Present depth chart

[JCSunsfan]

Dragic, Thomas, Ennis
Bledsoe, Green, Goodwin
Tucker, Warren
MkMorris, McMorris
Plumlee, Len

This team lacks 3 point shooting, and pf. I imagine that Marcus and TJ will log minutes at pf even though their best position will be SF.

The loss of Frye is pretty big, just from a roster perspective. I expect we will sign a pf. Moving Ennis for a young pf is not a bad idea.

I know it sounds like a joke after that miserable first summer league game, but this roster is wide open for Alec Brown to make, if he has anything in him that might resemble an nba player.

 

[Mainstreet]

I like the composure I see in Ennis. IMO, he has a bright future at the young age of 19. I'd like to keep him although I am open to listening to trades. The Suns really need help at PF as you say and another shooter would help. I think the Suns would be happy to see some signs that Alec Brown could develop into a stretch 4 or 5. However, he needs to develop physically which will take time.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Dragic, Thomas, Ennis
Bledsoe, Green, Goodwin
Tucker, Warren
MkMorris, McMorris
Plumlee, Len

This team lacks 3 point shooting, and pf. I imagine that Marcus and TJ will log minutes at pf even though their best position will be SF.

The loss of Frye is pretty big, just from a roster perspective. I expect we will sign a pf. Moving Ennis for a young pf is not a bad idea.

I know it sounds like a joke after that miserable first summer league game, but this roster is wide open for Alec Brown to make, if he has anything in him that might resemble an nba player.

I think they gave him the minutes and the green light on the off chance he'd show himself closer to NBA ready than previously thought. He's a long-shot but desperation can make you do funny things.

I think we're going into this season with an average small forward situation. A league best guard situation and a league worst, perhaps even historically league worst, big man situation. Even with Frye there we'd be looking at a bottom tier group. I have to admit, I was expecting more from Miles yesterday and hoping for more from Len. It's not like they were facing the Grizzlies starting front line.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm hoping the Suns just needed more practice time and a more normal lineup upfront. Plumlee needs someone to get him the ball in his comfort zone.

 

[KloD]

Just as you can't read too much into a guy doing well int he summer league, you can't read much into a rookie doing poorly in his first game. Brown is nowhere near ready, but he can shoot. I suspect nerves and unfamiliarity had a large role in his poor play. The only thing I took from yesterday's game was that Warren can indeed score.

I agree that we need another shooter and a true PF. I would rather sign a few vets at minimum for this season than to trade Ennis. I just don't think he'd bring back anyone who would make a difference. I'd rather plug the holes for a season and look for those pieces next summer.

 

[sunsfan88]

Bledsoe, Thomas, Ennis
Dragic, Goodwin
Tucker, Green, Warren
Kieff, Marcus
Plumlee, Len

That's 12 already. Isn't 13 the maximum?

 

[Hoop Head]

Bledsoe, Thomas, Ennis
Dragic, Goodwin
Tucker, Green, Warren
Kieff, Marcus
Plumlee, Len

That's 12 already. Isn't 13 the maximum?

13 is the minimum, 15 is the maximum. 12 is the max as far as being active for games. I'm not sure where some of the contracts stand like Randolph, Ish, and Christmas who had team options for this year. I haven't heard really anything official that those options were picked up or let go. Randolph should stay out of those 3 just because he is a big body somewhat familiar with the system and practiced a lot with the team late last year. Christmas and Ish though should be let go, especially Christmas since we definitely don't need another wing. If we keep Randolph that puts us at 13, giving us 2 spots to grab big bodies, hopefully. I believe Randolph's deal is a team option but only partially guaranteed so if they release him before the January cut-off then they won't be on the hook for the full year, but it's a minimum deal anyways.

 

[Griffin]

12 is the max as far as being active for games

Actually it is 13 now. Rule changed 2 years ago.

 

[slinslin]

What is the point of an inactive list anyway..

 

[JCSunsfan]

So, now its,

Dragic, Thomas, Ennis
Bledsoe, Green, Archie
PJ, TJ, Mook
Keef, Tolliver
Plumlee, Len, Randolph

Well, in that lineup, the starters are all legit starters (IMO). The back ups are all legit backups. End of the bench, once-in-a-blue-moon minutes guys are Ennis, Randolph and probably Archie.

Its a solid line up but needs a star player. Dragic is there, Bledsoe should be (I am assuming he will be back).

We need improvement in rebounding, rim protection, and three point shooting. I would guess you are going to see Keef shooting alot more threes this year. TJ will provide alot of offensive rebounding.

Defensive rebounding improvement HAS to come from Plumlee and Len. But there is no reason that they should not be able to do that.

We look thin at PF, but we will probably see Marcus, TJ, and PJ slide over there often. We will see if Horny's evaluation of TJ is accurate when he said that TJ defends the 4 position well. If he can do that, he will be very valuable.

 

[AzStevenCal]

So, now its,

Dragic, Thomas, Ennis
Bledsoe, Green, Archie
PJ, TJ, Mook
Keef, Tolliver
Plumlee, Len, Randolph

Well, in that lineup, the starters are all legit starters (IMO). The back ups are all legit backups. End of the bench, once-in-a-blue-moon minutes guys are Ennis, Randolph and probably Archie.

Its a solid line up but needs a star player. Dragic is there, Bledsoe should be (I am assuming he will be back).

We need improvement in rebounding, rim protection, and three point shooting. I would guess you are going to see Keef shooting alot more threes this year. TJ will provide alot of offensive rebounding.

Defensive rebounding improvement HAS to come from Plumlee and Len. But there is no reason that they should not be able to do that.

We look thin at PF, but we will probably see Marcus, TJ, and PJ slide over there often. We will see if Horny's evaluation of TJ is accurate when he said that TJ defends the 4 position well. If he can do that, he will be very valuable.

I can no longer remember if someone from or near the organization led me down this path or if I just decided it's logical but I really expect to see Marcus as the primary backup at the 4 spot. And I expect to see the twins playing the power spots together quite a bit too. Markieff is so much more effective as an inside player that it seems a shame to turn him into a stretch 4 but his brothers skills fit the stretch role well. It will be the dreaded small ball but I'm looking forward to the occasional lineup of Bledsoe, Dragic, Green, Morris and Morris.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I can no longer remember if someone from or near the organization led me down this path or if I just decided it's logical but I really expect to see Marcus as the primary backup at the 4 spot. And I expect to see the twins playing the power spots together quite a bit too. Markieff is so much more effective as an inside player that it seems a shame to turn him into a stretch 4 but his brothers skills fit the stretch role well. It will be the dreaded small ball but I'm looking forward to the occasional lineup of Bledsoe, Dragic, Green, Morris and Morris.

Steve

I see Marcus backing up Markieff at PF for now too.

Also I can see the Suns playing big small ball with Markieff at center and Marcus and Anthony at the forward positions. It also gives the Suns more shooters on the court.

 

[BC867]

I see Marcus backing up Markieff at PF for now too.

Also I can see the Suns playing big small ball with Markieff at center and Marcus and Anthony at the forward positions. It also gives the Suns more shooters on the court.

Well, I made it through the Colangelo/MacLeod years, I guess I can make it through these.

You may have to remind me during the season.

 

[Mainstreet]

Well, I made it through the Colangelo/MacLeod years, I guess I can make it through these.

You may have to remind me during the season.

If Len can develop behind Plumlee, you might have the best of both worlds, a big lineup and a big small ball lineup.

It could happen but I won't promise.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

Even as a big Len/Plumlee fan, I still think we need another big guy as insurance or just to push those two guys in practice. I don't think Randolph is that guy, although maybe the Suns feel differently. I just don't feel comfortable w/ Randolph playing significant minutes if 1 of those 2 guys are hurt or playing poorly. There are so many veteran big guys out there who are bigger and can defend better than Randolph, or younger big guys w/ more potential. I don't mind Randolph here, as long as the last roster spot goes to another big guy ...

 

[Mainstreet]

Even as a big Len/Plumlee fan, I still think we need another big guy as insurance or just to push those two guys in practice. I don't think Randolph is that guy, although maybe the Suns feel differently. I just don't feel comfortable w/ Randolph playing significant minutes if 1 of those 2 guys are hurt or playing poorly. There are so many veteran big guys out there who are bigger and can defend better than Randolph, or younger big guys w/ more potential. I don't mind Randolph here, as long as the last roster spot goes to another big guy ...

Do you think Alec Brown can be that player when he returns from shoulder surgery?

 

[JCSunsfan]

Do you think Alec Brown can be that player when he returns from shoulder surgery?

I don't think we can count on anything from Alec Brown. Put him in the d-league and see if there is something there.

I do think our best best for getting an inside presence isn't through a trade or free agency, but rather developing either Plumlee, Len or both. Its also our least expensive option.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

Do you think Alec Brown can be that player when he returns from shoulder surgery?

No, I really don't. I think the Suns have enough of "stretch 4's" in Tolliver and the Morris Twins. Physically, Brown is even less capable of banging down low than Randolph. The last roster spot should go to a PF/C with legit size who is known for his defense/rim-protection (Ideally all 3 of those traits, but at least 2) - maybe either a young guy w/ potential or a veteran to mentor Len/Plumlee.

Just looking at the FA list, I would prefer for Bernard James, Jermaine O'Neal, Ryan Hollins, and Ekpe Udoh to play over Randolph. Then I'm sure there's guys overseas or young guys who excel at defense/rim-protection too.

The Suns will probably go small a lot this year - It's important to have a 5-man in the middle who can protect the paint with those lineups (or just in general for a team with undersized PF's)... If either Len/Plumlee goes down, I don't trust Randolph (or Tolliver or Markieff) to be that guy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It doesn't matter anyway, whoever the last roster spot goes to won't play much or have any significant impact anyway. He could be a great rebounder, but in the 3 minutes a game he gets, he won't move the needle much.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

It doesn't matter anyway, whoever the last roster spot goes to won't play much or have any significant impact anyway. He could be a great rebounder, but in the 3 minutes a game he gets, he won't move the needle much.

You're right when everybody is healthy. But injuries happen. PG/C are the two positions in general which need the most depth. The other positions can be inter-changeable w/ other guys.

For ex.:

- If Bledsoe gets injured - No problem, Thomas steps in, Green plays more 2', Goodwin/Dragic play more PG
- Dragic out - basically same thing as above
- Tucker out - Marcus Morris steps into lineup, Green/Warren play more
- Markieff out - Tolliver starts , Marcus Morris backs him up
- Plumlee out - ???? ... Len starts, but Randolph suddenly has to play significant minutes, unless Markieff/Tolliver play the 5' (Both aren't rim-protectors or defenders w/ size, so we're suddenly in trouble) ...

- Basically, the Center position is 1 injury away from really hurting this team from a defensive/rim-protection standpoint. The way the team is constructed, defense/rebounding/rim-protection has to come from the center spot, since we'll probably go small a lot and the guards/forwards don't excel in those areas.

I am also not even considering that Len won't be ready to be in the rotation, like some people may think, because I have confidence in him that he can play well ... But that adds another question mark to the position potentially

 

[sunsfan88]

I hate that we kept Randolph instead of signing a big fat bully type guy who may suck at basketball but is just a monster physically.

I think right now the Suns have the slimmest looking big men in the league. Out of our big men, Kieff is probably the only one that can brag about how much he benches and lifts in the weight room.

 

[mojorizen7]

So, now its,

Dragic, Thomas, Ennis
Bledsoe, Green, Archie
PJ, TJ, Mook
Keef, Tolliver
Plumlee, Len, Randolph

Well, in that lineup, the starters are all legit starters (IMO). The back ups are all legit backups. End of the bench, once-in-a-blue-moon minutes guys are Ennis, Randolph and probably Archie.

Its a solid line up but needs a star player. Dragic is there, Bledsoe should be (I am assuming he will be back).

We need improvement in rebounding, rim protection, and three point shooting. I would guess you are going to see Keef shooting alot more threes this year. TJ will provide alot of offensive rebounding.

Defensive rebounding improvement HAS to come from Plumlee and Len. But there is no reason that they should not be able to do that.

We look thin at PF, but we will probably see Marcus, TJ, and PJ slide over there often. We will see if Horny's evaluation of TJ is accurate when he said that TJ defends the 4 position well. If he can do that, he will be very valuable.

Solid evaluation.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No, I really don't. I think the Suns have enough of "stretch 4's" in Tolliver and the Morris Twins. Physically, Brown is even less capable of banging down low than Randolph. The last roster spot should go to a PF/C with legit size who is known for his defense/rim-protection (Ideally all 3 of those traits, but at least 2) - maybe either a young guy w/ potential or a veteran to mentor Len/Plumlee.

Just looking at the FA list, I would prefer for Bernard James, Jermaine O'Neal, Ryan Hollins, and Ekpe Udoh to play over Randolph. Then I'm sure there's guys overseas or young guys who excel at defense/rim-protection too.

The Suns will probably go small a lot this year - It's important to have a 5-man in the middle who can protect the paint with those lineups (or just in general for a team with undersized PF's)... If either Len/Plumlee goes down, I don't trust Randolph (or Tolliver or Markieff) to be that guy.

I don't know if we have a stretch 4 among them. Markieff was a marginal player when he was hanging around the three point line and it wasn't until last season when he went down low and used his butt as an asset that he turned his career around. Marcus might fit the bill but we've not really seen him defend the 4 spot much so I have no idea how that will play out. And Tolliver is nothing but a question mark in my mind. I have hopes but I have doubts too.

Steve

 

[FutureSuperstar]

I hate that we kept Randolph instead of signing a big fat bully type guy who may suck at basketball but is just a monster physically.

I think right now the Suns have the slimmest looking big men in the league. Out of our big men, Kieff is probably the only one that can brag about how much he benches and lifts in the weight room.

(edited)

The main thing is that Randolph is not a defensive/rim-protection big. He's a smart player (so won't make mistakes), good locker room guy, has a solid offensive touch, solid rebounder ... I'm fine with those things for a guy playing garbage time, but this team needs 1 guy on the floor at all times (ideally) to protect the paint w/ the style they play and given their undersized backcourt and PF's.

Defensively - a unit of "Basically pick any 5 guys on the team not named Plumlee or Len" will have trouble protecting the paint and defending overall.

 

[sunsfan88]

Is this post directed at me? If not, then I guess it's just a coincidence after I questioned the Randolph signing someone would be criticizing the same signing in a sarcastic tone ... But that's unlikely

Randolph is not a defensive/rim-protection big - Are you going to argue that? He's a smart player (so won't make mistakes), good locker room guy, has a solid offensive touch, solid rebounder ... I'm fine with those things for a guy playing garbage time, but this team needs 1 guy on the floor at all times (ideally) to protect the paint w/ the style they play and given their undersized backcourt and PF's.

Defensively - a unit of "Basically pick any 5 guys on the team not named Plumlee or Len" will have trouble protecting the paint and defending overall.

Lol I wasn't sarcastically attacking your post. I was serious.

I liked Fesenko from the T-Wolves summer league team. He seems like a guy who is truly awful at anything basketball related but he's a big body who can clog up space in the paint on defense. Plus someone to push Plumlee and Len in practice.