RealGM

I have posted about about Earl playing the 3 for us several times and the response I have been getting is mixed between 3 and 4, especially if Amare gets traded. I disagree with Earl playing the 4 and I want to know how EVERY SUNS' fan feel and why.

For me, Earl is unique at the 3. 6'10 and can dribble, he is learning to shoot and post up smaller 3's. He can be like Hedo, but WAAYYYYYYY better defensively and a better penetrator with his guard like athleticism. At the 3 he is a mismatch on everyone offensively (shooting over and posting up) and he could develope into a 2 guard and SF nightmare on D. He stymied Outlaw in the preseason why make him an undersize PF?

We got to get him on the floor at the 3 some more. What do you guys think, am I just a homer?

On 95% of other teams he would be a 3, on the Suns he's a 4.

MaryvalesFinest wrote:On 95% of other teams he would be a 3, on the Suns he's a 4.

What do YOU think Maryvale, not the Suns. Or what do you hope he plays??

JMac1 wrote:

MaryvalesFinest wrote:On 95% of other teams he would be a 3, on the Suns he's a 4.

What do YOU think Maryvale, not the Suns. Or what do you hope he plays??

Oh, I think right now he's a 3 because he mostly takes jumpers but if he bulks up starts driving to the basket more he should be a 4.

He's not quick enough to match up with the elite SF in the game. He has the length though.

I see Clark as a PF who plays SF depending on match-up.

As a PF, he creates mistmatches and thats what you want. He can only put on more weight, at 245 pounds, I see him able to defend the big bodies at the PF and still compete with SFs.

A combination of Robert Horry and Boris Diaw. But potential to be more special if he works hard.

He's our PF of the future if Amare ends up leaving. Haven't we been over this like a million times?

MaryvalesFinest wrote:On 95% of other teams he would be a 3, on the Suns he's a 4.

yeh, a Suns 4 is basically any other teams 3.

i made a thread on this- a couple months ago. I think hes a three, and he needs to drbble it around the perimeter some more i think- until he bulks up.

thamadkant wrote:He's not quick enough to match up with the elite SF in the game. He has the length though.

I see Clark as a PF who plays SF depending on match-up.

As a PF, he creates mistmatches and thats what you want. He can only put on more weight, at 245 pounds, I see him able to defend the big bodies at the PF and still compete with SFs.

A combination of Robert Horry and Boris Diaw. But potential to be more special if he works hard.

wow, this made me want to die. I hate both of those players intensly.

DirtyDez wrote:He's our PF of the future if Amare ends up leaving. Haven't we been over this like a million times?

Lets revisit the matter since we seen him in game action.

He's not quick enough to match up with the elite SF in the game. He has the length though.

I totally disagree. I say lose some weight and get quicker!! It is more difficult to find an athletic 6'10 3 than a 6'10 245 lb 4 (See Channing). Anways I was glad to see Gentry using him at the 3 last night. I hope he becomes our 3. If he becomes our 4, I am not that enthusiastic about that, I think he becomes a dime a dozen.

Thanks for feedback, I don't remember the thread, though I am sure I commented on it.

I say it depends on who we have around him and who we are playing. Say we actually do keep Stat, i see Clark as our future SF. I think he has the dribble moves, jumpshot and quickness to the hoop. Other SF's might be quicker, but i believe he could probably out defend most SF's. He had some decent moves to the rim (and a couple of missed poster dunks) so if we dont re-up on Stat, i could also see us using him as a PF (He already looks like he has the Stat jumper down).

It all depends on what our team looks like in 2 years.

Kerrsed wrote:I say it depends on who we have around him and who we are playing. Say we actually do keep Stat, i see Clark as our future SF. I think he has the dribble moves, jumpshot and quickness to the hoop. Other SF's might be quicker, but i believe he could probably out defend most SF's. He had some decent moves to the rim (and a couple of missed poster dunks) so if we dont re-up on Stat, i could also see us using him as a PF (He already looks like he has the Stat jumper down).

It all depends on what our team looks like in 2 years.

agreed.

Ugh, could we stop having these weekly Earl Clark positioning inquiries?

Look: Earl Clark is a forward. That's all that matters. He is a forward who will play in the frontcourt for the Suns, helping with defensive switches, shot-blocking, and offensive scoring both inside and out.

He is a forward just like Ryan Gomes is a forward. Just like Rodney Rogers was a forward. Just like LeBron James is a forward.

Clark is a forward and that's all you gotta know or discuss.

End.

Cant wait to talk about this next week

He's a bit of both right now. he's still a rookie so he could still learn to become one or the other, or both. Personally, I'd like him to be a 4. I want him to be able to do what Odom does. He can post up if needed and occasionally hit a three. His ball handling is always gonna be there as long as he keep practicing. The only difference for hm is his ability to penetrate. If he starts learning to penetrate then he'll be more like a 3. If he sticks to spot up shooting and post play then he'll be a 4.

Hes more of a mismatch at 4 while retaining the defensive and rebounding abilities most mismatches at that position lack so i like him there

WTFsunsFTW wrote:Cant wait to talk about this next week

Sunsman44 wrote:Ugh, could we stop having these weekly Earl Clark positioning inquiries?

Look: Earl Clark is a forward. That's all that matters. He is a forward who will play in the frontcourt for the Suns, helping with defensive switches, shot-blocking, and offensive scoring both inside and out.

He is a forward just like Ryan Gomes is a forward. Just like Rodney Rogers was a forward. Just like LeBron James is a forward.

Clark is a forward and that's all you gotta know or discuss.

End.

Not the feedback I am looking for. Maybe some people changed their minds after watching him play in the regular seaon. I mean, how dare me ask a question that was an assumption in the summer of what he could and would do, compared to what he has ACTUALLY done. And yes as he grows WE will revisit this topic again, until he is set. He will play both positions, of course, but what will be his primary position. If you don't like the topic and cannot contribute anything of value, don't read it!!!

Jimmy76 wrote:Hes more of a mismatch at 4 while retaining the defensive and rebounding abilities most mismatches at that position lack so i like him there

lilfishi22 wrote:He's a bit of both right now. he's still a rookie so he could still learn to become one or the other, or both. Personally, I'd like him to be a 4. I want him to be able to do what Odom does. He can post up if needed and occasionally hit a three. His ball handling is always gonna be there as long as he keep practicing. The only difference for hm is his ability to penetrate. If he starts learning to penetrate then he'll be more like a 3. If he sticks to spot up shooting and post play then he'll be a 4.

Good feedack. Exactly what I was asking. Thanks. I was hoping for the latter lilfishi. Just because of the way he handled the ball on that ISO and drove left, while getting fouled !!!! Again, I prefer the 3 because it will compensate for our lack of height at the center.