Bright Side Of The Sun - 2016 NBA Draft Prospect Previews: How each guy fits with the Phoenix SunsDedicated to Phoenix Suns Basketball since 2006https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47819/bs-fv.png2016-06-21T13:07:58-07:00http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/rss/stream/112951912016-06-21T13:07:58-07:002016-06-21T13:07:58-07:00An Alternative Draft Strategy for the Phoenix Suns
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<figcaption>Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It is OK to think differently! </p> <p>A steep narrative has been ingrained in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> fans both through this platform and on other outlets:</p>
<p><i>We must draft Dragan Bender at #4 (if he is there) or snag a power forward at #13 at all costs. </i></p>
<p>Following a preordained strategy is a murky pursuit to undertake, and it can lead to tunnel vision when the time comes to select a prospect. The fourth pick will be easier since there are not as many scenarios capable of taking shape, but once thirteen rolls around, all bets are off. This is why I have always been a proponent of taking the best prospect available regardless of position. Give me the most talented guy and let's figure out how the puzzle pieces fit when the time comes.</p>
<p>Most of the mocks making the rounds in the blogosphere pin the Suns with taking either Bender, the divisive <span>Marquese Chriss</span> at four, or trading the pick entirely. There is some noise regarding Cal's Jaylen Brown, but not as much as one would expect given his skill set.</p>
<p>To me, I would take Brown and not look back. His NBA destiny is as a four-man or at the very least a combo forward that toggles between the three and the four. He is a stallion of an athlete, and possesses a killer handle for his size that will translate well to a freewheeling transition game:</p>
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<p>Brown already has the defensive chops to corral darting guards along the perimeter while simultaneously manning post threats on the fly:</p>
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<p>What am I missing here?</p>
<p>The questions about his shot are warranted; his 3-point percentage was a woeful 29 percent last season and he was inefficient all around the floor. But his mechanics are far from broken, and that percentage should continue to steadily increase once the Suns coaching staff gets their hands on him on a consistent basis. Most importantly, there is a desire within Brown to be a top player in the league, and he is not afraid to speak up about it.</p>
<p>"I am not concerned about being a top five player in the draft," <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/6/11869616/phoenix-suns-pre-draft-workouts-day-10-what-can-brown-do-for-us" target="_blank">Brown told Bright Side after his workout in Phoenix</a>. "I want to be a top five player in the league."</p>
<p>Sign me up, Jaylen.</p>
<p>At thirteen, a slew of chatter has surrounded Phoenix taking the remaining prospect between <span>Henry Ellenson</span>, <span>Domantas Sabonis</span>, <span>Jakob Poeltl</span> or Skal Labissiere. All of these young guns are skilled in their own right, but I would not be flattered with their presence on my roster given the make up of today's NBA.</p>
<p>As the Finals have shown us, there is a uniform athleticism needed to contend at the highest level, and pursuing lead-footed big men just because power forward is a "need" could leave the Suns in the dust athletically. Why would a team that thirsts for playing in transition take the next <span>David Lee</span> in Sabonis?</p>
<p>Rather than reach on a position of need with the thirteenth pick, Phoenix should turn their attention to a well-rounded forward from Baylor by the name of Taurean Prince. THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID IT.</p>
<p>Prince fits the profile of a flexible swing man that can switch defensive assignments along the perimeter, tussle with bigger brutes on the glass, and elevate the gravity of an offense by knocking down corner 3-pointers at a high clip. And if a defender lunges out on him without control, Prince can slide right on by into the lane and create for himself or his teammates:</p>
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<p>These are all things that are coveted in today's game, and will undoubtedly forge Prince into a position to be successful regardless of where he ends up.</p>
<p>Hell, if the coaching staff and the front office have enough imagination -- and I think they do -- Prince could act as a nominal power forward on ultra shifty lineups featuring: <span>Eric Bledsoe</span>, <span>Devin Booker</span>/<span>Brandon Knight</span>, Brown, Prince, and <span>Alex Len</span>/Tyson Chandler. Some combination of those five would be athletic, malleable, and provide just enough spacing to keep a defense honest.</p>
<p>That is what is so infuriating about the <i>need to take a big man at #13 narrative; </i>there are ways to work around not having a traditional big on the floor. Prince's fit into the modern NBA is seamless.</p>
<p>The most attractive part of Prince's game may honestly be his demeanor -- you can tell that he is a coachable individual that just wants to hoop.</p>
<p>"I am a basketball player. I don't really mind what they call me. It's not my job to worry about it. I am just here to do what I have to do in order to make a team and perform at the highest level to win games," <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/5/19/11692316/2016-draft-prospect-preview-taurean-prince-will-excel-as-a-role-player" target="_blank">Prince told Bright Side after his workout in Phoenix.</a></p>
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<p>Hopefully I have laid out an attractive, yet alternative brand of thinking for you all. I am always weary this time of year because it is increasingly likely to fall under a spell of groupthink when it comes to evaluating prospects. It is not difficult to talk yourself into the thought of Bender as loads of esteemed pundits are staking claim to his potential.</p>
<p>My own contrary train of thought paints the drafting of Brown and Prince as the best course of action for the Suns. Many will disagree with that notion. And that is fine.</p>
<p>That is what makes the draft season fun. Nobody knows who the hell is going to pan out or bust. Grab a dart, cock it back, and hope you pierce the bulls eye.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/21/11992402/an-alternative-draft-strategy-for-the-phoenix-sunsOwen Sanborn2016-06-13T10:00:02-07:002016-06-13T10:00:02-07:002016 Phoenix Suns Draft Profile: Malcolm Brogdon
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<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The 1st Team All-American and ACC Player of the Year from Virginia has flown under the radar during the Draft process.</p> <p>It would seem preposterous for a player who this season was a 1st Team All-American, ACC Player of the Year, ACC and NABC Defensive Player of the Year, and who led Virginia to the Elite Eight in the 2016 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/march-madness" class="sbn-auto-link">NCAA Tournament</a> to find himself flying under the radar leading up to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Draft</a>. However, that is exactly where <span>Malcolm Brogdon</span> has spent these past weeks leading up to June 23, as most mock drafts have the shooting guard going in the 2nd round. Even being recently named to the USA Select Team as one of only five college players (joining <span>Brandon Ingram</span>, <span>Kris Dunn</span>, <span>Denzel Valentine</span>, and <span>Brice Johnson</span>) did not appear to move the needle on his stock.</p>
<p>Just what exactly is up with Brogdon, and why can he not seem to gain any traction with talent evaluators? Deadpoolio investigates.</p>
<h4>Defense</h4>
<p>Unquestionably, Brogdon's greatest strength is his defense. At 6'6 with a 6'10.5 wingspan and physically mature body (223lbs.), he ably guarded positions 1 through 3 last season for Virginia and even spent the odd possession on opposing fours. His defensive numbers weren't gaudy (1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks per 40 minutes), but his defensive style doesn't lend itself to stats. Brogdon does not gamble on defense, preferring rather to stay put, move his feet, and force his opponent into a difficult shot over his outstretched arms. He fights through screens with tenacity, is a cerebral defender who reads situations and knows angles, and while not an excellent athlete, Brogdon moves his feet well enough to keep his man in front of him. As a defender, he profiles very closely to <span>Bruce Bowen</span>.</p>
<p>Scouts tend to worry that since Brogdon possesses average athleticism, his defense may not translate to the NBA, where a bevy of terrific athletes await. The problem with that thinking is that many of the NBA's best perimeter defenders have not been great athletes. <span>Tony Allen</span>, the player <span>Kobe Bryant</span> himself said was the toughest player for him to go against, did not rate much better than Brodgon as an athlete. Allen, who stood 6'4 with a 6'9 wingspan in pre-draft measurements in 2004, had a 31.5-inch standing vertical, a 36.5-inch max vertical, and a 3.19-second sprint time. Compare that with Brogdon's combine numbers of 30.5 inches (standing vertical), 35.5 inches (max vertical), and 3.31 seconds (sprint time). And as for moving his feet, Brogdon's lane agility time at the combine (10.77 seconds) was on par with that of Allen (10.70).</p>
<p>But there is a danger in judging players solely by their athletic measurements. <span>Andre Iguodala</span>, for example, tested poorly before he was drafted in 2004, yet he has proven that to be an unjustified concern.</p>
<p>The ability to play effective defense at the NBA level cannot be boiled down to a combination of athletic measurements. It's about thinking the game, recognizing situations, reading angles, denying the ball, getting a hand up, making the opponent uncomfortable. It's about having a burning desire to defend, and no player in this draft class has that more than Brogdon.</p>
<h4>Offense</h4>
<p>Another question about Brogdon's game — and one that holds more credence — is how he will score in the NBA. Brogdon struggles to beat defenders in iso situations because he doesn't explode with his first step, has trouble at times creating space to get his shot off, and even though he can finish above the rim, his lack of pop leaves him playing a more ground-based game. On top of that, he shoots a flat shot that doesn't leave much room for error.</p>
<p>Despite these issues, he still managed to score 18.2 points per game as the <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link">Cavaliers</span></span>' primary scoring option this past season because he is just as heady an offensive player as he is a defensive one.</p>
<p>Brogdon was forced to step outside himself at times with Virginia, but when playing to his strengths, he was very good offensively. He proved himself to be a capable catch-and-shoot player even with less-than-ideal form on his shot, converting 43 percent of his attempts on the season. He also shot 46 percent on shot attempts off screens <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Malcolm-Brogdon-42107/" target="_blank">according to DraftExpress.com</a>, which was one of the highest percentages in the nation. Overall, he shot 45.7 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from 3. Most encouraging for his development as a consistent shooter, though, was his free throw shooting, which ranked 7th in the nation at 89.7 percent.</p>
<p>As well, Brodgon keeps his composure on the court. He doesn't try to force things, instead settling for the sure play as his 1.8 turnovers per 40 minutes attests. He is a smart and willing passer who has a knack for finding the right player at the right time, but since he lacks the ability to break down a defense on his own, most of his passes are of the move-the-basketball variety.</p>
<p>Brogdon's role at the next level will not be as a primary scoring threat, but that is not the same as saying he will be an ineffective offensive player. As a standstill guy shooting corner 3s, he has shown promise and steady improvement, and his talent for moving without the ball and utilizing screens brings to mind Reggie Miller and Richard Hamilton. Those two skills combined with his strength that allows him to absorb contact and keep defenders on his hip once he gets them there will ensure he will be far from helpless offensively in the NBA.</p>
<h4>Potential</h4>
<p>One of the biggest knocks on him is his age. Brodgon, a senior, is 23 years old and will turn 24 in December. That makes him a basketball Methuselah by Draft standards, where 18- and 19-year-olds rule the stage. Because he is farther along in his development curve than most in his draft class, he is suffering as a known quantity. Whereas raw players like Ingram, <span>Ben Simmons</span>, Dragan Bender, <span>Marquese Chriss</span>, and Thon Maker among dozens of others could turn out to be anything, Brogdon is who he is.</p>
<p>Considering what Brogdon is, however, that's not half bad. He is a smart, fundamentally sound basketball player who has a penchant for making winning plays. On top of that, he possesses maturity, intelligence, leadership, and work ethic. Mike Curtis, the strength and conditioning coach at Virginia who spent six seasons doing the same job with the <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Memphis Grizzlies</a>, compares Brogdon to <span>Shane Battier</span> as a person <a href="http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/chris_dortch/04/29/virginias-malcolm-brogdon-ready-to-conquer-things-on-and-off-the-court/" target="_blank">in an NBA.com article</a>.</p>
<p>His potential for growth isn't on the same level as many guys in this year's Draft, but whatever team drafts him can rest assured they won't be acquiring a headache.</p>
<h4>Final Analysis</h4>
<p>NBA executives sometimes lose sight of the fact that the Draft is about acquiring talent and are blinded by the lure of possibly unearthing the next <span>Manu Ginobili</span>, <span>Michael Redd</span>, <span>DeAndre Jordan</span>, or Draymond Green. But if offered a choice between $20 on the spot or a lottery ticket for a jackpot drawing of $1 million, which is the better choice? Sure the ticket offers a huge potential reward, but most people will walk away with nothing but a worthless scrap of paper. Suddenly, the sure $20 doesn't look so bad by comparison.</p>
<p>That is Brodgon. He may not be the player of anyone's dreams — the kind of transcendent talent that changes an entire franchise's fortunes overnight — but he is a solid role player with limited drawback. In a draft full of question marks, he is basically found money.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/13/11908100/2016-phoenix-suns-draft-profile-malcolm-brogdon-is-safest-pickDeadpoolio2016-06-06T06:00:06-07:002016-06-06T06:00:06-07:002016 Phoenix Suns Prospect Profile: Petr Cornelie
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<figcaption><a href='twitter.com/petr_cornelie'>Petr Cornelie</a></figcaption>
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<p>Petr Cornelie, the power forward currently playing for Le Mans in France, represents the potential for a pure stretch 4 option at #28. Should the Suns make a French Connection?</p> <p>Over the last 5 or so years, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> have fairly consistently sought to maintain a stretch power forward on the roster. The team has rotated through <span>Channing Frye</span>, <span>Luis Scola</span>, <span>Markieff Morris</span>, <span>Jon Leuer</span> and <span>Mirza Teletovic</span> over the years, all of whom have a stretch element to their game, and have brought in numerous other guys to Summer League or Training Camp to test their mettle, including <span>Alec Brown</span>.</p>
<p>Petr Cornelie, a 7 foot, 220 pound power forward currently playing for Le Mans in France, represents the opportunity to draft and stash another future stretch forward. After shooting 39% in LNB-A play, and 42% in Eurocup play, Cornelie has been rising up draft boards, and is now firmly in the late first round discussion.</p>
<p>What makes Cornelie such an intriguing prospect? What are his weaknesses?</p>
<h4>Elite Athleticism</h4>
<p>Many scouts believe that Cornelie is the best pure athlete of any of this year's many 7 footers. He possesses great fluidity and agility for such a large player, and moves much more gracefully than one might imagine.</p>
<p>Particularly notable for Cornelie is his very quick leaping ability. He gets off the ground explosively, rising above the rim quickly. This makes Cornelie a great target for lobs, and grants him the ability to get over opposing players for rebounds and put backs with regularity.</p>
<p>Also notable about Cornelie's athleticism is his great foot speed. This translates to a great first step, as well as to the ability to recover quickly from mistakes defensively.</p>
<p>This <a href="https://youtu.be/hjze2SxYJsk">highlight video of Cornelie</a> emphasizes many of his athletic strengths.</p>
<h4>Offensive Upside and Versatility</h4>
<p>While athleticism is great for a 7 footer, what really seems to be attracting scouts is Cornelie's ability to stretch the floor. Of the stretch forward prospects this year, he might have the most consistent and mechanically sound shot.</p>
<p>From the mid-range and the high post, Cornelie is efficient. He has a small repertoire of moves in face up situations that allow him to generate space for shots, particularly the fadeaways he seems to prefer. He also seems to strongly perform in the pick and pop game.</p>
<p>Beyond the arc scoring was Cornelie's greatest asset this year, however. As was already noted, he shot a strong percentage from beyond the arc in both domestic league and Eurocup play this season. He did this on a relatively large number of shots: approximately 2 attempts per game in both leagues.</p>
<p>Finally, Cornelie possesses a pretty good ability to get to the basket on penetration. He can take nearly all bigs with straight line drive attacks, even though his handle is pretty subpar. Finishing remains a concern, and I'll address that in a bit.</p>
<h4>Defensive Upside</h4>
<p>On defense, there is less to like about Cornelie's game as it currently stands, but much to like in the development potential he has.</p>
<p>Cornelie's defensive potential is deeply tied to his athleticism and build. He moves like a player 6 inches shorter, which gives him great potential as a wing defender. We see glimpses of this in his ability to recover from mistakes he regularly makes on switches.</p>
<p>Similarly, his length and quickness should allow him to both jump passing lanes for steals and get weak side help blocks. While to date Cornelie has not impressed much as a ball-hawk, he has shown some skills as a shot blocker. The hope is that this skill will further develop.</p>
<p>Concerns about Cornelie largely revolve around how much he can actually develop.</p>
<h4>Strength and Toughness</h4>
<p>Cornelie has undeniable athletic gifts. He has an almost graceful athleticism that allows him to at times do things that are remarkable.</p>
<p>A major problem is that, perhaps as a result of his athleticism, he plays with a certain lack of toughness. It is almost as if he plays mentally small. He struggles mightily against contact, both offensively and defensively. On the offensive side, he converted at just a 50% rate at the rim last season. His lack of success in converting at the rim at times seems to cause him to shy away from attacking the basket with vigor.</p>
<p>On the defensive end, his lack of size combines with his relative dislike of contact to make him easy pickings in the post. As Mike Schmitz <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5LNx2eaDHQ">noted in this fine breakdown video</a>, Cornelie is regularly targeted for isolation post plays by opposing teams, and opposing centers, even when much smaller, tend to feast on him.</p>
<p>The toughness and strength concerns are even more pronounced in Cornelie's rebounding game. Despite being a quality offensive rebounder, he is very easily forced off of his spots on the defensive boards, even when he has box-out position.</p>
<p>It is possible Cornelie outgrows some of these issues. The mental issues in particular you would hope he could bypass. But physically, it is unclear how much weight Cornelie is going to be able to put on, and as such concerns about his strength are going to persist.</p>
<h4>Defensive IQ</h4>
<p>Plainly, Cornelie seems to still be figuring out the defensive side of the ball. While he has all the physical tools you could ask for from a player, he just doesn't know how to put everything together.</p>
<p>Cornelie regularly finds himself out of position on switches, or overstaying in help situations. He gets very easily caught in screens and unable to recover, leaving his team in exposed situations.</p>
<p>He has yet to grasp how to utilize his length advantages in one one one situations on defense, and cannot use them yet to compensate for a strength disadvantage in the way that, say, a <span>Rudy Gobert</span> can.</p>
<p>He lacks a great understanding of passing lanes and how he can disrupt them. He produced a pitifully small number of steals for a player with the speed and length he possesses, which means he was a) regularly out of position, b) unaware of where other players were on the court, or c) playing very passively. To be honest, all three were accurate at times.</p>
<h4>Completeness of Offensive Game</h4>
<p>While Cornelie has a great ability to score, other aspects of his game are far less polished, and could leave him as a major liability in an NBA offense.</p>
<p>First, Cornelie does not seem to have great court vision. He had only 15 assists in 50 games this season, compared to 56 turnovers. If he is going to be a stretch in the NBA, he needs to be able to see the open player and swing the ball to him with confidence, something it is unclear whether he can do at the moment.</p>
<p>Cornelie is also a substandard ball handler. Part of the reason he is unable to attack defenders with anything beyond a straight line drive approach is because his dribble begins to break down with much more than modest lateral movements. He possesses a very high dribbling form, and can be very loose with the ball, which means his ability to create for himself might be significantly limited against more skilled opponents.</p>
<p>Finally, Cornelie seems to lack almost entirely a low post game. This isn't terribly surprising, as many stretch 4's do not have a highly developed post game. But unlike many other strong post players, who at least at lower levels of competition played in the low post and had to develop the basic skills, Cornelie almost seems like he has never played in the low post with any consistency. This may make it difficult for him to adjust to NBA play, where bigs without at least a semblance of a post-game struggle to get playing time (here's looking at you, <span>Luke Babbitt</span>).</p>
<h4>Fit with Suns</h4>
<p>Cornelie is a high risk, high reward type of player. It is very likely that he never develops into the type of player scouts would hope to see. To fully realize his potential, he'll probably need a stable atmosphere and some serious mentoring to overcome some of his mental problems. Do the Suns provide that type of atmosphere? It is yet to be seen.</p>
<p>However, any major risk associated with Cornelie is offset by the fact that the Suns have so many picks. Striking out on Cornelie does not pose that big of a risk in this context. As such, he might still be a strong pick. While I would probably still pick Zhou Qi as a better fit with <span>Alex Len</span> and <span>T.J. Warren</span>, a Cornelie pick wouldn't necessarily be a mistake.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/6/11865534/2016-phoenix-suns-prospect-profile-petr-cornelieGeoff Allen2016-06-04T07:39:50-07:002016-06-04T07:39:50-07:00Suns should focus on Bender or Chriss at #4
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<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With less than three weeks to go before the 2016 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, and many roster changes on the horizon, one thing is a virtual certainty: the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> will draft a player in the Top 4 of the NBA draft for the first time in nearly 30 years.</p>
<p>And with no power forwards under contract, the Suns should be focusing solely on a big man with the 4th overall pick. And those names should be Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/5/2/11533064/2016-nba-draft-prospect-preview-dragan-bender-and-the-power-of" target="_blank">Dragan Bender BSotS profile</a> <a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/5/9/11637284/2016-phoenix-suns-draft-profiles-marquese-chriss" target="_blank">Marquese Chriss BSotS profile</a>
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<p>Forget for a moment that this NBA Draft is considered weak, and that the players closest to "sure thing" status will be gone in the first two picks with <span>Ben Simmons</span> likely going to Philadelphia and <span>Brandon Ingram</span> going to the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a>.</p>
<p>What's left is a handful of players a tier below in prospect status where at least half of them will struggle to beat out solid veterans for a starting spot at any point in their career, let alone as a rookie. Sure, most of the early-to-mid lottery picks will get a chance to play a lot of minutes as rookies considering only Boston (picking 3rd, thanks to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a>) looks like a playoff contender.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="sidebar">
<a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/4/28/11531150/2016-nba-draft-prospect-previews-all-the-prospects-in-one-place%0A">
<h2>Bright Side Draft Previews</h2>
<img src="http://thumb.usatodaysportsimages.com/image/thumb/650-650nw/8493176.jpg%0A"> </a> <span>See how each prospect would fit with the Phoenix Suns</span>
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<p><span>Jaylen Brown</span> has an NBA body and solid maturity at the young age of 19, but will have to develop a jumper to become an impact player in the NBA. One could envision Brown playing a role similar to <span>Stanley Johnson</span> and Justice Winslow had as rookies. Johnson and Winslow earned roles as defensive impact players for playoff-bound teams despite not shooting well. But for any of these players to have a serious NBA impact, they will need to refine their offensive games.</p>
<p><span>Kris Dunn</span> will earn rookie minutes as an athletic, hard-driving guard who sets up his teammates for scores and takes big shots, but also doesn't make nearly enough of those shots and won't be a difference-maker unless he can consistently drain jumpers to keep defenses honest. Dunn's physical profile puts him next to <span>John Wall</span> and <span>Russell Westbrook</span>, but he's not nearly as good a player. Think more like <span>Elfrid Payton</span> than <span>John Wall</span>. Still, Dunn could be a contender for Rookie of the Year if he's drafted to a team with lots of open minutes at point guard.</p>
<p>Dunn reportedly doesn't even want to visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> or Suns, teams drafting 3rd and 4th already laden with ball-handling guards in competition for playing time. Both teams are more in need of front-court help than anything anyway, and could end of focusing on big men leaving Minnesota a chance to take him to share PG time with <span>Ricky Rubio</span>.</p>
<p>Assuming no trades, the Celtics and Suns are likely set up quite well to take the big men with the highest ceilings on the board after Simmons and Ingram.</p>
<p><span>Marquese Chriss</span> and Dragan Bender, two of the draft's youngest players, are full of untapped potential as versatile big men who can do a little of everything and have a chance to emerge from this draft class as the best of them all.</p>
<p>Chriss profiles as a potentially devastating athlete at the four who can stretch the floor with his shooting. He doesn't rebound in traffic, though, so he'd have to be paired with a great rebounder on the front line to hide that weakness. The Suns have just the thing in <span>Alex Len</span> and <span>Tyson Chandler</span> at the center position. Chriss could have an impact like <span>Myles Turner</span> for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a>, or <span>Trey Lyles</span> for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a> last year. He could also be the next Tyrus Thomas, so buyer beware.</p>
<p>Dragan Bender is oozing talent and reportedly has a great work ethic and a full-max motor on the floor. At his best, Bender looks like a <span>Toni Kukoc</span> player who can pass, rebound, shoot and run the floor well while rotating into any of the front court positions. Kukoc helped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> make a few Finals as a solid third option behind Jordan and Pippen. But right now Bender is skinny and might have trouble with a grind of an 82-game season after largely riding the pine in Europe behind veterans.</p>
<p>Sure, there are other guard prospects who might have great NBA careers, but with a Top 5 pick at shooting guard you're more likely to end up with a <span>Randy Foye</span>, <span>Dion Waiters</span> or <span>Victor Oladipo</span> type than a <span>Bradley Beal</span>, <span>Brandon Roy</span> or <span>Andrew Wiggins</span>.</p>
<p>By picking no higher than 13th or 14th the past several years, the Suns have missed out on some big men with real potential just before their pick. The Suns cannot afford to hope a high-ceiling power forward prospect is still on the board at 13. <span>Skal Labissiere</span>, <span>Henry Ellenson</span> and <span>Deyonta Davis</span> will probably all hear their names called before #13 overall because you can't teach size, just like <span>Frank Kaminsky</span>, <span>Myles Turner</span> and <span>Trey Lyles</span> a year ago. Even Domantas Sabonis might be gone by then.</p>
<p>None of those players has the ceiling of Bender and Chriss though, so the Suns should definitely focus on whichever of those two are still on the board after the Celtics pick 3rd. And then they are likely to have their pick of some nice talent on the wing after the remaining big man prospects are scooped up by lotto teams.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/4/11858176/nba-draft-phoenix-suns-narrow-options-at-4-marquese-chriss-or-dragan-benderDave King2016-06-03T06:00:07-07:002016-06-03T06:00:07-07:002016 Phoenix Suns Prospect Profile: DeAndre Bembry
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<img alt="Yeah, I'm using this same photo of Bembry that everyone does. Because he looks like a baaaad man." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9tgzPgYyaun0OkYU_pMcyZsa3q8=/0x0:1996x1331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49765457/usa-today-9202712.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yeah, I'm using this same photo of Bembry that everyone does. Because he looks like a baaaad man. | James Snook-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>DeAndre Bembry definitely has the best hair in this year's draft (narrowly edging out Zach Auguste). But is he a good fit for the Suns?</p> <p>After he was recently called "<a href="http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2016/6/2/11839878/deandre-bembry-is-the-drafts-best-kept-secret">This Draft's Best Kept Secret</a>," more and more people have become aware of St. Joe's junior wing DeAndre Bembry.</p>
<p>Bembry is definitely a bit of an old school prospect. He possesses an old school look (look at that afro!), a bit of a throwback style of play and a definitely throwback attitude on the court.</p>
<p>After coming out of high school as a relatively unknown product, Bembry has emerged as one of the better upperclassmen in the 2016 Draft. He has followed a strong developmental trajectory, garnering the A10 Rookie of the Year award as a freshmen, All-Conference 1st team as a sophomore, culminating with the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award as a junior.</p>
<p>Bembry has risen up draft boards this year <a href="https://youtu.be/-rWUigP7-Xc">because of his physical tools, his well-rounded game, and his strong defensive potential</a>.</p>
<p>Concerns remain about his <a href="https://youtu.be/f0PZi3EwJXo">shooting touch, whether his handling ability translates to the NBA level, and whether his relatively laid back personality is going to negatively impact the development of his potential</a>.</p>
<h4>Offensive Skills</h4>
<p>Bembry is a highly versatile offensive player. Not only can he score from every part of the court, but he is a more than capable ball handler who has a better than average ability to create for teammates, and he is highly effective off of the ball.</p>
<p>Bembry was a really effective finisher at the rim last season for St. Joe's. He connected on 55% of his two point shots last season, and considering that number includes a high amount of mid-range jumpers, its safe to say he probably converted at around a 60% clip at the rim. His strong transition skills, as well as his remarkable ability to cut to the basket mean he gets a ton of shots near the rim. To top it off, Bembry is also a strong post player, and his seeming burliness belies a relatively modest 207 pound frame.</p>
<p>Speaking of the mid-range, Bembry also seems to be a competent scorer inside the arc. He has a small stable of moves that allow him to create space for his shot, and he hits it at a decent clip, though he should not be considered any sort of mid-range sharpshooter.</p>
<p>Somewhat surprising for a guy of his size, Bembry is a pretty proficient ball handler. While he isn't going to wow anyone, his moves are effective, allowing him to generate space for shots and passes. Not only does he have a decent set of moves, but he is a very willing passer. Some have claimed Bembry has a better natural feel for passing the ball than some of the PG prospects in this class. He averaged 4.5 assists per game last season, with just 2 turnovers per game to match.</p>
<p>It isn't all rosy on the offensive side. While mechanically Bembry's shot is more or less fine, if far too slow, he had a really tough time shooting from range this season. In the previous two year's, he averaged 33% from beyond the arc, not a terrible number, but not great. This season, it dipped to just under 27%. Bembry's career sub 65% free throw shooting rate does not give great confidence that he's ever going to become a great shooter. But he has improved in that area, and that does give one some hope that he might at least improve to about average from the arc.</p>
<p>Another problem area for Bembry might be that he doesn't necessarily possess a highly aggressive attitude, which can lead to too much deference and poor time management decisions on the offensive side. DraftExpress labeled him as 'laid back', implying that this attitude might impact his decision-making, particularly in tight games and situations.</p>
<p>Finally, while Bembry possesses pretty good ball skills for a wing, it is unclear whether those skills will translate into an NBA setting. Remember, Bembry played in the A10, where the level of competition isn't exactly stellar. Some scouts have expressed concerns that his limited number of moves, and his somewhat high dribbling form will make him vulnerable to the NBA's much more defensively talented wing players.</p>
<h4>Defensive Skills</h4>
<p>Defensively, Bembry is a bit more polished of a prospect. Possessing both deceptive speed and leaping ability for a player that seems rather large and powerful, Bembry is a multifaceted defender, with the ability to guard, with a few limitations, point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and (smaller) power forwards.</p>
<p>Quick feet allow Bembry to cut off penetration well, while a 6'9 wingspan allow him to disrupt passing lanes. In transition, those long arms and quick feet, as well as a really quick first step, allow Bembry to jump the passing lanes with some frequency. He averaged a steal and a half a game last season, down from almost two the season before.</p>
<p>Bembry is also a very active defender. He managed to average about a block and a half a game, mostly as a help defender. He is quick to help, perhaps too quick at times, though this is something for which it is hard to critique young players.</p>
<p>Despite his just middling height for a wing (6'6), Bembry is an effective rebounder, averaging almost 8 rebounds per game, including almost 2 offensive boards a game. In some ways, his rebounding is reminiscent of P.J. Tucker, though I would say Bembry relies more on his athleticism to rebound than Tucker, who has developed into something of a scrapper as a rebounder.</p>
<h4>Fit with the Suns</h4>
<p>The Suns are really in need of a long term option for a wing defender. P.J. Tucker isn't that option. He'll be 32 by the end of next season, and we have already begun to see a little regression to the mean with him.</p>
<p>Bembry represents a player who has both a relatively high floor and a pretty high ceiling. He projects as a player who will, at the very least be able to contribute defensively and as an athletic scorer and potentially as a high level, secondary ball handler. If he can bring his shot up to par and nip in the bud any concerns about his aggressiveness, its entirely possible he could develop into a player similar to Manu Gin<span>ó</span>bili. He has a similar skillset - strong finishing ability, good rebounding from the wing position, an uncanny ability to find open teammates, awkward but effective ball-handling abilities. Its a reach to think he'll ever reach Manu's level, but it isn't unreasonable to think he could develop into a lesser version of that player.</p>
<p>Bembry would be a strong pick for the Suns in the late first round. It would bring in a player that would serve as a strong complement to the offensively minded but defensively limited T.J. Warren, and allow the Suns the flexibility to move on from P.J. Tucker if they feel it is time.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/3/11849084/2016-phoenix-suns-prospect-profile-deandre-bembryGeoff Allen2016-06-02T06:00:03-07:002016-06-02T06:00:03-07:00Suns prospect profile: Gary Payton II
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<figcaption>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Gary Payton II feels like he should be one of the most talked about prospects in this draft class, but even having the same name as his Hall of Fame dad hasn't garnered much attention.</p>
<p>The 23-year-old senior out of Oregon State was first team All-Pac-12 and the Defensive Player of the Year in both of his two years playing for the school after transferring from a community college.</p>
<p>Payton's skillset is not dynamic, and that's apparent when looking at his draft stock. DraftExpress, ESPN, and CBS Sports all have him in the 45-55 range of their big boards, meaning that he could easily go undrafted.</p>
<p>Some folks, including myself and <a target="_blank" href="http://upsidemotor.com/2016/05/10/gary-payton-ii-scouting-report/">some at Upside Motor,</a> heavily disagree and believe he should go in the first round.</p>
<p>Let's dive in and see why that's the case.</p>
<h3>The next generation of point guards</h3>
<p><span>Russell Westbrook</span>, <span>John Wall</span>, <span>Derrick Rose</span> pre-injury and others have helped showcase a new generation of point guards with phenomenal athleticism.</p>
<p>Payton fits the mold. At 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, Payton has the size to keep up at the next level.</p>
<p>If you're wondering about his bounce, ask Cheick Diallo.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ELI_kRBiWrc?list=PLS02DrMDww6ckE_ccMcqkWvBtupOcnKJs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Most teams have no answer whatsoever for guys like Westbrook and Wall, but Payton has the tools to become one with time.</p>
<h3>Defensive Ability</h3>
<p>How many lockdown defenders are there at the point guard position in the NBA? Not many right?</p>
<p>That's where Payton's value shines through. He was by no means that at Oregon State, but it was not due to a lack of understanding.</p>
<p>He played a majority of his time in a zone defense, which allowed him to grasp a terrific base of knowledge on team defense both off the ball and on it.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j172taCbDB8?list=PLS02DrMDww6ckE_ccMcqkWvBtupOcnKJs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>That delayed his learning as an individual defender on the ball.</p>
<p>Payton needs a couple of corrections to become that guy, but more important is the fact that he only needs those to become a special player on that end.</p>
<p>The tools are all there. (For your convenience, this is a streamable clip from DX's strengths video on Payton. As always, shoutout to the terrific work they do. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP9uMYS5GY0">You can view the full video here.</a>)</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>He has terrific lateral quickness, great instincts for both steals and blocking shots (zone D once again helped), and is going to get better when he understands what exactly he has to do as an individual on-ball defender.</p>
<p>From my viewing, it does not look like a lack of understanding, mentality, or effort on his end. He's close to being very good already in the NBA (after running into the rookie wall a few times like they always do.)</p>
<h3>Offensive limitations</h3>
<p>Besides some hesitations as to how good he truly is on defense, the reason Payton is so far down many boards is because of his limitations as a point guard.</p>
<p>Payton II is somewhere in the range of below average at the position, which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement.</p>
<p>He's a decent ball-handler and, to steal a bullet point from DraftExpress, is also a "capable passer."</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g3jDH-9OBDo?list=PLS02DrMDww6ckE_ccMcqkWvBtupOcnKJs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>He's not going to blow you away as a playmaker by both creating open looks for his teammates and hitting them at difficult angles. That's not his game.</p>
<p>When he can get to the basket for himself, he's a great finisher. According to DraftExpress, Payton II shot 65 percent at the rim this season.</p>
<p>His three-point shot, like his complete game on this end, is limited. He shot 32 percent is senior year, and would be much better off taking the occasional open catch-and-shoot three.</p>
<p>How much he can hit those shots could very well dictate how well he fits into an offense. The good news is microwave scorers at either wing spot are fairly common and a player like that is a great compliment to his game. Your offense isn't going to tank when Payton is in if you have a capable offensive player on the wing, and those are much more common than a capable defensive player.</p>
<h3>Role player potential</h3>
<p>Payton has large parts of his game that make him an ideal role player in the NBA.</p>
<p>His primary focus is on defense, and he can be positive both on the ball and off it. If you want to play him with another point guard for his defense, he should have no problem continuing to be a plus off the ball on that end and will do his part on the glass as much as a shooting guard normally would.</p>
<p>He's a terrific rebounder, grabbing nearly eight a game in his two seasons at Oregon State.</p>
<p>Payton is one of only two players since the 1993-94 college basketball season to <a href="http://(http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&year_min=&year_max=&conf_id=&school_id=&class_is_fr=Y&class_is_so=Y&class_is_jr=Y&class_is_sr=Y&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&games_type=A&qual=&c1stat=stl_per_g&c1comp=gt&c1val=3&c2stat=blk_per_g&c2comp=gt&c2val=1&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=stl_per_g)." target="_blank">average at least three steals and one block per game in a power conference</a>. He racks those up, and those are the types of impact plays coaches want to see from their role players either in a starting lineup or coming off the bench.</p>
<p>Like I said earlier, Payton II can make the right passes on offense and isn't a complete negative.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tjlBz9ypXHU?list=PLS02DrMDww6ckE_ccMcqkWvBtupOcnKJs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>If he's given the space to attack the rim because of his shot, the aforementioned finishing at the rim is a plus and despite not having a great handle, there's brief glimpses of him being a playmaker.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_D4FkhDMK8o?list=PLS02DrMDww6ckE_ccMcqkWvBtupOcnKJs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><span>A press like that is designed to exploit Payton's ability as a point guard and he dismantles it in a hurry.</span></p>
<p>Payton wont't be able to create his own offense, but teams don't need him to. For how good he could be on defense, that shouldn't be such a detriment to his stock.</p>
<h3>Conclusion and fit with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a>
</h3>
<p>If it wasn't obvious to you, I'm a big fan of Payton.</p>
<p>In a draft with so many question marks across the board, Payton has a significant skill on defense that is nearly ready for the NBA, and he contributes in many other areas that -- let me put on my talking head hat... hold on... adjusting... that's good -- help a team win basketball games.</p>
<p>Look at what happened to another former Pac-12 player Andre Roberson. There was no doubt about Roberson as a defender, rebounder and transitioning all that to the NBA. The problem was his offense and it still is, but because of that, he went 26<sup>th</sup> in the first round and could have gone much later if wasn't for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> reaching on him.</p>
<p>Roberson was recently the sixth-best player on the court in a conference finals matchup between two amazing teams at only 24 years of age because of those defensive skills.</p>
<p>That's what Payton could bring to a team, and his below average point guard skills are just enough to keep him on the floor as the minor changes to his defensive game -€”- like Roberson needed -€”- help him grow into an impact player.</p>
<p>The Suns need good defenders and a backup point guard. Payton is at least both in the NBA in my opinion, and there's a very good chance he's available for Phoenix at either 28 or 34. He's a no-brainer at that spot if the Suns haven't selected a point guard.</p>
<p>If all goes well and Payton exceeds expectations, what he does on the court meshes tremendously with what <span>Devin Booker</span> has already shown he can do. That type of value in the latter stages of this draft is fantastic and should be capitalized on by the Suns.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/2/11824810/2016-phoenix-suns-prospect-profile-gary-payton-ii-is-great-value-atKellan Olson2016-06-01T13:49:45-07:002016-06-01T13:49:45-07:00Phoenix Suns Prospect Preview: Juan Hernangomez will find a role
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<p>Hernangomez has everything a team could want in a modern big, but will consistency troubles hurt his value at the next level? </p> <p>Sometimes the only thing you need to see from an aspiring NBA big man is the way in which he runs the floor. Most behemoths lumber their way down the hardwood with a sluggish demeanor, easily susceptible to rim-runs against opposing bigs that can cascade around the court like a jackrabbit.</p>
<p>The Nikola Pekovic's of the world have had their moment in the sun, but for the most part, GMs would prefer to have the fluidity of a <span>Tristan Thompson</span> type at the top of their front court. Elusiveness, malleability and a thirst for physicality are all requisite skills to survive the natural selection process in the NBA. Each of those skills are within the realm of Juan Hernangomez's game, and if he continues to hone those talents to create more consistency, some team is going to pick up a steal late in the first round.</p>
<p>Let's take a look.</p>
<h3>The Good</h3>
<p>Hernangomez's destiny in the league is of the stretch-four domain, and offensive-minded coaches are going to love his feel for the game on that end of the floor. He showcases a knowledge for what is going on, and parlays that knowledge into a litany of different ways to help an offense. The Spaniard shot 36 percent on threes last season, a coup for any player of his size (6-foot-9) and age (20). Perhaps his most lethal offensive skill in relation to today's NBA game would be when he is unleashed on a pick and pop.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Hernangomez sports a quick trigger that looks dandy when it is configured with the proper cohesion. Combine that with his understanding of offensive actions and coaches will fall in love with the untapped capabilities of such a young player.</p>
<p>The pick and pop game is all but expected from a big man prospect nowadays (especially from International players), but Hernanzgomez has shown a propensity for eliciting physical contact and being an above average finisher as a dive man on the pick and roll.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>The sequence above is particularly encouraging because of the tight space in which Hernangomez had to work with. It is difficult to comprehend the composure needed to: screen, roll, catch a low bounce pass, and then finish with two defenders draping over your back. Hernangomez operates with cool composure and utilizes his soft hands en route to two points.</p>
<p>Having the ability to act as a pick and roll diver as well as a popper will open up massive opportunities for an offense within the half-court. Especially if Hernangomez is given the pleasure of playing with a heady point guard that can also create his own shot. Defenses will have to overcompensate one way or the other and in turn, a high percentage look will be the result.</p>
<p>Off the ball, any stationed shooter must be a potent threat not only because of their shooting prowess, but also in part to their knack for slicing cuts when applicable and ability to attack a defender during a closeout. Hernangomez is an opportune cutter, using his quicks to get into the lane in a jiffy when his defender takes a quick snooze.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>This play may be the best illustration of Hernangomez's motor. He is always jittering around, hyperactively trying to make a play to help his team win. If he continues to be active and make that trait a featured part of his game, it will only increase his chances of creating a path for himself with an organization. GMs never let a prospect go who has a knack for making "winning plays."</p>
<p>Additionally, his tendency to attack closeouts by driving left is a unique misdirection ploy that causes defenders to be a half a step slow in their recovery.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>The pace and control in which Hernangomez dribbles is a pleasant surprise for any front office when projecting his development, and it falls right under the "dribble, pass, shoot" mantra of the present day NBA.</p>
<p>Lastly, the talent that showed out most to me was easily Hernangomez's thirst for crashing the boards. Despite his slight frame -- 6-foot-9, 220 pounds -- the young forward relishes within an environment where physicality reigns supreme. He doesn't always need to be in proper position to make an impact on the boards, using his bouncy legs and above average length to sky over oppositions.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Obviously, his athleticism will be characterized more as pedestrian among the athletes in the NBA, but possessing a high-octane motor is a great start to becoming a strong rebounder.</p>
<h3>The Bad</h3>
<p>Due to all of his hyperactivity, Hernangomez has fallen short on the defensive end of the floor during his short career. Too often he will get caught trying to go for the turnover when a simple shuffling of the feet would have proven to be more than enough to stifle the offense. This sort of gambling would shuffle the defensive rotations in a nonproductive way, and lead to easy lay-ins.</p>
<p>It will be a struggle for Hernangomez to harness his innate desire to make the big play for his team. Communication is going to be of the upmost importance, and he will have to learn how to play within the context of team defense. After all, a defense is incapable of playing on a string if one strand continually strays from the pack.</p>
<p>Another cause for concern would be the location in which Hernangomez lets go of the ball during his shooting motion. Since he places the ball on the left side of his face, there is a greater chance for misfires to take place and when they do, they can be pretty ugly.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Consistency is the calling card for any young player, though, and I am going to bet on Hernangomez ironing out his release once he is given the proper tutelage from an NBA coaching staff.</p>
<h3>Fit with the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Suns</a>
</h3>
<p>Hernangomez has swiftly become one of my favorite candidates for the #28 pick. However, the early rumors have made him as a fit with the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia 76ers</a> at #26, and I am going to take a shot in the dark and say that is going to come down to either him or Chinese prospect Zhou Qi for Philly. The Suns will therefore be at the mercy of whoever the Sixers choose to pass on -- which would not be the worst situation in the world. Let another organization make the tough decision for you.</p>
<p>Hernangomez has the upside and motor to be selected towards the end of the first round, but his fate as an NBA caliber stretch-four hinges on his adaptability on the defensive end and whether or not he can construct a consistent and compact shooting stroke.</p>
<p>*Pauses*</p>
<p>He is such a <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> pick isn't he? I am already mad.</p>
<p>*All videos were snippets taken from our friends over at DraftExpress. You can watch Hernangomez's strengths video <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2srBdn_U5CU">here</a> and his weakness video <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnjag_kPipA">here</a>.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/1/11832074/phoenix-suns-prospect-preview-juan-hernangomez-will-find-a-roleOwen Sanborn2016-06-01T06:00:03-07:002016-06-01T06:00:03-07:00Draft Prospect Comparison: Zubac and Zizic
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<p>Zubac and Zizic are 19-year-old international centers with raw games and contrasting skill sets.</p> <p>The 2016 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Draft</a> is chock full of mystery men, and most of those players can be found at the taller end of the spectrum. Two of those players, Ivica Zubac and Ante Zizic, could be available when the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> select at Nos. 28 and 34.</p>
<p>But does that mean the Suns should take one if the opportunity presents itself? Here is a look at each player's strengths and weaknesses and how each would fit with the Suns.</p>
<h4>Ivica Zubac</h4>
<p>Ivica Zubac, a 19-year-old center from Bosnia and Herzegovina who played last season for Mega Leks, is just one of several international question marks in this year's draft. His physical stats (7'1, 265lbs) are clearly NBA caliber, but as history has shown time and again, size does not equate to ability. (Where is <span>Hasheem Thabeet</span>, anyway?)</p>
<p>Zubac is a self-described back-to-the-basket center, and his offensive game backs this up. Most of his shot attempts come from the paint, and while he shows some impressive footwork and touch around the basket — especially for his age — he tends to struggle against players who can match his physicality and size. Zubac does project well as a capable pick-and-roll player down the road with his mobility, but he offers zero pick-and-pop option at the moment.</p>
<p>Defense is a bigger area of concern for Zubac. It can be forgiven that a teenager might not have a firm grasp of defensive fundamentals (which he doesn't), but usually one would expect a 7'1 player to compensate for that with a natural ability to block and alter shots. However, Zubac is not a gifted shot blocker despite his 7'4 wingspan, owing to a combination of those poor fundamentals from before and a lack of spring off the court. Compounding that problem is his defensive awareness, or lack thereof. His attention seems to come and go on that end of the floor, and he doesn't possess the athletic gifts to atone for those moments. He has the foot speed and size to be an effective defender from mid-range in, but he is not there yet.</p>
<p>As a rebounder, Zubac shows ability — especially on the offensive glass — but again does most of his work with his size instead of sound fundamentals like putting a body on a man and boxing out. He plays like someone who has been bigger and stronger than his competition for most of his life, and that will not be the case when he makes the jump to the NBA. He can improve those fundamentals, but it would be nice to see him further along than he is.</p>
<p>Ultimately, his ceiling is probably that of a more athletic Todd MacCulloch or perhaps as a <span>Tiago Splitter</span> type for a more contemporary reference point. He is unlikely to ever become more than a role player, as he lacks any single defining skill to lean on. Had he been born 15 years earlier, his place in the NBA would have been assured, but with the changing game, his old school skill set makes him a 19-year-old dinosaur who will have to evolve or face the extinction of his NBA dream.</p>
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<h4>Ante Zizic</h4>
<p>Ante Zizic is the other Balkan Big Man projected to be drafted in the mid-to-late first round. A 6'11 center from Croatia, at 19 Zizic is among the youngest players available in the draft, like Zubac.</p>
<p>Unlike Zubac, who bounced around many teams this year in the Adriatic League before settling into a starting role with Mega Leks, Zizic has been a heavy part of the starting center rotation for Cibona Zagreb for almost two years now.</p>
<p>This season, Zizic averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and a block in around 25 minutes per game in Adriatic League play. In the (ostensibly) higher level FIBA Europe Cup, he put up similar numbers, averaging 16 points, 8 rebounds and a block. These averages are also consistent with what he put up the year before with Cibona.</p>
<p>At this point, Zizic is considered an energy and athleticism prospect. His offensive game is tied to his ability to make cuts to the basket, and a strong ability to finish at and near the rim. This translates to high shooting percentages, but also to a high number of free throw attempts for a center, which he converts at around a 70% clip.</p>
<p>It seems clear that Zizic will need to develop a better midrange game and a better back to the basket game to be an effective player in today's NBA. The high free throw shooting percentage leads me to believe he can achieve the first. Whether he can develop a real back to the basket game remains an open question. He has the athleticism, but much of that skillset is dependent on mental awareness, and that is hard to gauge in a 19-year-old.</p>
<p>Defensively, Zizic plays with grit and energy, and is a willing banger. He's a bit of a ball hawk on the boards, which is good and bad, as it can at times lead him to abandoning his box-out responsibilities. He does not offer much in terms of passing lane disruption, and frankly his shot-blocking numbers are a little bit lower than I would expect given his athleticism and his general energy level on the court. This adds fuel to the earlier mentioned concerns about his on-court awareness.</p>
<p>Overall, Zizic is an interesting draft and stash candidate in the late first round. Because he does not have a summer buyout clause in his contract, he will definitely be spending at least the next season playing in Europe.</p>
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<h4>Should the Suns bite?</h4>
<p>Probably not. Neither fills a pressing need for the team with two centers already in the mix, but of the two, Zizic makes more sense. Even with questionable growth potential compared to Zubac, Zizic could provide a team with 5-10 minutes of energy off the bench, and coaches love guys who come into the game and make a difference. Zubac does not bring that same skill set. His best attribute at present is his post game, and with the Suns not playing a post-heavy style, he would be relegated to being a pick-and-roll player, which is not yet a true strength.</p>
<p>However, with neither player clearly better than Phoenix's incumbents (<span>Tyson Chandler</span> and <span>Alex Len</span> for Zubac and <span>Alan Williams</span> for Zizic), it would be wise for Ryan McDonough to look elsewhere with those later picks.</p>
https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/6/1/11810158/breaking-down-ivica-zubac-and-ante-zizic-for-the-phoenix-suns-later-picksDeadpoolioGeoff Allen