Did the preseason affect your view of upcoming season?

[Griffin]

Rewind back to how you thought the Suns would fare this season before the preseason begun. Did the Suns poor preseason showing change your opinion or level of expectations? It is a common perception, not necessairly invalid, that the preseason performance does not really matter since the games don't count. Do you still feel that way, given the Suns 2-6 preseason record and several ugly blowouts?

It's true the Suns did not use their real rotations in the first six games, and that the starters did not play a lot of minutes. It's also true that the Suns played most of the games on the road due to them "hosting" teams away from home twice. Nevertheless, the Suns were blown out several times, including the final game at home using real rotations against a Nuggets team missing many of its top players. Several problems, such as turnovers and poor shooting, the Suns should be able to correct; others, like rebounding, defense, and lack of interior scoring, may persist.

So, now that preseason is over, are you significantly more concerned, slightly more concerned, or did the preseason not affect your view at all? If you already though the Suns were doomed even before the preseason begun, you should pick the last option.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Rewind back to how you thought the Suns would fare this season before the preseason begun. Did the Suns poor preseason showing change your opinion or level of expectations? It is a common perception, not necessairly invalid, that the preseason performance does not really matter since the games don't count. Do you still feel that way, given the Suns 2-6 preseason record and several ugly blowouts?

It's true the Suns did not use their real rotations in the first six games, and that the starters did not play a lot of minutes. It's also true that the Suns played most of the games on the road due to them "hosting" teams away from home twice. Nevertheless, the Suns were blown out several times, including the final game at home using real rotations against a Nuggets team missing many of its top players. Several problems, such as turnovers and poor shooting, the Suns should be able to correct; others, like rebounding, defense, and lack of interior scoring, may persist.

So, now that preseason is over, are you significantly more concerned, slightly more concerned, or did the preseason not affect your view at all? If you already though the Suns were doomed even before the preseason begun, you should pick the last option.

I'm more concerned but not demonstrably so. I thought we'd finish with close to 40 wins and now I'm hoping we can find a way to win 35 games. The wild card in all this is Hedo. If he can find a way to become the player he used to be I'd be back on the 40 win fantasy.

Steve

 

[elindholm]

I don't pay any attention to the preseason W-L record, but the poor overall shooting and Turkoglu's terrible performance have me concerned.

I'm amused that you didn't include options for "I'm more optimistic having seen the preseason."

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the Suns made too many personnel changes in the offseason which has messed up team chemistry not to mention the Suns did not find a significant replacement for Amare and Amundson at PF.

 

[Chaplin]

I think the Suns made too many personnel changes in the offseason which has messed up team chemistry not to mention the Suns did not find a significant replacement for Amare and Amundson at PF.

Amare, you mean. We've replaced Amundson just fine.

 

[Mainstreet]

Amare, you mean. We've replaced Amundson just fine.

I would not minimize the loss of Amundson. He really brought energy and chemistry to the Suns. I'm not sure if the Suns have replaced him except on paper. He and Dudley brought something special to the second unit.

 

[Errntknght]

yeah, the preseason was dismal across the board. Gentry has done nothing with the first unit - the best thing you can about them is that they were much better than the second unit. The latter seems to have lost their ability to defend - even more than I expected with the departure of Amundson. I thought Childress would bolster it - he seems to have done fairly well individually so we can't put the blame on him. The biggest disappoint to me was Lawal as I expected him to seriously contend for playing time. Given our pathetic PFs, its hard to believe he rarely got on the floor in the preseason games.

 

[TJ]

This is a pretty lopsided poll which only attempts validate concern about the season. In no way does it ask for any optimistic response except for "it did not change anything." It implies we all have concluded that this season is going to be a failure and by what degree.

By no means am I predicting championship, but I do not think it is going to be all doom and gloom. I trust in Gentry to make the adjustments to keep us competitive and the continuation of a 10+ man rotation, something that lacked in the D'Antoni system. Not sure how far this team will go, but we are not a lottery team by any stretch of the imagination. In addition to which, after everyone predicting us to miss the playoffs last season only to go to Game 6 of the WCF, I think it's irresponsible for us to not to at least entertain the idea of us getting to the 2nd round of the playoffs. Aside from the Lakers, none of the teams in the West scream title contender.

Or for smiles and grins, at least attempt to sound objective in the poll. The Suns board could use some more optimism from time to time. This place has been gloomier than the Bermuda Triangle lately.

 

[Griffin]

This is a pretty lopsided poll which only attempts validate concern about the season. In no way does it ask for any optimistic response except for "it did not change anything." It implies we all have concluded that this season is going to be a failure and by what degree

Actually the third option was indeed intended for those who were optimistic (or slightly concerned but still optimistic) before preseason and still hold the same view now that preseason is over. In other words, those people who believe that preseason performance has (more or less) no bearing on regular season performance and aren't discouraged at all by the Suns poor performance. The fourth option, on the other hand, was intended for those who, as you say, "concluded that this season is going to be a failure" even before preseason begun. Sorry if I made the options confusing. The point of the poll was to see whether people are more discouraged after our poor preseason showing, and to what degree, not so much whether they are overall optimistic or pessimistic for the coming season.

 

[Chaplin]

I would not minimize the loss of Amundson. He really brought energy and chemistry to the Suns. I'm not sure if the Suns have replaced him except on paper. He and Dudley brought something special to the second unit.

And I wouldn't overestimate his presence either. This is Steven Hunter all over again.

Amundson was a great fan favorite, and definitely a contributor to team chemistry, but let's not make him out to be a better player than he really is.

 

[AzStevenCal]

This is a pretty lopsided poll which only attempts validate concern about the season. In no way does it ask for any optimistic response except for "it did not change anything." It implies we all have concluded that this season is going to be a failure and by what degree.

By no means am I predicting championship, but I do not think it is going to be all doom and gloom. I trust in Gentry to make the adjustments to keep us competitive and the continuation of a 10+ man rotation, something that lacked in the D'Antoni system. Not sure how far this team will go, but we are not a lottery team by any stretch of the imagination. In addition to which, after everyone predicting us to miss the playoffs last season only to go to Game 6 of the WCF, I think it's irresponsible for us to not to at least entertain the idea of us getting to the 2nd round of the playoffs. Aside from the Lakers, none of the teams in the West scream title contender.

Or for smiles and grins, at least attempt to sound objective in the poll. The Suns board could use some more optimism from time to time. This place has been gloomier than the Bermuda Triangle lately.

I'm trying to figure out what that sentence means. I think, if I've translated it correctly you're maintaining that we are easily a playoff team. Is that based on anything other than our success last year? Have you noticed that, arguably, the most important player on our 1st team last season is now in New York and the most important player on our 2nd team is in the Bay area.

The simple fact that we replaced our best player (again, arguably) with the biggest disappointment of 2009 ought to set alarms ringing everywhere. I hope your optimism is justified but personally, I think it's more irresponsible to raise hopes when by all rights there should be none. The best thing that could happen to all of us is to accept that we're going to set the all time loss record and then when we rack up 35 wins we'll feel like celebrating.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

And I wouldn't overestimate his presence either. This is Steven Hunter all over again.

Amundson was a great fan favorite, and definitely a contributor to team chemistry, but let's not make him out to be a better player than he really is.

That's extreme. Lou was not a superstar but his energy and smarts were the driving force behind our second unit and it's almost impossible to overstate the value of that unit. Hunter was an occasional internet/sports talk show favorite more for what we hoped he'd eventually bring than for anything he actually did.

Steve

 

[TJ]

I'm trying to figure out what that sentence means. I think, if I've translated it correctly you're maintaining that we are easily a playoff team. Is that based on anything other than our success last year? Have you noticed that, arguably, the most important player on our 1st team last season is now in New York and the most important player on our 2nd team is in the Bay area.

The simple fact that we replaced our best player (again, arguably) with the biggest disappointment of 2009 ought to set alarms ringing everywhere. I hope your optimism is justified but personally, I think it's more irresponsible to raise hopes when by all rights there should be none. The best thing that could happen to all of us is to accept that we're going to set the all time loss record and then when we rack up 35 wins we'll feel like celebrating.

Steve

I recognize our offensive weapon is in NY now, but he was also one of our biggest defensive liabilities and underachieving rebounders. We all were bitching and moaning about that for the past 6 or 7 years. The knife does cut both ways. His departure does not make us a better team, it will however be an indicator as to how good he really was. Is he a top 10 player as he thinks he is or is he vastly overrated? The jury is still out on that one.

As for our best 2nd unit player. He is still on the team. His name is Jared Dudley. I love Amundson too, but we also added Hakeem Warrick and Josh Childress. This solidifies our bench and makes it just as good IMO as last year. In addition to which, Dragic now has another year under his belt and is only going to get better. He facilitates the 2nd team. Him, Dudley and Childress should create scoring opportunities and help stretch the lead or put us back in the game.

Finally, my optimism only goes so far. I can say with 90% certainty that we are a playoff team based on who we still have on the roster and the relative weakness of the western conference. Who besides LA is a threat to win the championship? Are we at least better than 7 teams in the West? If you answer "YES" to question #2, then we are a playoff team. Simple. So yes, we are easily a playoff team. Title contender, no.

Addendum. 35 wins is a vast understatement and a mental preparation for coping with failure. To me, we are at least a .500+ team. Might as well say we are going to win 12 games and be content with a 25% chance for the #1 pick next season.

 

[TJ]

Actually the third option was indeed intended for those who were optimistic (or slightly concerned but still optimistic) before preseason and still hold the same view now that preseason is over. In other words, those people who believe that preseason performance has (more or less) no bearing on regular season performance and aren't discouraged at all by the Suns poor performance. The fourth option, on the other hand, was intended for those who, as you say, "concluded that this season is going to be a failure" even before preseason begun. Sorry if I made the options confusing. The point of the poll was to see whether people are more discouraged after our poor preseason showing, and to what degree, not so much whether they are overall optimistic or pessimistic for the coming season.

Fair enough, bro. I just found it mildly irritating that the poll showed little to no hope for any success this season. I picked that option because to me, it was the best available.

Kill me for being arguably the most optimistic fan on this board, but with Gentry in control and one of the best PGs ever still on this team, it is rather difficult to honestly count us out of the playoffs.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I recognize our offensive weapon is in NY now, but he was also one of our biggest defensive liabilities and underachieving rebounders. We all were bitching and moaning about that for the past 6 or 7 years. The knife does cut both ways. His departure does not make us a better team, it will however be an indicator as to how good he really was. Is he a top 10 player as he thinks he is or is he vastly overrated? The jury is still out on that one.

I think we overstate Amare's weaknesses and undervalue his strengths. He wasn't a horrible defender and when you get to watch Hedo and Warrick defend the 4 I think you'll come to realize that. As for rebounding, yes, he underachieved. But that is solely in relation to what he should have been able to do.

If he'd averaged just 1.1 more rebounds per game last year he would have been at the magical 10 rebound per game level. Does one rebound really take you from successful to bad? As for his strengths, in addition to his scoring he opened up the floor for everyone else. He drew frequent double teams and often put opponents on the bench with foul problems. Who is going to do any of those things for us now?

And if the jury is still out on whether he's a top 10 player perhaps we should turn to a jury of his peers instead. They consistently mention him as one of the best players in the game. A week ago, for example, Eddie Johnson rated him as the 6th best player in the NBA today.

As for our best 2nd unit player. He is still on the team. His name is Jared Dudley. I love Amundson too, but we also added Hakeem Warrick and Josh Childress. This solidifies our bench and makes it just as good IMO as last year. In addition to which, Dragic now has another year under his belt and is only going to get better. He facilitates the 2nd team. Him, Dudley and Childress should create scoring opportunities and help stretch the lead or put us back in the game.

I like Dudley but overall I'd rate Amundson as the more important bench player last season. It's an arguable point however so let's just say that our bench will be missing one of it's 2 best players. Childress is an even better player than Amundson but unfortunately he does nothing to fill the hole left by Lou's absence. The same hole left behind by the absence of Amare which only compounds our problems.

Finally, my optimism only goes so far. I can say with 90% certainty that we are a playoff team based on who we still have on the roster and the relative weakness of the western conference. Who besides LA is a threat to win the championship? Are we at least better than 7 teams in the West? If you answer "YES" to question #2, then we are a playoff team. Simple. So yes, we are easily a playoff team. Title contender, no.

If, by teams in the West, you are including the Pac-10 then I'd agree. If you're simply talking about teams in the NBA Western Conference than I'd have to disagree. I can't find 7 teams that we are better than in the West. If we don't find a way to get Hedo back to his Orlando days we'll have trouble finding 7 teams in the NBA that we're better than. And despite the recent shift to the east, I think you'll find the west is still a tougher conference this season.

Addendum. 35 wins is a vast understatement and a mental preparation for coping with failure. To me, we are at least a .500+ team. Might as well say we are going to win 12 games and be content with a 25% chance for the #1 pick next season.

15 wins is me preparing myself for the worst. 35 wins is me being something few of you will be able to be in 2 months. It's me being optimistic.

Steve

 

[Superbone]

15 wins is me preparing myself for the worst. 35 wins is me being something few of you will be able to be in 2 months. It's me being optimistic.

No it's not. 45 wins is optimistic.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No it's not. 45 wins is optimistic.

Aliens bringing back Elvis is optimistic. 45 wins is delusional.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

I can honestly say it didn't change a thing for me. I thought this would be around a .500 team maybe a little better with an outside shot of getting the 8th seed if the West had a year like the East has had the last few. It's doubtful because the West is so stacked.

 

[Superbone]

Aliens bringing back Elvis is optimistic.

Well, see, your definition of optimism is skewered.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Well, see, your definition of optimism is skewered.

Boy are you going to look foolish when they finally bring back Elvis.

Steve

 

[Superbone]

Boy are you going to look foolish when they finally bring back Elvis.

Steve

Yeah, I'm sure I'll look all kinds of things.

 

[Proteus]

I wasn't optimistic before preseason and now things seem worse.

40-42 is my prediction. Hope I'm wrong though.

 

[BC867]

I wasn't optimistic before preseason and now things seem worse.

40-42 is my prediction. Hope I'm wrong though.

As long as Nash plays defensive Forward and team scoring leader . . .

And as long as our only Center plays just half the game (with no fouls) and sits out the 4th quarter as the game slips away . . .

40-42 wins sound optimistic rather than pessimistic.