Babby and McDonough Presser

[jagu]

I didn't like the approach Dragic took prior to the trade. He was more worried about where he was going to end up rather than worrying about playing to the best of his abilities.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm gonna assume you mean Knight because Wright isn't that young. Probably in the 27 age range.

Agreed about the front line but we did get Barron.

This might be a problem on some nights. Of course I meant Knight.

 

[SirStefan32]

A lot of people care. Just look in this thread to see how many people are talking about other people's opinions, public perceptions, fans comments, what players will think of the Suns, etc. ... All these opinions are based off information/facts that the media puts out, so when ESPN/ the media makes up a headline, it isn't right ....

The media always twists/spins quotes to fit their agenda, but that's not what this is. This is ESPN totally making up a quote/headline to make the Suns GM look bad.

He and Babby don't need any help in that department. They look like crap without any help from ESPN.

 

[SirStefan32]

This might be a problem on some nights. Of course I meant Knight.

I remember one season we had Joe Johnson, James Jones, and Jimmy Jackson on the team, and there wasn't a single game that even the great Al McCoy didn't mix them up multiple times.

 

[BC867]

I remember one season we had Joe Johnson, James Jones, and Jimmy Jackson on the team, and there wasn't a single game that even the great Al McCoy didn't mix them up multiple times.

Steve Albert's head would have exploded.

Or maybe he would have just called everybody JJ. Even if their name was Frank Johnson.

 

[mojorizen7]

Wow.
"The homerism is strong with this board..."

You must be registered for see images attach

I disagree with about 90% of the views of those in here as well as the Suns' decision making people.

Not sure if it's because I've distanced myself so far emotionally from the Suns, or because i just don't get it. When did Goran become the GM who has been responsible for bringing in crappy, unbalanced, middling talent around him the last few years? Was Dragic supposed to be the savior and average 30 ppg for you guys to be satisfied?

Goran gets traded and the fans act as though he was never any good and didn't do enough while he was here. Then the Suns brass starts trading immature, unwarranted and untrue BS once he's out the door. Unbelievable.

 

[sunsfan88]

https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568833914455744512

https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568834109382004736

https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568834324684001280

https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568834699516362752

https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568836857246715904

https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568836980785725440

The part that worried me most was that even Grant Hill chimed in on this and was taken back by McD's words

https://twitter.com/realgranthill33/status/568866780787163136

Grant's one of those guys that says it how it is and isn't full of s**t so his response to McD's comments are worrisome.

 

[Phrazbit]

Wow, I cannot believe former Suns front office assistant and current media guy who got canned along with the rest of a horrible GM staff is delivering one of his typical hatchet jobs. I'm amazed.

I know recently dumped employees are always a great source of unbiased takes when it comes to the people who replaced them.

 

[TJ]

I didn't like the approach Dragic took prior to the trade. He was more worried about where he was going to end up rather than worrying about playing to the best of his abilities.

Sure, his comments were harsh, but they are a reflection of how this front office is operating. Additionally, this was the opportunity for the front office to take the high road on the matter by wishing Dragic and Thomas well and accentuating on the positives from the trades. Rather, they went to attack mode and threw Dragic under the bus and made statements about the lack of team chemistry (likely throwing Thomas under the bus).

Very sophomoric, IMO.

 

[Covert Rain]

https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568833914455744512
https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568834109382004736
https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568834324684001280
https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568834699516362752
https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568836857246715904
https://twitter.com/AminESPN/status/568836980785725440
The part that worried me most was that even Grant Hill chimed in on this and was taken back by McD's words
https://twitter.com/realgranthill33/status/568866780787163136
Grant's one of those guys that says it how it is and isn't full of s**t so his response to McD's comments are worrisome.

This stuff is not shocking news. I think it's a given the team has a less than steller reputation around the league. I mean we have heard it time and time again by media that talks to players and other GM's. Sarver has racked up quite the list in just 10 years. We can't seem to attract any major free agents (2 different times with 2 max contracts available), comments by someone like Grant, stories coming out of the owners/players meetings about Sarver irritating both owners and player alike, crap like his "run it like a business" FO strategy, selling off picks, not signing Joe, the Golden State trade fiasco and now having to turn over half your roster because of some bonehead strategy.

It's a microcosm of how this organization has been run under Sarver's regime. It's just frustrating because for every step forward this FO seems to make, they take two steps back. This FO is the only one in the league that would even suggest their three PG system works unless scoring is the only thing you care about. This FO strategy reminds me of when Pringles would have Nash run the same pick and roll 10 more times in a game after having it shut down the previous 5 in a row. Putting your head down and putting your blinders on doesn't appear to be an effective strategy.

Having said all that, I still give credit to Sarver for trying to change things around here (although he should have fired Babby IMO when he cleaned house). I agree with some others who said the Suns made the best of a bad situation at the trade deadline. They could have done NOTHING. They have managed to get younger while acquiring some talent and getting some picks out of this fiasco. Let's just hope this is a blip in this relatively "new" FO and they learned something here. I have to believe that or Sarver's tenure as an owner is going to be the longest in Suns history and I don't mean in a good way.

 

[Finito]

Make no mistake people around the league and players are noticing this front office and not in a good way.

 

[JS22]

What a bunch of drama queens.

Oh no, McD was a little harsh on a player that completely threw the team under the bus one day before the deadline. Boo hoo.

All he / they basically said that they prefer players who are about "we," and not "me."

Cry me a river.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I am not worried about the presser. I watched the entirety of it.

1. The "best player" comment. McD was just propping the players that he has. He cannot say Dragic was the best player when he is the one that is gone.
2. The "we" not "me" comment was a little uncomfortable, because you did not know if he was talking about one or all of these players. What is clear though is that Goran and Miles both asked for a trade, and IT was unhappy with not starting. That's just a fact.
3. As far as commending PJ's attitude. Eric, I get the gripe about the DWI, but the context was his willingness to play any position or come off the bench for the good of the team.
4. As far as Knight being the best player coming or going. I curious to see whether they are really that high on Knight, to think of him as better than Goran. He is a borderline all-star this year, like Goran was last year. Interesting.
5. They said that Goran has a right to go where he wants, and to express his displeasure with his role. They really took issue with Goran in essense calling them liars. They felt it necessary to defend themselves on that score and I don't blame them. I am not sure Goran would say that again. He said it came out worse than he intended. Its on Goran to make that right if he was overstating the situation to get what he wants. When someone calls you a liar, you want to correct that. It makes doint business difficult.

I am happy to have a FO that is genuine. I thought it was a bit edgy but still restrained. Time to move on.

 

[Covert Rain]

What a bunch of drama queens.

Oh no, McD was a little harsh on a player that completely threw the team under the bus one day before the deadline. Boo hoo.

All he / they basically said that they prefer players who are about "we," and not "me."

Cry me a river.

I didn't take that as the primary criticism in this thread.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am not worried about the presser. I watched the entirety of it.

1. The "best player" comment. McD was just propping the players that he has. He cannot say Dragic was the best player when he is the one that is gone.
2. The "we" not "me" comment was a little uncomfortable, because you did not know if he was talking about one or all of these players. What is clear though is that Goran and Miles both asked for a trade, and IT was unhappy with not starting. That's just a fact.
3. As far as commending PJ's attitude. Eric, I get the gripe about the DWI, but the context was his willingness to play any position or come off the bench for the good of the team.
4. As far as Knight being the best player coming or going. I curious to see whether they are really that high on Knight, to think of him as better than Goran. He is a borderline all-star this year, like Goran was last year. Interesting.
5. They said that Goran has a right to go where he wants, and to express his displeasure with his role. They really took issue with Goran in essense calling them liars. They felt it necessary to defend themselves on that score and I don't blame them. I am not sure Goran would say that again. He said it came out worse than he intended. Its on Goran to make that right if he was overstating the situation to get what he wants. When someone calls you a liar, you want to correct that. It makes doint business difficult.

I am happy to have a FO that is genuine. I thought it was a bit edgy but still restrained. Time to move on.

I'm with this take. If the Suns fall flat on their face we will know by next season. I think McDonough showed that he is a rookie GM who knows the technical part of the system but needs to develop people skills and maturity.

 

[CardsFan88]

Wow, I cannot believe former Suns front office assistant and current media guy who got canned along with the rest of a horrible GM staff is delivering one of his typical hatchet jobs. I'm amazed.

I know recently dumped employees are always a great source of unbiased takes when it comes to the people who replaced them.

What's really sad is that he was alluding to things from the administration he was a part of.

So he basically is trying to push off what he was a part of as part of the current regime and that it's then their fault.

Quality journalism there...

He also forgets that who we signed was wanted elsewhere and we got a 1st round pick for signing a guy for a few months.

He also alludes that it's ok that players run teams. How have the Suns mistreated their players? By asking them to be part of a TEAM? What a moron. You see Amin has that messed up mindset that will never take anyone anywhere. He is obviously a me-first person, and is trying to apply that to a TEAM sport, and thinks he's right.

Can Amin please list all the things that the Suns did FOR Dragic. Then again list the things they did 'against' him. When you see that, you'll realize how much of a joke Amin is on this issue (and from what I've seen most others).

He also forgets that at least for the time being, $arver isn't acting like the same ol $arver. Though there are moments I feel that might come back. But he is putting out there that alluding to $arver being the same old $arver. As people may remember I'm one of $arver's biggest critics, and have broke down his idiocy many times on this board. While I don't know the future, it is QUITE CLEAR, that he has finally learned something, and is TRYING not to be what he used to be. I still don't trust $arver, but to assume after making such a big shift in his way of running the team, that the team is being run the same way, is again idiotic.

....off of Amin, and with regards to Knight.

I do believe they are that high on Knight.
1. McD said the scouting process in Boston loved him
2. McD said all the scouting stuff here in Phoenix loved him
3. They said (can't remember who) were looking at this and even asked Bledsoe, hypothetically, if he would like to play with Knight (which again shows how much the Suns hate their players...huh Amin)

This is a guy they've had their eye on for a long time, and one they viewed as very much quality, young, 'legendary work ethic', and also they stated he was his class valedictorian.

There's a legitimate reason to believe that Knight IS the best player coming or going, at least in terms of what they bring in the years ahead.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Just got this email from the Suns:

"Yesterday may have been the busiest day in the history of Phoenix Suns basketball. In total, we facilitated three transactions that not only make us younger, but improve our team and position us incredibly well moving into the future. Below is a breakdown of yesterday's trades:
In a three-team trade with the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans, we acquired two first-round draft picks (2017 & 2021) and Danny Granger (6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) from Miami, in exchange for both Goran and Zoran Dragic. We also acquired forward John Salmons from New Orleans, who will be waived. The future first-round selections provide us with valuable assets and additional flexibility moving forward, two things we have vowed to maintain as we continue to improve our team.

In another three-team trade, we acquired fourth-year guard Brandon Knight (17.8 ppg, 5.4 apg) and former Suns guard Kendall Marshall, who will also be waived, while sending Miles Plumlee and Tyler Ennis to the Bucks, and our rights to the Lakers 2015 first-round pick (protected to five in 2015, and to three in 2016) to Philadelphia. Brandon is an electrifying guard who will join fellow Kentucky Wildcat Eric Bledsoe in our backcourt. He is a great fit for Coach Hornacek's system, and at age 23, has a very bright future.

In a third trade, we sent Isaiah Thomas to the Boston Celtics in exchange for swingman Marcus Thornton (8.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg), as well as Cleveland's 2016 first-round pick. Marcus will provide depth at the wing position and is known for instant offense.
It is important that I touch on Goran and his comments earlier this week. We respect his right to decide where he would like to play when he becomes a free agent this summer. He has earned that. However, we were disappointed in the nature in which Goran and his representatives addressed his concerns. If there is one thing that our front office is built on, it is trustworthiness. Every decision we make is done to improve our team, and there are tough decisions we make which may impact a player's role. However, we have never compromised our integrity, and at the end of every day, we take great pride in knowing that you can be proud of the way we conduct our business. With that said, we acknowledge Goran's contributions to the team over the years, and wish him the best in his future.

Make no mistake about it, our short-term focus is to make the NBA Playoffs this season, and we will compete hard every night to do so. These transactions were consistent with our fundamental goal of creating sustained success and being a perennial championship contender in the future.

As I have stated in previous communications, we will continue making the right – and often tough -- decisions to accomplish our ultimate goal of consistently competing for NBA Championships, while serving as a foundational piece of this great community. We are grateful for your support and motivated to deliver you a team that you can be proud of.

Go Suns!


Lon Babby
President

 

[JS22]

I didn't take that as the primary criticism in this thread.

Mostly referring to talking heads like Amin Elhassan.

 

[Mainstreet]

Grant's one of those guys that says it how it is and isn't full of s**t so his response to McD's comments are worrisome.

So Grant Hill said "WOW!!" The Suns must be done.

 

[JS22]

So Grant Hill said "WOW!!" The Suns must be done.

Yeah, and it wasn't even in reference to the Dragic trade. McD was saying that Knight is the best player in a totally separate deal. But hey, facts don't really mean much to ESPN. And most people get their info from ESPN. So there ya go.

 

[Iceman]

In defense to McD, would you admit to making a stupid trade by saying "we traded our best player and got an above average player and a bunch of fill in guys?" I know I wouldn't. This maybe a way to make sure that Knight (and rest of the team) understands that the Suns are wanting to move forward with positive outlooks. Trust me, I am not saying McD/Suns made the right moves, but they are trying to make the best of it now..... IMO

 

[Mainstreet]

In defense to McD, would you admit to making a stupid trade by saying "we traded our best player and got an above average player and a bunch of fill in guys?" I know I wouldn't. This maybe a way to make sure that Knight (and rest of the team) understands that the Suns are wanting to move forward with positive outlooks. Trust me, I am not saying McD/Suns made the right moves, but they are trying to make the best of it now..... IMO

Based on what I know, Brandon Knight may well be as good or better player than Dragic at the ripe old age of 23. The Suns wanted a star and might have got him. Now they need to keep him or turn him into other pieces they need in the summer. It appears the Suns intend to play Marcus Thornton and of course Brandon Knight but the other players received in the trade will likely be waived. Also another biggie in this trade besides the picks, all the players received in the trade except Knight are expiring contracts so the Suns will be players in FA.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Based on what I know, Brandon Knight may well be as good or better player than Dragic at the ripe old age of 23. The Suns wanted a star and might have got him. Now they need to keep him or turn him into other pieces they need in the summer. It appears the Suns intend to play Marcus Thornton and of course Brandon Knight but the other players received in the trade will likely be waived. Also another biggie in this trade besides the picks, all the players received in the trade except Knight are expiring contracts so the Suns will be players in FA.

Knight is a #8 pick who is not a bust. They traded the Laker pick for him. Plumlee and Ennis have value that is a bit above filler. I would have loved to keep the Laker pick because it could be really good. But it will likely be in the 8-10 range. Getting a player you want, after having seen him compete at the NBA level is not a bad idea. So I don't hate the move, I just had my heart set on that pick. I don't think comparing Knight and Dragic is fair.

We got two first rounders, one unprotected, one with minimal protection, instead of seeing Goran walk or having the privelege of paying him 5/100. Probably a good save.

We traded IT (a FA signing that cost us nothing) for a late first rounder and a player that probably won't get much burn. Meh. IT needed to go and we got something.

 

[Mainstreet]

Knight is a #8 pick who is not a bust. They traded the Laker pick for him. Plumlee and Ennis have value that is a bit above filler. I would have loved to keep the Laker pick because it could be really good. But it will likely be in the 8-10 range. Getting a player you want, after having seen him compete at the NBA level is not a bad idea. So I don't hate the move, I just had my heart set on that pick. I don't think comparing Knight and Dragic is fair.

We got two first rounders, one unprotected, one with minimal protection, instead of seeing Goran walk or having the privelege of paying him 5/100. Probably a good save.

We traded IT (a FA signing that cost us nothing) for a late first rounder and a player that probably won't get much burn. Meh. IT needed to go and we got something.

I had my heart set on the Lakers pick as well but I will hope the bird in the hand theory is correct. You are right, comparing Dragic and Knight is not fair. I guess I am getting worn down by all the criticism of the trade. I want to return to the normality of watching a Suns game for the enjoyment.

 

[JCSunsfan]

BTW, I am not worried about the RFA status of Knight. Sounds like the Suns value as much or more than anyone else, and will pay him accordingly. He is a RFA so, whatever happens, the Suns are in control. Hopefully it will be a little less nerve racking than the Bledsoe thing last summer.