Iguodala as a lottery pick?

[hcsilla]

I'm sure that many people on this board have seen Iguodala play more than I have.


Please explain me why he is a lottery/top8 pick!

He can't shoot that's for sure. I wasn't impressed so much from his passing skills. He doesn't initiate the offense. Sometimes he dishes out after his penetrating, sometimes he just gives the ball to one of Arizona's shooters who is standing next to him.

He is a good athlete/defender but one of the reasons why his rebounding numbers are so high that he is the 2nd biggest man of the Wildcats after Frye.

All in all he seems to be a bit stronger version of Dahntay Jones with some passing skills. Is that comparison so exciting?

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm sure that many people on this board have seen Iguodala play more than I have.


Please explain me why he is a lottery/top8 pick!

He can't shoot that's for sure. I wasn't impressed so much from his passing skills. He doesn't initiate the offense. Sometimes he dishes out after his penetrating, sometimes he just gives the ball to one of Arizona's shooters who is standing next to him.

He is a good athlete/defender but one of the reasons why his rebounding numbers are so high that he is the 2nd biggest man of the Wildcats after Frye.

All in all he seems to be a bit stronger version of Dahntay Jones with some passing skills. Is that comparison so exciting?

Iggy has been described as one of the most athletic players in the draft. He is widely considered the best on the ball defender. For a forward he earned an impressive 4.9 assists per game. In a relatively weak draft, this was enough to get him into the lottery.

However, the thing that has changed since he left school is that he has been getting intensive coaching on his shooting including 600 jump shots a day for over two months. Every report has come back that he has been shocking people who felt he could only shoot layups.

The latest piece of news is that he is a little bit taller than previously thought and has great reach.
Iguodala, Andre 6'5.75" 6'6.75" 217 6'11" 8'9.5"

Dick Van Arsdale was quoted by suns.com

Private workouts for individual teams or small groups of teams has become a more effective way of looking at players projected to be first-round picks in the draft.

Among those the Suns have taken a look at already are University of Arizona’s Andre Igoudala, high school phenom Shaun Livingston, Wisconsin point guard Devin Harris, Oregon’s Luke Jackson, UConn’s Ben Gordon, and high schoolers J.R. Smith and Dorell Wright.

“We like Igoudala,” Van Arsdale said. “We saw Harris, Luke Jackson; they’re all good players, so it was good to get an opportunity to see them.”

 

[hcsilla]

I find funny that everybody in this year's draft improved his jumpshot since March-April.

Iggy shoots the ball very well. Livingston shot fantastically. Deng was even better. Childress was unbelievable at shooting of the ball. J.R. Smith is the best shooter.

Come on.

 

[Joe Mama]

I could take almost any player in the draft and write that the only reason they got so many assists was because of their teammates. I can also write that they only got so many rebounds because their teammates are short. Iguodala is a very good ball handler. He's not a true point guard, but he is good at finding his open teammates. He can play defense. Lastly he's an incredible athlete.

I do agree that we should be suspect of these reports of the improvements in shooting. I would be willing to bet that most of these guys are shooting the way they are without being defended. I want to see what happens when they are actually in a game. That's one of the things that is so frustrating about the way none of the top players play in the draft camps anymore.

Joe Mama

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I find funny that everybody in this year's draft improved his jumpshot since March-April.

Iggy shoots the ball very well. Livingston shot fantastically. Deng was even better. Childress was unbelievable at shooting of the ball. J.R. Smith is the best shooter.

Come on.

Why are you that surprised? Igoudala improved his 3pt FG% last offseason from 20% to 31%. And that was with a classes, homework, NCAA rules, etc. Working nearly full time with a trainer probably did wonders for his shot. He has good form, body control, and is very coachable; nothing that would lead me to believe he'll be a bad shooter.

 

[George O'Brien]

Why are you that surprised? Igoudala improved his 3pt FG% last offseason from 20% to 31%. And that was with a classes, homework, NCAA rules, etc. Working nearly full time with a trainer probably did wonders for his shot. He has good form, body control, and is very coachable; nothing that would lead me to believe he'll be a bad shooter.

No one is going to take Iggy based on his ability to shoot in practice. However, he was widely considered a mid lottery pick when no one thought he shoot anything but layups.

If the Suns wanted a pure shooter, they would probably look at Luke Jackson. But Iggy's athleticism and overall game (especially his defense) is what has attracted so much attention. His name keeps coming up on every report from Chicago, Charlotte, and Washington so it not the board's UofA fans that keep bringing his name up.

 

[F-Dog]

I'm sure that many people on this board have seen Iguodala play more than I have.


Please explain me why he is a lottery/top8 pick!

Let's see...

--he's one of the top two or three athletes in the draft; he should do a good job of defending two different positions in the pros

--he's a smart player who makes good decisions with the ball in his hands; he also has the handle and the instincts to play PG part of the time

--if he learns to shoot pretty well, he could be one of those players that doesn't have a weakness, like Joe Johnson or Andrei Kirilenko. Iguodala doesn't have to become an outstanding shooter to be a great complementary player.


NBA personnel people seem to look at Iguodala and see more of Scottie Pippen than they do of Dahntay Jones.

 

[Dan H]

Ron Artest couldn't shoot a lick when he came into the NBA, either. I'd say he's worked out pretty well as a player . . .

 

[George O'Brien]

Ron Artest couldn't shoot a lick when he came into the NBA, either. I'd say he's worked out pretty well as a player . . .

And Ron Artest was not the super stopper when he came up either.

There are some people on this board who really like Josh Smith, although he hasn't proven he can play. But like Iggy, Josh is a fantanstic athlete which gives him more upside than some other better prepared players. In the case of Iggy, he has Smith's athleticism with the ball handling of a Childress and the defense of a Deng.

 

[hcsilla]

It's great that everybody loves Iguodala based on what they have read about him.
But how about those who have SEEN him play?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

It's great that everybody loves Iguodala based on what they have read about him.
But how about those who have SEEN him play?

What more do you want? The guy is a constant tripple double threat. The only thing he couldn't do was shoot. No one has SEEN him since the end of the season, so they base his shot improvement on what they have read.

 

[hcsilla]

No one has SEEN him since the end of the season, so they base his shot improvement on what they have read.

Of course I meant who have seen him in the season.

 

[Joe Mama]

Of course I meant who have seen him in the season.

it's been a couple months, but I've seen him play quite a few times. If he has really improved his jump shot he is easily worth a good lottery pick. In fact I'm doubting that the Phoenix Suns will even have to consider choosing him because he will be gone by #7.

You know, we've all been saying that this is going to be an exciting summer for the Phoenix Suns. It really hasn't been that exciting yet so far though. News and reports of workouts have trickled out at a snail's pace. It makes you really wonder whether they already know that they're going to trade the pick.

Joe Mama

 

[F-Dog]

Of course I meant who have seen him in the season.

I think almost everybody on this board has seen him many times.

I've seen every UA game that I possibly could, which adds up to about 10 or so, and I imagine I've seen Iguodala less than most people here...

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

You know, we've all been saying that this is going to be an exciting summer for the Phoenix Suns. It really hasn't been that exciting yet so far though. News and reports of workouts have trickled out at a snail's pace. It makes you really wonder whether they already know that they're going to trade the pick.

Joe Mama

I have kind of thought about that as well. Of course they supposedly tried to stage the biggest workout matchup with Harris and Gordon. So at least they are staying involved. They could have also already locked up who they want.

 

[PhxGametime]

I've seen Iguodala a lot and have 14-16 games on tape (UofA fan) - I've been impressed all year. While UofA didn't have a great year:

Iguodala had 4 future NBA prospects on starting line-up to share scoring load with.

I'm not as concerned on rebounds with his length, jumping ability, quickness he should be alright - Marion played PF in college and his rebounds stayed about the same in NBA. Hassan Adams might be shorter but is an above average rebounder, along with Channing Frye - so he did have some players to contend for rebounds. 5 rebounds a game is still good for a Guard and Iguodala is capable (avg 8 in college)

IMO a top 5 defender in this Draft and I've seen almost every American prospect projected in most Mock Drafts.

Top tier athlete - with ability to play and defend 3 positions. Excellent open court player and has above average penetration skills...

 

[Mainstreet]

Anyone old enough to tell me Iguodala is not like former Suns draft pick, Kenny Battle. Battle had a reputation for being very athletic, playing good defense but he never did not develop much of an outside jump shot. He was sort of a tweener and soon off the Suns roster. That's my worry about Iguodala.

 

[George O'Brien]

Anyone old enough to tell me Iguodala is not like former Suns draft pick, Kenny Battle. Battle had a reputation for being very athletic, playing good defense but he never did not develop much of an outside jump shot. He was sort of a tweener and soon off the Suns roster. That's my worry about Iguodala.

It's always a risk, but the same can be said for every prospect at #7. For example:

- Gordon - too short to be an SG and has no experience at PG. Another D Wagner?

- Harris - very light player who was mostly an SG in college. The list of PG wannabes who did not work out is huge.

- Childress - SG/SF who lacks consistent long range shot and is pretty light to defend the SF position and may not be quick enough for SG.

- Josh Smith - HS SF with great athletic ability but limited skills development who can only play one poisition. Is he a less skilled Fred Jones?

If these guys were perfect they wouldn't be available at #7.

BTW, one thing that many people find encouraging is that UofA has a history of guys becoming bigger stars in the NBA than in college: Stoudamire, Bibby, Arenas, and Jefferson have all become a big deal in the NBA. By contrast, Duke stars have a history of not living up to their college status.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's always a risk, but the same can be said for every prospect at #7.

Your right George, there's always some risk involved in the draft even at number 7.

This reminds me of a comment, as I recall, made by Suns staff after the Steve Nash pick when the Suns were in a quandry as who to select in that draft. A remark was made afterwards that Nash was chosen because he was the safest pick. I forget what number selection Nash was chosen. The Suns recently have a good history of drafting later in the draft.

Perhaps this logic might apply in this draft unless the Suns have already focused on their selection. I don't think the Suns should reach in the draft unless their scouting staff feel confident and the upside is through the roof.
In my opinion, however, the pick should bring something to the table now.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

It's great that everybody loves Iguodala based on what they have read about him.
But how about those who have SEEN him play?

i've actually watched him a lot over the past two years. he's an extraordinary athlete. and he has that unteachable basketball sense. you can just tell he's a basketball player. no one position defines his game. but he was inconsistent this year, no doubt. at times i thought hassan adams was the superior player and he only stands 6'4.

overall i think iguodala has tremendous upside. perhaps other than livingston and howard, the only potential superstar.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Anyone old enough to tell me Iguodala is not like former Suns draft pick, Kenny Battle. Battle had a reputation for being very athletic, playing good defense but he never did not develop much of an outside jump shot. He was sort of a tweener and soon off the Suns roster. That's my worry about Iguodala.

yeah, i remember kenny battle. of the flyin' illini. i had high hopes for him. but he was not NEARLY as highly touted as iguodala. i think we got battle in the 20's if i'm not mistaken. he wasn't as hyped as gill or anderson, that's for sure.

i think iguodala is a better athlete and has superior lateral quickness to battle. make no doubt, kenny had ups, but his all around game wasn't that spectacular. never saw double digit assist outta him, nor did he put up any triple doubles (and i think iguodala put up a surprisingly large number of them).

 

[sunsfn]

Steve nash was taken on the 15th pick.

 

[devilalum]

Steve nash was taken on the 15th pick.

because the Lakers traded up and stole Kobe at #13.

The Suns wanted Kobe bad.

 

[slinslin]

Concerning Luke Jackson I don't think we would take him because the Suns are talking a lot about not wanting to duplicate what they already have and I think they are looking at Casey Jacobsen to do everything they would expect from Jackson next year.

 

[hcsilla]

Luke Jackson is better than Jacobsen in EVERY aspect of the game.