Preseason: Portland @ Phoenix

[Mainstreet]

I think he is sitting out with a wrist injury.

Thanks.

Here is a link to the game stats at ESPN.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400400495

 

[PhxGametime]

I wish the Suns had a chance to draft Meyers Leonard. He moves well for a center.

That was my guy, though I liked Terrence Ross, as well. I don't remember who was on the Draft board (at #13) but I was pimping Terrence Jones too.


I thought Kendall Marshall looked solid the final Summer League game, and I didn't tape todays Suns game until halftime but people have-to remember how much Goran Dragic struggled his first year.

 

[Griffin]

Zeller had 5 points (including a 3-pointer), 1 rebound (but 0 defensive) in 12 minutes.
Jones had 4 points, 2 rebounds in 8 minutes.
Diogu had 4 points, 5 rebounds (2 defensive) in 11 minuets.

The Suns will have to pick one of those guys as 3rd string center. I don't recall if Diogu played PF or C, but he looked more active than the other two guys. Zeller is the tallest at 6-11 but he doesn't rebound.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Zeller had 5 points (including a 3-pointer), 1 rebound (but 0 defensive) in 12 minutes.
Jones had 4 points, 2 rebounds in 8 minutes.
Diogu had 4 points, 5 rebounds (2 defensive) in 11 minuets.

The Suns will have to pick one of those guys as 3rd string center. I don't recall if Diogu played PF or C, but he looked more active than the other two guys. Zeller is the tallest at 6-11 but he doesn't rebound.

I think this system needs a big that can stretch the floor and I think Zeller can be that guy. Especially with Frye out for the season I think Zeller could contribute this year.

 

[Mainstreet]

Zeller had 5 points (including a 3-pointer), 1 rebound (but 0 defensive) in 12 minutes.
Jones had 4 points, 2 rebounds in 8 minutes.
Diogu had 4 points, 5 rebounds (2 defensive) in 11 minuets.

The Suns will have to pick one of those guys as 3rd string center. I don't recall if Diogu played PF or C, but he looked more active than the other two guys. Zeller is the tallest at 6-11 but he doesn't rebound.

After watching all three play for limited minutes it looks like slim pickings. I don't see much upside. I eliminated Diogu from my list as he just doesn't have the height and cannot get his shot off in traffic. I was disappointed because I remember him as a better player. Jones doesn't seem physical enough for my liking. Maybe I'm premature. So I am left with a 6'11" center in Zeller who doesn't rebound much but can shoot. Zeller at least looks like he knows how to play.

Maybe Scola will need to slide over to backup Gortat from the PF position and try to get some mileage from Morris and Beasley at PF when this happens. Yes, Beasley is undersized for the PF position but such is the roster. I'm not sure why the Suns were counting on Jermaine O'Neal.

 

[Griffin]

Maybe Scola will need to slide over to backup Gortat from the PF position and try to get some mileage from Morris and Beasley at PF when this happens. Yes, Beasley is undersized for the PF position but such is the roster. I'm not sure why the Suns were counting on Jermaine O'Neal.

I don't think O'Neal missed the game due to injury. I think Gentry just gave him the night off since its preseason. But nonetheless the Suns need to be prepared in case he misses some games given his history.

I'm actually liking the potential of this starting lineup:

Dragic, Johnson, Beasley, Morris, Gortat

Then you can bring Scola off the bench to backup either position. Still, Gentry will have to mix and match the lineups, leaving some starters with the second unit to cover PF and C. Looks like the Suns might miss Frye more than originally expected.

 

[Phrazbit]

Didnt get to see much of the game last night but I did see the new court... yuck. The "Suns" in the center is alright, but why black around the edges? The entire thing is black and orange, looks like Halloween.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Didnt get to see much of the game last night but I did see the new court... yuck. The "Suns" in the center is alright, but why black around the edges? The entire thing is black and orange, looks like Halloween.

I think this is the first time I have ever agreed with you about anything.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Hmmm. This starting unit seems to have some chemistry already. That is quite surprising. Not sure if this game was an anomoly, but this seems to be a pretty good shooting team.

Rebounding still seems weak. That was disappointing.

I like the new offense. Gentry is running alot more picks off the ball, freeing up shooters. It is clearly a "post Nash" style offense that does not depend so much on the pg to create. It forces other players on the floor to create openings even if they don't have the ball.

 

[Superbone]

I think this is the first time I have ever agreed with you about anything.

Hah. I also was reminded of Halloween.

 

[elindholm]

Maybe Scola will need to slide over to backup Gortat from the PF position and try to get some mileage from Morris and Beasley at PF when this happens. Yes, Beasley is undersized for the PF position but such is the roster. I'm not sure why the Suns were counting on Jermaine O'Neal.

I thought this was pretty much what we were expecting all along?

 

[slinslin]

What better than sliding over a 6'8 -6'9 PF to C that gets about 6rpg in 32mpg at the PF position.

 

[carey]

What better than sliding over a 6'8 -6'9 PF to C that gets about 6rpg in 32mpg at the PF position.

I never thought that was the plan. The media has been saying Scola "can" play center for some reason. Like they need to sell Scola's acquisition to us because we already had Morris, Beasley, and Frye at PF. Well, now we know Beasley is playing more on the wing and Frye is out. Scola will have plenty of time to split the PF position with Morris. JO and very few spot minutes from whoever sticks out of Diogu and Jones will man the middle when theGORTAT is out.

 

[Superbone]

I never thought that was the plan. The media has been saying Scola "can" play center for some reason. Like they need to sell Scola's acquisition to us because we already had Morris, Beasley, and Frye at PF. Well, now we know Beasley is playing more on the wing and Frye is out. Scola will have plenty of time to split the PF position with Morris. JO and very few spot minutes from whoever sticks out of Diogu and Jones will man the middle when theGORTAT is out.

I have Scola and Morris splitting the PF minutes in half (24 each) in my NBA 2K13 league.

 

[Mainstreet]

I thought this was pretty much what we were expecting all along?

I was definitely expecting Scola to provide minutes at the center position but I was hoping for someone to be able to backup Gortat other than Scola (O'Neal) as the primary backup say 60-70% of the season.

 

[Chaplin]

I was definitely expecting Scola to provide minutes at the center position but I was hoping for someone to be able to backup Gortat other than Scola (O'Neal) as the primary backup say 60-70% of the season.

What can you do? We had a primary backup, but lost him days before training camp--there isn't much better out there now than Jermaine O'Neal, and if you think Solomon Jones is better, than I'm not sure what game you're watching.

 

[Mainstreet]

What can you do? We had a primary backup, but lost him days before training camp--there isn't much better out there now than Jermaine O'Neal, and if you think Solomon Jones is better, than I'm not sure what game you're watching.

I plan to suit you up and put you out there as a backup center.

 

[Chaplin]

I plan to suit you up and put you out there as a backup center.

Hey, if I can get a guaranteed Minimum contract, I'll take it!