My current draft wish list

[F-Dog]

Since I haven't personally scouted most of these guys, I continue to twist in the wind as new workout info is published. Here's my revised wishlist for the name the Suns call on draft day:


All Right!

1. Andriuskevicius--the more I read, the more he sounds like a baby Arvydas Sabonis--you know, the athletic Soviet beanpole who was often described as a 7'3" Magic Johnson in the late 80's. I like that he needs to bulk up and also get stronger, since those two often go together. I love the fact that he'll stay in Europe, meaning that the Suns will have him locked up for six or seven years instead of five.

My main problem with the Suns picking Andriuskevicius is that it dovetails too well with them wooing Kobe Bryant.

2. Shaun Livingston--this guy is the X-factor in this year's draft. His weight/quickness 'issues' remind me of Tayshaun Prince, so I'm not as worried as most of you are. I like him because he fits well into the Suns' projected rotation (they won't have to dump Barbosa or Vujanic to make room) and his handle and passing skills would give the team a new dimension on offense.

My concern would be whether Livingston would be ready enough in four years to justify a big extension (and re-shuffling the team to make more room for him), even if he pans out. I wouldn't be interested in seeing him go to Duke, because I don't trust Krzyzsewski farther than I could spit him when it comes to preparing a young player for the pros.

3. Josh Smith--this is the player who sounds like he might be this year's Amare. His lack of skills strangely failed to prevent him from dominating in HS, AAU, and All-Star games, and he's already got the NBA body to go with his off-the charts athleticism.

Of course, if the Suns take Smith, then they'll have to shop Marion, which sucks. Also, it's much harder to make a difference at SF without a consistent outside shot--on the Suns, Smith would have to develop his shot before he was worth much, since they don't play enough marksmen to spread the floor as things stand.


Umm, OK...I guess he was the BPA...

4. Kosta Perovic--Like Joe Mama, the lack of news on Perovic has finally caught up to me. I still think he sounds like the best fit for the Suns' needs at center, but the seeming lack of interest around the league has dented my confidence in him--maybe he's just another guy.

I'm beginning to hope that Perovic pulls out of the draft, so that Utah doesn't wind up stealing him with the NYK pick.

5. Andre Iguodala--I like him, and I think he'll be a very nice NBA player. The thing is, I don't think he has superstar upside, and his strengths and weaknesses remind me of Joe Johnson; Like Joe J, Iggy will need minutes and touches to make his game work. My guess is that the Law of Diminishing Returns kicks in fairly early where Joe Johnsons are concerned.

6. Andris Biedrins--I've assumed he'll be a project from the get-go, so reports that he's raw don't bother me much. It does bother me that he's a PF, which is the very last position on the Suns' list of needs. He's another player that would bug me in a Jazz uniform, though.


I'm sure the Suns know best...

7. Ben Gordon/Devin Harris--neither of these players strikes me as a superstar in the making, so I don't see the point in taking one of them, kissing Vujanic bye-bye, and putting Barbosa on the bench while they try to mold the new guy into a real PG. There has to be a better option at another position.

8. PJ Ramos--seems like the rawest of the various projects that the Suns might gamble on, and I'm not moved by the supposed strength of the Puerto Rican pro leagues. Part of my distaste is probably unfounded prejudice, though, so I'll try to keep an open mind in the unlikely event that Ramos winds up wearing a Suns uniform.

9. Pavel Podkolzine--I'm just guessing here, but it's possible that Podkolzine is a big stiff with no game when the lights are on, and that injuries and fitness problems will hound him throughout his short career. I'm happy to let some other team gamble on Podkolzine's supposed potential.


I'll probably only change my mind a few more times before draft day...

 

[JCSunsfan]

If I had to bet on who the Suns are going to take, it would be Andriuskevicius. Here's why he fits the "MO" for the Suns.

1. They like big, but they like skills more. He's both.

2. The rumors about a guarantee. They were there in the past with Casey and Amare. Turns out they were true although the Suns denied it at the time.

3. The "I want to stay in Europe another year, and I might pull out" thing. Sounds suspiciously like Amare's "shoulder injury" that prevented him working out for any more teams after the Suns. Also like Zarko's "family business" that took him back to Europe immediately after the Suns worked him out--never to work out for another team.

I'm not saying he's the one they should take, but it looks to me like he's the one their planning to take.

 

[George O'Brien]

If I had to bet on who the Suns are going to take, it would be Andriuskevicius. Here's why he fits the "MO" for the Suns.

1. They like big, but they like skills more. He's both.

2. The rumors about a guarantee. They were there in the past with Casey and Amare. Turns out they were true although the Suns denied it at the time.

3. The "I want to stay in Europe another year, and I might pull out" thing. Sounds suspiciously like Amare's "shoulder injury" that prevented him working out for any more teams after the Suns. Also like Zarko's "family business" that took him back to Europe immediately after the Suns worked him out--never to work out for another team.

I'm not saying he's the one they should take, but it looks to me like he's the one their planning to take.

I certainly hope not. I cannot figure out what it is that people keep "seeing" in the scouting reports that keeps escaping me.

1. He is really, really, really skinny. I know, "wait until he bulks up". We've been hearing that about Shawn Bradly for over a decade. Every scouting report reminds me of what we were hearing about Shawn Bradly when he was taken second in the draft - ahead of Penny Hardaway. "Oh, he's so athletic and handles the ball well and you can't teach heigth, etc."

2. No one ever talks about his defense, rebounding, or even his shot blocking inspite of being 7'3". It's always his shooting and ball handling. But the Suns need defense, not 7'3" outside shooters.

3. He is very inexperienced. Biedrins has at least played at the Euro League level. Andriuskevicius has no upper level experience. In fact, few reviews even talk about his league performances because he hasn't done much. He is a great workout player, but I'd like to see him dominate which he did not do at that camp in Italy.

4. No one talks about Andriuskevicius's agressiveness. Amare had a mean streak from day one that separated him from other athletic players. Andriuskevicius comes across as a typical "don't touch me" Euro that doesn't like to mix it up in the paint. Attitude goes a long way and his reluctance even be in the draft tells me a lot.

5. He is not Sabonis and I really doubt will never be like Sabonis. Sabonis was extremely strong and much much heavier than Andriuskevicius even when he was young. Sabonis was overpowering in his younger days before he was slowed by injuries. Sabonis had great skills, but he was never a "finesse" player.

6. The rumor about the Suns guarantee has been denied by the Suns and I believe them.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I tend to agree with you. I'm not wild about MA, I just have this sinking feeling.

If the draft reports are accurate, I think I would prefer Pavel. If he is as big, strong, aggressive, agile, charismatic, and motivated as they say, let's get him and send him to a big man school.

There are only a few really big (not just tall) agile men like that in the world. One is wearing a Lakers uni.

Of course, this is if the hype is not all hype.

 

[George O'Brien]

I tend to agree with you. I'm not wild about MA, I just have this sinking feeling.

If the draft reports are accurate, I think I would prefer Pavel. If he is as big, strong, aggressive, agile, charismatic, and motivated as they say, let's get him and send him to a big man school.

There are only a few really big (not just tall) agile men like that in the world. One is wearing a Lakers uni.

Of course, this is if the hype is not all hype.

Pavel has never been able to convert his workout skills to on the court performance. Maybe his team in Italy was hiding him, but he barely played.

I'm also concerned about his glandular condition. They can remove the gland, but guys who grow due tot he condidtion have a history of injuries that can be traced to it.

Finally, I'm concerned about whether Pavel is hard worker. At the camp in Italy he played well, but only in five minute segments. He is not even vaguely close to being in NBA shape, much less being able to run with the Suns.

 

[F-Dog]

I certainly hope not. I cannot figure out what it is that people keep "seeing" in the scouting reports that keeps escaping me.

1. He is really, really, really skinny. I know, "wait until he bulks up". We've been hearing that about Shawn Bradly for over a decade. Every scouting report reminds me of what we were hearing about Shawn Bradly when he was taken second in the draft - ahead of Penny Hardaway. "Oh, he's so athletic and handles the ball well and you can't teach heigth, etc."

2. No one ever talks about his defense, rebounding, or even his shot blocking inspite of being 7'3". It's always his shooting and ball handling. But the Suns need defense, not 7'3" outside shooters.

...

5. He is not Sabonis and I really doubt will never be like Sabonis. Sabonis was extremely strong and much much heavier than Andriuskevicius even when he was young. Sabonis was overpowering in his younger days before he was slowed by injuries. Sabonis had great skills, but he was never a "finesse" player...

I think your problem is that you insist on comparing 18-year-olds against 24-year-olds, like pre-draft Shawn Bradley or the dominating version of Sabonis.


AK's problem has never been described as a lack of aggressiveness or lack of defense per se. (18-year-olds are almost always deficient on defense--tools are all you've really got to go on with long-term projects.) His problem has always been described as a lack of bulk and strength.

I just can't imagine that it will be as hard for an 18-year-old to gain 30-40 pounds in a couple of years as it would be to significantly improve his quickness, athleticism, or instincts.