Mock Draft--4/22

[Chris_Sanders]

How many guys who were bigger than 7' 240lbs did Jerry draft in the last 30 or so years?

All the guys I listed were at least 7 feet tall and over 240.

You may not like it, but that is our history when it comes to centers. I haven't seen us deviate on this in the slightest.

I am fairly certain it will be another big man we draft since we will be adding Vujanic at guard. I would be shocked if we draft Andris Biedrins.

 

[slinslin]

Longley was a weak soft jump shooting scrub. Tsakalidis = Scrub.

4 guys in so many years clearly don't tell me that Colangelo is high on 7' 240lbs guys.

If we are basing things on the past Colangelo will draft Gordon or Harris if we are stuck with our pick.

 

[elindholm]

I do remember Chris saying long in advance that the Suns would take Stoudemire. I don't remember whether he was happy about it, but that's another issue.

 

[F-Dog]

I can't say how good Podkolzine will be, but look at whom the Suns have had a center as long as Jerry is in charge...from Klein, to Schayes, to Longley, to Tskaladis..ect...

Jerry likes 7 foot guys that weigh more than 240. Podkolzine is the only guy that fits that bill.

Perovic and even Biedrins should weigh more than 240 in a year or two; David Harrison and Ha Seung-Jin weigh more than 280 right now. I would take any of them over Podkolzine.

I'm not sure that JC has a say in the draft room any more.


I hope you're wrong, anyway.

 

[elindholm]

Tsakalidis = Scrub.

But at the time, he was considered a very hot prospect. A lot of what is being said about the giant Euro centers (still learning the game, you can't teach size, impressive instincts) was said about Tsakalidis as well.

 

[slinslin]

Anyway I would also bet against the Suns taking Podkolzine

- There are a ton of center prospects in this draft unlike last year which had only Lampe and Kaman. This year there is probably Biedrins, Martynagagagersgavicius, Harrison, Araujo, Ramos and several others...
- He doesn't fit in the running style AT ALL
- He doesn't fit with Amare offensively AT ALL
- He just broke his wrist
- He has chronic ankle injuries
- He jumped out of the draft last year because nobody gave him a guarantee
- He is still the same bench warming scrub even in europe
- I though he had some disease that made him grow so much
- There were reports questioning his attitude and work ethic
- I am not sure Bryan wants to turn the Phoenix Suns into the Foreign Suns, he would probably be better served drafting BPA and get a local college guy like Iguodala.
- Peter John Ramos is like 7'3 260 or so and by most accounts athletic and younger than Pavel.

 

[George O'Brien]

Perovic

It is curious how different people read the same scouting reports and get different things. Here is the nbadraft.net profile on Perovic:

Kosta Perovic
Birthdate: 2/19/85
NBA Position: Center
Ht: 7-2
Wt: 240
European Team: Partizan Belgrade
Hometown: Belgrade, Yugoslavia
Stats

NBA Comparison: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Strengths: Huge. Towers over opponents. Has soft hands and is excellent at putting back missed shots. A very good passer out of the post. Works his tail off on the court...A decent shot blocker, because of his gigantic size. Nimble on his feet and seems to really love the game. Has a very big upside.

Weaknesses: Has a very limited offensive game. Points come off putbacks and short jumpers. Needs to really develop a back to the basket game to become effective.

Kosta also depends on his height for rebounds and not positioning...footwork overall needs work. Defensively everything is based off his size.Over time he will learn the nuances of the game and become much more effective. Notes: Seems to get better with every game. Looks intelligent and most of all "You can't teach height."…If he develops an offensive game, watch out.

-Savneet Singh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Draft City

Strengths

On offense, hook is his best shot. He attacks the basket from underneath, but isn't a finesse player. Hard dunker. Good free throw shooter. Has sweet touch from long distance, but doesn't shoot the international 3-pointer. On defense, excellent from the weak side. Physical in the middle and isn't affraid to challenge penetrators. Blocks are one of his stronger suits. His teammates describe him as intelligent.

Weakness

Inexperience. Needs to work on his post moves, as well as passing out of the lane and finding his PG when the play breaks down. Gives up after first attempt at basket, hence fewer offensive rebounds. Average one on one defender, needs to improve in that area. Has good frame, but could add body mass.

 

[Joe Mama]

I still believe the Phoenix Suns will take the best player available if they are actually going to use their pick. Although I only know what I've read about many of these players I'd be shocked if that is Pavel. In fact I don't think he will go in the top 10 and may fall out of the lottery altogether.

I don't think the Phoenix Suns want a big, lumbering center. That's what Big Jake was. There's also a good chance the Phoenix Suns will sign a free-agent center.

My money right now is on Perovic if they draft around #7, and he's still on the board. Iguodala, Josh Smith, JR Smith, Biedrinis, or even Josh Childress are all players the Suns would probably look at as well at #7.

Joe Mama

 

[Joe Mama]

7. Phoenix Kosta Perovic, C (7'2", 240)

I prefer Biedrins and think he will drop to this spot. Perovic is the most experienced of the Euro big men and has the most polished offensive game. But I really doubt he is going to be much better than Lampe on defense and Lampe is a lot heavier.

For reference, the above is what you wrote in your original mock. Then in this latest post you highlighted the one or two sentences that talk about something he needs to work on defensively.

Kosta also depends on his height for rebounds and not positioning...footwork overall needs work. Defensively everything is based off his size.Over time he will learn the nuances of the game and become much more effective. Notes: Seems to get better with every game. Looks intelligent and most of all "You can't teach height."…If he develops an offensive game, watch out.

-Savneet Singh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Draft City

...Weakness

Inexperience. Needs to work on his post moves, as well as passing out of the lane and finding his PG when the play breaks down. Gives up after first attempt at basket, hence fewer offensive rebounds. Average one on one defender, needs to improve in that area. Has good frame, but could add body mass.

However you forgot to highlight the following...

Strengths

On offense, hookbest shot. He attacks the basket from underneath, but isn't a finesse player. Hard dunker. Good free throw shooter. Has sweet touch from long distance, but doesn't shoot the international 3-pointer. On defense, excellent from the weak side. Physical in the middle and isn't affraid to challenge penetrators. Blocks are one of his stronger suits. His teammates describe him as intelligent.

Based on what I've read here he sounds like the type of center the Suns want. It sounds like he is already better than Lampe defensively. Of course I understand that these assessments like to embellish these players abilities.

Joe Mama

 

[PhxGametime]

I still might prefer Iguodala - although Biedrins sounds decent but IMO Lampe could be future Center on team and with Voskuhl being cheap and deserving 15-20 minutes - I picked Biedrins over true big centers. Being versatile and a top 5 shot-blocker in draft.

I'm not high on Pavel but last year wasn't high (before Draft time) on Zarko until saw highlights and even then was only really excited because Barbosa (a player was interested in until Joe Mama convinced me that Suns didn't need a PG with #17 pick) was Drafted as well.

Person, Finley, Marion, Stoudemire, and Barbosa were all players Drafted I wanted - that were available. I'm no Draft expert though - I've had share of busts. If you notice all players have same athletic traits (back then Person was decent athlete and replaced Majerle - who was losing athleticism). Iguodala would fit my taste of prospects BUT with that choice - Suns would most likely sign Free Agent Center. I don't have a preference really but I'm high on Lampe.

I would be happy with Iguodala or Biedrins either way - I still can't make up my mind. If this message makes no sense - I atleast padded post count...

 

[scotsman13]

The last Suns draft pick I was wrong on was Marion over Magette.

If the Suns are stuck selecting and Podkolzine is there, they will take him. It is quite clear that the Suns need that big man in the middle that can alter shots and Podkolzine is the most imposing presence out there.

i called marion over magette, didnt call it right last year but i dont see pod as a suns draft pick for the main reason that they suns are trying to run and pod isnt know as having quick feet. i think that if biedrins is on the broad that they will take him if not i would think that they would go after kosta.

I can't say how good Podkolzine will be, but look at whom the Suns have had a center as long as Jerry is in charge...from Klein, to Schayes, to Longley, to Tskaladis..ect...

Jerry likes 7 foot guys that weigh more than 240. Podkolzine is the only guy that fits that bill.

i think that the only reason you have seen this type of player as the suns draft picks are because we have been looking for a big center and these have been the only ones out there. you can also look at oliver miller, mark west and hot rod williams, for the type of players that just like at center.

 

[George O'Brien]

For reference, the above is what you wrote in your original mock. Then in this latest post you highlighted the one or two sentences that talk about something he needs to work on defensively.

However you forgot to highlight the following...

Based on what I've read here he sounds like the type of center the Suns want. It sounds like he is already better than Lampe defensively. Of course I understand that these assessments like to embellish these players abilities.
Joe Mama

Take another look Joe, I did include Perovic's Strengths from Draft City.

As I said from the start, I tend to focus on negitives in scouting reports because of the way these guys write. If you aren't careful you'd think every prospect was a future all star. In any case, I suspect the Suns may decide that all of the Euros are simply too young to contribute much.

I think the Suns are going to gear up for a playoff run next season with an eye to make a signficiant run the following season. That's a huge leap, but if Amare keeps developing at thre rate he has so far, this is not that far fetched. Unless the Suns sign a superstar, they will need to have a team with the depth that can play 10-11 guys like Memphis did.

 

[Errntknght]

elindholm>>I would MUCH rather the Suns spend ~$2.5 million on Thomas than on McDyess this summer. They play the same position (backup power forward or undersized "center"), but Thomas is more athletic, has greater room for improvement, and has more heart.<<

This will probably make Eric change his mind but I agree with him. Dice is a my sentimental choice but Thomas is a horse down low. Younger, more athletic version of Jahidi with decent offensive skills. True he's a poor fit with Amare's low post game but Amare doesn't play all the time and he moves out of the post a fair amount. Supposing Lampe becomes our starting C in a high post offense, you'd have Thomas backing up Amare and Lampe with Amare taking over the high-post slot when on the floor with Thomas. Heck, that would be restful for him while Thomas is laying heavy wood on the opps low post defenders.

A serendipity of acquiring Etan is that Lampe will have someone to practice against who is stronger than him and no slouch on offense. Should speed his defensive progress a bunch.

The downside is sort of strange - with Antonio around coach Mikey is more likely to stumble upon the idea of running a high post offense, since Dice has a good enough shot for that position. Lampe is obvious high post material though he's a year or two away, but he'd reinforce any high post notions the coach might have. On the other hand, Thomas and Amare starting together wouldn't make anyone think of a high post offense.

 

[George O'Brien]

elindholm>>I would MUCH rather the Suns spend ~$2.5 million on Thomas than on McDyess this summer. They play the same position (backup power forward or undersized "center"), but Thomas is more athletic, has greater room for improvement, and has more heart.<<

This will probably make Eric change his mind but I agree with him. Dice is a my sentimental choice but Thomas is a horse down low. Younger, more athletic version of Jahidi with decent offensive skills. True he's a poor fit with Amare's low post game but Amare doesn't play all the time and he moves out of the post a fair amount. Supposing Lampe becomes our starting C in a high post offense, you'd have Thomas backing up Amare and Lampe with Amare taking over the high-post slot when on the floor with Thomas. Heck, that would be restful for him while Thomas is laying heavy wood on the opps low post defenders.

A serendipity of acquiring Etan is that Lampe will have someone to practice against who is stronger than him and no slouch on offense. Should speed his defensive progress a bunch.

The downside is sort of strange - with Antonio around coach Mikey is more likely to stumble upon the idea of running a high post offense, since Dice has a good enough shot for that position. Lampe is obvious high post material though he's a year or two away, but he'd reinforce any high post notions the coach might have. On the other hand, Thomas and Amare starting together wouldn't make anyone think of a high post offense.

A lot will depend on what happens with White. If White stays, I doubt the Suns would go after Thomas even though he is a better player. If White goes, the Suns would need a Thomas or a Foyle even if the Suns keep Dice.

Ideally, I would prefer to bring Dice off the bench to back up both the center and PF positions. There are some games when Dice would start due to matchups, but a big defensive center would start most of the time.

There are several top teams that do not have an upper level center, but have success by rotating two or three "good" players. The Timberwolves, Nets, Pacers, and Grizzlies all rotate their centers with a fair amount of success. Sacramento and Detroit give extensive time to their third big guys.