2011 Draft Thread

[jagu]

Nash averaged 4 assists during his college career. Fredette averages 4 in his last 3 seasons.

Nash eventually became one of the greatest passers in the history of the NBA.

Fredette won't be nearly as good a passer as Nash has become. NO ONE will. But he can still be a decent passer and a good future PG for us. Especially if we keep Nash cause Jimmer could learn a lot from him.

And Thompkins is one of the few PFs that have the skill and the size to be a big man in the NBA. Mostly every other PF is very undersized. With his shooting range, and ability to finish at the rim, he'd be perfect for us.

What about +/- statistics? How does Fredette compare to Nash?

 

[sunsfan88]

What about +/- statistics? How does Fredette compare to Nash?

Is that really important?

 

[Chaplin]

What about +/- statistics? How does Fredette compare to Nash?

This must be sarcasm. Nash plays with a completely different class of player than Fredette does. People are starting to compare him to Steve Nash when they should be comparing him to Eddie House.

 

[sunsfan88]

We need to draft anything, we have no position set for the future at all.

Gortat disagrees.

 

[sunsfan88]

This must be sarcasm. Nash plays with a completely different class of player than Fredette does. People are starting to compare him to Steve Nash when they should be comparing him to Eddie House.

FYI I'm not comparing him to Nash. I already said he will not even be close to as good as Nash is.

But I still think he can be a good PG for us. He's way better than Eddie House IMO.

 

[slinslin]

Fredettes game won't translate to the NBA where he won't get his shot off like that.

I'd be incredibly disapointed if we took him with our own pick and probably be with Orlando's pick as well.

Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight those 3 are definately going to be better PGs in my opinion. Two of these are freshmen and Fredette is a Senior already.

I don't even think that Fredette is the best senior PG. That would be Nolan Smith.

 

[mojorizen7]

A few things I don't want to see out of the draft no matter where and who we draft.

No offensive only minded players.

No undersized Forwards or Centers will struggle as tweeners in the NBA.

No more underachieving rebounding big men. We have had enough.

+1
I also dont want to see us chase after another PG who dominates the ball....either as a scorer or as a facilitator. We need a stronger PG who can first and foremost defend all these elite PG's who are dynamic scorers, and stop penetration at the point of attack. Basically disrupt the other teams offense. It would be ideal if he could run an offense too LOL......but through a bigman.....preferably a dominant PF,which is where the Suns should be looking when it comes time to draft in the next couple of years.

We can get defensive-minded PG's that are suitable facilitator's late in the 1st rd,as well as the 2nd rd. Rajon Rondo is the perfect PG for the type of team i'd love to build. He's obviously the exception rather than the norm(in terms of bargain talent),but these guys who aren't flashy passers and scorers can slip through the cracks IMO.

Suns need to think PF and SG though. Players that demand the ball and can score in a variety of ways, but aren't marshmellows defensively. They dont have be NBA All Defensive guys....we need to be strongest defensively both at the POA and at the rim anyway.

I dont watch college ball so i have very little knowledge of who these guys are. I have been trying to read up a little lately though.....
Mouphtaou Yarou(Villanova) has caught my attention already. 20 yrs old 6'10" 250lbs
An intelligent kid,with physical upside and is developing as a player who can play on both ends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgwyxPvM8s

Having said all that....im quite positive the Suns are thinking the exact opposite. They'll look for scorers and speed with little regard for ye ole dfence and toughness.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Fredettes game won't translate to the NBA where he won't get his shot off like that.

I'd be incredibly disapointed if we took him with our own pick and probably be with Orlando's pick as well.

Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight those 3 are definately going to be better PGs in my opinion. Two of these are freshmen and Fredette is a Senior already.

I don't even think that Fredette is the best senior PG. That would be Nolan Smith.

You could well be right about the first part of that sentence. His size will work against him and players like that typically fail in the NBA. That said, I do disagree with the second part of your comment. I think he can create his own shot at the next level. He might lose a shot or two from his repertoire (especially his mid-range game) but he is deceptively quick and needs very little room or time to put one up.

Whether that will be enough to offset his obvious defensive shortcomings at this level remains to be seen. I wanted him when I thought he had a chance of slipping to the 2nd round but those days are gone. I don't see him making the transition to point guard and it's hard to hide a 6-2 guard on defense. I'd pass on him but if he can land in Miami, San Antonio or someplace like that he can have a tremendous impact as a specialist.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

If just two areas could be addressed in the upcoming draft it should be PF and PG. I'd like to see the Suns address at least one of these needs before the draft so they can be more flexible.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If just two areas could be addressed in the upcoming draft it should be PF and PG. I'd like to see the Suns address at least one of these needs before the draft so they can be more flexible.

I'd agree that PF and PG are our two most glaring positional needs. However, our biggest need (IMO) is for a dominant scorer, regardless of position - followed closely by a strong 2-way power forward. I haven't written Dragic off although I've pretty much written him off for this season. Once this season ends, I'd sign him up for a brutal 2 month regimen of rest and inactivity. I doubt he's the PG of the future but there's no reason he can't be a much more effective backup than he's shown this season.

I'd rank our wants like this:

1. Superstar wing player
2. Rock-solid Power Forward
3. A young Jason Kidd with a jumper
4. A backup center that can also play at the 4 spot.
5. Mark Cuban's younger, smarter, richer brother as our new owner.

Looking over my list, 2 things come to mind. The first is, hey cool, we only need 5 things in order to be a contender and the second thing is I clearly lied about the order.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd agree that PF and PG are our two most glaring positional needs. However, our biggest need (IMO) is for a dominant scorer, regardless of position - followed closely by a strong 2-way power forward. I haven't written Dragic off although I've pretty much written him off for this season. Once this season ends, I'd sign him up for a brutal 2 month regimen of rest and inactivity. I doubt he's the PG of the future but there's no reason he can't be a much more effective backup than he's shown this season.

I'd rank our wants like this:

1. Superstar wing player
2. Rock-solid Power Forward
3. A young Jason Kidd with a jumper
4. A backup center that can also play at the 4 spot.
5. Mark Cuban's younger, smarter, richer brother as our new owner.

Looking over my list, 2 things come to mind. The first is, hey cool, we only need 5 things in order to be a contender and the second thing is I clearly lied about the order.

Steve

I like your 1-5 wants list. Most teams need at least a few off the list to win a championship.

A couple of comments. I think if the Suns had a decent backup distributing PG that alone would get the them in the playoffs. Dragic equals a lesser version of Barbosa both neither a 1 or a 2. I think a creditable backup PG (with upside potential) is more easily obtainable than a quality PF/C. However, I'm not thinking the playoffs should be the Suns goal.

As we agree the Suns do need a PF/C but the Suns are going to have to be very lucky to get one in the draft... at least one that is going to be an immediate difference maker. The Suns will probably have to draft one and hope he develops.

I think finding a dominant scorer can be the easiest to find. There seems to be plenty of players around the league that can shoot or score the ball if other deficiencies are ignored. I'm not discounting the Suns need to replace a scorer like VC (or JRich) but it is behind the first two needs, a PG and a PF/C.

Let me add a caveat. The Suns should never bypass a potential budding star in the draft regardless of position.

 

[Chaplin]

FYI I'm not comparing him to Nash. I already said he will not even be close to as good as Nash is.

But I still think he can be a good PG for us. He's way better than Eddie House IMO.

How do you figure? They're almost the exact same player in college.

 

[overseascardfan]

Doesn't everyone LOVE this mock draft?

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2011/

And then we would be able to get Trey Thompkins with the Orlando pick. Jimmer is soo similar to Nash. People say he doesn't have much athleticism but he gets the job done just like Nash did in Santa Clara. Both are great shooters and can create his own shot & score against anyone. Both were raw passers coming out of 'Clara and Jimmer will be too. But he has GREAT work ethic so IMO he'll become a top passer soon.

There is absolutely no way Thompkins last until #28 let alone #21. We would have to nab him at #13 if he is there. If Nolan Smith is there at #21, I take him.

 

[BC867]

The Suns should never bypass a potential budding star in the draft regardless of position.

Unfortunately, that has been the downfall of the Suns throughout their history.

Obtain the best players available, regardless of their position. Then play the best players, regardless of their position.

I should hope that the Hedo Türkoğlu as Power Forward blunder (as well as a roster overloaded with Wings) ends that practice once and for all.

 

[JCSunsfan]

We should also look at injured superstar-potential-types that we could make an effort at rehabbing. Seems to me that those players could be a low-risk high-return gamble ala Grant Hill.

Oden or Yao anyone?

Brandon Roy would be one to look at too. Portland is ready to do some dealing. Think they would be interested in Roy and Oden for a package that would include Carter and Lopez? Word is in Portland that many think both of their careers are done. Flame away. I have no clue whether that is realistic or not. It just one of those wild ideas trying to think of ways to stockpile young talent cheap.

 

[Mainstreet]

Unfortunately, that has been the downfall of the Suns throughout their history.

Obtain the best players available, regardless of their position. Then play the best players, regardless of their position.

I should hope that the Hedo Türkoğlu as Power Forward blunder (as well as a roster overloaded with Wings) ends that practice once and for all.

If a team drafts the BPA long term, they will either benefit from his skills or he can be used to trade for another player in an area of need. The trouble in recent Suns history, since the Suns drafted Amare, is that they have either sold, traded or blundered in making BPA picks. Also the Suns scouting in recent years has been poor which relates to inferior picks.

 

[sunsfan88]

How do you figure? They're almost the exact same player in college.

Eddie House is a strict 3pt shooter. He can't control a game or run the offense.

But Federette can do that. Of course it will be hard to put up the ridiculous numbers he has right now in the NBA but if he keeps workin hard he can do it.

Federtte can score on anyone. Anyone, I mean anyone.

If he can work on his passing then he'll be real good.

 

[chickenhead]

We should also look at injured superstar-potential-types that we could make an effort at rehabbing. Seems to me that those players could be a low-risk high-return gamble ala Grant Hill.

Oden or Yao anyone?

Brandon Roy would be one to look at too. Portland is ready to do some dealing. Think they would be interested in Roy and Oden for a package that would include Carter and Lopez? Word is in Portland that many think both of their careers are done. Flame away. I have no clue whether that is realistic or not. It just one of those wild ideas trying to think of ways to stockpile young talent cheap.

Because of the Suns history rehabbing players, I am definitely intrigued by the idea. But there's opnly so much even the Suns trainers can do--a mistake could bepretty costly. Still, it's an interesting competitive advantage!

 

[Mainstreet]

We should also look at injured superstar-potential-types that we could make an effort at rehabbing. Seems to me that those players could be a low-risk high-return gamble ala Grant Hill.

Oden or Yao anyone?

Brandon Roy would be one to look at too. Portland is ready to do some dealing. Think they would be interested in Roy and Oden for a package that would include Carter and Lopez? Word is in Portland that many think both of their careers are done. Flame away. I have no clue whether that is realistic or not. It just one of those wild ideas trying to think of ways to stockpile young talent cheap.

I tend to agree with Portland. The injuries to the above players (including Yao) appear substantial and reoccurring. I certainly would not give Portland Lopez. Carter will be gone by next season so it never hurts to talk about him in a trade. Now if we are talking about Aldridge, I'm all ears.

 

[Chaplin]

Here's what I don't get... This has been mentioned on the site recently a few times, but why in the world would Portland entertain any thoughts of trading LaMarcus Aldridge? Even if it's to clear space, wouldn't the space they clear be for acquiring a player such as... LaMarcus Aldridge? It certainly would be for us.

There is no conceivable reason why Portland would trade him. None. It's like the Lakers trading Pau or the Magic trading Dwight Howard.

 

[HooverDam]

There is no conceivable reason why Portland would trade him. None. It's like the Lakers trading Pau or the Magic trading Dwight Howard.

LMA isn't nearly as good as either of those guys. He's a fringe All Star type guy who isn't going to lead a team to much. When the Blazers thought he'd be the 3rd option after Roy and Oden he seemed like a heck of a 3rd option, as the #1 guy though?

Im not saying they're looking to trade him, but to compare him to those other guys is odd to me.

We should also look at injured superstar-potential-types that we could make an effort at rehabbing. Seems to me that those players could be a low-risk high-return gamble ala Grant Hill.

Oden or Yao anyone?

Brandon Roy would be one to look at too. Portland is ready to do some dealing. Think they would be interested in Roy and Oden for a package that would include Carter and Lopez? Word is in Portland that many think both of their careers are done. Flame away. I have no clue whether that is realistic or not. It just one of those wild ideas trying to think of ways to stockpile young talent cheap.

You don't want to take back Brandon Roys contract on a hope that the Suns staff might be able to rehab him. He's got two big years left after this one and a player option he'll surely take.

Oden on the other hand I'd be VERY interested in if Portland has indeed given up on him. I want Gortat starting but Oden could be an interesting option off the bench.

 

[Folster]

LMA isn't nearly as good as either of those guys. He's a fringe All Star type guy who isn't going to lead a team to much. When the Blazers thought he'd be the 3rd option after Roy and Oden he seemed like a heck of a 3rd option, as the #1 guy though?

Im not saying they're looking to trade him, but to compare him to those other guys is odd to me.




You don't want to take back Brandon Roys contract on a hope that the Suns staff might be able to rehab him. He's got two big years left after this one and a player option he'll surely take.

Oden on the other hand I'd be VERY interested in if Portland has indeed given up on him. I want Gortat starting but Oden could be an interesting option off the bench.

Portland has or will be extending a qualifying offer, which means Oden will be a restricted free agent. Unless a team severely overpays, the Blazers will match.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Here's what I don't get... This has been mentioned on the site recently a few times, but why in the world would Portland entertain any thoughts of trading LaMarcus Aldridge? Even if it's to clear space, wouldn't the space they clear be for acquiring a player such as... LaMarcus Aldridge? It certainly would be for us.

There is no conceivable reason why Portland would trade him. None. It's like the Lakers trading Pau or the Magic trading Dwight Howard.

This is the type of thing about free agency that baffles me. Teams do trade players away to clear space to sign players that are not really any better than the players they traded away. Well, maybe its more fans suggesting such things. I was thinking in particular of all the calls to clear space by dumping Jason Richardson.

I agree Chap. Why would Portland do this.

 

[JCSunsfan]

LMA isn't nearly as good as either of those guys. He's a fringe All Star type guy who isn't going to lead a team to much. When the Blazers thought he'd be the 3rd option after Roy and Oden he seemed like a heck of a 3rd option, as the #1 guy though?

Im not saying they're looking to trade him, but to compare him to those other guys is odd to me.




You don't want to take back Brandon Roys contract on a hope that the Suns staff might be able to rehab him. He's got two big years left after this one and a player option he'll surely take.

Oden on the other hand I'd be VERY interested in if Portland has indeed given up on him. I want Gortat starting but Oden could be an interesting option off the bench.

If you could get him healthy, either Oden or Gortat could bring you alot back in players and picks toward rebuilding. To tell you the truth, I would be interested in both Oden and Roy.

 

[Chaplin]

LMA isn't nearly as good as either of those guys. He's a fringe All Star type guy who isn't going to lead a team to much. When the Blazers thought he'd be the 3rd option after Roy and Oden he seemed like a heck of a 3rd option, as the #1 guy though?

Im not saying they're looking to trade him, but to compare him to those other guys is odd to me.

Oden has never, and never will be, a 1st option in the NBA. LMA has always been Portland's #2, although this year he's clearly their #1. LMA has never been a #3 in his career.

Sure, his talent level isn't up to DHoward or Pau, but as far as value, he's just as valuable to Portland as those respective players are to their teams. He is by far their franchise guy--a young power forward putting up numbers. They'll never trade that away unless it's for one of the young superstars of the league. It's players like LMA you clear space for if he isn't on your team.