Paul Shirley & Justin Rowe - Training Camp Fodder

[George O'Brien]

The Suns signed two inside guys for their training camp: Paul Shirley and Justin Rowe.

Paul Shirley played in 7 games with the Bulls before being injured. He's listed at 6'10" 230. He played 12.3 minutes with a high of 26 minutes on Mar 22nd where he grabbed 5 rebounds and had a blocked shot and a steal. My understanding is that he was injured at that point and was not re-signed after his second 10 day contract. He played only 5 minutes in two games with the Hawks in 2002-03. He played in the ABA and averaged 15 5 ppg and 9.5 rpg in the minor league.

Justin Rowe is listed at 7'0" 235. He played for a team in Hungry but was not a starter. He was cut from the Jazz summer team. He has a reputation of being a good shot blocker. I couldn't find much on him since college, but he did play some USBL ball before going to Europe.

 

[elindholm]

"Training camp fodder" sounds like a good call to me.

 

[Mainstreet]

The following links are in regard Justin Rowe. It certainly appears he knows how to block shots and he remarked in a previous article (can't recall where) that he is not a "stiff". I know a number of players that have been written-off before they caught-on with a team. Frank Brickowski comes to mind. He bounced around alot before catching on with the Mavs. I believe Avery Johnson did as well before catching on with the Spurs. Perhaps Justin will not make the Suns but I do not like the term "training camp fodder" placed on players that are trying to make their dreams come true. Nothing personal. I have probably used the term myself.

I even remember the crowd laughing vociferously when Jeff Hornacek was chosen as the Suns management tried to describe his attributes. I believe he was the last player chosen in the second round so many years ago.

Maybe I have just been to too many NBA tryout camps and watched marginal players put their heart and soul into making a team. I know the odds are inordinately against them. I guess I like to root for the underdog. Let's give the young man a chance.

http://www.eurobasket.com/HUNplayer.asp?PlayerID=47019

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/men/players/53/

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I believe he was the last player chosen in the second round so many years ago.

Second to last actually, something like 44th or 46th overall. However, there were like 7 rounds when he was drafted, so in comparison, it wasn't too bad.


You are right though, several players get bounced around, or go undrafted and wind up being stars even. I am pretty sure Brad Miller went undrafted for example. I still don't think he has much of a shot, those stories are one in a million. I am afraid to say it, but these guys are the definition of training camp fodder. They know they have little to no chance of making this squad.

They are trying out so hopefully they can get their name floated around for other teams. Or so they can be thought of in case of an injury.

I like underdogs too. Of course, I like reality a little better.

 

[jbeecham]

I think the biggest reason they can be called training camp fodder is that there's no space on the Suns for them. Even if they perform beyond all expectations, either one of them would probably be nothing more than the 15th man on the team and on the IR.

 

[BC867]

I think the biggest reason they can be called training camp fodder is that there's no space on the Suns for them. Even if they perform beyond all expectations, either one of them would probably be nothing more than the 15th man on the team and on the IR.

Unless one of them fills a need that might otherwise be missing on a roster (and, of course, performs exceptionally well during training camp).

It's the same philosophy I'd like to see during the season -- plan your rotations with the best player at each position rather than your best five players, regardless of position.

Or, in this case, plan your roster with balance covering each need (offense-defense; low post-outside; speed-bulk; steals-blocks; etc.), rather than the best 12 or 15 players available.

My opinion is that Bryan (as Jerry before him) doesn't give priority to that concept. Giving a team balance isn't fodder. I mean in general, not necessarily these two guys.

How do the rest of you feel about it?

 

[scotsman13]

personally i would like to see the suns for the most part follow the griz as having a 10 man rotation. have 2 differant teams that always play together.

team 1 you go
nash
jj
marion
amare
lampe (he would do well as a high post center)

team 2
barbosa
q
zarko
vroman
hunter

based off of injuries or fouls you can bring jake, tibusi (sp) or casey. also because of vroman bring out at the start of the season move zarko over power and put casey in.

the biggest reason for all of this is the players will get used to themselves playing together and know their roles right out of the gate in camp. also it will keep themselves fresh for the running game.

 

[Mainstreet]

personally i would like to see the suns for the most part follow the griz as having a 10 man rotation. have 2 differant teams that always play together.

I tend to agree, although I don't know that it has to be a set 10 man rotation. Certainly, a second unit that plays together consistently would likely develop more chemistry. I would like to committ, however, as to who are generally the starters and who are the reserves barring injury and match-up problems.

A deep bench can win many a ball game in the fourth quarter by having fresh starters available.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The following links are in regard Justin Rowe. It certainly appears he knows how to block shots and he remarked in a previous article (can't recall where) that he is not a "stiff". I know a number of players that have been written-off before they caught-on with a team. Frank Brickowski comes to mind.

Maybe I have just been to too many NBA tryout camps and watched marginal players put their heart and soul into making a team. I know the odds are inordinately against them. I guess I like to root for the underdog. Let's give the young man a chance.

http://www.eurobasket.com/HUNplayer.asp?PlayerID=47019

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/men/players/53/

I really can't see any center the Suns bring in as just camp fodder. You've got Jake, Lampe, Hunter, Rowe, and Shirlie (Zarko may be in the group too, if he is beginning to look like a center). All any of them in that group have to do to make the team is be in the top 3.

I'd say that Rowe's chances are less than Hunter's, but why should they be substantially less? It is good to see that the Suns have brought in two young, athletic, shot-blocking, rebounding, 7-footers to vie for a center spot. If we could get a decent player to fit that Camby-like job description, this team will be a lot better.

Can't hurt to try. Who knows what might happen. At least we aren't bringing in overweight 6-9ers to fill space on the floor.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

II'd say that Rowe's chances are less than Hunter's, but why should they be substantially less?

For starters, Hunter has a guaranteed contract, and Rowe has a make good deal.

 

[elindholm]

Also, Hunter has already played in the NBA, instead of having already tried and failed multiple times.

 

[George O'Brien]

I was hoping that maybe Rowe had shown something in Europe, but he was a backup player on a team that doesn't get much visibility (a subject of possible tread). Also, he was cut by the Jazz from their summer team. I didn't find anything that said "hey, this guy has a real chance to make an impact." Who knows, maybe he will surprise. But I couldn't find much support for that view.

 

[The Commish]

Yeah, there is definately a reason why Rowe was cut from the Jazz- he just cant play. I dont want someone else's garbage. Although one man's junk is another man's treasure. Just dont expect these guys to be anything more than a Cezary Trybanski or Tim Kempton. Wow we must be really bored if we're talking about our training camp invitees...thank god the season starts soon.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

These guys were not signed to make the team. The suns wanted to go to camp with over 15 guys for 5on5 scrimage purposes. If they went with only 15, a cramp or pulled mucsle could mess up practices.

They are like the kids who weren't picked in dodgeball, but were named alternates just so they felt involved.

 

[slinslin]

They are camp fodder. They aren't even mentioned in the position analysis but Derrick Dial is. It looks like Dial will actually make the team and sit on the IR with Tabuse and Eisley.

 

[Joe Mama]

They are camp fodder. They aren't even mentioned in the position analysis but Derrick Dial is. It looks like Dial will actually make the team and sit on the IR with Tabuse and Eisley.

Derrick Dial will have to look like Michael Jordan in training camp and preseason to make this team. Tabuse is most likely going to make it.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

I can't see much point in signing Dial unless there are injuries early on.