How to watch the 2016 Summer League

[AzStevenCal]

Boy, Chriss has a hard time holding on to the ball. Bender looking a little overwhelmed. Would love for both of them to get into a groove.

Yeah, it's going to take some time for both players. They are projects and they are going to disappoint those fans that are expecting instant help.

 

[devilalum]

I think he means regular starting pg. Going backward in history it would be:

Bledsoe
Dragic
Nash
Marbury
Kidd
KJ

Curious to see how you would rank that bunch in terms of pure passing. I think Bledsoe and Dragic would tie for last.

Yes, absolutely. I meant compared to past starters. He was playing at an All Star level before he went down last year but he is NOT a good passer for a PG. Especially compared to the high quality PGs the Suns have had throughout their history.

sent from a fone

 

[devilalum]

Not too good without Booker.

sent from a fone

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

Not too good without Booker.

sent from a fone

Def missing his 27+ points.

 

[Errntknght]

Suns never got their heads into the game today... I guess Ulis was okay but no one else. Not fun to watch them playing like that. The only bright spot was that Bender didn't whiff on every 3 pt attempt.

 

[Joe Mama]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f7/

Suns never got their heads into the game today... I guess Ulis was okay but no one else. Not fun to watch them playing like that. The only bright spot was that Bender didn't whiff on every 3 pt attempt.

It was definitely a rough game for the rookie power forwards. Bender's three-point shooting was one of the lone bright spots for the duo. He was 3-5 and one of those two bonuses went about halfway down before it popped back out.

I know it's summer league and we are saturated with guards, but it sure looks like Tyler Ulis is going to press some of the other guards for playing time. His assist-two-turnover ratio in summer league so far must be 5.0.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f7/


It was definitely a rough game for the rookie power forwards. Bender's three-point shooting was one of the lone bright spots for the duo. He was 3-5 and one of those two bonuses went about halfway down before it popped back out.

I know it's summer league and we are saturated with guards, but it sure looks like Tyler Ulis is going to press some of the other guards for playing time. His assist-two-turnover ratio in summer league so far must be 5.0.

He has 19 assists and 2 turnovers for a 9.5/1 ratio. That goes with 14 steals for a 7/1 steals to turnover ratio.

 

[Carolinacacti]

If Bledsoe goes down again. Looks like the Suns will still be able to run.

 

[Chaplin]

He has 19 assists and 2 turnovers for a 9.5/1 ratio. That goes with 14 steals for a 7/1 steals to turnover ratio.

That's pretty impressive for Summer League.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He has 19 assists and 2 turnovers for a 9.5/1 ratio. That goes with 14 steals for a 7/1 steals to turnover ratio.

So, what kind of a pg has a 7:1 steal to turnover ratio?

 

[Errntknght]

numbers like 19/2 and 14/2 are small sample size effects. Heck, if s PG had an asst/to ratio over 6, his coach would tell him he's not taking enough risks... unless he was at 12 assts per game. Of course, I'm tickled Ulis is doing well... can't wait see what he does after EW has a real offense installed and a training camp. In fact I'm itching to see what kind of an offense Earl comes up with - hopefully something more diversified than Hornacek's. Whatever it is I expect Ulis to run it better than anyone else - sheesh, Ish Smith did so its won't be much of a challenge for Ulis.

Hey, slin, are you still wondering if I'm on drugs? Or, insane?

 

[slinslin]

Hey, slin, are you still wondering if I'm on drugs? Or, insane?

if you still think that Bledsoe is a bench player, then yes.

 

[Errntknght]

if you still think that Bledsoe is a bench player, then yes.

Oh, he could start on some teams I imagine but for a contending team, no, which is what I said before that made you lose it. I also said he'd contribute more off the bench than as a starter for this team and I'm still of that mind. I suspect you didn't read that far - you saw 'bench' and 'Bledso' and trotted out your favorite invectives with nothing resembling a counter argument.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

numbers like 19/2 and 14/2 are small sample size effects. Heck, if s PG had an asst/to ratio over 6, his coach would tell him he's not taking enough risks... unless he was at 12 assts per game. Of course, I'm tickled Ulis is doing well... can't wait see what he does after EW has a real offense installed and a training camp. In fact I'm itching to see what kind of an offense Earl comes up with - hopefully something more diversified than Hornacek's. Whatever it is I expect Ulis to run it better than anyone else - sheesh, Ish Smith did so its won't be much of a challenge for Ulis.

Hey, slin, are you still wondering if I'm on drugs? Or, insane?

Well obviously, but what's so impressive is the fact that he has 2 turnovers in his first 3 SL games. Most of the rookies around the league don't look so composed in these SL games.

 

[Chaplin]

Well obviously, but what's so impressive is the fact that he has 2 turnovers in his first 3 SL games. Most of the rookies around the league don't look so composed in these SL games.

I think some people that are discounting it are not realizing where this is happening. SUMMER LEAGUE. The Summer League is a turnover buffet. But it doesn't mesh with a lot of people's tendencies to find the negative in everything.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Well obviously, but what's so impressive is the fact that he has 2 turnovers in his first 3 SL games. Most of the rookies around the league don't look so composed in these SL games.

It is true. They usually push it alot and force passes. He is just in control. But it is the defense and steals that amaze me. The drawback of being tiny is supposed to be defense. He is not only passable, he excels at it.

 

[Mainstreet]

It is true. They usually push it alot and force passes. He is just in control. But it is the defense and steals that amaze me. The drawback of being tiny is supposed to be defense. He is not only passable, he excels at it.

Ulis has has a huge advantage on defense especially in regard to steals, he can get into every hiding spot for opposing ball handlers. There is no nook and cranny where they can hide.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Ulis has has a huge advantage on defense especially in regard to steals, he can get into every hiding spot for opposing ball handlers. There is no nook and cranny where they can hide.

I somewhat disagree. I think the biggest reasons he excels on the defensive end is a combo of speed/quickness, quick and accurate hands and really good defensive instincts. I personally think if you took those same attributes and put them in about a 6'2" frame with longer limbs and you would have an even better defender.

 

[Ronin]

Suns play the winner of NOLA/MIA game tomorrow.
http://www.nba.com/summerleague/bracket/?ls=iref:nba:specials

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Hmm after game two thoughts:

Chriss' #s look better than his actual play. Whomever said he looks like he doesn't quite have control of his body was spot on. And those that want to compare him to Amare are way off base. His bouncy like Amare, but much softer. Amare was a force of nature. If you fouled him in the air he dunked through you. Chriss has been going down in a heap regularly. Reminds me much more of a Marion (offensively) than an Amare. And defensively he has no awareness. Still excited to see him develop, but as of two summer league games I have no idea what he's going to become. And he's a fouling machine.

Bender looked a lot more lost and less confident. He wasn't driving the ball or confidently shooting speaking of his shooting, everything is front-rimming right now. I'm wondering if this is just going to take time acclimating to the nba length 3 point line. And he's also a fouling machine.

Ulis is everything I hoped for. He's going to force playing time during the season. Hopefully he forces knight off the team.

 

[leclerc]

Ulis has been great. Looking forward to seeing him when the season starts. He should start next to Booker and have Bledsoe come off the bench and be a defensive stopper similar to his role for the Clippers. Right, slin?

 

[Chaplin]

I'm not too worried about fouling in the Summer League. Most guys tend to foul in a much more physical game than what they were used to in college/Europe, but the players being fouled are frequently out of control trying to do too much.

 

[Errntknght]

I somewhat disagree. I think the biggest reasons he excels on the defensive end is a combo of speed/quickness, quick and accurate hands and really good defensive instincts. I personally think if you took those same attributes and put them in about a 6'2" frame with longer limbs and you would have an even better defender.

I agree, CSD. Another thing that helps him is that guys immediately try to take advantage of him by backing him down, instead of playing their normal game. He's much more used to that maneuver than they are and, so, if they make any kind of a mistake he takes the ball away from them.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Hmm after game two thoughts:

Chriss' #s look better than his actual play. Whomever said he looks like he doesn't quite have control of his body was spot on. And those that want to compare him to Amare are way off base. His bouncy like Amare, but much softer. Amare was a force of nature. If you fouled him in the air he dunked through you. Chriss has been going down in a heap regularly. Reminds me much more of a Marion (offensively) than an Amare. And defensively he has no awareness. Still excited to see him develop, but as of two summer league games I have no idea what he's going to become. And he's a fouling machine.

Bender looked a lot more lost and less confident. He wasn't driving the ball or confidently shooting speaking of his shooting, everything is front-rimming right now. I'm wondering if this is just going to take time acclimating to the nba length 3 point line. And he's also a fouling machine.

Ulis is everything I hoped for. He's going to force playing time during the season. Hopefully he forces knight off the team.

I was the one who said he looks like someone who just got his superpowers and does not know how to control it. The comment about Amare was spot on. Amare just absorbed fouls and scored anyway. Chriss seems to get knocked around like a rag doll. Its really unfair to expect Chriss to be like Amare. Only a handful of players have EVER been like that.

I would like Chriss to play more under control. I would like to see Bender add some slashing to his perimeter game. I would also like to see Bender get in position to rebound some. Not asking for a lot. Just an improvement here or there.

 

[Mainstreet]

I somewhat disagree. I think the biggest reasons he excels on the defensive end is a combo of speed/quickness, quick and accurate hands and really good defensive instincts. I personally think if you took those same attributes and put them in about a 6'2" frame with longer limbs and you would have an even better defender.

I don't see any reason it can't be all of the above except, of course, Ulis will never be 6'2."