Rolo No Longer The Sun's ****?

[JCSunsfan]

I can count on one hand how many guys that sucked at rebounding in college went on to dominate on the boards in the NBA. Now we are suppose to believe the Suns somehow got lucky and drafted the next great center? He will never be a star and no matter how much koolaid people drink, that will never change.

Do I think maybe....just maybe.....he could someday be a serviceable backup or journeymen type player? Well....maybe. But that is the ceiling for him IMO.

I'd love for him to be a solid starter. I'm not sure anyone expects him to be a star. I'd be thrilled for him to be a 12 and 8 type of player with 2 plus blocks and decent D.

 

[Gaddabout]

I'd love for him to be a solid starter. I'm not sure anyone expects him to be a star. I'd be thrilled for him to be a 12 and 8 type of player with 2 plus blocks and decent D.

The Suns haven't needed a dominating center since Colangelo took over the team. They've needed a specialist who could block some shots, grab a few rebounds, and not be a complete negative in the set offense.

I understand why D'Antoni fought the addition of this kind of player -- he wanted his floor spread so Nash and Amare could own the lane -- but the very best Suns team D'Antoni ever put on the floor included Steven Hunter at center.

Think about that for a second. Steven Freaking Hunter.

Hunter was apparently a numbskull. I get that. But the Suns were never the same since they gave up on him. Not because Hunter was special, but because Hunter complimented the available talent so well. And the hole in the middle was a little smaller when he was in there.

Now Lopez hasn't even performed to that level yet, BUT he COULD provide that kind of service. You don't really care about his numbers outside of rebounds- and fouls-per-minute. If he just got those squared away to mediocre level, you could live with the turnovers and the lack of court vision (or much else on offense).

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'd love for him to be a solid starter. I'm not sure anyone expects him to be a star. I'd be thrilled for him to be a 12 and 8 type of player with 2 plus blocks and decent D.

if he averaged 12-8-2+ with decent D he'd be near all-star level in my book.

 

[Covert Rain]

The Suns haven't needed a dominating center since Colangelo took over the team.

They have not needed or have not had? There is a difference. I also disagree. This organization has looked hard for big men for years and tried to draft several. Most of them never panned out.

 

[JCSunsfan]

if he averaged 12-8-2+ with decent D he'd be near all-star level in my book.

Based upon the last part of the season, that would be his production if given starter's minutes (30). I am not saying he is there, or will be there. But the idea is not that outlandish.

 

[SirStefan32]

Based upon the last part of the season, that would be his production if given starter's minutes (30). I am not saying he is there, or will be there. But the idea is not that outlandish.

He can not stay on the floor for 20 minutes, let alone 30. Lopez is a foul waiting to happen.

 

[Gaddabout]

They have not needed or have not had? There is a difference. I also disagree. This organization has looked hard for big men for years and tried to draft several. Most of them never panned out.

Haven't needed. Not to win a championship.

 

[Covert Rain]

Haven't needed. Not to win a championship.

Well considering we have zero titles....not sure that is true. You have to have some competent defensive big man to win a title IMO. If you look at the title winners in the last decade, they might not all have Amare's offensive game but I can name a big man on probably all of those teams that played better defense then Amare or any other big man the Suns have drafted in a very long time.

The Suns have a laundry list of drafted big men that didn't pan out since JC bought this team.

 

[Gaddabout]

Well considering we have zero titles....not sure that is true. You have to have some competent defensive big man to win a title IMO. If you look at the title winners in the last decade, they might not all have Amare's offensive game but I can name a big man on probably all of those teams that played better defense then Amare or any other big man the Suns have drafted in a very long time.

The Suns have a laundry list of drafted big men that didn't pan out since JC bought this team.

I highlighted the part where there's a disconnect between what I said and what you responded to. The Suns haven't needed a dominant center, just a specialist. There were guys out there who could have filled that role and either the Suns didn't want to pay the money to get him, sacrifice the youth to get him, or just didn't see the point.

 

[Covert Rain]

I highlighted the part where there's a disconnect between what I said and what you responded to. The Suns haven't needed a dominant center, just a specialist. There were guys out there who could have filled that role and either the Suns didn't want to pay the money to get him, sacrifice the youth to get him, or just didn't see the point.

Now I gotcha. However, I do see the point in getting one. I think it makes your entire team blue print easier if you can start from the center position. Since it's harder to find a really good center, your team has a leg up IMO.

I guess if they grew on trees the Suns would hire a farmer to pick one.

 

[Gaddabout]

Now I gotcha. However, I do see the point in getting one. I think it makes your entire team blue print easier if you can start from the center position. Since it's harder to find a really good center, your team has a leg up IMO.

I guess if they grew on trees the Suns would hire a farmer to pick one.

The fact there are so few great big men that you would want to build your team around, I had no problem with the Suns alternative approach. I would much rather see a small, skilled team than attempt to build around a mediocre, overpaid talent like any number of the top picks the past 30 years. You just can't ignore defense and rebounding at the 5 altogether, and I think the Suns have proven that's not wise.

 

[Covert Rain]

The fact there are so few great big men that you would want to build your team around, I had no problem with the Suns alternative approach. I would much rather see a small, skilled team than attempt to build around a mediocre, overpaid talent like any number of the top picks the past 30 years. You just can't ignore defense and rebounding at the 5 altogether, and I think the Suns have proven that's not wise.

I agree with that part. Personally I would like to see a rock solid defender at Center (who cares if he can score) if your keeping Amare. Adding sub-par defenders at the Center position or playing Amare at the Center position when his defense and rebounding tend to disappear is a recipe for disaster.

Who knows..maybe someone we didn't expect will step up this year?

 

[BC867]

I agree with that part. Personally I would like to see a rock solid defender at Center (who cares if he can score) if your keeping Amare. Adding sub-par defenders at the Center position or playing Amare at the Center position when his defense and rebounding tend to disappear is a recipe for disaster.

i would hope that Bill Cartwright would be given the latitude this season to take full charge of developing the Suns center defense.

If he had it last year, it was a disappointment. This year will tell.

 

[Gaddabout]

I agree with that part. Personally I would like to see a rock solid defender at Center (who cares if he can score) if your keeping Amare. Adding sub-par defenders at the Center position or playing Amare at the Center position when his defense and rebounding tend to disappear is a recipe for disaster.

Who knows..maybe someone we didn't expect will step up this year?

Well, that's the rub. The center has to be at least a threat to hit from 15 feet out to justify staying on the floor. If he doesn't defenses don't guard him and clog the middle. That's why Hunter didn't stick.

 

[Mulli]

Well, that's the rub. The center has to be at least a threat to hit from 15 feet out to justify staying on the floor. If he doesn't defenses don't guard him and clog the middle. That's why Hunter didn't stick.

Can Kendrick Perkins hit a 15 foot jumper? Just wondering, because he is a pretty good low post defender, and I am wary of the type of center the Suns would bring in to hit a jumper to spread the floor.

 

[Covert Rain]

Well, that's the rub. The center has to be at least a threat to hit from 15 feet out to justify staying on the floor. If he doesn't defenses don't guard him and clog the middle. That's why Hunter didn't stick.

Which is why I still don't get that argument. The Suns statistically with Shaq supposedly clogging the lane still had one of the best offenses in the entire NBA. Sure we didn't look pretty at times but the Suns should stop worrying about style points and worry more about improving the defensive prospects of this team.

Getting a 15 foot jump shooting center is nothing more IMO at an attempt to appease Steve Nash and give him a few more layups per game. If Shaq had a manageable contract, I think he is still here.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Can Kendrick Perkins hit a 15 foot jumper? Just wondering, because he is a pretty good low post defender, and I am wary of the type of center the Suns would bring in to hit a jumper to spread the floor.

we need more danny schayes and joe kleins!!!

 

[devilalum]

we need more danny schayes and joe kleins!!!

What we need is Alvin Adams.

 

[krazyasiankid]

I agree with that part. Personally I would like to see a rock solid defender at Center (who cares if he can score) if your keeping Amare. Adding sub-par defenders at the Center position or playing Amare at the Center position when his defense and rebounding tend to disappear is a recipe for disaster.

Who knows..maybe someone we didn't expect will step up this year?

Lopez maybe? =P

 

[Mulli]

What we need is Alvin Adams.

Ugh.

Why not Tim Kempton?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

based on his play during his SECOND summer tour following an ENTIRE SEASON with an nba club . . . STILL ****!!!

and you can throw dragic into that club as well.