Who will the Suns draft at #13?

[Phrazbit]

Does Anthony Davis have a brother?

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are terrible at drafting big men. Is their a PG worthy of being drafted at #13?

It also makes sense with Nash's career winding down and the chance he might leave as a FA.

 

[Gaddabout]

Yeah, that was horrible. The Suns' chances then were around 63%, if I remember correctly.

Did someone say something about a coin flip?

I remember the Spurs taking a dive when there was NO WAY anyone could be worse than the Suns. It was criminal and against the competitive spirit of the NBA. They got David Robinson. We got the (late) Armon Gilliam. Just like Kareem/Walk. We get a decent player, they get an all-timer. Thirty days later Nick Vanos dies in a plane crash.

Ugh. This topic gives me heartburn. It's JUST NOT FAIR!

 

[JCSunsfan]

I like PJones3. His athleticism and skill set are a great combo. He has been playing out of place in college at the 5. He is an nba 3.

 

[hcsilla]

Perry Jones didn't play C at Baylor, Quincy Acy did.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I guess Chad Ford and nba scouts don't know what they are watching then. This article has a quote from a Chad Ford Insider article.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews...nba-gms-say-perry-jones-iii-played-out-o.html

One NBA GM told Ford that Jones needs to play his position.

"He really has the game of a 2-guard or a small forward," the GM told Ford. "Baylor used him as a center for the past two years, so you rarely got to see him comfortable. It's like, what if UConn had tried to play Rudy Gay at the 5? I think people would've had a very different opinion of him on draft night.

"Players are who they think they are, not who you think they are," the GM said. "Perry Jones thinks like a point guard, not a big man. That's where his heart is. Embrace that and he's going to be amazing. Fight it and he could be a huge disappointment."

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I disagree. After carefully watching several games, I'm sold on Sullinger. Rebounding is one thing that always translates from college to NBA. He has a really nice low-post game too.

I know he will not be a star, but he will be a SOLID power forward in the NBA.

And he has good touch from 18 feet. I see Kurt Thomas when I see Sullinger.

 

[hcsilla]

I guess Chad Ford and nba scouts don't know what they are watching then.

Exactly, they don't, since Baylor's center was Quincy Acy most of the time.

 

[jagu]

And he has good touch from 18 feet. I see Kurt Thomas when I see Sullinger.

If he has a good touch from 18 feet, he'll probably be taught to shoot further out and slowly evolve into yet another Channing Frye.

 

[Mainstreet]

If he has a good touch from 18 feet, he'll probably be taught to shoot further out and slowly evolve into yet another Channing Frye.

The Suns already have a Channing Frye clone in Markieff Morris.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

I'm praying we get a lucky break for the first time in franchise history.

 

[SirStefan32]

If he has a good touch from 18 feet, he'll probably be taught to shoot further out and slowly evolve into yet another Channing Frye.

While humorous, that's not really a fair statement. Sullinger actually has a very nice low-post game. If you leave him open around the free throw line, he will take that shot, but he is not going to stand there and wait.

He is 6'9, 280lb, and he knows it. He is a textbook "banger." He loves to be in the low post, doesn't shy away from contact, and he knows how to use his size to his advantage.

What really impressed me was just how "smart" he is. His basketball IQ is very high- he knows when to pass, when to do a spin move, when to do a hook shot, when to do a fade-away jumper, he knows where he needs to be when his PG is attacking the rim.

He needs to be more active on offense (setting up screens, mainly) and he needs to polish his game a bit- I'd like to see a bit more finesse.

I really think that with proper coaching, this kid can become the next Kevin Love.

EDIT:
His pick and roll defense is not good, and his weight is a concern.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

While humorous, that's not really a fair statement. Sullinger actually has a very nice low-post game. If you leave him open around the free throw line, he will take that shot, but he is not going to stand there and wait.

He is 6'9, 280lb, and he knows it. He is a textbook "banger." He loves to be in the low post, doesn't shy away from contact, and he knows how to use his size to his advantage.

What really impressed me was just how "smart" he is. His basketball IQ is very high- he knows when to pass, when to do a spin move, when to do a hook shot, when to do a fade-away jumper, he knows where he needs to be when his PG is attacking the rim.

He needs to be more active on offense (setting up screens, mainly) and he needs to polish his game a bit- I'd like to see a bit more finesse.

I really think that with proper coaching, this kid can become the next Kevin Love.

EDIT:
His pick and roll defense is not good, and his weight is a concern.

You and I were the only two people who thought Noah would be good too though. Everyone was concerned he wouldn't score enough.

 

[SunsTzu]

Exactly, they don't, since Baylor's center was Quincy Acy most of the time.

Yeah, that Chad Ford quote is just odd to say the least. I don't see PJIII being the guy he was projected to be in HS, wouldn't be surprised if his available when the Suns pick. If he does make an impact in the NBA it will be because he developed an interior game, don't see him ever having success at SF.

Of the players that could be available at 13 I like:

Damian Lillard
Jeremy Lamb
Terrence Ross
Meyers Leonard

In that order more or less, so it's pretty much guaranteed the Suns won't draft any of them.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You and I were the only two people who thought Noah would be good too though. Everyone was concerned he wouldn't score enough.

I thought he'd be good also.

I think Sullinger can be a solid player, but he doesn't have anywhere NEAR the offensive tools that Kevin Love did. That guy could shoot from distance, bang and was an INCREDIBLE passer.

 

[SirStefan32]

I thought he'd be good also.

I think Sullinger can be a solid player, but he doesn't have anywhere NEAR the offensive tools that Kevin Love did. That guy could shoot from distance, bang and was an INCREDIBLE passer.

I don't remember Love as a college player very well, so my assessment could be wrong, but I don't think Love had a very polished post game either. He had a much better shot, but I don't recall his low-post game being any better than Sullinger's.

Kevin Love is a pretty optimistic prediction/ comparison, but I really couldn't think of a better comparison. Solid power forward who can rebound, post up, shoot jumpers, play decent defense, and lacks athleticism, though that lack of athleticism is greatly exaggerated in the sports media.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Love has one of the highest basketball IQs I have ever seen. While Sullinger seems to be a very smart player, I think it's safe to assume he is not going to have the same basketball IQ as KLove.

It's likely that he will not be a star, or even an all-star, but I think that even in a worst-case scenario, he will develop into a SOLID starter.

 

[tobiazz]

I really think that with proper coaching, this kid can become the next Kevin Love.

Is this in the way that Clarence Weatherspoon could have been the next Charles Barkley?

EDIT: By the way, there's a documentary called Gunnin' for that #1 Spot, from 2008 that features Love, Beasley, Jennings, and more before they were drafted. Love was more mature and focused than Beasley. I don't remember how well he played, but I seem to recall him getting some respect from Beasley eventually.

 

[leclerc]

I'm okay with both Sullinger and Perry Jones. Looks like a solid draft this year. Hope we don't screw up.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You and I were the only two people who thought Noah would be good too though. Everyone was concerned he wouldn't score enough.

hey now, i was a big fan of noah as well. in fact, i wanted to draft him the year before they won their second championship. i loved the kid.

i'm also a fan of sullinger. while i don't think the love comparison is perfect, i understand the thought. sullinger will be a good position rebounder and i think he'll use his big posterior to his advantage in post-up situations.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would love to snag a pick in the last half of the first round. I think there are going to be some good players available there. Guys I would consider:

John Henson (incredibly long athletic shotblocker, great rebounder which translates well to the NBA. Runs the floor very well for 6-10, Marcus Camby type)
Marquis Teague
Doron Lamb
Royce White

 

[JCSunsfan]

So, many draft pages have us picking Austin Rivers, any thoughts.

If there is any position where smarts and skills outrank athletic ability, its the 2. Could he be great at the pro level, or is he just a Jimmer.

 

[Cheesebeef]

i'm gonna guess it's someone with an incredibly low ceiling who will likely make little to no impact whatsoever or at best be a marginal role player off the bench... you know... kinda like Robin Lopez, Earl Clark and Markieff Morris.

 

[SirStefan32]

So, many draft pages have us picking Austin Rivers, any thoughts.

If there is any position where smarts and skills outrank athletic ability, its the 2. Could he be great at the pro level, or is he just a Jimmer.

I think he has some potential. I'd prefer a proven, solid contributor (Sullinger) or someone with insanely high potential (Jones), but I am not going to be too upset if they get Rivers, though in my opinion, a classic shooting guards are easier to find and acquire through free agency than 6'11 SFs with incredible wingspan and athleticism, or solid rebounding power forwards are.
If Sullinger or Jones are available and they pick Austin, that will be a mistake.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think he has some potential. I'd prefer a proven, solid contributor (Sullinger) or someone with insanely high potential (Jones), but I am not going to be too upset if they get Rivers, though in my opinion, a classic shooting guards are easier to find and acquire through free agency than 6'11 SFs with incredible wingspan and athleticism, or solid rebounding power forwards are.
If Sullinger or Jones are available and they pick Austin, that will be a mistake.

What about John Henson? Seems to me he is also one with huge potential, alot like Jones. He has similar athleticism, just not similar skills. Henson averaged 14 and 10 though with nearly 3 blocked shots a game.

To me, Meyers Leanard is just another Lopez.

 

[SirStefan32]

What about John Henson? Seems to me he is also one with huge potential, alot like Jones. He has similar athleticism, just not similar skills. Henson averaged 14 and 10 though with nearly 3 blocked shots a game.

To me, Meyers Leanard is just another Lopez.

I like Hanson, but he is more of a thin power forward, and I was never a fan of those. Jones is more of a huge small forward. If the Suns get another pick (later pick in first round,) I'd like to see Hansen in Phoenix. If he can put on 20-25lb, I think he can be a good contributor.