NavLDO wrote:MrMiyagi wrote:Spin Move wrote:I am a fan of both teams, I live in Scottsdale, and don't disagree with you about the Celtics roster (you go a bit too far on IT but he is a flawed star), but Booker is the only guy who has shown any real glimpse of being a B+ guy, and it is easier to put up stats on a bad team, I am not saying other players won't turn into B or B+ players (and arguably Bledsoe is already a B player). Has Chriss shown some flashes he could turn into something really good, yes, but nothing consistent that he will be an all star,, likley starter sure, all star would be a huge strech, maybe but won't be able to tell for a another year or two. Bender was hurt alot and Dirk had a bad first year too, not saying he won't someday turn into a great player but both of those guys are a long ways away from being anywhere near Paul George, Gorden Hayward or Isiah Thomas. The Suns picked up some really nice pieces in this draft and last, I am a huge Josh Jackson fan (I am originally from Kansas) and he is a perfect fit not just next to booker but as a swiss army 3/4 next to Bender if he pans out. I watch all the nationally televised KU games, he is going to be a star if he improves his mechanics on his shot. Bender is a wild card but Booker looks like a lock to be an all star someday and Jackson and Chriss have a ton of potential, there will likley be one more lottery pick next year and Chandlers deal is getting closer to being done and next offseason can be easily traded. The future is bright.
I think that our guys are actually further along than most people realize. We were in a lot of games last season. Adding depth at 2 and 3 with Jackson and Reed should give us a good boost, not to mention Ulis being in the rotation all season. There's gonna be a lot of chatter about "The Suns are the youngest team in the NBA - HOW ARE THEY THIS GOOD?!" Not in the playoffs by any (except miraculous) means, but they're going to be a lot of people's favorite league-pass team.
And let's not forget Alec Peters; he should be 100% by Season start. I think despite his 'athleticism' and 'physical features', he can get some minutes at the 3 or 4...that is, meaning in this position-less NBA, that there might be some times when Peters is on the floor, and he's the closest thing to having a '3' out on the floor. I mean, let's really look at the physical features comparison between him and TJ:
Alec - 6' 8 3/4" ; 232 ; 6' 10 3/4" Wingspan ; 8' 9" Reach
T.J. - 6' 8 1/4" ; 220 ; 6' 10 1/4" Wingspan ; 8' 8" Reach
So, the 1/2" and 12 lb difference is not a clearly defined 'line in the sand' between SF/PF. My point is, if Peters ends up getting thrown around like a ragdoll when playing the 4, they may consider him more of a 3. But if he's not quick enough, as has been rumored, to guards 3s, well then Coach Watson needs to figure out how best to hide him when he's on the court, and that will be determined by who else he puts on the floor with Peters will dictate whether he's guarding 3s or 4s.
On offense, I think it's fairly clear that we are going to use him primarily as a stretch 4.
Sorry, not trying to derail your point, yet add to it, in that I think Peters skillset, when healthy, might be good enough to earn him a slot on the roster by NLT his 'sophomore season' with us.
He's not a 3, regardless of measurables. There is no way the guy cannot guard perimeter players. He can't even guard PFs. Bender is still better to play as a 3 (if we even need another one outside of TJ and JJ), though that's not ideal either.
the biggest question marks scouts have revolve around his ability to hold his own defensively. He may struggle to overcome his lack of elite physical tools defending in one on one situations, as he lacks a degree of lateral quickness staying in front of athletes on the perimeter, - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Alec-Peters-77931/ ©DraftExpress