2018/19 Opening Night Depth Chart

[AzStevenCal]

Believe it or not, defense works with SSOL, too!

I think you can be a run and gun team and still play defense but I'm not so sure about 7 seconds or less. Regardless, I really don't care if we have a great defensive squad. As long as we have a defensive presence at the rim and can force an occasional stop in key moments, that's all we really need. Give me a potent offense and the number 10 defense and I'll be ecstatic.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think you can be a run and gun team and still play defense but I'm not so sure about 7 seconds or less. Regardless, I really don't care if we have a great defensive squad. As long as we have a defensive presence at the rim and can force an occasional stop in key moments, that's all we really need. Give me a potent offense and the number 10 defense and I'll be ecstatic.

I'd settle for top 10 defense in the west. I wouldn't want to see the Suns become the early 2000's Pistons or Spurs by any means but capable of getting stops when needed to win games would be nice. Not just a stop at the end of the game either but consistent defense that helps them close out a game and maintain a lead throughout the entire 4th quarter. I know the Jazz had a good defense last year for the most part, especially when Gobert was healthy. That's encouraging since Kokoskov came from there. Offense is said to be his bread and butter and that's fine. He had to have seen how important defense was for the Jazz though. I don't think they're a playoff team based on offensive talent alone. Their defense helped them recover from Hayward's departure. Donovan Mitchell was huge also but a rookie doesn't lead your team to the post season unless he's got a really good supporting cast around him.

 

[SirStefan32]

I'd settle for top 10 defense in the west. I wouldn't want to see the Suns become the early 2000's Pistons or Spurs by any means but capable of getting stops when needed to win games would be nice. Not just a stop at the end of the game either but consistent defense that helps them close out a game and maintain a lead throughout the entire 4th quarter. I know the Jazz had a good defense last year for the most part, especially when Gobert was healthy. That's encouraging since Kokoskov came from there. Offense is said to be his bread and butter and that's fine. He had to have seen how important defense was for the Jazz though. I don't think they're a playoff team based on offensive talent alone. Their defense helped them recover from Hayward's departure. Donovan Mitchell was huge also but a rookie doesn't lead your team to the post season unless he's got a really good supporting cast around him.

I do agree with you, but I do want to point out that it is easier to be a good defensive teams when you have Rudy Gobert. Without looking up various advanced stats, I'd say that my eye test says they were not nearly as good with Gobert off the floor. They were still good, but not nearly as good. I just don't know how good you can be defensively with a lineup of Knight, Booker, Warren, Ariza, and Ayton. That's a grand total of one good defender in the starting lineup, and he is pretty old. Now, they do have JJ, Bridges, Harrison or Canaan, Bender, and even Chandler on the bench, so there are some possibilities for defensive lineups. Canaan, Booker, Bridges, Ariza, Bender, for example is a lineup with a whole lot of shooting and a whole lot of defense.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Believe it or not, defense works with SSOL, too!

Yep. Ask GS and Houston.

Ask DAntoni. He didnt PLAN to play D in Houston, he just ended up with a couple of players that can help themselves and just have to play D because its in their genes. And what do you know? It works.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think you can be a run and gun team and still play defense but I'm not so sure about 7 seconds or less. Regardless, I really don't care if we have a great defensive squad. As long as we have a defensive presence at the rim and can force an occasional stop in key moments, that's all we really need. Give me a potent offense and the number 10 defense and I'll be ecstatic.

I think you can do it with SSOL but you have to have a longer bench. The ideal team to run that would be a team with a couple energetic pass first point guards, a bunch of long, lanky fast wings, and a big who can grab a lot of rebounds. Just shuffle your wings in and out. We could do this. But we can't if we try to give Chandler any minutes. They really need to get rid of Chandler. Trade him, waive him, let him retire and hire him as a coach, whatever, but he should not be taking up a roster spot.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think you can do it with SSOL but you have to have a longer bench.

I think you need a longer bench just to push the tempo like a typical fast break team. To make SSOL work, you have to regularly shoot before the defense gets set and the pace itself is designed to entice the other team out of it's comfort zone.

If you're playing tough defense and still trying to score in 7 seconds, you're letting the other team rest a little on offense (if they're smart). To me, that means they are working for the highest percentage shot while we are often settling for the first option. We could maybe play at Golden State or Houston pace but I don't think we could match our 7 second or less offense. JMO.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think you need a longer bench just to push the tempo like a typical fast break team. To make SSOL work, you have to regularly shoot before the defense gets set and the pace itself is designed to entice the other team out of it's comfort zone.

If you're playing tough defense and still trying to score in 7 seconds, you're letting the other team rest a little on offense (if they're smart). To me, that means they are working for the highest percentage shot while we are often settling for the first option. We could maybe play at Golden State or Houston pace but I don't think we could match our 7 second or less offense. JMO.

In order for SSOL to work, you have to entice the other team into matching your pace and settling for lower percentage shots. Vet teams, especially in the playoffs, won't fall for this. It's why a modified SSOL and the ability to at least make a defensive stand for several minutes at a time are essential to playoff success.

 

[AzStevenCal]

In order for SSOL to work, you have to entice the other team into matching your pace and settling for lower percentage shots. Vet teams, especially in the playoffs, won't fall for this. It's why a modified SSOL and the ability to at least make a defensive stand for several minutes at a time are essential to playoff success.

I sort of agree with especially since it's sort of what I was saying. But to me it stops being 7 seconds or less unless you're talking about occasionally 7 seconds or less.

And IMO it failed in the playoffs mostly because the refs allowed defenders to get physical with the ball handlers. They don't allow anywhere near as much today although they still allow more once the playoffs begin.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The way the Suns PG situation looks at the moment, I can't see Canaan not making the team providing he is healthy. If push came to shove, I'd keep Canaan over Harrison but that is not because I don't like Harrison. Canaan is the more rounded player and could start if Knight were not able to go.

The Suns could clear a roster spot or two by trading Daniels and/or Chriss. I can see Warren playing backup PF.

Of course, when all is said and done, the Suns might end up trading for a PG.

I am sort of a coin flip between Shaq and Canaan. I lean toward Shaq because his d is something the team as a whole lacks. He gives us a different look. That, and the fact that Canaan is coming off of an injury and I am not sure about the recovery prospects.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am sort of a coin flip between Shaq and Canaan. I lean toward Shaq because his d is something the team as a whole lacks. He gives us a different look. That, and the fact that Canaan is coming off of an injury and I am not sure about the recovery prospects.

I can understand it being a close call between Shaq and Canaan. With more experience Shaq might be better than Canaan in time.

The way I look at it, if Canaan is healthy, he is the better PG to run the team behind Knight. IMO, Okobo will take a season to learn the game. I view Shaq as a defensive specialist whose best chance to make the team is at PG. I guess I look at Canaan as the more rounded and experienced PG now.

 

[JCSunsfan]

First. I do not think TJ Warren is a one-dimensional scorer. He scores from all over the court, just not much from three. But if he added a reasonable three, he would be one of the most effective scorers in the league. So. . . this vid popped up recently.

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[AzStevenCal]

First. I do not think TJ Warren is a one-dimensional scorer. He scores from all over the court, just not much from three. But if he added a reasonable three, he would be one of the most effective scorers in the league. So. . . this vid popped up recently.

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Improving his 3 point shot would help but I'd really like to see him learn how to draw contact and score through it. He'd be an incredible offensive weapon if that happened.

 

[SirStefan32]

Well, he is an incredible offensive weapon now. He needs to develop a three. If he can get up to 35% or so, he'll be unstoppable.
As for drawing fouls, I think he is a finesse player. He understands timing, the angles, and all that nice stuff. I don't think he'll become a power player that gets fouled and powers his way to scoring. I just don't see it, and honestly, I don't think he needs to.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Well, he is an incredible offensive weapon now. He needs to develop a three. If he can get up to 35% or so, he'll be unstoppable.
As for drawing fouls, I think he is a finesse player. He understands timing, the angles, and all that nice stuff. I don't think he'll become a power player that gets fouled and powers his way to scoring. I just don't see it, and honestly, I don't think he needs to.

He shies away from contact unnecessarily IMO. I don't want him banging into players Bledsoe style but just adding 2 FT attempts per game along with taking his 3 point percentage up to 35% would make a considerable difference.

 

[Mainstreet]

Although Warren can play the 3/4 I always thought his eventual home would be PF. His lack of 3 point shooting might be less noticeable there. He could back up Ariza.

Of course if Bender comes around, Warren could become the odd man out.

IMO, Warren is more dependable than Bender and Chriss right now.

 

[Errntknght]

Tow years ago TJ got his 3pt % up to .400, on the highest rate he'd ever shot them - 2.4/game. I wonder what happened because this last year was his worst ever at 22.2%. He was starting to look somewhat comfortable even, then wham, he reverted.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Tow years ago TJ got his 3pt % up to .400, on the highest rate he'd ever shot them - 2.4/game. I wonder what happened because this last year was his worst ever at 22.2%. He was starting to look somewhat comfortable even, then wham, he reverted.

I think it was a combination of factors. He's better known around the league now and with Bledsoe gone and Booker frequently either hobbled by injury or out completely he drew a lot more attention. His style of play tends to depend on lulling the defense to sleep and then taking advantage of the inevitable mismatch.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think it was a combination of factors. He's better known around the league now and with Bledsoe gone and Booker frequently either hobbled by injury or out completely he drew a lot more attention. His style of play tends to depend on lulling the defense to sleep and then taking advantage of the inevitable mismatch.

If this is what is going on, Warren should get more open looks this coming season.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Tow years ago TJ got his 3pt % up to .400, on the highest rate he'd ever shot them - 2.4/game. I wonder what happened because this last year was his worst ever at 22.2%. He was starting to look somewhat comfortable even, then wham, he reverted.

Looking at his breakdown on basketball reference (link), looks like he shot extremely well from the corners and took a much larger percentage of 3s from the corner that year.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Although Warren can play the 3/4 I always thought his eventual home would be PF. His lack of 3 point shooting might be less noticeable there. He could back up Ariza.

Of course if Bender comes around, Warren could become the odd man out.

IMO, Warren is more dependable than Bender and Chriss right now.

IMO? Thats not an opinion, that's just an absolute fact. Warren is the most dependable player on this team right now, save Booker. What he does, he does consistently night in and out.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think it was a combination of factors. He's better known around the league now and with Bledsoe gone and Booker frequently either hobbled by injury or out completely he drew a lot more attention. His style of play tends to depend on lulling the defense to sleep and then taking advantage of the inevitable mismatch.

Warren is a perpetual motion player. He catches and shoots, but does not create his own shot a lot. He needs someone to pass him the ball. Our pg situation has been horrible. In an offense where there is more passing, he will thrive. He should feast in Igor's motion game.

 

[Mainstreet]

IMO? Thats not an opinion, that's just an absolute fact. Warren is the most dependable player on this team right now, save Booker. What he does, he does consistently night in and out.

IIRC, there was a sentiment on the forum not long ago that Warren should be traded. I was firmly in Warren's corner... then and now.

 

[Hoop Head]

IMO? Thats not an opinion, that's just an absolute fact. Warren is the most dependable player on this team right now, save Booker. What he does, he does consistently night in and out.

I could be wrong but I took what @Mainstreet said about Warren being more dependable than Chriss and Bender as him being more dependable than those two as a power forward, not overall. It's obvious he's a more dependable player but he hasn't played a lot as our PF. I think he'll see a lot of time as our PF this coming season and we should know soon if he's better than those two at manning that position.

Warren isn't the defender that Ariza is but he's a good rebounder who can probably add a few boards a game if Kokoskov tells him to focus on crashing the boards more. I think we're in a good position to move TJ to PF now with Ayton as our C. He doesn't have a great 3 pt shot but he can hit corner 3's at a decent percentage and could play similar to how D'Antoni used Tucker last year.

 

[Chaplin]

IIRC, there was a sentiment on the forum not long ago that Warren should be traded. I was firmly in Warren's corner... then and now.

Yes I still think he should be traded, he’s currently our best and most tradable commodity.

He’s a great scorer, nobody is disputing that. But he is ridiculously one-dimensonable and IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE to pick up a good to great PG or a player that is better than TJ, you do it. Period.

He’s a good Jamal Crawford-type of player, but the question still remains, will he accept that kind of role this early in his career?

 

[Mainstreet]

I could be wrong but I took what @Mainstreet said about Warren being more dependable than Chriss and Bender as him being more dependable than those two as a power forward, not overall. It's obvious he's a more dependable player but he hasn't played a lot as our PF. I think he'll see a lot of time as our PF this coming season and we should know soon if he's better than those two at manning that position.

Warren isn't the defender that Ariza is but he's a good rebounder who can probably add a few boards a game if Kokoskov tells him to focus on crashing the boards more. I think we're in a good position to move TJ to PF now with Ayton as our C. He doesn't have a great 3 pt shot but he can hit corner 3's at a decent percentage and could play similar to how D'Antoni used Tucker last year.

You are correct. I was looking at Warren being more dependable than Bender and Chriss at power forward. However, it remains to be seen how the Suns (under Igor) view Bender and Chriss.