Suns Promise Diogu

[The Commish]

Suns Promise Diogu

by Aran Smith - NBADraft.net

6/3/05


[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Phoenix Suns were knocked out of the playoffs Wednesday, and now look to the future with the draft less than a month away.

NBADraft.net received word Friday that the Suns may have a promise in place to take Arizona St. power forward Ike Diogu. Diogu reportedly measured a legit 6-7 and change in a workout, and a reported 7-3.5 wingspan, meaning he is a big 6-8. So his size is not far off from a player some have likened him to: Elton Brand.

Diogu doesn't exactly fit into the Suns up tempo style, but after their quick 5 game boot from the playoffs at the hands of San Antonio, coach Mike D' Antoni was heard saying they needed to add toughness to compete with them next year.

With their star shooting guard Joe Johnson a free agent, the team is doing everything they can to trim their payroll in an effort to keep him. There has been some speculation that the team would go with a European player that they could leave over in Europe. This remains a possibility if Diogu is gone when they pick, or if the rumor turns out to be false.

Phoenix also loves high schooler Monta Ellis, and is was said to be hoping he will slip to them at 21, but they may figure he'll be gone by the time they pick.

According to sources, Ellis had a favorable match up with Jarrett Jack in their workout in Minnesota. Ellis is considered a likely top 20 pick with a legit chance to quick-first-step his way into the late lottery. Minnesota has been searching for a talented young point guard to pair with KG for years, and could make a pick for the future with Ellis.[/font][/font]

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I don't know how much to read into this simply because I don't think Diogu will drop to us, but this is definately something of interest for all of us who are high on Diogu.

 

[PhxGametime]

That is smart, Ike will stay in Draft LOL although I doubt the team has a shot at him, but he's going to stay in Draft now for sure, which drops someone 1 Pick to us.


I'm going to start watching Monta Ellis games, I REALLY liked his athleticism and driving ability but the experts say he's not a Pure PG but he can score, even next year and that's not too shabby for a H.S Prospect.

 

[JS22]

Draft Ike!

 

[HooverDam]

Interesting. I hope we dont take a HS player. Amare was a rare rare exception. We need someone who can come in and give quality time off the bench, we arent in the position to develop projects.

 

[PhxGametime]

Let's all gather $3 Million cash and the Suns would be able to move up at least a few spots and Package:

#21
#57
Draft rights to Milos Vujanic
3 Million cash

for

Ike (around the Lottery)





Although, I like the idea of getting Abdur-Rahim at a much smaller price better. I'm not sure what to think of Ike (UofA fan) but 6'8 250, 7'4 wingspan, defensive ability (how many people hear remember my love for wingspan = size, defensive ability, and athleticism).


I was just joking about the Trade though.

 

[George O'Brien]

It will be interesting to see how much the flavor of the year is with the draft. Will HS guys go fast because Dwight Howard, JR Smith, and Al Jefferson were pretty impressive this year? Will Euros make a comeback? Will college seniors get more attention after some guys slipped unduely from being "over analyzed" such as Josh Howard? Will speed and ball handling become a premium due to the success of the Suns?

I haven't a clue. There are some years when a guy like Ike could be early lottery. Sweetney was heavier, but not much taller and he went 8th a few years ago. Yet the previous year Boozer fell to the second round after a great college career due to his heigth. You'd think that NBA GM's would have a big advantage over the evaluations of average fans, but the facts don't seem to support that conclusion.

The one thing I can say is that the Suns have not had much luck drafting for need late in the first round: Big Jake and Casey were not great picks even though the fit needs. I hope they get a tough inside guy, but I'd accept anybody who can help.

 

[Mainstreet]

The one thing I can say is that the Suns have not had much luck drafting for need late in the first round: Big Jake and Casey were not great picks even though the fit needs. I hope they get a tough inside guy, but I'd accept anybody who can help.

Ditto.

 

[Amare32]

Ike would be a great pick and the kind of guy this team needs inside. He will give us toughness and rebounding inside. However with the way he has been working out lately. He will be gone by the time we pick at 21

He destroyed Chris Taft a supposed top 10 pick the other day.

 

[fordronken]

Maybe it's just me, but Diogu seems like just the kind of smoke screen player the Suns would use to shield their intentions with another player. Did they even work him out yet? He seems like a good fit for this team, but it occurs to me that it's a little early for promises to be leaking.

 

[coloradosun]

Maybe it's just me, but Diogu seems like just the kind of smoke screen player the Suns would use to shield their intentions with another player. Did they even work him out yet? He seems like a good fit for this team, but it occurs to me that it's a little early for promises to be leaking.

Exactly, why not make a promise to someone you know is not going to be available.

 

[coloradosun]

Interesting. I hope we dont take a HS player. Amare was a rare rare exception. We need someone who can come in and give quality time off the bench, we arent in the position to develop projects.

I hope we do take a HSer, Blatche. Here's what I'd like to see.

Nene
Lenard
#20 or #22

for

Q

Lenard has 250,000 buyout that could be exercised before July 14th, buy it out and open up cap space. Use the cap space (3.5M) to get a veteran pt. guard (like Dan Dickau, who would receive almost a 2M raise over the 1.6M option that was not exercised). Nene becomes the meat in the middle which the Suns promised Amare. Hunter will be free to sign with the Nuggets if he wants too much money or the Nuggets may be in a position to draft Petro. With Nuggets #20 take Blatche as a project, at #21 take Jawad Williams.

Barbosa is going to be a better 2 than point and has a better 3pt. shooting % than Q. Nene and Barbosa will feed off each other and improve.

 

[PhxGametime]

Maybe it's just me, but Diogu seems like just the kind of smoke screen player the Suns would use to shield their intentions with another player. Did they even work him out yet? He seems like a good fit for this team, but it occurs to me that it's a little early for promises to be leaking.

Early indications are the Suns like Louisville's Francisco Garcia, Providence's Ryan Gomes and Florida's David Lee among the players that have worked out for them. Garcia would seem to be the best fit at pick number 21 .


I just posted that, didn't know where else to post it but this was on an article from Gambo that the Suns were going to work out Ike...

 

[Joe Mama]

Everybody feel free to ignore Coloradosun's nonstop "the Phoenix Suns should trade Q for..." posts. I know I am.

Joe Mama

 

[Cheesebeef]

Everybody feel free to ignore Coloradosun's nonstop "the Phoenix Suns should trade Q for..." posts. I know I am.

Joe Mama

especially for a deal that in a 1000 years would never get made - q - worth Lenard, Nene AND their 1st round pick? Colorado - what are you smoking?

 

[elindholm]

I don't follow college sports, so my opinions are uninformed. But from having read some scouting reports, it doesn't sound to me like Diogu is such a good fit after all. His strength (so say the reports) is his post game, but the Suns have Stoudemire for that, and they've already demonstrated a reluctance to use other potential post threats (Richardson). Diogu doesn't sound like a super athlete, and that's seems to be a Suns priority these days. And the reports on his defense are lackluster at best. I've read some on this board compare Diogu to Oliver Miller, but sounds like a somewhat bigger version of Rodney Rogers to me.

If the Suns weren't in "win now" mode, Blatche could be a good fit. Looking over the players who might be available when the Suns draft, I think I would prefer May or Warrick to Diogu.

 

[George O'Brien]

I don't follow college sports, so my opinions are uninformed. But from having read some scouting reports, it doesn't sound to me like Diogu is such a good fit after all. His strength (so say the reports) is his post game, but the Suns have Stoudemire for that, and they've already demonstrated a reluctance to use other potential post threats (Richardson). Diogu doesn't sound like a super athlete, and that's seems to be a Suns priority these days. And the reports on his defense are lackluster at best. I've read some on this board compare Diogu to Oliver Miller, but sounds like a somewhat bigger version of Rodney Rogers to me.

If the Suns weren't in "win now" mode, Blatche could be a good fit. Looking over the players who might be available when the Suns draft, I think I would prefer May or Warrick to Diogu.

May is not in very good shape. He's no Oliver Miller, but he's not built for the Suns' pace either. Warrick may be a better pro than I expect, but to me he looks like just another Josh Smith. If Warick had a jump shot, he'd be in the top five.

Blatche is a mystery. Everyone raves about one good all star game and his size/athleticism - but I'm not sure how far along he is. My suspicion is that he is a long way from being a contributor, but we haven't heard much about his workouts.

The issue with Ike and Simien is that they are low post threats with a mid range game. At minimum, it give the Suns an inside threat off the bench. But the other issue is that they a physically stronger than Marion when it comes to keeping guys from getting too close to the basket. Also, both Ike and Simien know how to block out when it comes to rebounds.

 

[Chaplin]

Warrick is the guy I would like, but it seems increasingly apparent that he will be gone by the time we pick.

 

[F-Dog]

1. I still don't think Diogu is much bigger than 6'7" in socks. Everybody who's been measured in Denver so far turned out to be "surprisingly big".

2. The thing that gets Diogu PT on the Suns is his outside shot, which is not the strength of his game. Diogu's lack of athletic ability is a serious problem if he's wearing a Suns uniform.

3. As I said two months ago, Diogu is going in the late lottery, so there's no point in waiting for him to drop to the Suns.


If the Suns made this kind of promise, they probably did so figuring it wouldn't make any difference. It certainly hasn't stopped Diogu from working out for any team that asks.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Sean May will be no better than Sean Rooks in the pros - a 6'9 soft banger whose feet grow roots in the floor. Mark it down - he will be nothing in the NBA to speak of. Hakim Warrick on the other hand I love and think that if the team eventually has to ship off Marion - would be the perfect guy to step in and play a similar role. THat being said - I don't think Warrick make sit anywhere clsoe to us.

 

[coloradosun]

Sean May will be no better than Sean Rooks in the pros - a 6'9 soft banger whose feet grow roots in the floor. Mark it down - he will be nothing in the NBA to speak of. Hakim Warrick on the other hand I love and think that if the team eventually has to ship off Marion - would be the perfect guy to step in and play a similar role. THat being said - I don't think Warrick make sit anywhere clsoe to us.

Sean May will be like Scott Williams in his prime.

 

[Devision]

2. The thing that gets Diogu PT on the Suns is his outside shot, which is not the strength of his game. Diogu's lack of athletic ability is a serious problem if he's wearing a Suns uniform.

This quote leads me to believe that 1) You have not seen hime play 2) Know the situation that he had to work with. He was the only option for ASU on both ends of the court, teams tripled teamed him on offense, and attacked him on defense in a attempt to get him in foul trouble. No outside shot quote is a joke, the guy is money from 15ft in (which now a lost art) and has a real nice baseline turn around jump shot. He shot 40% from 3 in college and 80% from the line while making more ft's than the next Pac10 player had attempted. Those numbers lead me to believe that he would fit in quite well.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Sean May will be like Scott Williams in his prime.

exactly - you don't waste a lottery pick on Scott Williams in his prime - and honestly, he won't be good defensively as Williams in his prime - and that ain't saying much. He'll be an okay role player off the bench - but he ain't ever gonna be starting on a title contender.

 

[coloradosun]

exactly - you don't waste a lottery pick on Scott Williams in his prime. He'll be an okay role player off the bench - but he ain't ever gonna be starting on a title contender.

If Jackson is back with the LAL, I could see him in the triangle offense. If the Lakers don't take him he will fall into the 20's.

 

[PhxGametime]

exactly - you don't waste a lottery pick on Scott Williams in his prime - and honestly, he won't be good defensively as Williams in his prime - and that ain't saying much. He'll be an okay role player off the bench - but he ain't ever gonna be starting on a title contender.

I get what you're saying but although I think the Draft is deep, most of the talent will be role players and at best... damn what a week I'm having (brain fart) LOL what everybody including the media calls Shawn Marion. Marion is the best ______ player in League? Like a sidekick kind of thing? I forgot what it's called... although IMO, there is quite a few of the Prospects, with that kind of talent. Possibly quite a few starters but there really aren't many star like talents... I do like the Draft this year though and when guys like Warrick, Graham, Blatche, May, Garcia, etc. could be there at #21... it's a deep draft.

I do think outside of not seeing a lot of superstars, this will be a decent Draft, 3 years down the road... not 96-97 though but players that can contribute.

 

[KANIDJA]

2. The thing that gets Diogu PT on the Suns is his outside shot, which is not the strength of his game. Diogu's lack of athletic ability is a serious problem if he's wearing a Suns uniform.

This quote leads me to believe that 1) You have not seen hime play 2) Know the situation that he had to work with. He was the only option for ASU on both ends of the court, teams tripled teamed him on offense, and attacked him on defense in a attempt to get him in foul trouble. No outside shot quote is a joke, the guy is money from 15ft in (which now a lost art) and has a real nice baseline turn around jump shot. He shot 40% from 3 in college and 80% from the line while making more ft's than the next Pac10 player had attempted. Those numbers lead me to believe that he would fit in quite well.

Exactly my point. I watched ASU/ UofA game where Ike went against Fry and Ike got best of him when they played one on one. He even blocked Fry couple of times from the weakside. Ike would be a great pickup for this Suns team. He drained a couple (if I remeber correctly) college threes as well and his shot looked good. All year he was a monster rebounder.
With all of this said, I don't think he will be there when we pick, but very easily could be. Don't know what to think. Boozer was second rounder....