Celtics @ Suns 3-5-17, 3 p.m

[sunsfan88]

They're playing all the kids big minutes. What more can you do?

Play Brandon Knight.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ulis = PGOTF

McDonough gets another chance to get it right after trading IT.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Why? Look at BC's post right above yours. Look at who's leading to these wins. The Suns youth is paying off. Isn't that the whole point?

No, the it isn't. NEXT year that pays dividends, this year it doesn't. We've already suffered through how many awful campaigns, this one included? The ONLY good that can come of this SEASON is the reward of a great draft pick. The difference between Josh Jackson and a Tatum could be the difference between a Scottie pippin or a rashard Lewis. That's a chasm of a difference. The short term spurt of endorphins for a single game shouldn't be snatched in lieu of years of being a potentially great team.

And make no mistake about it, this wasn't a great win. No Avery Bradley. No al horford. We beat an undermanned celtics team at our home.

THIS WAS A BAD LOSS.

 

[devilalum]

Play Brandon Knight.

The Suns want to get a good draft pick but they also want to develop a culture of winning.
Look at the 76ers as an example of what not to do.

 

[devilalum]

No, the it isn't. NEXT year that pays dividends, this year it doesn't. We've already suffered through how many awful campaigns, this one included? The ONLY good that can come of this SEASON is the reward of a great draft pick. The difference between Josh Jackson and a Tatum could be the difference between a Scottie pippin or a rashard Lewis. That's a chasm of a difference. The short term spurt of endorphins for a single game shouldn't be snatched in lieu of years of being a potentially great team.

And make no mistake about it, this wasn't a great win. No Avery Bradley. No al horford. We beat an undermanned celtics team at our home.

THIS WAS A BAD LOSS.

So how do you tank without creating a culture of losers and laughing stocks?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Look gang, this is going to sound contradictory . . . I don't want to tell the team to do anything other than what they're doing. But I am rooting for them to lose. They are doing the "right" thing by playing the young guys. I just wished they'd lose. So when I say "short sighted" I'm not saying that in regards to the team's actions but rather to enjoying a win that is harmful to our long term prospects.

Also, with how the young guys are playing lately it makes me wonder if the real fault of the team was not going to this design earlier. Maybe they WERE good enough to win earlier in the year. Maybe they would have made a run at a playoff spot. Instead we were awful (worst in WC for most of year) and only now winning, when playoffs are out of reach and the only result is hurting our draft prospects. In other words, this season seems to be shaping up as one of those that may keep us mediocre instead of springboarding us forward with our current youth or netting us a super stud.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bledsoe is fueling these wins. The Suns lose if he is not playing smart and with passion.

Also it helps (or hurts upon view) Ulis is developing before our eyes.

 

[BC867]

The Suns want to get a good draft pick but they also want to develop a culture of winning.
Look at the 76ers as an example of what not to do.

Absolutely! That is just as much a part of the future -- no, even more -- than a draft pick.

The development of the young guys in today's game (regardless of who was not playing for the Celtics) is a positive for the team, the fans and the conception of the Suns in NBA which, so far, has not garnered respect.

 

[JS22]

No, the it isn't. NEXT year that pays dividends, this year it doesn't. We've already suffered through how many awful campaigns, this one included? The ONLY good that can come of this SEASON is the reward of a great draft pick. The difference between Josh Jackson and a Tatum could be the difference between a Scottie pippin or a rashard Lewis. That's a chasm of a difference. The short term spurt of endorphins for a single game shouldn't be snatched in lieu of years of being a potentially great team.

And make no mistake about it, this wasn't a great win. No Avery Bradley. No al horford. We beat an undermanned celtics team at our home.

THIS WAS A BAD LOSS.

I'm not gonna complain when it's guys like Ulis, Williams, and even Jones that are making a difference. Would you be happier with the alternative? The young guys playing horribly? I mean, I guess they can go back to giving Knight and Chandler big minutes. But would you then complain about the young guys not getting any time?

 

[hsandhu]

No, the it isn't. NEXT year that pays dividends, this year it doesn't. We've already suffered through how many awful campaigns, this one included? The ONLY good that can come of this SEASON is the reward of a great draft pick. The difference between Josh Jackson and a Tatum could be the difference between a Scottie pippin or a rashard Lewis. That's a chasm of a difference. The short term spurt of endorphins for a single game shouldn't be snatched in lieu of years of being a potentially great team.

And make no mistake about it, this wasn't a great win. No Avery Bradley. No al horford. We beat an undermanned celtics team at our home.

THIS WAS A BAD LOSS.

Yes bad loss, but difference between jackson and tatum is not what you say

Have you watched college ball this year? They were 2 and 3 in the pre season recruiting classes, and their numbers are almost identical. Jackson is a better athlete so higher ceiling, tatum higher floor because he has an nba shot.


There is a reason people have been saying this is one of the great drafts, because of the depth at top.

 

[Mainstreet]

Absolutely! That is just as much a part of the future -- no, even more -- than a draft pick.

The development of the young guys in today's game (regardless of who was not playing for the Celtics) is a positive for the team, the fans and the conception of the Suns in NBA which, so far, has not garnered respect.

Go for it BC.

 

[BC867]

Go for it BC.

I must admit, I was watching short spurts of Suns games if I had nothing better to do, because it was too depressing. And I avoid feeling depressed. Especially something that is supposed to entertain you and make you feel good. It was posted that the Suns should have gotten the young guys into the rotation earlier. I'll be an optimist and say that perhaps this was the natural evolution.

It is interesting that it began right after Derrick Jones, Jr., came in second in the NBA Slam Dunk contest. Three newbies ahead of him on the Suns, but he just might have been the catalyst. And now, he is seeing some time, too. Sometimes life is strange.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Look gang, this is going to sound contradictory . . . I don't want to tell the team to do anything other than what they're doing. But I am rooting for them to lose. They are doing the "right" thing by playing the young guys. I just wished they'd lose. So when I say "short sighted" I'm not saying that in regards to the team's actions but rather to enjoying a win that is harmful to our long term prospects.

Also, with how the young guys are playing lately it makes me wonder if the real fault of the team was not going to this design earlier. Maybe they WERE good enough to win earlier in the year. Maybe they would have made a run at a playoff spot. Instead we were awful (worst in WC for most of year) and only now winning, when playoffs are out of reach and the only result is hurting our draft prospects. In other words, this season seems to be shaping up as one of those that may keep us mediocre instead of apri gboarding us forward with our current youth or betting us a super stud.

I think calling people short sighted for being happy about a win like this is just ridiculous. Seriously, we just won a game on a buzzer beating 3 pointer by one of our rookies and another rookie had 5 blocks as well. I am pro tank at this point in the season, but that doesn't mean I can't be happy when I see our guys win a game like this. Ultimately we have absolutely no control over whether the team wins or loses and harping on a win after it happens seems pretty pointless to me.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Yes bad loss, but difference between jackson and tatum is not what you say

Have you watched college ball this year? They were 2 and 3 in the pre season recruiting classes, and their numbers are almost identical. Jackson is a better athlete so higher ceiling, tatum higher floor because he has an nba shot.


There is a reason people have been saying this is one of the great drafts, because of the depth at top.

Actually I used to be a college hoops junkie. For a couple years I took a break (5 and 6 year old boys will do that), but this year, due to the fact we were going to be so bad and this draft was supposed to be so good I've been watching college games again, but only those with the high projections for draft status. And I'll admit, I WANTED to like Tatum. But man, every time I watch him I'm disappointed. Seems to be a ball stopper, not a great handle, bball IQ seems rather low, and just doesn't scream stud to me. If we lose out on fultz, ball, and jj by a game or two costing us ping pong balls and they turn out to be studs I'm just going to scream.

 

[sunsfan88]

I'm not a fan of the win but that was one hell of a finish.

Just sucks because Orlando had a big lead against Washington as well and then they smartly tanked it all away and took the loss.

 

[Mainstreet]

I must admit, I was watching short spurts of Suns games if I had nothing better to do, because it was too depressing. And I avoid feeling depressed. Especially something that is supposed to entertain you and make you feel good. It was posted that the Suns should have gotten the young guys into the rotation earlier. I'll be an optimist and say that perhaps this was the natural evolution.

It is interesting that it began right after Derrick Jones, Jr., came in second in the NBA Slam Dunk contest. Three newbies ahead of him on the Suns, but he just might have been the catalyst. And now, he is seeing some time, too. Sometimes life is strange.

I have been watching the Suns youth movement under McDonough with hope. Sure he has made some mistakes but as long they do not abandon their rebuild philosophy, I'm going ride this train as far as it can go. It takes no more energy to be positive than negative.

I'm glad you are on board.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think calling people short sighted for being happy about a win like this is just ridiculous. Seriously, we just won a game on a buzzer beating 3 pointer by one of our rookies and another rookie had 5 blocks as well. I am pro tank at this point in the season, but that doesn't mean I can't be happy when I see our guys win a game like this. Ultimately we have absolutely no control over whether the team wins or loses and harping on a win after it happens seems pretty pointless to me.

It's called venting.

 

[sunsfan88]

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[hsandhu]

Actually I used to be a college hoops junkie. For a couple years I took a break (5 and 6 year old boys will do that), but this year, due to the fact we were going to be so bad and this draft was supposed to be so good I've been watching college games again, but only those with the high projections for draft status. And I'll admit, I WANTED to like Tatum. But man, every time I watch him I'm disappointed. Seems to be a ball stopper, not a great handle, bball IQ seems rather low, and just doesn't scream stud to me. If we lose out on fultz, ball, and jj by a game or two costing us ping pong balls and they turn out to be studs I'm just going to scream.

We need to somehow suck these next nine games, like 3 - 6. After that our schedule naturally gets really tough, at boston, hou, gs, lac.. games we should lose...

I will be actively rooting against us on Tuesday vs wizards. We've also got portland at second part of back to back this week, easy excuse to sit bledsoe and booker for rest.

My concern is different than yours. 5 or 6 range is fine in draft for me, I want to make sure we don't slide out of there.

 

[Mainstreet]

One of my concerns about the draft (not the upcoming draft) is what Suns do with Brandon Knight. The Suns have their own draft picks plus two first round picks from Miami. I fear the Suns might use a future pick to move Knight. This is what worries me the most. I'd rather the Suns buy him out if they cannot trade him or just sit him. This could be sort of like the KT situation all over again except the Suns are not strapped for cash.

 

[sunsfan88]

One of my concerns about the draft (not the upcoming draft) is what Suns do with Brandon Knight. The Suns have their own draft picks plus two first round picks from Miami. I fear the Suns might use a future pick to move Knight. This is what worries me the most. I'd rather the Suns buy him out if they cannot trade him or just sit him. This could be sort of like the KT situation all over again except the Suns are not strapped for cash.

I don't think its possible to buyout a player who has multiple years remaining on his contract especially at such a large salary.

Our two options are to trade him along with a pick or to trade him for another bad contract (Mozgov, Deng, Crabbe, Turner, Mahimi etc) and hope that the other bad contract will fit better here than Knight did.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Ulis is emerging. So is Sauce. But the defensive presence of Chriss in this game was absolutely awesome. He is starting to figure out what he can do. What Chriss can do is elevate incredibly quickly--Marion-like. He could be a real defensive presence when he figures it out and it looks like he is.

We haven't even seen what Bender can do yet.

I love watching a real TEAM rather than a collection of individuals.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

One of my concerns about the draft (not the upcoming draft) is what Suns do with Brandon Knight. The Suns have their own draft picks plus two first round picks from Miami. I fear the Suns might use a future pick to move Knight. This is what worries me the most. I'd rather the Suns buy him out if they cannot trade him or just sit him. This could be sort of like the KT situation all over again except the Suns are not strapped for cash.

Because of the KT scenario and the nonstop smashing of sarver for it I don't think we will see that scenario replayed.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think its possible to buyout a player who has multiple years remaining on his contract especially at such a large salary.

I don't have the answer but I'm thinking the Suns could buy out Knight. However, it would count towards their cap space. I'd rather just sit him if he can't be traded.

Our two options are to trade him along with a pick or to trade him for another bad contract (Mozgov, Deng, Crabbe, Turner, Mahimi etc) and hope that the other bad contract will fit better here than Knight did.

I don't like any involvement with draft picks being used as sweetners. I can support trading Knight for another "bad" contract that might help the Suns.

 

[Mainstreet]

Because of the KT scenario and the nonstop smashing of sarver for it I don't think we will see that scenario replayed.

I hope you are right. Without pressure, I do not think McDonough would do it.