Pick 3 - Round 1 - Phoenix Suns

Reports leaked before the draft that the Phoenix Suns' war room was filled with infighting, and as the clock came on for the #3 overall pick after Andrew Wiggins and Alex Len went off the board 1 and 2 as expected, the war was still true. Essentially, 4 prospects, both they and their proponents here referred to as Point Guard A, Point Guard B, Forward A, and Forward B were under discussion as possible candidates for the selection. The bickering continued until GM Jestor cut through the arguing and ordered each faction to present its argument.

A scout favoring Point Guard A said, "Look, he's got many, if not all the skills we look for in a point guard, and to be quite honest, I would peg him as the best at his position in the draft in terms of our system fit. He needs to be the selection.

Point Guard B's faction countered, "But remember Point Guard A has two flaws. Admittedly one of those doesn't concern us and never has, but the other is a huge red flag. No, we can't agree to it. We love Point Guard B. He's tailor-made for the new league rules and while yes, he's extremely raw right now in terms of a very important area for us, I think he can be that guy. He's the most complete talent on the board right now."

"Say what?" Forward A's strongest proponent spilled over his water in shock. "Most complete talent on the board?! That's complete bullshit! Forward A is the most complete talent on the board, and he's got the biggest wow factor of anyone left. We've seen guys of his size and physical tools succeed before, and he reminds me of a certain Battering Ram. *That's* the player we need to be picking. We can afford to be patient with him and let him gradually grow into the superstar he has the potential to be."

Forward B's faction head took a puff on his e-cig, vaping the sweet citrus scent of Sancho in giant clouds, "And Forward A would also be the guy we have very little information on. You really want to go gambling on this pick, the fucking third overall pick in the draft? *That* is what is complete bullshit. Besides, we take Forward A, we're going to have to put at least 20 pounds on him, and we don't like that kind of hassle, savvy? It's not the Jestorball way. Forward B is about staying true to our system. Best shooter in the draft outside of Wiggins by our lights, and he showed it in camp. Got the handles to play the 3, too."

"But he's too fat to play the 3!" fired back Point Guard B.

"Not when you look at his comparisons," replied Forward B.

It was then that the GM broke in.

"I think we're going to say no to Point Guard A and Forward A. While there's merit in what the former's fans argue, the fact of the matter is, our scouts have determined his range in a certain category is completely unacceptable for how we do things here. And while Forward A probably is the best player on the board, picking him also means we're committing Mitch McGary to the 5, and I'd rather have position flexibility there. Besides, as noted, we would need to bulk him up. Ultimately, this comes down to Point Guard B or Forward B, and the decision here revolves around what we're going to do with Otto Porter. Do we want him as a 2? Or do we want him as a 3? Because Point Guard B *is* a 2 under the new rules. Under the old ones, yes, he could be a 1, but under this set, he's a 2. And I'm not concerned with Forward B's weight. He's capable of going out to the 3, although just barely so."

"How do we rate them as scorers again?" Point Guard A asked.

"About equal," replied Jestor's personal assistant.

"If we're moving Porter to the 3, we're talking about having him pack on weight," said Forward B. "Which in turn reduces his usefulness at drive stopping at the 2. It has to be Forward B."

"And if Forward B starts overeating and becomes a fatass?" shot back Point Guard B. "We didn't even bring the guy in for a fucking interview, because the god damned GM spaced out and didn't include his name! We know Point Guard B has great intangibles!"

"...Yeaaaah... about that..." Forward A chipped in, "According to our ranges, Point Guard B might or might not have the intelligence needed for a perimeter player. And there's the whole question of can he be the perimeter guy, or is he a slasher? Make him a slasher, and then his turnovers go over up, negating his handling talents."

"It's too late anyway," Jestor replied. "I sent in the card while you all were arguing."

"WHAT?!?!" shouted the war room

"With the 3rd overall pick in the 2014 CSL draft, the Phoenix Suns select...
























Anthony Bennett, forward, UNLV

At the press conference announcing the pick, GM Jestor remarked the following:

It was quite a contentious situation in our war room, as there a lot of excellent players available at this stage in the draft. But when it came down to it, we needed to be true to our philosophy and its tenets. Anthony Bennett will play at SF for us, utilizing his all-around shooting game to become a focal point of our offense. Furthermore, we believe his perimeter shooting has room to be one of the best in the league when he develops, and at 239, he's right at the level of acceptable lightness for the 3 spot. This pick also confirms that Otto Porter will move back to SG, where his length and defensive prowess can create major mismatches. Those familiar with Jestorball might say that Anthony's position of SF means he'll be lost in transition, but as we've seen with the new rules set, the 3 can now be a position of dominance on offense - see Kevin Durant and his 31.6 points per game for the champion Miami Heat. Then there's this to consider:

Anthony Bennett - Draft Camp Games - 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 66.7% shooting, 0.75 steals, 0.5 blocks, 0.5 turnovers

He was one of the most consistent, most accurate shooters in all of the camp, and showed some real scoring knack. We're quite comfortable with this selection and now have a 3 person core of Anthony, Otto, and Mitch to build around

You don't say... didn't see this comin'...

Nice pick, if not the bpa definitely the most potential or upside.

Didn't see this coming. He's not the BPA but I guess you're a personal fan of him.

This wasn't the slam dunk you might expect, though. Myles can tell you I went back and forth on this pick a ton, to the point where I was still debating between 3 guys after the Celtics made their pick. (The 4th guy was one I strongly considered and was probably going to take after the initial workout info, but after I calculated the ranges, I just couldn't pull the trigger.)

Ballsy pick, I knew you liked Bennett but I didn't think you'd take him this high.

I doubt he would have been there at #10 TBH, so it was either pick him now or not get him, and the scouting I received early last season on him plus draft camp ultimately said he would be the best system fit of the guys I was considering.. and I can keep Porter at the 2 now, where he's a size mismatch for opponents and can be better at stopping drives.

Fair enough, the build up to the pick with the write was well done. This is how I imagined your war room.



#LarryDavisTakeTheWheel

Wow taken before Randle and Harrison. Interesting pick for sure.

He picked the guy from the college he teaches at, UNLV...no surprise here.

I know its sometimes hard to handle your opinions Mr. moungey but your are the only one I know who suprises somebody with something like that.
Somehow love that pick up. But you could have traded down. I believe he would have been there at #6.

Possibly, but I don't know who owns the Grizzlies and if I'd gone with Point Guard B, then Forward A would have gone to Atlanta, and then it's anybody's game as to what happens at #5.

Wasnt an offense and I believe you are right with it. Would have been a gamble, no doubt.
Anyway.. Ive to say I loved what I saw during scoutings. Didnt invite him for workouts because I didnt believe he would endig up being available for us. I believe he is a really nice fit next to McGary! By the way again a great article, just finished reading. Good work. And his awesome shooting should also allow him to play the 3, like you already said.

PS: Point Guard B really looks great and it seems he is going to be available at #6.. I believe some guys know I love Gary Harris and his great defense + shooting but it seems Ive to go BPA at 6, no matter I already got Schröder.

After nearly a ten paragraph war room debate...

Jestor (PHX) wrote:"It's too late anyway," Jestor replied.  "I sent in the card while you all were arguing."

"WHAT?!?!" shouted the war room

LMAO    
It would have been great to see faces of all the scouts in the room after that  


Personally I wanted you to pick AB. I knew there was a chance, as I didn't think he was going to still be available at #10, so I'm excited you made the decission of going after him at #3.
I'm really intrigued about how this young Suns squad. Porter at 2 with Bennett as a SF, and the newly acquired McGary. Love all those three players, and can't wait to see them play together under Jestorball!

Personally you know bennett? And you were bennett teacher?

Jestor (PHX) wrote:I doubt he would have been there at #10 TBH.

Then good pick. He wouldn't have made it past 7

Dylan (SAC) wrote:

Jestor (PHX) wrote:I doubt he would have been there at #10 TBH.

Then good pick. He wouldn't have made it past 7

Maybe he would have already been gone at 6 ..
Was planning to play him at SF like Jestor will do.. Was really disappointed to see Jestor grabbed him..

dapralbe (UTAH) wrote:Personally you know bennett? And you were bennett teacher?

Nope, didn't know him personally and didn't have him in class. He was only there one year, though.

I did have a few basketball players in my classes when I taught at Arkansas, though, the most famous name of which is probably Rotnei Clarke.

Rotnei Clarke, who ended up transferring to Butler. Probably cause he hated Professor Jestor so much

I know how torn you were about this pick, and knowing the four guys you were arguing about, it must have been really difficult. AB makes sense for you and you should still be able to fill other roster holes at #10. You definitely are in the position of being able to take risks.

Myles (SAS) wrote:Rotnei Clarke, who ended up transferring to Butler. Probably cause he hated Professor Jestor so much

Ha! Funny thing was, everyone pretty much knew he was transferring. It was pretty clear that he wasn't happy there at UArk, although Butler came as a surprise to a lot of people who thought sure he was going to transfer to Oklahoma.

Bennett is a pick that we saw coming but I can't imagine how hard it was to pull the trigger on this one with the other prospects sitting on the board.

Im gone for 12 hours from now.. dont know if BI will ever post his decision. Due to the fact I dont know who will be picked at #5 I cant send in a list, because a trade down is possible.. Got already enough offers Im interested in, so as soon as Im online again I believe I will be able to decide fast..
Sorry guys, was "around" the hole day..

I like Bennett for PHX. Randle seems solid too, but I think this is a solid pick.

Knowing Tim, I had a gut feeling AB would be going here. If anyone can get the most out of him…it will be Tim. Welcome to Jestorball!