How About...?

[George O'Brien]

I suspect that the Suns will end up getting Hunter because of the Q connection and that there won't be a lot of competition. I'm not sure how much help he would be, but his is at least big enough and somewhat athletic.

However, I'm not sure he solve the Suns need for a tank (my term for a power player who can battle other power players). JP is a possibility, but he is talking to the Blazers. One guy that no one has mentioned is Gary Trent.

Gary Trent
Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: F
Height: 6-8 Weight: 250
College: Ohio '96
Player file | Team stats

2003-04 Statistics
PPG 5.6
RPG 3.2
APG .7
SPG .18
BPG .25
FG% .473
FT% .758
3P% .000
MPG 15.1

HoopsHype describes him "Try to move him when he gets position in the paint...a fierce rebounder and good scoring contributor...good mid range shot...yet another underrated contributor"

His minutes fell off near the end of the season and he remains unrestricted inspite of the fact that the Wolves have his Bird rights. Considering that the Wolves have Madsen and the Kandiman, Trent is likely to be available.

I don't know much about his situation. At one time he put up pretty good numbers. Does anyone know anything more about him?

 

[elindholm]

I think my impression of him is that he doesn't play defense, but I could be thinking of someone else. In any case, since it's basically a given that any PF on the Suns will also be forced into duty at C, I'd rather not get someone who is only 6' 8", even if he might be pretty strong.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

gary trent has no business being in the mix at center for us. that said, he's a bruiser for sure. he should be at the end of someone's bench as emergency insurance, but we don't have that luxury. he'd be an okay signing.

 

[George O'Brien]

gary trent has no business being in the mix at center for us. that said, he's a bruiser for sure. he should be at the end of someone's bench as emergency insurance, but we don't have that luxury. he'd be an okay signing.

Whatever.

Seriously, my thoughts on Trent have to do with my perception of Hunter. Hunter appears to be a quick, athletic shot blocker; but I'm not sure he's built to be a banger. I'm not thinking of Trent as as a substitute for Hunter, but as a suppliment.

I am hopeful that Lampe and Vroman will effective, but I'd like to cover my bets.

 

[scotsman13]

However, I'm not sure he solve the Suns need for a tank (my term for a power player who can battle other power players). JP is a possibility, but he is talking to the Blazers. One guy that no one has mentioned is Gary Trent.

first of all the suns dont need a power player they have amare, who is a post player and a power player. the biggest need the suns still have left is for a big man who can frim up the middle on defense. shot blocking in the middle would make a big differance on this teams defense, also rebounding. we are talking about a player who can help turn the front line of amare and marion into a defensive terror house. right now most of our team block shots come from those 2 player coming from the weakside. by having a center in there who can slow others down with his shot blocking abilities it will allow marion and amare to get more blocks from weakside and also allow the trapping defense that this team wants to play to be a great deal more effective. trent wont do that. hunter may.

 

[Joe Mama]

first of all the suns dont need a power player they have amare, who is a post player and a power player. the biggest need the suns still have left is for a big man who can frim up the middle on defense. shot blocking in the middle would make a big differance on this teams defense, also rebounding. we are talking about a player who can help turn the front line of amare and marion into a defensive terror house. right now most of our team block shots come from those 2 player coming from the weakside. by having a center in there who can slow others down with his shot blocking abilities it will allow marion and amare to get more blocks from weakside and also allow the trapping defense that this team wants to play to be a great deal more effective. trent wont do that. hunter may.

yes, they do have Amare Stoudemire, but that's really about it. The next closest thing the Phoenix Suns have to a power player/post player is Quentin Richardson who is a shooting guard. I was thinking about Gary Trent the other day. However I suspect that someone will either give him more money than the Phoenix Suns could offer, or he will just re-sign with the Timberwolves.

From what I've seen Trent isn't the greatest defender, but he can post up and score in the low post. I didn't even look at the numbers you provided. I believe he is a strong rebounder. Backup power forward is a weakness almost as much as the center position at this point.

Joe Mama

 

[F-Dog]

I guess I see things a little differently. To me, the backup PF position is already filled with Zarko and/or Vroman, and what the Suns need is a center that can cover their weaknesses, not a PF to push them out of the rotation entirely.


Gary Trent is as short as you can get and still play PF--he's one of those guys in the 6'6" range, like Malik Rose. Even if the Suns could sign him, I don't see much sense in their doing so.

 

[Lars the Red]

I guess I see things a little differently. To me, the backup PF position is already filled with Zarko and/or Vroman, and what the Suns need is a center that can cover their weaknesses, not a PF to push them out of the rotation entirely.


Gary Trent is as short as you can get and still play PF--he's one of those guys in the 6'6" range, like Malik Rose. Even if the Suns could sign him, I don't see much sense in their doing so.

Exactly, Dog. I don't know where the height of 6'8" came up, but that guy is maybe 6'6", I'd put him no more than 6'5". Strong looking, but it doesn't transfer to the floor often enough either.

 

[green machine]

This guy usually destroys the Suns, if I remember correctly. He's not a Center, but really, a big body is all we need. There aren't any giant Centers in the West anymore, or really in the NBA for that matter.

 

[Bada0Bing]

If we don't get Hunter, I wouldn't mind adding Trent. However, there are only so many minutes to go around. Zarko needs minutes along with Lampe and Vroman. These guys should eat up most of the bench minutes at the 4 and 5. We need to see if these guys can contribute down the road.

 

[George O'Brien]

If we don't get Hunter, I wouldn't mind adding Trent. However, there are only so many minutes to go around. Zarko needs minutes along with Lampe and Vroman. These guys should eat up most of the bench minutes at the 4 and 5. We need to see if these guys can contribute down the road.

I am not worried about the lack of minutes available for inside guys.

Both Stoudemire and Voskuhl spent time on IR last season. Lampe has a grand total of 225 minutes NBA experience and Vroman none. There are major questions as to whether Zarko is physically strong enough to play inside.

 

[Bada0Bing]

That's exactly what I'm talking about. These guys haven't logged many minutes yet. We aren't going to be competing for a championship this year, so we should see what these guys have to offer. If we decide Zarko can't play inside then he should probably be moved.

 

[devilalum]

I've never agreed with the idea of making minutes for players. If you have a bad team and half way through the season it becomes obvious that you have no chance of making the playoffs it might be OK to give a young player an opportunity to show what he's got.

But good teams play the players that give them the best chance to win. If you can't earn any minutes with your play then you'd better learn a new profession..

 

[Joe Mama]

I've never agreed with the idea of making minutes for players. If you have a bad team and half way through the season it becomes obvious that you have no chance of making the playoffs it might be OK to give a young player an opportunity to show what he's got.

But good teams play the players that give them the best chance to win. If you can't earn any minutes with your play then you'd better learn a new profession..

Amen to that. The Phoenix Suns have exactly one frontcourt bruiser on their roster right now, and that's Amare Stoudemire. They need at least one and probably two players who can get in there and bang.

Joe Mama