2014 Suns Free Agency

[mojorizen7]

The Suns took an oath a long time ago after the Barkley era to never have a good rebounding starting caliber PF on the team ever again.

Sure looks that way.
I think it's more accurate to say that this franchise prefers to run the offense from the outside in...rather than from the inside out. The Suns put a premium on guard-play and mobile bigmen who can shoot. It's a mistake, but what do i know?

 

[slinslin]

we had several above average starting caliber PFs on the team since Barkley.

Typical sf88 non-sense.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Sure looks that way.
I think it's more accurate to say that this franchise prefers to run the offense from the outside in...rather than from the inside out. The Suns put a premium on guard-play and mobile bigmen who can shoot. It's a mistake, but what do i know?

90's basketball.

Steve

 

[mojorizen7]

90's basketball.

Steve

You go on and keep believing that Steve. The NBA game hasn't been revolutionized.

 

[AzStevenCal]

You go on and keep believing that Steve. The NBA game hasn't been revolutionized.

Revolutionized no. But it most surely has changed. The current rules protecting the ball handler and the outside shooter have changed the way this game is played. Guards are more important today than ever before. It probably won't stay this way forever but right now quality guards and especially quality penetrating guards are at a premium.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

To continue the conversation on how the NBA game has changed, here are some excerpts from an article written in January of this year by Kurt Helin, found on NBC Sports/Probasketball talk about the NBA game today:

With the start of the 2004-05 season, defenders couldn’t touch a guy on the perimeter, couldn’t bump him at all — no real contact is allowed. It changed the game and ushered in an era of the fast, slashing guards and even bigger players. It’s part of the small-ball trend. If you’re quick on the perimeter now, you’re nearly impossible to guard one-on-one, no matter how good the defender. Tony Parker couldn’t guard Tony Parker under these rules.

… the NBA wanted a more offense-driven game rather than the grinding 1990s New York Knicks style. That’s just good business. There were potentially other ways to address the issue, but the one the NBA chosen has worked. That and allowing zone defenses changed the game. We’re seeing pace and scoring go up this season, and that sells tickets.

And here's some more including a quote from Kobe Bryant from the same article:

Kobe Bryant doesn’t like them.

Sounding decidedly old-school (because he is) in a media availability session Monday, Bryant was asked about the biggest change in the NBA since he entered it in 1996, and it was basically hand-checking and the fallout of that rule change. Here are his quotes, via Steve Aschburner of NBA.com.

“It’s more of a finesse game. It’s more small ball. Which, personally, I don’t really care much for,” Bryant said. Like so many from the old-school – even at 35, Bryant qualifies – he is befuddled at the soft stuff now that passes for physical play. “Makes me nauseous,” he said. “You can’t touch a guy….

“Nowadays, anybody can get out there and get to the basket – you can’t touch ‘em,” he said. “Back then, if you have guys putting their hands on you, you have to have the skills to be able to go both ways, change directions, post up and have that mid-range game, because you didn’t want to go all the way to the basket because you’d get knocked [down].”

Steve

 

[BC867]

once again using the Suns as leverage.

And that is what I meant by "Always a bridesmaid . . ."

 

[chickenhead]

If they are meeting with the Suns I don't think it's just for leverage. The basketball situation is potentially too good for them not to entertain it as a subtopic and just use Phoenix as a stalking horse with no further consideration. But this may only take the odds from 0% to 5% if what one wants is either to stay in Miami or go back to Ohio.

I love the general idea of the Suns being crafty and becoming involved in a Cleveland deal to their own benefit. Just not sure about the details...

 

[Mainstreet]

In my fatigue last night I thought I had put this Lebron thing to bed. Now I wake up and find life goes on. I guess my "Eureka" moment moment about Lebron protecting his legacy is not so profound.

My final thoughts this evening seem clear although I may be just tired.

There are only two teams in play if Lebron wants to maintain his legacy. Those teams are, staying on in Miami were he has won two Championships and returning them to the top. Or go back to Cleveland, where he never won a Championship and win Championships there. Also it seems obvious Lebron follows the talent. If the Heat cannot put together enough talent around him, he goes back to Cleveland where there is the talent. Also he shakes off the label he couldn't carry Cleveland to a Championship.

Forgive me for quoting myself but I was wanting some feedback. There should only be two teams in play for Lebron, Miami and Cleveland.

 

[slinslin]

nobody cares about how many teams someone played for in the end..

Barkley -> 3
Shaq -> 5
Pippen -> 3
Kidd -> 3
Nash -> 3

In my opinion Lebron needs to go West to improve his legacy because else it will be seens as avoiding competition. The best player should measure himself against the best.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

In my fatigue last night I thought I had put this Lebron thing to bed. Now I wake up and find life goes on. I guess my "Eureka" moment moment about Lebron protecting his legacy is not so profound.



Forgive me for quoting myself but I was wanting some feedback. There should only be two teams in play for Lebron, Miami and Cleveland.

I generally agree w/ your opinion that from a legacy standpt. , being w/ 2 teams for a career is better than 3 (I think this was your underlying pt., although you didn't say it explicitly) ... But another pt. is that Lebron is only 29 - There's a good chance (since it appears the Cavs would trade Wiggins and/or other young guys for a guy like Love) that Lebron would think about changing teams again in another few years when like Miami, the Cavs have reached their peak ...

I think PHX, given their unique situation of having 5 1st rounders the past 2 yrs. (and 3 more coming) + having a great coach + great GM ... I think are the team most likely to be a contender for the next decade if Lebron comes here

So is Being in CLE from 2003 - 2010, Miami from 2010 - 2014 , CLE from 2014 - 2018? , 2018 - 2022 another team really better from a legacy standpt. than just being in PHX from 2014 - the end of his career ?

To recap, I think if Lebron goes to PHX (given their young guys, Great coach, great GM), he is more likely to finish his career here than if he went to a team like the Cavs (who have a track record of forming rosters that don't fit) ... So in the short-term it may hurt his "legacy" if he goes to PHX, but long-term I think it would help because PHX is his last team (because I think they are more likely to provide him "help" longer)

 

[CardsFan88]

I agree slinslin.

Plus the whole mercenary approach will always be on his resume because he went on the Heat.

That damage, whatever it is, is already done. Going to a 3rd team won't really add to it.

There is a ton of truth that people will say, yeah, he made all these finals and won a couple, but how could he not against all those terrible teams in the east.

People will forget about the number of teams he played for, but they won't forget he played in the weak East, which has sucked his entire career.

At this point going to CLE would help his career, but so would Phx. In both markets he could achieve legendary status, but in a sense, even with all the hate, he still has that in CLE with some. In PHX he could convert a whole other fanbase.

 

[Mainstreet]

Thanks for all the feedback. That will teach me for posting tired.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

nobody cares about how many teams someone played for in the end..

Barkley -> 3
Shaq -> 5
Pippen -> 3
Kidd -> 3
Nash -> 3

In my opinion Lebron needs to go West to improve his legacy because else it will be seens as avoiding competition. The best player should measure himself against the best.

The fact that the West is stronger could actually be used as a selling pt. to Lebron if presented correctly (or at least not be seen as a negative)

This is because, how do players/teams get better? They get better by being constantly challenged ... For instance, the teams in the West the 2nd half of the year improved greatly simply by playing each other so much (This is why I don't think the Suns lack "playoff experience" - They basically had it the last month of the season) ...

Teams / Players frequently say "I only compete against myself", etc. - Well, if you truly believe that and want to be "the best player I can possibly be", than you must challenge yourself (and your team) as much as possible ...

The fact that the Heat / Lebron took it easy a bit during the regular season (or played more "tanking" teams) surely did not make the Heat a BETTER team or Lebron a BETTER player as they would have been if they were in the West and playing legit teams more than not ...

If Lebron truly wants to maximize his basketball talents, playing in the west is a selling pt ... Sure the downfall is that it would "harder" and more work would be required to win, but is that really a downfall ?

It boils down to does Lebron agree w/ John F. Kennedy's quote or not: "Do not prey for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men" ... "desire" for "pray" makes sense in Lebron's case

 

[chickenhead]

To recap, I think if Lebron goes to PHX (given their young guys, Great coach, great GM), he is more likely to finish his career here than if he went to a team like the Cavs (who have a track record of forming rosters that don't fit) ... So in the short-term it may hurt his "legacy" if he goes to PHX, but long-term I think it would help because PHX is his last team (because I think they are more likely to provide him "help" longer)

Interesting point. Made me realize that if he is thinking of going to Cleveland--he has to be committed to finishing his career there. Otherwise it's not worth it. Though I suppose if he won a championship there a second departure would be forgiven a lot more easily...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Interesting point. Made me realize that if he is thinking of going to Cleveland--he has to be committed to finishing his career there. Otherwise it's not worth it. Though I suppose if he won a championship there a second departure would be forgiven a lot more easily...

He does. They are just too young to think otherwise. He has Kyrie, who is ready to be a star, but the rest are too young. Now if Cleveland trades Wiggins for Love, that is another matter. But the rest of the roster is still suspect.

 

[KloD]

Maybe he will want Bledsoe and we can get them to give up Wiggins and Jack or something for him? Seriously though, I'm ready for this to be over with and see what else the Suns want to do. Just no multi year deals outside of Bledsoe and Tucker please.

 

[chickenhead]

Get Wiggins in a Bledsoe deal, bring back Nash to retire as a Sun and mentor Ennis, and you have a pretty Canadian backcourt with Wiggins at SG I'd have to make it down to the ACC when the Suns came through Toronto...

 

[asuhoopsnut]

Suns and Mavericks interested in Marcus Thornton

http://fansided.com/2014/07/07/nba-rumors-mavericks-suns-interested-marcus-thornton/#!bapSWR

 

[Mainstreet]

http://fansided.com/2014/07/07/nba-rumors-mavericks-suns-interested-marcus-thornton/#!bapSWR

Another shooter but no defense. However, he would make a nice bench player but I want to see Goodwin get playing time.

Sometimes I think the Suns have a major trade lined up and are looking for role players to fill the void for potential vacancies.

 

[mojorizen7]

http://fansided.com/2014/07/07/nba-rumors-mavericks-suns-interested-marcus-thornton/#!bapSWR

No. Please no.

 

[Mainstreet]

No. Please no.

Has the thought crossed your mind that the Suns are gearing up for another run of SSOL or something similar. The Suns love shooters.

 

[devilalum]

Has the thought crossed your mind that the Suns are gearing up for another run of SSOL or something similar. The Suns love shooters.

Steve Nash was SSOL. No Nash, no go.

 

[KloD]

Another shooter but no defense. However, he would make a nice bench player but I want to see Goodwin get playing time.

Sometimes I think the Suns have a major trade lined up and are looking for role players to fill the void for potential vacancies.

@ $8m per, no thanks. Maybe as an expiring for next years free agents, but I can't imagine they would think of Thorton as anything but.

 

[PhxGametime]

I wouldn't mind Thornton depending on conditions of 1st Round Pick we'd get for taking his contract...