2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[ColdPickleNachos]

I maintain, Bamba scares me. Yeah, he can block shots but the guy is a rail and I don't see explosiveness or much skill in his game, instead he's just really really tall and long. Maybe he becomes another Rudy Gobert but when I watch him all I can think of is Hasheem Thabeet.

He seems plenty explosive to me. He's a quick jumper with amazing timing on blocks to go with freakish dimensions. I don't see Thabeet in any way. Thabeet was lumbering, whereas Bamba has forward speed. Check him out at :44 below.

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[ColdPickleNachos]

By the way, there is a ton of great college basketball on tv today for those looking to watch a lot of the top prospects against great competition...

1. CBS, noon: Duke (12-1) vs. Florida St. (11-1)

Prospects to watch: Marvin Bagley, Wendell Carter, Trevon Duval, Gary Trent Jr.

2. ESPN2, noon: Oklahoma (10-1) vs. TCU (12-0)

Prospect to watch: Trae Young

3. CBS, 2 pm: Villanova (13-0) vs. Butler (11-3)

Prospect to Watch: Mikal Bridges

4. ACC Network: Miami (11-1) vs. Pittsburgh (8-5)

Prospects to Watch: Lonnie Walker, Bruce Brown

5. ESPN2, 4 pm: Texas A&M (11-1) vs. Alabama (8-4)

Prospects to Watch: Collin Sexton, Robert Williams

6. PAC 12 Network, 7 pm: Arizona (10-3) vs. Arizona State (13-0)

Prospect to Watch: Deandre Ayton

(Note: I'm only highlighting prospects that would be contenders for the Suns first pick or Miami pick, with apologies to the Grayson Allens, Alonzo Triers, and Jalen Brunsons of the world.)

 

[Hoop Head]

How do we tank? Booker is so good that he is going to beat crap teams almost on his own. It's not like Dudley or Chandler are winning us games. We have the "problem" of winning games with a bunch of guys who are in their early 20s.

The schedule getting tougher will bring us down a bit, but outside of that we're going to have to pray to the lotto gods. I still think we finish around 5th and if we finish there we can package stuff and move up.

I don't think there is a way to openly tank. Perhaps they could play our young players even more but I don't think that'll do it. With Chriss finally showing he remembers how to play it doesn't look good for our record this year. This is kind of like the first year with Hornacek except now we're winning with young players instead of castaways. The only way we can drop down into the bottom 3 in the standings is if Booker and Warren get injured and I don't want to see that happen, regardless of what pick it gets us in return.

We need to hope that the pingpong balls finally go the Suns way after decades of screwing them. Do the new lottery odd's go into effect this year or next year? I believe it's next year, which is fitting because the updated odds would help the Suns this season.

 

[Mainstreet]

It could be the Suns are growing into a better team right before our eyes, especially with Triano's coaching. I like his player rotations. It builds confidence with the younger players.

Chriss looks like he has taken the next step if he continues his current approach to the game. Bender is starting to look better and better off the bench. Ulis is now playing solid and Canaan has solidified the Suns PG position. Warren and Booker are looking like money. And all the Suns centers are producing. Daniels is a nice backup SG and if Jackson improves, who knows.

Also the Suns are now playing aggressive defense.

We may have to accept the Suns are a better team than we thought if they keep playing well. The Suns are 5-2 in their last seven games.

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't see a way to tank, really. Short of sitting Booker and Warren, I really don't see a way to do it. Perhaps sit Monroe AND Chandler and have Chriss and Bender play some 5?

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't see a way to tank, really. Short of sitting Booker and Warren, I really don't see a way to do it. Perhaps sit Monroe AND Chandler and have Chriss and Bender play some 5?

The Suns need to keep playing the way they are. Maybe they are not as good as they have played of late.

It's interesting the Suns started to play better with Booker out. Now with Booker's return, they should play even better. However, the schedule has a way of putting things in perspective.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bamba at first glance reminded me of Thon Maker and Nerlens Noel in regards to physique although he appears slighter.

 

[Ronin]

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[JCSunsfan]

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He not only has the length, he has great timing on those blocks. Many were made down low where it was not so much length, but his quick hands that made the play. He will be a defensive force in the NBA.

I think this is the real issue this summer. If we end up with Ayton or Bamba I just don't see the Suns trying to resign Len.

 

[Mainstreet]

Also Mohamed Bamba plays great position defense. He will have trouble holding his ground against stronger players but this is to be expected early on.

However, he has all the tools. He must have scouts salivating.

Here is a link to DraftExpress if it has not already been posted.

Strengths -Elite physical profile for a center prospect at 7'0, with a 7' 9 wingspan and a 9' 6 standing reach. Very light in his lower body (216 pounds) but has wide shoulders that are bound to fill out really nicely in time. -Super light on his feet running the floor. Extremely fluid for his size. Quick diving to the rim. Lob target thanks to his massive reach.

Can get up in space. -Has the tools to be a monster defensively. Nimble enough to step out and switch ball screens, space defending and using his huge reach to contest. Quick enough to recover to blocks at the rim if beat. Length and quick leaping should help him develop into an excellent rim protector. Good instincts and timing. Lifetime 4.1 blocks per 40 minutes. Figures to have an immediate impact on the defensive end if he's willing to embrace that role and play with consistent energy.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mohamed-Bamba-91224/

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

What I was most impressed with is how he had a huge game against Kansas and Azuibuke, who in theory is the type of post he should struggle against.

 

[SirStefan32]

Holy crap, Young is unreal. I am watching Oklahoma vs. TCU. Two minutes into the game, I am already sold. This kid is amazing.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Yep. Young is the player I want in this draft--not just because he is good, but because I think he is the perfect fit for this team. I would give up a lot of assets to get him.

 

[DWKB]

What I was most impressed with is how he had a huge game against Kansas and Azuibuke, who in theory is the type of post he should struggle against.

Just an FYI, Doke was having back pain that had him bed ridden two days before this game. He was a GTD and played through pain.

Bamba was great though and brought the intensity to this game that he hasn’t been bringing to others. His motor has been questioned. Elite talent though.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yep. Young is the player I want in this draft--not just because he is good, but because I think he is the perfect fit for this team. I would give up a lot of assets to get him.

I agree. This kid is insanely good. I think he would be a perfect tag team partner for Booker. I wonder how much better Bender, Chris, Jackson, and even Warren would look with such a good passer running the point.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Just an FYI, Doke was having back pain that had him bed ridden two days before this game. He was a GTD and played through pain.

Bamba was great though and brought the intensity to this game that he hasn’t been bringing to others. His motor has been questioned. Elite talent though.

Good to know. I'm curious what you think of Azubuike as a pro prospect. I'm surprised by how little hype he's gotten so far....

 

[DWKB]

Good to know. I'm curious what you think of Azubuike as a pro prospect. I'm surprised by how little hype he's gotten so far....

He is still a project. Needs to develop some more post moves or a jump shot. Cannot be as aggressive on defense as a rim protector because he’s essentially our only big, so hard to judge that from game action but he seems to be able to use his size to hold position well. I can see him as a mid to late first round pick based upon size and age hoping the skill set rounds out.

He’d probably be more valuable in the old physical, post based NBA.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree. This kid is insanely good. I think he would be a perfect tag team partner for Booker. I wonder how much better Bender, Chris, Jackson, and even Warren would look with such a good passer running the point.

He reminds me of Isiah Thomas.

 

[Praxis]

Trae Young has to be the pick. If we don't get into the top 3, we might have to give up this year's first, Miami's first, and a future first to make it happen. This draft is loaded and rebuilding teams will demand a lot for their top picks.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I agree. This kid is insanely good. I think he would be a perfect tag team partner for Booker. I wonder how much better Bender, Chris, Jackson, and even Warren would look with such a good passer running the point.

We might have to settle for Collin Sexton, which would not be a back consolation prize. He is Eric Bledsoe 2.0.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Trae Young has to be the pick. If we don't get into the top 3, we might have to give up this year's first, Miami's first, and a future first to make it happen. This draft is loaded and rebuilding teams will demand a lot for their top picks.

Hate to say this, but I might be willing to give up TJ or JJ to move up. I think one of them will have to go anyway at some point. Might as well use that asset to get the player you want. It's probably JJ. TJ is just improving so much. His D is even good. I am not sure JJ will be able to displace him from his starting role. I also think that Davon Reed will be a good solid back up.

Most would consider it an uneven trade (say JJ plus #7 to move up to #3 or #4) but all that really matters is the roster you have in the end. One of Chriss or Bender might be an option too (if they continue their recent improvement trends). I would think a team like Memphis, which will be just starting a rebuild, would be interested in multiple young players or picks.

 

[Mainstreet]

Unless the Suns really go into a tailspin, fans may need to start looking at players outside the top seven. Trading into the top five is not easy unless the Suns have a pick near this range as well. Other teams want potential franchise players as well.

 

[Praxis]

Hate to say this, but I might be willing to give up TJ or JJ to move up. I think one of them will have to go anyway at some point. Might as well use that asset to get the player you want. It's probably JJ. TJ is just improving so much. His D is even good. I am not sure JJ will be able to displace him from his starting role. I also think that Davon Reed will be a good solid back up.

Most would consider it an uneven trade (say JJ plus #7 to move up to #3 or #4) but all that really matters is the roster you have in the end. One of Chriss or Bender might be an option too (if they continue their recent improvement trends). I would think a team like Memphis, which will be just starting a rebuild, would be interested in multiple young players or picks.

JJ has lost so much value since the start of the season. I don't think our first and JJ gets us up to #3 or #4. TJ and our pick might do it. It would suck to give him up, but we have to accelerate the timeline with a stud PG. I think I'd stick with the three firsts (or two firsts and any of JJ, Bender, and Chriss) in order to keep our core intact.

 

[Praxis]

Unless the Suns really go into a tailspin, fans may need to start looking at players outside the top seven. Trading into the top five is not easy unless the Suns have a pick near this range as well. Other teams want potential franchise players as well.

It depends who gets into the top 3. Boston might be willing to deal, for example. But I agree, the cost of moving up is especially steep in this draft.

 

[SirStefan32]

Giving up Warren would be tough. Such a good player on such a good contract. I would be more inclined to include JJ, Chriss, or Bender.