(Bold) Prediction / Opinion Thread

[FutureSuperstar]

Figured this would be a good thread to start. Can just be Predictions, bold or not. I have 2 things:

1. I think by mid-season, maybe earlier, Sonny Weems will establish himself as a legit rotation player or even starter AND P.J. Tucker will fall out of the rotation completely (So it will be Weems and Warren at SF)

2. I think Jon Leuer will have a better, more impactful year than M. Teletovic.

 

[Hoop Head]

I don't know how bold of a prediction it is but I think at least 2 of the starters from last season will be dealt this season. I'm referring to Bledsoe, Knight, Tucker, Markieff, and Len.

I think most people expect Kieff to be traded at some point, regardless of the media day remarks but I think someone else will be traded also, either Len or Bledsoe would be my guess.

 

[Errntknght]

Figured this would be a good thread to start. Can just be Predictions, bold or not. I have 2 things:

1. I think by mid-season, maybe earlier, Sonny Weems will establish himself as a legit rotation player or even starter AND P.J. Tucker will fall out of the rotation completely (So it will be Weems and Warren at SF)

2. I think Jon Leuer will have a better, more impactful year than M. Teletovic.

I think Weems has been playing in Europe which means that he's not used to the NBA 3 pt shot. IMO, three point shooting is going to a major factor in the guys playing time for this team and that gives Sonny a little tougher row to hoe than his competition. I could see PJ improving significantly this year, thanks to Chandler - he's a great offensive rebounder but he wastes most of them by trying to put the ball back up himself in traffic. I expect Tyson to 'explain' to him that team play demands he look for teammates in those situations. Who wouldn't listen to a seven foot voice of reason.

I won't be surprised if Leuer blossoms here after playing the shadow of Randolf and Gasol for three years or so. We've seen him have very good games against us so he is capable - the question is going to be his consistency on both ends of the floor. Teletovic has a quicker set up and shot so he's harder to contain when he's on. I think he's also quick enough to guard a fair number of 3's so I'd like to see Hornacek playing them together some of the time - really spread the floor.

 

[Errntknght]

I don't know how bold of a prediction it is but I think at least 2 of the starters from last season will be dealt this season. I'm referring to Bledsoe, Knight, Tucker, Markieff, and Len.

I think most people expect Kieff to be traded at some point, regardless of the media day remarks but I think someone else will be traded also, either Len or Bledsoe would be my guess.

I could see them trading one of Knight or Bledsoe once it becomes clear that Booker is going to take over the 2 guard spot. That probably won't happen this year but when it does, something is going to have to give. This year I expect Goodwin to be moved - unless he develops by leaps and bounds. The table has been set for it to happen and Booker will provide the final push.

I imagine that Archie has been working of his three point shot and it improved some last year but it was still far below what he needs to hit for it to be a positive factor. There's been no sign that he's been working on the shots he needs to employ when his path to the rim is cut off - pull up jumper, runner or floater (even a jump hook might work for him). That seems to be a good bit on the coaches because it's so clear he needs something like that.

 

[Phrazbit]

I honestly doubt Leuer ends up in the rotation, especially if Markieff is here still. If everyone is healthy he is the #5 big man on the team, and its far more likely that the bulk of spare minutes left over from the Chandler/Len/Morris/Tele front court allotment end up trickling down to smaller lineups.

 

[Hoop Head]

I could see them trading one of Knight or Bledsoe once it becomes clear that Booker is going to take over the 2 guard spot. That probably won't happen this year but when it does, something is going to have to give. This year I expect Goodwin to be moved - unless he develops by leaps and bounds. The table has been set for it to happen and Booker will provide the final push.

I imagine that Archie has been working of his three point shot and it improved some last year but it was still far below what he needs to hit for it to be a positive factor. There's been no sign that he's been working on the shots he needs to employ when his path to the rim is cut off - pull up jumper, runner or floater (even a jump hook might work for him). That seems to be a good bit on the coaches because it's so clear he needs something like that.

Can the Suns still send him to the D-League? I'm not sure of the rules for sending a player down but I thought they could only send players down for assignment in their first 2 years. To send them down after that they have to get player approval, which I could see being the point where Archie asks to be traded. They could be able to send down players through their first 3 or 4 years, I'm not sure exactly.

 

[elindholm]

1. Knight will be a disappointment as it becomes evident that his skill set is not a good fit for the role the Suns are asking him to play.

2. Bledsoe will be constantly mentioned in trade rumors, but will not get traded.

3. The Suns will average less than 100 points per game, in both scoring and in points given up.

4. The Suns will start off with a bad record but get it to .500 by Thanksgiving.

5. Booker will supplant Len and Warren as the most promising young player on the roster.

 

[JCSunsfan]

1. It's going to be Weems or Booker getting third guard minutes, not both. I hope it's Booker.

2. I agree with Elind in 2,3, and 5.

 

[FArting]

Suns will make the playoffs.

 

[Ronin]

More than likely wishful thinking on my part:
Bledsoe will average 8.5 assists for the season.

 

[BC867]

More than likely wishful thinking on my part:
Bledsoe will average 8.5 assists for the season.

If every game is triple overtime?

 

[sunsfan88]

1. Suns give up on two combo guard offense after realizing it blows.

2. Booker gets 6th man type minutes and performs well.

3. Suns lead NBA in techs with Kieff & Chandler leading the way.

4. Len becomes better defensively and starts to turn into a solid player by end of the season.

 

[Chaplin]

1. Suns give up on two combo guard offense after realizing it blows.

2. Booker gets 6th man type minutes and performs well.

3. Suns lead NBA in techs with Kieff & Chandler leading the way.

4. Len becomes better defensively and starts to turn into a solid player by end of the season.

That's really going out on a limb there...

 

[Chaz]

Suns will make the playoffs.

[emoji106]. And higher than an 8th seed.

 

[Catlover]

Suns will make the playoffs.

Markieff and Archie will be traded mid season. Markieff will play well and draw serious attention but Archie will likely be filler in the trade.

Bledsoe gets added to the all star roster and he and Knight easily validate the idea of the two combo guard offense.

Booker and Weems become crowd favorites.

Tucker drops out of the starting rotation but still gets minutes guarding the 2, 3 and 4 spots.

 

[Errntknght]

Suns will make the playoffs.

Markieff and Archie will be traded mid season. Markieff will play well and draw serious attention but Archie will likely be filler in the trade.

Bledsoe gets added to the all star roster and he and Knight easily validate the idea of the two combo guard offense.

Booker and Weems become crowd favorites.

Tucker drops out of the starting rotation but still gets minutes guarding the 2, 3 and 4 spots.

I agree almost across the board Catlover - that may make you change your mind!

I think Ronnie Price may become a fan favorite... Jeff's gong to have to play him some so he's ready to step in when Bled or Brandon get hurt. I liked something attributed to him - he said his job is to make Bledsoe's and Knight's lives miserable in practice - he wants them to feel like a game is a day off.

I'm not so sure Bled and Brandon will easily validate the dual combo guard offense concept but I do think it will work quite well with this team - assuming Tel and Leuer can keep the middle open. They've also got a good pick and roll partner in Chandler - and Len should get better by emulating him. I haven't been happy with Jeff's offense the past two years but this year he's got the right pieces to make if work - especially when Markieff has toddled off to some other team.

 

[sunsfan88]

That's really going out on a limb there...

I know, I'm a little too bold

On a serious note, I think the first one is at least pretty bold.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

One of the Suns starting guards make the All Star game as a reserve.

The Suns make the playoffs as a 6th seed.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

Len suffers another injury-plagued season dealing with stress fractures of the feet / ankles.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Len suffers another injury-plagued season dealing with stress fractures of the feet / ankles.

[emoji35]

 

[devilalum]

[emoji35]

this

 

[SirStefan32]

Suns finish ninth in the West, and sign another combo guard to turn the ship around.

 

[sunsfan88]

Suns finish ninth in the West, and sign another combo guard to turn the ship around.

Long time no see, made it in time for pre season eh?

 

[BC867]

Suns finish ninth in the West, and sign another combo guard to turn the ship around.

And extend the contracts of Ryan McDonough and Jeff Hornacek for their consistency.

 

[Catlover]

And extend the contracts of Ryan McDonough and Jeff Hornacek for their consistency.

Sure, let's hope so. I think most of us realize that although they've made some mistakes, they've far outperformed expectations. Note: My post isn't tongue in cheek.