Suns biggest need...

[Goldfield]

I personally think this team need a shot blocking/Rebounding presence in the middle.

I dont care if he is 1 or 2 inches to short. Or what ever people complain about.

I want a Ben Wallace/Camby/Okafor type center.

With the rebounding & defensive skillz of Amare, Shawn, & JJ. Once we strengthen up the middle with a nasty shotblocker/rebounder, This team will be one heck of a tuff team IMO.

Jahidi White is allmost that type of guy. If he had the hunger to raise his level of play & drop some weight so he is faster. He would be pretty damn good.

 

[SweetD]

I said Shotblocking/Rebounder only becouse we have the talent to devolpe for other needs.

 

[fordronken]

I don't really care what position, but this team needs a bona fide legit superstar. Could that be Amare? I hope so.

 

[SweetD]

Originally posted by fordronken
I don't really care what position, but this team needs a bona fide legit superstar. Could that be Amare? I hope so.

Why Detroit doesn't have a bona fide superstar...

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by SweetD
Why Detroit doesn't have a bona fide superstar...

Or a championship ring with this squad, and I would venture out to say they will miss out again this year

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by SweetD
Why Detroit doesn't have a bona fide superstar...

But Detroit has no chance to win a championship either.

 

[fordronken]

Originally posted by SweetD
Why Detroit doesn't have a bona fide superstar...

What do you mean? I thought they picked one with the second pick in the draft.

 

[devilalum]

Originally posted by fordronken
What do you mean? I thought they picked one with the second pick in the draft.

 

[SweetD]

Actualy I was thinking we trade our 2nd rounder we would get for Marion for the rights to Alton Ford.

 

[scotsman13]

who is the kings superstar? weber or peja? are you kidding me webber never has done what it take to be a superstar (a all star or star player, yes but not a superstar).

in truth there are only a couple superstars in the nba right now shaq, duncan, mcgrady and garrett are the only players right now who i would call superstars. the next step are the AI, kobe, marbury, dirk, kidd, ray allen, brand, ben wallace and pierce.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by scotsman13
who is the kings superstar? weber or peja? are you kidding me webber never has done what it take to be a superstar (a all star or star player, yes but not a superstar).

in truth there are only a couple superstars in the nba right now shaq, duncan, mcgrady and garrett are the only players right now who i would call superstars. the next step are the AI, kobe, marbury, dirk, kidd, ray allen, brand, ben wallace and pierce.

See, the problem is that your view (and all of ours obviously) of what a "superstar" actually is is much different than what the NBA and the media believes. Allen Iverson, to the league and the media, is definitely a superstar--same with Kidd and Vince Carter.

 

[elindholm]

LOL, it's time for another argument about who is or is not a "superstar." It's been a while since we had one of these; it's definitely overdue.

the next step are the AI, kobe, marbury, dirk, kidd, ray allen, brand, ben wallace and pierce

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that Jermaine O'Neal's omission is an oversight.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
See, the problem is that your view (and all of ours obviously) of what a "superstar" actually is is much different than what the NBA and the media believes. Allen Iverson, to the league and the media, is definitely a superstar--same with Kidd and Vince Carter.

The NBA marketing people tend to put flash ahead of substance. For example, Emanuel Ginobili is routinely described as an up and coming star, but he shoots 40% from the field and scores 12.7 ppg. This is inspite of playing on a team that creates open looks because Duncan gets doubled all the time.''

But Ginobili is really flashy and looks good on the highlight reels.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by scotsman13
who is the kings superstar? weber or peja? are you kidding me webber never has done what it take to be a superstar (a all star or star player, yes but not a superstar).

in truth there are only a couple superstars in the nba right now shaq, duncan, mcgrady and garrett are the only players right now who i would call superstars. the next step are the AI, kobe, marbury, dirk, kidd, ray allen, brand, ben wallace and pierce.

'
I will go ahead and step up to the plate and repeat my answer to the Detroit comment.


Exactly when in the last 10 years did Sac when a championship?? Oh wait, they are just like detroit, they haven't.....


Why don't you guys stop naming off very competitive teams, and name the last NBA champion team that DIDNT have a superstar??


I mean the goal of the Cs is to when it all, not be content with just being competitive

 

[Chaz]

I would think a star is a player that can create shots for himself or a teammate on a regular basis.

A superstar player dominates the game in some way or changes how the game is played or defended. The elite players have proved they can be a superstar type player in the playoffs.

Chrisma and marketing come into play here also.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

It's more essential than anything else to have a set core of players, and the Suns definitely seem to be in the right direction in that regard.

The question is though, who will ultimately become their "go-to guy" in the closing minutes of the game when it's on the line?
I suppose JJ has somewhat established that role, but needs to assert himself a little further.....

Their biggest need really is that true shot-blocker who is also a prolific rebounder....We never know, either Lampe or Zarko might become that.....

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by KingLouieLouie
It's more essential than anything else to have a set core of players, and the Suns definitely seem to be in the right direction in that regard.

The question is though, who will ultimately become their "go-to guy" in the closing minutes of the game when it's on the line?
I suppose JJ has somewhat established that role, but needs to assert himself a little further.....

Their biggest need really is that true shot-blocker who is also a prolific rebounder....We never know, either Lampe or Zarko might become that.....

I agree. It was very discouraging to watch how Jerome James totally dominated the Suns on Friday. He is only getting 14.5 minutes per game on the notably weak rebounding Sonics. Against the Suns he looked Wilt Chamberlin with 3 blocks and 6 of 8 shooting.

Statistically, Voskuhl had a good game: 5-9 shooting and 6 rebounds. But he could not defense James who only averages 4.8 ppg.

James has not be tearing up the league, but he tears up the Suns.

 

[Dylan]

Shotblocker shotblocker shotblocker... it is amazing how a true
big-time shot blocker can change a game... the drives down the
lane result in inaccurate shots and eventually causes them to
go to the perimeter game... when Big Jake was here, the one
thing he did well was force the team to change their shots
in the lane... when you have no shotblockers they just cruise
on down the lane whenever they want. The Suns need this
or they'll just be in shootouts all the time... defense at the
basket will increase defense all the way out. I remember a
long time ago there was a guy named Manute Bol who was
7-7 or something... he blocked lots of shots, and even tho he
didn't do much else he could block all our shots in the lane... and
the same for Mark Eaton at Utah.. just a huge guy that led
the league in blocks... KJ would go down the lane and just
get killed...
I like Jake Voskuhl, he is improving, and I am beginning to see
some offense from him other than just put backs on such...
But we need a shotblocker to fit in there somewhere in the
rotation... we keep em out of the lane and we will be tough..
Maybe Lampe can do that... but I don't think that is his game..
True shotblockers just have the knack... or are really tall...

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Dylan
Maybe Lampe can do that... but I don't think that is his game..
True shotblockers just have the knack... or are really tall...

Or both.

One of the questions most of us have is whether Lampe is going to be a center or a PF. In the brief periods he has played so far, he has been at PF. He showed some very good defensive footwork and has the quickness to defend the perimeter. But can he defend the low post and block shots?

It wouldn't be the end of the world if it turned out that Lampe was going to be a great outside shooting PF with the quickness to play "small ball". But it does not solve the Suns need for a shot blocker.

I know I could talk myself into taking Pavel Podkolzine (7'5" 305) even though I have serious doubts about whether he is going to be any good. Just the idea of having Pavel, Lampe and Carbakapa on the front line is fun.

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by George O'Brien

I know I could talk myself into taking Pavel Podkolzine (7'5" 305) even though I have serious doubts about whether he is going to be any good.

I dont know enough about him to have an opinion, but with that size I would be very optomistic about him as our pick.


I am crossing my fingers we snag Camby(and he stays healthy), and trade up for Okafor to back up Amare. Thos two would bring a ton of blocks & robounds. The inside presence we need bad other than Amare.

With Vujanic, Barbosa, & JJ at the guard spots & Marion & Zarko at SF. Thos positions are very solid and young.

Okafor backing up Amare would be outstanding, and Camby in the lineup with either guy, Amare/Okafor, and or Marion/Zarko would be awsome.

 

[Chaplin]

Pavel is another big man with bad ankles. It's no secret that he's beginning to drop on draft boards.

 

[Wally]

We definitely need rebounding more than anything, but let’s face reality here. If we want a guy that will actually get to play, he better be 6’10” or less. That means we need to make some kind of deal for Ben Wallace – or another similar type of player. Hey, I know, Dennis Rodman is making a comeback.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Pavel is another big man with bad ankles. It's no secret that he's beginning to drop on draft boards.

I've noted that as well. I'm afraid he will be an Ostertag without the fancy footwork.