Goran Dragic and his Buyout.........

[corrado]

What a mess

I wonder if the Suns knew when they drafted Dragic all this legal stuff was going on. At the risk of sounding too pessimistic as I have been accused of regarding this whole Dragic situation, what happens now? You now have 2 euro clubs fighting over this guy and possible court appeals that can drag this on for years.

I would expect once lawyers get involved as always you can count on Dragic being in limbo for a long, long time and going nowhere or am I wrong again?

 

[The Commish]

Sarver just buy him a plane ticket and worry about the rest later...

 

[JCSunsfan]

I wonder if the Suns knew when they drafted Dragic all this legal stuff was going on. At the risk of sounding too pessimistic as I have been accused of regarding this whole Dragic situation, what happens now? You now have 2 euro clubs fighting over this guy and possible court appeals that can drag this on for years.

I would expect once lawyers get involved as always you can count on Dragic being in limbo for a long, long time and going nowhere or am I wrong again?

You can bet they knew this was going on. Goran hired an American agent (Bill Duffy) who is also Nash's and LB's. They likely knew that the Slovenian team had a case and have been negotiating behind the scenes for a buyout.

This whole scenario makes it MORE likely that Dragic will be here THIS year not less, since no team in Europe is in a strong position to bargain.

It sounds like there WAS a smokescreen (as you put it) but the intent was exactly the opposite of what you thought. They drafted him because they had good reason to believe they could get him here this year and they let everyone believe he was owned by Tau Ceramica with no disputes.

I haven't been a big Kerr fan to this point, but if he did this, its a pretty shrewd move.

Now, can the kid play. . . .?

 

[devilalum]

I'm having "Big Jake" deja vu.

 

[Irish]

We knew Big Jake's situation from the start, but this is totally out of the blue. My read on it was that they only learned of this days before the draft, They brought him over pretty much in secret and then were frantic to move up to get him. For a guy with a two yar contract and an expensive buyout next year, it seemed excessive.

BTW, Drajic is on the Slovenian team, so he won't be over until camp if everything works out.

 

[Mainstreet]

Sarver just buy him a plane ticket and worry about the rest later...

I too would have rolled the dice on Dragic in this situation since it was in the second round. If he is ultimately able to come to play with the Suns and be the PGOF, it will be an absolute steal. Very few second round draft picks pan out anyway. I'm thinking the Suns thought, even with the legal entanglement, he was well worth the risk (especially after he had a nice workout for the Suns). Getting a potential starting quality PG in the NBA is a difficult matter even when a team is picking early in the first round pick.

 

[leclerc]

I absolutely agree that we need (point) guards who can hit the open shot. If defenders are daring our guards to shoot they have to take it and be able to hit it at a reasonable rate.

Hopefully we'll see some steady outside shooting by DJ and Alando in the summer league. The private workout video by Dragic (not to be mistaken by Jane "Barbarella" Fonda) got my hopes up also. His shooting form looked quite alright to me.

But it's not just (lack of) outside shooting. We also need some movement off the ball when Steve or Boris or even Amare are yo-yo'ing it, especially when the other players can't create for themselves. Too much standing around by sub par three point shooters = failure. One of our strengths has been good spacing but that's no good if guys can't hit the three or cut strong to the basket. Cutting could be difficult when we have Boris, Amare and Shaq on the floor at the same time though... I'm glad I'm not the coach!

 

[Irish]

I absolutely agree that we need (point) guards who can hit the open shot. If defenders are daring our guards to shoot they have to take it and be able to hit it at a reasonable rate.

Hopefully we'll see some steady outside shooting by DJ and Alando in the summer league. The private workout video by Dragic (not to be mistaken by Jane "Barbarella" Fonda) got my hopes up also. His shooting form looked quite alright to me.

But it's not just (lack of) outside shooting. We also need some movement off the ball when Steve or Boris or even Amare are yo-yo'ing it, especially when the other players can't create for themselves. Too much standing around by sub par three point shooters = failure. One of our strengths has been good spacing but that's no good if guys can't hit the three or cut strong to the basket. Cutting could be difficult when we have Boris, Amare and Shaq on the floor at the same time though... I'm glad I'm not the coach!

I'm not sure Dragic is a reliable three point shooter, but he seems very smooth at the pull up jumper Leandro has not masterd.

 

[AceP]

According to all the reports I read about Dragic, he is already a great defender, did very well guarding Tony Parker in some international competition. He instantly showed off that in workout soon after a 17 hours trip. We all know how important it is for us.

Dragic is nearly 6-4, also quite athletic according to the video clips I found in youtube, he would be able to shoot over most of NBA PGs. His shooting mechanism looks very good, his jumper was falling in work out, some in long range, just inside the arc. So I see no reason he could not find touch in NBA 3p range.

The only problem is his contract, I really wish we could get him here ASAP!

 

[BC867]

I believe Dragic will be here next season. I also hope that he will be.

Two years of tutoring under Nash will be extremely valuable, in addition to having Terry Porter as his Head Coach and Alvin Gentry as Asst Coach.

 

[Mainstreet]

I believe Dragic will be here next season. I also hope that he will be.

Two years of tutoring under Nash will be extremely valuable, in addition to having Terry Porter as his Head Coach and Alvin Gentry as Asst Coach.

I think the Suns chances of winning a title this coming season are like a feather in the wind. However, I've thought for the past several seasons the Suns were only a veteran backup PG from getting over the hump. The key has always been resting Nash.

I think if the Suns could get Dragic over here this coming season and add a veteran PG that is ready to play now, this might help give them a legitimate shot. A shooting 2/3 wouldn't hurt either. I know putting hopes on a rookie PG to develop during his first season is fragile... but I think that the Suns chance at a ring are that fragile as well. Also having two additional PGs would allow the Suns to actually give Nash reduced minutes or rest some games.

 

[WuRaider]

Reminds me of Ginoooobli

 

[sunsallday]

Damn he really does play like Ginobli

 

[hsandhu]

The style is very much like manu, but we'll see what happens at the highest level. But he looks very promising, why wasn't he on anyone's radar? It has to be more than contract issues you would think.

 

[Irish]

The style is very much like manu, but we'll see what happens at the highest level. But he looks very promising, why wasn't he on anyone's radar? It has to be more than contract issues you would think.

The Suns figured he would be taken pretty early which is why they tried so hard to move up.

In any case, he was not in one of the premier leagues and it appears he developed quite a bit over the last year. Also, I'm not sure his profile was strong enough.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Goran-Dragic-1025/

Top Draft-Eligible Performers in the Euroleague Regular Season
February 4, 2008
One of the key players on the Slovenian team, Dragic has provided a lot of energy for talented-depleted Union Olimpija, although not enough to avoid missing the Top-16 stage.

Still not a solid distributor, not your classic game director, Dragic is more of a drive-and-dish point guard who likes the transition game. He doesn’t show great court vision, but relies on his remarkable quickness and decent ball-handling skills to beat his opponents off the dribble in order to unbalance the defense and feed the open man, or to look for his own layup. The downside of his style comes in the form of out-of-control penetrations, questionable decision making, or some rushed passes. Able to shoot the ball with nice range, the lefty playmaker still needs to gain a lot of consistency with his perimeter stroke.

Defense comes as a very strong point for him. He enjoys solid lateral quickness, some serious aggressiveness, and the length to annoy his opponents, so he can be pretty effective on his match-up.

Generally speaking, Dragic still needs to gain consistency in his game, take better decisions and show more poise running the point. Indeed, he plays on loan in Ljubljana from Tau Vitoria, and it’s not clear that the Spanish powerhouse will be that interested in having him back already next season.

Draft-wise, he’s probably second round material, the typical player to invest a late pick on and leave in Europe in the hope that he matures and develops his game. At least he enjoys good enough physical tools to eventually make it to the NBA.

The second piece by DX was more favorable, though not overwhelming.

2008 Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso, Days Three and Four
June 10, 2008
- Like Batum, Dragic made a lone appearance here in Treviso after finishing off his regular season in Slovenia. In his one game, he managed to leave a very strong impression, one that could very well have pushed his name back into the second round, possibly into the mid-portion of it even.

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Jonathan Givony, DraftExpress

Dragic played spectacular defense on whoever he was guarding, mainly Rudy Mbemba, who’s terrific speed did not faze him in the least bit. He got right into his man’s grill on every possession of the game, fighting through screens admirably, showing excellent length and lateral quickness, and getting his hands on countless number of balls. It got to the point that players were just afraid to put the ball on the floor when Dragic was in the vicinity, as more often than not he would find a way to poke it away and bust up plays. He got his team into transition time after time, and made very good decisions once there, finishing strong and intelligently around the basket and getting to the line seven times.

As a point guard, Dragic did a better job than we anticipated based on the up and down season he had. He showed a lot more creativity than we’ve given him credit for in the past, making good reads and finding cutters slashing to the rim or shooters spotting up on the wing after slashing to the basket himself. His court vision probably isn’t spectacular, but if he continues to see heavy minutes in the Euroleague, he’s bound to improve his playmaking skills.

On the downside, Dragic’s shot remains his biggest weakness, which he showed by bricking a couple of ugly pull-up jumpers. Teams in the Euroleague completely took him out of his comfort level by backing off him this season and forcing him to beat them from long-range, and the players here foolishly took the opposite approach (thinking they are playing good defense by pressuring the ball), which played right into his hands. That’s why it probably isn’t too smart to get overly excited off what he showed here, but it definitely still leaves some room for optimism regarding his future development. Some team will likely draft him in the second round and see how he continues to progress over the next few years while competing at a high level in Europe, as he clearly still has upside left to tap into.

What changed from June 10 when the Suns brought him over? I'd guess it was shooting. Certainly his shot looked good in the workout, but apparently he was showing more in Europe than in that one Trevisio game.

Obviously the Suns looked at all the vidio his play and must feel they saw more than DX did.

 

[jandaman]

Thats what Ive been saying to anyone who would listen.

He plays like Ginobili and a bit of Parker... the agility, soft touch off contact.. even shooting mechanics..

smarts wise Im sure he is up there also.

 

[Irish]

Thats what Ive been saying to anyone who would listen.

He plays like Ginobili and a bit of Parker... the agility, soft touch off contact.. even shooting mechanics..

smarts wise Im sure he is up there also.

Parker was not much of a shooter (even at mid range) when he came up, so maybe you're right.

BTW, I can' see the Manu comparison. In the video, he didn't flop once.

 

[TucsonDevil]

I think the Ginobili comparisons are influenced by the fact that he is left handed, and white - but Manu enjoys contact, I didn't see that in Goran's game. One of the things I read in the above scouting report bothers me a bit -"not a solid distributor, not your classic game director, Dragic is more of a drive-and-dish point guard who likes the transition game". That worries me a bit. There is a big difference in how Steve Nash 'drives-and-dishes' compared to how Marbury 'drives-and-dishes'. Let's hope he chooses the former example to follow in his NBA career with the Suns.

All and all, I do hope that Goran can play this next season for the Suns. He would benefit greatly by playing alongside Nash in practice and see him in game situations. I also was very pleased to hear him recognize the skill level of Chris Paul, during his interview on the video - Chris Paul idolizes Steve Nash!

 

[HooverDam]

-"not a solid distributor, not your classic game director, Dragic is more of a drive-and-dish point guard who likes the transition game".

Kevin Johnson was a drive and dish point guard and that worked out OK.

EDIT: In fact from some of the scouting reports and limited video I've seen on Dragic it sounds like a comparison to KJ may be reasonable (that is, that would perhaps be his ceiling). He's a drive and dish kind of guy. Not a great outside shooter ,but a good driver and good mid range game. Perhaps slightly more of a scorer than a passer. A good defender and athlete who can guard both guard positions. A PG with dunking/leaping ability, etc.

Like I said ,I haven't watched enough of him to make this comparison for certain, but Im just going off what I've read.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the Ginobili comparisons are influenced by the fact that he is left handed, and white - but Manu enjoys contact...

They don't call him a flopper for nothing. In a dream world I would love to see Bowen guard Ginobili. I think Ginobili would soon be crying to the referees big time.

 

[Irish]

Kevin Johnson was a drive and dish point guard and that worked out OK.

EDIT: In fact from some of the scouting reports and limited video I've seen on Dragic it sounds like a comparison to KJ may be reasonable (that is, that would perhaps be his ceiling). He's a drive and dish kind of guy. Not a great outside shooter ,but a good driver and good mid range game. Perhaps slightly more of a scorer than a passer. A good defender and athlete who can guard both guard positions. A PG with dunking/leaping ability, etc.

Like I said ,I haven't watched enough of him to make this comparison for certain, but Im just going off what I've read.

I'll go further, I think we will see a lot more drive and kick this year than under D'Antoni. As far as I can tell:

1. None of the Suns PG prospects (including Lue) are considered good at pick and roll.

2. All their back up PG's seem to be able to get by their man "one on one", thus not needing a pick to get into the paint.

3. Drive and kick eliminates the need to use Diaw as Amare's backup on the inside nearly as much.

One of my complaints about the Suns offense was the way that guys kept trying to set picks for Barbosa which only pulled defenders into the area he was working. At the same time, it did not appear the Suns did anything to train Barbosa to kick out when the defender was coming over.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Does anyone else think that moving Diaw to the starting sf might produce an improvement in his game?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Does anyone else think that moving Diaw to the starting sf might produce an improvement in his game?

yes

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think the Ginobili comparisons are influenced by the fact that he is left handed, and white - but Manu enjoys contact, I didn't see that in Goran's game. One of the things I read in the above scouting report bothers me a bit -"not a solid distributor, not your classic game director, Dragic is more of a drive-and-dish point guard who likes the transition game". That worries me a bit. There is a big difference in how Steve Nash 'drives-and-dishes' compared to how Marbury 'drives-and-dishes'. Let's hope he chooses the former example to follow in his NBA career with the Suns.

All and all, I do hope that Goran can play this next season for the Suns. He would benefit greatly by playing alongside Nash in practice and see him in game situations. I also was very pleased to hear him recognize the skill level of Chris Paul, during his interview on the video - Chris Paul idolizes Steve Nash!

When Steve Nash first came to the Suns, he was known more for his shooting than his distributing ability. If he plays with his head up, and he was a decent soccer player, he will likely become a decent distributor. Soccer and hockey players usually are good at that because they have to pass quicker (its so much harder to maintain a possession in those sports).

Here is what we know. He is a lockdown type of defender from every testimony even against the quickest players . THAT will get him minutes right now, especially in a playoff series vs the Hornets, Spurs or (dare I say) Clips. Shooting is one of the easiest parts of the game to improve on. His form looks OK. The kid seems intelligent. Watching Nash close up for a time could really be a help. That is why he needs to come over now. He seems to know that.

 

[Irish]

When Steve Nash first came to the Suns, he was known more for his shooting than his distributing ability. If he plays with his head up, and he was a decent soccer player, he will likely become a decent distributor. Soccer and hockey players usually are good at that because they have to pass quicker (its so much harder to maintain a possession in those sports).

Here is what we know. He is a lockdown type of defender from every testimony even against the quickest players . THAT will get him minutes right now, especially in a playoff series vs the Hornets, Spurs or (dare I say) Clips. Shooting is one of the easiest parts of the game to improve on. His form looks OK. The kid seems intelligent. Watching Nash close up for a time could really be a help. That is why he needs to come over now. He seems to know that.

I agree with your point, but not about Nash being known mostly for his shooting in Dallas. His last year in Dallas he had 8.8 apg and was over 7 during the previous four years. He played for Don Nelson and they pushed the ball a lot. He did not run pick and roll much because that was not their personnel, but he did a LOT of pick and pop with Dirk.

In any case, having a great teacher of point guards as head coach makes me a lot more comfortable with the Suns plans for Dragic.