| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Phoenix Draft Preview (29th) Authored by Jason M. Williams - June 26, 2007 - 12:45 pm
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Draft Picks: 24th, 29th, 59th
What they do well
The Phoenix Suns were one Robert Horry body check away from potentially winning their first ever NBA title. They were less than a minute away from evening the Western Conference second round playoff series at two games apiece that would have swung momentum in their favor heading back to Phoenix, when Horry collided with team leader Steve Nash. Everyone knows what happened next. The Suns were stripped of their best player and a key rotation guy, and nearly squeaked out an improbable Game 5 victory. However, they were never the same after the league suspensions and were once again robbed of an opportunity to stake claim on the Larry O’Brien trophy.
The Suns have one of the most dynamic teams in league history, with two-time MVP Steve Nash coming off another dominant season with 18.6 points and 11.6 assists per game. This season also saw the emergence of Leandro Barbosa as a true weapon for the high-octane Suns, as he put up 18.1 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting an incredible 43.4% from downtown.
Superstar power forward/center Amare Stoudemire returned from knee microfracture surgery and showed no ill-effects as he regained his dominant form, averaging 20.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.34 blocks per game. Their other two starters had great seasons as well, with Shawn Marion averaging 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.95 steals, and 1.53 blocks per game, while Raja Bell added 14.7 points per on an efficient 41.3% three-point shooting.
The Suns were arguably the best team in the league this season and had the title taken away from their grasp because of an unnecessarily stringent league rule. They need to regroup this offseason, add some depth with their three draft picks, and fill in the holes that continually leave them unable to get over the playoff hump.
Where do they need improvement?
While the Suns are expected to take a big man with their 24th pick, they have no choice but to restock their thinning backcourt. Since the offseason that saw both Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson change cities, they have experienced a drought at the two-guard position, being ‘forced’ into using Barbosa as a shooting guard. At this stage in the draft, the Suns must utilize this pick to add another young slashing sniper to their backcourt, in order to preserve the aging Steve Nash.
Who should they target?
- Marcus Williams, SG – Arizona:
Williams fits the Phoenix mold of being a tweener at the shooting guard position. His 6-7 length and above-average quickness allow him to play effective defense on multiple positions. He is a slashing type who would greatly benefit playing alongside Steve Nash because he can score in transition and while moving without the ball. He has good ranger on his jumper and can knock down anything from three-point range. He has a great handle and is a remarkable passer, something D’Antoni would utilize to its fullest. Watch for him to make an immediate impact on the Phoenix rotation should they decide to snatch him with this pick.
- Morris Almond, SG – Rice:
Morris Almond may not have the quickness or athleticism that you normally expect with a Suns backcourt player, but he has perhaps the best outside shot not only at this stage in the draft, but perhaps throughout all of the potential draftees. He is an explosive scorer who can score off the dribble, in transition, and from a set shot. His 26.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game helped propel Rice, and he would benefit greatly in a lineup of skilled passers that can utilize his propensity to score.
- Taureen Green, PG – Florida:
With the experience of being a team leader on the back-to-back national champion Florida Gators, there couldn’t be a better fit for a backup to Steve Nash. His size and athleticism are the only knocks on his game, but he’s able to demonstrate composure while under pressure, make players around him better, knock down the open shot, and penetrate and get to the foul line when it’s needed to calm the flow of the game. Does that sound familiar to anyone?
Picks since 2000
Phoenix fans must scratch their heads when they look back at the past four first-round selections that the Suns have made and dealt away on Draft Day. Rondo and Rodriguez are poised to become eventual starters in the league, Nate Robinson has become an effective sparkplug scorer off the bench, and Luol Deng made a jump towards stardom this season and seems to become a fixture as an Eastern Conference All-Star.
Rather than keeping one of the two top-flight 21 year-old point guards from last year at a discounted late round rookie price, they decided it was a better idea to dump $21M over 5 years on Marcus Banks to deliver 4.9 points and 1.3 assists in 11.1 minutes per game to spell the aging Steve Nash. However, their one solid pick of the past five years was nabbing Amare with the 9th pick in 2002.
2006
Rajon Rondo, 21st (traded to Boston)
Sergio Rodriguez, 27th (traded to Portland)
2005
Nate Robinson, 21st (traded to New York)
Marcin Gortat, 57th (traded to Orlando)
2004
Luol Deng, 7th (traded to Chicago)
2003
Zarko Cabarkapa, 17th
2002
Amare Stoudemire, 9th
Casey Jacobsen, 22nd
2001
Alton Ford, 51st
2000
Jake Tsakalidis, 25th
Who do you want the Suns to draft at number 29? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions. |
