2011 Draft Thread

[Mainstreet]

I never watched the Magic play that much. Did they ever seriously try playing Gortat at PF beside Howard? That would be a serious load for an opponent to handle. I think Gortat has the skills to play PF.

 

[Covert Rain]

I never watched the Magic play that much. Did they ever seriously try playing Gortat at PF beside Howard? That would be a serious load for an opponent to handle. I think Gortat has the skills to play PF.

I don't. He is not fast enough. He could not guard the likes of Dirk, Bosh, Gasol, Randolph and stat for example for anything other a short stint.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't. He is not fast enough. He could not guard the likes of Dirk, Bosh, Gasol, Randolph and stat for example for anything other a short stint.

Well, a lot of PFs have trouble guarding these players. The coin flips both ways. Gortat could pose a difficult match-up on offense for these players . Also Dirk, Bosh and Gasol probably have the speed to even play SF. That is what makes them so good at PF.

Regardless, the Magic potentially had a two-headed monster. I was trying to get both on the court at the same time. The same dilemma could happen here in Phoenix if the light turns on for Lopez or the Suns somehow latch onto a another young center. I don't know why I have the Magic on my mind other than they should have been better.

 

[Covert Rain]

Well, a lot of PFs have trouble guarding these players. The coin flips both ways. Gortat could pose a difficult match-up on offense for these players . Also Dirk, Bosh and Gasol probably have the speed to even play SF. That is what makes them so good at PF.

Regardless, the Magic potentially had a two-headed monster. I was trying to get both on the court at the same time. The same dilemma could happen here in Phoenix if the light turns on for Lopez or the Suns somehow latch onto a another young center. I don't know why I have the Magic on my mind other than they should have been better.

Even if you try and put Gortat on a PF on the defensive end doesn't mean the opposing team will do the same. As soon as the Suns go on offense, they could simply put their Center on Gortat and let their PF cover Lopez since he is no kind of threat either on the scoring end or on the boards. Neither Lopez or some rookie will ever amount to "the other head".

 

[PhxGametime]

Arizonasports.com is linked to Ktar 620 Sports, right?? because there is mention of Suns adding PG in Draft (Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette were mentioned, etc.)... at that site.


The Suns would still need a PF but if they Draft a Point; Aaron Brooks or Steve Nash could become Trade bait. Vince Carter possibly, as well. Not sure what PF's would be available though??

 

[Griffin]

Arizonasports.com is linked to Ktar 620 Sports, right?? because there is mention of Suns adding PG in Draft (Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette were mentioned, etc.)... at that site.


The Suns would still need a PF but if they Draft a Point; Aaron Brooks or Steve Nash could become Trade bait. Vince Carter possibly, as well. Not sure what PF's would be available though??

I don't believe that the Suns will explore moving Nash unless Nash asks them to. So, if they were to draft a PG it would be someone to take over for him in a year or two. Not necessarily a bad idea, but I don't really like the PG who will likely be available at 13. Especially not Fredette. And since the Suns also have other more pressing needs like SG and PF, I think they should take the best player available who can fill either of those positions and not focus on drafting a PG.

And Brooks can't be traded unless the Suns do a sign-and-trade with him, but I don't know if he'll have many takers willing to give up any assets for him.

 

[devilalum]

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

No kidding! My 10 year old son has mastered this concept.

 

[devilalum]

Arizonasports.com is linked to Ktar 620 Sports, right?? because there is mention of Suns adding PG in Draft (Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette were mentioned, etc.)... at that site.


The Suns would still need a PF but if they Draft a Point; Aaron Brooks or Steve Nash could become Trade bait. Vince Carter possibly, as well. Not sure what PF's would be available though??

The Brooks trade is going to come back to haunt the Suns. It was all about adding a piece that would get them into the playoffs. Now its just about waiting to find out what kind of pick we lose down the road to the Rockets.

I guess if the Suns intended to trade Nash Brooks would be a better stop gap than Dragic but the Suns keep saying they will not trade Nash.

 

[devilalum]

Is there anybody here that could provide a comparison of Fredette to Nash when he first came out of Santa Clara?

 

[Superbone]

Here's an article that attempts to compare the two:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/495806-2011-nba-draft-is-byus-jimmer-fredette-the-next-steve-nash

 

[Magnus]

I'd most like to se Byombo get drafted, if he doesn't already go until 13th.

Hence, most probably, we'll get Fredette, which really would be a step forward. Only problem is that the team is on the edge of a cliff.

You get the idea.

 

[asuhoopsnut]

I'd most like to se Byombo get drafted, if he doesn't already go until 13th.

Hence, most probably, we'll get Fredette, which really would be a step forward. Only problem is that the team is on the edge of a cliff.

You get the idea.

I doubt that Fredette becomes a Sun. Majerle has been quoted several times that he does not feel that Jimmer's game translates to the professional level.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I doubt that Fredette becomes a Sun. Majerle has been quoted several times that he does not feel that Jimmer's skills translate to the professional level.

These Suns are changing. There was a day when shooting was the most coveted characteristic of any Suns draft pick, and the inability to shoot made a player absolutely undesirable.

 

[Superbone]

I doubt that Fredette becomes a Sun. Majerle has been quoted several times that he does not feel that Jimmer's game translates to the professional level.

That's interesting. I hadn't heard that from Majerle.

 

[asuhoopsnut]

That's interesting. I hadn't heard that from Majerle.

Heard it this morning on the morning show on KTAR. I have also heard it a couple of other times when Majerle has been interviewed.

 

[asuhoopsnut]

Here is an article from arizonasports.com. He quoted excerpts from this morning's interview with Majerle. Actually, Majerle was a little nicer about Fredettes chances compared to the last time I heard him talk about Jimmer during March Madness. He is not a big fan and would not be a supporter for him joining the Suns.

arizonasports.com/?nid=41&sid=1417788

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'd most like to se Byombo get drafted, if he doesn't already go until 13th.

Hence, most probably, we'll get Fredette, which really would be a step forward. Only problem is that the team is on the edge of a cliff.

You get the idea.

Biyombo is 6-9 with a 7-7 wingspan and he's 18. His agents supposedly have bone scans to prove his age. He is 240 with 4% body fat. To put it in perspective, Oliver Miller was 6-8 with a 7-4 wing span. He had plenty of size to play NBA center. That wingspan make him effectively a 7-1 player. He is cat quick, intense (compared to Garnett and Noah) and extremely intelligent (speaks 5 languages). While his offensive skills are not there yet, defensively he is considered NBA ready. Watching him play at the Nike Summit, he displayed a spin move with Amare-like quickness. With the intelligence and physical tools, it is likely that he will develop that offensive game pretty quickly.

I want this guy and I would trade up to get him.

 

[Superbone]

Here is an article from arizonasports.com. He quoted excerpts from this morning's interview with Majerle. Actually, Majerle was a little nicer about Fredettes chances compared to the last time I heard him talk about Jimmer during March Madness. He is not a big fan and would not be a supporter for him joining the Suns.

arizonasports.com/?nid=41&sid=1417788

Thanks for the link. The audio is linked there too. It was a good listen.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Biyombo is 6-9 with a 7-7 wingspan and he's 18. His agents supposedly have bone scans to prove his age. He is 240 with 4% body fat. To put it in perspective, Oliver Miller was 6-8 with a 7-4 wing span. He had plenty of size to play NBA center. That wingspan make him effectively a 7-1 player. He is cat quick, intense (compared to Garnett and Noah) and extremely intelligent (speaks 5 languages). While his offensive skills are not there yet, defensively he is considered NBA ready. Watching him play at the Nike Summit, he displayed a spin move with Amare-like quickness. With the intelligence and physical tools, it is likely that he will develop that offensive game pretty quickly.

I want this guy and I would trade up to get him.

He's unpolished but honestly, if I had the first pick and no good trade offers, he'd be my first choice. Acquiring him might just be out of our reach.

Steve

 

[Errntknght]

I don't see the problem with Fredette... well, 'Jimmer' is a weird name but beyond that. As a shooter he doesn't have a flaw - a pure stroke with a very fast release, he can shoot from anywhere on the floor, pull up at any range. Close in he takes contact and stays under control, and is creative as Hell. One of the very few guys I've ever seen with a great step back shot from 3 point range. That kind of shooting translates perfectly to the NBA.

He's no slouch at getting himself open either - offensively he has terrific lateral movement, a good first step and surprisingly good elevation. You don't get him off his shot with a nudge or a bump.

 

[BC867]

I don't see the problem with Fredette... That kind of shooting translates perfectly to the NBA.

If he's takes over Steve Nash's job, he's not a Point Guard.

If he plays alongside Nash, it would be a _isaster (no D).

Fredette is projected to be a sub. As a starter, it might work if he played alongside a Point Guard who is big and with skills on defense.

Therein is the problem. If we use our draft on him, it's just more of the same one-dimensional small-ball that has haunted the Suns through most of their history.

 

[Irish]

I've been away. I can't even get through the 50 pages of this topic. Since I am reacting to posts made 20 0r 30 PAGES back, I'll assume everything I am writing about has been discussed.

1. I DOUBT NASH HAS MUCH TRADE VALUE: Maybe after his contract runs out, but I doubt it. The top teams are all fixated on defense, so why di they want Nash?

2. WHY IS THERE SO MUCH INTEREST IN TRADING Gortat? It took pure dumb luck to get him in the first place unless someone believes they traded for Hedo just to be able to trade him.

3. I am puzzled by the number of people who want to unload Fry. He was one of the most improved players on the team for most of the season. I personally want him to come off the bench, but when healthy he did a good job.

4. It is not only the fans that seem to think that Brooks was a big disappointment. What remains at isssue is whether Books will return to his performance leveal of 2009-10 when he was with the Rockets and before injuring his ankles. In any case, Dragic had a very poor assist to turnover ratio and Books was just under a 2 to 1 ratio of assists to turnover dispite being new to the offense.

5. I'm not surprised that a lot of people want to unload Lopez. I have noted that Lopez seemed to be better in 2009-10 than last season. I suspect that he did not do serious weight training last summer due to his back issues. IMHO, he will get another chance, though he may never be as good as his brother.

6. I disagreed with Warrick signing last summer and still think it was a blunder. I hope they have outline a traing program for him to improve his strength and defensive skills I don't see much interest in him right.

7. Of all the wings, I expect Pietrus will attract the most attention because he has an epiring contract. Given a choice, I like Pietrus more than Childress, but even with a strong close to last season, I expect he is still not hightly valued, especially with the terrible season start.

8. The trio of Lawal, Collins, and Silar will be given a chance to make the roster. I expect the draft will tell us if they are going to arround.

 

[Magnus]

Yes, I completely agree with you. Just to explain a bit more:

1. Trading nash anywhere but to a contender would seem pointless, and I doubt he'd want to go either. From contending teams, I can see Miami and Dallas could use a PG like Nash, but... Unlikely


2. The main person that wants to unload Gortat is slinsin, probably the only one too. But he mentions it numerous times, so it seems like a lot of people think this.

His point is that Gortat is the only Suns player with value right now, and we should trade him for picks to get potentially more value in the future. I don't really agree, bigs like Gortat are hard to find, and trading for picks isn't really a guarantee for anything. For all it's worth, it could make things worse.

3. The general consensus is indeed that Frye improved a lot, but he still should be a bench player. If he gets it rolling, his impact from the perimeter is huge. But if he doesn't, the team should have other options to replace him.

4. I've still got faith in Brooks. I'd give him 1 more chance, and then see what happens.

5. Lopez is still way too insecure. He needs to mature. He needs to lose the haircut . Most of all, he needs to get in touch with his dark side, heh. Show some anger, some emotion, anything. Hate the enemy a bit. So far most of the time his favorite expression is cluelessness (if that's a word lol). I think he will be an excellent center when he turns 30. Just not now.

6. I'm afraid Warrick is just a bad decision maker. It is not easy to change that around via training. He likes to dunk and that's about it. He doesn't understand defense well at all.

7. I like Pietrus too, he seems like a laid back dude and a fun guy, and those types of people really do well for the team, as in keeping them all together, and keeping the team spirit up.
However, that is all nuliffied if he can't produce on the court. And he is indeed a streaky shooter. He should come off the bench, and try to be a sniper on offense and bring up his defense to the fullest.

8. I don't think Lawal will ever emerge to anything more than a really unimportant piece on the roster but one can hope. Maybe he reads this and does it just to prove me wrong hah
Siler is still too slow for the NBA. Even though, I'd give him more chance than Lopez right now.

 

[JCSunsfan]

If he's takes over Steve Nash's job, he's not a Point Guard.

.

I don't understand this comment. He played pg his entire senior year. He distributed very well considering he was also his team's primary offensive threat. His skills are very similar to Steve Nash's. He doesn't have the same level of passing creativity, but who does. Steve didn't when he was drafted.

The key to JImmer's nba success will be the system he lands in. If he goes to the Knicks, he will do very well.

 

[Mainstreet]

8. Lawal certainly works as a backup, but still, Brooks is a better version of him. Brooks is faster, has more expirience.

I didn't understand the above comment. I'm not sure if Brooks is tall enough to even regularly start at PG much less play PF.

Seriously I enjoyed reading posts by Irish and Magnus.

I found the article written by Paul Coro at azcentral dated 5-24-11 rather bleak or perhaps it is my mood. In the dark recesses of my mind I wonder if the Suns just wanted to get rid of Dragic's contract for this upcoming season and they will end up letting Brooks walk. I don't buy late first round picks need be long shots especially in this draft. Perhaps if the Suns had hired a better scout and left the GM position vacant they would be better off. IMO, Coro was certainly not trying to build any excitement for the 13th pick in the draft.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/129226