Heat reaching out to Bledsoe

[Arizona's Finest]

I am more excited about TJ than Archie.

TJ has the ability to score creatively in that 5-10 foot range that is now beginning to open up in the NBA. He creates his own shot, creates space, and loves to score with contact. THOSE are characteristics of a superstar's game. I am not saying that he is now, or ever will be, but what I am saying is that there are very talented players, even mega athletes, who play a game that can never be superstar level. They can score off assists, they can run the floor, they can shoot the three, but they cannot do like Kobe, Melo, LeBron, or MJ when you give them the ball, everyone knows they are going to shoot it, and they can score anyway because they have a way of moving, making space, and scoring after contact that is unstoppable. TJ has that type of game, whether he can be effective with it at a high level is certainly a long shot, but its going to be fun to watch.

Two seperate threads of thought here for me as they play two different positions. I just like the upside of Archie and like his NBA height and apparent work ethic.

But TJ? Love me some TJ for all the reasons you listed. You know who he reminds me of? A skinnier Glen Robinson just in the way he scores, and his knowledge of body position, and abaility to be creative and take guys one on one. Im a big TJ buckets fan. Think he will be starter at the 3 Day 1.

Bledsoe
Dragic
Warren
???
Plums?

 

[Phrazbit]

I really doubt Warren starts from day 1. Tucker started 81 games last year, I expect he will be the starter this year. Warren may end up getting nearly as many minutes, but the veteran will get the starting job.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I really doubt Warren starts from day 1. Tucker started 81 games last year, I expect he will be the starter this year. Warren may end up getting nearly as many minutes, but the veteran will get the starting job.

I dont doubt what you say but Warren looks like he is going to show some things that PJ cant do so well see how it ultimately shakes out. Yoyu maybe right though, i forgot about PJ.

Also as for the Archie point - my main one was that the Suns are high on him and thus didnt draft Gary Harris (who looked incredible yesterday - If I was GM i wuld have taken Noel last year, Harris at 14 this year, and Warren at 18....but I digress) - now whether that faith in him pays off. Well see

 

[Mainstreet]

So what's up with Bledsoe and the Heat? There is a picture to go with it.

Joseph Goodman @JoeGoodmanJr · 1m

Heat entertaining Bledsoe tonight? RT @HelloSerg @GQPatty it is now !

https://twitter.com/JoeGoodmanJr

 

[Mainstreet]

So what could the Heat offer the Suns in a sign and trade. I'm thinking a third team would have to be involved if something were to happen.

 

[Phrazbit]

I can't make much of that picture, but let them. With Bosh's extension, the contracts to Granger and McRobert's, Chalmers extension, Lou Deng for 10 million and Wade's cap hold, I dont think they can offer much of anything.

 

[elindholm]

So what's up with Bledsoe and the Heat?

Yeah, this is really puzzling. Why would he even be flirting with them, knowing that they can't offer much money, unless he's intending to ask the Suns not to match?

 

[Mainstreet]

I can't make much of that picture, but let them. With Bosh's extension, the contracts to Granger and McRobert's, Chalmers extension, Lou Deng for 10 million and Wade's cap hold, I dont think they can offer much of anything.

Can't they offer Bledsoe the max with Lebron leaving?

The thing is, I think the Suns (hopefully) will match. With that in mind, could a third team be involved. Somehow could it be related to Love?

 

[Phrazbit]

Yeah, this is really puzzling. Why would he even be flirting with them, knowing that they can't offer much money, unless he's intending to ask the Suns not to match?

It would basically be the minimum, he would probably have to get arrested for the major felony for the Suns to balk at matching, whether he wants them to or not.

 

[Phrazbit]

After clicking on the guys twitter it turns out he is just a doofus. Thats Lou Deng, not Bledsoe.

 

[Mainstreet]

After clicking on the guys twitter it turns out he is just a doofus. Thats Lou Deng, not Bledsoe.

And poof. Everything is dashed.

 

[Phrazbit]

I still think Bledsoe and the Suns have the broad strokes of an agreement already laid out, and have been in this situation for weeks. They're just waiting to see what they can add along with the space his small cap hold allows before his extension is reflected.

 

[Chaz]

I really doubt Warren starts from day 1. Tucker started 81 games last year, I expect he will be the starter this year. Warren may end up getting nearly as many minutes, but the veteran will get the starting job.

I agree.

Two seperate threads of thought here for me as they play two different positions. I just like the upside of Archie and like his NBA height and apparent work ethic.

But TJ? Love me some TJ for all the reasons you listed. You know who he reminds me of? A skinnier Glen Robinson just in the way he scores, and his knowledge of body position, and abaility to be creative and take guys one on one. Im a big TJ buckets fan. Think he will be starter at the 3 Day 1.

Bledsoe
Dragic
Warren
???
Plums?

I think Warren is the super sub this year. When Markieff is starting they will need some consistant scoring off the bench that Markieff provided last year.
I love Archie's game but at this point I fear for his safety with some his drives to the hoop. He could be a special player with his size and creativity around the basket. For now he is very young and a developmental player but I would love to see him play some backup shooting/scoring guard.

For this coming season I would start defense with PJ at the 3 and Len for shot blocking inside. Warren, Thomas, and Green with Plumlee make a heck of a bench mob.
Right now this what we are looking at:

Dragic
Bledsoe
Tucker
Markieff
Len

Warren
Thomas
Green
Plumlee

Goodwin
Marcus
Randolph

Ennis
Christmas
Brown


Nobody can tell untill they get to camp anyway.

 

[Errntknght]

I guess if they don't sign another PF, Randolph will get some burn and I can't say I mind that. He kind of slipped off my radar of late. If Horny is happy going into battle with Shavlic as the backup 4, I won't gripe about it unless he can't defend worth a dam. (Pun intended)

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would also think that you just play Len as many minutes as you can until he gets it. Let him anchor the D, block shots, etc. On offense, just move him out of the way or roll him to the hoop enough to give drivers just a little slice of daylight.

 

[Chaz]

I would also think that you just play Len as many minutes as you can until he gets it. Let him anchor the D, block shots, etc. On offense, just move him out of the way or roll him to the hoop enough to give drivers just a little slice of daylight.

Len's biggest problem seems to be rebounding awareness and anticipation. Boxing out and anticipation of the ball coming off the rim or backboard are skills he needs work on. He needs playing time to test what he is practicing.
I don't worry about him at all on offense as long as he can set a good screen or pick. He has a nice soft touch, moves well for his size, and good jumper when playing with confidence. Once he learns to make the simple play instead of going for the spectacular he could be dominant.

 

[Phrazbit]

I would also think that you just play Len as many minutes as you can until he gets it. Let him anchor the D, block shots, etc. On offense, just move him out of the way or roll him to the hoop enough to give drivers just a little slice of daylight.

Unless he has taken huge strides over the summer then its not as simple as that. He made the Suns a lot worse last year on both ends, and its not like his numbers were skewed as a result of garbage time, most of his play came in the 1st half of games. He might contest shots but he gets lost on D, is reeeeeeally slow on both ends in transition and is utterly useless on offense. He cant just "get out of the way" on O either. The only thing his defender has to worry about is Len getting spoon fed right under the rim, which means the only time Len's defender has to check him is right next to the basket, leaving him right in the spot to help stop penetration. Pull Len away from the hoop and I doubt his defender will care much, he will still hedge well towards the key because Len is no threat away from the hoop.

IMO the only thing he has shown much aptitude at is offensive rebounding. Everything else he looks really really bad at.

 

[elindholm]

IMO the only thing he has shown much aptitude at is offensive rebounding. Everything else he looks really really bad at.

Offensive rebounding is probably the easiest thing for someone who is big but untalented to do. Watch your teammates with the ball, and when they shoot, try to go get it. Anyone can be a good offensive rebounder with that kind of size advantage.