Big-man audition today, Thursday, and next week.

[sunsfn]

I did not see this posted anywhere, so here it is.

Paul Coro article in today's paper.

It talks about others coming in for tryouts including Skinner and
Sweetney, after reading yesterday they were not being considered.

Big-man audition

With free agent P.J. Brown in no hurry to sign, the Suns are looking at other frontcourt options. Today, they will work out NBDL rebounding champion Elton Brown, 6-foot-8 veteran Michael Ruffin, ex-Sun Zarko Cabarkapa and ex-Arizona State star Mario Bennett, 34.

Vitaly Potapenko, an 11-year pro who is back in shape, will visit Thursday, and wide body Mike Sweetney, center Brian Skinner and 20-year-old wing Yaroslav Korolev are expected next week. Phoenix scouted Esteban Batista in the FIBA Americas Championship and has not ruled out Pat Burke.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0911mariononline0911.html

 

[fordronken]

This I like. This is much better than what the East Valley Tribune reported.

 

[slinslin]

Yaroslav Korolev

I really like this guy.

 

[jandaman]

How's Zarko been anyways since he last had a stint with the Suns?

Anyone know?

Batista is worth a look, he is a good rebounder who just needed to be used properly.

 

[Goldfield]

Zarko Cabarkapa, I loved his game b4 he got slammed by Fortson.

 

[sunsfn]

The Clippers drafted Korolev 12th in 2005, and the Clippers have a history of drafting players and not knowing what they have. Chris Wilcox being one of them.

Korolev may be a bust, but because it was the clippers, he deserves another chance someplace.

If the suns sign him, they still need to get another big man though.

I was sure all of you wanted to see this draft again, so putting it here for you!

Draft Results
Year Pick Drafted By

20051.1Bucks Andrew Bogut
20051.2Hawks Marvin Williams
20051.3Jazz Deron Williams
20051.4Hornets Chris Paul
20051.5Bobcats Raymond Felton
20051.6Trailblazers Martell Webster
20051.7Raptors Charlie Villanueva
20051.8Knicks Channing Frye
20051.9Warriors Ike Diogu
20051.10Lakers Andrew Bynum
20051.11Magic Fran Vasquez
20051.12Clippers Yaroslav Korolev 6' 9"
20051.13Bobcats Sean May
20051.14Timberwolves Rashad McCants
20051.15Nets Antoine Wright
20051.16Raptors Joey Graham
20051.17Pacers Danny Granger
20051.18Celtics Gerald Green
20051.19Grizzlies Hakim Warrick
20051.20Nuggets Julius Hodge
20051.21Suns Nate Robinson
20051.22Nuggets Jarrett Jack
20051.23Kings Francisco Garcia
20051.24Rockets Luther Head
20051.25Supersonics Johan Petro
20051.26Pistons Jason Maxiell
20051.27Trailblazers Linas Kleiza
20051.28Spurs Ian Mahinmi
20051.29Heat Wayne Simien
20051.30Knicks David Lee

 

[mribnik]

I really like this guy.

I'm also pretty sure that the Clips resigned the guy.

Maybe I'm wrong. I could've sworn I heard that on LA Radio a while ago.

 

[slinslin]

Zarko Cabarkapa, I loved his game b4 he got slammed by Fortson.

For the whole 2 half decent games or so that he played before that?

Korolev is very young, must have turned 20 only recently. Not sure why the Clips dont hang onto him but he was having some really good games when he got playing time that I even had him on my fantasy team at some point, well it was only preseason games but still.

 

[sunsfn]

I'm also pretty sure that the Clips resigned the guy.

Maybe I'm wrong. I could've sworn I heard that on LA Radio a while ago.

He is an unrestricted free agent.

Born May 7, 1987.

 

[Cheesebeef]

wow, that's a sorry lot of dudes. or a lot of sorry dudes. take your pick.

 

[fordronken]

If we somehoe, miraculously, wind up with PJ Brown and Korolev, I'll be pretty okay with that.

 

[Sunsman44]

and 20-year-old wing Yaroslav Korolev are expected next week.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0911mariononline0911.html

I thought Korolev signed a Clipper extention.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Didnt they JUST discuss that?

What happened to reading before you reply? You post is redundant and behind the discussion.

 

[F-Dog]

If he can play, Korolev is in a great situation--he can go back to Russia, show his wares (and make a pile of money), and come back to the U.S. as an unrestricted FA.

The fact that he's still here says that nobody in Europe wants him either, which is a huge red flag.


Looks like Sweetney wanted a couple of weeks to get himself together before trying out--another bad sign.


I can't see Potapenko getting time over Marks, even if he's in shape. Really, Sweetney and Skinner are the only two who might force themselves up the depth chart.

 

[F-Dog]

I thought Korolev signed a Clipper extention.

Quoted for Eric's benefit.

 

[Griffin]

I can't see Potapenko getting time over Marks, even if he's in shape. Really, Sweetney and Skinner are the only two who might force themselves up the depth chart.

I don't think we are looking for a replacement for Marks here, I think we are looking for Marks' backup.

 

[F-Dog]

I think the Suns will wind up with Marks' backup, but they're looking for somebody who can play.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the Suns will wind up with Marks' backup, but they're looking for somebody who can play.

If the Suns are looking for Marks backup then the Suns are in serious trouble. Marks couldn't even get playing time over Pat Burke.

 

[fordronken]

I think Burke got playing time of Marks due to the kind of player he was, not the quality of player. He could shoot.

I'm starting to think that Kerr is trying to push D'Antoni to change his strategy a little to be more prepared for the playoffs. Strawberry, Tucker and Marks are all solid players who can do good things for us on defense, but aren't necessarily going to light it up on offense.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think Burke got playing time of Marks due to the kind of player he was, not the quality of player. He could shoot.

I'm starting to think that Kerr is trying to push D'Antoni to change his strategy a little to be more prepared for the playoffs. Strawberry, Tucker and Marks are all solid players who can do good things for us on defense, but aren't necessarily going to light it up on offense.

I sure hope you are right and I am wrong about Marks. He has not shown me at least a sliver of hope that he can regularly play on the NBA level when it matters. Yes, he seems to be a nice guy and probably a good practice player.

Sure Burke could shoot good in practice and during brief stretches of the game (after the outcome had been determined). Other than that, Burke was a liability. IMO, the only thing Marks may have over Burke is basketball IQ. Burke had some physical ability but never seemed able to use it.

 

[fordronken]

I sure hope you are right and I am wrong about Marks. He has not shown me at least a sliver of hope that he can regularly play on the NBA level when it matters. Yes, he seems to be a nice guy and probably a good practice player.

Sure Burke could shoot good in practice and during brief stretches of the game (after the outcome had been determined). Other than that, Burke was a liability. IMO, the only thing Marks may have over Burke is basketball IQ. Burke had some physical ability but never seemed able to use it.

Marks is tall, and he's been around a lot of good basketball, has played for good coaches (who have wanted him back) and has been around some good players. If he can turn that into smart, effective basketbal for fifteen minutes a game, I would be elated.

 

[Errntknght]

I think I'd be inclined to go with Sweetney from the people mentioned - he's the best rebounder statistically and thats what we need the most. He fell off in almost every category last year when he had his minutes cut way down but even then his rebounding improved.

The other two that interest me are Batista and Elton Brown. Batista looked pretty good in the FIBA tourney, I thought, and Brown led the NDBL in rebounding. He should be the hungriest one of the group and he might the one who'd maintain the best attitude with the very spotty playing time these guys figure to get...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Marks is tall, and he's been around a lot of good basketball, has played for good coaches (who have wanted him back) and has been around some good players. If he can turn that into smart, effective basketbal for fifteen minutes a game, I would be elated.

If he comes out, plays hard, avoids mistakes, grabs a few boards, AND NEVER THROWS UP A THREE, I will be elated.

 

[Griffin]

Player			Height	Weight	Age	2007 Team	07 Stats (PRB)	NBA Career	NBA Draft	Visiting

Elton Brown		6-9	250	24	NBDL		18.4/9.6/0.3	no games	not drafted	Wed
Michael Ruffin		6-8	248	30	Wizards		0.6/2.1/0.3	1.8/4.2		1999 (2/32)	Wed
Zarko Cabarkapa 	6-11	235	26	Warriors	DNP (injured)	4.3/2.1		2003 (1/17)	Wed
Mario Bennett		6-9	235	34	France		9.7/9.4		4.0/2.7		1995 (1/27)	Wed
Vitaly Potapenko	6-10	285	32	Kings		0.0/0.7/0.0	6.5/4.5/0.3	1996 (1/12)	Thu
Mike Sweetney		6-8	275	24	Bulls		3.2/2.5/0.2	6.5/4.5/0.4	2003 (1/9)	Next week
Brian Skinner		6-9	265	31	Bucks		4.4/5.7/1.0	5.1/5.0/0.8	1998 (1/22)	Next week
Yaroslav Korolev	6-9	203	20	Clippers	1.2/0.3/0.0	1.1/0.5/0.0	2005 (1/12)	Next week
Esteban Batista		6-10	270	24	Hawks		1.5/2.3/0.0	1.7/2.5/0.1	not drafted	-
Pat Burke		6-11	250	33	Suns		2.6/2.0/0.1	3.7/2.1/0.3	not drafted	-

I really don't like anyone on this list. The stats obviously tell very little as most of these players never really got a chance to play much, but I doubt we will sign anyone better than Marks. And that doesn't say much either.

Basically, if P.J. Brown does not sign with us, we will not replace Kurt Thomas this season. This is of course not news, as most people probably already assumed and/or accepted that.

Having said all that, since we have to sign someone, I would like to give someone like Brown a chance, or Batista, or Otis George from the summer league. I'd rather sign a younger player who has not played in the NBA yet (or played very little).

 

[Mainstreet]

Griffin, I compliment you on the chart. I wish I knew how to do this type thing.

There's not much to choose from on the list. I wish the Suns could take an unsigned Zarko to camp for another look see. I just can't forget how good he was prior to the Fortson incident.

I guess if I had to choose one (hoping the Suns get PJ) it probably would be in the following order:

1. Skinner
2. Sweetney
3. Brown