Article about the top prospects in the NCAA championship game.

[jbeecham]

Has anyone seen Nicholas Batum the 6"8 SG from France? He sounds like he could be a Joe Johnson/Boris Diaw type player. He could be interesting at the Cleveland pic or if he falls to our 1st rd pick.

 

[TucsonDevil]

They had a great chance last year to draft a point guard on both of their picks and did not. They want someone that can contribute and be a future all-star on the Atlanta pick, and then if they keep the 24th pick they will draft the best player available which will probably be a sg/sf swing man that can shoot.

All things being equal, I believe they regret not drafting that backup PG in June 2007 - since Marcus Banks was a more expensive mistake than a rookie PG, like say, Marcus Williams. Of course, they won't admit that for the sake of Banks' confidence heading into the post season... and they shouldn't.

Also, I don't see Conley as just 'any backup PG'. Maybe I value him higher than some of you - but the kid is a winner. Has has great court vision, and plays well under pressure. This is the type of PG you want when Nash retires (unless Deron Williams would like to sign with us as a Free Agent). I don't expect him to be a Nash protege, but he is the closest thing in this year's draft. I never think it is bad time to draft a young gifted PG, even if you are chasing a championship. You don't have to play him in crunch time in the playoffs...

 

[overseascardfan]

Conley is just as good defensively as he is offensively, which is even more impressive.

 

[sunsfn]

All things being equal, I believe they regret not drafting that backup PG in June 2007 - since Marcus Banks was a more expensive mistake than a rookie PG, like say, Marcus Williams. Of course, they won't admit that for the sake of Banks' confidence heading into the post season... and they shouldn't.

Also, I don't see Conley as just 'any backup PG'. Maybe I value him higher than some of you - but the kid is a winner. Has has great court vision, and plays well under pressure. This is the type of PG you want when Nash retires (unless Deron Williams would like to sign with us as a Free Agent). I don't expect him to be a Nash protege, but he is the closest thing in this year's draft. I never think it is bad time to draft a young gifted PG, even if you are chasing a championship. You don't have to play him in crunch time in the playoffs...

I agree with you on Conley. But the suns just need more right now then a point guard. They need someone like Horford, and then they really need another shooter if one is available

It sounds like he is not coming out anyway. (Of course he could change his mind)

 

[azirish]

A lot will depend on how these guys handle workouts. This board has no love for Roy Hibbert since he's not a good fit for the Suns, but Draft Express has him at #5 (just behind Horford) in part because he did a better job on Oden than the Gators did.

We should hope Hibbert does well in workouts because he might push Horford down. A lot of teams are looking for a low post offensive threat and a defense oriented slow down style. The Bobcats (currently at #5 but might go higher) would probably pick him over Horford if they think Okafor will ever be healthy.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Wow, I am surprised by the love the Brewer is getting all of the sudden. I think he will be a nice wing player - But the next Scottie Pippen? Does everyone remember what Scottie Pippen was like in the mid-90s? He was amazing! I see Brewer as a more... Shane Battier type guy, maybe a little more mobile. Horford is a big, powerful guy that can protect the paint, set picks, and rebound. If the two were made available to Phoenix, I would take Horford everyday of the week. He moves well, he handles the ball well, he shoots well. Today, he is a poor man's Amare - less explosion, but good defender.

I guess I am getting tired of small ball - I would love to see us have two big men down low that can run, Horford is that guy.

I too am mystified by the love for Brewer - especially for this team. Yes he is an exceptional defender and had great athleticism. But you can get a guy like him EVERY YEAR. There is always a 6'8 wing guy with a mediocre shot that is available year after year. It's just that not many have gotten the pub of a two time champion like Brewer. Personally i think Brewer may develop in time but i don't think he is the right pick at 4 -6 unless no one else is available.

I am skeptical that Conley will come out but i think if he does it is a complete no brainer to draft him. This is a kid who as a freshman led the Big 10 assists led a national title game team flawlessly, plays good defense, and has just an unreal smoothness to his game. If he waits another year or two (which i think he will do) he would be the first pick in the draft. His instincts make him an absolute home run of a pick and the only reason he would fall into the 4 -6 range this year is he is a freshman and there is so much talent in this draft.

I think the Suns should do the complete opposite of what the Pistons did back when they drafted Darko. There reasoning was sound as they went with the center who would eventually take over for an aging Ben Wallace and passed on Melo because of Prince (they said as much) and Wade cuz of Hamilton. Ummm that was a mistake. As would drafting Brewer just becasue he would fill in as Marions replacement down the line. Its not often you get in this position to draft as a good team. Go for the guy with the highest upside regardless of position. IMO that player is Conley - other than Durant and Oden of course.

 

[azirish]

With a fourth or fifth pick, the Suns SHOULD be able to solve an immediate need which IMHO is an interior defender/rebounder who can shoot. Unfortunately, after Horford there is no big who matches this (Oden and Durant will be gone if they come out).

Brandan Wright is widely viewed as the third best after Oden and Durant, but he's not very strong. He's got more offensive skills than Brewer, but presents some of the same issues physically in being overmatched on defense.

Hibbert is the best low post defender after Oden (better than Horford even) and has some offensive skills, but he's far too slow. Hawes is better on offense, but not a great defender and also too slow for the Suns.

Noah is not strong enough (nor likely to ever be) on defense and has no range on his shots.

Yi Jianlian appares to have the offensive skills to be useful, but is not strong enough to play post defense.

 

[asudevil83]

if the suns get the #4 pick, they'll go after Horford or Wright....if its #5 then Conley. if they get Conley, i'd expect them to deal Banks/own first to a team looking for some PG help.....maybe Detroit or Miami.

 

[elindholm]

Chad Ford says that Conley is staying in school (other thread).

 

[SO91]

Conley should stay in school another year and I'm glad to hear that. As for the poster that said he would be the number one pick whenever he comes out -- I highly doubt it. I think he's a great player and could be a great PG, but if I'm not mistaken the last guard taken #1 was AI.

 

[azirish]

I'd be surprised if Conley came out, although an early lottery promise would probably change that.

 

[Russ Smith]

Has anyone seen Nicholas Batum the 6"8 SG from France? He sounds like he could be a Joe Johnson/Boris Diaw type player. He could be interesting at the Cleveland pic or if he falls to our 1st rd pick.

He's in the hoop Summit game this weekend, think it's saturday at 1pm PST
but not positive.

There's a Chinese kid in it too but not the one you guys are talking up, this is a guard.

US team will have Rose, Mayo, Love etc.

 

[mathbzh]

He's in the hoop Summit game this weekend, think it's saturday at 1pm PST
but not positive.

There's a Chinese kid in it too but not the one you guys are talking up, this is a guard.

US team will have Rose, Mayo, Love etc.

I saw him play with Le Mans and he really is a great prospect. He is not very consistant yet but has already show in a bunch of very good games why he is one of the top euro-prospect. He can do a lot of things on the court. On the offensive game he already has a complete game and has all the tools to become a great slasher. He still need to be more assertive but he seems to slowly become a more aggressive player. I don't think he will be a Diaw-like pass first player.
He i salready very good defender. At 18 it is not so common. I see him becoming a great defender in a few years.
Of course he is not ready to play in the NBA but I think he worth a late first round pick.

As a french fan I think he should wait one more year to put his name in the draft. I think next season he should have more responsibilities with Le Mans.
I hope he will become more consistant.