Backup Inside Guys

[Irish]

The Suns are unlikely to draft a big man in the first round and lack the money to go after a quality big in free agency. It seems unlikely that the Suns will re-sign Marks except by deffault.

With Porter as head coach, I think the chances of Skinner coming back are increased. Skinner had his best year when Porter coached his team to the playoffs and did not attract a lot of attention last summer. But even with Skinner, the Suns have very little depth.

Ideally Diaw should play the wing. He's not big enough for many defensive assignments and is not a good rebounder. He's fine for certain small ball situations, but not the way D'Antoni used him.

So even assuming the Suns sign Skinner, they need a replacement for Marks and possibly Diaw on the inside. This leaves us with an unappitizing set of options.

-- Diop - He'll undoubtedly be out of the Suns price range.

-- McDyess - he'll re-sign with Detroit. It's hard to imagine he'd take what the Suns can offer, even if he just loves Terry.

-- Kurt Thomas - The Sun could offer about a half an NLE which would succeed in messing with the Spur who would have no choice but pay the price.

-- Joe Smith - It's hard to tell how much he has left, but played about 22 minutes a game with the Cavs. Big plus is that he can shoot free throws. Smith played for Porter in Milwaukee.

-- Elson - Played OK in San Antonio, but showed very little in Seattle.

-- Kwame Brown - Poster boy for "under achiever". It is hard to tell if he worth even the vet minimum, but will probably get more because he's big and athletic.

-- Magloire - Used to be decent, but hasn't shown much in recent years. Might be considered if Silas is hired since he was the one who got him to the All Star team.

-- Chris Anderson - Lots and lots of baggage. Not a Kerr kind of guy.

-- Randolph Morris - Hasn't shown anything with the Knicks. I should list some of the other rookie contract projects like O'Bryant, but what's the point?

We don't know how the market will shake out. Bigs generally can get work. Other than Dice and Diop who are going to be out of the Suns price range, IMHO Joe Smith is best of fairly weak lot.

 

[Chaplin]

Diaw on the wing? Are you serious?

George, do you even watch Boris in games? Sure, he's slight of frame, but I remember specifically seeing Diaw do a pretty damn good job on Tim Duncan in spurts. Defensively, Diaw plays bigger than he is--perhaps that leads to his lackadaisical offensive play, but defense really has never been an issue with Boris.

 

[cly2tw]

Skinner became unbearable once he embraced DA's philosophy that any open look was a good look. He tried to be too active on offense thus ending up hindering ours very much. Maybe Porter could instruct him back into his dirt worker origin and be useful again. Otherwise, I'd rather not have him back.

 

[cly2tw]

Diaw on the wing? Are you serious?

George, do you even watch Boris in games? Sure, he's slight of frame, but I remember specifically seeing Diaw do a pretty damn good job on Tim Duncan in spurts. Defensively, Diaw plays bigger than he is--perhaps that leads to his lackadaisical offensive play, but defense really has never been an issue with Boris.

Diaw is smart on defense, but has his limit at manning up the best 4-5 whom he was often put up against. Yet, if Porter could get them to play better team defense, then his versatility would be of great asset indeed.

 

[PhxGametime]

Where have you read the Suns are unlikely to Draft a bigman?? With bigmen receiving as much money as they do in Free Agency... Lopez, McGee, etc. are options, IMO.


If the Suns Draft a wing; then you're looking at getting a PG AND Center via Free Agency, with those two positions probably being the most expensive...


Where as Drafting a Center; you've got a pricey PG in Free Agency but the Suns could easily Draft the wing in the 2nd Round; where Diaw, Hill, Bell, Strawberry, Tucker, and then Barbosa are already fighting for minutes.


Unless the Suns are going to Trade for a PG or are set with Barbosa as back-up PG; Drafting at your deepest position, 2 years in a row with the wing position being the easiest to replace; I just don't think it's as set as most believe.


BTW... is this Thursday, the mutli-team workout with wings that was reported weeks back with Griffin??

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Irish, you just assumed your own conclusion by concluding your own assumption.

The Suns just did a workout with bigs THIS WEEK. Half the draft websites have them aiming for guys 6'10 and above. Griffin has stated they will most likely aim for the BPA. How did you end up with the idea that we arent going after a big? You didnt even bring up the possibility of trading for one!

On top of that, I am one of the biggest haters of Diaw, but his defense is not even on my radar of hate. He can hold his own, which isnt much compared to the rest of his shoddy performance this year, but his laundry list of problems shouldnt have defense near the top.

And last of all, I thought Skinner did a great job for his first year with the team and the amount we paid him. I would be more than happy to have him back under a coach who he saw success with in previous years.

 

[Irish]

My main concern with Diaw is his total lack of rebounding fcompared to other inside guys. He's good defensively against average bigs, but is too easily overpowered by elite guys. I like him as a spot PF when the matchup issues he creates on the other end make up for lack of strength, but I'm not convinced he's a long range answer inside.

As for "who says they won't take a center", lots of draft experets. The problem is that this draft is chocked full of projects who won't help in the next two years. Even Brook Lpez, the highest rated center by virtually everybody tested out as the SLOWEST performer in Orlando combine and had only 7 bench presses (Alexander had 24). Even Marty Leemen ran the 3/4 court faster than Brook and he's a bottom 2nd round type.

Griffin likes McGee's size and athleticsm, but complained that he just doesn't bring it all the time. In any case, he's slower than Love and had only 7 bench presses. Brian Roberts, a PG unlikely to get drafted had 10 bench presses.

How big a deal is stength? Beasley is a lot shorter than everyone thought, but he had 19. Love is short and slow, but had 19 bench presses. IMHO, both guys are likely to go ahead of Lopez.