With the 4th pick, the Phoenix Suns Select

[slinslin]

He doesn't clog the laneoffensively. Okafor is an athletic marvel for being 7 ft 270 lbs. Philly was just a mess.

His defensive metrics were identical to Anthony-Towns over the 2nd half of the season so he showed improvement. I like the idea of two immensely talented 19-20 year olds under contract for the next decade.

Okafor is 6'10 3/4 not 7'.

Okafor is barely taller than Marquese Chriss.

 

[leclerc]

Chriss is needle thin. Okafor has some meat on him at 270 lbs. Size is more than verticality.

Booker/Okafor/#6 *
Booker/#4 Bender/Warren
Booker/#4 Chriss/Warren

Interesting options to have on draft day.

*) Getting rid of Knight is a bonus.

I'm warming up to Bender after seeing the SI video. I like the potential of most projected picks at #4 and there seems to be nice options at #13 also. I can hardly wait.

 

[Chaplin]

At #4, I think I'm leaning Bender. I'm still very hesitant with Chriss, and my 2nd choice is solidly sitting on Jamal Murray. But he doesn't fill a need, so I am open to trading the pick for Okafor if Bender isn't there.

 

[slinslin]

Chriss is needle thin. Okafor has some meat on him at 270 lbs. Size is more than verticality.

.

Chriss is 6'10 233lbs

How is that needle thin? He is only 18 years old and his ideal playing weight is probably 240-250

btw: For now until at least summer league I will keep Chriss locked in as my absolute preference. He was my first intuition of who I really want on the Suns and I trust that.

18 years old, jumps out of the gym, seems like a smart kid, 6'10 233lbs.. really there is little not to like. His problems can be easily fixed, he is 18. I think he has the potential to be the next PF in the mold of Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Kemp, Blake Griffin... and I take that. Don't give me Stromile Swift or Tyrus Thomas comparisons, those are ridiculous. Those guys never had the talent to make advanced moves on offense like Chriss can.

 

[Covert Rain]

At #4, I think I'm leaning Bender. I'm still very hesitant with Chriss, and my 2nd choice is solidly sitting on Jamal Murray. But he doesn't fill a need, so I am open to trading the pick for Okafor if Bender isn't there.

I think I like Chriss/Jamal Murray but to me they really are 1a/1b type picks.

 

[elindholm]

What are the arguments for Bender over Chriss? Are we assuming Hield goes at #3?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

What are the arguments for Bender over Chriss? Are we assuming Hield goes at #3?

Projections for Boston are all over the place - it seems more and more likely that Chriss/Bender will be 3 and 4, and with both being so raw, you're really looking at 2 lottery tickets.

If the Suns aren't enamored with either, I'd be fine trading down for the right price.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Projections for Boston are all over the place - it seems more and more likely that Chriss/Bender will be 3 and 4, and with both being so raw, you're really looking at 2 lottery tickets.

If the Suns aren't enamored with either, I'd be fine trading down for the right price.

Yeah, agreed on all counts. If the front office is in love with one of those guys, then great. If not, try and find an offer that works. That's the trick though as I don't believe any of the upper echelon prospects are anywhere close to locks and that includes Simmons and Ingram. Simmons is the safest on talent alone but he might have the most warning signs of any of the top picks. Just about every lottery team has been rumored to be a possible trade-down partner.

I'm hoping that our scouts truly love Chriss or Bender, that's the best thing that can happen for us IMO. If it turns out that we are in love with a player but it's someone like Murray or Hield, that's the way we should go. But neither Murray nor Hield is going to plug the holes we really need plugged.

 

[leclerc]

Chriss looks to have a narrow frame looking at videos and photos. Not sure he can put on 250 lbs but I'm not an expert.

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos...hoots-free-throws-against-picture-id507813318

 

[GatorAZ]

Okafor is 6'10 3/4 not 7'.

Okafor is barely taller than Marquese Chriss.

Well that measurement was taken over 2 years ago but he's definitely not 7 ft. I was generalizing his size. I'm guessing he's 6'11" with shoes on.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Chriss looks to have a narrow frame looking at videos and photos. Not sure he can put on 250 lbs but I'm not an expert.

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos...hoots-free-throws-against-picture-id507813318

He does have a narrow frame, I don't see it as a concern. I'd be more concerned with the long neck if I were to latch onto anything in his measurements. But he'll go as far as his "head and heart" allow him to, it will be his effort level and his ability to learn that will determine whether he's a version of Gerald Green or the next big thing.

 

[Covert Rain]

He does have a narrow frame, I don't see it as a concern. I'd be more concerned with the long neck if I were to latch onto anything in his measurements. But he'll go as far as his "head and heart" allow him to, it will be his effort level and his ability to learn that will determine whether he's a version of Gerald Green or the next big thing.

Agree. I mean he could put on muscle with a good trainer but I have heard this before. Not that I am comparing him to any of these players talent wise but they said that about Penny and they said that about Durant. Even though they recognized their talent I heard repeatedly they couldn't play at the next level unless they put on weight.

Heck I remember seeing a game early on in Durant's career on national television the commentators were joking that Durant needs to eat.

 

[Chaplin]

He does have a narrow frame, I don't see it as a concern. I'd be more concerned with the long neck if I were to latch onto anything in his measurements. But he'll go as far as his "head and heart" allow him to, it will be his effort level and his ability to learn that will determine whether he's a version of Gerald Green or the next big thing.

I'm still not convinced he's worthy of the 4th pick in the draft. I get the potential, but 4th best in this draft class? I don't see it.

 

[Covert Rain]

I'm still not convinced he's worthy of the 4th pick in the draft. I get the potential, but 4th best in this draft class? I don't see it.

Yet you see that for Bender? How many time have we seen Euro players picked early to end up busts or super long term projects that never pan out? For every successful euro player there is about 10 failures.

 

[GatorAZ]

Yet you see that for Bender? How many time have we seen Euro players picked early to end up busts or super long term projects that never pan out? For every successful euro player there is about 10 failures.

How many times have we seen anyone bust? For some reason it's only talked about with Euro's.

Also why does Chriss need to be 250 lbs? He already weighs more than he looks so it's obviously good weight. Nothing wrong with a 6'10" 240 lb stretch-4.

 

[Covert Rain]

How many times have we seen anyone bust? For some reason it's only talked about with Euro's.

Also why does Chriss need to be 250 lbs? He already weighs more than he looks so it's obviously good weight. Nothing wrong with a 6'10" 240 lb stretch-4.

I think it's talked about all the way around but with Euro's is highlighted because the assumption always is somehow they are more prepared or have a leg up because of Euro experience. It just doesn't pan out that way that often IMO.

I have zero problem with Chriss and his current weight.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm still not convinced he's worthy of the 4th pick in the draft. I get the potential, but 4th best in this draft class? I don't see it.

Yeah but who is? I think this is just one of those unusual draft classes where we have to either settle for a player with a somewhat lower up-side than you'd expect at 4 or we have to take what would normally be considered a reach. It's worrisome to have to take such a high risk player at 4 but fortunately, we have the 13th pick to soften the blow. I say take the gamble at 4 and go safe at 13 and keep our fingers crossed.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Yeah but who is? I think this is just one of those unusual draft classes where we have to either settle for a player with a somewhat lower up-side than you'd expect at 4 or we have to take what would normally be considered a reach. It's worrisome to have to take such a high risk player at 4 but fortunately, we have the 13th pick to soften the blow. I say take the gamble at 4 and go safe at 13 and keep our fingers crossed.

Agreed. The fact is, we never see enough of these guys, as nearly all the high level prospects play one year and are so green. You take your best guess at how they'll project, but that's about all you can do.

A year ago, who really thought Booker would be a potential star?

In any event, I'm fascinated to see what McD will do.

 

[Joe Mama]

Chriss is 6'10 233lbs

How is that needle thin? He is only 18 years old and his ideal playing weight is probably 240-250

btw: For now until at least summer league I will keep Chriss locked in as my absolute preference. He was my first intuition of who I really want on the Suns and I trust that.

18 years old, jumps out of the gym, seems like a smart kid, 6'10 233lbs.. really there is little not to like. His problems can be easily fixed, he is 18. I think he has the potential to be the next PF in the mold of Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Kemp, Blake Griffin... and I take that. Don't give me Stromile Swift or Tyrus Thomas comparisons, those are ridiculous. Those guys never had the talent to make advanced moves on offense like Chriss can.

Come on Slin.. I love the way you cherry pick these measurements And statistics to suit your arguments. You know very well the height of the top of your head is not what anybody looks at anymore. If it was Okafor with 7'0" wingspan and a 8'9" standing reach and Chriss at 7'5" and 9'3" you would be making a HUGE deal about that. I mean argue about athleticism and perimeter skill all you want but don't try to make them look like they are the same size essentially.

 

[slinslin]

Come on Slin.. I love the way you cherry pick these measurements And statistics to suit your arguments. You know very well the height of the top of your head is not what anybody looks at anymore. If it was Okafor with 7'0" wingspan and a 8'9" standing reach and Chriss at 7'5" and 9'3" you would be making a HUGE deal about that. I mean argue about athleticism and perimeter skill all you want but don't try to make them look like they are the same size essentially.

I didnt at any point suggest anything like that, that Chriss is the same size as Okafor.

I responded to someone claiming Okafor is 7ft, which Okafor is not - 6'10 3/4.

And I respoinded to someone who claimed Chriss was thin, which he is not - 233lbs.

Besides Okafor is a center and Chriss is a pure PF.

 

[slinslin]

He does have a narrow frame, I don't see it as a concern. I'd be more concerned with the long neck if I were to latch onto anything in his measurements. But he'll go as far as his "head and heart" allow him to, it will be his effort level and his ability to learn that will determine whether he's a version of Gerald Green or the next big thing.

The standing reach measurements from this combine where inaccurate.

The nba released a statement that they were investigating that as many measurements were too short.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The standing reach measurements from this combine where inaccurate.

The nba released a statement that they were investigating that as many measurements were too short.

I'm aware of the controversy surrounding the SR measurement, it doesn't have anything to do with my point though.

 

[slinslin]

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The potential of this kid is simply throught the roof. Nobody can tell me that that type of talent, potential, age and decent size wouldn't be a top 5 pick in other drafts.
Also with Chriss being 18 and growing from like 6'8 to 6'10 he might very well end up 6'11.

 

[Superbone]

What you don't see in that video is Chriss rebounding the basketball.

From DraftExpress: "At 4.1 rebounds per-40, Chriss ranks among the least prolific power forwards in NBA Draft history according to our database. Among first round picks, only Thaddeus Young (who played mostly SF in college) had a worse defensive rebounding rate in the draft's last 30 years."

Do we really want a power forward that can't rebound?

 

[Mainstreet]

What you don't see in that video is Chriss rebounding the basketball.

From DraftExpress: "At 4.1 rebounds per-40, Chriss ranks among the least prolific power forwards in NBA Draft history according to our database. Among first round picks, only Thaddeus Young (who played mostly SF in college) had a worse defensive rebounding rate in the draft's last 30 years."

Do we really want a power forward that can't rebound?

I think Chriss can rebound the ball offensively but it is fair to ask whether he can do it defensively. IMO, a lot will depend upon the Suns assessment of whether his body can develop further. I think the Suns medical staff will have a say in this matter.