Phoenix Suns Hold Free Agent Mini-Camp With Matt Howard, Sean Williams And Many Others

by Seth Pollack on Jun 29, 2011 1:09 PM MST in Phoenix Suns News

The Phoenix Suns won't have the benefit of the Vegas Summer League to take a look at undrafted free agents and other guys trying to make it (or make it back to) the NBA. Like many teams this week, the Suns held private free agent mini-camp instead. 13th pick Markieff Morris participated along with a long list of other guys. Alvin Gentry explained the purpose of the camp.

"They're guys that we like, that we like a lot that didn't get drafted and we thought this was a great time to bring them in and play against each other...We'll watch them (over the next few years) and see what progress they make. It's good to have a handle on them right now and see where they are and see the progress they make. Some guys will make a big jump in the next couple of months and some guys will take a little bit longer."

The one guys that Gentry said stood out, besides Morris, was Butler forward Matt Howard. "I think he's one of those smart, smart guys who will eventually find his way into the league."

Gentry was thrilled with Markieff although he mentioned a few times how it wasn't fair to him given all the travel he's done in the last few weeks. Basically, Morris was not in basketball shape but Gentry gave him a pass on that. He's overall impressed with his competitiveness, skill, desire to be good and how smart he is as a player.

"I see nothing but good things ahead for him because he's a hard working kid and he wants to be good and to me that's three-fourths of the battle."

Markieff Morris Gets First Chance To Play For Suns; Gortat Report From Dream Camp - SB Nation Arizona
"He's a very intelligent player and I think he's a competitive guy. He understands the game and angles and rotations and things like that. It's going to take time, but he's going to be a very good player.

"It's going to be a process. I don't want anyone to think that he's going to come in and ride in on a white horse and be the savior but he's a very, very good piece to be adding to our team."

Here's a list of guys that worked out:

Cory Higgens (Guard), Colorado
Diante Garrett (Guard), Iowa State
Justin Hurtt (Guard) - University of Tulsa
Edgar Sosa (Guard) - Louisville / Italy
Chris Wright (Guard) - Georgetown
Jerel McNeil (Guard) - Marquette / D-league
Tasmin Mitchell (Forward) - Louisiana State / D-league
Jeff Allen (Forward) - Virginia Tech
Matthew Bryan-Amaning (Forward) - University of Washington
Matt Howard (Forward) - Butler
Sean Williams (Forward/Center) - Boston College /. New Jersey Nets
Dionte Christmas (Guard/Forward) - Temple / Greece

There's likely two other guys not listed here. This list came from John Treloar but I counted 15 players on the court. Go figure.

Gentry on Sean Williams - "I think athletically, he's really good. He played for Nancy Lieberman (in the D-league). Nancy's been a friend of mine for, shoot, 35 years. She speaks highly of him. I think you can see he's real athletic and does some good things as far as shot blocking and things like that...She said he was easy for her to coach. That's all I can judge (his maturity) by. He seems to be working hard here and seems to be focused on what he's trying to do as far as getting back in the league."

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Comments

It’s one thing to be impressed with matt Howard’s work ethic, but I just don’t see him ever making it in the NBA. He’s too small to play PF in the NBA (he couldn’t even stay out of foul trouble in college) and I don’t see the skill or athleticism needed to make the switch to SF.

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by Omaha Sun on Jun 29, 2011 1:14 PM MST reply actions

Yeah. Not sure. Maybe if he can improve his shooting and can get his shots off.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jun 29, 2011 6:13 PM MST up reply actions

saw Matt Howard play in the NCAA

I just remember he took a huge charge that sent him flying. He’s alright but not nba material. Give it a few years to see how he improves

Twitter: @FredLegittt

by modernage13 on Jun 29, 2011 1:25 PM MST reply actions

random off topic probably this is more for Scott Howard and (CTLVCOF)

http://www.mobypicture.com/user/dwighthoward/view/9969659

i laughed so much at the picture

"SIR ALEX FERGUSON" Greatest Manager of all time

by phxuk: Ap on Jun 29, 2011 3:03 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

lololol

Are you familiar with the Twitter phenomenon planking? The comments are awesome too.

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Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Jun 29, 2011 3:08 PM MST up reply actions

lol

the comments are awesome and i am aware of planking. cant tell who the other player with no1 on his jersey is but his reaction is hilarious.

Bonus link
http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/30318324

"SIR ALEX FERGUSON" Greatest Manager of all time

by phxuk: Ap on Jun 29, 2011 6:05 PM MST up reply actions

Wow, NBA players are so stupid. I just lost 2 minutes of my life looking at those photos? Man, I am a dimwit!

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jun 29, 2011 6:18 PM MST up reply actions

I’m a dimwit too

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Jun 29, 2011 6:30 PM MST up reply actions

I too am surprised that mult-millonaires with tons of free time on their hands and high school educations do stupid things. .

Founder of the Coalition to Light Vince Carter On Fire (CTLVCOF)
RIP Seasons of Discontent

by Scott Howard on Jun 30, 2011 6:08 AM MST up reply actions 2 recs

lol, well when you put it like that, it sure makes sense.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jun 30, 2011 5:45 PM MST up reply actions

That's pretty entertaining stuff.

by lixuec on Jun 29, 2011 8:29 PM MST up reply actions

Stephen Jackson.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Jun 29, 2011 11:16 PM MST up reply actions

I like Edgar Sosa...He's speedy with a good shot.

"The Phoenix Suns always get the retarded brother; Markieff Morris, Taylor Griffin, Robin Lopez, and the Collns twin."-Some dude from Twitter.

by TheRza82 on Jun 29, 2011 6:06 PM MST reply actions

My first thought was, is this a basketball team or a refugee camp?

Then I began to wonder, are we auditioning towel-wavers for the end of the bench or lining up a replacement team if there’s a long lockout?

New York, the other Planet Orange.

by suns68 on Jun 29, 2011 6:34 PM MST reply actions

the worst of the best

"Maybe I’m old school," Nash said, "but I signed a contract to play here and I want to honor it. I feel like I owe it to my teammates and the city and everybody to keep battling until they tell me it’s time to go." STEVE (God of Basketball) NASH

by 2NASHTY on Jun 29, 2011 6:54 PM MST up reply actions

I think of this

more like a last chance for everyone to get together on the practice court and watch boys play basketball…it won’t be happening again any time soon. There was an order of nostalgia in the air (which didn’t quite mask the ever-present order of sweat).

At least the Mercury will continue to use the court…and their sweat smells much sweeter.

Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Jun 29, 2011 7:01 PM MST up reply actions

lol. Um…….

(If Penny Taylor is there, I am there)

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jun 29, 2011 10:29 PM MST up reply actions

pic?

by Lompe on Jun 30, 2011 9:46 AM MST up reply actions

A lot of teams are holding these camps.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Jun 29, 2011 11:17 PM MST up reply actions

where is david lighty and Ben Hansbrough?

by Purple Palace on Jun 29, 2011 10:40 PM MST reply actions

I thought Lighty was going to be there.

No clue about Lil Psycho.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jun 29, 2011 11:17 PM MST up reply actions

Hansborough will be the one signed

we love those brothers!

"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley

by Suns R Us on Jun 30, 2011 12:42 AM MST up reply actions

he already signed in italy

Lover,Poet,Suns fan,All around damn good guy.

by stevedavis_ on Jun 30, 2011 8:42 AM MST up reply actions

I think we should get Sean Williams and David Lighty

Sean Williams should be given Silo’s spot. I don’t what the hell Lance Blanks sees in him. The only thing I can see that Silo has working for him is his length but Sean Williams already have it (length) + athleticism, which Silo’s lacks. I don’t give a crap about the headcase stuff about Sean Williams, because the way I see it if Suns’ fans have manage to set aside J-Rich’ mistake of speeding while having his kid at the back of his car, then some fans ought to give Sean Williams the benefit of the doubt regarding his past immaturity. Lighty would be a nice replacement if the Suns can trade some of the wings not named Hill and Dudley. A willing and capable defender with matching high basketball I.Q. and 3pt. percentages should be given a spot in this team. Hopefully the Suns can manage to trade Robin, Warrick and Pietrus so these two can get contribute to the team.

Women were the reason I became a monk - and, ah, the reason I switched back... -Morte, Planescape Torment

by Spit_Fire on Jun 29, 2011 11:07 PM MST reply actions

What does Siler have over Williams?

Heft, which is needed in the pivot. Yes, it’s probably too much heft but still you can’t expect to be effective in the pivot at 220 lbs.

Youth, which is needed on this team. He is 2 yrs younger than Williams.

Non-violent attitude

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Jun 30, 2011 6:41 AM MST up reply actions

Williams is a steal if his head is right

Get this: he shot .421 from 3 point range http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/sean_williams/ (although it was only 8-19). A shot blocking, rebounding, 3 point-shooting 4 sounds like the sort of player who’d thrive for us if, and only if, his head is on right.

By all accounts it is, although believing what any coach says about their players is always a massive leap of faith.

by MMotherwell on Jun 30, 2011 6:55 AM MST up reply actions

sure, totally agree. if he straightens himself out, he’s a steal. But he’s not the second-coming. He’s still light in the shorts to play the pivot and 8-19 is not a “floor spacer” at the 4…

Maybe he’d be a Lou/Birdman type off the bench, though.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Jun 30, 2011 7:36 AM MST up reply actions

I think he can be a spacer

For his D League team, he wasn’t expected to space the floor, but if he can hit .380 from 3, he’d be a fantastic fit. So hard to find 4s who can shoot 3s.

Williams was pretty productive as a rookie, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willise01.html, but he got worse as his attitude dived.

It really is a shame we didn’t have a look at him in the last month of the regular season. We just don’t use 10 day contracts well at all.

by MMotherwell on Jun 30, 2011 4:09 PM MST up reply actions

I think he could be really good, but I totally disagree that he’s a spacer. 8 for 19 is not any kind of sample set.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Jun 30, 2011 7:34 PM MST up reply actions

Yep.

And it’s not very hard at all to find big men who can shoot. They just usually don’t do anything else.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Jun 30, 2011 8:00 PM MST up reply actions

I’m with Spit. Siler will never do anything for us, but Williams might. We need a good mix of safe moves (Markieff) and a couple risks, like Williams.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jun 30, 2011 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

+1 i dont like Silo at all

Sean is really a steal right now, he is the definition of a Low risk- High reward player, he has showed amazing flashes, in the other hand Silo is just big.

I just cant wait to see what pieces we are going to move :

-Warrick , Lopez or Pietrus and even if we get lucky enough Childress

Do not let Steve Nash and Grant Hill go away, please.
Otherwhise im not buying any tickets from you Saver.

by Lino Canaan on Jun 30, 2011 6:49 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Siler's worth a risk

There’s simply not many players that big who have even an outside chance at being a player. I can see the appeal of Siler, even tho his chance of ever being a player is well under 50%

by MMotherwell on Jun 30, 2011 6:57 AM MST up reply actions

Siler and Williams are not mutually exclusive, I don’t think. They’d fit different needs, depending on the opponent. Williams certainly has the higher upside in terms of total game impact, but he can’t approach the 6-hard-fouls+6-rebounds-in-6-minutes territory that is sometimes needed against a big opponent that Siler could provide.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Jun 30, 2011 7:39 AM MST up reply actions

we do have a lot of 4/5s already

Sadly, only one of them is good.

by MMotherwell on Jun 30, 2011 4:05 PM MST up reply actions

If a player’s ceiling is fouling out in 6 minutes, that’s not speaking very highly of him and shows how bad he really is, lol.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jun 30, 2011 5:48 PM MST up reply actions

The best team in recent history

the 95-6 Bulls, had the 21 feet of fouls.

The three headed center of Luc Longley, Bill Wennington and James Edwards. That was SUCH a bad center group, it just shows how awesome Pippen, Rodman and Kukoc were (everyone knows how good Jordan was)

by MMotherwell on Jun 30, 2011 7:09 PM MST up reply actions

You know who also played for Nancy Lieberman?

Booker Woodfox. Sign that man!

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jun 30, 2011 7:47 AM MST reply actions

oh boy!

It’s been a while, mr Woodfox!

by Lompe on Jun 30, 2011 9:47 AM MST up reply actions

???

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jun 30, 2011 5:48 PM MST up reply actions

5'11" SG from Creighton.

Here’s a sample of his work.

He also won the D-League 3PT contest last year.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jun 30, 2011 8:07 PM MST up reply actions

What are the chances markieff can become the next al horford?

I think that some nba writers are overlooking markieff when they talk about potential rookie of the year candidates. If he starts, nash will undoubtedly make him better. I think he could become an al horford or horace grant in a few seasons. What is markieff’s ceiling and could he be an all-star someday?

by jay humphries on Jul 1, 2011 10:36 AM MST reply actions