Draft choices - 2nd Round...

[Kolo]

I like Floirida's David Lee at 21--nice size for a 4, very good athlete, good offensive rebounder and decent shot blocker, can shoot and pass from the high post, would do well playing matador defense and then running opposing bigs into the ground. I bet many wouldn't like the pick because he's not a Warrick-type athlete, but I think he'd fit in well in this system. If Joey Graham were there, I'd prefer him--I think he could defend some 4's and be effective offensively from the perimeter a la the Matrix, but I think he'll be gone long before 21.

Lee's stats:
YR GMS MIN PTS REB AST TO A/T STL BLK PF FG% FT% 3P% PPS
2004-05 32 28.0 13.6 9.0 2.2 2.7 1/1.2 1.1 0.8 2.4 .525 .714 .000 1.43

 

[PhxGametime]

Garcia would be more of a 1/2/3 player than a 4. Outside of Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Rayomd Felton - I'd like to have Garcia, backing up Nash and bringing another all-around skillball player. Outside of those 3 Prospects, there just aren't many better passers and add to that with 1.5 BLKs could play up to the 3 position. Garcia would take over full time the role JJack has after next year and with the 1/2/3 positions filled - JJ can play a punch at the 4 and the #57 Pick can play a role similiar to Hunter and Voskuhl at the Power Forward position. There will be a bunch of PF's in 2nd Round, it does suck that the Suns really wouldn't have their choice of the bunch but with Garcia aboard, Milos Vujanic could be packaged with #57 to move up in 2nd Round.

Garcia would be able to back-up Nash, Johnson, and Richardson... Granger and Warrick would back-up Marion, Richardson, and Johnson. I don't see a PF that would be there at #21 that could back-up Marion and Stoudemire to the ability of those 3 Prospects. I like Brandon Bass however but he seems to be on 1st Round bubble.

Ike Diogu would be another 4 with size issues that could be there at #21, that has the talent of the 3 listed above. Ike probably can't play the 5, so he'd be more of Marion's back-up...

 

[George O'Brien]

We discussed this all of last summer, I have not heard any more updates since then. Do you think he will drop a demand for playing time or money, I'm not sure but he is reportedly making 2M in Europe where they don't have cap constraints. Will the Suns want to match that, I'm not sure they want to sign him to multiyear contract in that range. Our 21st pick is a rookie contract at around 1M that is what I would think that they would offer Vujanic. Remember he was a second round pick and stayed in Europe because that contract would have been under 500k a year. I would rather pick up a second rounder this year because I think some adequate backups will be available and only limit our cap hit to 300K for one year and a team option for the second.

The big issue last summer was that the Suns lacked the cap space and Vujanic had a big buyout. His contract is supposedly up this summer.

BTW, I expect Vujanic will command about $2 million. He might be concerned about minutes, but D'Antoni might change his mind. Beyond anything else, I suspect many players would like a chance to play with the Suns.

 

[coloradosun]

The big issue last summer was that the Suns lacked the cap space and Vujanic had a big buyout. His contract is supposedly up this summer.

BTW, I expect Vujanic will command about $2 million. He might be concerned about minutes, but D'Antoni might change his mind. Beyond anything else, I suspect many players would like a chance to play with the Suns.

My point here George is that Vujanic was only a second round pick himself yet he is trying to command a first round contract. We could add a second rounder with a second round contract if we move up or if someone falls to us with the Dallas pick. Is Vujanic worth more than what the 6th pick overall is given contractually. As well as he has performed overseas it is not a given he will pan out in the NBA.

 

[coloradosun]

In regards to Garcia Draftcity updated its profile on Garcia and this is what it had in its description under his strengths:

http://draftcity.com/viewprofile.php?p=123

Under his weaknesses it stated that fatigue has always been a problem, not good on a running team.


From what I saw in the tournament, I tend to agree with them. Especially what they say in the second paragraph. He may turnout to be a 6'8" Reggie Miller but I think the Suns could find a better 6'8" player that fits their system.

I would take Kennedy Winston in a heartbeat over Francisco Garcia.

 

[coloradosun]

I like Floirida's David Lee at 21--nice size for a 4, very good athlete, good offensive rebounder and decent shot blocker, can shoot and pass from the high post, would do well playing matador defense and then running opposing bigs into the ground. I bet many wouldn't like the pick because he's not a Warrick-type athlete, but I think he'd fit in well in this system. If Joey Graham were there, I'd prefer him--I think he could defend some 4's and be effective offensively from the perimeter a la the Matrix, but I think he'll be gone long before 21.

Lee's stats:
YR GMS MIN PTS REB AST TO A/T STL BLK PF FG% FT% 3P% PPS
2004-05 32 28.0 13.6 9.0 2.2 2.7 1/1.2 1.1 0.8 2.4 .525 .714 .000 1.43

I was impressed with Lee myself but I don't think he would be worth a first round commitment. Again he may be someone to look at if the Suns move up in the second round and if they decide to take a point guard with the 21st pick.

Pittsnogle would be more of an offensive threat from outside than Lee, but Lee is definitely more athletic and may be a better fit.

 

[PhxGametime]

2nd Round, Ouchie...

 

[Mainstreet]

This dependency on needing a backup point guard is worthless, IMO. As long as we keep JJ, I am perfectly happy with our PG rotation. And any point guard we do pick up, won't be much of a "backup", he'll be at most a 9th man on the roster. You're not going to find another Steve Nash, no matter how hard you try.

If JJ and Jim Jackson can handle back-up PG duties what would the Suns do with Barbosa? I wonder if he would be developed further as a combo guard or SG. I'm not sure if he has much trade value (maybe a couple of second round picks).

I just keep thinking when the Suns traded Nash away, I'm sure they never envisioned how much he would develop his game... and Barbosa is still very young. I guess I'm beginning to wonder how long the Suns will wait for Barbosa to develop into a dependable player.

I think the Suns need a couple of bigs and a PG added to their roster through the draft, trade or Free Agency. Another quality big man (preferably two) is a must in my opinion and another PG is needed just for insurance if nothing
else. I think these additions need not be star quality, but just good bench players.

 

[Chaplin]

If JJ and Jim Jackson can handle back-up PG duties what would the Suns do with Barbosa? I wonder if he would be developed further as a combo guard or SG. I'm not sure if he has much trade value (maybe a couple of second round picks).

I just keep thinking when the Suns traded Nash away, I'm sure they never envisioned how much he would develop his game... and Barbosa is still very young. I guess I'm beginning to wonder how long the Suns will wait for Barbosa to develop into a dependable player.

I think the Suns need a couple of bigs and a PG added to their roster through the draft, trade or Free Agency. Another quality big man (preferably two) is a must in my opinion and another PG is needed just for insurance if nothing
else. I think these additions need not be star quality, but just good bench players.

Barbosa = Tony Delk-type shooting guard, but can play a little point in a pinch.

 

[Joe Mama]

Barbosa = Tony Delk-type shooting guard, but can play a little point in a pinch.

He also isn't going to fetch much in return if he was to be traded. He will be a backup guard.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

He also isn't going to fetch much in return if he was to be traded. He will be a backup guard.

Joe Mama

Although along with Rodney Rogers, we traded Delk for Joe Johnson...

 

[Joe Mama]

Although along with Rodney Rogers, we traded Delk for Joe Johnson...

yeah, but we are talking about Tony Delk in his prime. He frustrated many of us... sure. He was a much better scorer than Barbosa is now.

I just love watching Barbosa do a layup. To me it's almost as exciting as watching another player slam dunk the basketball. He is just so sleek.

Joe Mama

 

[lancelet's cousin]

I hope we keep Barbosa. I have been under the impression that we are going to develop him. Lets see what this staff can do with him in the offseason before discussing trading him. He has speed that you can't teach a player. I'm excited about his future, personally-he's just not playoff ready yet. No reason to dump him because we have a short bench.

Remember, the bench we have now was cobbled together midseason when it became apparent we had a shot at a title. That caught everyone off guard because it is our 1st year of rebuilding.

 

[PhxGametime]

Barbosa might not ever be a stud PG but unless the Suns add a PG in Draft or a 1/2/3 type Prospect - JJ and JJack can't play that much there in the regular season.

Barbosa has his days in the regular season, he's capable of being a defender down the road, that can drive and shoot, if JJ and JJack are called upon to play more in Playoffs - there's really nothing wrong with that.

The Suns might need another wing, if JJ and JJack are called upon to play there more often but unless the Suns let Hunter go, Draft a replacement and then use Mid-level to sign a 4/5... the Suns are bound to Draft a 1/2/3/4 anyways. Suns don't need another C if Hunter is kept (which IMO he should be, although I like Jarmareo Davidson). I'm not sure the Suns would Draft a PG in 1st, unless they plan on using Mid-level. With the talent available at #21 - it appears a 2/3/4 would be needed most...

Which gets back to Barbosa, being used in Regular season and for depth... he wasn't that bad but maybe he's not ready to step-up in Playoffs, the Regular season is just as important as Playoffs IMO... since JJ and JJack are capable of taking over when need be.