Noah or Horford

[azirish]

The Gators destroyed U of Arkansas today 77-56. It certainly showcased Noah and Horford against a decent, but hardly great opponent. Both looked good and both would look good on the Suns.

Noah showcased his biggest asset - he is amazingly athletic for a guy his size. He made a steal and went coast to coast. On another fast break he out ran a guard in getting to the basket. He had 4 blocks and 8 rebounds. He also showed some nice low post moves, although against an admittedly smaller opponent. He also showed some nice ball handling including a pretty pass to Horford from the low block. On defense he chased opponents out to the wing without betting blown away by drivers.

Horford did not have the ball as much, but shot 6 of 7 on mostly mid range jumpers. His shot was absolutely pure with a very nice motion (I don't remember him shooting like that last year). He quietly gathered 12 rebounds and a block.

If today was any indication, either guy would be a help. I'm inclined toward Horford because of his low post defense and his mid range shooting. But Noah looks like he could be a help if Horford is not available.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I like Horford because of his defense. I think that he'll fill the role that Kurt Thomas currently has after KT is no longer with the team. That said, I'd take Yi Jianlian over both of them.

 

[BirdMan21]

I go back and forth on this issue. I like Horford because of his D and rebounding.....if he learns to hit that jumpshot consistantly (like he is already getting better with) he could be a perfect center or PF compliment for Amare. But then Noah gets that intensity going and pretty much out hustles and attacks the basket better than anyone on the floor. He reminds me of just a more intense Diaw...and I am not sure if he would be the best fit for the team.

 

[azirish]

I go back and forth on this issue. I like Horford because of his D and rebounding.....if he learns to hit that jumpshot consistantly (like he is already getting better with) he could be a perfect center or PF compliment for Amare. But then Noah gets that intensity going and pretty much out hustles and attacks the basket better than anyone on the floor. He reminds me of just a more intense Diaw...and I am not sure if he would be the best fit for the team.

I view Noah as like Stephen Hunter if Hunter didn't have hands of stone, could shoot, rebound, and pass.

But seriously, Noah's length, athleticism, and hustle would be a valuable addition to the Suns. However, due to being relatively light and not being much of an outside shooter, I'm not sure he'd be as immediately helpful.

 

[SO91]

I haven't watched either of these guys a whole lot to have a definite opinion, but would either of these complain about being the 4th wheel on this team? Hell they might not even be the 5th option on this team offensively. Like I said, I don't know enough about them to decide, but their stats and their game sure look nice

 

[PhxGametime]

Horford is a shorter Stoudemire light/lyte however you spell that and Noah is a taller Diaw...


Either would work but IMO Noah is more likely to match up against Centers at 6'11, Horford looks short everytime i see him. Horford is probably the better talent and I was talking about Noah being overrated last year but at 6'11 if Noah pans out, he'd be a great fit.


Julian Wright was the Prospect I was hyping up last year but man Durant looked sooo much taller, Wright is more likely a 4 in the Suns system, that could fill-in at the 3 (not a great outside shooter).


Brandan Wright, he's probably the skinniest PF I've seen since Carlos Rogers, so I'm not sure he'd be able to come into Season next year and help... Rogers was so tall and thin (first official Draft for ME) and is my all-time biggest bust that I was impressed with... so with Wright, I'm leery (sp) for now. I did like Jermaine O'Neal in 96 though too (awfully thin himself) but he was right of H.S, so who knows...


It's too bad Budinger won't enter, I'd like to have as many options available. Being a U of A fan as well, he'd been perfect - Iguodala, Jefferson, Frye, Terry, Bibby, etc. - lots of talent that has escaped my Draftboard and I'm still upset Sarver Traded Iggy's Pick lol

 

[mribnik]

The thing I do appreciate about Noah is that he's a fiery type of player. The Suns could use a guy that's always fired up and ready to go. He's also a pretty good ballhandler, runs the floor exceptionally well for his size and is very long.

His stock has dropped a bit, which might make him fall to the 5-7 range.

 

[azirish]

I can't really see these comparisons.

Horford and Amere. When Amare came up, he was so raw it was ridiculous. He couldn't play defense (didn't show much of anything until this year) and was never more than .25 per minute rebounder until this year. It took Amare at least three years to develop any kind of jump shot.

To me, Horford looks like a much more athletic Kurt Thomas. Very good low post defense, good mid range shot, above average rebounder, and a guy who will mix it up in down low. Unlike KT, he's able to block shots and finish at the basket better.

Noah and Diaw. Both are thin and get pushed around, but otherwise I think the differences are greater than the similaries. Noah is a good ball handler for a big, but Diaw is an outstanding ball handler with incredible vision. I haven't seen much to suggest Noah is a particularly good outside shooter, while Diaw is pretty good. Boris is good at going to the basket, while Noah is vastly more agressive and is able to get the ball over people on drives to the basket. Boris has long arms, but Noah has outstanding reach and is a major threat to block shots and is a very good rebounder.

It is something of a reach, but on the upside I see Noah as a Marcus Camby type player. Camby is listed at 6'11" 235, but has averaged over 10 rpg over the last four years and has averaged over 3 blocks per game for the last three years. This season Camby is averaging 3.3 assists per game. He's not a big threat offensively, but has the athleticism to get put backs and tip ins.

Of course, on the downside, Noah also resembles Stom Swift.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

The guy that Noah reminds me alot of Anderson Varejao out of Cleveland. His game might be a little bit better, but both of them are rebounders/defensive players who bring a ton of energy off of the bench. I don't see Noah being anything more than a sixth man on a decent NBA team.

 

[azirish]

The guy that Noah reminds me alot of Anderson Varejao out of Cleveland. His game might be a little bit better, but both of them are rebounders/defensive players who bring a ton of energy off of the bench. I don't see Noah being anything more than a sixth man on a decent NBA team.

You may be right, but I expect Noah to get more than 0.6 blocks per game in 23.7 minutes that Varejao averages.

 

[hcsilla]

Good posts.

I think that Noah's worst case scenario is a better shotblocking version of Varejao while his best case scenario is Camby.

Though he will be much closer to Camby, IMO.

 

[AZBALLER]

I'd take Noah.

His length, intensity, hustle, ball handling, passing, knowing how to win, etc, etc...He's a proven commodity, who would learn how to fit in on the Suns.

If I had a choice of 2 equal players, and one proved he knew how to win, then I'd take the guy that knew how to fit in and win with any team...

 

[Diawsome]

I'd take Noah.

His length, intensity, hustle, ball handling, passing, knowing how to win, etc, etc...He's a proven commodity, who would learn how to fit in on the Suns.

If I had a choice of 2 equal players, and one proved he knew how to win, then I'd take the guy that knew how to fit in and win with any team...

How does Noah know how to win and Horford doesn't when they both are on the same team? Florida winning games has just as much to do with Horford low post defense (see how he shut down Greg Oden) as it does with Noah energy plays (hustle, intensity).

I would take Horford as his low post defense is more of a need for the Suns then Noah's hustle and energy also IMO he is the better all around player. What would happen to the offense if both Noah and Marion were on the court at the same time as they both struggle with the mid range game and would allow the opposition to help defend the pick-n-roll.

 

[AZBALLER]

How does Noah know how to win and Horford doesn't when they both are on the same team?

I didn't say that Horford doesn't know how to win, but did you watch the tourney last year? On the biggest stage on their level, who PROVED that he knew how to win?

 

[AZBALLER]

What would happen to the offense if both Noah and Marion were on the court at the same time as they both struggle with the mid range game and would allow the opposition to help defend the pick-n-roll.

I'd assume that we wouldn't be stuck in the half court game nearly as much, as our shot blocking, steals, and rebounding would be GREAT. Furthermore, Noah is a solid passer so the ball movement in the half court set would be improved...And finally our offensive rebounding would be great, if our shooters missed their open shots.

But I wouldn't mind having Horford either.

 

[Diawsome]

I didn't say that Horford doesn't know how to win, but did you watch the tourney last year? On the biggest stage on their level, who PROVED that he knew how to win?

Horford's tournament: 12.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg 59.6 FG%

Noah had a great showing in the tournament but he was/is given too much credit for that run as it was the entire Gator starting line up that propelled them to the title.

A thing to remember is that Horford has an NBA ready body, Noah does not. He is going to be too small/thin to offer any sort of resistance in the paint against the much bigger/stronger players in the NBA (think of how Diaw and Marion were pushed around in the paint all of last season by the likes of Duncan, Brand, Yao and even guys like Kaman and Brown) and his frame suggests that he will struggle to put on the muscle necessary in order to hold his position against them.

I do like Noah but just not that early in a loaded draft.

 

[hcsilla]

Kaman is a perfect example.

Diaw absolutely schooled him at the offensive end while holding Kaman more or less in defense.
That's why classical C's have less and less importance.

 

[Lars the Red]

Noah is a very difficult matchup for people. He has fantastic hands, coupled with his ability to run. By run I don't mean he's fast, by run I mean he knows what it takes to get the break started, spacing, moving the ball and finishing. Not a lot of big guys have that down, Noah does. He can cover on the perimeter well enough, and knows how to cheat off his man to play help side. That's how you get blocks, Oden isn't the only guy who can block shots.

Noah also seems to have a passion which will be tested over the 90+ games in the NBA marathon.

 

[Hugh D'Man]

Horford's pop is advising him to stay in school. he should and likely will.

and for what it is worth, I'm taking T Splitter over both. He is back to 100% after injury, and is a much better all around player than Noah, while possessing greater size in the post than horford. I think y'all are crazy to project Al as a center in the big leagues.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Horford = Carlos Boozer with defense -- IMO

With his body, and Defense I like him over Noah.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Horford = Carlos Boozer IMO

That's not a bad thing.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Also..... Horford is 2 (20 compared to 22 for Noah) years younger. Another good sign that he has room to improve.

 

[Kolo]

Brewer.

 

[AzKarl]

Is he Tito Horford's son?

I can't really see these comparisons.

Horford and Amere. When Amare came up, he was so raw it was ridiculous. He couldn't play defense (didn't show much of anything until this year) and was never more than .25 per minute rebounder until this year. It took Amare at least three years to develop any kind of jump shot.

To me, Horford looks like a much more athletic Kurt Thomas. Very good low post defense, good mid range shot, above average rebounder, and a guy who will mix it up in down low. Unlike KT, he's able to block shots and finish at the basket better.

Hopefully Horford doesn't take after his Dad Tito who played for the University of Houston and was a bust I believe in the NBA.

 

[ma_falaa_50]

The thing Dantoni system is all about is movement of the basketball. In hindsight Noah is a lot better fit than Horford.

I would like to see horford as a Sun instead of Joakim Noah though. I think the suns have a history of picking less popular players (ie marion, amare, nash).

Horford according to billy donovan is very hard working and brings it night in and night out. Where are Noah sometimes doesnt.

I heard that from Dick Vitale.

noah may end up being the better pro but horford may be the suns pick if he is avaliable.