Coro Blog: The big man vacancy

[azirish]

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/6310

The big man vacancy


Wow, people are fired up about this dearth of size on the Suns roster.
First off, it's not like they are going into the season without adding another big man. With 12 guaranteed contracts, they have to sign someone anyway and it will definitely be a big.

Obviously, they want P.J. Brown and are willing to go beyond the veteran's minimum to do it. We're not talking the whole mid-level exception here but enough to say, "We really want you," much like giving Grant Hill the biennial exception rather than a minimum deal.

Brown may just retire or he may bide his time, stay home with the kids through Christmas and show up for the stretch run with a needy contender. If Brown does not make a decision in the coming weeks, Phoenix will sign someone else before they leave for Tucson on Oct. 1.

It won't be Melvin Ely despite how much everyone talks about him. Michael Sweetney is an interesting free agent. True, he's overweight. But it wouldn't matter with the minutes he'd play and practices/athletic trainers would run him into shape. I only mention him because they wanted Robert "Tractor" Traylor in a similar situation three years ago (the same season Jackson Vroman started Game 2 at center).

At this point, they sacrifice something with just about any available big man. Dale Davis is old. Michael Ruffin can't shoot. Esteban Batista is on the short side. Jamal Sampson has character issues (a big no-no with Phoenix). Brian Skinner played at Baylor. Toss Calvin Booth, Vitaly Potapenko, Alan Henderson, Marc Jackson and Slava Medvedenko in the junk pile of big men who can't find a team until September. Don't rule out Pat Burke. It's not likely but still on the radar considering what's left and his knowledge of the system.

The Suns are big on another big man besides the obvious reliance on Amare Stoudemire's progress and even Sean Marks' bigger role. It's Boris Diaw, who gets the rare G/F/C on some rosters.

Word is that Diaw is having a great summer. He has dropped about 10 pounds and is the leader of his team in France. Suns strength and conditioning coach Erik Phillips is overseas to work with him during France's Olympic qualifying tournament. Yes, the team with Tony Parker looks to Diaw for its leadership. Many fans get down on Diaw but the Suns rarely do. His return to 2005-06 form is a big point of emphasis for the staff.

 

[azirish]

Sweetney seems like an odd choice. So far, it does not appear the Bulls are making the qualifying offer of $3.6 million. According to Hoopshype:

http://www.hoopshype.com/players/mike_sweetney.htm

Decent rebounder and scorer down low... Good hands... Great wingspan... Undersized for the power forward spot... Must develop a face-the basket game... Not good in the open court... Bad conditioning... Has underachieved in the NBA.

Last season he completely fell out of the rotation with only 385 minutes for the entire season. The previous season (before they drafted TyrusThomas), he averaged 8.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 18.5 minutes.

Unless Coro knows something we don't, he appears to be rather unlikely based on what is generally known about him.

 

[Mainstreet]

Sweetney seems like an odd choice...

Last season he completely fell out of the rotation with only 385 minutes for the entire season. The previous season (before they drafted TyrusThomas), he averaged 8.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 18.5 minutes.

Unless Coro knows something we don't, he appears to be rather unlikely based on what is generally known about him.

I haven't watched Sweetney much in his career, however, the Suns could see him as a Corliss Williams type player if he were in shape. I could see him giving the Suns some needed bulk on the inside if the Suns could tap into his skills. He could be a feast or famine type player like Oliver Miller (I'm not comparing positions). At least Sweeney appears to have the ability to play in NBA which is more than can be said of many bench players.

 

[azirish]

I haven't watched Sweetney much in his career, however, the Suns could see him as a Corliss Williams type player if he were in shape. I could see him giving the Suns some needed bulk on the inside if the Suns could tap into his skills. He could be a feast or famine type player like Oliver Miller (I'm not comparing positions). At least Sweeney appears to have the ability to play in NBA which is more than can be said of many bench players.

That is a huge "if", since this issue has been coming up with him since he was drafted.

 

[elindholm]

Sweetney is your classic hulk who, in college, could use his size to create space on offense and under the boards and whose defensive shortcomings were disguised by generally weak opposition. In the NBA you have to be more than that (unless you are extremely large, which Sweetney is not), and he has never been able to develop those skills.

 

[azirish]

Sweetney is your classic hulk who, in college, could use his size to create space on offense and under the boards and whose defensive shortcomings were disguised by generally weak opposition. In the NBA you have to be more than that (unless you are extremely large, which Sweetney is not), and he has never been able to develop those skills.

That is certainly my read on him. The guys who have been able to make the transition have been willing to get into very good condition and have the quickness to partially offset size issues. Brand and Boozer are examples.

Oliver Miller had a lot more native talent than Sweetney and his history is well known.

 

[Mainstreet]

That is a huge "if", since this issue has been coming up with him since he was drafted.

Like I said, I haven't seen Sweetney play that much. It seems the last time he really caught my eye was when he played with the Knicks. I thought he might turn into a player back then. The only thought is that some players play better if they find the right system. I guess that would be the only hope for him with Phoenix.

I would also happily take PJ and Skinner.

 

[elindholm]

I would also happily take PJ and Skinner.

"And"? Now you're talking!

 

[azirish]

It seems really unlikely they'd sign two major veterans (Skinner is a former starting center on a playoff team back in the day) because somebody is going to be unhappy with his minutes if they do. But I think it is possible they'd sign a project big prior to getting PJ to sign.

 

[Sunsman44]

If PJ doesn't sign within 2 weeks, Suns will most likely pick up Mike Sweetney. That's my hunch.

Suns will not get Skinner because he has zero offense, but might be interested in Sweetney.

I don't mind his game. Decent shooter. Great passer for his size. Reminds me of a more skilled Oliver Miller. He only needs to play 10 minutes a night, so weight doesn't matter.

Then in April, PJ will decide to make a Suns playoff run, and the Suns would keep the door open for him and sign him. They would thus have two bigs - Sweetney and PJ - off the bench alongside Diaw and Marks.

 

[azirish]

If PJ doesn't sign within 2 weeks, Suns will most likely pick up Mike Sweetney. That's my hunch.

Suns will not get Skinner because he has zero offense, but might be interested in Sweetney.

I don't mind his game. Decent shooter. Great passer for his size. Reminds me of a more skilled Oliver Miller. He only needs to play 10 minutes a night, so weight doesn't matter.

Then in April, PJ will decide to make a Suns playoff run, and the Suns would keep the door open for him and sign him. They would thus have two bigs - Sweetney and PJ - off the bench alongside Diaw and Marks.

Can Sweetney run at all? I'm serious, because that has been a recurring issue with every big man we've discussed about playing with the Suns.

 

[elindholm]

The Suns will not sign Sweetney.

 

[Sunsman44]

The Suns will not sign Sweetney.

Source?

 

[elindholm]

Source?

Common sense. He doesn't have the skills they're looking for.

 

[Sunsman44]

Can Sweetney run at all? I'm serious, because that has been a recurring issue with every big man we've discussed about playing with the Suns.

I don't think any of the bigs discussed thru out these forums are any worst at running up and down the floor than Kurt.

To me, all the Kurts, Skinners, Ruffins, Booths, Elys, and pretty much everyone else left in the free agent market runs the same.

Just pick one and begin. My take would be Sweetney. True, the worst of all the runners, but probablly the best passer, shooter, and scorer of all in the list.

 

[Sunsman44]

Common sense. He doesn't have the skills they're looking for.

So common sense is your source?

Common sense also says Suns cannot win without a deep bench, front-court help outside Amare, and an improved defense.

Can I also use Mr. Common Sense as my source to present my argument?

 

[azirish]

The Suns will not sign Sweetney.

I concur.

He is only 6'8" but weighs 275. Hoopshype says he's not good in the open court, is in poor condition, with no "face the basket skills"
http://www.hoopshype.com/players/mike_sweetney.htm

I can't imagine a set of traits less likely to fit what D'Antoni would actually use.

I agree with Coro's notion that whoever they get there will be tradeoffs, but I can't see anyone being selected without at certain trait combinations.

Set 1 - Athletic Big - runs the floor well, rebounding, defense

Set 2 - Slow Big - defense, rebounding, and outside shooting

Set 3 - Athletic but Small - rebounding, open court skills (limited on the low post defense) some shooting

But slow, short, lack of open court skills, no outside shooting, etc. doesn't really work.

 

[F-Dog]

Sweetney has talent, but he's short. If he's in shape, I'd happily take him over Skinner and the rest of the non-P.J. dregs.



The Suns were salivating over the prospect of drafting Ike Diogu a few years back, and Sweetney was a similar (but better) player back before he turned into Hot Plate Williams. The question with Sweetney has always been whether he'll lose that last 30 pounds...

 

[azirish]

Sweetney has talent, but he's short. If he's in shape, I'd happily take him over Skinner and the rest of the non-P.J. dregs.

The question with Sweetney has always been whether he'll lose that last 30 pounds...[/quote]

Well duh. My theory is that you wait until after the guy loses the weight before you give him a pile of money.

Batista was overweight last year, but lost 20 pounds before playing the FIBA Americas. I'm still not sure he's quick enough for the Suns, but at least he's doing what it takes. It is not clear Sweetney is prepared to do that.

 

[Sunsman44]

Sweetney has talent, but he's short. If he's in shape, I'd happily take him over Skinner and the rest of the non-P.J. dregs.



The Suns were salivating over the prospect of drafting Ike Diogu a few years back, and Sweetney was a similar (but better) player back before he turned into Hot Plate Williams. The question with Sweetney has always been whether he'll lose that last 30 pounds...

Agree 100%.

Sweetney - nor any other player left such as Skinner and PJ - are going to make any difference whatsoever.

Therefore, adding Sweetney to come off the bench for 12 minutes a night will not detriment the rotation. In fact, he is going to help.

Sweetney is one of the best passers in his size/position. Furthermore, he is a fairly good rebounder and has the ability to score when close to the basket. That's all Suns really need for the 12 minutes or less he is playing. Remember, D'Antoni has a stubborn 7-man rotation and the supposedly said Marks and Banks alongside Tucker might get minutes.

Clearly Sweetney is no Kurt Thomas or anything close to being polished and conditioned, but a sure of a lot better option than 38-year-old PJ Brown - who would also get only 12 minutes off the bench as well.

Plus, Sweetney isn't all that slower than Kurt Thomas. If Thomas' 35-year old legs could run the floor, why not Sweetney?