov]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

Aren't there 4 top 25 teams in his conference? Including UCLA meaning he will match up against Ball a few times? And other good players/teams?

Yeah, his conference still has serious programs to go up against, his team is just not equipped to make any long runs. I think that's how he might of wanted it and honestly it's a solid plan. Ball out of his mind against these top teams and then while the other top players are worried about tournament runs, Fultz would be getting ready for the draft process and life in the NBA. He has a good agent.

If this is true, then it could be real trouble for the one-and-done model.

I was reading just today about some NCAAF players who are sitting out their bowl games. I think there the injury risk is higher but it's a similar line of reasoning. Either way the best players sit out the highest-profile college championship games.

[oldtype]

At this point, Fultz is the clear #1 but not by a large margin.  I could see Jackson, Tatum and Giles possibly going ahead of him.  I don't see any of the other PGs doing so. 

My biggest issue with Fultz is that he grew up in ACC country but chose to go West to play for a mediocre program and mediocre coach.  Just like Simmons last year he basically threw away a year of development.  Very unlikely that we'll get to see him play against top talent in meaningful games.

Aren't there 4 top 25 teams in his conference? Including UCLA meaning he will match up against Ball a few times? And other good players/teams?

Yeah, his conference still has serious programs to go up against, his team is just not equipped to make any long runs. I think that's how he might of wanted it and honestly it's a solid plan. Ball out of his mind against these top teams and then while the other top players are worried about tournament runs, Fultz would be getting ready for the draft process and life in the NBA. He has a good agent.

If this is true, then it could be real trouble for the one-and-done model.

I was reading just today about some NCAAF players who are sitting out their bowl games. I think there the injury risk is higher but it's a similar line of reasoning. Either way the best players sit out the highest-profile college championship games.

If this trend of deliberately trying to sit out the big competitive games exposes the ridiculousness of college athletics, that's a good thing imo.  If you can play in the NBA straight out of high school  you should be allowed to do so.  College should be for players who need the development or just straight up can't play at the NBA level.