Rotation Next 10gms

[WuRaider]

Nash
Carter
Hill
Frye
Lopez

That starting lineup above is going to be it for a while. After 11 different starting lineups in the season's first 34 games, Suns coach Alvin Gentry and his staff gave the players an off-day Saturday and met to settle on a lineup and rotation.

He said this will probably be the starting lineup for the next 10 games and that he has learned this is not a team that can have a 10-man rotation. The latter part will be interesting to see play out because the usual odd man out has been Hakim Warrick, who has played well in the Suns' best games and started the second half of Friday's game against New York. But Gentry reflected the Suns' best games came when they were shorthanded at Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/113479

I hope Gentry proves me wrong but my rotation would be:

Nash
Carter
Hill
Warrick
Gortat

Dragic, Dudley, Pietrus/Childress, Frye, Lopez

Goran needs Frye more than Nash and Warrick can get easier passes from Nash. Lopez has looked like ****, I'd like to see what Gortat could with the starting role.

 

[BC867]

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/113479

I hope Gentry proves me wrong but my rotation would be:

Nash
Carter
Hill
Warrick
Gortat

Dragic, Dudley, Pietrus/Childress, Frye, Lopez

Goran needs Frye more than Nash and Warrick can get easier passes from Nash. Lopez has looked like ****, I'd like to see what Gortat could with the starting role.

Absolutely! I know that Gortat gets more minutes at C than Lopez, for example, but chemistry -- who plays best with whom -- is so overlooked by the Suns.

Making a commitment for ten games is great. Making the wrong commitment doesn't cut it.

 

[AfroSuns]

I like the rotation although i would have like Gortat to start instead. Frye's contribution has dropped a lot after he was moved to the bench, hopefully returning to the starting lineup will help.

 

[AfroSuns]

Warrick should not see the floor. i like Childress better.

 

[Gwindor]

Lopez? As starter for next 10 games? Seriously?

 

[Suns_fan69]

Lopez? As starter for next 10 games? Seriously?

That's my reaction too. Gortat has shown that he's miles ahead of lopez right now.

 

[desertdawg]

Lopez.Frye.
These guys probably wouldn't start on many other teams.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Absolutely! I know that Gortat gets more minutes at C than Lopez, for example, but chemistry -- who plays best with whom -- is so overlooked by the Suns.

Making a commitment for ten games is great. Making the wrong commitment doesn't cut it.

Most people here are pissed at Gentry for mixing and matching in an attempt to find the group that plays best together consistently. How else do you arrive at this perfect rotation without trial and error, especially given the turnover we've had the past 6 months.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Lopez? As starter for next 10 games? Seriously?

Do you think that announcing that, in effect, Gortat won't be starting for at least ten games is management's payback for the comments he made to the Press?

I must admit I was pissed when Gortat missed another finger roll instead of attacking the basket, after having done the same thing twice in the last game.

I'm beginning to wonder what his problem is. At this rate, he won't start in the following ten games either.

 

[Gwindor]

Do you think that announcing that, in effect, Gortat won't be starting for at least ten games is management's payback for the comments he made to the Press?

I must admit I was pissed when Gortat missed another finger roll instead of attacking the basket, after having done the same thing twice in the last game.

I'm beginning to wonder what his problem is. At this rate, he won't start in the following ten games either.

I agree that he talks too much. Or maybe... not too much, but too soon. Saying all that after only 3-4 games together with a team was just... irresponsible, even if this is true and someone has to said this. Maybe it is as You said - he is punished for that all "bad D" stuff.

As i said in another topic - he have to start finishing hard. He had some amazing finishing moves when he was in Orlando and i can't see it here in Phoenix..

 

[jibikao]

I agree with this lineup for now (but should give Dudley more minutes).

Not sure how much better Gortat is over Lopez. I know for the game he played more, we still didn't win. Gortat's offense just seems very soft (not that Lopez is strong but stronger).


Frye seems to have confidence issue when Gentry benches him. In tonight's game, Frye shows that he wants that starting spot and he worked hard for it. Just give him some break. We at least won tonight! This team's confidence and self-esteem level is at all-time low. Changing lineup every game does not help at all.

I am glad Gentry finally stick to a plan.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think by saying this is our starting 5 for the next 10 games shows either he is getting pressure from the FO to figure something out or that another trade is coming soon, considering after 10 games we will be at beginning of February with the deadline right around the corner.

However I believe it is more of pressure being placed on him because we play the Knicks again in one week. No one wants a repeats of the Coach that got away and the PF that got away to embarrass us again.

 

[Covert Rain]

Do you think that announcing that, in effect, Gortat won't be starting for at least ten games is management's payback for the comments he made to the Press?

I must admit I was pissed when Gortat missed another finger roll instead of attacking the basket, after having done the same thing twice in the last game.

I'm beginning to wonder what his problem is. At this rate, he won't start in the following ten games either.

It also might be Gentry responding to all the lineup changes and trying to find out if he gives a couple guys consistency in the lineup to make a final determination on what they can do. That is what I hope it is. Either that or Gentry is being damn stubborn on Lopez because everybody can see how worthless this guy is on the boards and defense.

Frye? Not surprised there. We really don't have a true PF. It's either him or Warrick and I don't think either would make a huge difference.

 

[leclerc]

I'd go with Nash - Duds - Hill - Frye (regrettably) - Gortat.
Sub in Dragic - Vince - Childress - Lopez.

Oh boy do we need some talent injection soon...

 

[desertdawg]

I'd go with Nash - Duds - Hill - Frye (regrettably) - Gortat.
Sub in Dragic - Vince - Childress - Lopez.

Oh boy do we need some talent injection soon...

Carter too, he still contributes and creates his own shot, just a little past his prime, lol, a true Sun.

 

[slinslin]

That's my reaction too. Gortat has shown that he's miles ahead of lopez right now.

Yes he was outstanding the last 2 games, the polish layup.

Unlike Lopez who clearly sucked again yesterday when for the first time he got minutes and touches again.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm just so glad the Suns have two centers even though they look average right now. I think Lopez will improve with Gortat pushing him. IMO, this may be why Lopez is looking better now. Lopez has more upside because he is capable of shooting the outside shot. Amare developing his outside shot was one of the reasons he became so difficult to guard, especially after his micro-fracture.

 

[Folster]

Any word on how long Hill will be out for? I think losing Hill may be a blessing in disguise. One less wing will alleviate some of our redundancies as well as free minutes for Warrick and Childress. Grant Hill has been playing fantastic, but playing him is not helping us long term. He is taking minutes away from Childress and Dudley and is helping us win games which hurts our draft position. I'm not happy he's injured, but some good may come of it.

 

[Covert Rain]

Yes he was outstanding the last 2 games, the polish layup.

Unlike Lopez who clearly sucked again yesterday when for the first time he got minutes and touches again.

Thank god those extra minutes allowed him to rebound like a 7 footer should.

 

[slinslin]

Thank god those extra minutes allowed him to rebound like a 7 footer should.

Funny considering Gortat also just gets 5-6 when he plays 36 minutes.

Robin hat 15/6 and 3 blocks in 28 minutes.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Funny considering Gortat also just gets 5-6 when he plays 36 minutes.

Robin hat 15/6 and 3 blocks in 28 minutes.

Funny considering you're pointing to Robin's best performance in a couple of centuries and comparing that to an average performance from a guy who is so new his price tag is still showing. Nothing like stacking the deck. Personally, I prefer to deal seconds rather than sneaking in a cold deck but each to their own.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

Funny considering Gortat also just gets 5-6 when he plays 36 minutes.

Robin hat 15/6 and 3 blocks in 28 minutes.

Funny considering the # of opportunities Lopez has gotten versus Gortat as a starter right? How many is that exactly??

Are you seriously hanging your hat on his 15 points? Really? Did we draft Brook or Robin? My bad...I thought Robin was suppose to be the defensive/rebounding Juggernaut of the two and the entire reason we drafted him.

That is helping your case?

Because I know it's not because of his stellar 6 rebounds in 28 minutes or his defensive #'s this year against opposing players all as a starter. I know it's not because he is currently ranked the 42nd most efficient center in the NBA right now. Maybe it's the Suns stellar WORST IN THE NBA at giving up points from the Center position or 2nd worst in the NBA defensive FG% against opposing centers (all pre Gortat)?

His freaking brother Brook, who was suppose to be inferior defensive player, is averaging more rebounds, blocks and better defensive #'s against opposing players.

That is how bad Robin Lopez is right now at doing the jobs he was drafted for.

 

[elindholm]

Funny considering you're pointing to Robin's best performance in a couple of centuries and comparing that to an average performance from a guy who is so new his price tag is still showing. Nothing like stacking the deck.

The deck is stacked either way, because Gortat is so much older. I think it's pretty clear to everyone now that it wasn't Howard holding Gortat back in Orlando, but Gortat himself. He is what he is, and significant improvement at this stage in his career is vastly unlikely. Lopez, on the other hand, is obviously still learning. Usually he looks lost, but there are stretches during which he demonstrates that he does have the tools to be effective, if only he could figure out how to apply them consistently.

I wouldn't go so far as to predict that Lopez will be a clearly better player than Gortat in three years -- by which time Lopez will still be a year younger than Gortat is now -- but it certainly strikes me as well within the realm of possibility.

 

[Covert Rain]

The deck is stacked either way, because Gortat is so much older. I think it's pretty clear to everyone now that it wasn't Howard holding Gortat back in Orlando, but Gortat himself. He is what he is, and significant improvement at this stage in his career is vastly unlikely. Lopez, on the other hand, is obviously still learning. Usually he looks lost, but there are stretches during which he demonstrates that he does have the tools to be effective, if only he could figure out how to apply them consistently.

I don't think that is clear at all. I think you need to give him the opportunity to start just like we have Lopez to make that evaluation. Playing from behind (which is what we have done every game since the trade) and then playing him is no way to evaluate what he can do with a starting lineup.

I know I sound pro-Gortat but that is only because I know how bad Lopez is. I don't think Gortat is a star by any stretch but you can't get much worse then Lopez unless the Suns start no center at all.

I wouldn't go so far as to predict that Lopez will be a clearly better player than Gortat in three years -- by which time Lopez will still be a year younger than Gortat is now -- but it certainly strikes me as well within the realm of possibility.

There is no evidence of that at all which I think is sad because this team needs a serious infusion of young talent we can look forward to.

 

[BC867]

I don't think Gortat is a star by any stretch but you can't get much worse then Lopez unless the Suns start no center at all.

Once in a decade, such as vs. the Knicks, was enough, thanks.

Correction. That was once too many.