Evaluating the roster from a "positionless" view

[JCSunsfan]

I didn't think Chriss' attitude wiat about unmet expectations - IMO he didn't think he should be at SL as he'd been a starter for a year. Booker, on the other, was there when he didn't have to be and was wishing he could play. Hopefully, it's naught but a tempest in a teapot...

There was a quote from Watson not long after the draft where he said Chriss had recently told him "Let's go win summer league."

Chriss wanted to play in, compete, and win in summer league. He did not feel above it.

You cannot gain 20 lbs in 3 months, even if it is all muscle (which is impossible) and not have it hinder your mobility. I think Chriss was frustrated and maybe a little shocked at his diminished speed and agility.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Can't believe people are so low on Chriss and so high on Bender.

Chriss obviously is closer to elite-ish NBA play. Bender still has years to develop with a lower ceiling imo.

Chriss has some intangibles that can't be taught or proved on the stat sheet. The drive, athleticism and attitude. I like it. Something needed.
He has shot blocking potential and huge scoring potential.

Bender is a "big" who can just spot up and shoot 3's. He has no inside game and no handles to create his own shot. Lacks intensity and confidence.

Totally disagree. Bender is a superior shooter, passer, and defender. He is as good a rebounder and has a more polished floor game. Chriss can jump higher and is more aggressive.

 

[BC867]

Regarding Chriss, I still can't help but think of him as . . . Chriss is to Power Forward as Len is to Center. Marginal at best. Not players to build around or even give you consistent role play.

Suns fans, it looks like another decade of mediocrity. There is only one player on this team worthy of being an NBA starter and that, of course, is Devin Booker. How long will he put up with it? Eric Bledsoe running the Point, no. He doesn't come close to making the rest of the team better. He puts up meaningless stats and that's it.

As long as the Tucson banker owns the team, we are going nowhere. Except to another city when he finally decides to sell. As a "Long time Phoenician!", I am pissed! I don't see a ray of hope for our half century Suns.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Regarding Chriss, I still can't help but think of him as . . . Chriss is to Power Forward as Len is to Center. Marginal at best. Not players to build around or even give you consistent role play.

Suns fans, it looks like another decade of mediocrity. There is only one player on this team worthy of being an NBA starter and that, of course, is Devin Booker. How long will he put up with it? Eric Bledsoe running the Point, no. He doesn't come close to making the rest of the team better. He puts up meaningless stats and that's it.

As long as the Tucson banker owns the team, we are going nowhere. Except to another city when he finally decides to sell. As a "Long time Phoenician!", I am pissed! I don't see a ray of hope for our half century Suns.

Man are you bitter. You're pissing all over a team built on 19 and 20 year olds. I understand we've stunk for some time, but not with these guys. Give them a couple seasons.

 

[SirStefan32]

Totally disagree. Bender is a superior shooter, passer, and defender. He is as good a rebounder and has a more polished floor game. Chriss can jump higher and is more aggressive.

I agree with you. I understand that sometimes there are disagreements and both sides have a valid argument, but this is not one of those times. 95pro's post is just off. Bender's ceiling is much higher than Chriss'. Chriss, of course, if a better player right now, but things that he lacks are not the things you can teach. This includes good attitude, basketball IQ, defensive awareness, etc. Does that mean he can't be a star? Probably not. Amare was an awful defender, had an extremely low basketball IQ, and chronically complained about calls and screamed "and 1" instead of getting back on defense.

Bender's weaknesses are things you can teach. He needs more confidence, and he needs to improve as a shooter. His shot is beautiful- very quick release, good form, good follow-through. There is no reason he shouldn't be able to improve his field-goal percentage. His basketball IQ is very high, and he has excellent defensive instincts. He need to do a better job of beating big guys off the dribble and driving the the hoop.

To characterize Bender as, "a big who can just spot up and shoot 3's. He has no inside game and no handles to create his own shot" is just intellectually dishonest.

As far as Chriss goes, I don't quite agree with the assessment that "Chriss has some intangibles that can't be taught or proved on the stat sheet. The drive, athleticism and attitude." He is certainly athletic, but I don't see any "drive" there, and his attitude is just terrible. I like that he doesn't back down, and sometimes even actively picks a fight, but I would be far more impressed if he would shut up, get back on defense, and play better defense.

 

[SirStefan32]

I can understand why the Suns were looking at adding a PF in free agency if they wanted to be competitive this season.

If summer league showed anything, the Suns weakness is at PF. I like the future of Chriss and Bender but neither are ready to be NBA starters now. The Suns do not have the ability to rebound and score inside consistently at this position even in "positionless" basketball.

The Suns may decide to use their SFs to slide over to add stability to the PF position but I still think they will have trouble rebounding.

That would be my preferred solution. I like Warren at 4 for a while.

 

[sunsfan88]

I believe Alec Peters will be one of our top outside shooters the moment he steps on the court.

The fact that this might even have the chance to be true is just scary altogether. Suns have a strong shot at being the worst shooting team in the league next season.

 

[sunsfan88]

The Suns may decide to use their SFs to slide over to add stability to the PF position but I still think they will have trouble rebounding.

I think Jackson and Warren are superior rebounders to Chriss so that should help us somewhat there.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think Jackson and Warren are superior rebounders to Chriss so that should help us somewhat there.

Also Bender and Chriss could slide over to center in some lineups.

I can see a lineup of Bledsoe, Booker, Jackson, Warren and Bender or Chriss at center being effective for stretches of a game.

 

[Mainstreet]

That would be my preferred solution. I like Warren at 4 for a while.

We agree. As Warren's body matures he is looking more and more like he can play some power forward.

I'm excited about the idea if he increases his rebounding.

The Suns need to sign him to another contract.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree with you. I understand that sometimes there are disagreements and both sides have a valid argument, but this is not one of those times. 95pro's post is just off. Bender's ceiling is much higher than Chriss'. Chriss, of course, if a better player right now, but things that he lacks are not the things you can teach. This includes good attitude, basketball IQ, defensive awareness, etc. Does that mean he can't be a star? Probably not. Amare was an awful defender, had an extremely low basketball IQ, and chronically complained about calls and screamed "and 1" instead of getting back on defense.

Bender's weaknesses are things you can teach. He needs more confidence, and he needs to improve as a shooter. His shot is beautiful- very quick release, good form, good follow-through. There is no reason he shouldn't be able to improve his field-goal percentage. His basketball IQ is very high, and he has excellent defensive instincts. He need to do a better job of beating big guys off the dribble and driving the the hoop.

To characterize Bender as, "a big who can just spot up and shoot 3's. He has no inside game and no handles to create his own shot" is just intellectually dishonest.

As far as Chriss goes, I don't quite agree with the assessment that "Chriss has some intangibles that can't be taught or proved on the stat sheet. The drive, athleticism and attitude." He is certainly athletic, but I don't see any "drive" there, and his attitude is just terrible. I like that he doesn't back down, and sometimes even actively picks a fight, but I would be far more impressed if he would shut up, get back on defense, and play better defense.

I agree with most of your assessment but I am not ready to devalue Chriss yet. I'd like to think both Bender and Chriss have a bright future. However, if Bender reaches his potential, he could be special.