NBA Draft Prospects Discussion

[INFORMER]

What if we don't trade the pick? Assuming for discussion that we will use the pick to draft someone who is going to be a rookie in a Suns uniform this season, whom would you pick?

Hield. And if not Hield, Skal.

Why Skal? I'm not opposed to him, but I wouldn't take him at 4. He's talented, but played awful at Kentucky this year.

He was awful at Kentucky. I just think he has a good chance to put it together at the pro level. I like his size, his shot-blocking, fluidity, and I think he can be a great shooter. I probably would consider drafting Sabonis at 4, under Cap's no trades allowed premise.

[Cap]

Why are you against Bender? While he's no sure thing, most observers think he has remarkable potential. You don't?

[TOO]

Do you think Hield and Booker can play together?

I think Hield is good enough that you would at least have to try.

This

[INFORMER]

Why are you against Bender? While he's no sure thing, most observers think he has remarkable potential. You don't?

I don't. I think he could be a decent player, but I don't see him doing anything remarkably well at the NBA level.

[Cap]

He's already remarkable at some things. He's a seven-footer who can guard perimeter players, and a high IQ player who can make good passes and has a decent outside shot. At least, that's what the reports say. I think he may start his NBA career as a SF and then move into the paint as his body and post skills mature. A high-IQ PF with those guard-like skills would be a great asset, assuming he's at least adequate at the traditional PF skills.

[carey]

It's pretty simple really, Amare was a super athletic 4 that could shoot and block shots but struggled on defense and rebounding. Sounds a lot like Chriss to me. Chriss build is somewhere between Amare and Marion.

Hmm, maybe a little revisionist history there. Amare did teach himself to shoot, but he did not come in the league a shooter. He was only 66% from FT and even with all that dunking he was < 50% from the field his first year playing over 30 minutes per game as a rookie.

He probably could have rebounded better but he was 8.8 rebounds as a rookie and 9 in his 2nd year. I don't see Chriss even approaching that with his current rebound rate. I haven't seen many Washington games, just the times when they played UofA so I can't weight in too much on his potential. There seems to be reason for concern about how his game will translate. For now he seems like a slightly bigger Rudy Gay. If he's our pick I'll hope for the best, but I think you go with Bender 9 times out of 10 on this one.

Also, one thing of note, and I'm not sure this means anything at all... but have you guys noticed how long Chriss' neck is? It's weird.

[carey]

My draft order at #4 is: Bender, Hield, Ellenson
My draft order at #13 is: Skal, Hernangomez, Valentine
My draft order at #28 is: Bembry, Jones, Ulis, Petr
My draft order at #34 is: Ulis, Petr, Siakam

[INFORMER]

He's already remarkable at some things.

At the NBA level?

[Indy]

If the Chriss comparison is Marion without rebounding, what is the point? It seems that skill is the one that translates the best to the pro game, and Marion without his rebounding the first 2-3 years of his NBA life would have likely meant a 7th or 8th man instead of a starter.

[Split T]

It's pretty simple really, Amare was a super athletic 4 that could shoot and block shots but struggled on defense and rebounding. Sounds a lot like Chriss to me. Chriss build is somewhere between Amare and Marion.

Hmm, maybe a little revisionist history there. Amare did teach himself to shoot, but he did not come in the league a shooter. He was only 66% from FT and even with all that dunking he was < 50% from the field his first year playing over 30 minutes per game as a rookie.

He probably could have rebounded better but he was 8.8 rebounds as a rookie and 9 in his 2nd year. I don't see Chriss even approaching that with his current rebound rate. I haven't seen many Washington games, just the times when they played UofA so I can't weight in too much on his potential. There seems to be reason for concern about how his game will translate. For now he seems like a slightly bigger Rudy Gay. If he's our pick I'll hope for the best, but I think you go with Bender 9 times out of 10 on this one.

Also, one thing of note, and I'm not sure this means anything at all... but have you guys noticed how long Chriss' neck is? It's weird.

My comparison was more to what amare became. But I think we're getting a little lost in the comparisons here. Chad Ford made the comparison to Marion and amare because he's an athletic 4 and he had the suns picking Chriss. It's an easy albeit not particularly great comparison.

My thing is that I feel comfortable with only one player at #4 and the only position he can play is the same position Booker already plays. I'd be perfectly happy to pick Buddy and see how it works, but I don't think the suns will do that. Between the rest of the possible picks, I'm going to lean towards potential and I've got Chriss just ahead of bender on that list.

[Cap]

He's already remarkable at some things.

At the NBA level?

Well, no, but he's only 18. It's reasonable to project some improvement, isn't it?

[carey]

Well, no, but he's only 18. It's reasonable to project some improvement, isn't it?

In before INFO says you need to have one NBA ready elite skill before you come into the league or you're doomed.

[carey]

[youtube][/youtube]

[INFORMER]

Well, no, but he's only 18. It's reasonable to project some improvement, isn't it?

In before INFO says you need to have one NBA ready elite skill before you come into the league or you're doomed.

Huh?

[Superbone]

Well, no, but he's only 18. It's reasonable to project some improvement, isn't it?

In before INFO says you need to have one NBA ready elite skill before you come into the league or you're doomed.

Huh?

Denied!

[SDC]

He's a combination of Marvin Williams and Tristan Thompson. Pass.

he's more like kevin garnett... without the rebounding and defense.

which doesnt worry me one bit since chandler (and len off the bench) will take care of his defensive mistakes.

[SDC]

If the Chriss comparison is Marion without rebounding, what is the point? It seems that skill is the one that translates the best to the pro game, and Marion without his rebounding the first 2-3 years of his NBA life would have likely meant a 7th or 8th man instead of a starter.

from the two highlight clips i saw of chriss, i can say the following:

chriss is an actual BASKETBALL player, marion is more of an ATHLETE

[Shabazz]

I think Bender is my choice at 4. If he's gone, then I'd prefer to move the pick.

[Cap]

This doesn't seem to be a great year to have #4, but trading away picks always leads to regret for this franchise.

[Shabazz]

I guess it all depends what it could fetch.