DRAFT: #18 [Green] & #31 [Terry] & trade for #36 [Tyler Bey]

[khaled1987]

Can we stop with the Doncic-Pokusevski comparisations. One was euroleague MVP and the other has played two games without making a single FG.

Well as long as others pretend that every college junior/senior becomes an immediate 3&D wing contributor (on a contender), because Thybulle and Clarke (who is even older than a normal college senior) are not the norm for that either. I for example don´t want to spend a pick on a 21 year old 270 pound center that committs 2.5 TOPG, while playing catch and dunk, and shoots 44% from the FT line.

I wouldn´t use the 18th pick on Azubuike but the 31th? Without thinking twice. Being 21 is a problem? I guess the Mavs shouldn´t have picked Brunson who was a year older when he was drafted. Why exactly is the weight a problem? It´s an advantage as long as he is able to move as quickly as he does.
There are probably worse options than a center that averaged the highest FG% in NCAA history and lead his team to a 28-3 record. Not to mention that he was named NABC defensive player of the year and Big 12 player of the year.

I am not saying that Pokusevski isn´t a good prospect or that the Mavs shouldn´t pick other euros. I am just not buying the Doncic comparisations. Or in case of bigman the Dirk comparisations. There is a difference between a can´t miss talent like Luka (the best player in europe when he was drafted) and a prospect that just finished his first real pro season. Only playing limited minutes and barely against the best opponents (euro league).
Those kind of prospects are hit or miss. For every Dirk, KP or Giannis we have Bender, Hezonja or Vesely.
As you pointed out the same applies for NCAA players. The location doesn´t really matter. It´s all about talent evaluation. The Mavs are among the best in the league when it comes to oversea scouting so I trust them to make the right call on a player like Pokusevski.
To sum it up. Is Pokusevski NBA ready? I don´t know but his coaches in europe did not think that he was ready for a starting role or big minutes in greece national competitions or the euro league. Is he worth it as a longtime project? I don´t know but I hope that the responsible decision makers do.