Jonathan Isaac

[Finito]

Dude Tatum is nothing like Carmelo or even in the same world talent wise. People really forget how good Melo used to be. Go look at him at Syracuse and look at Tatum now. Different worlds

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Dude Tatum is nothing like Carmelo or even in the same world talent wise. People really forget how good Melo used to be. Go look at him at Syracuse and look at Tatum now. Different worlds

Not comparing him from a talent standpoint, but from a stylistic standpoint. Stylistically he kind of reminds me of Melo.

 

[sunsfan88]

Dude Tatum is nothing like Carmelo or even in the same world talent wise. People really forget how good Melo used to be. Go look at him at Syracuse and look at Tatum now. Different worlds

He's saying that they have the same playing style, not that they have the same talent.

 

[sunsfan88]

I disagree with this. It isn't as popular but it's necessary and I doubt any coach would turn away an effective one on one player. And that's without considering end-of-clock situations where ISO is often the play of choice.

If Tatum has Carmelo's skills, that's the guy we should go after. Unless you're saying he also has Anthony's mental makeup, in which case, pass. I do agree that Tatum's floor is that of a Morris brother but rising above that floor will likely depend on his foot speed IMO. And a good workout will reveal that, one way or the other.

It depends on what we need. Do the Suns need another iso scorer? Or do they need a 3 & D player? Or do they need a SF who can score, rebound and defend without having to dominate the ball?

I want the Suns to improve their defense more than their iso scoring options. We have scorers on our team such as Booker, Bledsoe, Warren etc. Imo, we have bigger needs than iso scorers.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It depends on what we need. Do the Suns need another iso scorer? Or do they need a 3 & D player? Or do they need a SF who can score, rebound and defend without having to dominate the ball?

I want the Suns to improve their defense more than their iso scoring options. We have scorers on our team such as Booker, Bledsoe, Warren etc. Imo, we have bigger needs than iso scorers.

I'm all for improved defense but last season, when we had two defense only players on the court at the same time, we stunk. You can no longer afford to have even 2 non-threats and unless you've got a real stud, you can't even afford to play one guy like that more than spot duty.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not a proponent of isolation plays as a routine part of the offense but it's great to have players that can do it in keys parts of the game. Bledsoe is fond of the isolation play at key points in the game as well as Booker. Adding another player who can create his own shot is not a bad thing so long as they play within the offense. I do not watch Carmelo much but it seemed isolation plays were a key component of his offense. I do not like this because the ball stops moving.

 

[SweetD]

I would take Isaac over Tatum. Isaac is a 2-4 and should be able to play the SF position

My biggest issues with Tatum or his slow foot speed and balance. He will not be able to dominate as he has in college. Michael Dunn is having the same problems.

Jackson still would be my #1 if he is still available.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would take Isaac over Tatum. Isaac is a 2-4 and should be able to play the SF position

My biggest issues with Tatum or his slow foot speed and balance. He will not be able to dominate as he has in college. Michael Dunn is having the same problems.

Jackson still would be my #1 if he is still available.

Tatum is a much smoother player. I don't think he is slower than Isaac. Isaac is 6-11 though. With that mobility and that size, he is intriguing in a KD sort of way.

I am just not confident in Tatum's defense. He is a 3 or an undersized 4. As a prototypical sized 3 he has nothing that sets him apart. He is an Otto Porter type of player.

Isaac's size and skill set give him the possibility to play all front court positions--creating mismatches along the way. He is Nerlens Noel with better offense and not nearly the same shot blocking propensity.

 

[Mainstreet]

Tatum is a much smoother player. I don't think he is slower than Isaac. Isaac is 6-11 though. With that mobility and that size, he is intriguing in a KD sort of way.

I am just not confident in Tatum's defense. He is a 3 or an undersized 4. As a prototypical sized 3 he has nothing that sets him apart. He is an Otto Porter type of player.

Isaac's size and skill set give him the possibility to play all front court positions--creating mismatches along the way. He is Nerlens Noel with better offense and not nearly the same shot blocking propensity.

I agree with a lot of this. His height and mobility catches the eye.

 

[GatorAZ]

I would take Isaac over Tatum. Isaac is a 2-4 and should be able to play the SF position

My biggest issues with Tatum or his slow foot speed and balance. He will not be able to dominate as he has in college. Michael Dunn is having the same problems.

Jackson still would be my #1 if he is still available.

Isaac's footspeed concerns me more than Tatum because he's known for defense isn't he? Tatum is a scorer so I'm less worried about. He can still be creative and skilled with the ball like Paul Pierce say.

 

[SweetD]

Isaac's footspeed concerns me more than Tatum because he's known for defense isn't he? Tatum is a scorer so I'm less worried about. He can still be creative and skilled with the ball like Paul Pierce say.

I think it was Gambo saying Isaac could play center, but I don't see it. He is good on help D, like Chriss, but not a post defender.

Tatum takes long strides and looses his balance when defenders play close to him. He doesn't have the full range like Pierce to have players fear his shot consistently.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think it was Gambo saying Isaac could play center, but I don't see it. He is good on help D, like Chriss, but not a post defender.

Tatum takes long strides and looses his balance when defenders play close to him. He doesn't have the full range like Pierce to have players fear his shot consistently.

I think that Gambo said this because there are so few low post scoring centers any more. Isaac can play center against non-traditional centers.

 

[Finito]

Isaac's footspeed concerns me more than Tatum because he's known for defense isn't he? Tatum is a scorer so I'm less worried about. He can still be creative and skilled with the ball like Paul Pierce say.

Isaac is much more athletic than Tatum.

 

[GatorAZ]

Isaac is much more athletic than Tatum.

I wouldn't say that. Neither are explosive but Isaac is longer and maybe have slightly quicker feet. If he puts on weight he could be similar to Lamar Odom eventually.

 

[overseascardfan]

Isaac is much more athletic than Tatum.

But Tatum is stronger and has an NBA ready body to play the wing.

IMO:
Most potential - Issac
Most versatile - Jackson
Most athletic - Tatum

 

[Errntknght]

Wow, a basketball argument that stayed on topic without any name calling... you guys are going to ruin our reputation! ('Twas very refreshing to read.)

 

[JCSunsfan]

But Tatum is stronger and has an NBA ready body to play the wing.

IMO:
Most potential - Issac
Most versatile - Jackson
Most athletic - Tatum

You are right. Tatum is stronger, clearly. That's the problem with both. Tatum would be better if he was quicker and more athletic. Isaac would be better if he had a stronger body.

 

[GatorAZ]

Isaac could have a crazy frame in a few years. He's probably 6'9 maybe 6'10" and is already more solid muscle-wise than KD was coming out and Durant put on good weight by his 3-4th year. He has a lot of potential.

 

[Finito]

Isaac doesn't have his body yet he's still got a lot of filling out to do hes rail thin.

I think Isaac and Jackson are much more athletic. Tatum reminds me of a better Warren. He has that old school game lots of tricks up his sleeve type of scorer.

 

[overseascardfan]

If Jackson is off the board, PHX will have an interesting decision between Tatum or Issac or drafting a PG like Fox or Smith. If it comes down to Fox & Smith, I'd prefer Smith. He's a better shooter & playmaker he's just a little shorter and has the knee history but if no medical red flags then I'd pull the trigger and deal Bledsoe for a really good wing.

 

[hcsilla]

But Tatum is stronger and has an NBA ready body to play the wing.

IMO:
Most potential - Issac
Most versatile - Jackson
Most athletic - Tatum

On what planet is Tatum more athletic than Jackson?

 

[Finito]

On what planet is Tatum more athletic than Jackson?

No planet.

Look at the highlights Tatum can score but it's not that above the rim type stuff Jackson can do

By the way Jackson can score to he's not a bum on offense

 

[JCSunsfan]

Isaac could have a crazy frame in a few years. He's probably 6'9 maybe 6'10" and is already more solid muscle-wise than KD was coming out and Durant put on good weight by his 3-4th year. He has a lot of potential.

6-10.5

 

[Mainstreet]

This is what gives me pause about Tatum from Draft Express:

With that said, there is some concern projecting certain aspects of Tatum's offensive game to the next level, most notably his ability to get to the rim against similar athletes. Like many tall forwards at the collegiate level, Tatum played a large portion of his minutes at the power forward spot to make way for Duke's deep perimeter attack. This afforded Tatum a quickness advantage that may not always be there at the next level.

Despite Tatum's size and fluidity, he's not an exceptionally explosive athlete by NBA standards, with an average first step that was further slowed down by a high and loose dribble. Tatum's skill level, footwork, and ability to change speeds helped him mitigate that, for the most part, at the college level, although even there he settled for more difficult pull-ups and floaters than you would have preferred, shots with a high degree of difficulty and a comparatively low expected value. Tatum will have to further refine his ball handling and diversify his skill set in order to consistently create efficient shots for himself at a high level in the NBA.

Tatum is not an explosive athlete. Read the 2nd paragraph from Draft Express.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jayson-Tatum-7249/

 

[Mainstreet]

Most of the material from Draft Express on Isaac is not current. He is more raw than Tatum and would tend to be more of a project player.

The question is, can the Suns wait?

Strengths -Great size and reach for a combo forward – 6' 10.5” with a 7' 1.25” wingspan and 9' 0.5” standing reach. Solid base considering how thin he is up top. -Super fluid for his size. Good athlete who can play above the rim in space, especially off two feet. -Excellent feet defensively. Can get in a stance and keep the ball in front vs PnR or switch ball screens. Fairly comfortable stepping out and guarding wings. -Projectable shooting stroke. Solid mechanics. Range out to the college 3-point line. Can make a pull up jumper. -Shows flashes of aggression going to the rim.

Excellent ball handler for his size. Makes an effort to mix in slight hesitations. -Improved passer. -Made an effort to get in on the glass and rebound in traffic despite his frame. Reach and quick leaping ability allow him to go up and get boards.

Weaknesses -Hasn't improved his upper body much in the last six months or so. Doesn't have a huge frame. -The game is still slowing down for him. Too anxious with the ball at times. Wastes dribbles. -Inconsistent shooting stroke. Rotation isn't always tight. Ball doesn't always come out all that smoothly. Upper body can be a bit stiff. Can improve both off the dribble and in catch and shoot situations. -Doesn't handle contact very well around the rim. Fairly right-hand dominant. -Gets posted up on defense. -Not very vocal on the floor -Very inconsistent overall.

Isaac needs to needs to get stronger and more consistent.

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