Official 2012 NBA Draft thread

[sunsfan88]

Since there isn't really an official draft thread in place, I think it will be neat to have one dedicated to everything regarding the 2012 NBA Draft.

So the first day of the NBA Draft combine passed yesterday and here's some nice clips from that...(I know its bleacherreport but this one actually was relevant)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ay-1-measurements-highlights-and-top-athletes

Austin Rivers at 6'5 is looking more and more like the guy who fits our FOs description of "go to scorer, a guy to give the ball to at the end of games" etc.

Could turn out to be a nice player to build around cause he's got star potential according to many scouts.

Another guy who I wouldn't mind is Terrence Ross. He's more athletic and a better defender than Rivers but he doesn't quite posses the swagger that Rivers has. He doesn't have the skill right now to finish at the rim either. But he seems to have a less chance of being a bust than Rivers simply cause of attitude, and play styles.

If both were available at #13, who would you want Austin Rivers or Terrence Ross?

I have added a poll, including other possible #13 selections as well.

 

[slinslin]

Austin Rivers at 6'5 is not exactly news. 6'4 - 6'5 is what he was always listed at and he was measured at 6'5 in Lebrons summer camp too.

I would easily pick Austin Rivers because unlike Ross Rivers can really break down a defender man to man and create a shot. I don't think Ross can do that. Ross is a straight line athlete and catch and shoot player.
The comparison to an old Jason Richardson are pretty good in Ross case imo.

Also I would be alarmed that Ross only in workouts now shot up the draft boards. Based on the college season and high school nobody had him rated as a lottery pick before.

Rivers on the other hand came into college as a top 3 recruit and was seen as a top 5 pick at one point and even through a somewhat mediocre season constantly projected in the top 15.

 

[slinslin]

i'd like to get Rivers at #13.

A bit nervous about Jones III wanting to be a SF but at the same time intrigued about a 6'11 SF.

PG
1. Kendall Marshall
2. Damian Lilliard
3. Tony Wroten
4. Marquis Teague
5. Tyshawn Taylor

SG
1. Bradley Beal
2. Austin Rivers
3. Terrence Ross
4. Jeremy Lamb
5. Dion Waiters

SF
1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
2. Harrison Barnes
3. Moe Harkless
4. Perry Jones III SF/PF
5. Quincy Miller

PF
1. Anthony Davis PF/C
2. Thomas Robinson (a shade under 6'9 in shoes is scary though)
3. Jared Sullinger
4. Royce White
5. Terrence Jones
6. John Henson

C
1. Andre Drummond
2. Arnett Moultrie PF/C
3. Tyler Zeller PF/C
4. Fab Melo
5. Meyers Leonard

 

[sunsfan88]

Here's kind of the way I view (oversimplified of course) the probability distribution of certain players. Compare Rivers and Ross, for example. River's may have a higher chance to be a "star", but there's also more downside. Rivers' has a 60% chance to be productive, Ross has an 80% chance.

Rivers - Elite (40%) - Average (20%) - Bust (40%)
Ross - Elite (20%) - Average (60%) - Bust (20%)

 

[sunsfan88]

Dion Waiters cancelled all his workouts and interviews with teams because he got a "promise" from a team that they will draft him...

And now...

@Steve Kyler: Sources say Waiters was immediately on a flight home to Philadelphia and has indeed shut down workouts... sources peg Phoenix as the spot

 

[slinslin]

We didnt even have a workout right now so it is highly doubtful we gave anyone a promise before any workout...

Dion Waiters.. yuck if he was our only pick in the top 15 on draft night I would be extremely upset. I don't hate him as a prospect but he is a sleeper at best. But it seems our scouting department loves to identify players the majority rates lower. As if they are trying to prove others wrong.

Robin Lopez
Markieff Morris

both reaches and they wanted Shumpert too.

 

[slinslin]

I hope we can get Royce White too, better than Markieff easily imo.

 

[PhxGametime]

Dion Waiters would be a solid Pick. Terrence Ross is likely lower on Suns Draftboard, if they are looking for 1-3 to create offense.


Bradley Beal, Austin Rivers, Jeremy Lamb, Dion Waiters, etc. would be my choices for SG Prospects to create offense... Waiters can get in lane with ease. I really like Ross though but I don't see him creating a lot.


I'm surprised you have Meyers Leonard behind Fab Melo. Leonard would be a good pick n roll option, assuming the Suns have a PG that can run it but I'll admit he needs some work.

 

[slinslin]

http://www.csnnw.com/pages/video?PID=FEeMpB-oNBfHWRqNpoz2FV65Bbj9eCVZBJRamtI

How little can you know about a NBA team. I would not touch Lamb with a 10 foot pole over Ross or Rivers.

Unprofessional, stupid, soft and questionable motor. Yeah good combination.

 

[sunsfan88]

I'm starting to hear more and more than Waiters has been given a promise by the Suns...

 

[PDXChris]

Dion Waiters

According to Kyler's sources, the Suns are more likely to be the team that made Waiters a draft-day promise (Twitter link). Phoenix currently holds the 13th overall pick, and will be in need of backcourt help this summer, especially if Steve Nash signs elsewhere.

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2012/06/dion-waiters-leaves-combine-has-guarantee.html

 

[sunsfan88]

Thomas Robinson just recorded a vertical of 35.5...same as Blake Griffin.

With his work ethic, that kid's gonna be amazing in the NBA. A shame we have nothing to trade up to get him.

 

[sunsfan88]

Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress
Most NBA people I talk to are convinced that its Phoenix that promised Dion Waiters at 13, not Toronto. Makes a heck of a lot more sense. via Twitter

 

[Superbone]

Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress
Most NBA people I talk to are convinced that its Phoenix that promised Dion Waiters at 13, not Toronto. Makes a heck of a lot more sense. via Twitter

Gambo says the Suns didn't make a promise to Waiters.

 

[JoRain]

Thomas Robinson just recorded a vertical of 35.5...same as Blake Griffin.

unlike Griffin though, Robinson measured just 6'8 in shoes. that might drop him

 

[SirStefan32]

unlike Griffin though, Robinson measured just 6'8 in shoes. that might drop him

Height doesn't matter. He has a 7'3 wingspan.

 

[asuhoopsnut]

Gambo says the Suns didn't make a promise to Waiters.

Wrong! He did not say that. What he said was, I doubt that they made a promise to him. Basically, he doesn't know anything!

I would be sick to my stomach if they made a promise to a player three weeks prior to the draft. There are all sorts of opportunities that could come up over the next 3 weeks. Why commit to someone now. Also, I would be sick to my stomach if one of the top players dropped to 13 and they are stuck with following through on a promise they should have never made. For the record, if the Sun's decide to go after a shooting guard and have the chance to get Jeremy Lamb, Austin Rivers, or Terrence Ross and passed for the mediocre Dion Waiters, I would not be happy. Blanks and Babby are in way over their heads. Passing on a possible star of the future for a safe mediocre player, will only help in continuing to get mediocre results!

 

[Superbone]

Wrong! He did not say that. What he said was, I doubt that they made a promise to him. Basically, he doesn't know anything!

OK, I sit corrected. I had heard it secondhand.

 

[sunsfan88]

One NBA assistant coach said he was surprised Austin Rivers didn’t work out at the NBA's predraft combine here Thursday. The East scout expects Rivers to be selected in the Nos. 10-20 range, but an NBA source told Yahoo! Sports that Rivers has a promise late in the draft lottery.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--c...ing-son-austin-through-nba-draft-process.html

That would be us

 

[HooverDam]

I'd be real happy with Rivers. He's got the outside chance of being an All Star caliber player and seems to have very little bust potential. He seems like he's got his head on straight and growing up around the NBA game likely hasn't hurt.

He'll likely not be the next great Suns PG but I think maybe his destiny is a real good 6th man type. Runs a little bit of the point, is explosive, can score quickly off the bench, get hot and get you back in a game or extend a lead, etc. Not unlike Terry in Dallas or when LB was here.

 

[Mainstreet]

Although Draft Express and NBA Draft Net has Rivers there for the Suns at #13, I'm afraid he could go earlier. Even if the Suns don't draft Rivers at #13, I would feel more comfortable if he is still on the draft board when the Suns pick. I want to know the Suns get the player they want.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'd be real happy with Rivers. He's got the outside chance of being an All Star caliber player and seems to have very little bust potential. He seems like he's got his head on straight and growing up around the NBA game likely hasn't hurt.

He'll likely not be the next great Suns PG but I think maybe his destiny is a real good 6th man type. Runs a little bit of the point, is explosive, can score quickly off the bench, get hot and get you back in a game or extend a lead, etc. Not unlike Terry in Dallas or when LB was here.

i'd be more than okay getting a player of that caliber with the 13th pick. a Terry/Barbs 6th man of the year candidate would be a good get.

he doesn't have a lesser talented twin, does he?

 

[HooverDam]

he doesn't have a lesser talented twin, does he?

Not that I know of. But I wouldn't put it past Sarver to try to draft his Dad to bring us a 'veteran presence.'

 

[overseascardfan]

I voted for Sullinger. His is th skilled PF that we've needed since Amare left.

 

[SirStefan32]

Rivers is about as good on defense as Nash is.