Looks like Isaiah Canaan starting against the Mavs

[JCSunsfan]

The last time the Mavs were in town was a bad night for Canaan.

Poetic drama here. Testimony to his hard work and dedication. I am rooting for this young man.

 

[1Sun]

The last time the Mavs were in town was a bad night for Canaan.

Poetic drama here. Testimony to his hard work and dedication. I am rooting for this young man.

Nice story and all, but he is being gifted a spot he doesn't deserve. To me, that's no different than the Bender/Chriss debacle.

 

[Chaplin]

Nice story and all, but he is being gifted a spot he doesn't deserve. To me, that's no different than the Bender/Chriss debacle.

Look, I don't agree with you about this PG situation, but I have to agree on this. I'm a little confounded that Canaan is starting since he hasn't done anything that I know of this summer to deserve the spot.

I did think he played well as our starter before his injury, especially in comparison to the guy that replaced him, Elfrid Payton.

 

[SirStefan32]

Look, I don't agree with you about this PG situation, but I have to agree on this. I'm a little confounded that Canaan is starting since he hasn't done anything that I know of this summer to deserve the spot.

I did think he played well as our starter before his injury, especially in comparison to the guy that replaced him, Elfrid Payton.

I am assuming you are responding to the troll I have blocked, so I apologize if I am missing some context to your post.

This is the same discussion/ argument we had over who was going to get waived- Canaan or Harrison. Canaan is an actual NBA player. Perhaps not a very good one, but he is an NBA player. It's the process of elimination. Harrison was not an NBA player, so he is gone. Okobo and Melton are not NBA players, at least not yet. They are rookies. Canaan is an actual NBA player, and he is the best we've got at PG right now. He is a competent shooter, ball-handler, defender, and a passer. He is not great at any of those things, but he is competent (to good) in all of them. Unless you want Booker at PG, there is no other choice when it comes to the starting point guard until Crawford is ready to go, and even then it's questionable.

Again, I *THINK* you are responding to that PG Troll that I have blocked, so please accept my apology in advance if I am missing some context.

 

[Chaplin]

I am assuming you are responding to the troll I have blocked, so I apologize if I am missing some context to your post.

This is the same discussion/ argument we had over who was going to get waived- Canaan or Harrison. Canaan is an actual NBA player. Perhaps not a very good one, but he is an NBA player. It's the process of elimination. Harrison was not an NBA player, so he is gone. Okobo and Melton are not NBA players, at least not yet. They are rookies. Canaan is an actual NBA player, and he is the best we've got at PG right now. He is a competent shooter, ball-handler, defender, and a passer. He is not great at any of those things, but he is competent (to good) in all of them. Unless you want Booker at PG, there is no other choice when it comes to the starting point guard until Crawford is ready to go, and even then it's questionable.

Again, I *THINK* you are responding to that PG Troll that I have blocked, so please accept my apology in advance if I am missing some context.

Yes, I probably am. My issue isn't whether Canaan belongs in the NBA--I don't really have a problem with him being on the roster. My issue is simply about the starting PG position. It's not like he did anything to separate himself from Okobo on the depth chart other than experience. He certainly didn't look any better or worse the Okobo this offseason.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yes, I probably am. My issue isn't whether Canaan belongs in the NBA--I don't really have a problem with him being on the roster. My issue is simply about the starting PG position. It's not like he did anything to separate himself from Okobo on the depth chart other than experience. He certainly didn't look any better or worse the Okobo this offseason.

Right, exactly. It's the experience.

 

[Chaplin]

Right, exactly. It's the experience.

I'm just not sure that should be a factor at this point for a starting position. But oh well.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I'm just not sure that should be a factor at this point for a starting position. But oh well.

It's not just about what he can do as the PG either. Regardless who the PG is Booker and Ayton will have the ball quite a bit and whoever is starting at that PG spot is going to need to be able to knock down catch and shoot threes and Canaan is the best PG on the roster at doing just that.

 

[Chaplin]

It's not just about what he can do as the PG either. Regardless who the PG is Booker and Ayton will have the ball quite a bit and whoever is starting at that PG spot is going to need to be able to knock down catch and shoot threes and Canaan is the best PG on the roster at doing just that.

Sure, but is he the best non-starting PLAYER that can do that? Never mind the PG position...

I'd almost be open to having Bridges in that role instead. Because if that's your criteria, why does it have to be a traditional point guard at all? Hell, isn't that the only thing that Troy Daniels does?

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Sure, but is he the best non-starting PLAYER that can do that? Never mind the PG position...

I'd almost be open to having Bridges in that role instead. Because if that's your criteria, why does it have to be a traditional point guard at all? Hell, isn't that the only thing that Troy Daniels does?

Except Bridges can't handle the ball and that means Booker has to do all PG duties when he is on the court. At least with Canaan, Booker can essentially take over PG duties only after we have already gotten into our offensive set and he won't get grinded down bringing the ball up the court all the time.

 

[SirStefan32]

I'm just not sure that should be a factor at this point for a starting position. But oh well.

I get that, and there is merit to that position. I'd argue that we have two players with zero experience vs. one played with more than 200 games of experience. If we had two players in their third or fourth year and another one with ten, then I'd probably agree with you, but with the rookies, I think you have to start Canaan.

 

[Chaplin]

I get that, and there is merit to that position. I'd argue that we have two players with zero experience vs. one played with more than 200 games of experience. If we had two players in their third or fourth year and another one with ten, then I'd probably agree with you, but with the rookies, I think you have to start Canaan.

Here's the thing, what you are talking about is Canaan over the rookies on the roster, and I agree with you there. I'm just discussing the merits of starting him.

 

[Superbone]

Canaan is the best assisting PG we currently have. End of story.

 

[Mainstreet]

Canaan is way more ready to start than the rookies early in the season. Maybe one of the rookies will come along later.

 

[1Sun]

My point was that Canaan is not starting because he has merit as a starter, but rather because we have nobody competent to man the position, so he's there by default. Exactly the same situation as Chriss/Bender from their rookie season and second season.

 

[Yuma]

My point was that Canaan is not starting because he has merit as a starter, but rather because we have nobody competent to man the position, so he's there by default. Exactly the same situation as Chriss/Bender from their rookie season and second season.

Best man available.

 

[Raze]

Honestly, we all know what Isaiah isn't. Here's the thing, if he can maintain a 3:1 TO/A ratio and shoot 40% from 3's, he's fantastic.

Last year he averaged 2.5:1 and 38%. That isn't too far off.

Today he was 7:1 and 40%. He gives us a chance to win posting these numbers.

 

[Yuma]

Honestly, we all know what Isaiah isn't. Here's the thing, if he can maintain a 3:1 TO/A ratio and shoot 40% from 3's, he's fantastic.

Last year he averaged 2.5:1 and 38%. That isn't too far off.

Today he was 7:1 and 40%. He gives us a chance to win posting these numbers.

I agree. He does not have to be great. Just solid. 40% from three will be a tall order, but the turn overs to assist ratio he can do.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Honestly, we all know what Isaiah isn't. Here's the thing, if he can maintain a 3:1 TO/A ratio and shoot 40% from 3's, he's fantastic.

Last year he averaged 2.5:1 and 38%. That isn't too far off.

Today he was 7:1 and 40%. He gives us a chance to win posting these numbers.

This. And Booker running the point in crunch time.

If this can work, it might actually make a trade for a pg open up. Teams will not perceive us as desperate, so the unreasonable demands might go down. Also, as the season progresses, other point guards might become available.

 

[Mainstreet]

Honestly, we all know what Isaiah isn't. Here's the thing, if he can maintain a 3:1 TO/A ratio and shoot 40% from 3's, he's fantastic.

Last year he averaged 2.5:1 and 38%. That isn't too far off.

Today he was 7:1 and 40%. He gives us a chance to win posting these numbers.

Agree. Canaan having only 1 turnover to 7 assists was huge. He just needs be a ball handler and help run the team.

 

[JCSunsfan]

We have been saying this. Igors offense does not need a ball dominant pg. The ball moves around. Lots of players getting assists. We saw that last night. That does not mean we could not use a better pg. It just means that we can cover more easily for a mediocre one in this offense.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Canaan was fine. Only thing I'd improve is not going all crazy and trying to take the shot yourself. His goal is to simply make sure the team gets into it's rhythm. Can't do that if you're trying to play hero ball and you're consistently the 5th option on the court.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think Canaan was fine. Only thing I'd improve is not going all crazy and trying to take the shot yourself. His goal is to simply make sure the team gets into it's rhythm. Can't do that if you're trying to play hero ball and you're consistently the 5th option on the court.

Amen!

 

[1Sun]

Canaan's career averages are 1.8 assists to 1.1 turnovers. Expecting anywhere near a 3 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio just isn't realistic, in my opinion. And he has always tried to play hero ball, so I don't think it's particularly realistic to expect that to end over the long term, either.

 

[Chaplin]

Canaan's career averages are 1.8 assists to 1.1 turnovers. Expecting anywhere near a 3 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio just isn't realistic, in my opinion. And he has always tried to play hero ball, so I don't think it's particularly realistic to expect that to end over the long term, either.

You mean based on the extremely limited sample size?

Agree with the first part of your sentence, but I'd like to know how you come to that conclusion based on the small amount of time he played last season and the coaching change.