With the 4th pick, the Phoenix Suns Select

[JCSunsfan]

First off, Qi was top 10 prior to the season in some of the projections (or at least one). And a star from China is the NBA's version of the Holy Grail. If there's any reason to believe he has a future, even an average future, someone's going to grab him in the early 20's IMO. Let's face it, most players drafted in that area are marginal NBA prospects anyway. But we'll see.

If he can develop, its like drafting a boatload of money.

 

[AzStevenCal]

How is that simplified? Unless you can show me a trend of players who overall struggled at rebounding and became good rebounders at the next level it's quantified...not simplified.

The point was it rarely happens. If one of the main reasons you want to draft him is hoping that he becomes a great rebounder....it's flawed thinking.

The one thing in his favor is that he doesn't know how to play the game, he's not very far into his development. And he's a good offensive rebounder so he has the ability to get the ball, he just has no defensive awareness yet.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If he can develop, its like drafting a boatload of money.

Correct. Teams are going to try and talk themselves into him.

 

[sunsfan88]

Bender at 4 is not bad. They have Ellenson going at 15 which sounds about right to me. I really like Joe Chee for a flyer late in the first round.

I think I'd take Jaylen Brown over Bender at #4.

 

[Covert Rain]

The one thing in his favor is that he doesn't know how to play the game, he's not very far into his development. And he's a good offensive rebounder so he has the ability to get the ball, he just has no defensive awareness yet.

Maybe but guys typically excel at one or the other either because they find it easier to be active in offense sets and see the floor better or because they on defensive sets are better at positioning their bodies with their backs to the basket. It takes a really special player to be good at both.

 

[slinslin]

The one thing in his favor is that he doesn't know how to play the game, he's not very far into his development. And he's a good offensive rebounder so he has the ability to get the ball, he just has no defensive awareness yet.

Chriss has very good advanced defensive stats and is a good shotblocker.

His problem is not playing poor defense, he just fouled too much.

But the same can be said about Bender who fouls a lot also.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Chriss has very good advanced defensive stats and is a good shotblocker.

His problem is not playing poor defense, he just fouled too much.

But the same can be said about Bender who fouls a lot also.

I didn't say he played poor defense, I said he had no defensive awareness. And he doesn't. He's at least as lost at times as Len has been in his short career. As for Bender, all I've seen are clips and I really have no feel for what he is or can be. I really don't know how anyone can have a strong opinion one way or the other on Bender, he's had so few minutes on the court with which to gauge him by. I'd be worried about drafting simply because he's such an unknown.

 

[GatorAZ]

There is raw and then there's Marquese Chriss. He's years away from contributing at the NBA level. I would still take him at 13 because i believe drafting high ceiling guys and having them pan out is the most realistic way to get a star these days. I'm in no hurry for this team to be really good either. Some ppl don't have the stomach to be patient though...

 

[Mainstreet]

Maybe Chriss can excel on offense with time but I can see him getting crushed on the defensive boards. He has a narrow frame which may limit his upside. I'd prefer a wider body at PF. I view him as a long term project much like Bender and Labissiere.

This is what draws me towards players like Ellenson, Davis or even Sabonis. The best option might be for the Suns to trade out of the 4th position because I do not see any sure picks.

See the video from DraftExpress on Chriss' weaknesses to see what I mean.

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[AzStevenCal]

There is raw and then there's Marquese Chriss. He's years away from contributing at the NBA level. I would still take him at 13 because i believe drafting high ceiling guys and having them pan out is the most realistic way to get a star these days. I'm in no hurry for this team to be really good either. Some ppl don't have the stomach to be patient though...

He might not even be there at 4. IMO if you think he has boom potential enough to take at 13, you might as well take him at 4 because there's no chance he'll be there at your next selection. And I just don't like any of the "safe" picks projected in this lottery with the possible exception of Ellenson. If they think conditioning can improve his lateral quickness and give him a little explosion, he's the safest lottery pick out there IMO. But that's a big "if".

 

[slinslin]

Just watched the Chriss interview on Draftexpress and he comes across thoughtful and really grounded and down to earth.

I pray Boston does not screw us over.

 

[Mainstreet]

He might not even be there at 4. IMO if you think he has boom potential enough to take at 13, you might as well take him at 4 because there's no chance he'll be there at your next selection. And I just don't like any of the "safe" picks projected in this lottery with the possible exception of Ellenson. If they think conditioning can improve his lateral quickness and give him a little explosion, he's the safest lottery pick out there IMO. But that's a big "if".

I agree about Ellenson. He may never be a star but I think he will have a solid NBA career. Drafting at #4, you don't want to miss on a player.

 

[Mainstreet]

Just watched the Chriss interview on Draftexpress and he comes across thoughtful and really grounded and down to earth.

I pray Boston does not screw us over.

I can see Boston wanting a pick from the Suns to move up to #3 or doing another trade that messes everything up. Something like the Suns trading #4 and the IT pick (#28) for #3 ... and McDonough doing it.

This would unravel me.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I can see Boston wanting a pick from the Suns to move up to #3 or doing another trade that messes everything up. Something like the Suns trading #4 and the IT pick (#28) for #3 ... and McDonough doing it.

This would unravel me.

In an average draft year, that's incredible value for us. But I can't see him doing it this season, there just doesn't appear to be a reason. Chriss has a high ceiling but so does Brown and they're both very risky. One of them will be there at 4 if we choose to gamble. And that's assuming we're not in love with someone like Bender or Murray or Hield or whoever. I see no reason to move up unless you think Simmons is a future superstar and want to take that gamble.

 

[Mainstreet]

In an average draft year, that's incredible value for us. But I can't see him doing it this season, there just doesn't appear to be a reason. Chriss has a high ceiling but so does Brown and they're both very risky. One of them will be there at 4 if we choose to gamble. And that's assuming we're not in love with someone like Bender or Murray or Hield or whoever. I see no reason to move up unless you think Simmons is a future superstar and want to take that gamble.

It's just a nightmare scenario, something I can visualize with Danny Ainge. McDonough's ties with Boston worry me a bit.

I think the Suns should stay put at #4 barring a trade for a PF.

 

[Mainstreet]

The once proud Suns... where have they gone?

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[AzStevenCal]

It's just a nightmare scenario, something I can visualize with Danny Ainge. McDonough's ties with Boston worry me a bit.

I think the Suns should stay put at #4 barring a trade for a PF.

Really? If all it costs us is the 28th pick it seems like a trivial matter to me. I don't like it simply because I don't see any reason to move up but then I'm (we're) dealing with a very small fraction of the information Ryan is sifting through. If there's a player he wants at 3 that might not be there at 4, giving up a bottom of the round pick is a flat out steal. If you really want to worry about it, switch to the 13 pick. IMO that's the minimum it would cost to move from 4 to 3.

 

[Mainstreet]

Really? If all it costs us is the 28th pick it seems like a trivial matter to me. I don't like it simply because I don't see any reason to move up but then I'm (we're) dealing with a very small fraction of the information Ryan is sifting through. If there's a player he wants at 3 that might not be there at 4, giving up a bottom of the round pick is a flat out steal. If you really want to worry about it, switch to the 13 pick. IMO that's the minimum it would cost to move from 4 to 3.

I don't see it in this draft. Maybe not even for #2 pick.

IMO, this is a depth draft. There will probably be some underrated players in this draft like a Rudy Gobert or a Paul Millsap that are better players than many chosen early.

I think there are some gems in this draft. The problem will be finding them.

 

[sunsfan88]

I can see Boston wanting a pick from the Suns to move up to #3 or doing another trade that messes everything up. Something like the Suns trading #4 and the IT pick (#28) for #3 ... and McDonough doing it.

This would unravel me.

So it's gonna end up looking like we traded IT, an all star PG, for absolutely nothing.

 

[sunsfan88]

He might not even be there at 4. IMO if you think he has boom potential enough to take at 13, you might as well take him at 4 because there's no chance he'll be there at your next selection. And I just don't like any of the "safe" picks projected in this lottery with the possible exception of Ellenson. If they think conditioning can improve his lateral quickness and give him a little explosion, he's the safest lottery pick out there IMO. But that's a big "if".

I don't see the fascination with Ellenson. He's about as unathletic as Kevin Love and he doesn't have the shooting ability that Love has (Ellenson shoots below 33% from 3pt).

Draft.net has him compared to Brian Scalibrine and Brian Cardinal. If that is actually an accurate comparison for him then no way he should be even considered drafting at #4 or even #13.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't see the fascination with Ellenson. He's about as unathletic as Kevin Love and he doesn't have the shooting ability that Love has (Ellenson shoots below 33% from 3pt).

Draft.net has him compared to Brian Scalibrine and Brian Cardinal. If that is actually an accurate comparison for him then no way he should be even considered drafting at #4 or even #13.

The two Brian comparisons are absurd IMO. But he is a little slow and lacks explosion and that will be a problem at the next level. Which is why I said I'd do it if we were convinced that getting him into better shape would improve those two things. He has a lot of body fat so it's quite possible that's the case. But if I thought we could get a fat guy skinny I'd find a way to get Sullinger from Boston instead.

 

[slinslin]

There is raw and then there's Marquese Chriss. He's years away from contributing at the NBA level. I would still take him at 13 because i believe drafting high ceiling guys and having them pan out is the most realistic way to get a star these days. I'm in no hurry for this team to be really good either. Some ppl don't have the stomach to be patient though...

Oh please.. If Chriss is raw than there are almost only raw players in the draft.

At least Chriss has a good jumpshot already and advanced perimeter skills for a PF.

Someone like Cheick Diallo is raw. Chriss is pretty polished offensively for a freshman.

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[slinslin]

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Anyone else think Kris Dunn talks like Kobe Bryant? MAybe I am mixing up things now but he reminds me of someone.

Wouldn't be surprised if half a year from now a lot of experts are eating crow about how good or bad this draft class actually is. I remember last year they were not high about the draft either and Karl Anthony Towns was not even regarded as the clear #1 pick for a long time.

 

[Mainstreet]

So it's gonna end up looking like we traded IT, an all star PG, for absolutely nothing.

This would be the worst case scenario.

I'd like the Suns to treat the 28th pick like it has some value... like IT did.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't see the fascination with Ellenson. He's about as unathletic as Kevin Love and he doesn't have the shooting ability that Love has (Ellenson shoots below 33% from 3pt).

Draft.net has him compared to Brian Scalibrine and Brian Cardinal. If that is actually an accurate comparison for him then no way he should be even considered drafting at #4 or even #13.

You might find reading the review on DraftExpress for more informative. He is a big body and he is excellent at handling the ball. I think his shot will improve with time. Also he is not a finished product at 19.