Roko Ukic....

[corrado]

'The 21-year old point guard's athleticism and playmaking stoked the Sun's interest'.

"He has a good idea of where everybody is on the court. He's the kind of player that players really enjoy playing with because he will get the ball to the offensive player at the right time and place". Quote from Van Arsdale.

This is out of todays Arizona Republic where on Tuesday Sun's had Ukic in for a workout. It appears that whoever drafts him, he will play in Europe one more year to get stronger.

 

[jbeecham]

Suns Looking at Croatian Guard

By Mike Tulumello
East Valley Tribune
June 22, 2005

Roko Ukic likes to play fast. And he can shoot.

So there’s no question he fits the Suns’ style should Phoenix draft him at No. 21 in next Tuesday’s draft.

Ukic, who worked out with the Suns on Tuesday, is a tall (he’s listed at 6-foot-5) point guard from Croatia. Though he said he’s finished playing for his current team, KK Split, he said he’s willing to stay in Europe for one more season, if that’s what the team that drafts him wants him to do.

And that’s exactly what the Suns likely would ask him to do should they draft him.

If the Suns don’t feel there is a player who can help them right away, they might draft a European and try to have him develop for another year overseas, while the money they save can go to signing experienced free agents.

Ukic, 21, is projected to go somewhere in the mid-tolate first round.

"He’s got a very good chance to be an effective point guard in the league," said Dick Van Arsdale, the Suns vice president in charge of player personnel.

Though Ukic is turnover prone, Van Arsdale says he can shoot and pass. "And he’ll get the ball to the right player in the right place."

Ukic admits that, at 183 pounds, he has a "boy’s body."

"I have to add 10-to-15 pounds and get my body more mature," he said.

Also working out Tuesday were off guards Eddie Basden from Charlotte and Devin Green from Hampton.

SUMMER SCHEDULE

Because there’s no lockout, the Suns will stage their annual camp for free agents and draft picks July 4-5. Then they’ll head to Las Vegas for a summer league for young pros from July 6-15.

The Vegas league will take the place of the Utahbased league the Suns had taken part in the past several years.

I don't see why the Suns would want this guy to stay overseas if they drafted him. I'd want him in here learning the system and learning from Steve Nash everyday. If he's as quick as they say he is then a backcourt with him and Barbosa could be devastating off the bench with thier speed.

 

[Chaplin]

I like Ukic and what he might be able to bring to the team, but I just have too many reservations about drafting a backup point guard at #21...

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I like Ukic and what he might be able to bring to the team, but I just have too many reservations about drafting a backup point guard at #21...

b/c you really think we'll get a solid bigman at #21? look at past drafts and see how many of those pan out. it's almost always a small guy that's still talented that falls in the draft. the wesley persons, the michael finleys, the nick van exels, the gilbert arenas. carlos boozer is really the ONLY big man that i can remember that fell.

 

[Yuma]

I like Ukic and what he might be able to bring to the team, but I just have too many reservations about drafting a backup point guard at #21...

The one thing I like chap, is a Euro doesn't count against our cap if he plays in Europe for a year. So while he's guaranteed money, he could help by NOT playing while we try and fit guys under our cap who CAN help us right away, like and older veteran guy ala Jim Jackson. I'd rather have a guy at #21, an Amare that can help right away, but if noone is on the board that can help us at #21, then the Euro option gives us a fall back.

 

[Chaplin]

The one thing I like chap, is a Euro doesn't count against our cap if he plays in Europe for a year. So while he's guaranteed money, he could help by NOT playing while we try and fit guys under our cap who CAN help us right away, like and older veteran guy ala Jim Jackson. I'd rather have a guy at #21, an Amare that can help right away, but if noone is on the board that can help us at #21, then the Euro option gives us a fall back.

We have the chance to be major contenders next year--drafting someone and keeping him in Europe next year does NOTHING to help us win a championship in 2006.

And yes, I think with the way this draft is looking (and if the Celtics have a rumored promise to Ukic) there might be a possibility that there will be a decent big man at #21.

 

[jbeecham]

I'm not opposed to getting a backup PF in the draft at all. I think the best ones will be taken, though we might have only have a choice of Sean May or Wayne Simien. It's possible both Taft and Blatche could be available and they could be good. If the Suns aren't high on any of the remaining guys or if they're higher on Ukic then I'd be happy with Ukic on our team. There's a decent chance we'll retain Hunter & possibly McCarty (although I'd rather not) so there might not be a lot of playing time for a rookie PF.

 

[Chaplin]

Not so sure about a Hunter return, but McCarty still won't get a lot of time, even more so if we get a PF type that can run.

If there is some way we're going to get a PF in free agency (wishful thinking), then of course I'm more open to Ukic, but it's much easier to get a cheap backup PG in free agency than a cheap PF.

 

[Yuma]

We have the chance to be major contenders next year--drafting someone and keeping him in Europe next year does NOTHING to help us win a championship in 2006.

And yes, I think with the way this draft is looking (and if the Celtics have a rumored promise to Ukic) there might be a possibility that there will be a decent big man at #21.

The Suns list 12 guys on their web site for the roster. 6 of which are back for sure. Shirley is gone definatly, and we have 5 maybes counting Voskuhl, Hunter, JJ, McCarty, Outlaw. We need 14 minimum next season. So right now we need 8 guys. Plus or minus the maybes.

If we max Amare, and max or get close to maxing JJ, then I think we have to get cheap guys to fill the remaining spots. If Jake comes back (he's got a damn palyer option I think he's gonna take), then we need only 6 guys. Depending on free agency, we may not NEED rookies to step up for us next year. The cap space may get us a back up PG, or rebounding PF that would help us go farther than a Euro PG or project big man out of the draft. I think I read #21 is supposed to get paid $1.1 million. I could see getting a veteran with that cap space that could help us get a title. Maybe?

 

[Cheesebeef]

We have the chance to be major contenders next year--drafting someone and keeping him in Europe next year does NOTHING to help us win a championship in 2006.

I still think this is short-term thinking, when the Suns should be looking long term in the draft. A guy at 21 likely isn't going to be a contributor next year anyway - the additions that can help are experienced veterans we could get with our exceptions. Use the draft to insure that this era of Suns basketball has as flawless a transition from ther Nash dominated teams to the eventual Amare dominated teams. Our window is only open for the next couple years if we are intent on drafting for need now and I believe that to be faulty thinking. Unless someone spectacular falls to us, draft on potential - either PG or big men - pick up a key addition in FA and set yourself up for the now AND the future.

 

[scotsman13]

we have to have 14 players on the roster next year. outlaw, shirley and mccaty are likely gone from the 12 we had this year. what does that leave us with? personally i would love to get this guy (i dont think he will be there). so whoever we take you can almost count on them being on the roster unless they cant get out of their contact. also with the nbdl who we can send some of these players to it is a fairly safe bet that we can get them some playing time to let them develop.


btw has anyone heard anything more about Nemanja Aleksandrov? i had read somewhere that he had stayed in the draft. if he did he might be a major pick up for this team and he maybe around in the 20's. heck the more i read about this draft the more i am sure that there are going to be some big surprises in it.

 

[Goldfield]

The Suns list 12 guys on their web site for the roster. 6 of which are back for sure. Shirley is gone definatly, and we have 5 maybes counting Voskuhl, Hunter, JJ, McCarty, Outlaw. We need 14 minimum next season. So right now we need 8 guys. Plus or minus the maybes.

If we max Amare, and max or get close to maxing JJ, then I think we have to get cheap guys to fill the remaining spots. If Jake comes back (he's got a damn palyer option I think he's gonna take), then we need only 6 guys. Depending on free agency, we may not NEED rookies to step up for us next year. The cap space may get us a back up PG, or rebounding PF that would help us go farther than a Euro PG or project big man out of the draft. I think I read #21 is supposed to get paid $1.1 million. I could see getting a veteran with that cap space that could help us get a title. Maybe?

We have the midlevel exception to use on a solid depth guy.

Look for Jake to be traded when he takes his option. I think Hunter will get our 1.7 exception.

And once we trade Q for Nene We can draft BPA since well have no glaring needs

 

[SweetD]

I am still not sold on this kid. I could see the Suns trading a future first for him in the later round but not with the 21st pick. I still have a feeling Hakim Warik or Diago will slip and we will get a player who can help right away.

 

[Chaplin]

I still think this is short-term thinking, when the Suns should be looking long term in the draft. A guy at 21 likely isn't going to be a contributor next year anyway - the additions that can help are experienced veterans we could get with our exceptions. Use the draft to insure that this era of Suns basketball has as flawless a transition from ther Nash dominated teams to the eventual Amare dominated teams. Our window is only open for the next couple years if we are intent on drafting for need now and I believe that to be faulty thinking. Unless someone spectacular falls to us, draft on potential - either PG or big men - pick up a key addition in FA and set yourself up for the now AND the future.

2nd round, yes. 1st round, no. That philosophy works great for a middle-of-the-pack team, or, say, the Suns team of LAST summer. But not this one.

Look at the Spurs. When they drafted Barbosa, they were one of the best teams in the NBA and they traded him to us--they felt no NEED to pick up another player, even if it was one that could provide something for them in the future.

We, on the other hand, have room for improvement in the short-term, I don't see anything wrong with taking that philosophy into the 21st pick. We've drafted for the long term for years (even Amare at the time was drafted for the long-term), but with this particular team, it might be worth shortening our field of vision for once.

 

[Chaplin]

I am still not sold on this kid. I could see the Suns trading a future first for him in the later round but not with the 21st pick. I still have a feeling Hakim Warik or Diago will slip and we will get a player who can help right away.

If Warrick slips, we better not pass on him.

 

[Cheesebeef]

2nd round, yes. 1st round, no. That philosophy works great for a middle-of-the-pack team, or, say, the Suns team of LAST summer. But not this one.

Look at the Spurs. When they drafted Barbosa, they were one of the best teams in the NBA and they traded him to us--they felt no NEED to pick up another player, even if it was one that could provide something for them in the future.

yeah - but look at the Spurs when they drafted Tony Parker - a euro they knew wasn't ready right away. Wasn't Beno a 1st rounder as well? There is a team always knocking on the door that continues to draft base don potential in the first round - and doing it quite successfully in keeping them good over a 7 years period - which is what we should be trying to do as well. Or look at who the Nets drafted in 2002 after coming off the Finals. Krstic - not a guy who could play right away - but now looks like someone who can continue to be a good player and solid part of that team - even though they lost Kenyon Martin.

Then look at a team like the Lakers. Instead of drafting for the future, they take stiffs like Luc Walton and Rush in the first round or high in the second - guys who can help right away - but what the hell good are they when the team is facing changes in a couple years?

I think a team in our situation needs vets for the present team to continue to ascend and the draft is for the future. Otherwise, in three years when Nash has nothign left in the tank, this team will fall back to mediocrity. When you have the chance to do both (and seeing as how we are now one of those teams that can attract guys wantign to play for a title in FA) you take it - that's my opinion anyway.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If Warrick slips, we better not pass on him.

he's the one college senior I'd be in agreement with you on. He's perfect for this team. But I would be SHOCKED if he slipped to us.

 

[Chaplin]

he's the one college senior I'd be in agreement with you on. He's perfect for this team. But I would be SHOCKED if he slipped to us.

Me too. We agree--hell must be frozen!

 

[cepstrum]

My cousins (ASFN nickname fatosber) best friend held ukic to 4 points at a basketball camp in croatia last year. I saw the dudes father at my uncles house yesterday. the above information is true but i am a bit drunk at the moment therefore this message sounds wierd.

BTW the kid that held him to four points is considered to be the best junior defender in kosova and we will be hearing more about him in the upcoming drafts.

 

[Joe Mama]

Maybe I'm the only one who isn't all that excited about Warrick. I wouldn't be upset if they took him. There are other players I like more though. I guess Warrick could come in for Shawn Marion, but he's undersized at power forward.

Joe Mama

 

[Cheesebeef]

Maybe I'm the only one who isn't all that excited about Warrick. I wouldn't be upset if they took him. There are other players I like more though. I guess Warrick could come in for Shawn Marion, but he's undersized at power forward.

Joe Mama

I see him being more in the vein of Tayshaun than Marion.

 

[George O'Brien]

I see him (Harrick) being more in the vein of Tayshaun than Marion.

I agree, Tayshaun when he first came up with no outside game at all.

 

[Joe Mama]

I agree, Tayshaun when he first came up with no outside game at all.

That simply isn't true. Prince has always had a good outside game. That was a good part of his offense and what made him a good player at Kentucky. He only played about 10 minutes per game in the regular season of his first year, but he averaged 42.6% from behind the three-point line. In his second season he averaged about 36%.

I don't necessarily disagree with the comparison though. Prince probably has a 3 inch advantage on Warrick in standing reach. I doubt Warrick is ever as good as Tayshaun Prince at guarding perimeter players. kept the other discrepancy is shot blocking. Surprisingly Warrick was not much of a shot blocker at Syracuse. Last year he averaged just 0.8 blocks per game at power forward. Warrick has got to be a better leaper. He's incredibly athletic.

As I said, I'm not necessarily opposed to drafting Hakim Warrick, but there are other players that should be around at #21 I would like more. Ultimately I'll just have to trust that the Phoenix Suns have seen some of these guys more than I have.

Joe Mama

 

[F-Dog]

Reading the Ukic article reminded me of Zarko's workout--he'd proven on the court that he wasn't much of a perimeter shooter, but the Suns decided he was better than his stats indicated based on one look. This time, it's probably irrelevant.

Hakim Warrick looks to me like a waste of a pick. He's a poor man's Gerald Wallace (and incidentally, those two are almost exactly the same age).