5/31/2005 Insider - Fry's stock soaring, Taft's falling

[PhxGametime]

I'm not sure playing JJ there too many minutes is the greatest of ideas but if the top-tier 4's are off board, I'm 1 guy on this board that doesn't feel a burly PF is needed at #21...

If the Suns want someone to dive for loose balls and commit strong fouls - those are easy to find in 2nd...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Funny thing is that this team does not really have ANY needs--but we can make upgrades.

An upgrade for Barbosa--
surefire backup pg that can fill in for Nash long term. However, JJ does this nicely and could be a long term answer at the pg with Barbosa continuing to develop. Barbosa is young, has all the tools, and is farther along than Nash was at this age.

An upgrade for Hunter--
A big, mobile, shotblocking presence in the middle would be nice, but so would coming back from an 0-3 deficit vs the Spurs.

An upgrade for McCarty--
A big, defensive-oriented swingman or f/c that can spell Amare and Shawn for significant periods of time, and fill the gap in case of an injury. In the draft, Diogu or Frye could fill this spot. A Horry-like player in free agency could as well. Actually, Diogu would be perfect, his offense is diverse enough to face the basket or post-up, he rebounds like a mad-man, and is a decent defender.

A replacement for Jim Jackson--
Who knows about resigning him? Again, the draft will not provide a player with the vet presence that Jim Jackson brings.

Otherwise, we're just stocking the bench with talent for the future. The problem with that is that we won't have the playing minutes available to develop young, talented players (remember Zarko and Lampe?).

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

A replacement for Jim Jackson--
Who knows about resigning him? Again, the draft will not provide a player with the vet presence that Jim Jackson brings.

Jackson is under contract for next season

 

[Mainstreet]

My thinking goes along this line. If the Suns somehow acquired a quality PG, JJ has the skills to play positions 1-4. The Suns still need to get bigger athletically in the 4/5 positions, however, if JJ did not have to play back-up PG he would make this team that much deeper.

I'm sorry, but Barbosa has not sold me yet that he is going to be a quality back-up PG much less our point guard of the future. I think asking JJ to play PG (as well as other multiple positions) while Barbosa hopefully develops is asking too much. In my opinion, JJ is much more valueable to this team at the forward and SG positions, then (after he rests) to come off the bench to fill-in where needed.

 

[elindholm]

I'm starting to think that Johnson is the team's point guard of the future. He still hasn't reached his 24th birthday, so he has plenty of years ahead of him. Most likely he won't ever be the type to average double-digit assists, but that's only one way of being an effective PG.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm starting to think that Johnson is the team's point guard of the future. He still hasn't reached his 24th birthday, so he has plenty of years ahead of him. Most likely he won't ever be the type to average double-digit assists, but that's only one way of being an effective PG.

I tend to agree to some extent. JJ can effectively play the PG position, but I don't think his talents are best utilized there. It all goes back to what I said earlier, quality bigs are usually harder to get than quality smalls. I just see JJ as an extremely talented player that can also play the point. However, I personally do not believe he will really truely excel to his full potential as a PG. He can be an impact player at positions 2-4.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm starting to think that Johnson is the team's point guard of the future. He still hasn't reached his 24th birthday, so he has plenty of years ahead of him. Most likely he won't ever be the type to average double-digit assists, but that's only one way of being an effective PG.

JJ's just developing but he is a lot better at PG than he was just a year ago.
JJ is not that much smaller than Magic at the same age. When he is at PG with Q at guard, it creates a huge mismatch against smaller PG's.

BTW, I still think patience is warrented with Leandro. He is not the player we'd like, but look at how valuable speed is to Tony Parker and ask what it would like to have that in the Suns lineup. Leandro has the potential to be a great wing defender and is already the best on the team at going to the basket. He may not be the answer at PG, but he is going to become a player.

 

[PhxGametime]

I'm starting to think that Johnson is the team's point guard of the future. He still hasn't reached his 24th birthday, so he has plenty of years ahead of him. Most likely he won't ever be the type to average double-digit assists, but that's only one way of being an effective PG.

The team would need another Point-forward type to have on court though IMO, although there a lot these days - that's why I don't think they should rule out the Point-forward types. Power Forwards/Centers that fit system, maybe a PG, and an elite defender at pretty much all positions that fits the style etc.

The Suns should have an option who to pick from - that's pretty much, most of the Draft Prospects to choose from...


With my luck these days, the Suns will probably pick Ike Diogu - 1. IMO he has a lot of holes, but I wouldn't be that disappointed in that area as much (most have holes) but 2. he's from asu I don't hate asu but if I had to pick any reason to be disappointed (Suns Draft well) and I pretty much like almost every Prospect in some shape or form around that area... but it'd be someone from asu/or a flopping International Prospect.

 

[cly2tw]

Putting JJ on PF would be insane even if he is able to play this position for stretches. The best bigman type for the Suns is probably Chandler and Swift. Both would be the nominal C alongside Amare as the PF and cover the heavier player in the game. Particular Swift will be good for our fastbreak style of game, who is probably only a bit slower but tallers and stronger than Marion. With the determination by Amare to improve on defense as he told in the after-game interview, he'd savor the defensive matchups with the Duncans, Dirks of the world.

 

[PhxGametime]

JJ is a four-position player, it has nothing to do with getting Swift, etc. If the Suns don't get any FA bigs - JJ could play there for a pinch, and it's a high possibility with 2 Picks, the team Drafts 1 big.

I wouldn't Trade any of the starters...

 

[Joe Mama]

I tried to get the article directly from draft city, but their site is down for maintenance right now. Instead I'll just paraphrase from the HoopsHype paraphrase.

Chris Taft was working out for Golden State yesterday. They put him up against Ike Diogu. Taft could not stop Ike from scoring, and Ike repeatedly shut down Taft at the other end.

More interestingly it says that teams are measuring Ike Diogu's wing span at somewhere between 7-3 and 7-5. No wonder he's been able to score against triple teams over and over again in college. Unfortunately measurements like that should push him into the top 20 and away from the Phoenix Suns.

Joe Mama

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I tried to get the article directly from draft city, but their site is down for maintenance right now. Instead I'll just paraphrase from the HoopsHype paraphrase.

Chris Taft was working out for Golden State yesterday. They put him up against Ike Diogu. Taft could not stop Ike from scoring, and Ike repeatedly shut down Taft at the other end.

More interestingly it says that teams are measuring Ike Diogu's wing span at somewhere between 7-3 and 7-5. No wonder he's been able to score against triple teams over and over again in college. Unfortunately measurements like that should push him into the top 20 and away from the Phoenix Suns.

Joe Mama

i don't really think it matters. i'd have been shocked if we drafted him. even if he were available. he doesn't fit the mold of the "new suns." we're looking more for long athletes. gazelles. ike is more of a moose. albeit a moose with excellent footwork and soft touch. and don't get me wrong, i think ike will be pretty good at the next level, i just don't think he fits the suns' mold. so his increased value is a GOOD thing for the suns as it will prolly push another talented player that DOES fit our mold further down the draft towards our pick.

 

[sunsfn]

I tried to get the article directly from draft city, but their site is down for maintenance right now. Instead I'll just paraphrase from the HoopsHype paraphrase.

Chris Taft was working out for Golden State yesterday. They put him up against Ike Diogu. Taft could not stop Ike from scoring, and Ike repeatedly shut down Taft at the other end.

More interestingly it says that teams are measuring Ike Diogu's wing span at somewhere between 7-3 and 7-5. No wonder he's been able to score against triple teams over and over again in college. Unfortunately measurements like that should push him into the top 20 and away from the Phoenix Suns.

Joe Mama

I read it earlier.
It also said that it appeared that Taft almost shut down the workout a couple times but did not.
Apparently Ike outplayed him by a large margin.

I am beginning to think that Ike may fit with this team..........he can run, board and score.......sounds good to me.
We still need a big for some defense, hopefully there is a free agent out there or Hunter signs and adds 25 pounds....(probably not.)

 

[Amare32]

Taft seems like another Kwame Brown, he just doesn't care. There is no excuse for a guy of his talent to only average 13 and 7 this year when guys like Wayne Seimon was averaging 20 and 10.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm not sure when Eric is going to start is vote on the mock draft thing like he did last year, but I suspect all mock drafts are going be pointless this year. Last year guys went five or six slots higher or lower than expected - this year it could 10 to 15 slots. It is that wide open.

I have to say I'm surprised the Suns have not been working out more the projected middle guys. It seems like they are focusing on 2nd rounders, so maybe they intend to trade down.

As for Ike, he's not ideal but may be a good fit anyway. He is tough as nails and doesn't take plays off. He put up great rebounding numbers without being tall or a great jumper - through positioning and anticipation. I see him as a Malik Rose type player who could actually get into the rotation.

 

[elindholm]

I'm not sure when Eric is going to start is vote on the mock draft thing like he did last year, but I suspect all mock drafts are going be pointless this year.

Gee, with that kind of endorsement, I guess I should get right on it.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm not sure when Eric is going to start is vote on the mock draft thing like he did last year, but I suspect all mock drafts are going be pointless this year.

Gee, with that kind of endorsement, I guess I should get right on it.

Seriously, the process was very educational since we evaluated everybody rather than just a few guys.

 

[Joe Mama]

Ike Diogu might not be exactly the type of player the Phoenix Suns are looking for, but he would be a great guy off the bench. If the measurements on his wingspan are accurate he probably won't have as much trouble guarding most power forwards as was originally suspected. On top of that he's just a great guy. He would fit perfectly with his team's personality.

I doubt he'll be available.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

What if Martynas Andriuskevicius keeps dropping? Would we risk taking him if he actually is there at #21?

 

[elindholm]

I read somewhere that he'll drop out of the draft if he doesn't get a higher guarantee, top ten I think it was.

 

[George O'Brien]

I read somewhere that he'll drop out of the draft if he doesn't get a higher guarantee, top ten I think it was.

MA makes sense for some team that plans to leave him Europe. Otherwise, he's like Pod man, lost on IR for the season.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

It would be hard to pass on Taft at 21. All the knocks on him are based on attitude. Physically, he's an early lottery pick.

A guy with a bad attitude on a losing team is deadly. On a team like the Suns, he either works like heck or disappears. Getting pulverized by Amare every day would either make him great or kill him.

I got to see more than my fair share of Chris Taft in his Pittsburgh career, and trust me on this, you don't want him on the Suns.. He's lazy and has such a lack of motivation it's disgusting. Too many times in games last year, including the Pacific game in the Big Dance, I seen Taft lolligag it. He really looked like a guy who didn't give a **** because he knew he was going to get the big bucks from some NBA team anyhow.

Even if he does fall, let him be someone else's headache. There are plenty of better options available.

 

[sunsfn]

From NBAdraft net

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Chris Taft Steadying the Ship

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[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Chris Taft [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/font]​

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]After a lackluster season in which he showed flashes of immense potential, but a lack of desire and passion, Chris Taft has been the subject of a lot of media scrutiny. However his workouts have not been as bad as some will have you believe. [/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On Thursday Taft worked out for the Clippers against Sean May and outdualed the Final Four tournament MVP. In a 2 on 2 game with Elder and Ewing, Taft outplayed May in all facets of the game.

During the past season, despite being the most talented player on the team, Taft had a hard time getting opportunities to prove himself at Pitt. Senior Chevon Troutman was a lot more assertive shooting the ball, and ate into Taft's numbers considerably.

Also, taking away from Taft's effectiveness was a point guard (Carl Krauser) with a shoot first mentality. Taft averaged just over 9 shots a game, scoring more than 14 points a game, meaning he had great ratio of more than 1 1/2 points per shot.

Taft has slid some from his early projection as a top 5-10 pick, (as high as the #1 pick in early season) but with as much upside as any bigman in the draft, Taft has become a huge sleeper. And while some Pitt fans will say he slept all season, even while games were going on, it could be teams caught sleeping in the draft.

Look for him to end up somewhere in the 10-18 range when draft night rolls around.[/font]

-

 

[lancelet's cousin]

I got to see more than my fair share of Chris Taft in his Pittsburgh career, and trust me on this, you don't want him on the Suns.. He's lazy and has such a lack of motivation it's disgusting. Too many times in games last year, including the Pacific game in the Big Dance, I seen Taft lolligag it. He really looked like a guy who didn't give a **** because he knew he was going to get the big bucks from some NBA team anyhow.

Even if he does fall, let him be someone else's headache. There are plenty of better options available.

He sounds like Oliver Miller without the weight problem and passing skills. Unmotivated big men are everywhere, has one ever panned out?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Unmotivated big men are everywhere, has one ever panned out?

Shaq?