Who would be the ideal center for the Suns?

[CardShark]

It would have to be someone who could run the floor and shoot the long range shot. There's one player that comes to mind right away. Dirk Nowitski. I'm not saying the Suns have any chance at getting him, but he would fill that position perfectly.

Any others?

 

[amare2]

We already have a Dirk-like player in Amare - both apt at center but better PF's who have range and aren't truly dominant post defenders.

Ideally, to compliment Stoudemire and Marion, we'd have a bigger, better defending version of Boris Diaw, but since they don't grow on trees, I think he's our guy.

He deserves to start over Kurt (who can be our version of what Diop does for Dallas).

 

[Joe Mama]

The Dirk Nowitzki I've seen in this series so far is a better defender than Amare Stoudemire. He's never going to make one of the NBA defensive teams, but Dirk's defense has improved significantly.

Joe

 

[Joe Mama]

In a dream scenario the Phoenix Suns would get the fourth pick in next year's draft (via Atlanta), and a few players would jump up the draft charts ahead of Noah from Florida. He would be a great center fit for this team.

Joe

 

[scotsman13]

i think that noah would be a very good match for our system. better yet i want oden but we dont stand a chance at getting him.

 

[amare2]

Noah isn't going to be a dominant NBA center. He's just way too skinny and frail.

He's like a longer Shawn Marion and we've seen him try to defend in the paint.

I like the kid but his athleticism was just overshadowing borderline competition (strictly referencing interior offense) in the NCAA's. Guys like Brand and Amare and Duncan will eat him up in the post.

I grant you that they do that to most players---that in itself might speak against the idea of relying on a rookie to "fix" a problem.

 

[devilalum]

The ideal center for the Suns is.................


Amare Diaw.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

In a dream scenario the Phoenix Suns would get the fourth pick in next year's draft (via Atlanta), and a few players would jump up the draft charts ahead of Noah from Florida. He would be a great center fit for this team.

Joe

Isn't Noah staying in school?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Isn't Noah staying in school?

That is why he is hoping that we get the 4th pick from Atlanta in the NEXT year's draft. Both of our picks this year are in the 20's. If Atlanta finishes 4th or better, we get their pick next year.

 

[sly fly]

The Dirk Nowitzki I've seen in this series so far is a better defender than Amare Stoudemire. He's never going to make one of the NBA defensive teams, but Dirk's defense has improved significantly.

Joe

Not true. Dirk's off-ball defense could be the poorest in the league. Especially as a player who logs countless minutes.

How many times does Dirk get beat backdoor? Or, fail to offer weak-side help?

Has his one-on-one defense improved? Probably. But, it has more to do with his length than anything.

His defensive footwork is atrocious. Still. He is what he is... a player who can score with the best of them.

His rebounding has improved.

Amare can at least recover, which makes up for his inexperience on D. I really hope he remains focused on improving this part of his game. Amare playing 48 minutes of D is a scary thing.

 

[jandaman]

Marcus Camby... can run, like a Steven Hunter but ten folds better. Diaw is about 3 inches shorter from being perfect.

But he is damn effective for the Suns.

 

[Joe Mama]

Not true. Dirk's off-ball defense could be the poorest in the league. Especially as a player who logs countless minutes.

How many times does Dirk get beat backdoor? Or, fail to offer weak-side help?

Has his one-on-one defense improved? Probably. But, it has more to do with his length than anything.

His defensive footwork is atrocious. Still. He is what he is... a player who can score with the best of them.

His rebounding has improved.

Amare can at least recover, which makes up for his inexperience on D. I really hope he remains focused on improving this part of his game. Amare playing 48 minutes of D is a scary thing.

Last year, Amare Stoudemire's defense was abysmal. There was a complete lack of effort much of the time, and he frequently looked lost. He could still make an occasional great play because of his athleticism. He also played decent one-on-one defense when he really tried. It remains to be seen whether he'll still have the kind of athleticism he relied on for his defense after the knee surgeries.


I'll have to pay closer attention to Dirk Nowitzki's team defense in the next couple games. I was thinking mostly of his man to man's skills which I think it definitely improved. Last year, and especially in the years before last, anybody could score on Nowitzki.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Marcus Camby... can run, like a Steven Hunter but ten folds better. Diaw is about 3 inches shorter from being perfect.

But he is damn effective for the Suns.

This is the best idea for a center that I have heard. A quick, good rebounding, great blocking center that can run on the break if needed and usually does not need double team help in the post.

If Camby could just stay healthy, there is no one.

You could argue Ben Wallace. His flaws are really starting to show this year, but he does defend well.

 

[SirStefan32]

Amare on 5 with KG and Diaw on 3&4.

 

[JCSunsfan]

A front line of Amare, Boris, and Shawn is ideal for us.

I don't care who you call center.

 

[Jay Cardinal]

The Dirk Nowitzki I've seen in this series so far is a better defender than Amare Stoudemire. He's never going to make one of the NBA defensive teams, but Dirk's defense has improved significantly.

Joe

huh? Dirk's defense has improved? Did you watch game 4, they showed highlights of his poor defense. He was constantly out of position and when he played off the ball and helped, Marion quickly filled the lane and got an easy dunk. In the first half alone Marion did this 3 times.

I know Dirk has always been a subpar defender but IMO this year isn't the year that he has turned it around. Even his steals/blocks were much lower than his career averages. Perhaps what you are thinking is because of the improved defensive talent around him (Dampier, Howard, and the backup that has played in the Suns series) and improved coaching.

 

[Jay Cardinal]

Oh and my choice for Suns Center would be Camby. Excellent shotbocker, good hands, good finisher, quick for a big man, and can shoot it outside. I can't imagine a better fit currently in the league.

 

[Gaddabout]

Alvan Adams.

 

[nowagimp]

Noah isn't going to be a dominant NBA center. He's just way too skinny and frail.

He's like a longer Shawn Marion and we've seen him try to defend in the paint.

I like the kid but his athleticism was just overshadowing borderline competition (strictly referencing interior offense) in the NCAA's. Guys like Brand and Amare and Duncan will eat him up in the post.

I grant you that they do that to most players---that in itself might speak against the idea of relying on a rookie to "fix" a problem.

Now that you have said it, I agree, not intending to offend the many Noah fans on this board. Randy Foy ate him up in the post in the NCAA's, he will be only an appetizer for Elton Brand or Tim Duncan. Noah is not like Marion, he really doesnt have the hops or footspeed, just alot of smarts and length. He'll need at least 30 lbs extra muscle and 4-5 years training to be a good center in the NBA.

 

[DeAnna]

The ideal center for the Suns is.................
Amare Diaw.

No, silly. It's Boris Stoudemire.

 

[CardShark]

I would take Nowitzki over Camby in a heartbeat. He's a scorer (7th in NBA), a threat at 3pt range that would draw shot blockers like Camby away from the basket, excellent FT shooter (5th @ 90%), good rebounder (16th @ 9) and a 7 footer that can move. He's younger than Camby and his game is only going to get better. Would you pass that over for an additional 2 blocked shots per game? Nowitzky also has a better injury history.

Imagine the starting team of Nash, Bell, Stoudemire, Marion and Nowitzki with Diaw, T Thomas, K Thomas and Barbosa coming off the bench. That is a fearsome front 9.

 

[Mainstreet]

Noah isn't going to be a dominant NBA center. He's just way too skinny and frail.

He's like a longer Shawn Marion and we've seen him try to defend in the paint.

I would love to have a "longer" Shawn Marion (say 6'11" or 7') play center for the Suns. He would be better than Shaq in his prime.

 

[ARZCardinals]

They had thier center in Ilgazkus (spelling) ...just didn't have Dantoni who could have made it work.

 

[Mainstreet]

They had thier center in Ilgazkus (spelling) ...just didn't have Dantoni who could have made it work.

This player is on the Cleveland roster and never played for the Suns. Maybe you are talking about Big Jake who would not fit into D'Antoni's system.

 

[SirStefan32]

Come on man, Jake Suckalidis wouldn't last 5 minutes on the floor with this team NOW. He'd end up passing out.