Seventh pick awaits June 24 NBA Draft for Phoenix
Suns Pre-Draft Workouts Resume
By Steven Koek, Suns.com
Posted: June 16, 2004
The Suns pre-draft workout schedule resumed Wednesday at the America West Arena practice floor, headlined by Stanford forward Josh Childress. A full contingent of Suns brass was on hand to watch the coaching staff put Childress through a spirited two-hour session with forwards Damir Omerhodzic of Croatia, UCLA’s Trevor Ariza and Zbigniew Bialek of Poland.
With the draft just nine days away, Head Coach Mike D’Antoni admitted that while the list of desired players is still being narrowed, adjusted and tweaked, the Suns are content with where they are in the decision-making procedure.
“We’ve got four or five names that we’re confident in,” he said. “We’re not down to one yet. Everyone has their opinions today, but that’ll change tomorrow and the next day. We wait and see where the draft is going to go and see if our guy is there. We have to have four or five guys on the board we like to be comfortable with the process.”
Childress’ draft stock has been up and down since he declared for the draft after playing two seasons for the Cardinal. Working out in person for teams has given the Los Angeles native opportunities to showcase his strengths and turn opinions around on perceived deficiencies.
“I’d hoped I could come in here and prove guys wrong,” he said, “and prove to these teams that I’m stronger than they expected, I’m more athletic than they expected, and I can play in the open court, which is something I didn’t get to do a whole lot at Stanford. I think that’s why my stock has risen. I’ve been able to show that I can play in a fast-break system and I can handle pressure. I can bang with guys. I can do all those things that were always considered my weaknesses.”
Former Cardinal standout and current Suns guard Casey Jacobsen watched his fellow Stanford product’s workout and even though the two never played together in college, Jacobsen’s connection to the Pac-10 school did come in handy as Childress prepared for his pre-draft workout tour of NBA facilities.
“Casey’s recruiting me,” Childress joked. “He actually has been very helpful in this process. He had a list of what every team does to put you through their workouts that he had drawn up for the guys the year before and the (Stanford) coaches had saved it. It was very helpful. He broke everything down, told you what to expect and what not to expect during the process. He was really helpful in that regard. It was a big time cheat sheet.”
With the increase in the number of high school and international players flooding into the draft, Childress feels that his two years at a major college program could play a factor as teams evaluate his potential to contribute at the NBA level.
“I think they’re interested in someone who can come in right away and contribute,” the articulate and laid back Childress said. “Someone who can assimilate to the culture of the NBA. I think that’s a definite plus in my favor. I’ve had three years of college. I’ve matured as a person. I’ve learned to see through people’s motive and see what they really want, which some of these high school players might not be able to do.”
“He was impressive,” said future minority investor Steve Kerr. “He’s got long arms. I think his wingspan is over seven feet. He reminds me of Tayshaun Prince, just the body and the legs. He’s an excellent shooter. He was a great college player and I think he’s going to have a very good NBA career.”
While Childress claims the workouts themselves have been relatively stress-free, the actual draft will be a different story.
“There is nothing definite in this draft,” he said. “Some of these teams could trade. Orlando could trade, Chicago could trade, the Clippers could trade, there’s no definite pick. Last year, Cleveland was for sure going to pick LeBron James. There was a definite one through five picks, whereas this year it’s… Who knows?
“The most stressful thing about it is that you have no clue. You have no clue what these teams are thinking. Everybody’s going to tell you they’re interested in you and that they think you’ll be a good fit here, but you don’t know.”
Although he does not take much stock in the plethora of mock drafts permeating the Internet and elsewhere, Childress has been projected as high as being drafted as high as fourth and as low as 10th. He is anticipating being asked to attend the draft in New York next week.
“You kind of have to take that with a grain of salt,” he said. “I am more interested in what the GMs, the owners and the head coaches are telling me, and my representative, as opposed to what these mock drafts say. They don’t know, just like I don’t know. We’ll all find out June 24.
“They sent out invitations yesterday and I’m hoping that I got one at my house. I’ve got my suit all picked out. Low key, conservative. Nothing too flashy.”
Ariza is standing by his decision to enter himself in the NBA Draft after one season at UCLA, despite there being a general consensus that the 18-year-old would benefit from a year or two more of college action.
“Ideally he needs a couple of years of school,” Kerr admitted. “For whatever reason he’s in the draft. I’m sure someone will take him just because of his potential, but at this point he’s got a ways to go experience-wise and knowledge-wise, but an interesting prospect.”
“It’s been an experience,” Ariza said. “I’ve enjoyed it because I got to see different places, different things and see how teams do stuff, so that’s cool.
“I think I’m ready (for the NBA). If I can get a little stronger, I think I can be a pretty good player. I can see the floor really well. I’m not a selfish player. It’s fun to help assist other people score. I’m a team player.”
Family circumstances edged Omerhodzic to declare for the draft without the benefit of being able to complete the developmental process on basketball fundamentals. The 6-10 18-year-old has been making the rounds in the pre-draft workout circuit, however, and has made a favorable impression as being a future prospect able to consistently contribute at the NBA level.
“Damir is good,” D’Antoni said. “He’s just a ways away. He’s 18. It’ll take him awhile, but he’ll be fine. Trevor is going to be a good player, but it’ll be a few years.”
Omerhodzic, a former teammate in Sweden with Suns center Maciej Lampe, has enjoyed his whirlwind tour around the NBA, even if it sometimes takes a while to remember where he is. “It was a good workout,” he said. “It was the same as everywhere, but I liked it. I’ve worked out with everyone. Over 20 NBA teams so far. I don’t know where I am or what day it is (laughs).”
---------------------------------
There are several workout interviews there and also about Scott Williams.
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/report_040616.html
Suns Pre-Draft Workouts Resume
By Steven Koek, Suns.com
Posted: June 16, 2004
The Suns pre-draft workout schedule resumed Wednesday at the America West Arena practice floor, headlined by Stanford forward Josh Childress. A full contingent of Suns brass was on hand to watch the coaching staff put Childress through a spirited two-hour session with forwards Damir Omerhodzic of Croatia, UCLA’s Trevor Ariza and Zbigniew Bialek of Poland.
With the draft just nine days away, Head Coach Mike D’Antoni admitted that while the list of desired players is still being narrowed, adjusted and tweaked, the Suns are content with where they are in the decision-making procedure.
“We’ve got four or five names that we’re confident in,” he said. “We’re not down to one yet. Everyone has their opinions today, but that’ll change tomorrow and the next day. We wait and see where the draft is going to go and see if our guy is there. We have to have four or five guys on the board we like to be comfortable with the process.”
Childress’ draft stock has been up and down since he declared for the draft after playing two seasons for the Cardinal. Working out in person for teams has given the Los Angeles native opportunities to showcase his strengths and turn opinions around on perceived deficiencies.
“I’d hoped I could come in here and prove guys wrong,” he said, “and prove to these teams that I’m stronger than they expected, I’m more athletic than they expected, and I can play in the open court, which is something I didn’t get to do a whole lot at Stanford. I think that’s why my stock has risen. I’ve been able to show that I can play in a fast-break system and I can handle pressure. I can bang with guys. I can do all those things that were always considered my weaknesses.”
Former Cardinal standout and current Suns guard Casey Jacobsen watched his fellow Stanford product’s workout and even though the two never played together in college, Jacobsen’s connection to the Pac-10 school did come in handy as Childress prepared for his pre-draft workout tour of NBA facilities.
“Casey’s recruiting me,” Childress joked. “He actually has been very helpful in this process. He had a list of what every team does to put you through their workouts that he had drawn up for the guys the year before and the (Stanford) coaches had saved it. It was very helpful. He broke everything down, told you what to expect and what not to expect during the process. He was really helpful in that regard. It was a big time cheat sheet.”
With the increase in the number of high school and international players flooding into the draft, Childress feels that his two years at a major college program could play a factor as teams evaluate his potential to contribute at the NBA level.
“I think they’re interested in someone who can come in right away and contribute,” the articulate and laid back Childress said. “Someone who can assimilate to the culture of the NBA. I think that’s a definite plus in my favor. I’ve had three years of college. I’ve matured as a person. I’ve learned to see through people’s motive and see what they really want, which some of these high school players might not be able to do.”
“He was impressive,” said future minority investor Steve Kerr. “He’s got long arms. I think his wingspan is over seven feet. He reminds me of Tayshaun Prince, just the body and the legs. He’s an excellent shooter. He was a great college player and I think he’s going to have a very good NBA career.”
While Childress claims the workouts themselves have been relatively stress-free, the actual draft will be a different story.
“There is nothing definite in this draft,” he said. “Some of these teams could trade. Orlando could trade, Chicago could trade, the Clippers could trade, there’s no definite pick. Last year, Cleveland was for sure going to pick LeBron James. There was a definite one through five picks, whereas this year it’s… Who knows?
“The most stressful thing about it is that you have no clue. You have no clue what these teams are thinking. Everybody’s going to tell you they’re interested in you and that they think you’ll be a good fit here, but you don’t know.”
Although he does not take much stock in the plethora of mock drafts permeating the Internet and elsewhere, Childress has been projected as high as being drafted as high as fourth and as low as 10th. He is anticipating being asked to attend the draft in New York next week.
“You kind of have to take that with a grain of salt,” he said. “I am more interested in what the GMs, the owners and the head coaches are telling me, and my representative, as opposed to what these mock drafts say. They don’t know, just like I don’t know. We’ll all find out June 24.
“They sent out invitations yesterday and I’m hoping that I got one at my house. I’ve got my suit all picked out. Low key, conservative. Nothing too flashy.”
Ariza is standing by his decision to enter himself in the NBA Draft after one season at UCLA, despite there being a general consensus that the 18-year-old would benefit from a year or two more of college action.
“Ideally he needs a couple of years of school,” Kerr admitted. “For whatever reason he’s in the draft. I’m sure someone will take him just because of his potential, but at this point he’s got a ways to go experience-wise and knowledge-wise, but an interesting prospect.”
“It’s been an experience,” Ariza said. “I’ve enjoyed it because I got to see different places, different things and see how teams do stuff, so that’s cool.
“I think I’m ready (for the NBA). If I can get a little stronger, I think I can be a pretty good player. I can see the floor really well. I’m not a selfish player. It’s fun to help assist other people score. I’m a team player.”
Family circumstances edged Omerhodzic to declare for the draft without the benefit of being able to complete the developmental process on basketball fundamentals. The 6-10 18-year-old has been making the rounds in the pre-draft workout circuit, however, and has made a favorable impression as being a future prospect able to consistently contribute at the NBA level.
“Damir is good,” D’Antoni said. “He’s just a ways away. He’s 18. It’ll take him awhile, but he’ll be fine. Trevor is going to be a good player, but it’ll be a few years.”
Omerhodzic, a former teammate in Sweden with Suns center Maciej Lampe, has enjoyed his whirlwind tour around the NBA, even if it sometimes takes a while to remember where he is. “It was a good workout,” he said. “It was the same as everywhere, but I liked it. I’ve worked out with everyone. Over 20 NBA teams so far. I don’t know where I am or what day it is (laughs).”
---------------------------------
There are several workout interviews there and also about Scott Williams.
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/report_040616.html
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