New players: exceeding expectations

[Griffin]

Which of the new players might exceed your expectations the most in the coming season?

The reason I say expectations and not "having the biggest impact" is because players like Turkoglu who will be starting and playing a big role are likely to have the biggest impact regardless of whether they meet our expectations or not. But there are already somewhat high expectations of him. Still, if he can manage to return to the level he was at a few years back or better, he will probably exceed the expectations of many. On the other hand, players like Warrick will play a lesser role, so the expectations are lower. But Warrick may very well work his way into the starting lineup and surprise everyone. There are also a few players without contracts who may make the team and actually play significant minutes for us.

I do this poll every year, but this year I'll split newcomers from returnees again since there are a lot of options.

So discuss the new players and what you'd expect from each one, and then vote on who is most likely to surprise you.

 

[Chaplin]

Warrick, definitely. I expect Hedo to improve upon his previous season, so if anything, he's in danger of not performing to expectations. But I think all the Warrick hate will go away eventually--he's not an Amare clone, but he's going to be a lot better than most people think.

 

[Mainstreet]

I went out on a limb choosing Matt Janning when it's still uncertain if he makes the team. I went with Janning because Childress is not a good 3 point shooter and the Suns may need another shooter to spread the floor. I guess I'm betting on his upside as a shooter and the potential to play PG to earn him minutes as the season progresses. I know if Janning gets minutes later in the season it will really mess with the Suns rotation.

 

[Irish]

Warrick, definitely. I expect Hedo to improve upon his previous season, so if anything, he's in danger of not performing to expectations. But I think all the Warrick hate will go away eventually--he's not an Amare clone, but he's going to be a lot better than most people think.

My expectations are so low for Warrick, I can't see how he could fall below them.

I realize Chap thinks I'm being unfair,, but mostly it's a matter of context. Frye is a "soft" outside shooter and so the Suns need a guy like what Amundson brought to the table to make up for Fry's limitations, meaning a physcial rebounder - defender. Warrick will be a lot better on offense than Amundson, but I hope I'm wrong about his rebounding and defense.

 

[Griffin]

I think Warrick is a very good choice here. Before last season, many predicted he would have a break-out year. It didn't really happen, but he never got much opportunity. I do remember him playing much better when paired with pass-first Ridnour off the bench than Jennings last year with the Bucks. Perhaps Nash will again turn another player into an offensive threat. But I am not sure what we can expect from Warrick on the other end.

But I will vote for Gani Lawal. Being a second-round rookie, he should not be expected to make the regular rotation. But like Amundson, I think Lawal will make it difficult for Gentry to take him out of the game when he does get minutes. He has shown to work very hard on both ends of the floor, battling for rebounds and playing bigger than his frame. We definitely need someone like that, so if Frye or Warrick fail to provide these types of contributions, look for Lawal to steal their minutes.

 

[Errntknght]

Any players but Lawal and Childress might exceed my expectations... of course, I don't think they will or I'd raise my expectation.

Starting with the premise that the team will contend for the title, I asked myself what had any chance of making that a reality. To begin with the starters are pretty long in the tooth so we need a second unit that can be on the floor half the game. Last years second unit gave us the blueprint, they have to be terrific on defense, decent at rebounding and run their tails off. Frye is the closest thing to a center so that rules out Warrick being the PF. Heck, if we didn't have Lawal, I'd push for Clark to be given an extended shot and hope for the miracle his brain needs - by March or so. With Lawal, I put him in the second unit frontcourt and challenge Clark to beat him out. Childress rounds out this group out nicely - a strong defender and a good bball IQ. He'll be a strong rebounder for a SG and Dragic is strong for a PG, as well. With Lawal providing muscle and hustle and clever Dudley doing his bit they could be a trifle better than average at rebounding even with Frye.

 

[jibikao]

I picked Hedo only because my expectation of him is quite low right now.

 

[TucsonDevil]

I don't expect much from Childress, I see him getting lost in the mix. If he stands out and finds a regular role, he will exceed expectations from me.

The question should be - of whom do you expect the most?

 

[SunsTzu]

Hopefully Lawal does. I don't expect much from him but if he can be productive at PF it will be big for the Suns.

 

[elindholm]

I voted for Turkoglu, because my expectations for him are pretty low. If he can average 15p/7r/4a on solid shooting numbers, I'll be more than pleased.

 

[Gaddabout]

Can I pick none of the above?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I voted for Turkoglu, because my expectations for him are pretty low. If he can average 15p/7r/4a on solid shooting numbers, I'll be more than pleased.

if he averages 7 rebounds a game, I won't be pleased, I'll be ECSATIC. Now way he comes close to that.

15/4.5/3 is the best I think we're going to see out of him

 

[elindholm]

15/4.5/3 is the best I think we're going to see out of him

Even in Toronto he was 11/4.5/4, so that's setting the bar pretty darn low.

That said, I agree that 7 rebounds is too ambitious. His maximum with Orlando was 5.7. There, he was playing alongside one of the best rebounders in the game, whereas he won't be in Phoenix, so I think that 6+ isn't too unreasonable. But yes, 7 is asking a lot.