Strawberry signs 2 year deal

[fordronken]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0827sunsstraw-ON.html

 

[fordronken]

Rookie minimum, second year is a team option.

 

[azirish]

DJ was very impressive in Las Vegas as a point guard. The Suns have their share of combos who can't run an offense, but Strawberry showed the right instincts.

I'm not sure he'll play much, but just having a lock down guard to play against in practice has be a big plus.

 

[dodie53]

is it possible that DJ is the suns' PG of the future?

 

[Bufalay]

is it possible that DJ is the suns' PG of the future?

That would be an awesome steal if he ends up being that guy.

Dodie, where are you getting all of these awesome signatures?

 

[dodie53]

That would be an awesome steal if he ends up being that guy.

Dodie, where are you getting all of these awesome signatures?

photobucket..

just type in their search engine,

suns gif..

 

[mjb21aztd]

Nice I hope Strawberry turns out to be a good pg for us down the road and shows some of the skills he showed during the summerleague

 

[azirish]

I ran this before, but seems appropriate. Draft Express named him to their second team All Summer Leagues team

D.J. Strawberry, 6-5, Guard, Phoenix Suns, 1985
15.6 Points, 6.4 Assists, 3.0 Rebounds, 4.8 Turnovers, 1.4 Steals, 0.8 Blocks, 40.6% FG, 30.8% 3FG, 66.7% FT

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Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

D.J. Strawberry was far from the most polished offensive player in this year’s Summer League, but he showed immense potential and was one of the best players on the defensive end. The things that Strawberry lacks in offensive skills he makes up for in intensity. What makes Strawberry’s Summer League numbers so impressive is that he still managed to score almost 16 points per contest with no remnants of a jump shot. Defensively, Strawberry was one of the most well rounded players in attendance, and easily the most impressive.

The first thing Strawberry needs is a shooting coach, which is something that has always been known about him. His stroke isn’t consistent enough for him to be a good shooter, but his shots fall when it looks smooth. This is indicative of a need for extra practice and game reps. Outside of Strawberry’s lack of consistency from mid and long range, he showed some nice tools this week. Strawberry doesn’t have the most refined handle, but he is big enough that he can blow by most point guards due to his length and athleticism. The moves he utilizes around the rim are predictable, but they got the job done for the most part. The only player to really cause Strawberry problems around the basket was another player on this list, Louis Amundson, who blocked him repeatedly due to Strawberry not being able to explode to the rim around the quicker Louis Williams.

As a point guard, Strawberry looked surprisingly crisp, moving the ball well and getting his teammates open looks. He did a spectacular job creating offense in transition, and wound up leaving Vegas as its 2007 assist leader. Unfortunately, he committed quite a few turnovers because he isn’t a threat from the outside. There were numerous situations where Strawberry was forced to drive or hesitate when he had ample time and space to shoot a jump shot. Once Strawberry gets comfortable with his range, he will no longer have to force the ball into the paint, or pull up for a mid-range shot he really doesn’t want to take.

Strawberry lands this high on this list due to his defense, since no one stood out more in this aspect of the game than he did. Strawberry gets in a low defensive stance on every play, and doesn’t give his man any space. He hawks the ball from the opening horn to the final buzzer, and generally makes things miserable for his opposition. His hands are tremendous, and he started using them much more intelligently after recording 8 fouls in his first contest. Strawberry’s ability to guard three positions, rotate effective from the weakside, and help out on the glass make him significantly more valuable than his numbers indicate.

As Strawberry embarks on his first NBA season, he should look to teammate Raja Bell

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for guidance. Early in his career, Bell found himself in much the same situation as Strawberry is in now. He was a great defender who didn’t have a good enough jump shot to garner minutes. Strawberry is in a little bit different of a situation considering he is more athletic and versatile than Bell was, but he desperately needs to transform his shooting ability the way Bell did. Strawberry could play some spot minutes this year for Phoenix, but won’t make a legitimate impact on the NBA level offensively until defenders have to respect his jump shot.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

I think he is the perfect raw talent for a team like us. Defense and intensity are already there. If our shooting coaches chain him up to the court all summer, his FT% and FG% will inevitably improve. If he has the determination to give it his all, I see no reason for him to be rocking faces in 2-3 seasons.

 

[azirish]

I think he is the perfect raw talent for a team like us. Defense and intensity are already there. If our shooting coaches chain him up to the court all summer, his FT% and FG% will inevitably improve. If he has the determination to give it his all, I see no reason for him to be rocking faces in 2-3 seasons.

Weber is supposed to be pretty good as a shooting coach, so we'll put him to the test with both Strawberry and Tucker. My guess is that Tucker is further along as a scorer, but getting someone with Strawberry's defense to play some PG would be a huge plus against Tony Parker.

 

[Goldfield]

yes

 

[Muggum]

Ouch that's a ton of turnovers.

 

[asudevil83]

is it possible that DJ is the suns' PG of the future?

i hate the question with a passion. and just the "PG of the Future" part just makes me cringe.

we labeled Banks as or PG of the future the second he signed his contract, and have even thrown that label on Barbosa.

any talks of Diener and Blake also seem to encompass "PG of the Future", so i'm not going to get my hopes up on Strawberry (a kid who has played 3 or 4 Summer League games).

we have no "PG of the Future" until some kid comes out and proves it.

 

[azirish]

Ouch that's a ton of turnovers.

Strawberry wasn't even worked out as PG in the days prior to the seires and the only guy he even knew was Tucker (they had trained together). New guy, new offense, new players, and no preparation - if that's not a receipe for turnovers I don't know what is.

As an example of the problem, in game 1 Banks threw a bullet pass to Sow under the basket that bounced off Sow's head because he wasn't looking for it. In early 2004-05 Nash had a lot of trouble with guys not being ready for passes, it's just part of the learning process and Nash was playing with guys with the talent to play in the NBA.

BTW, 10 of Strawberry's turnovers were in the game against the Wolves, a team with three guys with NBA experience: McCants, Foyle, and Craig Smith plus Corey Brewer who was the top perimeter defender in the draft.

This is a long way from designating Strawberry as the Suns "PG of the future". If he learns to shoot, he may be the Raja Bell of the future. But there the fact that he has point guard instincts is still something to pay attention to.

 

[Rab]

Finally. I am happy with this signing.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He's big for a pg, athletic, and has real potential. That adds a different look for us. I like it.

Now if we could just deal Banks for Stephen Hunter. Not that I think that Hunter is all that, its just he would add a little front line depth, and I'm not all that sure Philly really has any desire for Hunter.

With Strawberry signed, Banks butt might as well be superglued to the bench.

 

[azirish]

Long run Strawberry's will effect Banks, but we may be seeing a different Banks this season. Humphries has set him as a special project and Banks has been working on his shooting (4 of 5 for three in his only summer league game). Best case scenerio would be for everyone to play extremely well because it helps having real trading pieces.

In 2005-06 the Suns had success with an extremely guard oriented team. Until the Suns address their need for a rotation big, I think Banks will be given a shot at filling the Eddie House slot (not as instand offense but as part of the rotation).

 

[azirish]

PRESS RELEASE

SUNS SIGN D.J. STRAWBERRY

​

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns announced today that they have signed rookie guard D.J. Strawberry, the 59th overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft.

“D.J. brings toughness, defense and athleticism to our team and we’re excited that he’s a part of our organization,” Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr said. “The fact that he spent four years in college as part of a very strong program with a winning tradition is important.”

Strawberry, who tested as the best athlete at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp in June, blossomed in his senior season at Maryland posting career bests in scoring (14.9), rebounding (4.4) and steals (2.03) in 34 games played, and earned All-ACC Second Team and ACC All-Defensive Team honors.

The 6-5, 201-pound Terrapin guard surpassed the 1,000 career points mark last season and averaged 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.8 steals over his four-year collegiate career.

The Suns roster now stands at 12.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Long run Strawberry's will effet Banks, but we may be seeing a different Banks this season. Humphries has set him as a special project and Banks has been working on his shooting (4 of 5 for three in his only summer league game). Best case scenerio would be for everyone to play extremely well because it helps having real trading pieces.

In 2005-06 the Suns had success with an extremely guard oriented team. Until the Suns address their need for a rotation big, I think Banks will be given a shot at filling the Eddie House slot (not as instand offense but as part of the rotation).

I find it hard to believe that DAntoni will give Banks much burn regardless of improvements made.

 

[Mainstreet]

I find it hard to believe that DAntoni will give Banks much burn regardless of improvements made.

I agree. I fear the Suns may move him along with the Atlanta pick. I hope I'm wrong about this but I do see the Suns moving him. The question is how?

Could it be possible the Suns could get a contributor (even a quality role player) for Banks plus the Atlanta pick? Maybe they will ride it out to the trading deadline.

 

[azirish]

I find it hard to believe that DAntoni will give Banks much burn regardless of improvements made.

IMHO, Banks has a lot more "potential" than Eddie House and Eddie played a lot as an 8th man. If the Suns were really trying to shop him, they would have played him more in Las Vegas. You can't sell a guy based on one game.

What was wrong with Banks last year? My read on it was that he became a "black hole" who did not pass the ball when covered and did not mesh well in their defensive rotations. Worst of all, he did not hit open shots.

In February he got some minutes and started playing better, but not well enough to force his way into the eight man rotation. This year the competition for the eigth slot is Pike and two rookies; so I think Banks will be given a chance to prove that he can play like he did with the Wolves.

Obviously his chances will go down if either Strawberry or Tucker play really well in camp. But I think he'll be given a serious chance if his shooting is substantively better than it was last season.

 

[JCSunsfan]

IMHO, Banks has a lot more "potential" than Eddie House and Eddie played a lot as an 8th man. If the Suns were really trying to shop him, they would have played him more in Las Vegas. You can't sell a guy based on one game.

What was wrong with Banks last year? My read on it was that he became a "black hole" who did not pass the ball when covered and did not mesh well in their defensive rotations. Worst of all, he did not hit open shots.

In February he got some minutes and started playing better, but not well enough to force his way into the eight man rotation. This year the competition for the eigth slot is Pike and two rookies; so I think Banks will be given a chance to prove that he can play like he did with the Wolves.

Obviously his chances will go down if either Strawberry or Tucker play really well in camp. But I think he'll be given a serious chance if his shooting is substantively better than it was last season.

I can't really understand what was happening in Vegas. Word is that Banks asked to be there. He had one good game and then dropped. One this is sure. They tried to shop him all summer with no takers.

If any thing, summer league was an indication that they both do not want to develop him, and do not have any real hope of shopping him.

Believe me, if they could have gotten rid of Banks instead of KT, they would have.

 

[azirish]

I can't really understand what was happening in Vegas. Word is that Banks asked to be there. He had one good game and then dropped. One this is sure. They tried to shop him all summer with no takers.

If any thing, summer league was an indication that they both do not want to develop him, and do not have any real hope of shopping him.

Believe me, if they could have gotten rid of Banks instead of KT, they would have.

We know they tried to shop him prior to the draft. However, I don't really "get" your interpretation of what they did in Las Vegas.

My read on it was that they wanted to work with their other people and did not think having Banks chewing up the Las Vegas level talent would do that. In his one "official" game, he went 13 of 19 including 4 of 5 for three and 12 of 14 from the line. In their second, unofficial game he went 7 of 8. If this was against NBA starters, then it would mean something. Would more games like that help him develop if all it proved was that the competition wasn't that exceptional. Nobody could guard him.

If they did not have hope of turning Banks around, I don't think Humphries would have mentioned him as his top project. Maybe their plan is to trade him, but I don't see them giving up on him quite yet.

 

[LavaLamp2]

I do hope Banks redeems himself and proves that he is valuable to the Suns.

 

[JCSunsfan]

We know they tried to shop him prior to the draft. However, I don't really "get" your interpretation of what they did in Las Vegas.

My read on it was that they wanted to work with their other people and did not think having Banks chewing up the Las Vegas level talent would do that. In his one "official" game, he went 13 of 19 including 4 of 5 for three and 12 of 14 from the line. In their second, unofficial game he went 7 of 8. If this was against NBA starters, then it would mean something. Would more games like that help him develop if all it proved was that the competition wasn't that exceptional. Nobody could guard him.

If they did not have hope of turning Banks around, I don't think Humphries would have mentioned him as his top project. Maybe their plan is to trade him, but I don't see them giving up on him quite yet.

Sorry, I don't really have an interpretation of what they did with Banks in Vegas. It doesnt make sense to me, but I am not at all confident that anything they have done shows that they really have any particular plan for him except the deep bench and a trade when its possible.