Voluntary workouts

[Griffin]

Voluntary workouts had begun. According to Coro, the following players have been participating this week:

• Archie Goodwin
• Alex Len
• Marcus Morris
• Markieff Morris
• Miles Plumlee
• Shavlik Randolph
• Anthony Tolliver
• P.J. Tucker

And expected to arrive next week:

• Tyler Ennis
• Gerald Green
• Isaiah Thomas
• T.J. Warren

Absent:

• Goran Dragic (playing in World Cup)
• Eric Bledsoe (not under contract)

Bledsoe has been working out in Cleveland with James. Although technically not under contract, he is not in any way prohibited from joining the Suns informal workouts if he should choose to, as these are organized by players.

 

[Shaggy]

Wow, its already started. Crazy how fast its come back around.

 

[Covert Rain]

That's a good sign so far no?

 

[Mainstreet]

Who is that Bledsoe fellow? The name sounds familiar. (sarcasm)

 

[Covert Rain]

Who is that Bledsoe fellow? The name sounds familiar. (sarcasm)

I believe he is related to the actress Tempesst Bledsoe.

 

[sunsfan88]

The Morris twins honestly seem like the type of guys who don't really ever leave the weight room.

 

[leclerc]

Shoot shoot shoot the three, Archie. Hit the weights and drill defense. We need you on the court this year.

 

[95pro]

When i was at NAU last year, I tried to sneak in on their practices. I would hear that Len and Goodwin would do some 1 on 1 ball. Heard goodwin was always in the gym working on something. I do believe he's one of the hardest working people, he just needs to grow and mature. i don't think the suns will give up on him any time soon, buy not playing or trading him.

 

[Griffin]

According to Coro, every player currently under contract is now participating in voluntary workouts, including Dragic. Bledsoe is not.

He could have of course joined in, even without a contract. It would have sent a message to his teammates, organization, and Suns fans that he actually wants to play here and that the contract dispute is nothing personal. But he didn't. I wonder how the rest of the team feels about that. It can't be good for team chemistry. Unless, of course, Bledsoe already knows he's on his way out.

 

[KloD]

According to Coro, every player currently under contract is now participating in voluntary workouts, including Dragic. Bledsoe is not.

He could have of course joined in, even without a contract. It would have sent a message to his teammates, organization, and Suns fans that he actually wants to play here and that the contract dispute is nothing personal. But he didn't. I wonder how the rest of the team feels about that. It can't be good for team chemistry. Unless, of course, Bledsoe already knows he's on his way out.

I can't imagine it effects team chemistry. In fact I'd argue his being there and being bitter would have a negative effect. I think it's better for chemistry that he not be there. I'm sure the team doesn't hold anything personal against him, but his attitude (if negative) is not something you'd want around.

 

[elindholm]

He could have of course joined in, even without a contract. It would have sent a message to his teammates, organization, and Suns fans that he actually wants to play here and that the contract dispute is nothing personal. But he didn't.

He'd be pretty foolish to. Right now he's unemployed. If he hurts himself while volunteering to work out with a bunch of people who aren't even his teammates, he forfeits millions of dollars.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He'd be pretty foolish to. Right now he's unemployed. If he hurts himself while volunteering to work out with a bunch of people who aren't even his teammates, he forfeits millions of dollars.

So, what does he do? --Lay in bed to avoid injury? He was working out with LeBron. Players always work out in the off-season, even free agents. No one said he had to go hard or anything.

 

[Phrazbit]

According to Coro, every player currently under contract is now participating in voluntary workouts, including Dragic. Bledsoe is not.

He could have of course joined in, even without a contract. It would have sent a message to his teammates, organization, and Suns fans that he actually wants to play here and that the contract dispute is nothing personal. But he didn't. I wonder how the rest of the team feels about that. It can't be good for team chemistry. Unless, of course, Bledsoe already knows he's on his way out.

Given the liability involved I doubt he is even allowed to join, and even if he is, he would be a dope to do so. The guy is trying to increase his contract offer, going to work for free would pretty much end any chance he has of convincing an outside team to juice up his terms.

 

[Griffin]

He'd be pretty foolish to. Right now he's unemployed. If he hurts himself while volunteering to work out with a bunch of people who aren't even his teammates, he forfeits millions of dollars.

Given the liability involved I doubt he is even allowed to join, and even if he is, he would be a dope to do so. The guy is trying to increase his contract offer, going to work for free would pretty much end any chance he has of convincing an outside team to juice up his terms.

We are talking about what are essentially player-organized pick-up games. It isn't in any way supported by the organization as far as I know. The argument that he is avoiding risk of injury is only valid provided he is not currently playing ball with other players, which we don't actually know. But he was in Cleveland training with James earlier this month.

 

[Phrazbit]

We are talking about what are essentially player-organized pick-up games. It isn't in any way supported by the organization as far as I know. The argument that he is avoiding risk of injury is only valid provided he is not currently playing ball with other players, which we don't actually know. But he was in Cleveland training with James earlier this month.

Voluntary work outs are supported by the team. Its just like OTA's in the NFL. There is no way a guy who is not under contract would attend that stuff.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Why would anyone expect him to be there? He's not currently under contract with the team... Or ANY team.

 

[SirStefan32]

I HATE to defend Bledsoe, but if I weren't under contract with my employer, I wouldn't participate in any activities with them until the new contract was signed. The exception is, obviously if the actual signing was pending and it was just a formality.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I HATE to defend Bledsoe, but if I weren't under contract with my employer, I wouldn't participate in any activities with them until the new contract was signed. The exception is, obviously if the actual signing was pending and it was just a formality.

Seriously... Did he bukake on your girlfriend or something? Your level of hatred for this kid, even before the contract extension has always been ridiculously irrational.

Just seems like an incredibly strong opinion for a guy who, regardless of injury, DID help this team almost win 50 games after we were projected to be the worst team in the league.

 

[SirStefan32]

Keep it classy, Cheese. Some things never change.

 

[Griffin]

Voluntary work outs are supported by the team. Its just like OTA's in the NFL. There is no way a guy who is not under contract would attend that stuff.

I don't know if that's true. From what I remember reading, in the off-season every team's training facility is open to all current NBA players regardless of the team they are under contract with, and all free agents and rookies. And that is the extent to which teams are involved in those activities. Official team activities don't start until training camp. And free agents do occasionally participate in those workouts.

Still, I will grant that Bledsoe's case is a bit unique, because he is a high-value RFA and not merely someone who is trying to find a home. But if it is revealed later that he was actively training with other NBA players while the Suns players were holding their workouts, then this argument is moot.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Keep it classy, Cheese. Some things never change.

hey it's an honest question... can't think of any other reason you'd "HATE" the guy.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't know if that's true. From what I remember reading, in the off-season every team's training facility is open to all current NBA players regardless of the team they are under contract with, and all free agents and rookies. And that is the extent to which teams are involved in those activities. Official team activities don't start until training camp. And free agents do occasionally participate in those workouts.

Still, I will grant that Bledsoe's case is a bit unique, because he is a high-value RFA and not merely someone who is trying to find a home. But if it is revealed later that he was actively training with other NBA players while the Suns players were holding their workouts, then this argument is moot.

not it's not. in really touchy contract negotiations, you don't want to give ANY leverage to the opposite side. him showing up could make it look like he's about to cave, which the Suns could use against his agent.

 

[SirStefan32]

hey it's an honest question... can't think of any other reason you'd "HATE" the guy.

I would expect an adult to have basic reading comprehension. I didn't say I hate Bledsoe. I said "I hate to defend Bledsoe". If you are not able to comprehend the difference, then this discussion is pointless.

 

[BC867]

I would expect an adult to have basic reading comprehension. I didn't say I hate Bledsoe. I said "I hate to defend Bledsoe". If you are not able to comprehend the difference, then this discussion is pointless.

You are absolutely right.

And his comment, "Seriously... Did he bukake on your girlfriend or something?" (which he did not address) is more than about reading comprehension.

It is a dirty debate tactic. As a reader, I didn't like seeing it.

 

[elindholm]

It is a dirty debate tactic.

True. But, just to be fair, so is saying the same thing over and over again in the face of overwhelming contradictory evidence that you refuse to address.

As a reader, I didn't like seeing it.

I know the feeling.