Prediction time

[PhxGametime]

Why is it, every time I concede Ike Diogu, might be a good fit for the Suns (although everybody remembers my negative points on Ike) the Suns go out and post something negative... twice already. TWICE!



Maybe I should just hate asu, like most asu fans here hate UofA

Then that way, the team Drafts him... unless Garcia or 1 of my Mid-Round Prospects drop.


Blatche is not raw, he has a lot of talent, his only problem is he'd probably have-to play SF, to get his minutes NEXT year, with a few minutes at PF. If he's Drafted by the Suns, then he's not much of a liability at PF, than Marion is... in the next few years, he could be a 3 position player for the Suns ala Cliff Robinson. IMO he has more talent that a lot of the PF's in Draft but if Taft or Diogu are there, then they may be able to contribute more next year.

Blatche isn't a banger but he has talent... if he has the range on perimeter shot thats been mentioned - he could easily take McCarty's role at 3/4.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

he could easily take McCarty's role at 3/4.

I could take McCarty's role at 3/4. It isn't hard to waive a towel and run up the floor 4 times every 5 games.

 

[PhxGametime]

The team Traded for him because they envisioned a role for him... I didn't say, he's a McCarty type of player. That would be Jawad Williams

 

[Griffin]

What are the chances Graham could fall to 21? Did the Suns even work him out? He's on the top of my list, but I think that's wishful thinking.

 

[Joe Mama]

"I hope I showed them that despite my size, I can play guys that are 2 to 3 inches bigger than me," said Diogu, who is nearly 6 feet 9 in shoes with a 7-4 wingspan.

That hardly sounds like someone who was just destroyed by another player in a workout. Keep in mind also that Petro might be raw, but he has fantastic NBA size. At power forward it's unlikely Ike would face players THAT big on a regular basis.

Interesting. That is exactly opposite of what I had read in another article so disinformation is happening on some level...

I have to admit that somewhere I thought I read that Diogu didn't look so good against Petro. However I thought it was a secondhand comment based on Petro's agent's comments that his client looked impressive against Diogu in other words they were inferring that because Petro "was impressive" that Diogu didn't look good. In fact it might have been Chad Ford himself in an article a couple days after the one I posted. I looked for it, but I didn't find it.

Joe

 

[F-Dog]

OK, here's my guess for today.

I think Diogu is #1, Chris Taft is #1a, and Petro may or may not be #3.

If the Suns move up, their target is either Joey Graham, Taft or Diogu--I'm guessing it's Taft. I don't think they're interested in Garcia now that Rex is gone.

I'll probably change my mind before tomorrow, though.

 

[Joe Mama]

Oh I definitely did not want him when we picked him. That doesn't change the fact that everyone knew the Suns were taking him. No one wanted to admit it.

The way I figured it at the time the Phoenix Suns had a better feel for Cabarkapa than I did because I had never really seen him play. My preferences were for David West or Brian Cook. I still like both of those guys, but West has had his fair share of injury problems. I really think we have to wait until this year to know whether Cabarkapa was really a bust.

Joe Mama, I don't understand who you are trying to sell because it isn't me. I have stated repeatedly that I prefer Diogu, I just don't believe the Suns do.

I have little concern about Diogu's height. He has consistently produced all through college despite double and triple teaming. Success like that transcends measurables. I will be ecstactic if he is selected. Unfortunately I haven't seen any indication from a normally easy to read Phoenix club that he is their top guy.

I really was in trying to sell anyone as much as argued the points. At that point it was really sunsfn's and Scotsman's posts I was disputing. I don't think there have been any more/fewer indications from the Phoenix Suns about any particular player than in years past. We all knew they liked Amare Stoudemire, but they still threw out questions about his youth and readiness to play. They've done the same with Ike and a couple other players this year.

Actually what I have done is answer the posts about Ike and Petro.

I have not said who the suns will draft because I do not know.

No, you haven't said who the suns will draft, but you are saying that the Phoenix Suns will not draft Ike even if he is available at #21. I do the same thing all the time... stay by strong opinions as fact. Actually, I just did it a few minutes ago saying that Shawn Marion will absolutely not be traded this summer. While I think it's quite possible that Phoenix would pass on Diogu I would say it's far, far from a sure thing.

Anyway, the suns will not draft Ike, take my word for it. If he is there at #21 they will pass.

He looked bad against Petro and the suns do not think he can play the running game they play. (Van Arsdale quote)
They think he will be a contributor to any team that drafts him, but there will be a better player when they pick that will contribute more to their style.

Well, I think we have plunged no holes in the idea that Ike looked bad against Petro. Here's that that exact quote from Van Arsdale regarding his ability to run.

Said Van Arsdale, "Can he play the transition game the way we play it? He’s not that kind of player."

I agree with Andy and many others on this one. Not every player on the team has to be able to sprint up and down the court in order to have a very successful transition game. I also think that Ike could become a decent transition player and would if he was chosen by the suns. His work on the boards would allow a guy like Shawn Marion to release early instead of having to constantly crash the boards.

thanks for proving my point for me graham, the problem with ike isnt that he isnt skilled or that he is short so much as he is not explosive on both getting off his feet and running the court. brand is a very good leaper it isnt just his arms that leads him to block shots or being able to score he is explosive with his movements around the basket, around the court and getting off the ground. ike isnt, i am sorry.

Brand is a good leaper? Unfortunately I looked all over for his Chicago workout numbers today, but I couldn't find them. If brand is even more explosive than Ike it's ever so slightly. He might have better lateral quickness. That wouldn't surprise me. Most of his blocks come with him on the ground or barely off the ground though. He's an excellent player because he is fundamentally sound and has extremely long arms. I don't expect Ike to ever be as good as Brand in the NBA, but those are the same qualities that will make him a solid NBA contributor.

It sounds like I'm completely sold that Ike Diogu is the best for the Phoenix Suns at #21. I would love to see him with the suns next season. I think he could really help them. I wouldn't be devastated if they passed on him for a guy like Petro though. The only guy I really, really don't want to see drafted by Phoenix is MA. I guess I would also be disappointed if they passed on Ike to take Sean May or Wayne Simien.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

For weeks I've been saying that I thought Ike would slide. GM's don't trust undersized former centers. Based on history, a few really do well, a few totally fail, and most are backups. I like Ike because he provides something the Suns need, but I have no illusions about him being another Brand.

BTW, for all of his size limitations, Brand was at top draft pick. Boozer slid so far because he was not in very good shape when playing in college and did not put it together until he lost 30 pounds. Ike scares some teams because he has so little experience putting the ball on the floor, ball handling, and defending quick power forwards. I think he can develop some of these skills, but mostly I want him as the Suns version of Reggie Evens as a tactical player when attacking Duncan. He might not even play some games, but when the Suns need power it is hugely valuable to have an inside guy who shoots free throws.