From the David Aldridge chat today

[Joe Mama]

Erik: Fort Worth, TX: Hey what are the chances of the Suns getting AI or Kobe in the offseason and do you think they might take a high schooler like Shaun Livingston.

David Aldridge: I think they'll take a point guard if they can't get Kobe. So Livingston is definitely on their radar.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=5038

I only saw him one time this season than I can remember, but I loved Devon Harris from Wisconsin. If they pick at #6 or #7 I believe the Phoenix Suns will take the best player available with a preference for a quality frontcourt player. However I don't think they will pass on a backcourt star just to take a frontcourt player they really like.

No slin, I'm still not big on Telfare.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

The McDonald's All Star game did not really cover either Livingston nor Telfair in glory. Neither looks like enough of a shooter to be a possible choice.

Harris looks a like a mid round pick. In the game I saw him in he shot very well at the end of the game, but went long stretches when he did not take a shot while his team needed offense. But one half is hardly a scouting report.

 

[Mainstreet]

Unless there is a genuine star player available in the draft at PG, I see the Suns going for another big man. Of course, if the Suns feel Vuljuric (sp?) cannot play in the NBA or is not coming over, this might change their thinking.

I think the Suns would like for other teams to be thinking they are looking for a PG, but with Barbosa and their rights to the above mentioned player, I'm looking for them to draft a big player or possibly use their pick in acquiring some more talent at the 4/5 position via trade.

 

[slinslin]

Sorry Joe Mama. Sebastian Telfair has star written all over him.

Wether he has that much talent or not he has star quality.

 

[Joe Mama]

He may never be a superstar, but I would love for the Phoenix Suns to get Chris Duhon from Duke. At the least I think he would be a quality guy off the bench. He's very good defensively. He'll probably go at the very end of the first-round or the top of the second round depending on how he performs in the camps.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

He may never be a superstar, but I would love for the Phoenix Suns to get Chris Duhon from Duke. At the least I think he would be a quality guy off the bench. He's very good defensively. He'll probably go at the very end of the first-round or the top of the second round depending on how he performs in the camps.

Joe Mama

I expect Duhon to benefit from strong tourny play, but right now no one has him as a first round prospect. At least he is considered to be fairly physical.

My biggest concern with Livingson and Telfair is that these guys are really light. One of the problems that Barbosa has is that he is getting beat up by more physical guards. He will need to bulk up to handle the kind of physical abuse the refs are permitting.

 

[F-Dog]

Erik: Fort Worth, TX: Hey what are the chances of the Suns getting AI or Kobe in the offseason and do you think they might take a high schooler like Shaun Livingston.

David Aldridge: I think they'll take a point guard if they can't get Kobe. So Livingston is definitely on their radar.

Apparently, Aldridge thinks that Jared Jeffries needs somebody to get him the ball.


As for Duhon, I've decided he'll slip into the first round this year. The Lakers and Pacers could both use a young backup point, and Duhon will probably be the PG who's most ready to contribute when they pick.

There's no point in the Suns drafting Telfair--once you've had the filet mignon of NYC point guards, why settle for prime rib?

Livingston is at least two years away, but if his upside is that huge, it might be worth it. Otherwise, my bet is that the Suns will draft a center.

 

[devilalum]

Why didn't anybody ask him if he still thinks Jeffries will be a better player than Amare.

Last season he was still trying to defend this position which he had before the draft. I don't think the phrase, "I was wrong" is part of this guys vocabulary.

 

[slinslin]

I am impressed by Ben Gordon.

Despite not shooting that well his shot looks very good. He is very quick, moves without the ball, very smooth.

I think he could be a Baron Davis , Gilbert Arenas type of player.

Villaneuva and Deng look very good as well. Okafor on the bench with phantom fouls at the beginning.

Chris Duhon will be a good second round pick and a good backup PG for years to come.

And Aldridge is right. If the Suns can't get Kobe or don't expect to they should draft a PG unless it is a reach and go for help in the middle with the caproom they have got.

Ben Gordon/Joe Johnson backcourt would be pretty good imo with Barbosa, Vujanic and Jacobsen as the backups.

 

[George O'Brien]

I am impressed by Ben Gordon.

Despite not shooting that well his shot looks very good. He is very quick, moves without the ball, very smooth.

I think he could be a Baron Davis , Gilbert Arenas type of player.

Villaneuva and Deng look very good as well. Okafor on the bench with phantom fouls at the beginning.

Chris Duhon will be a good second round pick and a good backup PG for years to come.

And Aldridge is right. If the Suns can't get Kobe or don't expect to they should draft a PG unless it is a reach and go for help in the middle with the caproom they have got.

Ben Gordon/Joe Johnson backcourt would be pretty good imo with Barbosa, Vujanic and Jacobsen as the backups.

I expected much better defense from Gordon, but Duhon really caused him trouble. I think Saturday's game will hurt hurt his stock.

The thing that has become clear over the past few games for the Suns is that they have some real problems on defense. The Mavs were getting wide open shots all night.

 

[slinslin]

Duhon was able to drive on Gordon because the refs called Gordon for every little bump and Duke was screening on him all the time. They even set double-screens for Duhon sometimes.

 

[Gee!]

I say screw it. If we have the opprotunity, draft Emeka Okafur. Sure he's an undersized center. But Shaq will be in retirement soon. Only real big man will be Yao. Detroit doesn't seem to have problems with B.Wallace. Plus Okafur seems like a good guy.

 

[George O'Brien]

I say screw it. If we have the opprotunity, draft Emeka Okafur. Sure he's an undersized center. But Shaq will be in retirement soon. Only real big man will be Yao. Detroit doesn't seem to have problems with B.Wallace. Plus Okafur seems like a good guy.

There are a few holdouts who think Dwight Howard will be a better prospect, but there is zero chance the Suns would take a PG if they have a chance at Okafor.

Almost all this discussion is based on the likelyhood that the Suns will draft in the #7-#8 slot. The push for a PG is based on the belief that Barbosa will never be a top notch PG and the suspicion that Vujanic may be more of a small shooting guard (think Dwayne Wade) than a real PG.

My problem with taking either Livingston or Telfair is that they are not likely to contribute much for a while.

 

[Chaplin]

My problem with taking either Livingston or Telfair is that they are not likely to contribute much for a while.

That goes for anyone we take at #7 or #8.

 

[George O'Brien]

That goes for anyone we take at #7 or #8.

This will sound weird, but I think Iguodala would contribute more than most of the players under consideration for the lottery pick. This is because he can play tight man defense.

According to Draft City

Strengths:

Iguodala is an extremely versatile player. He will be an all around NBA player that gets it done in many different ways. The thing that is most surprising about Iguodala the first couple of times you watch him is his amazing passing ability, he's extremely unselfish and seems to have very good chemistry with his teammates because of that. Andre is just a terrific all around athlete with a vertical in the 40 inch neighborhood. He'll make your eyes pop out in warm-ups with the way he throws it down. The kid is a sportscenter highlight reel and slam dunk champion waiting to happen. Another thing that helps with that is his wingspan, he's got long strong arms, they'll measure out around 7 feet and that combined with his athleticism helps him pull down a lot of rebounds. So far Iguodala has been a marvelous defender in College, even though it doesn't look like he needs to try that hard to do that. He'll be an excellent defender as he continues to develop in the NBA and that alone should help him get playing time early on. He moves his feet on Defense as well as anyone in this draft class. Likes to wreak havoc on D by blocking shots and getting into the passing lanes with his long arms. Right now Andre is a better inside player then outside. He finishes pretty well off the dribble, and takes the ball strong to the hole. He also handles the ball very well and will sometimes even bring the ball up the court for Arizona. Has a good body already at the age of 19, doesn't need to bulk up that much compared to most players his age, he's pretty much ready to bang with most of the SG's in the league.

Weakness:

No outside shot to speak of. Shot 20% from behind the arc last year and 29% this year, and this is the college three we are talking about. That's probably the biggest concern. Doesn't have ideal size to play the 3 so his shooting HAS to improve this year for him to be a lotto pick like he probably covets. Problem is, he is not seeing any minutes at all at that position for Arizona. Iggy's playing the 3/4 mostly this year along with 6-4 Hassan Adams. Like most 19 year olds players, needs to improve his shot selection and decision making. Has a bad habit of always leaping off one foot in the lane. Drives Lute Olsen crazy with that. Not exactly a scoring machine, scores a lot of his points off put backs and fast breaks, half court game needs work. Ball handling skills could still stand to improve.

Andre has a lot of upside, but more important he would give the Suns a high energy defender off the bench from the start. After watching the Suns get scredded by Memphis and Dallas, I think adding a defensive specialist might actually make sense.

 

[Chaplin]

Sorry, but once again, another poster on this board overrates Andre Igoudala.

 

[George O'Brien]

Sorry, but once again, another poster on this board overrates Andre Igoudala.

Maybe, but I think it is just that I am so unimpressed with the rest of the lotttery wanna be players. From what I can tell Igoudala can play defense and I am getting really discouraged by the Suns perimeter defense. I hate using a lottery pick on a role player, but I was looking at the history of project big men in the lottery. Take away a few #1 picks, Amare and Nene - and the results are pretty pathetic.

Why not take a project big man? In 1999 Toronto took Johnathan Bender out of HS with the #5 pick. He is still struggling. Here is what they passed up:

5. Jonathan Bender
6. Wally Szczerbiak
7. Richard Hamilton
8. Andre Miller
9. Shawn Marion
10. Jason Terry
12. Aleksander Radojevic
13. Corey Maggette

 

[Joe Mama]

Maybe, but I think it is just that I am so unimpressed with the rest of the lotttery wanna be players. From what I can tell Igoudala can play defense and I am getting really discouraged by the Suns perimeter defense. I hate using a lottery pick on a role player, but I was looking at the history of project big men in the lottery. Take away a few #1 picks, Amare and Nene - and the results are pretty pathetic.

Why not take a project big man? In 1999 Toronto took Johnathan Bender out of HS with the #5 pick. He is still struggling. Here is what they passed up:

5. Jonathan Bender
6. Wally Szczerbiak
7. Richard Hamilton
8. Andre Miller
9. Shawn Marion
10. Jason Terry
12. Aleksander Radojevic
13. Corey Maggette

So what? Should we go look up the four teams that passed on Kevin Garnett or the 12 teams that passed on Kobe Bryant or the 15+ teams that passed on Jermaine O'Neal? How about the 7-8 teams that passed on Tracy McGrady or the 8 teams that passed on Amare Stoudemire?

If the Phoenix Suns were to take Iguodala I would assume that they just were not impressed with the other players. Many of us have said this repeatedly over the last several years. It's becoming increasingly difficult to argue draft picks because most of us have not seen on the majority of the top prospects because they are so young. If we have seen them it's been in an exhibition game or two.

I like Iguodala's defense. However I don't really believe he is any better than Joe Johnson or Shawn Marion. As quick and athletic as he is I'm not sure he could stay in front of the league's quicker point guards better than Barbosa will be able to after a summer of work. Unfortunately he is a poor shooter. That would mean more pressure on Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson in the middle of the floor on offense.

Unless they get into a position to draft Okafor I'm still guessing they take Perovic or Andriuskevicius.

Joe Mama

 

[scotsman13]

Unless they get into a position to draft Okafor I'm still guessing they take Perovic or Andriuskevicius.

Joe Mama

i am beginning to think that josh smith might be another good pick up for us. he is a great outside shooter who is very athletic (is said to have a 44 inch vert. leap). and likes to take it to the whole. can play the 2 and 3. if we have a chance at a very good shot blocking center that is what i would be up for personally.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

From the little I have read, I thought Josh Smith was a shaky outside shooter.

The insider article today talked abotu the hoops summit, where he lit it up. However, it also mentioned it was good for his stock since his shoting is a real question.

Not to mention it sounded like the numbers are decieving because most of his shots were feas of athleticism. No one on the international team could guard him. Also, it mentioned how one of his missed 3s missed the basket by like 5 feet.

 

[Pimpin]

i am beginning to think that josh smith might be another good pick up for us. he is a great outside shooter who is very athletic (is said to have a 44 inch vert. leap). and likes to take it to the whole. can play the 2 and 3. if we have a chance at a very good shot blocking center that is what i would be up for personally.

J.R. Smith is probably who you're talking about.

Josh Smith is very athletic,but has trouble hitting the 18+ ft jumper

J.R. Smith is sick from long range,and is a monster dunker. (I think hes a better version of Jason Richardson,with the possibilty of being on the level of a Vince Carter(healthy) if he keeps getting better)

 

[slinslin]

Josh is at least a decent shooter as well especially for his age.

Maybe JR has a little more range but Josh is definately more athletic I think and is a lefty which is a big plus.

 

[slinslin]

http://www.basketballboards.net/for...87628&perpage=15&highlight=amare&pagenumber=1

Here is a thread on that game.

The draft really starts to look better but we are in a pretty confusing situation. We need good players, I wouldn't rule out anyone except a true SF or a PF who couldn't play center maybe.


If JR Smith is that good especially his shooting, we might just draft him. And use our capspace on a big guy, resign McDyess, sign Vujanic and sign 2 cheaper solid bench players or something like that.

FA/McDyess.
Amare
Marion
JR(Smith)
JJ

 

[George O'Brien]

http://www.basketballboards.net/for...87628&perpage=15&highlight=amare&pagenumber=1

Here is a thread on that game.

The draft really starts to look better but we are in a pretty confusing situation. We need good players, I wouldn't rule out anyone except a true SF or a PF who couldn't play center maybe.


If JR Smith is that good especially his shooting, we might just draft him. And use our capspace on a big guy, resign McDyess, sign Vujanic and sign 2 cheaper solid bench players or something like that.

FA/McDyess.
Amare
Marion
JR(Smith)
JJ

I'm not sure the Suns will discount anything. Another forward makes no sense, unless he can play. Everyone thought the Mavs were crazy taking Josh Howard, but it made sense because he can play.

I'm not sure taking one of the Smiths makes sense, but they may be better than any other options.

 

[slinslin]

Today should be interessting.

Not only Okafor matched up against a really tall center. You also have Ben Gordon and Jarrett Jack hopefully going 1 on 1 against each other.