Just a feeling about our rookies....

[Yuma]

I don't think we will have a ROY winner this year from our rookies. However, looking at the draft, and who went to what teams, I think our two rookies will be the most potent rookie duo next year. The real test in my mind is what kind of time Zarko will get. I believe Barbosa will get significant minutes in the backup role to Marbury, and in the small ball sets. I am thinking if we get 6-8 points a game, and 4-5 boards from Zarko, I think Barbosa will get 8-10 points a game and around 5 assists per game. That would potentially be 18 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists per game off our bench between the pair. I honestly think Barbosa has the ability with his penetration to score more, and Zarko will get more minutes if he shoots better than we think, or can actually guard people better than we think. His numbers could be better, but I think it mostly depends on his shooting ability. I do think these guys upgrade our bench significantly, even being rookies. Maybe I am just too much of a homer, but as a pair, I think our rookies will have a big impact.

 

[fordronken]

If Barbosa gets significant minutes it will be because either:

a) He is so good that we just have to play him no matter what.
b) Marbury is hurt.

One of those is terribly unlikely and the other terribly unfortunate.

I picture him getting around 7 minutes a game, and averaging around 3.5 points and under 2 assists. I have a good feeling about him as a player, but there is no reason to expect a lot statistically from him this season.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Zarko will be the player more ready for prime time, given his age and b-ball experience. I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised at his production.

We are going to see Zarko, Amare, and Shawn play to gether a lot on that front line. I don't know who will be the center--I guess it will be Amare.

I hoping that by the end of the year the press will have a lot of fun talking about the East and West rookies, Darko and Zarko. Not as ROY but as making real contributions as rookies.

 

[jbeecham]

I think Barbosa can get anywhere from 8-12 minutes a game and it just depends on how he plays. Marbury was playing 40+ minutes a game last season and by the end of the season everyone was saying he was worn down from playing so much. So obviously we want him to have more than 8 minutes of rest per game.

I also don't think our rookies will average more than 15 ppg combined. Barbosa could get some points because of the game situations he'll be in. Barbosa will be in there with a lot of 2nd team players like Voshkul, Outlaw, Zarko, JJ & Casey. I don't see him getting too many assists with that group though........maybe 2 a game.

I can see Zarko being our 7th man behind JJ (or Penny) and he'll probably get 15-20 minutes playing anywhere from the 3-5 positions. I think he will be more successful early in the season because teams won't know how to guard him. They think he's just an outside shooter so I think he'll fake the outside shot and then take the ball to the hole a lot.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by fordronken
If Barbosa gets significant minutes it will be because either:

a) He is so good that we just have to play him no matter what.
b) Marbury is hurt.

One of those is terribly unlikely and the other terribly unfortunate.

I picture him getting around 7 minutes a game, and averaging around 3.5 points and under 2 assists. I have a good feeling about him as a player, but there is no reason to expect a lot statistically from him this season.

I agree. If his shooting is as good as advertised he may get some time just for that. Otherwise I think they will bring him along slowly. Hardaway and Johnson can handle some of the duties even if they aren't traditional point guards.

Joe Mama

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by jbeecham
I think Barbosa can get anywhere from 8-12 minutes a game and it just depends on how he plays. Marbury was playing 40+ minutes a game last season and by the end of the season everyone was saying he was worn down from playing so much. So obviously we want him to have more than 8 minutes of rest per game.

I also don't think our rookies will average more than 15 ppg combined. Barbosa could get some points because of the game situations he'll be in. Barbosa will be in there with a lot of 2nd team players like Voshkul, Outlaw, Zarko, JJ & Casey. I don't see him getting too many assists with that group though........maybe 2 a game.

I can see Zarko being our 7th man behind JJ (or Penny) and he'll probably get 15-20 minutes playing anywhere from the 3-5 positions. I think he will be more successful early in the season because teams won't know how to guard him. They think he's just an outside shooter so I think he'll fake the outside shot and then take the ball to the hole a lot.

I can see Barbose getting solid min's, Marbury will be alot more efficient when he's rested...

If your right about Zarko becoming a good slasher to the hoop, then I can see him getting alot of solid min's... If he is just a jump shooter at first, then I feel he will ge a small role the first year...

Both should be a nice lift compaired to our limited bench of last season...

 

[PhiLLmattiC]

I see Zarko playing more of a dan langhi role and i doubt barbosa will get a more than 8 mins a game especially if the suns are headed for the playoffs.

 

[Errntknght]

The big question about Zarko is whether he can defend at any position in the NBA. The blurbs about him didn't make that sound very promising and he sure looks like he'd be pushed around at PF or C. Maybe he's athletic enough to guard some of ths SFs. If his defense isn't markedly better than the reports indicate I can't see how he'd get more than spot duty. Though with Frankie at the helm, you're not sure what will happen...

Barbosa appears a better bet to get PT since he's supposed to be a tough defender - 'brilliant defender' is said in one write up. He doesn't have a complicated offense to learn and he can hardly be worse than Marbury at using screens so he's almost ready to go as far as the offense structure is concerned. All that's left it appears is to see if he can get his shots off because his scoring average indicates he can put the ball in the hole. Hopefullly, he'll be able to let Marbs rest 10-12 minutes a game.