Draft Prospects thread

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Personally I like Fazekas. To me he compares to Nick Collison of Seattle. VERY similar in playing style. I think he could be had with OUR 29th pick. Lord knows what Collison has done to the Suns in the past. Fazekas isn't as hard nosed on defense, but the rebounding and scoring is right on par.

nick feeecch. that's all i have to say.

 

[slinslin]

Collison is a tough nosed hard worker type player, Fazekas is a rather soft big man shooter?
I don't see the similarities and Fazekas should not be a first round pick.

 

[Cheesebeef]

nick feeecch. that's all i have to say.

i don't want a Brian Zemp look-alike on my team.

 

[azirish]

I haven't been impressed with Fazekas in the games I've seen him play, but admittedly his team was usually vastly overmatched.

In any case, he's not the "type" of player I crave - an athletic big who can defend the post, rebound and shoot. Give me a KT to could run and jump.

Game 2 of the Spurs series showed what I'm talking about. After getting shredded in game 1, the Suns held the Spurs to 42.9% shooting and just 6 of 18 for three while only being out rebounded by 1. In game 1, the Spurs shot 50% from the field, 43.8% for three, and out rebounded the Suns by 14. In game 1, the Spurs took 33 free throws while in game 2, the Spurs shot only 16 free throws. In game 1, KT played only 12.43 minutes. In game 2 he played 28 minutes.

The Suns cannot afford a slow, defensive specialist who can't shoot. But soft offensive specialists won't solve the Suns basic problem.

 

[DevilsFan]

Corey Brewer

I think Phx is going to get corey brewer becuase he provides what they need-defense, athleticism, and a natural SF.

I've got two words for everyone who thinks Corey Brewer is worth a lottery pick: Stacey Augmon.

I was going to say Tim Perry, but I don't think Brewer is quite that bad.

 

[azirish]

I've got two words for everyone who thinks Corey Brewer is worth a lottery pick: Stacey Augmon.

I was going to say Tim Perry, but I don't think Brewer is quite that bad.

Brewer's stock is very high right now because he played so well in the tournament. His shooting was huge. The fact that he was so effective against Mike Conley was also a very big deal.

If he was bigger (heavier) so he could play inside, I'd be more enthusiastic. But unless he gets bigger, he's going to be limited to playing SF where his inconsistent outside shooting would be problem.

 

[sunsfn]

This is part of an article on Tiago Splitter by had Ford.
----------------------------------------------------
***=skipped parts..
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An estimated 100 GMs, executives and scouts from the NBA descended on
***
Top draft prospect Tiago Splitter, playing for Tau Ceramica, was the only
***
But with that said, his performance isn't blowing anyone away either. Most NBA scouts project Splitter as a probable rotation player in the NBA. Very few see him as a star.
"He's got good size and some toughness on the defensive end," one NBA exeuctive said. "But he hasn't progressed a lot the last few years and still lacks a defined offensive game. He'll be a good NBA player, but I'm not sure he'll be a great one."
Complicating matters is Splitter's contract situation with Tau. As we've documented the last two years, Splitter hasn't had a buyout clause in his contract, meaning NBA teams would have to gamble that Tau would let him go at a reasonable number.
The buyout situation caused Splitter to pull out of the draft the last three years.
This time, he has no choice but to stay in the draft. But will he ever make it to the NBA?
There may be light at the end of the tunnel. Splitter's agent, Herb Rudoy, told me on Tuesday that Splitter does have a reasonable buyout clause in his contract -- in the summer of 2008.
The buyout, according to Rudoy, is for $1 million. The NBA team that drafts him can pick up $500,000 of the buyout, leaving Splitter with the rest of the bill.
But since the buyout isn't until 2008, does that mean the NBA team that drafts him this year will have to wait another year before getting his services? Not necessarily.
Splitter's people have been working with Tau to come to an arrangement. The best-case scenario is they allow the buyout to happen this year. The worst-case scenario is he spends another year in Europe developing and then joins the team that drafts him (in June) in the summer of 2008.

---------------------------------------------
If this is one of the best drafts in years as stated by many, splitter may drop to the bottom of the first round.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[azirish]

Tau Ceramica laid an egg in the Euroleague semi-finals.

One of the problems Splitter has is that SCOLA, RAKOCEVIC, and ERDOGAN have been the main offensive threats, with Splitter used mostly for defense. Reviews are mixed as to how well his defensive skills will translate to the NBA, but he is long and athletic.

The only hint of what Splitter might do in a different context was a very good performance in the 2005 FIBA Americas championship where he had a great summer offensively replacing Nene on the up tempo Brazilian team.

As a jumior, Splitter had the reputation for being a good outside shooter, but it is simply not part of what Tau Ceramica wanted from him. No one knows if he can regain his touch.

IMHO, he's not going to be taken nearly as high as the mocks list him. I think he'll drop into the 20's and be taken by someone prepared to leave him Europe.

 

[planaria]

Tiago Splitter: "My team knows that I want to go to the NBA "

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2039

 

[gonashcanada]

we should pick Corey Brewer, or al horford

 

[azirish]

we should pick Corey Brewer, or al horford

Here's a profile from College Hoops for Brewer: http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/new/story/nba_draft_profile_corey_brewer40659

Scouting Report: A standout defender with an adequate offensive game.

Strengths: Lock down defender – Brewer can guard multiple positions and do a great job at it. Long arms gets him lots of steals. Decent scorer – can get out on the fast break and finish well. Good range on his jump shot. Proved that he can take his game to a higher level in big games. Decent rebounder for a wing player.

Weaknesses: Needs to get much stronger physically for the NBA game – 185lbs won’t get the job done on the wing. May have trouble adding extra weight/muscle due to long wingspan. Outside shot needs work – has three-point range but doesn’t shoot it for a very good percentage. Needs to cut down on turnovers and take better care of the ball.

Projected 2007 Draft Range: Top 10 Pick.

Consensus: Brewer’s draft stock has never been higher than it is now after his performance for the Gators in the Final Four. With a little work on his offensive game – most importantly improving the consistency of his outside jumper – and Brewer can be an impact player at both ends of the floor. At the very least he should be a rock solid contributor on the defensive end

I could see him getting some minutes, but he's so slight I'm concerned he might be a few years from being an impact player.

By comparison, Horford looks much more promising

Al Horford College Hoops http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/new/story/nba_draft_profile_al_horford40658

Scouting Report: An overlooked, yet very effective big man and both ends of the court.

Strengths: NBA body – long arms, strong athletic build. Can get up and down the court well for a guy his size. Fantastic rebounder. Great post scorer. Decent range on his jump shot. Very good shotblocker. Very tough defender downlow. Great passer for a player his size and position. Has big game experience. Hardworker and very smart player – always looking to improve.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve his free throw shooting. His last college game wasn’t his best – he was dominated by Greg Oden (nothing to be too ashamed of). Has to get used to playing against bigger, stronger players that the NBA possesses.

Projected 2007 Draft Range: Top 5 pick.

If the Suns end up at 5th, they might be advised to trade up for Horford. He is much more athletic than KT and has the potential of becoming a starter along side Amare.

 

[hafey]

I really think you're beating a dead horse with whole Brewer weight thing George. I've seen Brewer alot and can't remember him getting backed down in college cause he wasn't big enough. Yes, players will be bigger in the NBA but its obvious the NBA is trending towards a faster, lighter game. Brewer can play.

I'd take Horford or Brewer. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I really think you're beating a dead horse with whole Brewer weight thing George. I've seen Brewer alot and can't remember him getting backed down in college cause he wasn't big enough. Yes, players will be bigger in the NBA but its obvious the NBA is trending towards a faster, lighter game. Brewer can play.

I'd take Horford or Brewer. Can't go wrong with either.

totally agree. we'd be lucky to get either.

 

[azirish]

I really think you're beating a dead horse with whole Brewer weight thing George. I've seen Brewer alot and can't remember him getting backed down in college cause he wasn't big enough. Yes, players will be bigger in the NBA but its obvious the NBA is trending towards a faster, lighter game. Brewer can play.

I'd take Horford or Brewer. Can't go wrong with either.

I like Brewer, but I'm not the only person who wonders about a defense specialist who is listed at 185 to 190. He would be useful, but the Suns main problem is finding a heir to KT in the low post.

 

[Cheesebeef]

george, do you actually watch college basketball or just the tournament?

 

[hafey]

Thats the beauty of the situation. The Suns don't have a problem. They are a very good team already. This allows them to take BPA no matter what they weigh.

 

[slinslin]

Seeing what Thomas provides and how no team that got outrebounded one a playoff game in the 2nd round so far we have to take Horford.
He can be a monster on the boards, has a soft touch, quite athletic and can run and he can block some shots.

It would make us a much more complete team, bigger and more traditional in a lineup sense.

Of course in my opinion Horford would replace Marion and we should be looking for a "true" SF then. As quite a lot of people pointed out D'Antoni and many others think that Marion is not as effective if he has to play the 3.

 

[cly2tw]

I don't mind Horfort. But I don't thin we should pick Brewer. Is he as good as Prince or even Sefolosha? How much of what he offers can't be get from say Pietrus in the FA? We gotta get a big with the Atl pick.

 

[sunsfn]

I like Horford or Wright if the suns pick 4-5 and one of them are there. If they are 6-? they may end up with Brewer.

I think they have to go big with the 4-5 pick, it is a no brainer. They have got to add a big and they will not get a chance to do so for many years because of where they pick in the draft. (that is a quality big)

There is also a good chance they take Noah if they are picking 6-?. He is 6' 11" and can play. His offense is not as good as his defense, but he is an aggresive player and his motor is always running. He may be a great fit with the suns team, and he is supposed to be a player that understands the game better than most.

 

[hafey]

As evidenced by last night, Pietrus sucks. He has not improved in 4 years. He gets by on impressive atleticism and a semi-reliable corner 3. His basketball IQ is still low. Having seen him extensively living in the Bay Area, he is the type that amazes you in one game, but frustrates you over the course of an entire season. He would rot on D'Antoni's bench with Marcus Banks.

 

[azirish]

I like Horford or Wright if the suns pick 4-5 and one of them are there. If they are 6-? they may end up with Brewer.

I think they have to go big with the 4-5 pick, it is a no brainer. They have got to add a big and they will not get a chance to do so for many years because of where they pick in the draft. (that is a quality big)

There is also a good chance they take Noah if they are picking 6-?. He is 6' 11" and can play. His offense is not as good as his defense, but he is an aggresive player and his motor is always running. He may be a great fit with the suns team, and he is supposed to be a player that understands the game better than most.

I agree about Horford and Wright, but if the Suns drop to 6, I'd look for them to trade down rather than reach for Noah. I expect him to go in the late lottery.

I'm not 100% sold on Brandan Wright, but the consensus of the writers I seen consider him a solid impact guy with enormous potential. For lottery teams, Wright is obviously the pick. For the Suns, Horford makes more sense because he's more NBA ready although his upside is not as great.

There is a chance that someone like Yi or Hibbert might get taken ahead of Horford, depending on how they test out. I don't particularly like them for the Suns. Yi is considered "soft" and Hibbert slow; but they are a very good prospects and might get taken higher than Horford.

 

[Russ Smith]

I like Brewer, but I'm not the only person who wonders about a defense specialist who is listed at 185 to 190. He would be useful, but the Suns main problem is finding a heir to KT in the low post.

He's pretty similar in build to Pippen and Pippen was a pretty great defender.

He needs to get stronger but most kids his age do. I saw enough of him the last 2 years against UCLA to be glad he's gone, great player.

 

[Russ Smith]

As evidenced by last night, Pietrus sucks. He has not improved in 4 years. He gets by on impressive atleticism and a semi-reliable corner 3. His basketball IQ is still low. Having seen him extensively living in the Bay Area, he is the type that amazes you in one game, but frustrates you over the course of an entire season. He would rot on D'Antoni's bench with Marcus Banks.

Yep he makes the spectacular plays but not the easy ones. And he hasn't seemed to figure out what a dumb foul is he continues to commit the dumbest fouls. I really liked him 2 years ago but he has not improved. He's not playing SG now he's almost a PF, but he hasn't improved. Too bad he's a great athlete and a very good defender, but he just doesn't play smart.

 

[sunsfn]

As evidenced by last night, Pietrus sucks. He has not improved in 4 years. He gets by on impressive atleticism and a semi-reliable corner 3. His basketball IQ is still low. Having seen him extensively living in the Bay Area, he is the type that amazes you in one game, but frustrates you over the course of an entire season. He would rot on D'Antoni's bench with Marcus Banks.

I was going to write about him in my last post and then forgot.

I agree with you on the above.

When he played against the suns a couple years ago he had a great game and I was impressed, since then he has not done anything worth talking about. I get the feeling when I watch him that he is not very coachable.?

 

[hafey]

Many of the Warriors fans I know feel he has actually regressed the last two years....I think i would agree. High on potential but low on production and IQ.