2011 Draft Thread

[slinslin]

There are a lot of interviews on draftexpress.

From what players mentioned the Suns interviewed Kemba Walker and Derrick Williams in the last few days, due dilligence i guess.

 

[slinslin]

Markieff Morris said he didnt interview with the Suns yet. Markieff said he can be a Lamar Odom type.

Marcus Morris said he compares himself to Carmelo Anthony and Paul Pierce.

Tristan Thompson sounded the most well-spoken to me.

 

[slinslin]

impressive, would not shock me to see him at #1 or #2.

 

[Cheesewater]

impressive, would not shock me to see him at #1 or #2.

You were impressed by that? Yikes. Slow as molasses in January. Too low of a release point on some of those shots. Slow, slow, slow.

That clip could've been edited down to about 20 seconds.

Did I mention that he looks SLOW?

 

[slinslin]

He is 6'11 man.. he does not look fast but not slow either but more importantly he looks very fluid and his jumper looks almost flawless imo.

 

[slinslin]

Official Measurements
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/

Here the notables

Tristan Thompson
6'8 3/4 height
9'0 1/2 standing reach

Tobias Harris
6'7 3/4 height
8'7 1/2 standing reach

Nikola Vucevic
6'11 3/4 height
7'4 1/2 standing reach

Marcus Morris
6'8 3/4 height
8'9 1/2

Markieff Morris
6'9 1/2
8'10 1/2

Kenneth Farried
6'7 1/2
9'

Kemba Walker
6'1
7'7 1/2

Kawhi Leonard
6'7
8'10

Josh Selby
6'3
8'2

Jeremy Tyler
6'10 1/2
9'2 1/2

Derrick Williams
6'8 3/4
9'

Alec Burks
6'6
8'7 1/2

Darius Morris
6'5 1/4
8'6

Enes Kanter
6'11 1/4
9'1 1/2

Thoughts:
Tobias Harris is extremely undersized for a PF same for Farried and the Morris Twins and also Tristan Thompson.
Darius Morris is almost too big for a full-time PG.
Enes Kanter is a legit center prospect at almost 7' and 18 years old and 259lbs.
Josh Selby and Kemba Walker did well considering people claimed Selby would be 6'1 and Kemba under 5'11.
Jeremy Tyler has perfect measurables plus athleticism for a Power Forward (small center). At almost 6'11 260lbs and 19 years old.


Jeremy Tyler -> F/C
Nikola Vucevic -> C
Bismack Biyombo -> PF
Donatas Motiejunas -> PF
Jonas Valanciunas -> C
Enes Kanter -> F/C

That is it, everyone else is undersized as a 4 save some scrubby 2nd round picks or very late first round pick seniors.

---------

Selby and Tyler and I would be extremely happy. The top 2 highschool players in their class, based on talent they should be lottery picks but won't. Worth to gamble on.

 

[overseascardfan]

I think the pick is the best big man available at #13. There is no denying that the need for a PF outweighs the need a G, possible candidates:

PF Bismack Biyombo - Extremely raw, little offensive game. NBA ready defense.

PF Markieff Morris - Does everything well but does not stand out in any one area.

PF Trey Thompkins - True PF with offensive skills, should be a better rebounder, not explosive athlete. Questionable drive.

C Jordan Williams - Big, thick C that can control the paint with his size. Great rebounder, needs to work on conditioning.

I think one of these guys will be the pick, but none will replace Amare or get this team into the playoffs. PHX needs to get some FA's when lockout ends to really help this team or consider trading Nash and rebuild.

 

[slinslin]

Thompkins is a late first rounder at best.

Jordan Williams is the same.

Markieff Morris is undersized. I wouldn't get this pick at all. That pick reeks Earl Clark.

Biyombo won't be available.

Need for position should be no factor for us, we need the BPA. Anyone who seriously expects whoever we pick to be a starter that really makes a difference for us before the Nash era is officially over is dreaming anyway.

BPA all the way. Or lets say combination of BPA/Potential, we really should take a chance at players who have a chance to be more than a role player in the NBA because we have more than enough role players already.

 

[SirStefan32]

I have to agree with Slin on this one. You just pick the best player available in this situation.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think best player available is debatable. If the talent level between players is negligible, you draft for need. The only time you have to draft for best player available is if the talent level between that player and the player you might really need has a big gap.

The question is, if the Suns stick at #13, is there really that big a difference between the players that will be available? Unless, someone falls unexpectedly, my guess the answer to that will be no.

 

[overseascardfan]

Thompkins is a late first rounder at best.

Jordan Williams is the same.

Markieff Morris is undersized. I wouldn't get this pick at all. That pick reeks Earl Clark.

Biyombo won't be available.

Need for position should be no factor for us, we need the BPA. Anyone who seriously expects whoever we pick to be a starter that really makes a difference for us before the Nash era is officially over is dreaming anyway.

BPA all the way. Or lets say combination of BPA/Potential, we really should take a chance at players who have a chance to be more than a role player in the NBA because we have more than enough role players already.

Yet you think Jeremy Tyler is a candidate at #13, please. I know that Thompkins and Williams are late 1st rounders but we don't have the ORL pick or a second rounder so we would have to consider them at #13. There really is no other player that will help, the good PG's are gone by #13 and we are loaded at SG/SF. NBA Draft Net has Biyombo sliding to us, may not happen but he could slide.

 

[slinslin]

I don't want Tyler at #13 but I would take him at #20 easily.

He has way better measurables than those guys, was the highest rated junior in highschool before he went to Israel.

I would hate if we passed on him because of someone who has no chance to be more than a role player to begin with.

 

[overseascardfan]

I don't want Tyler at #13 but I would take him at #20 easily.

He has way better measurables than those guys, was the highest rated junior in highschool before he went to Israel.

I would hate if we passed on him because of someone who has no chance to be more than a role player to begin with.

Then the problem is how do you get to #20, this isn't a draft where teams will be looking to move up when they can just sit back and wait for their guy unless they are trying to get Williams or Irving.

 

[slinslin]

Usually there are a few teams who will be willing to sell picks in that range for just cash.

Was posted on DX a while ago that teams couldn't get a bag of chips for the late first round picks.

 

[PhxGametime]

Chris Singleton measured well and is probably the best defender available at #13 - maybe as good defender in the Draft. Can play the 3-4 and puts up numbers across the board ala the Marion's, Josh Smith's, etc. of the NBA. Will more than likely have impressive combine results, as well.


Not the post-up player the Suns are hoping for that can command double teams but good luck finding a post player with those traits at #13.


Jordan Hamilton measured at 6'8.5 (I believe) which would be Joe Johnson like at the 2 position - although he has short arms lol but he is a top notch scorer/shooter... that can create.

 

[PhxGametime]

For those who watched but is the ESPN video of the Combine today, 4 hours like yesterday's was??

 

[AzStevenCal]

For those who watched but is the ESPN video of the Combine today, 4 hours like yesterday's was??

Yeah, it was 4 hours today and then NBA channel replayed the 4 hour block. Silly me, I recorded both without realizing it was a repeat.

Steve

 

[slinslin]

Jordan Hamilton measured at 6'8.5 (I believe) which would be Joe Johnson like at the 2 position - although he has short arms lol but he is a top notch scorer/shooter... that can create.

Hamilton was billed as a SF before and had many doubters concerning that he could play the 2. He is stricly a 3 in the NBA I don't see any of Joe Johnsons all-around skills in him and even JJ is just 6'8 barely.

 

[PhxGametime]

Alec Burks, Jan Vesely, Bismack Biyombo, Tristan Thompson, Jordan Hamilton, Chris Singleton, Kawhi Leonard, Marshon Brooks, Reggie Jackson, Josh Selby, Tyler Honeycutt, JaJuan Johnson, Nikola Vucevic, Trey Thompkins, Justin Harper, Darius Morris, Nolan Smith, etc.


- there will be some decent, not great but talent available at #13. Nikola Vucevic USC: will probably slide up Draftboards... a 6'11.75 - 260 lbs Prospect making 29 collegiate 3PTers. I want to see the combine results first but he could make a big jump up; and he can post up and pass. Some stretch 4's also with Harper, Thompkins, Johnson, Leuer, (possibly Benson), etc. If you think like the Suns do heh

 

[PhxGametime]

Jordan Hamilton PTS 18.6 REB 7.7 AST 2.1 and a great 3PT shooter... JJ might of had slightly better numbers in assists but some Teams feel he can play the 2, and if Jared Dudley can play the 2 on the Suns...

 

[PhxGametime]

Man, I skipped Travis Leslie on my #719 post!!

 

[BC867]

Teams feel he can play the 2, and if Jared Dudley can play the 2 on the Suns...

I feel that, in drafting for our unsettled positions, Dudley at Shooting Guard night after night gives us more than Frye, Warrick, Pietrus or Lopez at their positions in the rotation.

A backup Center or a starting or backup Power Forward (depending on if the Suns are not married to Frye starting) seem to be our most urgent needs.

A starting Point Guard would move to the top if Steve goes elsewhere. If he stays, it's useless to bring in yet another one to try to fit into his game.

 

[overseascardfan]

Its a shame we don't have a bunch of 2nd rounders, there is going to be some talent available that I would love to see PHX to take a chance on:

PF Jamie Skeen - Burst onto the scene during the tournament

PF Justin Harper - Will probably sneek into 1st round, stronger Austin Daye

C Keith Benson - Needs to get stronger but very athletic shot blocker

Others:

C Greg Smith
PF Vernon Macklin

 

[Folster]

I feel that, in drafting for our unsettled positions, Dudley at Shooting Guard night after night gives us more than Frye, Warrick, Pietrus or Lopez at their positions in the rotation.

A backup Center or a starting or backup Power Forward (depending on if the Suns are not married to Frye starting) seem to be our most urgent needs.

A starting Point Guard would move to the top if Steve goes elsewhere. If he stays, it's useless to bring in yet another one to try to fit into his game.

I'm of the opinion like many here that we should draft the most dynamic/potentially dynamic player regardless of position. Our young pieces of Dudley, Frye and Gortat, individually are all capable of being starters on a playoff team, but all three cannot be starters together on the same team if you are trying to contend. Dudley needs to be paired with a more athletic wing player who can create his own shot. Frye would excel next to a center like D. Howard. While Gortat needs to paired with a Stoudemire-like power forward.

When looking for dynamic wing players, I think the most important skill is ball handling. Ball handling is the keys to the Ferrari so to speak. You can have all the skills in the world, but if you can't handle the ball, you won't be able to create your own shot and will be dependent on a distributor to get you the ball. Ball handling sets the Wade's and James' apart from athletic freaks like Marion or spot-up shooters like Ray Allen. Alec Burks seems to be the best ball-handling wing in the draft.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm of the opinion like many here that we should draft the most dynamic/potentially dynamic player regardless of position. Our young pieces of Dudley, Frye and Gortat, individually are all capable of being starters on a playoff team, but all three cannot be starters together on the same team if you are trying to contend. Dudley needs to be paired with a more athletic wing player who can create his own shot. Frye would excel next to a center like D. Howard. While Gortat needs to paired with a Stoudemire-like power forward.

When looking for dynamic wing players, I think the most important skill is ball handling. Ball handling is the keys to the Ferrari so to speak. You can have all the skills in the world, but if you can't handle the ball, you won't be able to create your own shot and will be dependent on a distributor to get you the ball. Ball handling sets the Wade's and James' apart from athletic freaks like Marion or spot-up shooters like Ray Allen. Alec Burks seems to be the best ball-handling wing in the draft.

Absolutely agree. And, as far as ball handling goes, can we get someone who already knows to shorten his dribble when he gets into traffic? It would be nice if Burks is still around at 13 but I suspect he's gone by then.

Steve