Ford and Simmons talking Durant and the Suns

[ma_falaa_50]

I agree with you. the Oden I saw on the championship game was different form the oden that played most of the tournament. I think he was motivated because he was playing againts florida.

I havnt really seen him play like that. I wont discuss his HS accolades because Its freaking HS.

I think most ppl are drafting number one becuase of his potential. Most scouts think that Noah has untapped potential. No one can really predict the future. I do know this Noah is a intregal part of this yr and last years run to win the national champioship.

I think Noah's desire to be the best maybe in question becuase he was born with a golden spoon out of his mouth.

 

[azirish]

I agree with you. the Oden I saw on the championship game was different form the oden that played most of the tournament. I think he was motivated because he was playing againts florida.

I havnt really seen him play like that. I wont discuss his HS accolades because Its freaking HS.

I think most ppl are drafting number one becuase of his potential. Most scouts think that Noah has untapped potential. No one can really predict the future. I do know this Noah is a intregal part of this yr and last years run to win the national champioship.

I think Noah's desire to be the best maybe in question becuase he was born with a golden spoon out of his mouth.

The refs took Oden out of most of the games with ticky tack fouls. His passivity in the Florida game hurt the OSU defense, but at least he got a chance to show what he can do. Make no mistake, Florida has some great inside guys and Oden was still overpowering.

 

[dodie53]

i like hortford than noah..

hortford is big yet he runs fast

 

[Tank]

As much as I hate the Longhorns, I would kill to have Durant on the Suns...

After watching the Big 12 all season, Durant is a good (not great) defender. He gets the defensive stats because of his frame, but he can get beat off the dribble by some of the more elusive small forwards, but he would need to bulk up more to play PF. He did make first team All Big 12 Defense. To me, he is Marion with more upside (and a lower salary to begin with).

 

[Joe Mama]

I don't believe that Chad Ford and/or Bill Simmons were right with their original position that the Phoenix Suns are a team that would draft Kevin Durrant over Greg Oden. I thought that a week ago, and I definitely think that now.

Joe

 

[Finito]

I think its all gonna depend on what we do in the playoffs. Its win it all this year or nothing, If we dont win it all this year then I say Marion is 100% on the block.

Were gonna have 3 picks in this draft if the ping pong balls fall our way. I mean you gotta think Marion and 3 picks is an atractive package for someone for Durant, but I dont really think Durant and Oden are the only two big time impact players in this draft. I think Horford, Wright and two guys no one is really talking about Jeff Green and Alondo Tucker would all be great fits for this team.

By the way I would be heartbroken if we traded Barbosa. I dont know I just kind of view him different than a guy like Marion. We've seen both grow up here but its just different you know. Maybe thats just me

 

[ma_falaa_50]

Barbosa sint going to be traded. marion is not going to get traded. Mike dantoni is running the show now not that idiot bryan colangelo. Mike is smart enough to know that marion's disrutive defense on nowitski is invaluable. If you want to know who is going to get traded. its Kurt thomas. Thats if he chooses to stay with the team. I think phx will have to trade 2 of the 3 picks in the first round including thomas for a higher pick in the draft.

dantoni know that there is a good chance that these phx tema wont go all the way. He knows that to continue to win he has to keep the core guys. Its plain common sense basketball. this is why fans do not make good GM. they get to easily tricked by the basketball media.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I really do need to get my glasses checked.

Change in subject. one deep sleeper to watch for is Chris Richards of Florida. He plays behind Noah and Horford, but he's done a reasonble job. He averaged 5.7 ppg in 18.3 minutes on 65.5% and had 3.5 rpg.

He's 6'9" and 255 with very impressive athleticsm.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=416

i always thought he was impressive when he played. always played within his limits. but that's also what will keep coach d away from him. he has tremendous limits. no jump shot whatsoever. very limited in terms of running the floor. he's a garbage guy whose game was completely dependent upon the fact that teams had to focus on all the talent surrounding him. he did his job, it's just that his job wasn't all that difficult.

 

[Finito]

Barbosa sint going to be traded. marion is not going to get traded. Mike dantoni is running the show now not that idiot bryan colangelo. Mike is smart enough to know that marion's disrutive defense on nowitski is invaluable. If you want to know who is going to get traded. its Kurt thomas. Thats if he chooses to stay with the team. I think phx will have to trade 2 of the 3 picks in the first round including thomas for a higher pick in the draft.

dantoni know that there is a good chance that these phx tema wont go all the way. He knows that to continue to win he has to keep the core guys. Its plain common sense basketball. this is why fans do not make good GM. they get to easily tricked by the basketball media.

Im sorry, What?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

At least I made clear my comments were predicated on initial observations (which I made clear). Obviously watching a player for a couple of games is not a story told. I was more impressed with Horford, Conley and Richard in the Championship game but am I not allowed to talk about my impressions about them?

you can talk about 'em all you want, but to say that oden will not be an impact player at the next level based on a single game (which is what you were saying) is just ludicrous.

 

[Joe Mama]

If you think including Kurt Thomas in a trade is going to move the Phoenix up in the draft I think you are mistaken.

If/when Shawn Marion disappears in the playoffs and Phoenix gets knocked out in the Western Conference championship or earlier he will be on the block. I'm not sure anything will actually get done, but his name will get thrown around in trade talks between teams (not just in the media).

They aren't going to keep him around forever at $15 million + because he does a good job guarding one person.

Joe

 

[asudevil83]

If you think including Kurt Thomas in a trade is going to move the Phoenix up in the draft I think you are mistaken.

If/when Shawn Marion disappears in the playoffs and Phoenix gets knocked out in the Western Conference championship or earlier he will be on the block. I'm not sure anything will actually get done, but his name will get thrown around in trade talks between teams (not just in the media).

They aren't going to keep him around forever at $15 million + because he does a good job guarding one person.

Joe

the ONLY way the suns can move up in the draft by trading KT is if the suns take on a bad contract in return. an example would be something like KT/Cleveland for Kenny Thomas/#9. we probably wouldnt be able to move up that high, but the idea is there. or better yet Foyle/#16 for KT/#29

and yes....if Marion dogs out on the playoffs again, and we are ousted early then Marion WILL be on the block.

 

[azirish]

you can talk about 'em all you want, but to say that oden will not be an impact player at the next level based on a single game (which is what you were saying) is just ludicrous.

If it was one good game, your point would be valid. What you are missing is years of AAU ball, solid progress over the course of the season, and an amazing combination of size, strength, and athleticism. Mover, Oden has shown some nice low post moves to go along with his overpowering dunks.

Is he perfect? No. He's a college freshman and is still learning how to play. But neigher is he a O'Bryant with a couple of good games on top of an unimpressive season. Durant will probably go first, but no one in their right mind will pass on Oden at #2

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

If it was one good game, your point would be valid. What you are missing is years of AAU ball, solid progress over the course of the season, and an amazing combination of size, strength, and athleticism. Mover, Oden has shown some nice low post moves to go along with his overpowering dunks.

Is he perfect? No. He's a college freshman and is still learning how to play. But neigher is he a O'Bryant with a couple of good games on top of an unimpressive season. Durant will probably go first, but no one in their right mind will pass on Oden at #2

i still think oden will go first. his ridiculous upside was actually best evidenced by a play he didn't finish, that ridiculous attempted dunk in the hoya game. that's the highest leap i've ever seen from any 7-footer . . . ever. his defense is there. the offense will come. he'll be #1. i'll be shocked if durant goes above him.

 

[asudevil83]

If it was one good game, your point would be valid. What you are missing is years of AAU ball, solid progress over the course of the season, and an amazing combination of size, strength, and athleticism. Mover, Oden has shown some nice low post moves to go along with his overpowering dunks.

Is he perfect? No. He's a college freshman and is still learning how to play. But neigher is he a O'Bryant with a couple of good games on top of an unimpressive season. Durant will probably go first, but no one in their right mind will pass on Oden at #2

and you cant forget that Oden missed half the season with a hand injury, and spent another quarter of the season still rehabbing it. he was only completely healthy for 8-9 games of the season + the tourney

 

[azirish]

and you cant forget that Oden missed half the season with a hand injury, and spent another quarter of the season still rehabbing it. he was only completely healthy for 8-9 games of the season + the tourney

Actually Oden missed only 7 games, but had minimal use of his right hand until much later. If was only near the end of the season that he started shooting foul shots with his right hand.

One odd aspect of this was that Oden learned how to use his left hand, something few NBA players can do.

 

[ma_falaa_50]

Im sorry, What?

Barbosa isnt going to be traded. marion is not going to get traded. Mike dantoni is running the show not that idiot bryan colangelo. Mike is smart enough to know that marion's disruptive defense on nowitski is invaluable. If you want to know who is going to get traded its kurt thomas and thats if he chooses to stay with the team. I think phx will have to trade 2 of the 3 picks in the first round including thomas for a higher pick in the draft.

dantoni know that there is a good chance that this phx team wont go all the way. He knows that to continue to win he has to keep the core guys. Its plain basketball common sense.

Fans never make good GM because they get easily swayed.

Dantoni likes one of the guys from florida but who knows which one. I think its horford.

 

[asudevil83]

Actually Oden missed only 7 games, but had minimal use of his right hand until much later. If was only near the end of the season that he started shooting foul shots with his right hand.

One odd aspect of this was that Oden learned how to use his left hand, something few NBA players can do.

ehh....same thing .

so much for me paying attention to early season NCAA. i thought he missed something like 10-15 games to start out. oh, well.

my point still stands that he was not an impact player for more than half the season. his progress from when he came back till now is just a show of how talented this guy is.

 

[azirish]

ehh....same thing .

so much for me paying attention to early season NCAA. i thought he missed something like 10-15 games to start out. oh, well.

my point still stands that he was not an impact player for more than half the season. his progress from when he came back till now is just a show of how talented this guy is.

Actually he had an impact almost from the beginning - as a shot blocker and rebounder. In his first three games he had 5 blocks each and finished the season with 9.7 rpg and 3.5 blocks per game in 29.2 minutes.

His 15.2 ppg was almost incidental, but was held to single digits only 5 times.

 

[Mainstreet]

you can talk about 'em all you want, but to say that oden will not be an impact player at the next level based on a single game (which is what you were saying) is just ludicrous.

These were my comments:

I've only seen Oden play for the first time last night. I'm not sure if he will become an elite player.

My comments were made after seeing Oden play for the first time against Georgetown. I just spoke of what I saw. Perhaps I should not have commented. Of course he played much better against Florida. I never said Oden would not become an impact player at the next level. I just questioned whether he would become an "elite" player based on my observation in one game. I guess for all the hype Oden has received I expected to see a young Kareem, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Bill Russell, Shaq or Tim Duncan on the floor. Every player can have an off game and that is what scouting is all about.

I will say that Oden has all the potential to become an elite player at the next level... not bad for an 18 year old. He has a tremendously high ceiling. I certainly think he may be selected with one of the two first round picks in the draft with Horford nearly or maybe on the same level. I do think Horford would make a great selection for the Suns but I don't see anyway they can get their hands on him.

 

[tobiazz]

I just questioned whether he would become an "elite" player based on my observation in one game. I guess for all the hype Oden has received I expected to see a young Kareem, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Bill Russell, Shaq or Tim Duncan on the floor. Every player can have an off game and that is what scouting is all about.

Your comment made me wonder how good those other guys were during their freshman year in College. Robinson and Olajuwon, and Duncan did not do much (at least compared to Oden).
Ewing and Shaq were good. Then there's Russell with 19pts and 19rebs and there's Kareem with 29ppg, 15rebs, and 67% shooting! I wish the recorded blocks back then.

I really feel that Oden will be a better version of David Robinson if he stays healthy. Oden and Durant should both be productive players, but Oden has almost zero chance of being a bust, IMO.

 

[Mainstreet]

Your comment made me wonder how good those other guys were during their freshman year in College. Robinson and Olajuwon, and Duncan did not do much (at least compared to Oden).
Ewing and Shaq were good. Then there's Russell with 19pts and 19rebs and there's Kareem with 29ppg, 15rebs, and 67% shooting! I wish the recorded blocks back then.

I really feel that Oden will be a better version of David Robinson if he stays healthy. Oden and Durant should both be productive players, but Oden has almost zero chance of being a bust, IMO.

Hypothetically, if you were the Suns and had the first pick in the draft who would you pick #1? Would it be Oden, Durant, Horford or whoever. I'm thinking it might be Durant based on scouting reports, but I have never seen him play. Horford also really looks like a Suns type player with his style of play, but then you have the potential of a player like Oden who may be a career center. The Suns have never had the luxury of selecting #1 so I can only dream.

 

[Finito]

Barbosa isnt going to be traded. marion is not going to get traded. Mike dantoni is running the show not that idiot bryan colangelo. Mike is smart enough to know that marion's disruptive defense on nowitski is invaluable. If you want to know who is going to get traded its kurt thomas and thats if he chooses to stay with the team. I think phx will have to trade 2 of the 3 picks in the first round including thomas for a higher pick in the draft.

dantoni know that there is a good chance that this phx team wont go all the way. He knows that to continue to win he has to keep the core guys. Its plain basketball common sense.

Fans never make good GM because they get easily swayed.

Dantoni likes one of the guys from florida but who knows which one. I think its horford.

No that was ment in a kind of "That post was so stupid I did'nt know how to respond to it" sort of way.

 

[azirish]

Hypothetically, if you were the Suns and had the first pick in the draft who would you pick #1? Would it be Oden, Durant, Horford or whoever. I'm thinking it might be Durant based on scouting reports, but I have never seen him play. Horford also really looks like a Suns type player with his style of play, but then you have the potential of a player like Oden who may be a career center. The Suns have never had the luxury of selecting #1 so I can only dream.

Oden is not an "ideal fit" for the Suns, but I doubt they would pass on him if only to keep him out of the hands of other teams. He's so powerful that nearly every opponent would be forced to double team him, which is not easy when playing with a guy like Amare.

Durant did not have nearly as strong a supporting cast as the other guys, but he's probably the biggest offensive threat in collge right now - plus he plays defense and rebounds. He'd be perfect for the Suns, although he's not really a low post defender.

Horford has nothing close to the talent of the other two and might slip as low as 5th pick, but he'd be a good pickup for the Suns. He's a good low post defender (against everyone except Oden), is quite athletic (great rebounder), and has a very good mid range shot.

There is a chance that Roy Hibbert might go ahead of Horford based on how much better Georgetown dealt with Oden than Florida did. Hibbert is a legitimate 7'2" 272 guy with some skills. Horford is probably no more than 6'9", so size might play a role. For the Suns Hibbert is too slow, but teams like the Bobcats need a center more than an PF assuming Okafor ever gets healthy.

 

[Black Jesus]

barbosa is our future, he will be averaging 25 points soon. marion really needs to go because he is not as good defensively as he gets credit for and we better get something good for him before FA takes over. marion, 4th, banks for 1st or 2nd overall and some back-up point guard