Phx-Suns.Net

I don't see it as an either/or thing. There are plenty of guys that play with fire that can refrain from being a punk on the court.

Agreed 100%

A couple things I heard about Josh Jackson on TV today after the pick:

On NBA TV, Kenny Smith went on record saying that Josh Jackson would get rookie of the year. He said it was about guys getting into the right situation.

On ESPN, Tim Legler said Jackson is the type of guy that's going to go into the lockerroom and ask Watson which guy do you want me to shut down? Said he could possibly be the stand out when all is said and done.

I have no problem with drafting Jackson.

I wanted Fox, but only if there was a good trade for Bledose out there. It sounds like McD looked around and didn't find anything worth making a deal, so I'm fine with that. I like Tatum a little bit more than Jackson, but he was off the board. I'm happiest that we didn't take Isaac over Jackson. I think that would've been a pretty big mistake.

I think we'll look back at this draft seeing the top 5 guys as career long starters to All-NBA level, and a few lucky teams with unexpected guys getting into that group. Could be Isaac, could be Monk, I'm not sure. But I am sure that the guy we got is likely going to turn out better than everyone taken after him.

I'd also like to add that I'm curious to see what happens with TJ Warren. For all of Jackson's versatility, he's a wing who will get most of his minutes at the 3.

A Bledsoe-Booker-Warren-Jackson-Chriss lineup is interesting, but I have tremendous doubts about their defensive ability.

Suns.com wrote:Q. Josh, through this process, it seemed like the Suns had locked in on you and you guys had locked in on the Suns. What was it about the Suns' situation that made you comfortable to maybe not work out with some other teams?
JOSH JACKSON: Well, the only team I didn't work out for at the top of the draft was the Celtics, and that was due to scheduling. I was excited to be on any team at the top of the draft to be honest, whether it was Philly, Boston, LA. I felt like the type of player that I am, I could fit anywhere. But when I look at Phoenix and I see that they are so young and kind of need a 3, somebody to come in and play that 3 spot, and I feel like that's my favorite position to play. That's where I'm the most comfortable. I automatically just get excited when I see stuff like that.

I actually think they should try a bledsoe, booker, jackson, bender, chriss combo. I see warren as a great 6th man that come in and score in bunches. I hope they let Len walk honestly. Unless he's going to sign for around 10-12 mil per year. Otherwise, better to wait and build the core and make it look appealing to a potential FA down the road.

MightyMoog wrote:I actually think they should try a bledsoe, booker, jackson, bender, chriss combo. I see warren as a great 6th man that come in and score in bunches. I hope they let Len walk honestly. Unless he's going to sign for around 10-12 mil per year. Otherwise, better to wait and build the core and make it look appealing to a potential FA down the road.

I'm torn on what to do with Len, he's still young, and for some reason never given 30+ minutes a game. His per 36 is very similiar to Chandlers at the same age. If Watson and co. would just stop trying to use Len on the offensive side and tell him to go block shots and get rebounds, I think he'd be fine. We just keep using him wrong.

I think Len/Williams is a fine C combo for where we are as a team, hopefully Chandler can bring some value if a playoff team loses a big early or around the deadline.

Wally_West wrote:I hope all the Ball kids are fail and hope everyone of them are drafted by the Lakers.

Lavar already said he doesn't think his middle one will make it to the NBA.

Lonzo Ball to the Lakers: perfect fit from a Suns fan point of view.
A player that I love to hate.

Len is gone this summer. Someone will overpay him. I'd be happy to let him walk, and keep Alan Williams long term.

Still, Bledsoe and Chandler don't appear to be the team's future. Then there's Knight. The only real question is whether he's more of an albatross or a millstone.

Well my Very Early take listening to and reading the different reports is that if Josh Jackson like most the young players today is paying attention to ""the chatter" he is gonna have plenty reasons to stay extra motivated.

I don't really watch ESPN but will tune in to Mike & Mike based on the guests such as Legler. They asked for opinions on the lottery picks in order and basically after praising Tatum just skipped Josh and went straight to loving Fox and everything Kings did. Most people say one of those 5 can turn out to be the best in a few years but only when Dumars came on later he specifically mentioned Josh. I guess it is nothing new that folks don't really make talking about our Suns a big deal but I was annoyed

So like I said it's only a few hours post draft but seems like out of those 6 including Isaac that Josh is 6th as a talking point, only thing being mentioned is his camp cancelling the workout with Celtics. So that's my lil mini salty overreaction lol

I think we targeted Jackson early on and gave him the promise, so we probably didn't want or feel the need to work out for the Cs. Plus, with their depth he'd be fighting for minutes or included in a potential trade. Hopefully wanting to play in Phoenix was part of the reason he declined Boston.

Flagrant Fowl wrote:I'd also like to add that I'm curious to see what happens with TJ Warren. For all of Jackson's versatility, he's a wing who will get most of his minutes at the 3.

A Bledsoe-Booker-Warren-Jackson-Chriss lineup is interesting, but I have tremendous doubts about their defensive ability.

Suns.com wrote:Q. Josh, through this process, it seemed like the Suns had locked in on you and you guys had locked in on the Suns. What was it about the Suns' situation that made you comfortable to maybe not work out with some other teams?
JOSH JACKSON: Well, the only team I didn't work out for at the top of the draft was the Celtics, and that was due to scheduling. I was excited to be on any team at the top of the draft to be honest, whether it was Philly, Boston, LA. I felt like the type of player that I am, I could fit anywhere. But when I look at Phoenix and I see that they are so young and kind of need a 3, somebody to come in and play that 3 spot, and I feel like that's my favorite position to play. That's where I'm the most comfortable. I automatically just get excited when I see stuff like that.

We have some real versatility. Jackson can play 2-4 on offense and 1-4 on D. That opens up all kinds of options. Warren can play 3 or small ball 4. Chriss can play the 4 and will see time at 5. Bender can play 3-5. These are the days of positionless basketball.

Flagrant Fowl wrote:I'd also like to add that I'm curious to see what happens with TJ Warren. For all of Jackson's versatility, he's a wing who will get most of his minutes at the 3.

A Bledsoe-Booker-Warren-Jackson-Chriss lineup is interesting, but I have tremendous doubts about their defensive ability.

Suns.com wrote:Q. Josh, through this process, it seemed like the Suns had locked in on you and you guys had locked in on the Suns. What was it about the Suns' situation that made you comfortable to maybe not work out with some other teams?
JOSH JACKSON: Well, the only team I didn't work out for at the top of the draft was the Celtics, and that was due to scheduling. I was excited to be on any team at the top of the draft to be honest, whether it was Philly, Boston, LA. I felt like the type of player that I am, I could fit anywhere. But when I look at Phoenix and I see that they are so young and kind of need a 3, somebody to come in and play that 3 spot, and I feel like that's my favorite position to play. That's where I'm the most comfortable. I automatically just get excited when I see stuff like that.

Everyone is discounting Warren. I hope he comes in with a chip on at least one shoulder and scores and rebounds a ton this year.

Wormwood wrote:Len is gone this summer. Someone will overpay him. I'd be happy to let him walk, and keep Alan Williams long term.

Still, Bledsoe and Chandler don't appear to be the team's future. Then there's Knight. The only real question is whether he's more of an albatross or a millstone.

If we keep Len, its as a back up, with back up money. If someone pays him starter money, he is gone.

n4th4n wrote:The Ringer had an article today on Jayson Tatum. What stood out to me in the article was a little blurb from Jonathan Tjarks that included Josh Jackson. It touches on one of the reasons I am so excited we were able to draft him.

I remember watching Jahlil Okafor go up against Myles Turner and Karl-Anthony Towns three years ago and thinking he just couldn’t hang with them athletically. Tatum was matched up against Josh Jackson a lot in 2016, and Tatum couldn’t get around him. All Tatum could do was force long 2s with a hand in his face. I was talking to an NBA executive about Jackson a couple of months ago, and he told me the best players in his class are all scared of him. As soon as I heard that, I flashed back to those scrimmages.

That is EXACTLY the type of player we needed on this team. A tenacious defender who straight up scares top-tier offense players. With him and Chriss on the team, we are not going to be lacking in toughness or chippiness, that is for sure. I'm hoping they can both rub off on Bender a little in that way.

THIS. I've been saying this all along. I am so glad we did not get Tatum. Watch his highlights. He hits a ton of tough shots. Great. But if he's not athletic or clever enough to create easy shots in college, then he is going to struggle in the NBA.

I do like the theme, I just hope Jackson develops into a high level defender and above average offensive player in some capacity (corner 3s, driving the ball, something). You need to have an offensive threat everywhere on the floor in today's NBA.

But in terms of matching up with teams down the road, you're looking at having to defend the likes of Klay, KD, Westbrook, Kawhi, Harden, etc. I think Booker will become at least average on D but Jackson and Reed should be A+ defenders.

Shel mentioned (on slack) feeling hung-over and a bit underwhelmed.

I'm there too. I like Jackson! But I had gotten my hopes up for a trade for KP or for 2 picks because I think there are a bunch of great role players in this draft and no HOF players.

Mostly I was hoping for some indication from the front office that we recognize that our style of team building has not been working. Move Bled, or package assets for a young star, or break up the logjam on the roster. Instead we grabbed guys who play 2 and 3, when those are the only positions where we weren't overloaded.

The good is that I think Jackson will be good and will fit well with Booker / Ulis/ Bender. Those 4 can move the ball, pick their spots to score, and 3 of them can defend.

PF - Chriss, Bender
SF - Warren, Jackson, Dudley, Jones, Peters
C - Chandler, Len (RFA), Williams (RFA)
SG - Booker, Knight, Barbosa, Millsap, Reed
PG - Bledsoe, Ulis, Price (UFA)

I think Dudley's a goner. Len and Barbosa are questionable too. Price obviously won't be re-signed. Millsap, Peters and Reed are all on the bubble.

If Knight plays better (which is likely - he was incredibly bad last year) and Chriss and Bender progress, I think maybe they threaten for the 8th spot in the West. It would be a disappointment if they don't.

I still don't think this team is close to challenging for a playoff spot. The Wolves will be better, mind you. I think we will probably be about 11th in the West.