Jordan Farmar

[panfolk]

is testing the waters so says DraftExpress. Who thinks we should snag him with the Lakers pick if all the quality bigs are taken by then. Humor me please. I want no part of the Laker discussions. He's a rare playmaker. Plus Marcus Williams and Mardy Collins will probably be gone by then.

 

[PhxGametime]

I'm not sure Farmar is the 2nd coming of Steve Nash but I wouldn't mind Farmar at Pick #20, I really like Ronnie Brewer but I have a feeling he won't be there now...


Farmar has averaged over 5 assists two years in a row and might not be ideal for a lot of other Teams, with a few holes in his game but for a back-up for a few years and with Barbosa and Diaw locked up (HOPEFULLY lol) he wouldn't be counted as much as Nash was/is... I'd Draft him.


With Coach D's comments about skill players... most of the bigs I like around the area the Suns are Drafting: Armstrong, Boone, Gray, etc. the Team probably wouldn't go after.


I haven't seen Yi Jian Lian since 2-3 years ago at Hoops Summit but he sort of fits a skillball big and has size at 7'0... I didn't keep my eye on the International players as much though but he had his moments. Not sure he's a shutdown defender but if the Suns expect to find a shutdown defender that has skills at around Pick #20 at 6'11-7'0 then...

 

[boisesuns]

He seems like an average Point guard to me. It's say there will be a better option available at that pick, and Farmar may not get drafted.

 

[Joe Mama]

I don't think he will be there, but if Armstrong was available with the Lakers pick I do not think the Phoenix Suns would pass on him. He might not have a great outside shot now, but he is fairly skilled. His contributions on the boards and on defense with more than make up for any offensive deficiencies.

Besides, Amare Stoudemire could not shoot a couple years ago, and now it is one of his strengths.

I don't think it matters though. If he's even in the draft he won't be available with the Lakers pick.

Joe

 

[fordronken]

I'll say what I've been saying. He's a perfect triangle offense point guard, but I don't think he's got enough skills to pull off the D'Antoni offense. Maybe eventually, but I doubt it.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'll say what I've been saying. He's a perfect triangle offense point guard, but I don't think he's got enough skills to pull off the D'Antoni offense. Maybe eventually, but I doubt it.

Eventually he could but not now. the thing people have to remember is he's in a very restricted situation now, UCLA hasn't had the personnel to run so Farmar is stuck in the halfcourt a lot. UCLA hasn't had the kind of rebounding necessary so they send their guards to the glass a lot and don't break except off turnovers.

Jordan can play but he turns it over way too much and shoots off balance way too much. I think the Suns system is perfect for him but I don't think he's ready to run it yet. It's looking more and more like Farmar may stick in the draft though much to my dismay.

 

[boisesuns]

It's looking more and more like Farmar may stick in the draft though much to my dismay.

I think he will fall off the NBA map like Tobey Bailey did, if he comes out this year.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think he will fall off the NBA map like Tobey Bailey did, if he comes out this year.

I'd like to see him succeed, but I don't think he's ready, he should stay one more year.

Bailey didn't come out early. Ironically on UCLA boards Bailey is used as an argument for why Farmar SHOULD leave early. People swear if Bailey had filed after his freshman year he'd have gone higher than he wound up going. i don't buy it, they'd have flushed out his weaknesses before the draft.

I think his injury situation this year plays a large role in this, he's concerned that he could reinjure the ankle or get another injury and that's why he's suddenly strongly considering the leap to the NBA.

 

[F-Dog]

The Suns will be looking for someone who can help immediately, if they don't see a player whose talent knocks them over. Farmar doesn't qualify in either regard.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm not convinced Farmar is able to contibute immediately and probably won't come out without a lottery promise.

At this point I'm more inclined to wait and possibly take Dee Brown.

nbadraft.net

NBA Comparison: Erick Barkley

Strengths: The one-man-fastbreak is a blur on the hardwood and if you aren't quick enough, don't expect Mr. Brown to wait for you. While firing bullet-passes, his dribbling and distribution skills are as good as anyone's. A capable scorer, when he decides to show it, he can set the nets ablaze in the blink of an eye. Also a true leader with his constantly moving motor-mouth, expect him to make the All-Quote First Team.

Weaknesses: You first have to look at his size, barely tipping the 6-foot mark. His ability to guard against the bigger guards is still up in the air, but don't think he will fail for lack of effort. Also can get into pass/shoot modes; He looks to involve his teammates immensely and will pass up his own shots for the sake of others, or, where he attempts to tire out the scoreboard operator single-handedly.

Brown is not getting much love on the mock boards and appears to be on the bubble.

BTW, I can't see Armstrong falling to 21. He's got lottery talent and will need a promise in order to come out. Boone is a different story, but I'm not excited about his game and doubt he would be much help.

 

[Gaddabout]

At this point I'm more inclined to wait and possibly take Dee Brown.

I love Dee Brown, and the Suns could probably get him at No. 27.

 

[fordronken]

Look, if there's any chance Farmar could, even four years from now, be good enough to be a legit point guard in the D'Antoni offense-- I say draft him. I actually prefer the Suns get young prospects at this point. They have a DEEP rotation next year if everyone's healthy. Unless they can find a big guy capable of playing 20 minutes a game next year, I say swing for the fences on the draft picks and see what pans out.

 

[myrondizzo]

BTW, I can't see Armstrong falling to 21. He's got lottery talent and will need a promise in order to come out. Boone is a different story, but I'm not excited about his game and doubt he would be much help.

they have armstrong listed as a sr so i dont think he has a choice.

 

[Gaddabout]

Look, if there's any chance Farmar could, even four years from now, be good enough to be a legit point guard in the D'Antoni offense-- I say draft him. I actually prefer the Suns get young prospects at this point. They have a DEEP rotation next year if everyone's healthy. Unless they can find a big guy capable of playing 20 minutes a game next year, I say swing for the fences on the draft picks and see what pans out.

I disagree. Backup PG is a big need. They need someone who can be reasonably productive in the up-tempo offense to give Nash a blow. This is going to become crucial as Nash gets older, but the need for a productive backup PG is critical now, as well.

If Farmar can't make the team today they shouldn't draft him. If the Suns can't find someone who can make the team right now, they should trade the pick. I think it's that simple.

 

[Russ Smith]

I disagree. Backup PG is a big need. They need someone who can be reasonably productive in the up-tempo offense to give Nash a blow. This is going to become crucial as Nash gets older, but the need for a productive backup PG is critical now, as well.

If Farmar can't make the team today they shouldn't draft him. If the Suns can't find someone who can make the team right now, they should trade the pick. I think it's that simple.

That's sort of the Spurs model, take a Euro who won't play for you, let him play overseas and develop, and then bring him in. The Suns figure to be picking fairly late so you can either pay a Farmar to sit on the bench, or not pay a Euro but hold his rights.

I admit to a bias I want Farmar to play one more year at UCLA. That's the main reason why kids want a lottery guarantee or at least a top 20. If you read Telfairs book they specifically mention in there after a certain point it's a total crapshoot because so many teams are going to draft a Euro in the late first round and stash him overseas. They were concerned that telfair wasn't going to go high enough and wind up in round 2 for that very reason.

 

[George O'Brien]

Armstrong is a senior. it's Boone that has another year. In any case, I see no way Armstrong falls to 21 unless he looks really awful in the workouts a la Chris Taft.

I'm sure there will be some surprises, but usually the guys who fall are either one dimensional or tweeners who don't fit NBA size expectations. If anything, you can almost count on big guys to go earlier than projected.

 

[panfolk]

Could anyone generate some figures on how many teams actually do the Euro-stash (sounds like a style of facial hair)?

I agree with the swing for the fences approach with the 21 pick. We do have considerable needs at point and big though. Tough call.

I don't see why people would think that rookie contracts are something to fret over. Granted they aren't as cheap as veterans making the minimum to get a ring but still...


I guess I just like the tenacity and floor general mentality I see in Farmar. Mardy Collins is the only point prospect I'd prefer as he would be more versatile as a scoring threat outside of Temple. The description of Dee Brown sounds pretty cool (though I've never seen him play). Wonder if they could draft two points and make 'em fight it out? Probably a bad idea when you need a big badly. House shouldn't be brought back and Barbosa may be our future starting 2 guard so they shouldn't be a factor in playing time considerations.

It is a stroke of luck that Noah is staying in college next year and we have a slim chance at snagging him the following summer.

I think Shelden Williams and Mardy Collins are the only players I'd like to see us move up to get (as they'll be late lottery).


Sheesh. The way I ramble you guys probably expect I'm still a teenager

 

[SunsTzu]

If the Suns are really looking for a Nash protege I think Sergio Rodriguez sounds promising. I just stumbled accross this video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gBa0dqhRdas&search=sergio rodriguez

He looks really skinny and highlight videos are always misleading, but he showed a lot of flashes in that one game.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

We should just try to steal Diener

 

[F-Dog]

Most Euros who are "stashed away" are taken with 2nd-round picks.

One big problem with using a first-round pick on a foreign player (who's not coming over) is that the NBA team is contractually limited to what it can offer that player, both now and in the future. That's why the Suns would almost certainly have to pass on Tiago Splitter, for instance, even if he fell to them at #21.

 

[SunsTzu]

A lot of european players who want to be in the NBA can plan and make sure they are not locked in a contract for too long. Delfino and Kirlinko were both drafted late in the first round and came over when their contracts ran out. I think the big concern is having an european club offer more money than the team can offer with their slot(like Fran Vasquez), but if they are confident in their abilities the earning power in the NBA is much greater later on.

 

[George O'Brien]

Most Euros who are "stashed away" are taken with 2nd-round picks.

One big problem with using a first-round pick on a foreign player (who's not coming over) is that the NBA team is contractually limited to what it can offer that player, both now and in the future. That's why the Suns would almost certainly have to pass on Tiago Splitter, for instance, even if he fell to them at #21.

If Splitter enters and falls that far, I think the Suns have to take a chance. There is certainly going to buyout issues, but he is rated as top ten in talent. If anything, what he showed last year in the Americas tournament was that he's better suited to up tempo than the slow style played by Tau.

Would he accept the lower rookie contract? Who knows? Obviously only idiots like the Magic take a guy without talking to him and discussing if he wants to play for the team.

 

[F-Dog]

A lot of european players who want to be in the NBA can plan and make sure they are not locked in a contract for too long. Delfino and Kirlinko were both drafted late in the first round and came over when their contracts ran out. I think the big concern is having an european club offer more money than the team can offer with their slot(like Fran Vasquez), but if they are confident in their abilities the earning power in the NBA is much greater later on.

The problem is that Vasquez is currently earning at least four times as much (after taxes) as Orlando can offer him. And, the spread will probably be even larger in four years.

This isn't such a problem with Fernandez or Rodriguez, but Splitter is going to be in a very similar situation to Vasquez's.

 

[Gaddabout]

If Splitter enters and falls that far, I think the Suns have to take a chance. There is certainly going to buyout issues, but he is rated as top ten in talent. If anything, what he showed last year in the Americas tournament was that he's better suited to up tempo than the slow style played by Tau.

I can't imagine Splitter being attainable under any circumstances for the Suns. Based on rave scouting reports, it's stunning he's not currently considered the No. 1 position. What would the Suns have to give up to get that high? It's probably not worth pondering, but I'll conject ... Marion + Barbs + the second Atlanta pick? The guy would be required to produce from the get go, and that's not the European NBA template.

 

[George O'Brien]

If the the issue is whether Splitter would fall that far. there is only reason why he might - Vasquez. Splitter has the power to scare off lottery teams that he might not want to play with. It is a totally different question as to whether he would.

Clearly, if money is the primary issue, the Suns are out of the picture assuming he even comes out this year. However, if playing on a team well suited to his skills with an international orientation, the Suns are clearly his best bet. Having another Brazlian player can't hurt. It's a long shot at best, but stranger things have happened.