Developing Len, Warren, Goodwin & Ennis

[elindholm]

Lakers?

I think lots of people would want Thomas. He is explosive offensively, capable of setting up teammates, and not quite so bad defensively as one might expect. Of course he has flaws, but he's good value for his contract.

As for the Lakers and Bledsoe (if that's what you meant), the Lakers are "interested" in players only to the extent that they believe they can get them for free, or nearly for free. There really isn't any point trying to trade a good player to the Lakers, because they aren't willing to give up quality in return.

 

[BC867]

At 5-5 and inconsistent play, Hornacek needs to make some tweaks.

-Bench Marcus for PJ. We need PJ's defensive aggressiveness from the start, Marcus hasn't played well enough to keep his spot.

Too bad that PJ's bad behavior is getting in the way. Is it worth a try to get him back on the straight and narrow by putting him back in the starting lineup?

During the Celtics game, either Steve or Annie said that the Suns current starting team performance is the fourth worst in the league.

They need more than a tweak.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

Too bad that PJ's bad behavior is getting in the way. Is it worth a try to get him back on the straight and narrow by putting him back in the starting lineup?

During the Celtics game, either Steve or Annie said that the Suns current starting team performance is the fourth worst in the league.

They need more than a tweak.

How do you know its bad behavior? All we've heard was he missed the team bus to the airport and caused them to wait so they could take off.

The reason for his tardiness could be purely innoculous.

 

[cly2tw]

Don't understand management philosophy behind all the signings these past two years. So much cap spent on PG. Spending money on role players like the Morris twins. Without a lot trade in the near future, I don't see the team getting anywhere.

 

[Errntknght]

Don't understand management philosophy behind all the signings these past two years. So much cap spent on PG. Spending money on role players like the Morris twins. Without a lot trade in the near future, I don't see the team getting anywhere.

Long time, no see - very long. I hope all is going well with you.

You may have returned just in time to see the first flowering of their grand plan - if the Celtics game is a signal of what is to come. Or not, if its just a random blip in the positive direction. You will find many here that share your bewilderment and for the reasons you listed.

 

[BC867]

How do you know its bad behavior? All we've heard was he missed the team bus to the airport and caused them to wait so they could take off.

The reason for his tardiness could be purely innoculous.

He started the season suspended for three games because of a "super extreme DUI".

When he returned, it was not to his starting job and he has been less of a factor on the court.

Then he made a spectacle of himself by missing the bus.

That is a pretty negative series of events, two of which he made happen.

As the projected team leader before the season, PJ is going from hero to zero right before our eyes.

It is a shame. And he has no one to blame but himself.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

He started the season suspended for three games because of a "super extreme DUI".

When he returned, it was not to his starting job and he has been less of a factor on the court.

Then he made a spectacle of himself by missing the bus.

That is a pretty negative series of events, two of which he made happen.

As the projected team leader before the season, PJ is going from hero to zero right before our eyes.

It is a shame. And he has no one to blame but himself.

While I'll agree the DUI was disturbing and hopefully a one time mistake, you shouldnt pile on the guy for his court production after missing the first three games. Horny's the coach who decides who is in the starting lineup not PJ. He still leads the team in 3pt % in 7 games played and has hit some big shots thus far.
Missing the team bus hardly is a series of negative events. Nobody but PJ and the Suns knows why PJ missed the bus and its not up to us to speculate why it happened. Horny isnt concerned, neither should we.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He started the season suspended for three games because of a "super extreme DUI".

When he returned, it was not to his starting job and he has been less of a factor on the court.

Then he made a spectacle of himself by missing the bus.

That is a pretty negative series of events, two of which he made happen.

As the projected team leader before the season, PJ is going from hero to zero right before our eyes.

It is a shame. And he has no one to blame but himself.

This is a bit of an over reaction. His DUI issue was serious indeed, but the Suns knew about that before they re-signed him. While the missed bus was a violation of team rules, I get no sense that it anyone in the organization thinks it was a big deal. If it starts happening more often, then yes.

PJ's biggest worry should be TJ.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

This is a bit of an over reaction. His DUI issue was serious indeed, but the Suns knew about that before they re-signed him. While the missed bus was a violation of team rules, I get no sense that it anyone in the organization thinks it was a big deal. If it starts happening more often, then yes.

PJ's biggest worry should be TJ.

Exactly^

 

[JustWinBaby]

I think Warren is our best bet at becoming a 3 point shooter. It hasn't been his strength in the past but it's clear he's been working on it and the man just knows how to score (tired phrase but it fits).

Steve

If Hornacek is waiting for Warren to become a legit 3 point shooter he has no clue. We need points in the paint not more 3 point shooters. Warren has shown a legit ability to get rebounds and put them back for points, like what the Matrix did for us in the day. We need that more than another 3 point shooter. It was nice to see Markief take it into the paint against Boston rather than settling for jumpers all night. We need more of that from him as well. A lot more.

Less Tolliver and more Warren could help a bunch. Actually no more of Tolliver in itself would help.

I would also love to see Thomas moved and Ennis given some minutes. I like Tucker but he is taking minutes from Warren and Green. I would much rather see those guys on the court. Tucker should be moved as well but I doubt that will happen. What team would want his contract?

Unless we are able to land a legit star moving Dragic or Bledsoe does nothing but harm for now and our future. They are and should be allowed to be the leaders of this team.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If Hornacek is waiting for Warren to become a legit 3 point shooter he has no clue. We need points in the paint not more 3 point shooters. Warren has shown a legit ability to get rebounds and put them back for points, like what the Matrix did for us in the day. We need that more than another 3 point shooter. It was nice to see Markief take it into the paint against Boston rather than settling for jumpers all night. We need more of that from him as well. A lot more.

Less Tolliver and more Warren could help a bunch. Actually no more of Tolliver in itself would help.

I would also love to see Thomas moved and Ennis given some minutes. I like Tucker but he is taking minutes from Warren and Green. I would much rather see those guys on the court. Tucker should be moved as well but I doubt that will happen. What team would want his contract?

Unless we are able to land a legit star moving Dragic or Bledsoe does nothing but harm for now and our future. They are and should be allowed to be the leaders of this team.

We're shooting 34 percent from 3 point range. The only players we have shooting above 37 percent from there are Eric and PJ. We may not need more 3 point shooters but I think it's clear we do need better 3 point shooters. Warren needs to add to his game and a 3 point shot is a great addition for a small forward.

Steve

 

[elindholm]

We're shooting 34 percent from 3 point range. The only players we have shooting above 37 percent from there are Eric and PJ. We may not need more 3 point shooters but I think it's clear we do need better 3 point shooters.

The Suns are struggling from the three-point line because they take so many bad shots from there. Not all attempts are created equal. If the Suns could develop anything in the paint, the three-point shooting would get better automatically.

 

[Sci Fi]

THe problem with the three point shooting is the wrong guy is handling the ball. Bledsoe is terrible at creating three point attempts. Go look at his stats. Dragic is excellent at it. Let him run the team!

 

[SirStefan32]

The Suns are struggling from the three-point line because they take so many bad shots from there. Not all attempts are created equal. If the Suns could develop anything in the paint, the three-point shooting would get better automatically.

It is amazing to me how many people don't understand the concept you just described. Dribbling the ball up the court and chucking a three is not the same thing as moving the ball, drawing some double-teams in the low post, and getting open three-point shots.

 

[cly2tw]

Long time, no see - very long. I hope all is going well with you.

You may have returned just in time to see the first flowering of their grand plan - if the Celtics game is a signal of what is to come. Or not, if its just a random blip in the positive direction. You will find many here that share your bewilderment and for the reasons you listed.

Long time indeed! I'm all fine, thanks! And it's good to see some old familiar names after so long.
Suns won some games to start the season which got me interested in the team again, though I won't follow them as closely as before. Knowing that Amare got a great post-up game over there in NY, and healthier after undergoing the same procedure as Kobe, I wonder whether he might be an asset at the MLE or slightly more for the current Suns. I'm sure Nash cannot play anymore though.

 

[sunsfan88]

How long are we gonna keep making the ACC Player of the Year warm our freaking bench? Warren's a guy who can score without having plays designed for him and we're a team with a bunch of selfish players who want to play ISO ball....

Warren is the perfect remedy.

I hate that the Suns think their some elite team with all these great players when their not. Their not even a playoff team, it's time to develop these young guys so that maybe they could turn out to be the star player that we need to take us to the playoffs.

I can't remember but was Jeff Hornacek hardly given minutes when he was a rookie? Maybe this is his way of getting payback for not getting playing time or something?

Seriously, this is just getting ridiculous. We could certainly use another scorer ESPECIALLY in the absence of IT and when guys like Bledsoe & Dragic are tired out after playing heavy minutes.

 

[slinslin]

It will happen eventually.

We are best case the #8 seed in the West. There are 7 teams on pace for 56+ wins and OKC is not one of them.

It is likely that OKC will pass us eventually and then there is no hope for even the #8 seed so we should definitely get playing time to the young guys which means trading Tucker to make room for Warren, trading Thomas to make room for Ennis and trading Dragic or Green to make room for Goodwin.

Ideally we would replace Tolliver with a starting caliber PF using these pieces.

Len/Plumlee
PF/Morris
Warren/Morris
Green/Goodwin
Bledsoe/Ennis

 

[Errntknght]

I'm beginning to think that Jeff has a plan - I can't discern just what it is but whatever it is he's sticking to it. Rather reminiscent of D'Antoni in that regard. (Happily its not the exact same plan.) It wasn't long ago I said I was sure that when Warren was healthy he would force his way into the rotation but I've clearly been proven wrong about that.

I'm baffled by it, though, as I agree that Warren's game is a lot of what we need. I'd be happy to see him getting much of Toliver's minutes or some of Green's for that matter. Marcus has been quite insonsistent, too, though I'm much happier with his defense this year.

 

[Magnus]

I apologize for the offtopic but I didn't want to open a new thread just for this... What's up with Zoran Dragic? As I've read on the net, the Suns signed him for 2 years for a total of 4 million dollars, is that number correct? How much of it is guaranteed? He didn't play a single minute as of yet... Is he just bad or is it something else? I can't believe that they gave Zoran 4 million dollars for nothing just because of his brother who may or may not play here after this season.

 

[elindholm]

I can't believe that they gave Zoran 4 million dollars for nothing just because of his brother who may or may not play here after this season.

Why can't you believe that?

 

[JCSunsfan]

The problem with Warren is that the lack of effective team defense requires PJ to be on the court. And then there is Marcus, who plays well with Kieff, and Kieff seems to play better with on the court. The only time I see Warren getting would be at pf.

Maybe they want him to bulk up some. But he was bigger in college his freshman year, and was not as effective. The way to eventually use Warren is probably to trade the twins for an effective 4. Either that or break up the twins. Marcus is just in the way.

About Len. He seems to be getting the minutes when he is being productive. Horny played him until he fouled out against the Clips.

 

[sunsfan88]

I apologize for the offtopic but I didn't want to open a new thread just for this... What's up with Zoran Dragic? As I've read on the net, the Suns signed him for 2 years for a total of 4 million dollars, is that number correct? How much of it is guaranteed? He didn't play a single minute as of yet... Is he just bad or is it something else? I can't believe that they gave Zoran 4 million dollars for nothing just because of his brother who may or may not play here after this season.

Are you new to being a Suns fan? PHX has a rich history of signing/acquiring brothers of NBA regardless of whether their good or not.

 

[Superbone]

I apologize for the offtopic but I didn't want to open a new thread just for this... What's up with Zoran Dragic? As I've read on the net, the Suns signed him for 2 years for a total of 4 million dollars, is that number correct? How much of it is guaranteed? He didn't play a single minute as of yet...

This isn't true.

 

[95pro]

This isn't true.

True or not, those minutes are meaningless.

 

[Superbone]

True or not, those minutes are meaningless.

Just stating the facts, man. He played all of two minutes.