Suns trade

[slinslin]

Lampe has shown more than Skita has in the NBA so far I think, and that isn't much.

Of course we could have ended up with another Dijon Thompson but what is the difference? Skita isn't anything more than that right now either.
We could have also gotten a Ben Wallace, Steve Kerr, Hornacek, Mobley etc in the 2nd round.

I think the odds of finding a gem in the 2nd round are better than Skita doing anything other than bothering me when he gets on the court at any time other than garbage minutes.

 

[George O'Brien]

He's a seven footer who CAN shoot the three. It's hard to say if this is just another Lampe, with promise but not hard enough worker to produce, or a late bloomer who's been in the wrong system.

What has Skita's problem been? In the times I saw him a few years ago, it was that he was not quick enough to be small forward and not physical enough to play inside on the pre-Karl Nuggets.

Last summer he was totally dominant, which is why the Wolves signed him; but hasn't played enough for anyone to know if he can play or not. I'm not sure what he can or can't do; but as long as D'Antoni lacks faith in Burke it seems essential that the Suns be able to have someone taller than a non-jumping 6'9" guy available. I just wish I was more certain Skita was that guy.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Lampe has shown more than Skita has in the NBA so far I think, and that isn't much.

Of course we could have ended up with another Dijon Thompson but what is the difference? Skita isn't anything more than that right now either.
We could have also gotten a Ben Wallace, Steve Kerr, Hornacek, Mobley etc in the 2nd round.

I think the odds of finding a gem in the 2nd round are better than Skita doing anything other than bothering me when he gets on the court at any time other than garbage minutes.

I disagree and i dont even think your argument is based on a valid premise so i wont get into it....

but is that signature for real??? Did Artest really say that about Magic Johnson?!? Thats unbelievable................

 

[playstation]

this acquisition is really exciting for me because of the potential. i've learned that if you are a shooter, d'antoni will make you look good. this wasn't just BC making the call, Mike had something to do with it. At best, he'll get Burke's minutes, at worst, he'll get Jim Jackson's minutes.

Not low-risk, its no-risk. we had to pick up a player anyways by league rules. we picked up a min. salary guy and gave up a pick in the 50-60 range. given that we have something like 10 rotation guys and have 2 #1 picks next year, no 2nd round pick would have a shot with us. we didn't even use any of the TE.

i mean, i just keep thinking of boris diaw, eddie house, james jones, raja bell. Skita needs to play within himself, play with energy, and hustle for loose balls and he'll find his way onto the court.

he doesn't suck, despite what some of you think. its confidence issues...remember Wally World's comments:"people come to phoenix and revive their careers" lightening will strike again my friends.

 

[Forrestham]

We cant be upset about this trade. if he does not work out let him go. I am not comfortable with Pat Burke as backup center. If he can paly a few minutes and contribute great. I think to say he will be another Boris is stretching it. Nobody expected Boris to be this good.
But I like them taking chances on low risk high upside players. He was picked 5th in the draft. 4 picks higher than Amare

 

[HooverDam]

.
Of course we could have ended up with another Dijon Thompson but what is the difference? Skita isn't anything more than that right now either.
We could have also gotten a Ben Wallace, Steve Kerr, Hornacek, Mobley etc in the 2nd round.

I think the odds of finding a gem in the 2nd round are better than Skita doing anything other than bothering me when he gets on the court at any time other than garbage minutes.

We have 2 first round picks to sign next years. I doubt the Suns wouldve be able to retain the guys they want to retain from this roster, draft two guys in the first round (assuming they dont trade those picks) and sign a 2nd rounder.

Furthermore, a 2nd round pick wouldn't give us a body until THEN, this helps us NOW. Maybe not on the court, in games, but in practice. Im sure itll be helpful to be able to rotate in a 7 foot body in practice.

Think of it this way, we still have 2 draft picks next year, just like we would in most years, but these will be much higher on average than having a 1st and 2nd round pick. Plus, we got a player who may have potential and can at least offer us a handful of fouls a game against a dominant big man if we need them.

There is nothing to complain about in this trade. The Suns got something for nothing, which is always a good deal

 

[green machine]

I love this trade. Worst that can happen is Skita turns out to be a flat out bust. If that's the case, really, no harm done losing a 2nd rounder. But, if he does turn his career around and even just become a solid role player, then this trade is a steal.

 

[Chaplin]

Lampe has shown more than Skita has in the NBA so far I think, and that isn't much.

Of course we could have ended up with another Dijon Thompson but what is the difference? Skita isn't anything more than that right now either.
We could have also gotten a Ben Wallace, Steve Kerr, Hornacek, Mobley etc in the 2nd round.

I think the odds of finding a gem in the 2nd round are better than Skita doing anything other than bothering me when he gets on the court at any time other than garbage minutes.

I'd like to see your proof of that. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd like to see where Lampe has shown more than Skita.

Remember, our 2nd rounder will most likely be near the 56th pick of the draft. That's pretty low, worse than where Dijon was picked. We have as much chance at getting a gem at #56 as we do at finding an undrafted rookie that can do the same.

This is a no-risk pickup, with really no real chance of actually hurting the team. At worst, we lose a 2nd round pick, at best we have a minimum player who might be able to play. That's a risk I'm willing to take... IMO.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Ok, for those of you who don't know anything about Skita ---- He is not a center. He probably can't play PF. The kid is a very tall SF.....

For someone I know you guys have seen, think the build of Zarko. He is not a backup bigman for this team, of course it wouldn't surprise me if he was used that way I guess....

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

ahh graham, where have you been...the voice of reason....

For some reason I havent been posting as much lately

 

[Chaplin]

Ok, for those of you who don't know anything about Skita ---- He is not a center. He probably can't play PF. The kid is a very tall SF.....

For someone I know you guys have seen, think the build of Zarko. He is not a backup bigman for this team, of course it wouldn't surprise me if he was used that way I guess....

He used to be that way, Andy. Not anymore. He's bulked himself up to be like a Nowitzki-sized player. He can easily play PF. And if Boris freaking Diaw can play center, Skita could as well (doesn't mean he will, but he certainly can).

 

[sunsfn]

Ok, for those of you who don't know anything about Skita ---- He is not a center. He probably can't play PF. The kid is a very tall SF.....

For someone I know you guys have seen, think the build of Zarko. He is not a backup bigman for this team, of course it wouldn't surprise me if he was used that way I guess....

graham,

I think he is bigger than Zarko, and stands upright (so to speak) also, he is a lot stronger.
We will have to wait and see, but that is what I remember watching him in the summer league games. (where he looked great)!

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Well that is defintely great if he bulked up! ( i knew he had about 2 inches on Zarko)

Still, I wouldn't consider him a center by any stretch - nor do I consider Boris one. Like I said, it is definitely possible the Suns could eventually put him in a lineup like that - it just isn't his position.

Even if he is Dirk sized (and his game is not like a PFs, he hates playing on the block) - has his game changed a bunch to include inside play? Has he bulked up enough to actually put a body on a banger down low?

I guess I need to go pull up video on him to check this out, at least I have a project for the day!

 

[Chaplin]

Well that is defintely great if he bulked up! ( i knew he had about 2 inches on Zarko)

Still, I wouldn't consider him a center by any stretch - nor do I consider Boris one. Like I said, it is definitely possible the Suns could eventually put him in a lineup like that - it just isn't his position.

Even if he is Dirk sized (and his game is not like a PFs, he hates playing on the block) - has his game changed a bunch to include inside play? Has he bulked up enough to actually put a body on a banger down low?

I guess I need to go pull up video on him to check this out, at least I have a project for the day!

Since when are positions cut and dry on the Suns?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Since when are positions cut and dry on the Suns?

Yah well....

 

[sunsfn]

Well that is defintely great if he bulked up! ( i knew he had about 2 inches on Zarko)

Still, I wouldn't consider him a center by any stretch - nor do I consider Boris one. Like I said, it is definitely possible the Suns could eventually put him in a lineup like that - it just isn't his position.

Even if he is Dirk sized (and his game is not like a PFs, he hates playing on the block) - has his game changed a bunch to include inside play? Has he bulked up enough to actually put a body on a banger down low?

I guess I need to go pull up video on him to check this out, at least I have a project for the day!

I think he will play both farwards spots.
The problem that Denver had is they expected him to play center, or at least Power forward and play inside, that is not his strength and it hurt his time there as a young 19 year old not only learning the NBA, but ajusting to the USA.

In one of the summer league games I watched, Snapper Jones the announcer said, If they would let this kid play his game instead of trying so hard to change him he could be a real player in this league.
(Something to that effect)

Lets hope for the best, this guy was rated very high by every team and he has come to the suns the cheapest way to get someone. If he can play off the bench this year and score a little and get a few rebounds because of his height, and hopefully guard someone with that height, the suns will have improved their team.

P.S. This guy is instant offense, not sure how his defense is at this point!

 

[jbeecham]

I've stayed out of this conversation simply because I haven't seen him play. If he's bulked up to 240 lbs then he will see time at C. The Suns love big guys that can shoot and this guy is young, tall and has enough untapped potential to be drafted 5th. The fact that we got him for a late 2nd rd pick is unbeliveable and even if he never does anything for us, it's still work the risk.....if you can even call it a risk.

Our system works wonders for guys who haven't shown much in the league and the fact that D'Antoni coached him in Italy gives me hope. I know his shooting % hasn't been good, but he should get some wide open 18-20 ft shots like Pat Burke has been getting. I think we needed a young project PF/C to develop because KT & Grant aren't going to be playing in the league for much longer (KT maybe 3 yrs, Grant may never be healthy enough to play).

 

[coloradosun]

I think the Nash effect will help Skita.

Nash helped turn Diaw into a good player. Diaw was drafted 21st overall, Skita was drafted 5th overall. So Nash should make Skita approximately 4 times as good as Diaw.

How does 46.4 points, 25.6 rebounds and 24 assists sound!?

But really, this is a good move for the Suns. At worst, its a handful of more fouls coming off the bench. He is also a big body to practice against. He'll probably compete w/ Pat Burke for garbage big man minutes. Maybe if he can show some improvement, some of our forwards can rest a few more minutes a game.

Nash could be the perfect player to bring something out of Skita. Who else knows how to make a 7'0 perimeter player productive. Dirk benefitted from having Nash around in his formative years, he could be able to give the players prospective versus the coaches perspective. I think both Nash and D'A will help Skita improve drasticly.

 

[Chaz]

Ok, for those of you who don't know anything about Skita ---- He is not a center. He probably can't play PF. The kid is a very tall SF.....

For someone I know you guys have seen, think the build of Zarko. He is not a backup bigman for this team, of course it wouldn't surprise me if he was used that way I guess....

If Diaw can start at center for this team I don't think Skita will be out of place in the Suns frontcourt.

Sure he is no starting center but how many actual centers do the Suns have right now anyway?

(answer: 0)

 

[Yuma]

Ok, for those of you who don't know anything about Skita ---- He is not a center. He probably can't play PF. The kid is a very tall SF.....

For someone I know you guys have seen, think the build of Zarko. He is not a backup bigman for this team, of course it wouldn't surprise me if he was used that way I guess....

Yep. I'm looking at it as Diaw is Amare's understudy, so to speak. This kid would spell Marion. We have shooting guards, so no sweat there. Now we need a young back up center, and a young back up PG. Then we're set!

 

[sunsfn]

Bryan Colangelo was interviewed by Gambo and Ash.

Regarding Skita, Bryan said it’s about next year as much as it is this year. He said if Skita gives them anything this year then it will be gravy. He sounded positive about him though, and thinks he can play multiple positions.

They did talk to Kiki -- when Skita was with the Nuggets -- about trading for him when he was still on his rookie contract.

Regarding Jim Jackson, he said he was given an opportunity a while back and didn’t have as much of an impact. Bryan thinks that part of that is because he isn’t getting the same open looks now with Amare out. He could be a factor down the road (when Amare comes back), but that’s not to say that they wouldn’t trade him. If the right deal came along they would trade him, but they want to be respectful to him. When Jimmy didn’t play in that blowout game he thinks D’Antoni asked him if he wanted to play, out of respect, and that Jimmy preferred not to play those garbage minutes (after being out of the rotation).

Regarding Amare, he said if anything, they are holding him back. Bryan said they are still looking at sometime after the All-Star game, but that’s not to say that it’s definitely sometime in February or March.

He spoke about House probably opting out of his contract. He said the way they could keep him is to use part of the MLE. However, he said there are financial concerns, and they are not going to be a luxury tax payer. If a deal is reasonable then they would like to do it.

He was asked about Jalen Rose (because Tim Legler had mentioned him on a previous show) and Bryan brought up how much money he makes and said that they wouldn’t be interested in him for various reasons.

He was asked about Babcock being fired and Bryan mentioned a couple of positive things he thought he did (he said the Suns liked Calderon, and he thinks Mike James was a good acquisition).

Bryan said he’s been the GM for 11 years, and when he was hired Jerry told him “OK, your first item of business is to trade Barkley.” Bryan said “Thanks a lot.”

 

[boisesuns]

House might opt out huh? So he can bounce around the NBA for a couple more years? This is the system for him.

 

[Yuma]

House might opt out huh? So he can bounce around the NBA for a couple more years? This is the system for him.

It was mentioned earlier. I think BC wants him longer term. So there SHOULD be a mutual thing done with House's agent. Like BC said, as long as it's not crazy.

 

[boisesuns]

It was mentioned earlier. I think BC wants him longer term. So there SHOULD be a mutual thing done with House's agent. Like BC said, as long as it's not crazy.

Makes sense. I hope House can realize he's done the best here as a sun. He deserves a pay raise, but maybe playing with Amare would be good enough

 

[F-Dog]

As I've been saying, there's a 100% chance Eddie House is gone after this year. Remember how the Steven Hunter business played out?



Interesting recap from Gambo and Ash, sunsfn. I had been thinking that Skita was a sort of gift for D'Antoni, but it sounds like there's been consistent interest in him from BC and the front office.

I wonder why the Suns didn't make a stronger push for Skita over the summer.