Bulls @ Suns game thread 11-19-17

[Chris_Sanders]

Sources? A few articles have been posted about Booker but I haven't seen anything in a week or so, the last was an ESPN interview talking to him about the Suns post Eric Bledsoe. Bickley wrote an article where he complained about the state of the Suns and Booker's happiness but it seemed to contradict a few things I've heard come from Booker and other Suns insiders. Bickley's Suns coverage isn't just poor it's atrocious because it's all speculation. Gambo is one of the few local sources who can be trusted in regards to his Suns info and he hasn't said anything outside of what most know regarding Booker's status with the team. The Suns are actually close to 500 under Triano, going 7-8 so far. I can't see Booker asking out this year unless the Suns did something really stupid this season to set them back.

Bickley and Gambo on their respective radio shows. Bickley heavily emphasized it. Their co hosts were not disagreeing. I smell smoke.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Anyway, we have seen that these things go sideways fast. I wanted to trade Bledsoe and Jackson for Kyrie for this very reason. We have someone who is a legit star. It's time to really build around him.

 

[Phrazbit]

You deliberately misquoted him, he asks you to stop and you respond with the laugh face...

This kind of crap is what drives posters away and kills actual discourse.

You can disagree all you want, but don't be an antagonist d-bag.

 

[pokerface]

You deliberately misquoted him, he asks you to stop and you respond with the laugh face...

This kind of crap is what drives posters away and kills actual discourse.

You can disagree all you want, but don't be an antagonist d-bag.

 

[Carolinacacti]

We have someone who is a legit star. It's time to really build around him.

I believe Booker is a legit star because the Suns gave him the playing time and told him to shoot. Hopefully he remembers that...

 

[GatorAZ]

Sources? A few articles have been posted about Booker but I haven't seen anything in a week or so, the last was an ESPN interview talking to him about the Suns post Eric Bledsoe. Bickley wrote an article where he complained about the state of the Suns and Booker's happiness but it seemed to contradict a few things I've heard come from Booker and other Suns insiders. Bickley's Suns coverage isn't just poor it's atrocious because it's all speculation. Gambo is one of the few local sources who can be trusted in regards to his Suns info and he hasn't said anything outside of what most know regarding Booker's status with the team. The Suns are actually close to 500 under Triano, going 7-8 so far. I can't see Booker asking out this year unless the Suns did something really stupid this season to set them back.

Anyone who isn't worried about the "State of the Suns" is not living in reality.

 

[JS22]

Anyone who isn't worried about the "State of the Suns" is not living in reality.

They are one "really good" player away from being able to at least compete again. Who that is? Not sure. But I'd be willing to give up either Chriss or Bender + multiple picks to get him. Even Jackson if the haul is good enough. Warren has a death-grip on the starting SF spot.

Would really like to give Monroe some more time too. If he works out, try and lure him back. It's been nice having a low-post option.

 

[BC867]

Anyone who isn't worried about the "State of the Suns" is not living in reality.

Well said! Blaming the Press is a subterfuge. The issue is the running of the team, not the Press who reports it. Nor the fans who expect positive results.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Anyone who isn't worried about the "State of the Suns" is not living in reality.

I’m not worried about them . . . yet. They just started this “reset” and “timeline” two years ago. If it doesn’t progress next year I’ll be worried.

I was more worried a couple years ago when I thought we were gunning for permanent mediocrity.

 

[Hoop Head]

They are one "really good" player away from being able to at least compete again. Who that is? Not sure. But I'd be willing to give up either Chriss or Bender + multiple picks to get him. Even Jackson if the haul is good enough. Warren has a death-grip on the starting SF spot.

Would really like to give Monroe some more time too. If he works out, try and lure him back. It's been nice having a low-post option.

I've really liked what Monroe brings to the table, if only he was a shot blocker. He can score well in the post or paint and is consistent with his game as well. He's also a willing and capable passer from the post, which is something we haven't had in a long time. I suspect he'll only get better the more familiar he gets with our guys. He earns his minutes with his quality of play and plays within his skill set, not trying to do too much or what he's not effective at. I'm not sure if he'll be around past this season but I'm glad the Suns didn't buy him out and hope they're looking at keeping him beyond this season, auditioning him basically.

I followed him some when he was in Detroit and he seems to be a good guy as well as a good player. He isn't someone who demand touches, playing time, or a specific role on the team. He just wants to play and be in a position that allows him to be productive and help the team, which was an issue in Detroit. There he was forced to play out of position alongside Drummond. Everyone knew the two together created a clogged lane and crowded the interior offensively but they stuck with it for a while, despite having no success and seeing the issue nightly. Monroe isn't quite quick enough to match up with some PF's either and since he's not a shot blocker their size didn't benefit them defensively. Rather than be a disturbance though he sucked it up and played through until he had the chance to leave after accepting his qualifying offer.

 

[Cheesebeef]

They are one "really good" player away from being able to at least compete again. Who that is? Not sure. But I'd be willing to give up either Chriss or Bender + multiple picks to get him. Even Jackson if the haul is good enough. Warren has a death-grip on the starting SF spot.

Would really like to give Monroe some more time too. If he works out, try and lure him back. It's been nice having a low-post option.

Compete for what? The 7 or 8 seed? Is that REALLY what people are clamoring for our ceiling to be after all this time because a really good player added to this team minus Bender/Chriss and multiple picks is pretty much where we’d end up.

 

[pokerface]

Compete for what? The 7 or 8 seed? Is that REALLY what people are clamoring for our ceiling to be after all this time because a really good player added to this team minus Bender/Chriss and multiple picks is pretty much where we’d end up.

I agree with this.... mostly. I guess we'd have to see the deal...see where our next draft pick(s) are. I mean I don't want to trade ourselves into just being a little better than average team...I get that cheesebeef. But if the draft gods don't deliver we might have to trade. If somehow we got a star we might be a free agent destination again.

It's a tough call all the way around because I'm not ready to give up on what we got either. I mean instead of trading for stars we may have them right now given enough time.

 

[pokerface]

 

[JS22]

Compete for what? The 7 or 8 seed? Is that REALLY what people are clamoring for our ceiling to be after all this time because a really good player added to this team minus Bender/Chriss and multiple picks is pretty much where we’d end up.

Sure, why not? I don't think it's such a bad thing to get guys like Booker, Warren, Jackson, Chriss (or Bender), Ulis, etc some playoff experience. As long as Sarver doesn't panic and blow up the young "core" then I think getting into the playoffs would be a huge step.

 

[SirStefan32]

Sure, why not? I don't think it's such a bad thing to get guys like Booker, Warren, Jackson, Chriss (or Bender), Ulis, etc some playoff experience. As long as Sarver doesn't panic and blow up the young "core" then I think getting into the playoffs would be a huge step.

Not only that, but free agents are more likely to look at a playoff team with some young talent than consider signing with a tanking team.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

This team ain’t competing for a playoff spot this year. At best it’s likely 30-35 wins. No mans land.

Playoffs would be good (but highly unlikely)

Tanking would be good.

In between is disastrous.

 

[SirStefan32]

They are a game and a half behind a playoff spot right now. They are 7-8 since Watson got canned. West is not quite as strong as it used to be. I am not saying they will make playoffs, but I don't think it's highly unlikely.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I remembered the exact thing I heard that really worried me. It was reported thsat other guys in the league are already trying to recruit Booker for when his contract is up. We need to be in a place where he is the one doing the recruiting, not the other way around.

 

[pokerface]

They are a game and a half behind a playoff spot right now. They are 7-8 since Watson got canned. West is not quite as strong as it used to be. I am not saying they will make playoffs, but I don't think it's highly unlikely.

Talentwise the west is tougher but apparently teams haven't gelled yet. Plus we haven't had the toughest schedule so far.

 

[pokerface]

I remembered the exact thing I heard that really worried me. It was reported thsat other guys in the league are already trying to recruit Booker for when his contract is up. We need to be in a place where he is the one doing the recruiting, not the other way around.

All this Booker talk is premature. We don't need to worry about years down the road.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Talentwise the west is tougher but apparently teams haven't gelled yet. Plus we haven't had the toughest schedule so far.

Yeah anyone that thinks the current records of the west and east are indicative of talent and better teams will be singing a different tune at year’s end.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

All this Booker talk is premature. We don't need to worry about years down the road.

2 seasons.

 

[pokerface]

2 seasons.

You think?

When he gets extended that adds another four or five years.

I think in two seasons the suns will improve significantly even without adding talent. Our youth will mature some by then.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Sure, why not? I don't think it's such a bad thing to get guys like Booker, Warren, Jackson, Chriss (or Bender), Ulis, etc some playoff experience. As long as Sarver doesn't panic and blow up the young "core" then I think getting into the playoffs would be a huge step.

yeah... how great was that step we took winning 48 games with Bledsoe/Dragic? That season was 48 pyrhicc victories because it made us believe we were better than we were AND it took us out of the running to get an actual difference maker in the draft.

I mean... what happens when this team as usual can't attract FAs and gets stuck with 15th pick moving forward in your scenario of a playoff run? Do you think the 15th pick is going to move the needle to become a force in the NBA. Isn't that what we ACTUALLY want? A team that can win a freaking title? What you're advocating for is MORE purgatory. How some of you apparently haven't gotten sick of that yet is beyond me.

You don't get out of purgatory unless you have at LEAST two of the best players in the NBA, and more often than not, 3. We have ONE guy who looks like he could be in those ranks right now. We need more and it ain't coming from our GM, who gets abused in trades lately, trading heavily protected picks.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Not only that, but free agents are more likely to look at a playoff team with some young talent than consider signing with a tanking team.

you're right... I'm sure big name FAs are going to completely ignore how our FO has bashed every player they've traded and take less money here then they could with their own teams.

You're drinking drano if you think FA is going to cure any ills here. This ain't the days of Colangelo being able to attract great talent. We have a crappy product, a reviled owner and a GM who's completely unprofessional, dragging players through the mud.