Phx-Suns.Net

Mori Chu wrote:Would Sabonis be available in the teens, in terms of being there when it's our turn to pick?

Depends on when he comes out of the draft. He's currently 18; 19 in early May. If he's in the coming up draft we'll get him in his teens, otherwise he'll probably be 20. Does that answer your question? I'm here to help.

I want him. He could be a great player, and the pun potential of his name is Sabonis.

Cap wrote:I want him. He could be a great player, and the pun potential of his name is Sabonis.

Oy!

I'm not feeling Harrell either. Good college big, and he's got a very solid frame, but I don't think he'll more more than an energy/hustle bench guy.

not knowing the college game too well, i'm curious shel, what're the main differences between the two type games and what do you consider to be pro moves/tendencies? for instance i could never understand why a guy as dominant as shaq couldn't singlehandedly take lsu deep into the tourney during his final year (1st? 2nd? round exit as i recall)...

College is a quicker game where you can win with 3s and perimeter play. The NBA game has changed to become more perimeter oriented, but you still need to play the possession game down the stretch, play defense and have reliable offense (usually though the low post).

It's tough on bigs in college because of zone defenses and the fact that college players are usually smaller so it's tougher for legit bigs to play down low. Plus it's a team oriented game. Durant, TimD, Shaq, DWade...it's not like they had dynasties in college or won their only year there despite how good they were.

With the younger Sabonis, he's just got an awareness and feel that most college players don't have. It's those european fundamentals that have been drilled in since he's 14. No AAU or relying on athleticsm. One move in particular in the last game was when he got caught with the ball underneath the basket with a defender right over top of him, bumped the defender off, used a power slide and laid the ball in on the opposite side of the basket. You don't see a lot of college players make the move, much less have the awareness of where they are in relation to the basket.

Hornacek said that what this team really misses is a shooter. Funny, I think the thing we miss most is passing. Starting Knight at the PG would improve us in that area, and starting TJ would be a huge boost as well. The Euro 4's are the best passing bigs, it seems. I'd like one, but I don't perceive any opportunity. As for passing 2's... one looks to be available in the draft. I actually think Archie could be a very good passer for a 2. So there's hope.

There's also Kevin Love, if we could ever convince him. Love next to Warren... wow, at least on offense.

I don't think TJ is going to help our shooting at all. He will certainly score points, and look fluid doing it, but I think Jeff is saying shooting that isn't a floater in the lane or a layup. That is where TJ excels. I would agree that Knight is a better passer than Bledsoe, but so is nearly every starting PG in the league...

Oh, and I can't see Archie as a two unless he is going to be able to hit open jumpers. You can tell he isn't comfortable doing it, and tries (sometimes to his, and our, detriment) to get to the rim at all costs.

Archie is destined to be a backup PG.

Mori Chu wrote:Archie is destined to be a backup PG.

He's Tyreke Evans.

Tyreke isn't a bad comp. Like Tyreke, a below average passer for a 1, an above average passer for a 2, a below average shooter, can get to the basket with ease.

I see TJ as being a high-30s 3FG shooter at some point. But I was saying he would help our passing - because he has a great court awareness, is a willing passer, and gets open for others to find him.

Tyreke is much more of an attacking scorer than Archie. Archie has no real offensive skills except for getting to the cup, which he maybe does as well and as instinctively as anyone. He still reminds of Barbosa in that he's got no in between game. Just not fluid in that sense but if he can at least become a knock down set shooter, it'll really open things up for him and make it easier to play him.

Tyreke is also a much better ball-handler than Archie. That's still a weak point in Archie's game.

Shabazz wrote:Tyreke is also a much better ball-handler than Archie. That's still a weak point in Archie's game.

Well, he doesn't have a guard on this roster to look up to in that regard.

I was mocking a little (way too early, I know), but it just reinforced what a crap draft this appears to be (though you never know - I didn't think 2011 was going to be that great but it turned out to be full of quality NBA players).

Assuming top 3 picks go in order of record (I know, won't happen), disappointment starts at pick 5. Orlando takes either Porzingis or Winslow (is Gordon a 3 or a 4?). Sacto probably takes Cauley-Stein (ew). Denver is happy to get Hezonja. Detroit has to take... Lyles? Oubre? Stan Johnson?... Dekker? Maybe Looney? And we're just at pick 8. Charlotte is stuck with the same bag, but add Poeltl to the mix, maybe Booker? Atlanta takes... oh gosh, it's falling apart. Then Boston, do they want any of these guys?? Indy takes one of the Wisconsin players or maybe Harrell or this Cameron Payne who jumped into the mix in nbadraft.net's latest mock... then Utah, then us, it's just a mediocrity shitstorm. Maybe somebody takes a flier on Turner (I mean, I'd have him dropping, but who rises up?) It's the opposite of last year - I liked players into the twenties, even the second round.

Honestly, I can't see anyone being too excited about this group. Not that there aren't legit NBA contributors, but I don't see a lot of all-star potential. Anyone disagree? Where's INF?

I think the draft looks pretty good, myself. Lots of interesting dudes like Sabonis' kid, Dekker, Kaminsky, all the various Kentucky guys, ... I think there will be some neat prospects available when we pick.

I'm not interested in the Wisconsin guys at all, I don't think Sabonis will come out, and of the Kentucy players, I'm interested only in the centers.

OE32 wrote:Honestly, I can't see anyone being too excited about this group. Not that there aren't legit NBA contributors, but I don't see a lot of all-star potential. Anyone disagree? Where's INF?

Rolling in his grave.

OE32, I'm going to have disagree with your takes on the draft. I think mistakes will be made, but it's looking like a pretty good draft. Especially for bigs.

Dekker is a nice player. 6'9" sf, with athleticism, range, some ball handling and willing to pass and play defense. Yeah, no one likes those kind of players. He must suck, because he's white.

In2ition wrote:OE32, I'm going to have disagree with your takes on the draft. I think mistakes will be made, but it's looking like a pretty good draft. Especially for bigs.

Dekker is a nice player. 6'9" sf, with athleticism, range, some ball handling and willing to pass and play defense. Yeah, no one likes those kind of players. He must suck, because he's white.

I like Hollis-Jefferson better than Dekker, myself. Since Dekker's a pure SF, I worry about drafting him because of fit with our squad. We going to sit him behind TJ forever? I also don't think he's a high-potential type. I don't think I have these thoughts because he's white, but who knows. I think Stanley Johnson is way overrated, if that means anything.

There seem to be a lot of bigs, but none of them are really catching my eye. Maybe Christian Wood, but he's thin as a rail. I'd inquire into Upshaw, but he seems crazy. Harrell might be good. Right now, my guy is Looney, because he's got long arms, a wide base, gets blocks and steals, and hits from downtown. Maybe he can be a better rebounder than Kieff, with the ability to stretch the floor.

I think last year's draft was loaded relative to this one. But then, there seem to be a lot of 1's going in the first round, and frankly, I don't have time to evaluate 1's. I think scouting 1's is tougher because you have to get a feel for their decision making and leadership.

Other than your... endorsement... of Dekker, who do you like in our range?

Christian Wood is another wonderful name.