Jonathan Isaac

[Chris_Sanders]

I'm with you on Jackson and I actually said that early on as well.

I'm surprised that his off court issues aren't brought up more by the media and fans who debate drafting him. There are some serious question marks about this kid's character and imo the risk is not worth a top 5 pick.

It's funny when I think of Fox it's the exact opposite. Every interview he's done comes off with him looking very intelligent and seems like he's a got a great head on his shoulders. I like Fox and I won't mind if he's the pick. Right now he's not #1 choice at 4 because of his shooting but I wouldn't hate the pick in the least.

Fox blew away GMs with his interviews at the combine.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Jayson would never play the 4 of us since we have invested two top 10 picks into two PFs in Chriss & Bender.

Neither of whom, arguably, are natural power forwards so yeah, I can see another not-quite-a-power forward entering the picture. I'd rather do this with Lauri but a front court of Tatum, Bender and Chriss gives you a lot of options and covers most of what you need in today's game. We would be a little light against the true bigs but what's new?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Fox blew away GMs with his interviews at the combine.

I wish he was a better set-up man but there is a lot to love about this kid. With his slight build and really skinny legs, I tend to think his problem with distance shooting is physical strength so I am less concerned about that than some people. But he doesn't seem to excel at running an offense and when you put his PG skills up next to Ulis, Tyler seems to have a decided edge overall.

 

[pokerface]

Agreed. I don't buy the hype on him at all and when you consider his rage issues, I just don't see us even giving him a close look. He's also going to lose a bit of the quickness advantage he gains by playing against mostly power forwards in college and then there's the 57% from the free throw line. I know he seems to be most everyone's favorite here but no thanks.

Well if you have tunnel vision on a player and can only see the negative and not take into account his youth then you are going to see what you want to see.

 

[pokerface]

I'm with you on Jackson and I actually said that early on as well.

I'm surprised that his off court issues aren't brought up more by the media and fans who debate drafting him. There are some serious question marks about this kid's character and imo the risk is not worth a top 5 pick.

There is risk with every player. Barkley pushed someone through a stained glass window... Chriss is a hothead with a knack for getting technicals. Are you clamoring for his exit from the suns??


NBA isn't some boy scout league...cripe.

 

[sunsfan88]

There is risk with every player. Barkley pushed someone through a stained glass window... Chriss is a hothead with a knack for getting technicals. Are you clamoring for his exit from the suns??


NBA isn't some boy scout league...cripe.

Jackson isn't the prospect that Barkley was. And getting technicals and verbally assaulting a woman are two different things. Chriss doesn't have any criminal history iirc.

 

[sunsfan88]

Neither of whom, arguably, are natural power forwards so yeah, I can see another not-quite-a-power forward entering the picture. I'd rather do this with Lauri but a front court of Tatum, Bender and Chriss gives you a lot of options and covers most of what you need in today's game. We would be a little light against the true bigs but what's new?

I think Chriss is becoming a natural stretch PF and McD has been on record saying that they see Bender the 4/5 and not a 3.

 

[sunsfan88]

Fox blew away GMs with his interviews at the combine.

Doesn't surprise me, I saw the interview with Dx and was very impressed.

Draft.net compares him to John Wall which is quite generous imo because I'm not sure Fox is quite the playmaker that Wall was as a prospect.

 

[Phrazbit]

Jackson isn't the prospect that Barkley was. And getting technicals and verbally assaulting a woman are two different things. Chriss doesn't have any criminal history iirc.

I actually agree here. I still wouldn't pass on Jackson at 4 but comparing a guy getting some Ts to someone who in one year has had multiple encounters with law enforcement is an absurd false equivalency.

 

[pokerface]

I actually agree here. I still wouldn't pass on Jackson at 4 but comparing a guy getting some Ts to someone who in one year has had multiple encounters with law enforcement is an absurd false equivalency.

Anytime there is an altercation Chriss is in the middle of it. He leads the league in techs for his age. He's getting a lot more than "some techs"...He has issues. If he pulled the same stunts out on the streets he'd have law problems himself. He's no choir boy.

 

[pokerface]

Jackson isn't the prospect that Barkley was. And getting technicals and verbally assaulting a woman are two different things. Chriss doesn't have any criminal history iirc.

Barkley had gotten physical and gets a pass from teams because of his game. That's my point with Jackson...if he's good enough teams and fans overlook...up to a point.

Besides, players are getting drafted younger and younger and getting paid more and more and being worshiped on top of it. A lot of them cant mentally handle it. They may start out good then their minds can get twisted. Jason Kidd had a squeeky clean image until he smacked his wife around.

 

[SirStefan32]

Neither of whom, arguably, are natural power forwards so yeah, I can see another not-quite-a-power forward entering the picture. I'd rather do this with Lauri but a front court of Tatum, Bender and Chriss gives you a lot of options and covers most of what you need in today's game. We would be a little light against the true bigs but what's new?

That's how I see it as well. Wheather it's Tatum or Jackson, just play him with Chriss and Bender, and flip a coint as to who is going to be marked as a 3, 4, or a 5.

 

[slinslin]

Jonathan Isaac managed more than 15 points 3 times. Less than 10 eleven times.

Drafting a likely role player PF at #4 is nuts.

Isaac got outplayed by Jayson Tatum in their matchups.

Furthermore if you draft Isaac you can send Bender straight back to Europe because Isaac fills the same profile and is a better prospect.

 

[GatorAZ]

Jonathan Isaac managed more than 15 points 3 times. Less than 10 eleven times.

Drafting a likely role player PF at #4 is nuts.

Isaac got outplayed by Jayson Tatum in their matchups.

Furthermore if you draft Isaac you can send Bender straight back to Europe because Isaac fills the same profile and is a better prospect.

Gambo says the Suns view Isaac as a stretch-5 eventually. Comparing their frame right now it looks like he'll be able to add weight much easier than Bender. His body could look like young-KG in a couple years and we'll hear how he shoots in workouts.

 

[Phrazbit]

Anytime there is an altercation Chriss is in the middle of it. He leads the league in techs for his age. He's getting a lot more than "some techs"...He has issues. If he pulled the same stunts out on the streets he'd have law problems himself. He's no choir boy.

... that is so inane...

There is a HUGE difference between getting in an opponents face while playing a contact sport and following a chick into a parking lot and then smashing up her car. Again... that is a disgusting false equivalency.

 

[pokerface]

... that is so inane...

There is a HUGE difference between getting in an opponents face while playing a contact sport and following a chick into a parking lot and then smashing up her car. Again... that is a disgusting false equivalency.

Im just saying it's being said that Jackson has some anger issues and maybe we should pass on him because of it. The dude is young and they can do stupid things. Not giving him a pass but not quick to slap a label on him either.


The league is full of hotheads...on the court and off.

 

[slinslin]

Gambo says the Suns view Isaac as a stretch-5 eventually. Comparing their frame right now it looks like he'll be able to add weight much easier than Bender. His body could look like young-KG in a couple years and we'll hear how he shoots in workouts.

Yeah but that is exactly the same role Bender needs to fit in and Isaac just like Bender is years away from filling out his frame to even get there.

I would much rather have Isaac than Bender but we already have Bender.

 

[leclerc]

I'm leaning Jackson, Tatum, Fox right now.

 

[pokerface]

I'm leaning Jackson, Tatum, Fox right now.

I'm leaning Jackson and Fox mostly. Kinda torn between Isaac and Smith for third choice.

 

[Chaplin]

I'm leaning

1) Ball
2) Isaac
3) Jackson

I'm not sure why Isaac isn't getting more love. He's definitely the next best defensive prospect behind Jackson, and the difference isn't too off. The kid had an 11 inch growth spurt only a few years ago and may still be growing. If he puts some muscle on his frame while retaining his athleticism, he can be very good. Tatum might be a better scorer, but he's not near the defensive presence Isaac is.

EDIT: Oh, and he's in town today for a 2-day workout with us.

 

[Mainstreet]

There is a lot to like about Isaac. His length really sticks out plus he has the ability to play both forward positions.

Isaac's intrigue starts with his rare physical tools and defensive potential. Measuring just under 6'11 in shoes at last year's Nike Hoop Summit, with a 7'1" wingspan and a standing reach slightly over 9'. Isaac augments that length for a forward with athleticism you don't typically find in someone his size.

That combines to create one of the more unique defensive prospects in the draft, with the size and reach of a power forward or center, but the perimeter foot speed to switch onto guards. It's something you saw him do regularly at Florida State, where they had him switch onto, and hold his own against, point guards with a frequency that seems almost absurd for a near-6'11" prospect. He was also able to make use of those gifts to the tune of 2.2 blocks and 1.7 steals per 40 minutes, pace adjusted, showing off his ability to cover ground and the quick twitch reflexes which can make him such a versatile playmaker on that side of the court. That places Isaac with the top block rate among small forwards in our top-100 database, while also coming in the top-five in steals.

Beyond the sheer length and athleticism to chase down blocks from the weakside or force turnovers on the perimeter, Isaac also displays impressive quick foot speed on the perimeter. He does a good job of getting down in a stance and moving his feet, and has the length and quickness to recover and contest a shot if he elects to sag off his man on the perimeter. This gives him both the ability to pressure ball handlers with his length to try to force turnovers, but also the option to play back, cut off driving angles, and recover if he's at a quickness disadvantage.

The Suns also get defense with him plus shooting.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jonathan-Isaac-90052/

 

[Chaplin]

He's a little thin, but so was Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett. Not saying Isaac will be as good as those guys (although most sites are making the Durant comparison), but that I don't think his skinny body should be a red flag for us picking him.

 

[iRobot]

He's a little thin, but so was Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett. Not saying Isaac will be as good as those guys (although most sites are making the Durant comparison), but that I don't think his skinny body should be a red flag for us picking him.

Comparing PURELY height/weight...

Brandon Ingram 6'9" 190
Jonathan Isaac 6'11" 209

Bigger than Ingram and he looked rail thin coming out.

 

[elindholm]

I'm leaning

1) Ball
2) Isaac
3) Jackson

I'm not sure why Isaac isn't getting more love.

I was wondering that too. He looks quite comparable to Jackson, with at least as much room for improvement.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I was wondering that too. He looks quite comparable to Jackson, with at least as much room for improvement.

I think it's fourfold:

1. Jackson had better numbers
2. Jackson started the year more highly rated
3. Jackson body is closer to being (finished - no need to project putting on weight)
4. Jackson is seen as being more aggressive and Isaac deferred to older players