Steven (Stephen?) Hunter per Gambo

[Kolo]

Gambo believes Hunter--who played at DePaul w/ Q--will be waived by Cleveland, pass through waivers and sign a minimum deal w/ the Suns. Said that wouldn't necessarily mean Scott Williams won't be signing, but that Williams might be more inclined to look at other team who've shown interest (San Antonio, and I didn't catch the other two he mentioned).

Hunter sucks, but he might be able to help on defense a dozen or so minutes a game. Hopefully, the Suns will sign whoever they're going to end up with soon, if nothing more than to stop all the asinine "let's trade the Matrix for a mediocre center" talk.

 

[George O'Brien]

I find the notion that Hunter will get waived a bit surprising. He was a first round draft pick, so he has a guaranteed contract through next summer. The Cavs have only 11 guys under contract with Hunter included.

The most striking thing about Hunter is that he played in only 59 games:

Steven Hunter
Orlando Magic
Position: C-F
Height: 7-0 Weight: 240
College: DePaul '03
Player file | Team stats

2003-04 Statistics
PPG 3.2
RPG 2.9
APG .2
SPG .08
BPG 1.24
FG% .529
FT% .333
3P% .000
MPG 13.4

His numbers are actually comparable to Loren Woods except that Loren played in only 38 games. Hunter has more blocks but fewer rebounds:

Loren Woods
Miami Heat
Position: C
Height: 7-2 Weight: 261
College: Arizona '01
Player file | Team stats

2003-04 Statistics
PPG 3.2
RPG 3.5
APG .3
SPG .29
BPG .50
FG% .458
FT% .600
3P% .000
MPG 13.3

 

[elindholm]

I think it's really hard to compare the statistics of third-string scrub centers who mainly see the floor only in garbage time.

 

[SweetD]

Hunter was injured most of the year and did get much playing time. I think he would be a nice addition to the team as long as he takes a small amount of cash.

 

[George O'Brien]

I think it's really hard to compare the statistics of third-string scrub centers who mainly see the floor only in garbage time.

Oh it's easy to compare statistics, it's hard to compare productivity.

You cannot really tell how much they played during garbage time against other scrubs and how much was when things mattered. For example, Big Jake averaged only 13.3 minutes with Memphis in 40 games - but he started 28 games. He's not hugely better than Hunter or Woods, but on the surface it looks like he made a bigger contribution. Still it is hard to tell without watching a lot of games.

 

[sunsfn]

.34 Steven Hunter Cleveland Cavaliers

($6,209.363 was the 4 year salary) ($1,552.340 per year)
I do not know the ind. years, they were all different I believe.

Steve Hunter .......... 8/29/01 4 years $6,209,363 rc '05

Position: C
Born: 10/31/81
Height: 7-0 / 2,13
Weight: 240 lbs. / 108,9 kg.
College: DePaul '03

Good shot blocker... Great athleticism and quickness... Has done nothing remarkable in the NBA.
Attended the Proviso East HS in Maywood, Illinois.
Played college ball at De Paul until 2001.
Selected by the Orlando Magic as 15th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. Played in Orlando till July 2004.
Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in July 2004.
Led the Conference USA in field goal percentage in 2000-01.
Named to the All-Conference USA 1st Freshmen Team in 1999-00.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Has Gambo gotten anything right on the Suns this off season?

Nope.

Why do people listen to them? I am sure your cat knows more about local sports.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

Why do people listen to them? I am sure your cat knows more about local sports.

I listen to them on occasion, but only for pure entertainment value. Usually for nothing more than to laugh at Gambo for being a moron...

I think Hunter for the minimum would be a solid signing. If nothing else about him is appealing, 1.24 bpg in 13.4 mpg is excellent - good enough for 6th in the league last year for blocks per 48 minutes (4.44). Not that he's better than Ben Wallace, but BW was 12th (3.87)...

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm still unclear why the Cavs are going to cut him if they have to pay him anyway.

 

[SweetD]

I'm still unclear why the Cavs are going to cut him if they have to pay him anyway.

They might be making a trade with Z to bring in more players than one??

 

[George O'Brien]

They might be making a trade with Z to bring in more players than one??

The Cleveland papers say the Cavs have turned down a number of inquiries/offers about Z, but it is certainly a possibility.

 

[F-Dog]

Hunter sounds like bad news. Two lousy teams in a row have dumped him, despite his youth and price tag...


Here's a smattering of web noise re: Hunter:

Oh, one question. Hunter - can you please use TWO HANDS to dunk the ball? Go up strong and stop playing with your shirt. (OrlandoMagicFan weblog)

(comment) This si Steven Hunter's sister; You need to stop criticizing my brother and talk about the whole team, and you must really like Steve because all of your attention is on him and not the team. If Steve is the only bad one why isn't the team doing good in the league, okay then, then about the **** you say before you put it on the internet.

Hunter- he's only young, so he's still got time to learn, but he hasn't shown any progress since we picked him up. i'm happy to let him go and if he prospers somewhere else, then good on him. otherwise if we can get an oreo and a glass of milk for him, i'd be very happy.

I think trading Toothpick Hunter to any team for a jumbo bag of pork rinds is a pretty fair deal at this point. The guy is weak, he has a little shot blocking ability but not enough to keep him around, Darrell Armstrong was a better rebounder for Orlando last season. He needs to go, bring Kasun in to replace him.

Can someone explain to me why the Cavaliers are seemingly so anxious to get rid of a 22-23 year old, shot-blocking center? Hunter still has some upside and he's signed to a very reasonable contract. Granted, the Cavaliers already have a young center in Diop, but young, athletic centers don't exactly grow on trees. Why not at least take a chance on the kid and waive him down the road if he doesn't show anything?

This was prearranged with the Cavaliers and Hunter. He doesnt want to play here and the Cavaliers dont want him. he is getting 1M check for simply agreeing to be part of a trade.

Nothing I have seen from Hunter in college or pros leads me to believe that he can play.

The difference between Diop and Hunter is work ethic. (i think) Diop was a fat kid when he came into the league. He at least now has some shape other than round. Hunter was a stick when he was drafted and he's a stick now. I'd rather have a guy who's big with some weight behind him then a guy with no weight behind him being my backup.

Przybilla seems more like the Suns' style, frankly.

 

[Joe Mama]

I'm still wondering about Lonnie Jones from Cleveland's summer team. I think it would be great if the Suns could get a player like him (young with potential) along with a veteran like Corie Blount were Scott Williams.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm still wondering about Lonnie Jones from Cleveland's summer team. I think it would be great if the Suns could get a player like him (young with potential) along with a veteran like Corie Blount were Scott Williams.

Joe Mama

I heard some nice things about him. Has he signed with anyone?

 

[The Commish]

I'm board, lets start the season already...

 

[The Commish]

I misspelled bored, I suck at life...