The TJ Warren Thread!

[Sreister]

I'm nervous he turns into this years Shabazz Muhammad. A non athletic 3 who scores a lot and doesn't pass. Here's hoping McD know what he's doing!!

[JMac1]

I have a friend who goes to North Carolina State and is a big sports junkie and I asked him about Warren.

He said Warren has the best floater he's ever seen. Said that Warren has perfected it so well that its just automatic now, lot of times his teammates don't wait for rebound when he puts up the floater cause its assumed that it will go in. Its that good.

Also said that Warren has interior game of a mobile version of Z-Bo. Knows his limitations around the rim but uses his size (6'8) to his advantage to get shots off.

He said Warren's biggest weakness is that he takes almost all tough shots and that he's a ballhog.

Warren has a high FG % and made most of the tough shots he took, but can he continue to do that in the NBA against better competition? Said that Warren is incapable of getting open looks and that he doesn't even try to get open looks, its as if he prefers to take contested shots.

Warren also hates passing the ball and gets tunnel vision often. On fast breaks or whatever the case it may be, he rarely ever gives the rock up even if double teams comes his way and he sees a wide open man under the rim.

My friend said that from what he knows, many of his teammates don't like him because he's such a ballhog.

Oh and btw the Suns were the most selfish team in the NBA last season, dead last in assists and already have guys like Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, Gerald Green and PJ Tucker who don't pass the ball very often

Damn!! How good is he??? If he is shooting 60 percent on contested shots. This is the NBA; players help other players get open looks all of the time, plus he was the only guy on NC State who could play. maybe that was his job. I think it is a good thing that he was able to dominate being the focal point of the defense and taking contested shots.

[Sun Scorched]

I'm nervous he turns into this years Shabazz Muhammad. A non athletic 3 who scores a lot and doesn't pass. Here's hoping McD know what he's doing!!

I mean, there needs to be a few expectations set here, right?

So far, Warren has shown that he's one of the elite scorers in this draft crop, combined with insane interior efficiency and a variety of post moves/ways to score.

Then Hornacek comes out and says that he impressed defensively.

Now, the concern is he "may" not be a capable/willing passer? He's not athletic "enough"?

So really, what I'm hearing, is that we expected to draft and "elite scorer" who plays "excellent defense" and has "playmaking ability", in addition to being "incredibly athletic".

So we just described LeBron James. We're brilliant. Yes. That player does sound incredible. Shame we couldn't nab him with #14.

Half of everything in life is setting the appropriate expectations, folks.

[bwgood77]

Bledsoe / Dragic / Warren / [Frye] / Plumlee is a much better lineup spacing-wise than with Tucker.

This doesn't make sense. People will not have to stay at home on Warren because he shoots 27% from 3. PJ shoots 38%

I like a lot of what Warren brings with his scoring, but it doesn't help with spacing at all. If anything, he will need to be playing with the ball in his hands in the second unit WITH guys who can hit the 3. Unfortunately we also have guys on the second unit who kind of need the ball in their hands.

I think it is very important to keep Tucker and Green now that we didn't draft a good wing 3 pt shooter.

I like Warren, but he doesn't help with spacing, unless you mean by attracting double teams when he has the ball. But he isn't at risk to make a long shot if he doesn't have the ball, so defenders can definitely cheat off of him.

[bwgood77]

I'm nervous he turns into this years Shabazz Muhammad. A non athletic 3 who scores a lot and doesn't pass. Here's hoping McD know what he's doing!!

I mean, there needs to be a few expectations set here, right?

So far, Warren has shown that he's one of the elite scorers in this draft crop, combined with insane interior efficiency and a variety of post moves/ways to score.

Then Hornacek comes out and says that he impressed defensively.

Now, the concern is he "may" not be a capable/willing passer? He's not athletic "enough"?

So really, what I'm hearing, is that we expected to draft and "elite scorer" who plays "excellent defense" and has "playmaking ability", in addition to being "incredibly athletic".

So we just described LeBron James. We're brilliant. Yes. That player does sound incredible. Shame we couldn't nab him with #14.

Half of everything in life is setting the appropriate expectations, folks.

Except no one ever accused LeBron of not being a capable/willing passer.

I think you might mean Melo. He's a lot like Melo, who I always hated because of his selfishness.

Having a guy like Warren will be exciting, but I hope he's not as selfish and ball-hoggish as SF88 is saying. I didn't watch enough NC St to know. But part of the reason that might have been the case is because he played on a team without any other good players (that's what a lot of experts say). When he is playing with Ennis, Goodwin, Green, the twins and Len he will have much better teammates than he is used to.

[JMac1]

http://msn.foxsports.com/carolinas/stor ... -of-062614

[Sun Scorched]

I'm nervous he turns into this years Shabazz Muhammad. A non athletic 3 who scores a lot and doesn't pass. Here's hoping McD know what he's doing!!

I mean, there needs to be a few expectations set here, right?

So far, Warren has shown that he's one of the elite scorers in this draft crop, combined with insane interior efficiency and a variety of post moves/ways to score.

Then Hornacek comes out and says that he impressed defensively.

Now, the concern is he "may" not be a capable/willing passer? He's not athletic "enough"?

So really, what I'm hearing, is that we expected to draft and "elite scorer" who plays "excellent defense" and has "playmaking ability", in addition to being "incredibly athletic".

So we just described LeBron James. We're brilliant. Yes. That player does sound incredible. Shame we couldn't nab him with #14.

Half of everything in life is setting the appropriate expectations, folks.

Except no one ever accused LeBron of not being a capable/willing passer.

I think you might mean Melo. He's a lot like Melo, who I always hated because of his selfishness.

Having a guy like Warren will be exciting, but I hope he's not as selfish and ball-hoggish as SF88 is saying. I didn't watch enough NC St to know. But part of the reason that might have been the case is because he played on a team without any other good players (that's what a lot of experts say). When he is playing with Ennis, Goodwin, Green, the twins and Len he will have much better teammates than he is used to.

I understand what you're saying, and I agree with the Melo comparison, but re-read what I wrote:

"So really, what I'm hearing, is that we expected to draft and "elite scorer" who plays "excellent defense" and has "playmaking ability", in addition to being "incredibly athletic"."

The fact that we want Warren to be perfect at everything: Scoring, Passing, Defending, Athleticism, etc. is like expecting LeBron. I'm saying that's not realistic. I'm also not saying that Warren is a playmaker, or athletic. Truth is, I haven't seen enough of him, but at this point, based on what I'm hearing about him so far, I like the pick a lot.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Liked the pick with how the draft fell in front of them. For me it's all about if Warren can guard NBA small forwards. If he can keep up with them on d he will be an absolute nightmare for opposing 3s to guard, he will straight bully them in the post. If he struggles to guard 3s he probably ends up as a bench scorer who you hide a bit on d and plays small ball pf. He'd be a little undersized at pf but it's not like he's tiny for the position.

Perfect scenario is to pair him with an athletic stretch 4.

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[jcsunsfan]

Bledsoe / Dragic / Warren / [Frye] / Plumlee is a much better lineup spacing-wise than with Tucker.

This doesn't make sense. People will not have to stay at home on Warren because he shoots 27% from 3. PJ shoots 38%

I like a lot of what Warren brings with his scoring, but it doesn't help with spacing at all. If anything, he will need to be playing with the ball in his hands in the second unit WITH guys who can hit the 3. Unfortunately we also have guys on the second unit who kind of need the ball in their hands.

I think it is very important to keep Tucker and Green now that we didn't draft a good wing 3 pt shooter.

I like Warren, but he doesn't help with spacing, unless you mean by attracting double teams when he has the ball. But he isn't at risk to make a long shot if he doesn't have the ball, so defenders can definitely cheat off of him.

He also shot 50% from the 3 the year before. I don't think that # is really reflective of his outside shooting ability. He likes to mix it up inside and I would guess that most of those attempts were end-of-shot-clock forced type contested shots.

[Kerrsed]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-uobsrtOBc[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbv92HJOmhM[/youtube]

[bwgood77]

I understand what you're saying, and I agree with the Melo comparison, but re-read what I wrote:

"So really, what I'm hearing, is that we expected to draft and "elite scorer" who plays "excellent defense" and has "playmaking ability", in addition to being "incredibly athletic"."

The fact that we want Warren to be perfect at everything: Scoring, Passing, Defending, Athleticism, etc. is like expecting LeBron. I'm saying that's not realistic. I'm also not saying that Warren is a playmaker, or athletic. Truth is, I haven't seen enough of him, but at this point, based on what I'm hearing about him so far, I like the pick a lot.

I like him too, but was hoping if we got him we would also use a pick on someone to spread the floor and hit the 3. I like Ennis, but with two shooters on board, I expected us to supplement this pick with one of those guys. But it makes sense from a playing time perspective not to take two wings.

I do think it makes it even more imperative that we keep Tucker and Frye unless they can be replaced with upgrades who can knock down long range shots. I think things will be interesting in the next week or two to see what happens with all those guys.

I do think Warren is more NBA ready than anyone we drafted in the last few years though.

[bwgood77]

He also shot 50% from the 3 the year before. I don't think that # is really reflective of his outside shooting ability. He likes to mix it up inside and I would guess that most of those attempts were end-of-shot-clock forced type contested shots.

I know PJ shot 50% the year before and that's why I think he's great. He provides great floor spacing and great D and energy. That's why I'm not advocating replacing him with a guy like Deng who is a much worse 3 pt shooter, older, and much more expensive.

Your second sentence...were you talking about Warren or Tucker? I'm sure Warren can improve his 3 pt shot under Hornacek, especially if he tells him he has to if he wants to get meaningful playing time...because I know the guy WANTS to play.

[WeekapaugGroove]

He reminds me of Glenn big dog Robinson. Good midrange game and a knack for scoring.

It's kind of ironic I grew up in Wisconsin and was a big Robinson fan. Both my favorite teams (suns and bucks) took guys in parker and Warren that remind me of the dog.

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[phx#7]

He also shot 50% from the 3 the year before. I don't think that # is really reflective of his outside shooting ability. He likes to mix it up inside and I would guess that most of those attempts were end-of-shot-clock forced type contested shots.

I know PJ shot 50% the year before and that's why I think he's great. He provides great floor spacing and great D and energy. That's why I'm not advocating replacing him with a guy like Deng who is a much worse 3 pt shooter, older, and much more expensive.

Your second sentence...were you talking about Warren or Tucker? I'm sure Warren can improve his 3 pt shot under Hornacek, especially if he tells him he has to if he wants to get meaningful playing time...because I know the guy WANTS to play.

I think the entire post is about Warren. TJ shot 50% from 3 as a freshman.

[Sun Scorched]

I honestly highly recommend everyone watch the DX profile on Warren.

I'm an even bigger fan after having watched that. All of his strengths are imperitive to a successful NBA career and are, most often, things that cannot be tought.

By the way, he really is like a Swiss Army Knife, relative to his offensive ability. Finishes with both hands, sick floater (where he shoots 51%) and his interior offense (71%) is blistering.

His weaknesses were, from memory, shot mechanics (fixable), forcing offense and low AST (fixable, plus his team sucked, makes sense), high turnovers (fixable, he was very high usage), and poor defensive rebounding (less important as a SF, which I think he is in the NBA). Not big things in my book.

[bwgood77]

He also shot 50% from the 3 the year before. I don't think that # is really reflective of his outside shooting ability. He likes to mix it up inside and I would guess that most of those attempts were end-of-shot-clock forced type contested shots.

I know PJ shot 50% the year before and that's why I think he's great. He provides great floor spacing and great D and energy. That's why I'm not advocating replacing him with a guy like Deng who is a much worse 3 pt shooter, older, and much more expensive.

Your second sentence...were you talking about Warren or Tucker? I'm sure Warren can improve his 3 pt shot under Hornacek, especially if he tells him he has to if he wants to get meaningful playing time...because I know the guy WANTS to play.

I think the entire post is about Warren. TJ shot 50% from 3 as a freshman.

My bad. And PJ didn't shoot 50% last year from 3. I could have sworn at one point he had shot that, but it was probably mid way through last season he was shooting 50% from 3 that I remember.

Well that's very good to know that TJ shot that well from 3 as a freshman. Hopefully on quite a few shots, but either way, it's good news. You know he was the only guy opposing better teams were focusing on, so he probably was double teamed quite a bit which won't happen often (at least on 3s he takes) in the nba.

[phx#7]

His weaknesses were, from memory, shot mechanics (fixable), forcing offense and low AST (fixable, plus his team sucked, makes sense), high turnovers (fixable, he was very high usage), and poor defensive rebounding (less important as a SF, which I think he is in the NBA). Not big things in my book.

I think offensive rebounding is a more important stat than defensive rebounding personally(why I was so high on Adams last year and have hope for Len). As long as guys box out the defense will always have an advantage on the glass regardless of who collects the stats.

[phx#7]

My bad. And PJ didn't shoot 50% last year from 3. I could have sworn at one point he had shot that, but it was probably mid way through last season he was shooting 50% from 3 that I remember.

Well that's very good to know that TJ shot that well from 3 as a freshman. Hopefully on quite a few shots, but either way, it's good news. You know he was the only guy opposing better teams were focusing on, so he probably was double teamed quite a bit which won't happen often (at least on 3s he takes) in the nba.

It wasn't a very high volume and he was the 5th-6th option as a freshman, but according the the DX video he also ended the year shooting well from 3 even with teams keying in on him. I think the Suns will get him hitting the corner 3 the same way they were able to do with Tucker, even poor shooters can develop that shot.

[LV-Suns]

He has a knack of leaking out on breaks, probably why his defensive rebounding numbers seems pretty low. His offensive rebounding is off the charts for anyone in this draft. Warren went from being the 5th option freshmen to the 1st option of his team in his sophomore year. His efficiency was off the charts in his freshmen year not having to carry a lot of burden.

He shot over 50% from the 3(albeit less than 1 a game) in his fresh men year while also spotting a 64% TS%. Yet retained a lot of his efficiency even after being the defenses primary focus in his sophomore year.

[GetYourPHX]

- His mid-range and floater/trick shots are a lot like Antawn Jamison - another classic tweener; he scored a lot and turned it over a lot but that looked more out of necessity. Someone who watched more NCAA than me this year can probably elaborate further on that.

I really like this comparison. I saw the exact same thing. He has a really unique presence around the rim.

Excited for this kid to get our there and play!