Phoenix Suns: NBA Draft

2007 NBA Draft: Biggest Surprises

Jeff Fox — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:40:18 -0700

Another NBA draft is in the books, and as usual there was a ton of activity with even more rumors flying around. The biggest surprise of the night is the trades that didn’t go down, as opposed to what actually did transpire. Here are the top shockers from the evening:

Kevin Garnett is still in Minnesota

With all of the rumors flying about KG, and all the prospective teams interested in his services, it is a bit of a surprise that he is still with the Timberwolves the morning after the draft. Minnesota’s brass seemed determined to ship him out before or during the draft but apparently couldn’t get a deal done.

Ray-Ray is a Celtic

There were rumors heading into the draft that Seattle was open to trading Ray Allen. The fact that he ended up in Boston to team up with Paul Pierce was a surprise. The Celtics realize that games are played with only one ball, right?

Brandan Wright’s Stock Drop

For the longest time heading up to the draft, UNC’s Wright was the consensus pick for the #3 slot in the draft. Even after it became apparent that Atlanta was going to go with Al Horford with the third pick, Wright wasn’t expected to drop all the way to the eighth spot. Wright is a steal at pick eight – he is probably the third best prospect in this loaded draft class.

Charlotte’s Wrong Trade of Wright

Apparently the Bobcats didn’t realize how lucky they were to get the above-mentioned Wright with the eighth pick. While Jason Richardson is a decent player, he is owed around $50 million still over the next four years and has never made an all-star team. He is getting paid franchise-player money but isn’t one. Golden State got a steal in this deal. Michael Jordan made the wrong deal with Wright.

Josh McRoberts Monumental Drop

Duke’s talented McRoberts was projected as a future lottery pick when he entered college. After two so-so seasons at Duke, his stock dropped a bit. But the fact that he lasted until pick #37 is a shock. Portland got a steal at this pick and came out of this draft smelling like roses (the Rose City – get it!).

Phoenix’s Inability to Make Moves

The Suns stated that they had deals in place that would get them into the top 10 of the draft. They were so certain that they had many of the top lottery prospects work out for them recently. So it came as a surprise that the only first round moves Phoenix ended up making was selling it’s #24 pick to Portland and drafting Alando Tucker at pick #29.

Sean Williams Went at #17

There is no way that Boston College’s Williams should have gone that high (excuse the pun) in the draft. While he is a great physical specimen, athlete and shot-blocker, his off-court issues were ongoing in college – he didn’t just get into trouble once. Plus he averaged around 5 points per game for his college career. Shot blocking specialists with drug problems who were reluctant to work out for teams leading up to the draft should not be picked at #17.

All-Time Draft Studs & Duds: Part Two

Jeff Fox — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 06:19:25 -0700

Part One of All-Time NBA Draft Studs & Duds contains Atlanta through Miami.

Milwaukee Bucks

Stud:

1969-#1- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Dud:

1988-#13- Jeff Grayer

Could have had: Dan Majerle, Rod Strickland, Anthony Mason

Minnesota Timberwolves

Stud:

1995-#5- Kevin Garnett

Dud:

1999-#6- Wally Szczerbiak

Could have had: Richard Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Ron Artest

New Jersey Nets

Stud:

1977-#7- Bernard King

Dud:

1987-#3- Dennis Hopson

Could have had: Scottie Pippen, Reggie Miller

New Orleans Hornets

Stud:

1996-#13- Kobe Bryant

Dud:

1989-#5- J.R. Reid

Could have had: Tim Hardaway, Shawn Kemp

New York Knicks

Stud:

1964- 2^nd round - #10 overall - Willis Reed

Dud:

1962-#2- Duke Hogue

Could have had: Dave deBusschere, Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek

Orlando Magic

Stud:

1992-#1- Shaquille O’Neal

Dud:

2003-#13- Reece Gaines

Could have had: Josh Howard

Philadelphia 76ers

Stud:

1984-#5- Charles Barkley

Dud:

1997-#2- Keith Van Horn

Could have had: Tracy McGrady, Chauncey Billups

Phoenix Suns

Stud:

1996-#15- Steve Nash

Dud:

1987-#2- Armon Gilliam

Could have had: Scottie Pippen, Reggie Miller

Portland Trailblazers

Stud:

1983-#14- Clyde Drexler

Dud:

1984-#2- Sam Bowie

Could have had: Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Charles Barkley

Sacramento Kings

Stud:

1970-#19- Tiny Archibald

Dud:

1956-#1- Si Green

Could have had: Bill Russell

San Antonio

Stud:

1999- 2^nd round - #57 overall – Manu Ginobli

Dud:

1984-#7- Alvin Robertson

Could have had: John Stockton

Seattle Sonics

Stud:

1987-#5- Scottie Pippen

Dud:

2001-#2- Vlad Radmanovic

Could have had: Richard Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Ron Artest

Toronto Raptors

Stud:

1997-#9- Tracy McGrady

Dud:

1999-#5- Jonathan Bender

Could have had: Richard Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Ron Artest

Utah Jazz

Stud:

1985-#13- Karl Malone

Dud:

1980-#2- Darrell Griffith

Could have had: Kevin McHale

Washington Wizards

Stud:

1968-#2- Wes Unseld

Dud:

1984-#6- Melvin Turpin

Could have had: John Stockton

Return to Part One of All-Time NBA Draft Studs & Duds

Phoenix Suns: NBA Draft Team Needs

Jon Teitel — Sun, 27 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

NBA Draft: Phoenix Suns

Record: 61-21, 1st Pacific

Draft Picks: 24^th, 29^th, 59^th

Team Needs: Starting center, which will allow Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion to play in their preferred positions (power forward and small forward, respectively). Backup point guard, to give Steve Nash a rest. Better defense on the interior and perimeter. Better shooting off the bench (of the 7 players who did not start at least 10 games, none shot better than 45% from the field).

Player who can fill these needs: Jason Smith, Marc Gasol, Gabe Pruitt, Aaron Gray

Draft History:

2006 - Rajon Rondo (21), Sergio Rodriguez (27)

2005 - Nate Robinson (21), Marcin Gortat (57)

2004 - None

2003 - Zarko Cabarkapa (17)

2002 - Amare Stoudemire (9), Casey Jacobsen (22)

2001 - Alton Ford (51)

2000 - Jake Tsakalidis (25)

1999 – Shawn Marion (9)

1998 – None

1997 – Stephen Jackson (43)

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