2013 Draft Thread Part 4

[BobbieL]

Keep in mind we are collecting assets on a BPA-criteria, not filling positions to form a team yet. This will come via massive trades and FA signigns in a season or two.

Exactly - when you have the 4th worst record in the league - you cannot be picking for position - you have to pick talent. Especially in the NBA where one player can so totally affect a game unlike MLB or NFL. Now, I don't know if Len is the best player - a lot of us wanted McLemore. But I am going to trust Ryan McD more than Sarver and Blanks. So lets see if this works out. The Suns had him number 1 on their board and they got him at 5. That is GOOD VALUE!

I like the Goodwin pick and even Malcolm Lee. What the heck - bring in young talent and see what happens. And a guy like Tucker is more suited for a playoff team at this point - he might be good trade filler if a Dudley or Gortat is moved to match salaries.

But the talent was there at the position we needed. There is no point collecting a butt load of guys at one position if they won't get off the bench to show their talent to trade, right? Again, if there is a trade to come, cool, possibly no problem. But if we drafted second and third stringers that have their development stunted because they are waiting in line to play, then I'm pissed about our draft.

I agree - I liked McLemore too. But my guess is the front office weighed the fact that Gortat is a free agent, probably will not be resigning so thinking longer term than one year. At that point, you have to think of the team without Gortat and Scola long term and think of the building blocks. And right now, its Dragic. Not even Dudley. So from that perspective - who is the BEST player on your board. It was Len. So he was the pick.

[Sun Scorched]

Very happy with our draft. I think it's very accurate to say that Len has one of the highest floors in this draft class. Also, as a result, this allows us to trade Gortat for value elsewhere immediately.

I've heard it said that Goodwin is the rawest prospect in the entire draft. LOVE IT.

And we grab a defensive, rebounding bruiser with #57? Awesome.

I cooled on the upside regarding McLemore/Noel by the draft. Oladipo/Len are the exact opposite of those two and they both became my preferred choices later on.

Very excited to see what we do in free agency.

[BobbieL]

Very happy with our draft. I think it's very accurate to say that Len has one of the highest floors in this draft class. Also, as a result, this allows us to trade Gortat for value elsewhere immediately.

I've heard it said that Goodwin is the rawest prospect in the entire draft. LOVE IT.

And we grab a defensive, rebounding bruiser with #57? Awesome.

I cooled on the upside regarding McLemore/Noel by the draft. Oladipo/Len are the exact opposite of those two and they both became my preferred choices later on.

Very excited to see what we do in free agency.

I think Len has upside too - he has only played the game like 5 or 6 years if I remember what I read. Has a lot to learn and is already a pretty big dude. I think the M. GAsol comparison would be a nice level to get. Granted, if Len gets to the P. Gasol level, even better/

[RunDogGun]

I think everyone is still ignoring the fact that bigs with feet issues aren't good no matter how talented the guy may be. Yao had an issue like that, and it kept happening. I think our med staff is the best, but it is still a big issue that has to be inserted in thoughts about this draft.

I don't mind Len, and hope that he turns out great, I'm just tired of drafting guys to watch others play. If almost everyone thinks our roster is terrible, drafting guys to have them watch those not so good guys, doesn't sound like a good rebuilding plan. It sounds like spinning wheels in the mud.

And isn't anyone else a bit concerned that we drafted another guy that couldn't try out for the team? Two years in a row doing that.

[MathiasPW]

I don't know how much they put character as a factor when drafting. McDonough said "and he is a great kid", as did Hornacek, when refering to Len.

I say that because, although Len didn't try out phisically for Phoenix, he did make interviews and medical evaluation, and he may have been just very cool on his interview.

Remember Noel didn't even show up in Phoenix (not too sure where the red flag from our medical department came from) and McLemore refused to workout against other players, something that clearly bothered Hornacek.

[carey]

I'm with RDG a bit. I'm kind of bummed that with 2 first rounders we didn't even get one starter. Barring some major moves our starting lineup is going to look much the same as last year and that's depressing.

[RunDogGun]

I don't know how much they put character as a factor when drafting. McDonough said "and he is a great kid", as did Hornacek, when refering to Len.

I say that because, although Len didn't try out phisically for Phoenix, he did make interviews and medical evaluation, and he may have been just very cool on his interview.

Remember Noel didn't even show up in Phoenix (not too sure where the red flag from our medical department came from) and McLemore refused to workout against other players, something that clearly bothered Hornacek.

That is great that he interviews well, but foot stress fractures in a big, don't go over very well. I didn't like that we drafted Marshall, while he was clearly not in game shape, and he had wrist issues, not a leg or foot issue.

Oh well, we have who have for today. I'd be cool if we flipped Len for Lamb and Adams though.

[ShawnBronald]

I'm with RDG a bit. I'm kind of bummed that with 2 first rounders we didn't even get one starter. Barring some major moves our starting lineup is going to look much the same as last year and that's depressing.

I have to believe Gortat will be traded before the season starts and Len will be the starter.

[NotTraxxe]

2 Trades:

Celtics Trade: Rondo
Suns Trade: Marshall, Morris, Minnesota 2014 first, Phoenix 2015 First (Top 10 Protection) --- 2016 (Top 5 Protection), 2017 Unprotected.

Blazers Trade: McCollum, Leonard, Freeland
Suns Trade: Gortat, Morris, 2014 2nd

Team:
Rondo/Dragic/Dudley/Frye/Len
Goodwin/McCollum/Beasley/Scola/Leonard

2014 Draft that becomes:
Rondo/Dragic/Wiggins /Frye/Len
Goodwin/McCollum/Dudley/Scola/Leonard

[RunDogGun]

I'm with RDG a bit. I'm kind of bummed that with 2 first rounders we didn't even get one starter. Barring some major moves our starting lineup is going to look much the same as last year and that's depressing.

I have to believe Gortat will be traded before the season starts and Len will be the starter.

We don't even know when Len can play yet. Our starter might be Haddadi or the second Alex we drafted, if we trade Gortat before the season starts.

[JMac1]

Very happy with our draft. I think it's very accurate to say that Len has one of the highest floors in this draft class. Also, as a result, this allows us to trade Gortat for value elsewhere immediately.

I've heard it said that Goodwin is the rawest prospect in the entire draft. LOVE IT.

And we grab a defensive, rebounding bruiser with #57? Awesome.

I cooled on the upside regarding McLemore/Noel by the draft. Oladipo/Len are the exact opposite of those two and they both became my preferred choices later on.

Very excited to see what we do in free agency.

I agree with you 100%, especially on the rawness of Goodwin... 6'5, 6'10 wingspan, attacks the rim, athletic, 18 yrs old.....he needs to develop a shot...hummm....sounds like Rondo, but taller When have we taken a chance on a raw 18 yr old? When have we ever drafted a top center raw or not? I'm loving it

I don't know how much they put character as a factor when drafting. McDonough said "and he is a great kid", as did Hornacek, when refering to Len.

I say that because, although Len didn't try out phisically for Phoenix, he did make interviews and medical evaluation, and he may have been just very cool on his interview.

Remember Noel didn't even show up in Phoenix (not too sure where the red flag from our medical department came from) and McLemore refused to workout against other players, something that clearly bothered Hornacek.

Great points! I know you can't just pick a player because he has good character, but when their playing ability is a toss up.....you pick the good character guy! There was no Melo's or Amare's in this draft, if there was, I'd pick them and roll the dice on character.

[RunDogGun]

2 Trades:

Celtics Trade: Rondo
Suns Trade: Marshall, Morris, Minnesota 2014 first, Phoenix 2015 First (Top 10 Protection) --- 2016 (Top 5 Protection), 2017 Unprotected.

Blazers Trade: McCollum, Leonard, Freeland
Suns Trade: Gortat, Morris, 2014 2nd

Team:
Rondo/Dragic/Dudley/Frye/Len
Goodwin/McCollum/Beasley/Scola/Leonard

2014 Draft that becomes:
Rondo/Dragic/Wiggins /Frye/Len
Goodwin/McCollum/Dudley/Scola/Leonard

Three starters that aren't cleared to play? If we are rebuilding, no frickin way we give up all of those picks. Four first rounders for a guy we originally drafted? No thanks.

[ShawnBronald]

I'm with RDG a bit. I'm kind of bummed that with 2 first rounders we didn't even get one starter. Barring some major moves our starting lineup is going to look much the same as last year and that's depressing.

I have to believe Gortat will be traded before the season starts and Len will be the starter.

We don't even know when Len can play yet. Our starter might be Haddadi or the second Alex we drafted, if we trade Gortat before the season starts.

I trust in our training staff. From all accounts, Len can resume court activity in August and will be ready for training camp come October. I think he will be ready for November. It's a shame we apparently won't be bringing back O'Neal. He'd have been a nice mentor for Len. I don't see Gortat doing so well in that role if he stays.

[RunDogGun]

We don't know if he will be ready for training camp. We hope so. He may be so far out of shape. I'm hoping for the best, but still too much unknown.

[Frank Lee]

I think everyone is still ignoring the fact that bigs with feet issues aren't good no matter how talented the guy may be. Yao had an issue like that, and it kept happening. I think our med staff is the best, but it is still a big issue that has to be inserted in thoughts about this draft.

.......

Dont ignore the fact that 'feet injuries' are different than 'ankle injuries'. (set up for a Grant Hill rebuttal) Considering the strength of this organization could lie in the trainer's room.... I have little fear about his future health.

Very happy with our draft. I think it's very accurate to say that Len has one of the highest floors in this draft class. Also, as a result, this allows us to trade Gortat for value elsewhere immediately.

I've heard it said that Goodwin is the rawest prospect in the entire draft. LOVE IT.

And we grab a defensive, rebounding bruiser with #57? Awesome.

I cooled on the upside regarding McLemore/Noel by the draft. Oladipo/Len are the exact opposite of those two and they both became my preferred choices later on.

Very excited to see what we do in free agency.

Good to see some logical optimism.

Next topics of extreme speculation.... Trades and FA's... stat tuned, there is more to come

[RunDogGun]

Who's ignoring the difference between ankle injuries and foot stress fractures?

I love our med staff, but they didn't prevent Frye from reinjuring his shoulder.

[ShawnBronald]

Who's ignoring the difference between ankle injuries and foot stress fractures?

I love our med staff, but they didn't prevent Frye from reinjuring his shoulder.

How can you blame our staff for Channing's shoulder getting injured? It was due to a defender hitting him hard, nothing that could have been prevented (from what I remember).

[RunDogGun]

Who's ignoring the difference between ankle injuries and foot stress fractures?

I love our med staff, but they didn't prevent Frye from reinjuring his shoulder.

How can you blame our staff for Channing's shoulder getting injured? It was due to a defender hitting him hard, nothing that could have been prevented (from what I remember).

I didn't blame them. Frye said he should have had surgery that offseason after the first time it happened, but because of the lockout, he didn't. It never fully healed, and he was very inconsistent that whole season, until it was reinjured.

[ShawnBronald]

Who's ignoring the difference between ankle injuries and foot stress fractures?

I love our med staff, but they didn't prevent Frye from reinjuring his shoulder.

How can you blame our staff for Channing's shoulder getting injured? It was due to a defender hitting him hard, nothing that could have been prevented (from what I remember).

I didn't blame them. Frye said he should have had surgery that offseason after the first time it happened, but because of the lockout, he didn't. It never fully healed, and he was very inconsistent that whole season, until it was reinjured.

Well there was nothing they could have done to prevent it. I'm not even sure if surgery would have helped. He was in a bad position and got fouled hard both times. A moot point now, obviously, but I'd never pin that one on the training staff.

[RunDogGun]

We don't know if they could have done something to prevent that, but it seems clear that surgery should have happened.

I'm just saying that reinjuries have happened under our awesome med staff. Amare's eye, was another one. While both may be freak reinjuries, they still happened. Stress fractures in the foot of seven footers can easily happen again, even under the best mad staff in the league.