I am starting to lose interest because . . .

[Mainstreet]

Wow. The comments in this thread surprise me.

Booker is one of the primary reasons I occasionally watch a game. His % is down this year because he's taking tougher shots. It seems like he's trying too hard at times to score. His % will go back up after the other youngsters establish themselves.

Like someone else previously said, he's only 20!

Booker is going to be a very good to excellent player. I'm happy where he is but the eye test tells me has lost some of his explosiveness and quickness going to the basket he showed before his toe injury. It's just not all there. He changed shoe sizes but IMO, this has not immediately solved the problem. Sure Booker is very good but he is capable of playing much better. I suspect if he had more time to rest his toe( foot) he would play even better. Its all conjecture, but I think Booker may be trying to play through the problem.

Also, Bender, Chriss and Ulis give plenty of other reasons to watch the Suns.

 

[sdscard4]

I enjoy watching the youngsters. I'm over Bledsoe. Watching the game vs Utah he was just horrible the last 5 mins. This team needs to do something quick to get back to decent. #1 ditch the new uniforms and go back to any old pattern.

 

[leclerc]

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[AzStevenCal]

I enjoy watching the youngsters. I'm over Bledsoe. Watching the game vs Utah he was just horrible the last 5 mins. This team needs to do something quick to get back to decent. #1 ditch the new uniforms and go back to any old pattern.

Something quick? That's the worst thing we could do IMO. We need to develop the youth and patience is key when you're building from the draft.

Trade Bledsoe, Tucker & Chandler at a minimum and play Ulis, Booker, Warren, Chriss, Bender, Len and maybe Jones Jr every game. I don't know what to do with Knight, it's tough to trade someone that has so effectively sabotaged his career (see Markieff Morris).

 

[sdscard4]

Something quick? That's the worst thing we could do IMO. We need to develop the youth and patience is key when you're building from the draft.

Trade Bledsoe, Tucker & Chandler at a minimum and play Ulis, Booker, Warren, Chriss, Bender, Len and maybe Jones Jr every game. I don't know what to do with Knight, it's tough to trade someone that has so effectively sabotaged his career (see Markieff Morris).

I understand where you're coming from . but this ain't the development league. I miss not even having a shot at the playoffs. We've been to what 3 appearances in 10yrs? I knew in the Jason Kidd era we weren't probably gonna win the championship but we made the tournament and that's what was exciting. This crap now the last few yrs we don't even have a shot we are LAST. to me that's not my Suns... period.

 

[Mainstreet]

Something quick? That's the worst thing we could do IMO. We need to develop the youth and patience is key when you're building from the draft.

Trade Bledsoe, Tucker & Chandler at a minimum and play Ulis, Booker, Warren, Chriss, Bender, Len and maybe Jones Jr every game. I don't know what to do with Knight, it's tough to trade someone that has so effectively sabotaged his career (see Markieff Morris).

I'd take a first round pick for Knight if he is compared to Markieff. I'm really torn about trading Bledsoe now.

 

[Errntknght]

Watson could do something quick - he could start playing all the youngsters in fairly well defined slots, at the expense of the seniors. I'd add Alan Williams and Jones, Jr. to AzSteves list. Its pretty well established that we are only in the running for the lottery sweepstakes, so there is nothing to gain by continuing along the current course. I'd bet that we'd draw more people to the games, too, so Sarver should be relatively happy.

We are probably two years away from making the playoffs - and that would take a good deal of improvement across the board for the young guys. We need to get a firm handle on what the various players are capable of so we know where we need to add talent or depth. At the moment we have pretty good depth in the form of the older players but they will need to be replaced by the time we get to a competitive level - assuming we do reach that goal.

If we got a terrific offer for Bledsoe, I'd certainly take it but I think he's an excellent backup at PG so I wouldn't put him on the block just yet. Chandler may be enough in demand for some team shooting for the title to get some value in return - and this could well be the last year that is true, so yes, trade him. I imagine Watson won't play Williams unless forced to, and Chandler leaving might force his hand, so there's another benefit. Throw a sop to Watson by letting him keep Tucker around a while longer.

Personally, I think we should be looking to replace Watson forthwith - it's just not a positive for our young guys to play in such a limited offense.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I'm not a huge Knight fan (i'd rather just cut him and pay him to not be with the team), but he isn't really causing any negative vibes on the team in the same way the Morris brothers did. The main problem with trying to trade him (or Bledsoe, for that matter) is that there are so many above average to great PGs these days that it's hard to find a team where they would be an obvious upgrade.

Teams either have:
a) a superstar/all-star caliber player at PG (GSW, POR, CLE, WAS, LAC, TOR, BOS, MEM)
b) a solid veteran PG (BKN, NYK, UTA, MIA, CHA, IND, SAS, NOP)
c) a young up and coming PG with potential (LAL, DEN, ATL, MIN, DET)

We could debate that list but honestly, however you slice it, it doesn't really leave a lot of buyers in the market. That isn't to say the teams above wouldn't entertain a trade, but it's probably not their priority and they wouldn't dangle anything of real value.

 

[BC867]

Something quick? That's the worst thing we could do IMO. We need to develop the youth and patience is key when you're building from the draft.

All or nothing is hardly ever the best solution. I agree with you that developing youth with patience is a priority, but balanced with veterans to keep pressure off the young guys, especially Booker.

The current mix, by and large, would seem to fit that mold. But unfortunately, with Sarver calling the shots the Suns have floundered in neverland for too many years. Setting a philosophy means nothing if it is not done well. Until Sarver is no longer calling the shots and hiring bargain basement GM's and Head Coaches, we are going to flounder in mediocrity at best.

It is not good enough to do something. It needs to be done well. Especially in the most talented basketball league in the world. Even if we reach good enough, it won't be good enough.

 

[BC867]

If we got a terrific offer for Bledsoe, I'd certainly take it but I think he's an excellent backup at PG so I wouldn't put him on the block just yet.

How is that do-able? Demoting your (closest to a) star player to backup. Unless he is in the twilight of his career, the only way to demote him successfully is to trade him to a new team.

But, as has been pointed out, no other team would want him for the same reasons that he is leading us nowhere.

 

[Mainstreet]

How is that do-able? Demoting your (closest to a) star player to backup. Unless he is in the twilight of his career, the only way to demote him successfully is to trade him to a new team.

But, as has been pointed out, no other team would want him for the same reasons that he is leading us nowhere.

I don't think anyone has maintained Bledsoe is a franchise player.

However, I agree, I do not see Bledsoe being happy as a backup PG. He has played well for the Suns this season.

 

[SweetD]

I thought Booker was the next Tobey Bailey, when we drafted him. He proved me wrong and has shown he can be a good player with a very strong work ethic. I did think at the start of this year he might become a star, but I to cooled off on that. He will be a good player maybe a Joe Johnson type a better than average #2 that is forced to be a #1.

I was really hoping he developed his game to be more of a Kobe type with that turn around jumper. But seems like he thinks he can just blow by people and lay it up, but that doesn't fly in the NBA.

I am still holding out hope, Watson's playbook changes to see what he can do. Limiting Knights minutes is helping.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would like to see better shot selection and better efficiency from Booker. I do not need to see him score 20 a game. I would like to see him cut down on the stupid fouls (frustration fouls).


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[elindholm]

I understand where you're coming from . but this ain't the development league. I miss not even having a shot at the playoffs. We've been to what 3 appearances in 10yrs? I knew in the Jason Kidd era we weren't probably gonna win the championship but we made the tournament and that's what was exciting. This crap now the last few yrs we don't even have a shot we are LAST. to me that's not my Suns... period.

It's a shame you weren't here to make that point back when most of the board was clamoring to dump Nash prematurely, because the team was only reaching the conference finals every other year.

 

[PDXChris]

As an outsider I see this team as an up and coming team with potential at most spots along with the proven Bledsoe. I think you guys get another top pick and start out slow next season, but make a push for the playoffs at some point next year. The glaring concern I see is the Len is not progressing enough and you can't depend on Chandler for much longer. The C position will need to be addressed as some point in the next year, IMHO.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

As an outsider I see this team as an up and coming team with potential at most spots along with the proven Bledsoe. I think you guys get another top pick and start out slow next season, but make a push for the playoffs at some point next year. The glaring concern I see is the Len is not progressing enough and you can't depend on Chandler for much longer. The C position will need to be addressed as some point in the next year, IMHO.

The center position does need addressing, hopefully in FA because we cannot wait for another draft project to produce. Len will be gone after this season, or should be. And Chandler, while still a proficient rebounder doesnt give us much in scoring.
A new "real" head coach would do wonders in pushing this team forward in a positive direction.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don't know about the center position. I am really liking Len's play right now. He has really improved his efficiency over last year. He is shooting over 50%. His per 36 numbers are decent and he is a better rim protector than Chandler. I kind of like the fact that he becoming more consistent while coming off the bench.

per 36: 13.6 p, 11.7 r, 2.5 b, .502 fg%.

Last night was an improvement for Booker.

 

[PDXChris]

I don't know about the center position. I am really liking Len's play right now. He has really improved his efficiency over last year. He is shooting over 50%. His per 36 numbers are decent and he is a better rim protector than Chandler. I kind of like the fact that he becoming more consistent while coming off the bench.

per 36: 13.6 p, 11.7 r, 2.5 b, .502 fg%.

Last night was an improvement for Booker.

But if he does play 36 minutes, will his body hold up? Someone will overpay him to be a starter and he will be lucky to play 50 games because of it.

 

[slinslin]

We dont need to adress the center position.

Len is progressing, it is a slow process but he is making progress. In 3 years he could be a beast.

Tyson Chandler is playing well enough and Dragan Bender if he turns out good will be a center too.

We need better guard/wing play and a real backup PF alongside Marquese would help as well as a real backup SG behind Booker.

PG, SF, backup SG, backup PF I see all of these as bigger needs than center.

Hopefully we can get one of Fultz or Smith or at least Ball or Jackson or Tatum or Nikitina or Giles although I have some reservations there for each.

 

[Azlen]

One key thing with Booker that I have to wonder about is the quality of coaching that he is receiving. I'm just not sold on the current coaching staff and their ability to develop young players. Could a better coach get more consistent play out of him? Maybe, maybe not but the question still has to be asked.

 

[JCSunsfan]

We dont need to adress the center position.

Len is progressing, it is a slow process but he is making progress. In 3 years he could be a beast.

Tyson Chandler is playing well enough and Dragan Bender if he turns out good will be a center too.

We need better guard/wing play and a real backup PF alongside Marquese would help as well as a real backup SG behind Booker.

PG, SF, backup SG, backup PF I see all of these as bigger needs than center.

Hopefully we can get one of Fultz or Smith or at least Ball or Jackson or Tatum or Nikitina or Giles although I have some reservations there for each.

We have young players with potential at every position. But we will need either two or three of these players to develop into bona fide stars or replace them with players who are or will be stars.

So, the next move won't seem so obvious. It will be replacing a good player with potential with a better player with potential. My guess is that the positions where this might happen would be in this order:

1. pg. While Bledsoe is good, we could use an upgrade here, and this draft is loaded.
2. pf. Chriss and Bender are good, but there is no clear star here yet.
3. sf. Warren is a great piece for the future, but should be no hindrance to plugging in a superstar here if we can find one.
4. c. Len is good, Chandler is good. This would be higher, but centers are hard to find.
5. sg. I think Booker will get the longest look.

 

[slinslin]

One key thing with Booker that I have to wonder about is the quality of coaching that he is receiving. I'm just not sold on the current coaching staff and their ability to develop young players. Could a better coach get more consistent play out of him? Maybe, maybe not but the question still has to be asked.

We have multiple assistant coaches with long head coaching experience. I really don't see the issue, and overall for the talent we have and the experience we have our record is what it was expected and we don't play super ugly basketball like we did under Hornacek where we regularly threatened 70pt games.

Plus I think there is clearl development to see, recently our defense has been a lot better.

 

[elindholm]

like we did under Hornacek where we regularly threatened 70pt games.

The Suns were held under 80 points a grand total of 6 times during Hornacek's 213 as head coach.

Plus I think there is clearl development to see, recently our defense has been a lot better.

Hornacek went 48-34 in 2013-14 with a roster no more talented than the current one. In fact if you match player to player, I'd say that the current roster is better.

In case anyone wants a reminder, here was the rotation of that roster:

Dragic
Bledsoe
Green
Frye
Plumlee
Len
Morris
Morris
Tucker

You think Watson would be winning nearly 50 games with that roster? If not for a fluke year in the overall standings, Hornacek had that ragtag bunch in the playoffs.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The Suns were held under 80 points a grand total of 6 times during Hornacek's 213 as head coach.



Hornacek went 48-34 in 2013-14 with a roster no more talented than the current one. In fact if you match player to player, I'd say that the current roster is better.

In case anyone wants a reminder, here was the rotation of that roster:

Dragic
Bledsoe
Green
Frye
Plumlee
Len
Morris
Morris
Tucker

You think Watson would be winning nearly 50 games with that roster? If not for a fluke year in the overall standings, Hornacek had that ragtag bunch in the playoffs.

This roster is longer on potential, that one is longer on real ability and experience. But if your point is that Hornacek was not a bad coach, I agree.

 

[elindholm]

This roster is longer on potential, that one is longer on real ability and experience.

Not really. Bledsoe and Len are now three years older. (So is Tucker, the other carry-over, but I wouldn't say that experience has made any difference in his case.) Knight is in a similar career position now to where Dragic was then. Chandler is more experienced (and I would say more able) than Frye. Green has the experience edge on Booker, but the current team also has Dudley and Barbosa, if you're talking about the "wing scoring" group. Plumlee had more experience than Chriss, but not by much.

I guess the question comes down to whether the Morrises were a net addition at that stage in their careers. Surely Marcus wasn't any better (or more experienced) than T. J. Warren is now. But, that was Markieff's best season, so maybe he was more of a difference-maker than I appreciated at the time.