New and Improved 2008 Draft Prospects Thread

[Chris_Sanders]

As per JC's request.

 

[SunsTzu]

My best case for next years draft at this point is for the Hawks to continue to suck and the Suns draft Derrick Rose.

 

[mathbzh]

Mine is "the Hawks sucks and the Suns draft Batum".

 

[azirish]

nbadraft.net has their initial 2008 list out.

http://www.nbadraft.net/

What is interesting is that 4 of the top 10 and 7 of the top 20 are point guards:

#1 Derrick Rose
#4 OJ Mayo
#7 Eric Gordon PG/SG
#10 Darren Collison
#12 Alexey Shved
#14 Jerryd Bayless
#18 Ty Lawson

 

[myrondizzo]

which ones are pass first pgs.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

nbadraft.net has their initial 2008 list out.

http://www.nbadraft.net/

What is interesting is that 4 of the top 10 and 7 of the top 20 are point guards:

#1 Derrick Rose
#4 OJ Mayo
#7 Eric Gordon PG/SG
#10 Darren Collison
#12 Alexey Shved
#14 Jerryd Bayless
#18 Ty Lawson

precisely why i thought we could get the hawks to trade us the #3 pick this year for their pick and our two firsts this year. they have desperately needed a pg for years. so instead of being a bit patient and having a top pick in arguably on of the potentially best pg drafts ever, they draft acie law.

 

[hafey]

Acie Law is the Suns shining hope this year. I don't think he is good enough to be a starting PG in the NBA, let alone the starting PG on a team that is young and wants to run. His failure will be the Suns success.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

Any chance we could get a 2008 Draft forum instead of a single thread? I like to use the email notification feature, and I don't necessarily want to be notified when anyone posts anything relating to the draft....

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Im excited for next years draft. Im optimistic to the thought of finding nash's heir.

 

[Russ Smith]

For those that like mystery prospects that come out of nowhere what do people know about this John Riek kid from Sudan? Right now nobody seems to know his HS class or even his true age. He's been tearing up summer camps this year, 7'2" shotblocker who's developing an offensive game and is apparently pretty athletic. He was originally thought to be a class of 2009 player but recent reports are he may be 08 or even 07 when his true age is learned. I read something today that said in fact he may wind up ineligible to play HS ball next year let alone college, he may have to go to prepschool and enter the 2008 NBA draft.

So far there's not much info on him at all except that he's been going up against elite big prospects like Greg Monroe, Samardo Samuels and Jeremy Tyler and holding his own and at times dominating them defensively.

Apparently he arrived in the US in January, is in highschool in Long Island, NY but nobody is sure about anything with his age and class so while he's considered a soph heading into his junior year, a lot of people think he's really older and will be reclassified up a year or two when his transcripts are
uncovered.

http://hsnewyork.scout.com/2/649617.html

Anybody know anything about him, I read something today that said people think he's better than Hasheem Thabeet already.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I think that the Suns will be picking late lottery with the Hawks pick (anywhere from 8-14), and I think that Hasheem Thabeet would be the perfect fit. Excellent rebounding and defense from a true center, and he can run the floor. It would be a good compliment to Amare, who's natural position is PF.

 

[azirish]

This is expected to be a great PG draft. Unless lightning strikes and one of the team's combo guards turn into a great distributor, I think PG is the first priority.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

2008 will be Operation: Nash's Heir

 

[hafey]

No on Thabeet. He is A. not nearly as good as the hype and B. a bad fit.

 

[azirish]

After the way Strawberry has been playing in summer league, it is possible the Suns will decide he's going to be a real PG. If so, then the priority switches back to bigs (maybe anyway if they think there will be a good one at #30 where they'll draft )

One guy that has not really been on the radar is Brook Lopez.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=545

Brook Lopez - Current Team: Stanford, Sophomore Physicals: H: 6' 11" W: 230 lbs Bday: 4/1/1988
LeBron James Skills Academy Day Three
July 10, 2007
Brook was downright breathtaking with his ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter, knocking down numerous three point shots from beyond the NBA three-point arc. He and LeBron James ran the pick and pop to perfection, with Brook being the recipient of many of LeBron’s assists throughout the scrimmages. He wasn’t the strongest on the defensive end against bullish forwards such as Adrien and Rhode Island forward Will Harris, but he did block his fair share of shots on the day. If Lopez is able to play his sophomore year at Stanford the way he played in this open gym, there is no reason why he should not be a lottery candidate by the time the year is over.

 

[Russ Smith]

After the way Strawberry has been playing in summer league, it is possible the Suns will decide he's going to be a real PG. If so, then the priority switches back to bigs (maybe anyway if they think there will be a good one at #30 where they'll draft )

One guy that has not really been on the radar is Brook Lopez.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=545

I've seen projections as high as first pick in the draft for Brook so he's certainly on the radar. He was told he was a lottery pick this year, in fact many scouts preferred him to Hawes who went 10th in a strong draft.

The one thing on Brook is at this point in his career he's very streaky. If you see him on a good day you think he's best prospect in the country(like his triple double against USC with 12 blocks), if you see him on an off day you're not all that impressed. Midseason he was pretty amazing, but he wore down later in the year.

 

[azirish]

I've seen projections as high as first pick in the draft for Brook so he's certainly on the radar. He was told he was a lottery pick this year, in fact many scouts preferred him to Hawes who went 10th in a strong draft.

The one thing on Brook is at this point in his career he's very streaky. If you see him on a good day you think he's best prospect in the country(like his triple double against USC with 12 blocks), if you see him on an off day you're not all that impressed. Midseason he was pretty amazing, but he wore down later in the year.

I never saw him listed in the lottery, but I'll take your word for it.

In any case, a first rate shot blocker who shoots three's - I'd say he's on the Suns radar.

 

[Russ Smith]

I never saw him listed in the lottery, but I'll take your word for it.

In any case, a first rate shot blocker who shoots three's - I'd say he's on the Suns radar.

When he announced he was coming back it was said locally(bay area) that he was told by NBA people he was a lottery pick, but he could go top 5 or even #1 overall the next year.

Brook has a real mean streak when he plays which is why I prefer him to Hawes. Hawes is a better shooter and a better passer, but he's soft.

I think Brook would fit quite well in Phoenix although personally I'd prefer he wind up a Warrior for my own selfish reasons.

He could be a real monster if he's healthy now.

 

[SunsTzu]

Although not a 2008 has anyone seen much of Ricky Rubio? I don't recall seeing him play at all but I hear he is one of the best european prospects ever. He has been playing professionally against the best competition outside the NBA since he was 14. He led the Euroleague in steals last year at 3.5spg while averaging less than 19mpg. And in the last U16 tourny where much of the competition was still older than him he led the tournament in points, steals, assists and rebounds and had a game of 51pt, 24reb, 12ast against Russia.

He doesn't turn 17 until October and will not be draft eligable until 2010 and is signed wit hhis current club until 2011. His major weakness is his shooting, but a scouting report from draftexpress says his mechanics are improving even if the end results are not yet there.

 

[azirish]

Although not a 2008 has anyone seen much of Ricky Rubio? I don't recall seeing him play at all but I hear he is one of the best european prospects ever. He has been playing professionally against the best competition outside the NBA since he was 14. He led the Euroleague in steals last year at 3.5spg while averaging less than 19mpg. And in the last U16 tourny where much of the competition was still older than him he led the tournament in points, steals, assists and rebounds and had a game of 51pt, 24reb, 12ast against Russia.

He doesn't turn 17 until October and will not be draft eligable until 2010 and is signed wit hhis current club until 2011. His major weakness is his shooting, but a scouting report from draftexpress says his mechanics are improving even if the end results are not yet there.

I don't really start paying attention to guys until they are at least close to being draft ready. There have been so many Euro Under 18 guys that just stopped developing that I stop reading the profiles DX does of them. It's like reading about HS guys entering their junior years. The only good side about these profiles is that they keep them so in a couple of years you can see their progress. But I'm inclined to wait.

 

[SunsTzu]

Yeah I've seen alot of hype for other young eroupean players too and I recall seeing Nemanja Aleksandrov listed as the 1st overall choice for 2006(now projected as a 2nd rounder next year). Alot of the young european players get hyped while playing against weaker competition on the junior teams. Rubio is playing against men in the 2nd best league in the world, playing significant minutes which is unheard of.

A lot of what I've read are from fans of european basketball and not just mock draft hype machine websites. 3.5spg as a 16 year old playing against pros is amazing.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I don't really start paying attention to guys until they are at least close to being draft ready. There have been so many Euro Under 18 guys that just stopped developing that I stop reading the profiles DX does of them. It's like reading about HS guys entering their junior years. The only good side about these profiles is that they keep them so in a couple of years you can see their progress. But I'm inclined to wait.

this kid is said to be different. i've done some reading on him and watched some limited highlights. even american scouts have been wowed by him. some hoping he'd stay small time and allow them to grab him as a surprise. they should have known better. many of the pundits are saying ricky rubio is the second coming of pistol pete. he is def impressive. i'll be surprised if he doesn't succeed. and i think he'll be one of those that def comes to the nba as soon as possible reading his comments (i believe his family only allowed him to speak to one american journalist, and i cannot remember who it was).

 

[azirish]

this kid is said to be different. i've done some reading on him and watched some limited highlights. even american scouts have been wowed by him. some hoping he'd stay small time and allow them to grab him as a surprise. they should have known better. many of the pundits are saying ricky rubio is the second coming of pistol pete. he is def impressive. i'll be surprised if he doesn't succeed. and i think he'll be one of those that def comes to the nba as soon as possible reading his comments (i believe his family only allowed him to speak to one american journalist, and i cannot remember who it was).

The only Euro is really got behind was Biedrins back in 2004. After Zarko and Skita I have generally been more comfortable with college guys I can actually see play. But obviously there are some great prospects out there I'll miss.

 

[SunsTzu]

many of the pundits are saying ricky rubio is the second coming of pistol pete.

Thats how I've heard fans who have seen him play describe him. Pistol Pete with amazing defense as well as Jason Kidd comparisons. I also heard his coach actually changes the defensive philosophy to be more aggressive when he is in the game because of the pressure he puts on the ball.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Thats how I've heard fans who have seen him play describe him. Pistol Pete with amazing defense as well as Jason Kidd comparisons. I also heard his coach actually changes the defensive philosophy to be more aggressive when he is in the game because of the pressure he puts on the ball.

and this is at 6'4 - 6'5 too that he's able to pressure the ball. even against the waterbugs apparently.