Jeff was not only a great court side announcer, he was excellent calling basketball and baseball play-by-play the few times he was called upon.
The D-backs once held an MLB trivia contest for its employees and Jeff came in second only to Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick, he of
old-time baseball card fame, whose age put him a lot farther back than Jeff.
I emailed Jeff, wondering why he was not given the chance to do play-by-play and commenting that he was like the smoothest of them all --
Vin Scully. Jeff responded, in a passive way, that he didn't get the breaks. Which sounded like he didn't have it in him to play politics.
That was a shame. To have an announcer in the style of the great Vin Scully right here in Phoenix would have been awesome.
Greg Shulte is great as his job and was plenty qualified to get it originally. He was the Phoenix Firebirds broadcaster pre-D’Backs and did play by play for the Suns with Al McCoy. He’s got a great voice for it and I like his style.
Oh, I see. Wow! I had no idea the process was that stupid. Why not have the media vote after the fans have determined the starters? This way, the media have no say at all. So it's just the league office that fills out the rest of the roster?
Oh, I see. Wow! I had no idea the process was that stupid. Why not have the media vote after the fans have determined the starters? This way, the media have no say at all. So it's just the league office that fills out the rest of the roster?
They changed it a couple years ago because Zaza Pachulia was ridiculously close to being named a starter based on fan voting alone. There is always a player or two that gets more votes than they should but most of the time the player is decent. By adding the media and player voting though it ensures that they can keep the Zaza's from getting a spot.
If it's supposed to be for fan entertainment though then they shouldn't try stifling the fan vote but of course there are things like max contracts that are effected by All-Star nods so they can't allow the scrubs to takeover.
It would be interesting if players no longer qualified for supermax deals or early max deals because the All-Star game is turned into the Pat Burke invitational.
I've seen some people mention Jaxson Hayes as a player the Suns should have drafted. He was selected 8th by the Pelicans though and apparently has a real sense of entitlement. This is his reaction to being snubbed for the Rising Star game. He bashed the process for selection as being too political and went on to say "The NBA can suck my %#!@ for all I care. I hope ya'll see this video by the way, fine me"
He is averaging 8.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 19.1 minutes a game. Apparently that should have been enough to get him a spot amongst the rookies and sophomores though.
Put the video behind the spoiler tag because of the language warning
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Shows some character issues that I imagine would have came out in an interview. Who knows. Some of his teammates made it, like Zion, but I guess that doesn't matter to him.
I've seen some people mention Jaxson Hayes as a player the Suns should have drafted. He was selected 8th by the Pelicans though and apparently has a real sense of entitlement. This is his reaction to being snubbed for the Rising Star game. He bashed the process for selection as being too political and went on to say "The NBA can suck my %#!@ for all I care. I hope ya'll see this video by the way, fine me"
He is averaging 8.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 19.1 minutes a game. Apparently that should have been enough to get him a spot amongst the rookies and sophomores though.
Put the video behind the spoiler tag because of the language warning
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Shows some character issues that I imagine would have came out in an interview. Who knows. Some of his teammates made it, like Zion, but I guess that doesn't matter to him.
I've seen some people mention Jaxson Hayes as a player the Suns should have drafted. He was selected 8th by the Pelicans though and apparently has a real sense of entitlement. This is his reaction to being snubbed for the Rising Star game. He bashed the process for selection as being too political and went on to say "The NBA can suck my %#!@ for all I care. I hope ya'll see this video by the way, fine me"
He is averaging 8.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 19.1 minutes a game. Apparently that should have been enough to get him a spot amongst the rookies and sophomores though.
Put the video behind the spoiler tag because of the language warning
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Shows some character issues that I imagine would have came out in an interview. Who knows. Some of his teammates made it, like Zion, but I guess that doesn't matter to him.
And yet Hayes's numbers are still better than Cam Johnson's, even when Cam was "healthy". Say what you want about Hayes, but he still has a far better chance than Cam at having a legitimate NBA career.
It was no secret that Monty wanted to clean house of the knuckleheads when he was hired, sending Jackson away and not resigning Holmes after both had arrests last offseason. When trying to establish a new culture like he is, you can't have boneheads and it appears Hayes fits that category.
It was no secret that Monty wanted to clean house of the knuckleheads when he was hired, sending Jackson away and not resigning Holmes after both had arrests last offseason. When trying to establish a new culture like he is, you can't have boneheads and it appears Hayes fits that category.
That leaves Clarke. No excusing him not being drafted at #11. I suspect the Suns could have traded down again and still selected Cam.
In regard to shooting, I think in some ways Cam and Ty Jerome is much the same player. Of course Jerome has more to his game but I never expected him to be more than a backup point guard.
That leaves Clarke. No excusing him not being drafted at #11. I suspect the Suns could have traded down again and still selected Cam.
In regard to shooting, I think in some ways Cam and Ty Jerome is much the same player. Of course Jerome has more to his game but I never expected him to be more than a backup point guard.
Clarke is a real head scratcher. I think the reason he wasn't taken is the Suns didn't foresee him being available at 11 where they traded down to.
I'm a little curious of how the whole trade process is handled with picks since the NBA is so stubborn with how players are said to be picked by the team that holds that pick well before a trade is made. They announced Cam as a pick made by Minnesota and gave him a Wolves hat, while also interviewing him like he was a Wolves player. Everyone watching on TV, and the player himself, know that isn't where they'll actually play but they have to play along for some reason. So who calls that pick in, Minnesota or Phoenix? If it's Minnesota, how is that relayed to them? Did the Suns name a few players they wanted in a specific order as to who they need to select for us or do they hang up so Minnesota can call in after receiving word that player X is the choice. It's probably the latter in that regard and while they could have gone back on it, they already debated and discussed who would be the choice and an unforeseen player turning up might have raised some concern they should go a different way, it wasn't a player they were entirely sold on so they just stuck with the plan.
Just to be clear, I'm not making excuses for anyone, I'm genuinely curious how the process is handled and wonder if it plays a role in who teams decide to take once a trade is made. If they have to tell the team they traded with who the pick is so it can be called in, I don't imagine you'd want to change your decision with them multiple times. It would just send across a bad message that your office is indecisive. It may also lead to a deal being undone at the last minute, like the Amare for Steph Curry trade years back.
It was no secret that Monty wanted to clean house of the knuckleheads when he was hired, sending Jackson away and not resigning Holmes after both had arrests last offseason. When trying to establish a new culture like he is, you can't have boneheads and it appears Hayes fits that category.
Was this a typo or do you think Monty had a say in this? I always thought this was more of a James Jones initiative, and would be a little bit surprised if Monty pushed for this.
Clarke is a real head scratcher. I think the reason he wasn't taken is the Suns didn't foresee him being available at 11 where they traded down to.
I'm a little curious of how the whole trade process is handled with picks since the NBA is so stubborn with how players are said to be picked by the team that holds that pick well before a trade is made. They announced Cam as a pick made by Minnesota and gave him a Wolves hat, while also interviewing him like he was a Wolves player. Everyone watching on TV, and the player himself, know that isn't where they'll actually play but they have to play along for some reason. So who calls that pick in, Minnesota or Phoenix? If it's Minnesota, how is that relayed to them? Did the Suns name a few players they wanted in a specific order as to who they need to select for us or do they hang up so Minnesota can call in after receiving word that player X is the choice. It's probably the latter in that regard and while they could have gone back on it, they already debated and discussed who would be the choice and an unforeseen player turning up might have raised some concern they should go a different way, it wasn't a player they were entirely sold on so they just stuck with the plan.
Just to be clear, I'm not making excuses for anyone, I'm genuinely curious how the process is handled and wonder if it plays a role in who teams decide to take once a trade is made. If they have to tell the team they traded with who the pick is so it can be called in, I don't imagine you'd want to change your decision with them multiple times. It would just send across a bad message that your office is indecisive. It may also lead to a deal being undone at the last minute, like the Amare for Steph Curry trade years back.
Clarke is a real head scratcher. I think the reason he wasn't taken is the Suns didn't foresee him being available at 11 where they traded down to.
I'm a little curious of how the whole trade process is handled with picks since the NBA is so stubborn with how players are said to be picked by the team that holds that pick well before a trade is made. They announced Cam as a pick made by Minnesota and gave him a Wolves hat, while also interviewing him like he was a Wolves player. Everyone watching on TV, and the player himself, know that isn't where they'll actually play but they have to play along for some reason. So who calls that pick in, Minnesota or Phoenix? If it's Minnesota, how is that relayed to them? Did the Suns name a few players they wanted in a specific order as to who they need to select for us or do they hang up so Minnesota can call in after receiving word that player X is the choice. It's probably the latter in that regard and while they could have gone back on it, they already debated and discussed who would be the choice and an unforeseen player turning up might have raised some concern they should go a different way, it wasn't a player they were entirely sold on so they just stuck with the plan.
Just to be clear, I'm not making excuses for anyone, I'm genuinely curious how the process is handled and wonder if it plays a role in who teams decide to take once a trade is made. If they have to tell the team they traded with who the pick is so it can be called in, I don't imagine you'd want to change your decision with them multiple times. It would just send across a bad message that your office is indecisive. It may also lead to a deal being undone at the last minute, like the Amare for Steph Curry trade years back.
I think it was pretty clear Jones was targeting shooters on draft night. I had a lot of doubts about Clarke and so did everyone else. I remember him getting mocked to us at #6 and he fell to #21. Memphis seems to be excellent in that regard... Ja was a no brainer but trading up for Clark and taking Jackson Jr over Bamba. Brooks and Carter have roles as 2nd rounders. Credit where credit is due.
I think it was pretty clear Jones was targeting shooters on draft night. I had a lot of doubts about Clarke and so did everyone else. I remember him getting mocked to us at #6 and he fell to #21. Memphis seems to be excellent in that regard... Ja was a no brainer but trading up for Clark and taking Jackson Jr over Bamba. Brooks and Carter have roles as 2nd rounders. Credit where credit is due.
I think it was pretty clear Jones was targeting shooters on draft night. I had a lot of doubts about Clarke and so did everyone else. I remember him getting mocked to us at #6 and he fell to #21. Memphis seems to be excellent in that regard... Ja was a no brainer but trading up for Clark and taking Jackson Jr over Bamba. Brooks and Carter have roles as 2nd rounders. Credit where credit is due.
I remember them bringing those guys in when everyone knew it was window dressing. Bamba make a big deal talking like the Suns shouldn’t pass on him lol.
I know that last year there was a lot of talk about us trimming our scouting department down to the bare bones. I haven’t heard about any new hires so I assume we are still rolling out an understaffed scouting department... which is a complete joke.
I know that last year there was a lot of talk about us trimming our scouting department down to the bare bones. I haven’t heard about any new hires so I assume we are still rolling out an understaffed scouting department... which is a complete joke.
Was this a typo or do you think Monty had a say in this? I always thought this was more of a James Jones initiative, and would be a little bit surprised if Monty pushed for this.
I think Monty did have a say or at least there was some sort of agreement with James Jones when he was hired about the sort of players he wanted brought in. There was talk here of Monty not liking players that swear or that had tattoos after he was hired. How much of a say he had with specific players, who knows, but he seemed very hands on during the draft process, if I recall correctly. So while Jones was a part of it, I think Monty was just as much of a part of that turnaround with high character players being a focus.
I almost posted about the Luol Deng draft, I had a line written but deleted it. That is something that will continue hang over this franchises' head going forward since it was technically Sarver's first draft as owner.
