Raptors @ Suns 2-2-16

[sunsfan88]

They probably didn't. If I understood Eddie correctly the other day, the more important players show up on the first page of the report and a lot of times you don't even go beyond that during the season. With Archie coming off 3 horrible games (shooting 7 for 36 and averaging 2.33 assists and 4 turnovers) they probably didn't pay him much attention. Still, I'm okay if anyone wants to cling to the hope that Watson put him in a better position to succeed. It's certainly what I'm hoping for.

That seems pretty rubbish. I think players are supposed to read the whole thing and do that probably two or three times before the game starts. And apart from Booker, Goodwin was probably the 2nd most important player on the Suns with Bledsoe, and Knight out so I doubt that Goodwin, a starter, would be on like the 5th page of the scouting report or something.

I'm not saying he's gonna be a stud under Watson or something. He may very well score a whooping 5 pts next game...that's inconsistency and I expect that from someone his age and experience. That's why what Booker is doing at age of 19 and his rookie season is so mind boggling to me that he's this good and somewhat consistent already when he's so young.

 

[sunsfan88]

Well that's great news. I was afraid that Markieff would continue to play well, taking pressure off of Booker so he could carry us to some unexpected victories. But if we run the offense through Markieff we shouldn't have to worry too much about accidental wins. Seriously though, it's probably too much to put on Devin's shoulders this early in his career. Hopefully, with the trading deadline on the 18th we're only talking about a couple weeks of Morris anyway.

Agreed. I want Kieff to continue to play this well and have this type of usage for two of the same reasons you mentioned above...Booker can finally get less attention from opposing defenses and Kieff improves his trade value in the process...win/win. And Kieff is actually a pretty good passer too when motivated so that should help everyone that's on the court with him.

 

[Catlover]

That seems pretty rubbish. I think players are supposed to read the whole thing and do that probably two or three times before the game starts. And apart from Booker, Goodwin was probably the 2nd most important player on the Suns with Bledsoe, and Knight out so I doubt that Goodwin, a starter, would be on like the 5th page of the scouting report or something.

I'm not saying he's gonna be a stud under Watson or something. He may very well score a whooping 5 pts next game...that's inconsistency and I expect that from someone his age and experience. That's why what Booker is doing at age of 19 and his rookie season is so mind boggling to me that he's this good and somewhat consistent already when he's so young.

Talk to Eddie not me. They have very little time to prepare for games during the season so I'm not surprised that the details are sometimes overlooked. And it's not like they feel the need to get up for the Suns. But Goodwin's issue wasn't your normal inconsistency, it was far more than that. He was just shut down in every way possible. Players have good games and players have bad games but Archie was handcuffed, 3 games straight, following his 3 or 4 game stretch of scoring well.

It's quite possible that having a player like Booker and tonight's version of Markieff is all that it takes to open the court up enough for Archie to thrive. He made some really nice passes tonight and he had players that could turn those passes into assists. It makes me wonder how much better Bledsoe would have been earlier in the season if Morris had been playing basketball instead of mind games.

 

[sunsfan88]

Talk to Eddie not me. They have very little time to prepare for games during the season so I'm not surprised that the details are sometimes overlooked. And it's not like they feel the need to get up for the Suns. But Goodwin's issue wasn't your normal inconsistency, it was far more than that. He was just shut down in every way possible. Players have good games and players have bad games but Archie was handcuffed, 3 games straight, following his 3 or 4 game stretch of scoring well.

It's quite possible that having a player like Booker and tonight's version of Markieff is all that it takes to open the court up enough for Archie to thrive. He made some really nice passes tonight and he had players that could turn those passes into assists. It makes me wonder how much better Bledsoe would have been earlier in the season if Morris had been playing basketball instead of mind games.

Sounds like the new coach is more appreciative of Goodwin than Hornacek was

https://twitter.com/SeanSullivanNBA/status/694745352759414784

https://twitter.com/SeanSullivanNBA/status/694750021296631808

He's proven he belongs but now it's up to him to show under what capacity.

 

[Chaplin]

Post game presser. EW said, point blank, Markieff will be the focus of the offense going forward. Devin Booker will be the second option.

Well. He has clearly defined roles.

Don't get angry with me. I am just the messenger.

Is that assuming Knight is out of the lineup? Because if so, I don't see that much wrong with it if Markieff plays like he did last night.

 

[sunsfan88]

Is that assuming Knight is out of the lineup? Because if so, I don't see that much wrong with it if Markieff plays like he did last night.

Same. Plus when Kieff is actually motivated, he's a willing passer so it's not like he's just gonna shoot the ball everytime he touches it.

 

[devilalum]

So the coach gets canned and Morria decides to play.

Unbelievable. Whatever happened to personal pride and accountability.

Morris has to be the biggest head case to ever wear a Suns uniform.

sent from a fone

 

[Chaplin]

I know nobody thinks this a possibility, and I don't know if I believe it, but everyone is convinced Markieff intentionally played poorly. What if he didn't? What if the way Hornacek was using him was the problem? Could that be a possibility? It seems like most here would say that would be impossible.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I know nobody thinks this a possibility, and I don't know if I believe it, but everyone is convinced Markieff intentionally played poorly. What if he didn't? What if the way Hornacek was using him was the problem? Could that be a possibility? It seems like most here would say that would be impossible.

Or a combination of the two? Markieff seems to have a very delicate psyche. While I do not condone it, I think I understand it. I have a family member with a personality like that. Very insecure, has to be coddled or he cannot seem to function.

 

[Chaplin]

Or a combination of the two? Markieff seems to have a very delicate psyche. While I do not condone it, I think I understand it. I have a family member with a personality like that. Very insecure, has to be coddled or he cannot seem to function.

Could be that he couldn't deal with the adversity a coach like Hornacek would bring to his off-the-court issues. Or lack thereof.

 

[devilalum]

Regardless its hard to imagine the Suns building a contender around Morris even if he plays well for the remainder of the season. The NBA has always had these enigmas and there always seems to be a team that will give them one more chance. I just keep seeing DC.

If I was GM the only problem I'd be wrestling with whether to trade him now or wait til the end of the season and see if his stock rises.

 

[sunsfan88]

How can it be that Hornacek used Kieff properly in his breakout '13-14 season but used him poorly this season?

I just think he played with more effort in the '13-14 season and this season.

 

[GatorAZ]

How can it be that Hornacek used Kieff properly in his breakout '13-14 season but used him poorly this season?

I just think he played with more effort in the '13-14 season and this season.

Because Kieff is highly emotional/sensitive.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Because Kieff is highly emotional/sensitive.

He needs nurturing and love. We need to start calling him mamas boy.

 

[Hoop Head]

He needs nurturing and love. We need to start calling him mamas boy.

I hope he's not around long enough to get a new nickname. I want him gone ASAP but selling low at this point would be foolish. I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay through this season but if he's on the roster next year I won't be attending any games. I try to get to 10 or so games a year but have only been 3 times this season and outside of the Nash retirement ceremony it hasn't been worth the time or money to see this team crumble.

 

[sunsfan88]

I hope he's not around long enough to get a new nickname. I want him gone ASAP but selling low at this point would be foolish. I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay through this season but if he's not on the roster next year I won't be attending any games. I try to get to 10 or so games a year but have been only been 3 times this season and outside of the Nash retirement ceremony it hasn't been worth the time or money to see this team crumble.

I don't think this is what you mean...

 

[Hoop Head]

I don't think this is what you mean...

Not what I meant, thanks.