Pick Watch 2018

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The issue isn’t just getting our losses, but wins already acquired against a field that seems to be falling further and further behind us in the win column. And it’s not likely that they’ll begin piling up w’s as they make up the difference in games played (I think we are near the leaders in terms of games played - in some instances like 5-6 games more than some teams).

 

[Superbone]

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Next question: You can't or you won't?

 

[Mainstreet]

It looks like Suns fans should not be looking for a top pick unless they can trade for one. Also the Suns might seek to trade for a young player. This is the way Jay Triano views it.

“I understand that’s the overall vision,” Triano said, “but myself, the staff and the players are too competitive to say, ‘Oh, it doesn’t matter if we lose. We’re just trying to develop players.’

“We’re trying to win games. That’s why I’m pissed off after a loss, so are the players and everybody else. I don’t think it’s good to develop an ‘Oh, we’re building’ attitude. Underground that’s what we’re doing but we’re still going to try to win every game. I just think it’s a real important thing as we develop that we develop a competitive attitude as well. Not ‘it’s OK to lose.’ No, it’s not OK to lose.”

The Suns also have the ability, if they choose, to trade out of their draft slot. Phoenix will have its own pick, likely Miami’s first-round selection – it’s top-seven protected – and possibly Milwaukee’s first-round pick, if it falls between Nos. 11 and 16.

Phoenix could use those assets to try to trade up in the first round or acquire an established player in his mid-20s who still fits into the organization’s timeline.

by Scott Bordow, azcentral sports Published 3:51 p.m. MT Jan. 9, 2018

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...t-lottery-jay-triano-devin-booker/1018511001/

 

[Raindog]

I just don't see anyone that fits the criteria of being an "established player in his mid-20s" that would be a) feasibly available and b) would actually bring measurable improvement to the team. I guess there are some shot in the dark types out there, but I would much rather hold onto any draft picks of consequence than go that route.

By the way, also saw a new mock on CBS Sports that has the Cavs grabbing Young at 4 and Celts getting Porter at 5... and Suns picking way down at 8. If it all plays out anything like that, I think I will be sick come draft day.

 

[Phrazbit]

I just don't see anyone that fits the criteria of being an "established player in his mid-20s" that would be a) feasibly available and b) would actually bring measurable improvement to the team. I guess there are some shot in the dark types out there, but I would much rather hold onto any draft picks of consequence than go that route.

By the way, also saw a new mock on CBS Sports that has the Cavs grabbing Young at 4 and Celts getting Porter at 5... and Suns picking way down at 8. If it all plays out anything like that, I think I will be sick come draft day.

Well... there is one really really obvious one. Mirotic. Toss him onto the roster in and I bet we're a .500 team the rest of the way.

Not saying we SHOULD do that, considering Bender and Chriss both showing hope and that giving up assets to finish the season with a record like 38-44 isn't ideal. But he is good, he is 26, his ability to spread the court would make us much better and Chicago is trying hard to move him.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Wish list for tonight's games.

Indiana beats Miami at home.
Washington beats Utah (thinking for the Miami pick position)
Dallas at Charlotte--could go either way. I want Dallas to win if we are going to be really bad from here out, otherwise we would probably be more interested in Charlotte winning.
Chicago beats NY.
Brooklyn beats Detroit.
Orlando beats Milwaukee (double benefit in that game)
Memphis beats New Orleans
OKC beats Minnesota (to potentially improve the Milwaukee pick position)

And finally. We want Atlanta to beat Denver.

The other games don't really matter.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Well... there is one really really obvious one. Mirotic. Toss him onto the roster in and I bet we're a .500 team the rest of the way.

Not saying we SHOULD do that, considering Bender and Chriss both showing hope and that giving up assets to finish the season with a record like 38-44 isn't ideal. But he is good, he is 26, his ability to spread the court would make us much better and Chicago is trying hard to move him.

I don't think Mirotic is as good as you think he is.

 

[JS22]

I just don't see anyone that fits the criteria of being an "established player in his mid-20s" that would be a) feasibly available and b) would actually bring measurable improvement to the team. I guess there are some shot in the dark types out there, but I would much rather hold onto any draft picks of consequence than go that route.

By the way, also saw a new mock on CBS Sports that has the Cavs grabbing Young at 4 and Celts getting Porter at 5... and Suns picking way down at 8. If it all plays out anything like that, I think I will be sick come draft day.

Meh. The 8th pick means the the crap-ton of young players on this roster are improving, which is what we all want anyway.

 

[Phrazbit]

I don't think Mirotic is as good as you think he is.

I know Chicago is 11-6 when he plays and 3-21 when he doesn't.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Meh. The 8th pick means the the crap-ton of young players on this roster are improving, which is what we all want anyway.

Not really. It just means we are barely better than the absolute dreck below us in this year of haves and have nots. We would be in the dreaded mediocre limbo that gets sticky and difficult to climb out of.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I know Chicago is 11-6 when he plays and 3-21 when he doesn't.

Wow of true that’s a pretty impressive stat.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I know Chicago is 11-6 when he plays and 3-21 when he doesn't.

Wow. I guess I need to look closer.

 

[BC867]

Not really. It just means we are barely better than the absolute dreck below us in this year of haves and have nots. We would be in the dreaded mediocre limbo that gets sticky and difficult to climb out of.

Well, Ouchie, here is the most important rebuke to your tanking opinion of all. It comes from the Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns. He just took a strong stand on it. If that doesn't end the debate of playing to lose every season in hopes of a high draft pick, nothing will.

I fail to see how any fan's opinion is more valuable than that of the Head Coach. He knows what goes on behind the scenes. We don't. It is his job to motivate the team.

"The Suns are playing themselves out of a high lottery pick and that's fine with Coach Jay Triano." It is more important to build a winning culture with so many young players.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...t-lottery-jay-triano-devin-booker/1018511001/

 

[pokerface]

Well, Ouchie, here is the most important rebuke to your tanking opinion of all. It comes from the Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns. He just took a strong stand on it. If that doesn't end the debate of playing to lose every season in hopes of a high draft pick, nothing will.

I fail to see how any fan's opinion is more valuable than that of the Head Coach. He knows what goes on behind the scenes. We don't. It is his job to motivate the team.

"The Suns are playing themselves out of a high lottery pick and that's fine with Coach Jay Triano." It is more important to build a winning culture with so many young players.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...t-lottery-jay-triano-devin-booker/1018511001/

Coaches don't make tanking decisions normally... that is a front office decision.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Well, Ouchie, here is the most important rebuke to your tanking opinion of all. It comes from the Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns. He just took a strong stand on it. If that doesn't end the debate of playing to lose every season in hopes of a high draft pick, nothing will.

I fail to see how any fan's opinion is more valuable than that of the Head Coach. He knows what goes on behind the scenes. We don't. It is his job to motivate the team.

"The Suns are playing themselves out of a high lottery pick and that's fine with Coach Jay Triano." It is more important to build a winning culture with so many young players.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...t-lottery-jay-triano-devin-booker/1018511001/

There’s you go putting words in peoples mouths again. I have said REPEATEDLY that this isn’t an “every season” wish but you keep trying the oldest tactic in the book when you have the lame argument . . . lie about what position the opposition is proposing. Lame.

And no coach EVER is going to say anything other than what Triano said so that does not make him right and imo it adds ZERO to your argument.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Pick watch thread guys. You can discuss tanking here if you want.

But I kinda started this thread so that we could talk about all the draft picks without getting into a tanking argument again. Poker has a thread going about tanking.

Not trying to thread police or anything, just a gentle reminder.

 

[Mainstreet]

As of this morning the Suns are drafting 9th.

Nothing wrong with thinking about drafting players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet among others.

 

[JS22]

Not really. It just means we are barely better than the absolute dreck below us in this year of haves and have nots. We would be in the dreaded mediocre limbo that gets sticky and difficult to climb out of.

So there is no middle-ground where a young team shows signs of improvement? It's hard to expect a team to be bottom 3 one season and a championship contender the next.

Obviously like everyone else here I'd love a top 3-5 pick. But if the Suns "potential" starts to show - and they end up around 8-10 it's not going to be the end of the world. There is a huge difference between a young team on the rise and a bunch of veterans winning 35-45 games every year.

Edit: Sorry JC, I'll take the tanking talk elsewhere.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

As of this morning the Suns are drafting 9th.

Nothing wrong with thinking about drafting players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet among others.

Nothing wrong with it indeed (just falls short of the big 6 dream).

I’m liking what I’m reading about Shai GA, but I wonder if he’s “too nice.” I like a humble athlete that works hard, but I kind of get this “aw shucks” gomer Pyle vibe from him. Maybe I’m wrong and it’s just limited info...

 

[Mainstreet]

Nothing wrong with it indeed (just falls short of the big 6 dream).

I’m liking what I’m reading about Shai GA, but I wonder if he’s “too nice.” I like a humble athlete that works hard, but I kind of get this “aw shucks” gomer Pyle vibe from him. Maybe I’m wrong and it’s just limited info...

I was listening to some of his interviews and yes, Shai is laid back. However, I care more about his play on the court.

Perhaps if Shai was in a lower European league and had not been exposed to top players I would be more concerned. I think this is what happened to Zarko to a degree. However, there are a lot of players that are nice off the field of play but turn into tigers when they are playing. Another thing to consider is that Shai is so smooth it can be taken that he is not playing hard.

I hope he is on the board when the Suns draft. He would be a nice option.

 

[Hoop Head]

It's time the lottery gods smiled on Phoenix. Moving into the top 3 would probably make everyone react like we won the lottery. Suns luck, they trade their pick and Miami's to Atlanta (or someone slated in the top 3) for their pick and the Suns pick ends up being #1 and that team falls as far as possible.

 

[Folster]

Dion Waiters is going to have season ending surgery in Miami. That might help them miss the playoffs.

 

[Mainstreet]

Dion Waiters is going to have season ending surgery in Miami. That might help them miss the playoffs.

I bet the Heat do a trade as well. If they trade Hassan Whiteside, this should help the Suns.

 

[Folster]

Man. I didn't realize the Heat were 4th in the East.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Man. I didn't realize the Heat were 4th in the East.

Yeah it’s always our luck for us to be better than we should be in great drafts and worse in terrible drafts and if we have anyone’s pick it either won’t convey, they’ll outproduce their talent when we get it, or we’ll trade it just as it’s going to be valuable. Draft cursed.