Clarks role this season?

wiff · Post #1 » by **wiff** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:48 am

The Suns aren't my favorite team but I like them and I hate San Antonio and "Cheap Shot Bob". You guys got robbed a few year back from a trip to the finals. Robert Horry is cheap shot artist. I watched him throw an elbow at Luke Ridnour in the playoffs, the year before he sent Nash into the press table.

Anyway, I'm curious to know what kind of a role there is this season for Earl Clark?

I was watching the GSW/PHX game that was outside and thought Earl Clark played pretty well. I know he is from Louisville but I didn't watch them last season. I'm curious to know your expectations from him?

Looks like he is only 6'9", so I imagine you see him as a sf/pf.

Anyway I thought his attempted dunk on Biedrins was nice even though he missed it. I liked the way he was pissed at himself for getting checked by Biedrins. Looks like he's firery.

MaryvalesFinest · Post #2 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:21 am

On almost any other team he would probably be a SF but in the Suns system he's a PF. With Lopez being out and the Suns lacking bigs he probably will end up playing some center. He looked pretty good at center during the Indian Wells game and he stood his ground. So basically a PF that plays some center.

LV-Suns · Post #3 » by **LV-Suns** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:31 am

According to draftexpress, he is 6'10.25 with shoes on. He has legimate height to play the 4 and has a pretty decent frame that could put on some weight.

Post #4 » by **Miklo** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:07 am

wiff wrote:Looks like he is only 6'9"

LV-Suns wrote:According to draftexpress, he is 6'10.25 with shoes on.

High heels?

TheMan44 · Post #5 » by **TheMan44** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:40 am

LV-Suns wrote:According to draftexpress, he is 6'10.25 with shoes on. He has legimate height to play the 4 and has a pretty decent frame that could put on some weight.

Although height and weight is a very strong indicator to determine what position one plays, it is a poor indicator and not one that is used all the time.

The WAY one plays the game has a lot to do with the position you play. Let's look at some examples:

-Chuck Hayes - only 6-6 - has been playing center for his entire Rockets career even when Yao was playing. Hayes is a terrible shooter and thus excelled inside the paint as a center.

-Charles Barkley - only 6-6 (although we know he may be 6-4) - played some small forward in first few years, but never looked back as he's been one of the greatest PF of all time

-Magic Johnson - 6-9 - one of the biggest point guards in history

-Other examples include guys like Sean May - never plays a lick of center even though he is well over 300 pounds - and Ben Gordon & Eric Gordon - both with perfect point guard height/weight but never play a lick of point guard due to ability to score.

BACK TO EARL CLARK

Anyways, my point being the guy's game is a lot like a "point forward." He reminds me of a much less talented Lamar Odom - which is not a good thing. Clark will end up playing PF/C for the Suns, but don't expect much from the rookie. The guy has a lot to learn and despite the raves about hoping he is going to contribute with defense ----> guess what: he won't. He's just a rookie and will get eaten up each night.

YouTube · Post #6 » by **Kerrsed** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:14 am

Miklo wrote:
wiff wrote:Looks like he is only 6'9"

LV-Suns wrote:According to draftexpress, he is 6'10.25 with shoes on.

High heels?

RunDogGun · Post #7 » by **RunDogGun** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:13 am

Kerrsed wrote:
Miklo wrote:
wiff wrote:Looks like he is only 6'9"

LV-Suns wrote:According to draftexpress, he is 6'10.25 with shoes on.

High heels?

I am so glad I finished my beer before I saw that picture! Kersed, you crack me up.

Post #8 » by **lilfishi22** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:58 pm

Clark looks like a less offensively talented Odom. His jump shot will probably only be as good as Odom's and his post game probably will never be one of his strong points. But his defense is what sets his game apart. There aren't that many players in this league who has the ability to guard PF's and C/s in one play and then D up on the guards the next. Marion comes to mind when we are talking about players with that ability. I'd really hope he'd turn into a lesser Marion than a lesser Odom. I think if he keeps improving his defense and develop a serviceable offensive game, he'd have a place in the NBA for years to come.

In this system, he's definitely a PF, just like Marion was a PF even though he'd be a SF on most teams. Considering our system, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of a Clark/Amare front court at times.

Post #9 » by **Miklo** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:38 pm

lilfishi22 wrote:Clark looks like a less offensively talented Odom. His jump shot will probably only be as good as Odom's and his post game probably will never be one of his strong points. But his defense is what sets his game apart. There aren't that many players in this league who has the ability to guard PF's and C/s in one play and then D up on the guards the next. Marion comes to mind when we are talking about players with that ability. I'd really hope he'd turn into a lesser Marion than a lesser Odom. I think if he keeps improving his defense and develop a serviceable offensive game, he'd have a place in the NBA for years to come.

In this system, he's definitely a PF, just like Marion was a PF even though he'd be a SF on most teams. Considering our system, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of a Clark/Amare front court at times.

If the guy can D up like Marion I don't care if he airballs a 10 footer, we've got a winner on our hands.

I do agree Sunsman that he may not be able to exhibit his defensive skills fully his rookie year, but he has proven that he has the tools so once he does adapt to the professional game I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with them.

As we end up concluding every time we have an Earl Clark discussion, I don't wanna compare him to anyone until I've actually seen him play at this level. And no I don't count the preseason.

Austin · Post #10 » by **Austin** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:20 pm

Earl needs to learn to get to the rim and catch an alley oop if he wants to be like Marion, but I see the defensive ability of marion in him. Give him 3-5 years to develop and he'll be a great PF for us.

aIvin adams · Post #11 » by **aIvin adams** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:06 am

i thought marion was waaaay better defensively when he came into the league. he had good defensive smarts and also that knack to physically blanket all sorts of positions. clark seems athletic but i havent seen anything that would make me think he would do for the suns what marion did.

then again, i havent seen much at all yet...

wiff · Post #12 » by **wiff** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:18 am

Thanks for the insight guys, please feel free to add more.

I wonder how much the Suns franchise values him?

I wonder if they would be willing to give him up for their draft pick back for this coming season?

Post #13 » by **lilfishi22** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:40 am

wiff wrote:I wonder if they would be willing to give him up for their draft pick back for this coming season?

That's insane. How does help anything at all? Nobody gives up on their first round pick in their first season and especially not for OUR own pick back. A lot of people have us going into the playoffs. Having our own pick back means it's not going to be a lottery pick. So we'd basically be trading a lottery pick for a 1st rounder. I also think Clark at 14 was a steal for us. He was the BPA at 14 and if we didn't take him the Pistons would have.

Post #14 » by **Miklo** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:41 pm

^yeah I've never heard of such a thing, just up and deciding you want to try drafting a rookie over again.

Not that I put really anything past SarvKerr but Clark really was a great pick at 14, would be insane to let go of a player of his caliber on a rookie scale contract.