Eric Bledsoe out with torn meniscus

[Ronin]

Well that stinks


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[BC867]

Will Bledsoe's absence turn out to prove that the Suns are a better team with a Point Guard and a Shooting Guard?

And, if so, where will that leave McDonough, whose reputation as a first time GM was based on the two neither-a-Point-Guard/nor-a-Shooting Guard combo?

Playing well vs. the Cavs in Game 1 of the new era (even with a rookie Shooting Guard alongside one of the neither-a-Point Guard/nor-a-shooting Guard types) has already looked better.

Imagine a Booker gaining experience and playing alongside a skilled Point Guard. Still, the rest of the Suns season should be interesting.

It remains to be seen, though, if the Head Coach can truly take charge and build consistency. Now he can be rated on his performance, rather than a gimmick installed by the GM. Especially if Kieff is either moved or has a change of heart about his being with the Suns.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

Hopefully the Suns start to play more Team ball w/ this injury - I think a problem w/ the Suns and this is a deep, complex, overlooked issue is that all season it seems like 2 things have been a part of the team's style/culture/identity:

1. The Guards do most of the work offensively
2. The Bigs do most of the work defensively

It's a simple idea - But I think it's contributed to a lot of the problems this team has had. The good teams don't have roles like that - Every player on the court is a big part of the offense AND defense.

This year - offensively, the guards have tried to do too much, and the bigs (and even wings) don't get the ball as much as they should ... Which then leads to the other end the guards playing matador defense too much of the time expecting help from the bigs w/ a "I did my work on offense" attitude - And this attitude doesn't even have to be intentional or even conscious, but I just notice it in terms of the mental/physical concentration of the guards on defense. You could argue the bigs/wings have the same lack of effort offensively if you want, but I've sensed a real divide between offense/defense - Every player should value each side of the court the same (50/50) ... And that's not the feel I've gotten from the team

Hopefully w/ this injury, the offense will be forced to play as a unit, which should translate to everyone defensively putting in their part too because it's all connected.

And although the players are of course at fault - This is a coaching issue too, and another reason for why the coaching staff hasn't done "well" this season. It's more of an eye test evaluation, but this is what I think.

 

[leclerc]

They did look pretty good tonight vs the Cavs. Booker should start every game at SG. Trade one or both of Bledsoe and Knight when possible. Stop the dual combo guard crap. This is my wish for 2016.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not sure if it helps the Suns (or they would use it) but they can apply for a Disabled Player Exception worth close to $5.5 million because of the season ending injury to Bledsoe.

 

[Iceman]

Now the Suns have to deal with the Morris issue even more so now. What will be done with him and will it cause even more controversy for that team (aka losing more!). This team is such a mess!!

 

[Mainstreet]

Now the Suns have to deal with the Morris issue even more so now. What will be done with him and will it cause even more controversy for that team (aka losing more!). This team is such a mess!!

Actually I think it lightens the load for the Suns since they are not going anywhere. When they had hopes of making the playoffs there was more pressure to move Markieff. Now they can sit back and entertain trade offers until the February trade deadline or wait until the off-season. In a way the Suns have gained leverage. A player I think the Suns should entertain trading is Tyson Chandler since the Suns are not a playoff team.

 

[SirStefan32]

Actually I think it lightens the load for the Suns since they are not going anywhere. When they had hopes of making the playoffs there was more pressure to move Markieff. Now they can sit back and entertain trade offers until the February trade deadline or wait until the off-season. In a way the Suns have gained leverage. A player I think the Suns should entertain trading is Tyson Chandler since the Suns are not a playoff team.

In my opinion, Chandler needs to stay with this team, assuming he is willing to, of course. Young guys like Len, Warren, and Booker will benefit from his leadership. I hope Chandler is here for the duration of his contract.

 

[Sunburn]

A player I think the Suns should entertain trading is Tyson Chandler since the Suns are not a playoff team.

What makes you think Chandler is even tradeable? At least, without having to package him with an asset or acquire someone undesireable. I like Chandler, but his contract is hefty and lengthy. He has underperformed and is 33 years old. What makes you think a team would be eager to acquire him?

 

[FutureSuperstar]

In my opinion, Chandler needs to stay with this team, assuming he is willing to, of course. Young guys like Len, Warren, and Booker will benefit from his leadership. I hope Chandler is here for the duration of his contract.

+ 1000 . I really disagree w/ those thinking we should trade Chandler. So what if he's making so much money, you gotta' pay someone - Better it be him than wait who knows how many years for some star to sign a max deal w/ Phoenix.

Worst case scenario is he's a GREAT 15-20 minute backup center behind Len for the 4 years, while also being a great vet/locker room guy, all that ...

Looking at it quick, sure $13 is overpaid for a guy only playing that much, but for this team - the money isn't really important - W/ the cap going up, and the fact that it's just rare for a better FA than Chandler's caliber to come to Phoenix - it's fine ...

If in 2-3 years when we have to pay Len/Warren a lot of $$ & Chandler's contract hurts ... Then maybe you trade it then w/ 1 or 2 years left. But you cross that moment when it comes.

 

[sunsfan88]

Now the Suns have to deal with the Morris issue even more so now. What will be done with him and will it cause even more controversy for that team (aka losing more!). This team is such a mess!!

It's been that way for the better part of 6 years now.

 

[slinslin]

There is no need to get rid off Chandler.

We will have something like $60M+ in cap space that we won't even be able to spend efficiently.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Funny. This injury might save Horny's job for now. He is no longer under the gun to make the playoffs AND develop young talent. He can now do one thing. The Morris thing is a bit clearer now too. Kieff has so damaged his trade value that the Suns cannot trade him. But they are now saying that they have no problem suspending him long term if he does not shape up.

 

[82CardsGrad]

In my opinion, Chandler needs to stay with this team, assuming he is willing to, of course. Young guys like Len, Warren, and Booker will benefit from his leadership. I hope Chandler is here for the duration of his contract.

Me too. But, gotta say - it's stunning just how much of a malcontent and cancer Keef is, that even a highly respected locker-room leader like Chandler can't deal with him effectively...

Regarding Bledsoe - I said it before, during and after we eventually signed him that it was a mistake. IIRC, he had played essentially one full season prior to the Suns pulling up the dump truck and unloading all that $$ on his doorstep. It was way too much and way too premature for a guy who had proven NOTHING in the NBA. And here we now sit, and he still hasn't proven a damn thing...and won't have a chance to prove anything until the next fall! If anything, I hope he takes this time to work on and improve his jump shot and finally find a way to stop his stupid drives to nowhere...where he jumps into the air, has no shot and nobody to dish to, and turns the ball over, again and again and again...

 

[overseascardfan]

Funny. This injury might save Horny's job for now. He is no longer under the gun to make the playoffs AND develop young talent. He can now do one thing. The Morris thing is a bit clearer now too. Kieff has so damaged his trade value that the Suns cannot trade him. But they are now saying that they have no problem suspending him long term if he does not shape up.

I doubt Morris cares about a suspension as long as he's getting paid. He doesn't want to be here and isn't going to change his stance. I think he is waiting for a buyout because no one is going to trade for him now.

 

[Catlover]

Funny. This injury might save Horny's job for now. He is no longer under the gun to make the playoffs AND develop young talent. He can now do one thing. The Morris thing is a bit clearer now too. Kieff has so damaged his trade value that the Suns cannot trade him. But they are now saying that they have no problem suspending him long term if he does not shape up.

I watched a short interview with McDonough on the Suns pregame report against Cleveland and it didn't sound like we were giving up on our playoff chase. In fact, it sounded like Jeff was being given every opportunity to make up the 2 game playoff race deficit and his job was riding on it. And while he didn't use those exact words, I'm not reading between the lines either. The intent was pretty clear. The only thing I might be stretching on is McD may have also admitted that his own job was on the line.

 

[leclerc]

LOL, the playoff dream went bye-bye just now?

We know they probably won't make it but the F.O. keeps sticking to it. Tiresome to listen to something we all know is not true.

 

[devilalum]

I watched a short interview with McDonough on the Suns pregame report against Cleveland and it didn't sound like we were giving up on our playoff chase. In fact, it sounded like Jeff was being given every opportunity to make up the 2 game playoff race deficit and his job was riding on it. And while he didn't use those exact words, I'm not reading between the lines either. The intent was pretty clear. The only thing I might be stretching on is McD may have also admitted that his own job was on the line.

The Suns have the 4th worst record in the league and they just lost their best player.

Somebody needs a reality check.

sent from a fone

 

[SirStefan32]

Me too. But, gotta say - it's stunning just how much of a malcontent and cancer Keef is, that even a highly respected locker-room leader like Chandler can't deal with him effectively...

Regarding Bledsoe - I said it before, during and after we eventually signed him that it was a mistake. IIRC, he had played essentially one full season prior to the Suns pulling up the dump truck and unloading all that $$ on his doorstep. It was way too much and way too premature for a guy who had proven NOTHING in the NBA. And here we now sit, and he still hasn't proven a damn thing...and won't have a chance to prove anything until the next fall! If anything, I hope he takes this time to work on and improve his jump shot and finally find a way to stop his stupid drives to nowhere...where he jumps into the air, has no shot and nobody to dish to, and turns the ball over, again and again and again...

I have been a Bledsoe critic since the very beginning, and I do agree that signing him was a mistake, and that he is really not a very good player.
That said, he has improved his shooting, and he has been making fewer bone-headed plays this year. Saving grace may be that his contract becomes less terrible every year the salary cap goes up.

As for Morris, I do wonder if he would be a bigger pain if Tyson was not in the locker room.

 

[devilalum]

The Suns need to start Len, Booker and Warren and give Goodwin more minutes.


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[ASUCHRIS]

As for Morris, I do wonder if he would be a bigger pain if Tyson was not in the locker room.

Hard to believe that would be possible. You don't pay 15 mil per year for veteran leadership, especially since his addition seems to make no difference in the attitude of the team. (and as a bonus, he's having the worst year of his career!)

 

[SirStefan32]

The Suns need to start Len, Booker and Warren and give Goodwin more minutes.


sent from a fone

Not just start, but give them all 30 minutes per game, and let them run the show. Warren honestly may be the best scorer on this roster anyway, and I wouldn't mind giving Len the ball in the low post a couple of times every quarter. They should run a few plays for Booker as well. It shouldn't be that difficult to run him some screens for a few open shots. Don't just play thge youngsters- feature them on the offensive end!

 

[Catlover]

The Suns have the 4th worst record in the league and they just lost their best player.

Somebody needs a reality check.

You know it and I know it and so does everyone else. I wondered as he said it if he was truly serious or if it was just a way to keep a lame duck coach in position for most of the season. Prior to that interview I was convinced Jeff was out the door in a few days but now I just don't know. I do know we have the kind of remaining schedule that would scare all but a couple of teams.

 

[Catlover]

Not just start, but give them all 30 minutes per game, and let them run the show. Warren honestly may be the best scorer on this roster anyway, and I wouldn't mind giving Len the ball in the low post a couple of times every quarter. They should run a few plays for Booker as well. It shouldn't be that difficult to run him some screens for a few open shots. Don't just play thge youngsters- feature them on the offensive end!

Booker needs to spend some time in the weight room, he gets muscled off the ball quite often. But other than that and learning a few of the NBA tricks he seems remarkably ready to play in this league. And with him and Warren on the court at the same time at least we'll have some off-the-ball movement.

 

[95pro]

The Suns have the 4th worst record in the league and they just lost their best player.

Somebody needs a reality check.

sent from a fone

Suns sit 4th to last in the western conference, 12th place. Spots 9-14 are pretty close. Right now Utah barely has a better winning percentage and are 8, but they haven't played as many games as most.