Pels @ Suns 12/18

[JCSunsfan]

The fact is that the Pels are trying to go small, and we beat them by sticking with our big guys in Len, Chandler, Leuer, and Kieff.

Chandler got 19:27 of pt and Len got 28:33 guess what that adds up to.

No small ball. That should warm BC's heart. Guess he doesn't want to be around to give Horny credit.

 

[Catlover]

Alex Len and the team were so happy after he made that 3 point shot. The announcers said something about it being his first 3 point shot of the season. This was a great way to end the game. If Markieff could play up to his ability (his play was much improved last night) the Suns and fans would not have to worry about all these trade rumors.

Fans always complain about his defense but I think it's much better than advertised. I especially like the fact he'll match up with physical players. If he could ever get off the referees watch list he'd probably be second for us in free throw opportunities. Even still, I'd rather trade him for a better power forward but I don't really think that's going to happen.

 

[WuRaider]

Love how excited Bledsoe gets for Len's first 3 pointer haha

 

[JCSunsfan]

Fans always complain about his defense but I think it's much better than advertised. I especially like the fact he'll match up with physical players. If he could ever get off the referees watch list he'd probably be second for us in free throw opportunities. Even still, I'd rather trade him for a better power forward but I don't really think that's going to happen.

Kieff, when engaged, plays very good defense. Fans complain but GM's and coaches know. Its always part of why he is valued. I would love to keep him if he was engaged and wanted to be here.

 

[Mainstreet]

Fans always complain about his defense but I think it's much better than advertised. I especially like the fact he'll match up with physical players. If he could ever get off the referees watch list he'd probably be second for us in free throw opportunities. Even still, I'd rather trade him for a better power forward but I don't really think that's going to happen.

I think the best the Suns can do if they trade Markieff is get a young PF with potential and filler.

I've always liked your idea of trading for Bobby Portis. I wanted the Suns to draft him if I recall correctly. I'd like to have Portis from the 2015 draft to add with Booker.

 

[sunsfan88]

Teletovic has been on a roll and gets 3 minutes. Booker is by far their best shooter and floor spacer - 0 minutes.

Glad they got the win, I guess. But Hornacek's rotations are all over the place.

That's not anything new. Hornacek has never had a consistent rotation since becoming coach.

 

[JCSunsfan]

That's not anything new. Hornacek has never had a consistent rotation since becoming coach.

Why would you have consistent rotations when you do not know what works best yet?

Rotations change with personnel available. Injuries (like Chandler's) change rotation strategies. Also, if you are trying to develop young talent, you give them a shot to see what they have. Then you switch to give someone else a little time. This is not a team in title contention. This is a team that is still forming.

Also, rotations change with the opposition. I am old enough to remember all the frustration with John McLeod whose rotations were set in stone, to the detriment of the team.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

FINALLY, Len/Chandler combine for 48 minutes in a game. Coach has to stick with that, period. In the last 2 Pelicans games he let them dictate the matchups and Teletovic/Leur saw most of the run. He's done the same thing in other games. He needs to stick w/ Len/Chandler at all times.

I want to talk about Chandler - I think he's been unfairly criticized a bit. He's met my expectations honestly - He's rebounding at a great rate, and his defense has been solid (shot-blocking is a little low, but he's never been known for that). Offensively, it is truly a system thing on the coach. It's not like TC's offensive game has gotten worse - I just think it's again, on the coach and the guards to get him easy buckets. Hopefully he can get more involved - Heck, Len should be getting the ball a bit more too. The Suns still aren't consistent enough w/ incorporating their centers on the offensive end. Like Len did attempt 11 shots, but I don't think he posted up 1 time. The 15 minutes he played in the 2nd half - I believe he may have only take like 2 shots before that 3' at the end (and they (And this was in a game he was dominating around the basket).

Easier said then done - But Chandler just needs to get more easy baskets more (That's mainly on coach/guards) and Len needs to consistently be more involved in the offense too. We'll see.

 

[devilalum]

That's not anything new. Hornacek has never had a consistent rotation since becoming coach.

Its pretty hard when you don't have players that give a consistant effort.

 

[BC867]

The fact is that the Pels are trying to go small, and we beat them by sticking with our big guys in Len, Chandler, Leuer, and Kieff.

Chandler got 19:27 of pt and Len got 28:33 guess what that adds up to.

No small ball. That should warm BC's heart. Guess he doesn't want to be around to give Horny credit.

You guessed wrong! But let's not go overboard because our Centers played Center for one game.

Especially with Hornacek's inconsistent rotations from game to game. I have asked myself if there is any justification for that approach. Actually, I answered that in a recent post in which I said that playing matchup is playing catch up. Never setting the tone. The results are mediocrity.

And that is supported by the Suns W-L percentage of .429, which is right in the middle of the Pacific division. Mediocrity. With no relief in sight.

Mediocrity is frustrating, damnit!

 

[Catlover]

You guessed wrong! But let's not go overboard because our Centers played Center for one game.

Especially with Hornacek's inconsistent rotations from game to game. I have asked myself if there is any justification for that approach. Actually, I answered that in a recent post in which I said that playing matchup is playing catch up. Never setting the tone. The results are mediocrity.

And that is supported by the Suns W-L percentage of .429, which is right in the middle of the Pacific division. Mediocrity. With no relief in sight.

Mediocrity is frustrating, damnit!

Maybe you're asking the wrong person?

 

[BC867]

Maybe you're asking the wrong person?

OK, what does the right person say?

I just read the latest posts to four different threads and all of them come down to Hornacek's lack of leadership and/or players who were doing well now spending more time on the bench. A coach's confidence is a key ingredient to the performance of a player.

 

[Catlover]

OK, what does the right person say?

I just read the latest posts to four different threads and all of them come down to Hornacek's lack of leadership and/or players who were doing well now spending more time on the bench. A coach's confidence is a key ingredient to the performance of a player.

I think he's trying to fulfill unrealistic expectations. Whether he can coach or not is difficult to tell. But right now we have a lot of talent that is nowhere near it's peak and what little talent we have that has reached it's peak (Chandler, Tucker, Teletovic) is nowhere near good enough to warrant a playoff push even if you include Bledsoe in the "at peak" group.

The focus of this team should be slanted heavily towards improvement rather than playoff seeding IMO. Jeff seems like he's trying to do both and either he's very bad at it or it can't really be done with such a youth-oriented mix of players. I lean towards the latter.

 

[BC867]

I think he's trying to fulfill unrealistic expectations. Whether he can coach or not is difficult to tell. But right now we have a lot of talent that is nowhere near it's peak and what little talent we have that has reached it's peak (Chandler, Tucker, Teletovic) is nowhere near good enough to warrant a playoff push even if you include Bledsoe in the "at peak" group.

The focus of this team should be slanted heavily towards improvement rather than playoff seeding IMO. Jeff seems like he's trying to do both and either he's very bad at it or it can't really be done with such a youth-oriented mix of players. I lean towards the latter.

And how about his failing to come up with a set rotation -- an identity -- this far into the season?

A good poker player brings his "A" game to the table every time he plays, regardless of the opposition. He doesn't wait until the third bet each hand to decide his approach.

 

[Evil Ash]

And how about his failing to come up with a set rotation -- an identity -- this far into the season?

A good poker player brings his "A" game to the table every time he plays, regardless of the opposition. He doesn't wait until the third bet each hand to decide his approach.

A good poker player can only do so much with the cards given to him though (just like a coach). Hard to win with nearly no production from the forward position

 

[BC867]

A good poker player can only do so much with the cards given to him though (just like a coach). Hard to win with nearly no production from the forward position

Good point. But that's part of the problem. Both McDonough and Hornacek have been dedicated to living or dying with a small Guard oriented team. No matter how many different combinations they've tried.

 

[Chaplin]

Good point. But that's part of the problem. Both McDonough and Hornacek have been dedicated to living or dying with a small Guard oriented team. No matter how many different combinations they've tried.

Is that why they drafted Len, signed Chandler and attempted to sign Aldridge? Come on, stop twisting things to fit your narrative.

 

[elindholm]

Is that why they drafted Len, signed Chandler and attempted to sign Aldridge? Come on, stop twisting things to fit your narrative.

Why bother? You already know what he's going to say. The Suns haven't won a championship, which is proof that they don't like big men, and he has a right as a loyal fan to want something more. If only they had the right attitude, like the Mercury, they'd win titles every few years.

 

[BC867]

Why bother? You already know what he's going to say. The Suns haven't won a championship, which is proof that they don't like big men, and he has a right as a loyal fan to want something more. If only they had the right attitude, like the Mercury, they'd win titles every few years.

Cheers. I'll drink to that.

The history is no mystery.

 

[Chaz]

Why bother? You already know what he's going to say. The Suns haven't won a championship, which is proof that they don't like big men, and he has a right as a loyal fan to want something more. If only they had the right attitude, like the Mercury, they'd win titles every few years.

Only if they had the right attitude they too could hit on multiple #1 overall draft picks as well. Might help their chances if they played in league with only 12 teams.