Marquese Chriss

elindholm

edited for content
Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Posts
27,541
Reaction score
9,821
Location
L.A. area
Yeah, Eric is one of my favorite posters here, but on this one, I just have to completely disagree with him. It really is almost as if though we are watching two different players.

Thanks; I would guess that we are both suffering from confirmation bias. Each of us is more attuned to notice the things that reinforce what we are already inclined to believe.

Having said that, the stats don't lie, and Bender's stats are terrible. Players can be better or worse than their stats, but it's tough to make that case without doing a very careful analysis.
 

BC867

Long time Phoenician!
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Posts
17,827
Reaction score
1,709
Location
NE Phoenix
You honestly disgust me with your populist NBA opinions ...

Learn to think for yourselves, all the stats are openly available on the internet. You can just look it up before parroting stupid talking points, blatant lies and misinformation.
Your posts remind me of two sayings ...

-- Attack problems, not people.

-- You can tell what a person thinks about himself by the way he treats others.

Personal attacks against posters don't win over others to your point of view. Because they know they could be next.

Sir Stefan's posts have always been that of a gentleman. You ought to give it a try, Haunting or Slinslin, whoever you are.

And if it is true that you are back with a new name after having been banned, that would be dishonorable. That is really not something to be proud of.

This board exists to exchange different opinions. And, yes, we are each entitled to our opinion.
 
Last edited:

elindholm

edited for content
Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Posts
27,541
Reaction score
9,821
Location
L.A. area
OK. I think we would get a lot of interest in Bender.

Is that better?

It would be better if you quantified it. For example, do you think Bender could get a top-ten pick in the upcoming draft, in a straight-up trade? I don't. Middle of the round, maybe. (I don't think Chriss's value is much higher, and it may indeed be lower.)

So if Bender is worth -- let's pick a number -- the #12 pick in the upcoming draft, is that "a lot of interest"?
 

95pro

ASFN Icon
Joined
May 10, 2007
Posts
12,764
Reaction score
4,218
This summer I was completely turned off by Chriss's demeanor. He emulated a spoiled brat. It carried into the year and had dogged him for quite some time.

That said, I'd say his "attitude grade" is improving. He's spending less time throwing tantrums after calls (Thanks to Jay), he's better at getting back on D, and he's trying. And that's ALL I want to see from him; effort. Granted, he's regressed a ton from last year. He has had the quintessential sophomore slump season. But because the effort is starting to show I have hope that he can pull out of it.

He's still athletic, still tall, and still has a nice shot. He just needs a couple of years of discipline to work on fundamentals:

His on the ball shot defense is wretched. He bites on every pump fake. I'd tell him "I don't care if you ever get a block again this season, just close out, alter the shot, then box out please". Blocks can be overrated.
His positions on rebounds is weak. He should be eating up everything he hears from Tyson and now Len (shocking as it may be).
His low post offensive moves aren't getting any work. I truly believe he should be getting 5 looks per game down there.
He NEVER sees the ball in a position to score. When is the last time they ran an alley oop for him?
I presume that the reason the last two haven't been met is because his attitude has been so rotten. Maybe that will change soon.

I also can't stand his role on the team... which is to say he has none. I mean I guess he's supposed to be a stretch 4, but he looks lost doing it. I would much rather see him pick and roll or pick and pop with Cannan. Mike and Tyler have been frustratingly bad off screens. Maybe Isaiah is an upgrade here.

I really don't care if he starts. Mark West started during the Barkley days but only saw about 17 minutes a game. I just wish they'd find a way for him to contribute.

So I see most of the blame on Chriss to improve fundamentals, and the rest on the coaching staff to place him in a position to be successful. I believe Jay will figure this out. He gains my trust every time I watch his team on the floor.


Yeah last year he would bang and be aggressive on offense. I loved it when he would go straight into the defenders chest to create space and then go up to score. He definitely played with an attitude and something to prove.


This year...him and bender are just spot up 3 point shooters. Not really their roles I’d like to see them playing. At the same time I’d like to see bender drive a lot more and Chriss be a little more assertive on offense.
 

JCSunsfan

ASFN Icon
Joined
Oct 24, 2002
Posts
22,115
Reaction score
6,551
It would be better if you quantified it. For example, do you think Bender could get a top-ten pick in the upcoming draft, in a straight-up trade? I don't. Middle of the round, maybe. (I don't think Chriss's value is much higher, and it may indeed be lower.)

So if Bender is worth -- let's pick a number -- the #12 pick in the upcoming draft, is that "a lot of interest"?

You are about there. I’d say 12-16 or so. But this is a really good deep draft.

I am not sure Chriss would net a first rounder.

JMO.
 

Hoop Head

ASFN Icon
Joined
Feb 4, 2005
Posts
17,588
Reaction score
12,811
Location
Tempe, AZ
You want civilized discussion yet looking at your post history 50% or more of your Suns posts are nothing other than bashing Chriss at every opportunity and talk up Bender.

It is at least in a sense consistent with your past schemes of bashing on athletic players (Amare, Bledsoe, Chriss) you claim have no bbiq while bascially getting erect at every mention of a European NBA player or draft prospect (Dragic, Hezonja, Bender etc)


Making posts this like reveal you're Slin. How else would you know about a users thoughts and feelings on things that happened years ago unless you were present for them?

Coming back and calling everyone a racist because they prefer Bender to Chriss is ridiculous. Watch the games and it's obvious that Bender is playing harder and better. Some of the things he does won't show up on a stat sheet, like how he spreads the floor or how he makes the right rotations defensively and keeps from making silly fouls by going straight up on defense. He also doesn't sulk like Chriss does, who has had a questionable attitude since summer league.
 

Raze

Suns fan since '89
Joined
May 20, 2017
Posts
626
Reaction score
599
Location
Arizona
I know we've been bagging on Chriss for this season, but he looked a lot better last night. He did a far better job of staying down on pump fakes and having good energy. He had the opportunity to complain to officials, but thought the better of it. He had some great moments on help defense. They ran some plays for him and he delivered. Hopefully this is the start of his comeback from the sophomore slump.
 

JCSunsfan

ASFN Icon
Joined
Oct 24, 2002
Posts
22,115
Reaction score
6,551
I know we've been bagging on Chriss for this season, but he looked a lot better last night. He did a far better job of staying down on pump fakes and having good energy. He had the opportunity to complain to officials, but thought the better of it. He had some great moments on help defense. They ran some plays for him and he delivered. Hopefully this is the start of his comeback from the sophomore slump.
Hope springs eternal. We really only need one of Bender or Chriss to pan out. Both would be a blessing and a problem at the same time.
 

leclerc

The smooth operator
Joined
Jun 28, 2008
Posts
2,442
Reaction score
1,098
Location
Norway
What I want from them is effort on both sides, playing hard instead of complaining or giving up on plays. Also don't just shoot the three or pass. Look to be a threat.
 

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
119,253
Reaction score
59,866
Scott Bordow does an article on Chriss not playing up to potential.

It's an interesting read.

In a short but revealing interview following the Suns’ shootaround Wednesday, Chriss said he can’t explain why he isn’t playing with the same aggressive mindset he had during a six-game stretch in December and January when he averaged 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point range.

“I don’t know,” Chriss said. “If I did, I’d probably be able to change it faster. I just think there’s some things I need to face and need to correct and just do it as fast as possible. Like I said, if I knew what it was, I’d try to change it quickly.”

Later, without going into detail, Chriss said, "There’s a lot of stuff going on. I’m just trying to get the most out of the situation I’m in and just try to persevere through a lot of things that are going on.”

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...marquese-chriss-mystery-jay-triano/338523002/
 

Hoop Head

ASFN Icon
Joined
Feb 4, 2005
Posts
17,588
Reaction score
12,811
Location
Tempe, AZ
Scott Bordow does an article on Chriss not playing up to potential.

It's an interesting read.





https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...marquese-chriss-mystery-jay-triano/338523002/



I wonder what he could be alluding to. He wasn’t traded but I know his name did get mentioned briefly in trade rumors. Regardless of that though he shouldn’t allow some rumors get in his head and cause him to slip so far in terms of his production. There is something about his mentality that is concerning in regards to his future. He doesn't seem to have a strong work ethic that allows him to push through slumps. I think Watson's coddling was the only reason he was productive last year. Triano doesn't seem to be giving him the same attention or leeway and it's effected how he's played.

I think back to Amare’s time with the Suns after he was drafted and recall all of the off court issues he had with his mom and he didn’t let that effect him much at all on the court.
 

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
119,253
Reaction score
59,866
I wonder what he could be alluding to. He wasn’t traded but I know his name did get mentioned briefly in trade rumors. Regardless of that though he shouldn’t allow some rumors get in his head and cause him to slip so far in terms of his production. There is something about his mentality that is concerning in regards to his future. He doesn't seem to have a strong work ethic that allows him to push through slumps. I think Watson's coddling was the only reason he was productive last year. Triano doesn't seem to be giving him the same attention or leeway and it's effected how he's played.

I think back to Amare’s time with the Suns after he was drafted and recall all of the off court issues he had with his mom and he didn’t let that effect him much at all on the court.

My guess Chriss' ups and downs may relate to him having to earn starters minutes and being held accountable for not being in shape.

I'm sure there are other factors as well.

Amare was incredibly mature coming into the NBA even though some questioned his background. It's the only reason he slipped in that draft. I remember JC having a heart to heart conversation with Amare to make sure he could handle the rigors of the NBA.
 
Last edited:

overseascardfan

ASFN Addict
Joined
Apr 9, 2005
Posts
8,807
Reaction score
2,096
Location
Phoenix
To me the issues with Chriss and Bender are:

Bender - Too passive and soft.
Chriss - Inconsistent motor.

You can argue the both are young and still learning the game but look at guys like Markkanen, Porzingis and other young guys who are making an early impact. Some guys you can tell will be solid pros but these two probably won’t be in the league in a couple of years if they can’t get it together. But maybe the blame falls on the coaching staff for not fixing these flaws.
 

WildBB

Yogi n da Bear
Joined
Mar 20, 2004
Posts
14,295
Reaction score
1,239
Location
The Sonoran Jungle - West
To me the issues with Chriss and Bender are:

Bender - Too passive and soft.
Chriss - Inconsistent motor.

You can argue the both are young and still learning the game but look at guys like Markkanen, Porzingis and other young guys who are making an early impact. Some guys you can tell will be solid pros but these two probably won’t be in the league in a couple of years if they can’t get it together. But maybe the blame falls on the coaching staff for not fixing these flaws.
They have opposite issues. They are both very young still. Under their 2nd HC already. Bender has good effort and is gradually learning the physical elements and traits he'll need in the league. That will include a more physical presence on the offensive end, not just defensive.

Chriss can be physical already on both ends. Don't think he likes being the 3rd-5th option on offense however. It's not how he envisions his role, imo. He is disengaged.
 

AsUpRoDiGy

Magnanimous
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Posts
6,830
Reaction score
5,150
Location
Phx
Chriss, based on body language and expression, seems to think he's entitled to be in the NBA, rather than it be a privilege. He has no energy and no passion. He acts like he's in an entry level job that pays $10 an hour. If he doesn't get a serious dose of humility, very very soon...he won't even be G-League material.
 
Top