AZ Rep. article - Marion, Nash switch role & **Draft peek**

sunsfn

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Marion, Nash switch role
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
May. 21, 2006 12:00 AM
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One Suns All-Star was criticized for playoff performance and has stepped up of late.

One Suns All-Star was brilliant in much of the first round only to draw recent skepticism.

Shawn Marion and Steve Nash can't win for losing.

Marion had been panned for last postseason's 41.9 percent shooting and another statistical dip in this year's first round. But after one 30-point game in his first 43 playoff games, he has three in the past 10 days.

"He's in a category by himself," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We ask him to do so many things and his production has been unbelievable."

It has helped Marion that the Clippers start with center Chris Kaman guarding him.

"Big men don't like all sorts of moving around," Marion said. "If they pound us without having to work on the defensive end, that's to their advantage. When we make them go through picks and rolls and rotate, they get tired. They can't hang with me on the move."

Nash has struggled with his perimeter shot, a result of ongoing ailments (back, hamstring, ankle) and career-high minutes that wore out his legs. He is 19 for 53 in the past four games but has averaged 10.8 assists this series.

"My mechanics can't survive some of the physical stuff I'm going through," Nash said. "I'm working at it, trying to get my body back."

The tricky part for Nash is deciphering how much rest and work to concoct for a change.

"I love a challenge," he said. "I love a chance to redeem myself."

The criticism aimed at Nash lately may drive him.

It's driving D'Antoni nuts.

"It's so ridiculous and so far removed that it's almost laughable," he said. "To hear the talking heads on TV, it's like, 'You've got to be kidding me. Did they ever play the game at all?' It's kind of sad in a certain aspect. We like to build our heroes up and, as soon as they get up there, we tear them down."


Draft peek

Phoenix held its first draft workouts Saturday, looking at four guards - Arizona's Hassan Adams, Miami's Guillermo Diaz, Kentucky's Rajon Rondo and Michigan's Daniel Horton.

Phoenix has the 21st and 27th picks, a range Diaz and Rondo fit with Adams nearby to some.

Adams, a four-year Wildcats player, must show he can shoot but has a chance due to his defense. Adams said he is being looked at "like a Raja Bell or Bruce Bowen, a big-time defender."

Suns Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said Adams, with a wingspan of 6 feet, 9 1/2 inches, is "as good as any perimeter defender in the country."

Griffin said Diaz is as athletic as any prospect but a definite combo guard with instant offense capability.

"We're at a point in our evolution where if two guys are going to help us, we're going to take two guys because we're trying to win a title," Griffin said. "We're not about saving money, per se. We're about making our team better."

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Nasser22

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Even though I hate the Wildcats, Hassan would be a great addition for the future I think. We also need to find a future point guard though. I'm not sure we will get one in this draft.
 

Joe Mama

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I would be more excited if that comment about money came from Sarver himself, but it's nice to hear it from somebody in the organization. I don't think he's as cheap as a lot of people claim, but it's hard to imagine Sarver spending every dollar available for players. I hope he is on board with Griffin.

Joe
 

Nash

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I've seen Rondo play quite a bit and I hope we don't touch Rondo . The guy can't shoot the ball to save his life. He has a very low FT% for any ball player, leave alone a guard(PG). He has a very good basketball IQ but his outside shooting leave way too much to be desired. We need guys who have a good shooting range and can shoot 3's at will.

I haven't seen this Diaz kid play but from what I'm reading, he looks like a great prospect. He sounds pretty impressive.
 

green machine

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Adams is not a very good player. Having had the "pleasure" of watching him the last 4 years, and really focusing on his game this year, he really wouldn't fit with this team. He can't shoot, can't dribble, and has no basketball smarts.

Add in the off-court issues he's had this year (DUI, interfering with arrests), he just isn't a good fit for this team.
 

JCSunsfan

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Can't see us drafting Adams. Every player for the Suns has to be VERY good a two skills and one of them HAS to be shooting.

Rebound and shoot, dish and shoot, defend and shoot, etc.

If you can't shoot, don't bother trying to play for the Suns.
 

Nasser22

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He can improve his shooting and also in our offense with Nash he'll get a lot of open looks so he shouldn't do bad at all. It would be good to have his defense too.
 

Espo

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green machine said:
Adams is not a very good player. Having had the "pleasure" of watching him the last 4 years, and really focusing on his game this year, he really wouldn't fit with this team. He can't shoot, can't dribble, and has no basketball smarts.

Add in the off-court issues he's had this year (DUI, interfering with arrests), he just isn't a good fit for this team.
I wouldn't go as far as saying he is not a good player. The guy has raw basketball talent and can play some defense. His off the court problems are a bit of a concern but obviously nothing to bad seeing as Lute didn't kick him off the team like he did Chris Rodgers. I think his athleticism would fit this team and around a good group of guys his off the court problems probably could be fixed. I wouldn't mind the pick at number 27.
 

panfolk

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I'm curious if they are looking to pick Adams up in the second round as not many seem to think he's worth the 27th (I know we'd have to trade for a second round pick to do this). I really doubt they'll walk away with 3 new players.
 

The Commish

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Diaz is a very good player. I wouldn't be surprised to see him climb up the draft boards after some workouts. I'm a UA fan and could care less about Hassan. He's too much of a headcase to fit in with this team.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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hassan just isn't good enough for the next level.

i really like rondo though. i know his shooting is bad (yes, not even suspect), but he's lightning quick and a natural pg, something we don't have on the bench. his ability to penetrate, play strong quick defense, and his penchant for looking to create for others would be a nice addition. he plays fast too. with time we could hope his shooting would improve, but at the least he'd give us a backup for nash with potential upside as an eventual replacement. if he's there at 21 i say go for it.
 

Nash

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yep. Rondo plays the role of a non shooting PG very well. He has the ability to penetrate any defense and finish strong. If his other abilities make up for his shooting so that he can actually put in some mins every game without being a liability, he's a good investment for the team.
 

F-Dog

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Here's the Tucson paper's report on that workout:

Suns impressed by Adams' toughness, athleticism, defense
By Bruce Pascoe

PHOENIX — Five years ago, Hassan Adams signed on to play college basketball at Arizona because he figured the Wildcats' up-tempo style would provide a suitable fit for his wide-open, run-and-jump, high-energy game.

He was right. Now, Adams has another spot in mind for the next level: the Phoenix Suns, the NBA's prototypical run-and-gun franchise.

"Definitely," Adams said after working out for the Suns on Saturday afternoon. "That's why I made the decision I did for college. You want to make sure you can fit yourself into their style. Phoenix is perfect. After watching them, I think I'd be another piece of the puzzle. It'd be great."
Of course, Adams doesn't get to pick this time. Although Adams' athleticism, range and energy suggests he can find a niche as a defender in the NBA, it's still questionable whether the former UA star will command a first-round pick next month, much less whether he would fit into Phoenix's No. 21 or No. 27 spots.

But Adams took a few steps toward making his case Saturday during drills with a trio of top-flight guards: Guillermo Diaz of Miami, Rajon Rondo of Kentucky and Daniel Horton of Michigan.

David Griffin, the Suns' vice president of basketball operations, said the workout was purposely stacked with talented guards to test Adams' ability to defend them.

Adams passed the test.

"This group today was very deep and he was able to stick with Rondo, who's as quick as any point guard in the country," Griffin said. "It was impressive from his standpoint.

"Hassan has to be as good as any perimeter defender in the country. We feel like Hassan can probably guard three positions (point guard, shooting guard, small forward) in our league. His wingspan is 6-9, his toughness and athleticism will allow him to guard some threes and his quickness will allow him to guard some ones. He may evolve into a stopper-type, two-guard defender."


It's Adams' offense that could keep him out of the first round, where contracts are guaranteed for two years. Often best in the open court or at power forward at UA, Adams has to convince NBA scouts that he has the shooting and ball-handling ability to play on the wing.

Adams shot just 26.2 percent from three-point range last season (31.1 over his four-year career) and was second in turnovers (69) only to point guard Mustafa Shakur.

His shot-making ability, particularly, is something the Suns are especially concerned about.

"For our system, (shooting) is not secondary," Griffin said. "There are teams who will carry a defensive stopper who may lack something offensively but our system doesn't allow for that. We're predicated on making open shots."

Griffin said Adams did struggle somewhat with his jump shot toward the end of the workout, but he was impressed with virtually everything else. Not surprisingly, the supremely athletic Adams was most effective in what Griffin calls the "NFL combine'' part of the workout — including measuring his vertical leap and wingspan.

"He was absolutely outstanding, mind-numbingly,'' Griffin said. "He's ridiculous that way."

But because the Suns have seen plenty of Adams on the court during his UA days, his time off the court with them was critical. The Suns took their prospects to dinner Friday night, to lunch Saturday and each one did a private interview with scout John Schmate.

Griffin said the Suns are asking Adams to explain the court cases he's involved in — on DUI and disorderly conduct charges — while also generally learning more about him.

"Getting to spend some quality time with Hassan and finding out what he's all about as a person is important to us," Griffin said. "It's important for all of these guys. It's probably the most valuable part of the workout process. We're a team built on character and unselfishness, so identifying that is probably our No. 1 priority."

The Suns were the third team Adams has worked out for so far, after he visited Utah and Sacramento last week. Adams said the workouts have gone well, allowing him the chance to showcase his perimeter ability, but he said he isn't focused on reaching the first round.

"Hopefully, it'll be in the first round, but it doesn't matter," Adams said. "Just as long as my name is called."

Got to love the hometown perspective--apparently, Rajon Rondo and Diaz were just brought in as practice dummies for Hassan. :lol:



I've watched plenty of Hassan myself, and IMO his game is a much better fit for the pros than it was for college. I would honestly rather see Hassan on the Suns than either Diaz or Rajon.

Plus, Hassan seems guaranteed to drop to #27, which is more than you can say for the other two. If they like him, Hassan would give the Suns another option at that spot (besides dumping the pick).
 

Folster

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JCSunsfan said:
Can't see us drafting Adams. Every player for the Suns has to be VERY good a two skills and one of them HAS to be shooting.

Rebound and shoot, dish and shoot, defend and shoot, etc.

If you can't shoot, don't bother trying to play for the Suns.

Yes, but it would be nice to have a player that can attack the rim and draw fouls. We have no one that does it consistently besides Amare.
 

green machine

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Folster said:
Yes, but it would be nice to have a player that can attack the rim and draw fouls. We have no one that does it consistently besides Amare.

Umm...Hassan wasn't a player who attacked the rim and drew fouls this year. He was all about the fadeaway jumpers and three pointers...few of which actually went in.
 

PhxGametime

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Man wonder if the Suns would be interested in LaMarcus Aldridge, if that rumor was true that they'd be interested using Hawks Pick in package for Joakim Noah? Aldridge is a stud... I was just about to look at the top 5 Teams and see what kind of Trade packages it'd take, so I can root for the most likely scenario's Team to get Pick #1 but I'm not sure a Team would be willing to Trade that Pick...


I'd like to know how Diaz played being defended by Adams... Diaz is more of a SG in a PG's body but he looks like he can his perimeter shot off on anybody, I've seen some great dunks, but every game I've watched opposing Teams did everything they could to keep him from driving, so I'm not sure how much he takes the ball to hole... (whether Teams were afraid of his penetrating skills or his over 40 inch vertical or both perhaps)... he's kind of like a House type scorer with top-tier athleticism and maybe a better distributor, while being a better defender... I like his talents.


The Suns would know more about Rondo than I would, but I do have him on my list (OK the Suns would know more about EVERY single player) but I don't know his game much at all...


Adams is probably the best athlete in this Draft, Carney can get up though but Adams looks quicker, and stronger... Adams shot decent sophomore year when he was constantly left wide open (playing PF) I believe 31 makes at about .38 PCT but not sure how he's going to shoot in NBA workouts. He does shoot a lot of bad jumpers but if that can be worked out in his Game - he does put up numbers... Marion is my favorite player in League and even I agree he shoots some stupid shots but Adams and Marion have complimentary skills... he may be 6'4 but he's got length, strength, quickness, speed, hops, etc. and can put up decent rebound, assist, steal, and block numbers for a SG along with being one of the better defenders.


Diaz, Adams, J White, T Gray, etc. - all those athletes with defensive ability would be at the top of my list at #27... I wouldn't be worried too much about looking for .40% 3PT shooters with that Pick, as they won't be getting much playing time to begin with and you can't teach athleticism and defensive match-up ability...


Draft Pick #21 - wow, who knows what the Team is looking for most but I'm starting to think an Brewer, Shawne Williams, Collins, Roby, etc. type (G/F's with Point skills) could work now, after not being sooo sure... Barbosa IMO with Diaw on Roster and adding Stoudemire, can handle the PG position at least with a Point swingman, alongside. Adding a PG is still an option though and if a somewhat decent F/C drops...


The Draft doesn't look to bad IMO BUT if they move up I wouldn't complain; maybe Trade 1 Pick for a future Pick, not too bad; Trade Pick(s) and/or players for a decent YOUNG F/C or PG, that's OK but no more veterans... other than what's on the Roster (unless he is star like talent) - IMO Kurt Thomas struggled with the Suns pace and he has about 1 year left in tank at $7 Million... he can defend and he played well but he's more likely to have injuries at this pace and with Diaw stepping up, the Team can once more be a dynasty (sp)... we have enough veterans!
 

nowagimp

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F-Dog said:
Here's the Tucson paper's report on that workout:



Got to love the hometown perspective--apparently, Rajon Rondo and Diaz were just brought in as practice dummies for Hassan. :lol:



I've watched plenty of Hassan myself, and IMO his game is a much better fit for the pros than it was for college. I would honestly rather see Hassan on the Suns than either Diaz or Rajon.

Plus, Hassan seems guaranteed to drop to #27, which is more than you can say for the other two. If they like him, Hassan would give the Suns another option at that spot (besides dumping the pick).

I am not a U of A fan, but I have watched Adams for 2 years. His defensive ability and athleticism were obvious. I saw him play some pretty impressive one-on-one defensive stints on Randy Foye in the tournament. He was the only player in the tournament (matched up against Foye) who seemed able to keep Foye in front of him, and his length allows him to play a little further away from a shooter. The suns coaching staff may be able to work him into a valuable bench player.
 

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