Who would you take?

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Joe Mama


Sofoklis Schortsanitis (only if his midrange shot is as good as reported on NBADraft.net. If it is, I doubt he is around that #17 anyways)

Joe Mama

I don't get it. What makes Sofoklis a much better pick than Zarko?

 

[slinslin]

How about his body?
He has monster arms and as he said he is hardly lifting any weigths. If he starts doing that he will make Karl Malone look like a child.

Sofoklis turns 18 today, Zarko is more than 4 years older and hasn't develloped his body at all.

And as Frank Johnson said Sofoklis is so big he should be able to set great picks which is pretty important for our offense.

I would take Sofoklis and play him alongside Amare. He is 6'10 in shoes with a 7'4 wingspan at 17 years old. I can't predict how much he still grows or if at all. But gernerally males grow until they are 21 or something like that I think.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
I don't get it. What makes Sofoklis a much better pick than Zarko?

Apples and oranges. They are completely different players. According to most of the reports Zarko is a power forward who isn't tough enough, big enough, or strong enough to play power forward in the NBA or a small forward who isn't athletic enough or quick enough to play small forward in the NBA. It scares me that even the Phoenix Suns own European scout did not seem very impressed with him.

Suns.com: There have been some rumors linking the Suns and Yugoslavian forward Zarko Cabarkapa after he came in for a visit. We just read that he may choose to stay in Europe for one year because his mother is ill. Do you have any updated information on that?

Shea: I would have to pick up my phone and call my contacts in Yugoslavia, but even then, a lot of things happen. My philosophy is ask no questions and you won’t tell me any lies. These are things that could be possible. He’s an interesting kid. He’s good on our board, but there are other kids on our board that I really like personally. Maybe not what the team may or may not need. We are still talking about it. We had a meeting (Tuesday). We have another meeting (Friday) right after the deadline to pull out. We’ve got a lot of meetings. I think it’s evolving in a good way.

I thought the Suns planned to bring in Barbosa for a workout. I know Bryan Colangelo mentioned him on the radio the other day as a possibility. I wouldn't be disappointed if they took him.

Joe Mama

 

[Joe Mama]

Portland is reportedly listening to offers for Rasheed Wallace. Orlando, Boston and Phoenix have picks after Seattle and have each expressed a desire to move up in the draft.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/135051035_sonidraft220.html

What player has the Suns wanting to move up in the draft? Or is this just the Suns trying to confuse other teams?

Joe Mama

 

[PhxGametime]

Zarko Cabarkapa has got to be better than these scouting reports if Suns are thinking of moving up (or smokescreen) - I can't think of many players to move up for need for 12th and 14th pick, with:

Stoudemire
Marion
Hardaway
Marbury

Johnson

Starters are set there with Johnson backing up 3 positions, Kaman worth it? and at PF - Lampe, Collison, Cabarkapa could be possible (Sweetney and Schortsanitis don't have perimeter shooting to spread offense?) but can all 3 defend 4 position?

 

[elindholm]

The Suns have a very athletic team right now. In my opinion, they can afford to take someone whose athleticism may not be all that great, but who has skills to compensate.

Is Cook that kind of player? It sounds like he might be sort of a poor man's Drew Gooden -- for those who have seen him play, is that at all accurate? Gooden was considered soft and a tweener and was downgraded for being a college senior, but he started looking pretty darn good in Orlando.

Just looking at the numbers, I don't see problems with his desire. He didn't seem to "take games off" for Illinois last season (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=734), scoring at least 15 points in all but three games, and getting at least 4 rebounds in all but two. And his free-throw shooting has improved a lot since his freshman year (nbadraft.net).

I haven't seen any of these players play, but I'm leaning toward Cook.

 

[slinslin]

He hasn't develloped his body. He finished last in almost every category of the strength/quickness tests.
From a college senior I would expect to come in with a body that is a little more NBA ready than his is.

For someone who is listed 6'11 7.6 rebounds per game and 0.4bpg in college is pretty pathetic in my opinion, as a senior! He had more than 1 block only once in the entire season.

His team wasn't exactly good either.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by elindholm
The Suns have a very athletic team right now. In my opinion, they can afford to take someone whose athleticism may not be all that great, but who has skills to compensate.

Is Cook that kind of player? It sounds like he might be sort of a poor man's Drew Gooden -- for those who have seen him play, is that at all accurate? Gooden was considered soft and a tweener and was downgraded for being a college senior, but he started looking pretty darn good in Orlando.

Just looking at the numbers, I don't see problems with his desire. He didn't seem to "take games off" for Illinois last season (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=734), scoring at least 15 points in all but three games, and getting at least 4 rebounds in all but two. And his free-throw shooting has improved a lot since his freshman year (nbadraft.net).

I haven't seen any of these players play, but I'm leaning toward Cook.

In Orlando's system, Gooden is the #2 option besides McGrady and is basically the only decent frontcourt player on that team. Even IF Cook was similar, the situations themselves eliminate any chance that Brian Cook will look anything like Gooden.

Brian Cook is way, way down my list. There's no question he has talent, but give me David West anyday before Brian Cook.

 

[elindholm]

Brian Cook is way, way down my list. There's no question he has talent, but give me David West anyday before Brian Cook.

Whoever the player is, he won't be a primary option for the Suns. I'm not expecting anyone to put up Gooden-like numbers. I was just wondering about the similarities of their bodies and games.

The thing that worries me about West is that he says he won't play small forward. (Check his interview on the Suns site.) He probably isn't big enough to be effective at power forward, at least not on a consistent basis, so I get the sense that his value in a team rotation is going to be pretty minimal. With Stoudemire on the roster, what use do the Suns really have for someone who will play 10 minutes a game as the backup power forward, and not do anything else?

At least Cook would bring a perimeter threat and could be used in a variety of different lineups. And, as Joe Mama says, he may not be a super athlete, but I'll bet he can run circles around Cabarkapa.

 

[slinslin]

West measured in at the same height as Stoudemire did last year.
He is also stronger than Cook and quicker.

Cook is a bad athlete

Drew Gooden is an excellent athlete with exceptional quickness for his size and a good vertical.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by elindholm


The thing that worries me about West is that he says he won't play small forward. (Check his interview on the Suns site.) He probably isn't big enough to be effective at power forward, at least not on a consistent basis, so I get the sense that his value in a team rotation is going to be pretty minimal. With Stoudemire on the roster, what use do the Suns really have for someone who will play 10 minutes a game as the backup power forward, and not do anything else?

I wouldn't take much stock into him saying he won't play small forward. He's still a kid and thinks that the NBA will be the same size he played against in college. He's going to have a rude awakening.

At least Cook would bring a perimeter threat and could be used in a variety of different lineups. And, as Joe Mama says, he may not be a super athlete, but I'll bet he can run circles around Cabarkapa.

There is nothing to substantiate such a claim, unless you're going entirely on what slin has been saying.

 

[elindholm]

Well, for these particular circumstances, I'd rather have a non-athlete who can at least score and pass than an athlete that can't/won't do anything to help the team. That's all I'm really saying.

 

[elindholm]

I wouldn't take much stock into him saying he won't play small forward. He's still a kid and thinks that the NBA will be the same size he played against in college. He's going to have a rude awakening.

I agree, but the scouting reports -- not that they necessarily mean anything, but we don't have much to go on -- say things like "Doesn't have the ball handling or perimeter skills to play the SF position" and "Defensively his lateral quickness could make him a liability against athletic forwards" (both from nbadraft.net).

There is nothing to substantiate such a claim

Every scouting report says that Cabarkapa needs to add a lot of muscle. I don't know if they're right, but it seems unlikely that they would all be wrong.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by elindholm

There is nothing to substantiate such a claim

Every scouting report says that Cabarkapa needs to add a lot of muscle. I don't know if they're right, but it seems unlikely that they would all be wrong.

I read that as simply him needing some muscle. But Kevin Garnett could use some muscle too, but he's athletic. I don't think the fact that he doesn't have as much muscle as we'd like makes him unathletic. In fact, it could be the opposite.

 

[elindholm]

I read that as simply him needing some muscle. But Kevin Garnett could use some muscle too, but he's athletic. I don't think the fact that he doesn't have as much muscle as we'd like makes him unathletic.

Look, I'd love to have Cabarkapa on the team if he's all that he sounds like he could be. But these things just don't sound too appealing to me:

Needs to improve on gaining lateral quickness defensively as quick players can trouble him ... While he has great height he is not much of a rebounder due in part to him often being out of position and lacking body strength ... Not a big fan of physical contact ... Can become frustrated when contact occurs ...

And so on. I don't think too many of those things would have been said about Garnett.

Similar things are said about Cook, but the language isn't nearly as strong, nor as consistently focused on his lack of athleticism. In other words, some of the negatives about Cook have to do with his allegedly questionable desire, which doesn't concern me that much given how set he seems to be on proving people wrong.

 

[Joe Mama]

I have to admit that I'm starting to have trouble following exactly who we are describing in each of these posts. Having watched West and Cook and based on what I've read about Zarko I'd say each of these guys is going to have a little trouble keeping an athletic small forward in front of him. Actually West is probably the most athletic of three.

I think David West will do just fine on the inside in the NBA. I watched him several times last season for Xavier, and he was very good at creating space and scoring around the basket with those long arms. He's also a very, very good rebounder with a nose for the ball. I honestly believe he could come in next season and average at least 10 points, 7 rebounds off the bench.

Joe Mama

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by slinslin


I don't really want a SF anyway. Joe Johnson can get the backup minutes at SF. 'I want a big guy or a PG.

I can agree with that 100%

In fact I dont even want a PG out of the draft, I would much rather sign a vet PG. Even if its that short guy from the Warriors! (Brain fart about his name) But that dood was one big spark plug! And the Fans here in Phoenis would LOVE that little guy running around for 15 min's a game for us!

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by BEERZ
I can agree with that 100%

In fact I dont even want a PG out of the draft, I would much rather sign a vet PG. Even if its that short guy from the Warriors! (Brain fart about his name) But that dood was one big spark plug! And the Fans here in Phoenis would LOVE that little guy running around for 15 min's a game for us!

So instead we have to go another year of you guys complaining about Shawn's minutes? "Oh, but we have Joe Johnson!" Well, we had JJ last year and it still didn't deflect the fact that Shawn Marion was #3 in the league in minutes per game.

 

[elindholm]

Well, we had JJ last year and it still didn't deflect the fact that Shawn Marion was #3 in the league in minutes per game.

That's because when Johnson was at small forward, Marion shifted over to power forward.

I'm not too concerned about Marion's minutes. It was more of an issue last season because he had also played in the World Championships. But some players are fine going 40 minutes a game all season.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
So instead we have to go another year of you guys complaining about Shawn's minutes? "Oh, but we have Joe Johnson!" Well, we had JJ last year and it still didn't deflect the fact that Shawn Marion was #3 in the league in minutes per game.

I agree. It's imperative that they get a) someone who can back up at the 3, b) a good shooter who can play at the 2 so Johnson can spend some time at the 3, c) Casey Jacobsen improves dramatically so he can be the guy taking the minutes at the 2. Part of the problem last year was that Penny Hardaway went down for a good part of the season.

Actually if they can just get someone to score off the bench it should help with Marbury's and Marion's minutes. Without those guys in the lineup last year the Suns really struggled to score any points.

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

They could álso get a backup PG that would also allow Joe Johnson to get more minutes at backup SF.

They could also get another big guy and play less small lineups allowing Marbury and Marion to rest a little more.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by slinslin
They could álso get a backup PG that would also allow Joe Johnson to get more minutes at backup SF.

They could also get another big guy and play less small lineups allowing Marbury and Marion to rest a little more.

I definitely would like a backup PG--but not in this draft. Rookie free agent, or vet free agent, I don't care, I just don't want to draft a Point Guard. A lot of people like Barbosa, but I still think we can address a more pressing need at 17.

 

[elindholm]

Rookie free agent, or vet free agent, I don't care, I just don't want to draft a Point Guard. A lot of people like Barbosa, but I still think we can address a more pressing need at 17.

I agree. Basically any competent player will help the Phoenix rotation, except maybe a pure SG who can't play any other position. If it's a swingman, that eases some of the burden on Marion. If it's a PG, Hardaway can rest more. If it's a PF/C type, that gives Stoudemire more chance to rest (if he wants it). Given how flexible the Suns are with their lineups anyway, it doesn't really matter what the position of the new player is, so long as it fits with what the Suns already have.

 

[Joe Mama]

I think if the Phoenix Suns want a shooter off the bench they should try desperately to get Steve Smith here with the veteran minimum. In 2001-02 Smith shot over 47% from behind the arc. I know he's a liability in a man-to-man defense, but put him in at the right time and he would really help the Suns.

Also, Steve Smith is a model citizen. He would be a wonderful addition to the Phoenix Suns clubhouse.

What do you think?

Joe

 

[fordronken]

Steve Smith is a great shooter(although I haven't seen him take a shot in quite some time), but that is the one position that we are really jammed at, unless he were able to back up Marion at key moments.