Should the Suns keep Ryan McDonough as GM

[MaoTosiFanClub]

How can we forget refusing to include Josh Jackson in a Kyrie trade?

 

[Cheesebeef]

People have other views on the moves he's made, you don't need to try and convince everyone else that he should be fired. Everyone knows where you stand regarding McD but not everyone agrees with you and no matter how much you try and bash each thing that he's done the majority of people aren't going to change their mind.

The Suns never met with Griffin so McD never pitched him or tried to bring him in. You aren't trying to acquire someone in free agency unless you've met with them or their agent and he didn't meet with Griffin or his agent. He did try and bring Aldridge in but came up short, it happens.

You don't want him to try and sign a big name free agent because the ones that have been available wouldn't help the Suns enough, in your opinion. However you also don't want them to tank for a top pick this year because you're disappointed with how the Suns have played this year. So how is he supposed to add a star if he doesn't go after them in free agency or by trying to get a top draft pick? All that's left is trading for one and they're not available all the time. If there was one available to trade for I'm sure he would have tried but there's no point this season because that would have screwed up our draft position.

Again, just answer me one question: Do you think after signing two awful Head Coaches, McD should get a chance for the third time to sign a new one? If so, what gives you the confidence in him to do so.

 

[Cheesebeef]

How can we forget refusing to include Josh Jackson in a Kyrie trade?

I don’t know if you’re being sarcastic or not, but IMO, this is a strike against him as well.

Kyrie is a superstar... and young. (Which is what separates him from Aldridge and Griffin, neither or which are superstars and much older).

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don’t know if you’re being sarcastic or not, but IMO, this is a strike against him as well.

Kyrie is a superstar... and young. (Which is what separates him from Aldridge and Griffin, neither or which are superstars and much older).

Yeah a major strike. Would've saved his job since we'd be in the playoffs right now and likely a desirable FA destination this summer.

 

[Hoop Head]

Again, just answer me one question: Do you think after signing two awful Head Coaches, McD should get a chance for the third time to sign a new one? If so, what gives you the confidence in him to do so.

Yes. I think McD's hands have been tied somewhat regarding coaching decisions. He hired Hornacek in year one and I believe that was pushed on him by Sarver because of him being a fan favorite in Phoenix still. No one predicted Hornacek to be as inept of a coach as he’s been so far, not just in Phoenix but in general. When it came to hiring Watson he made the mistake of trying to appease the roster because they all requested he be kept on as the head coach after his half season as the interim. He proved to be horrible at X’s and O’s but good with the players themselves. Watson did help start developing the young talent we have but I don’t think he was ever meant to be the coach that would lead the team once they had a solid core in place and were ready to compete for a playoff spot. The only way Watson would have been kept then is if he proved to be a solid strategic coach by that point and he hadn’t. He wasn’t prepared to be a head coach in the league and neither was Hornacek. I’m fairly certain McD knows he needs to hire a coach with NBA experience going forward after having 2 rookie coaches underperform here. Triano has been good but he’s been clear that he doesn’t want to be a head coach in the NBA so I don’t he him being kept on even if he’s interviewed. McD deserves the chance to assemble the roster for a coach that knows what they’re doing. If it doesn’t work out, fire him. He is under contract through 2020 right now.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Cheese didn't you say a couple posts ago you don't want him canned right now?

Plus you are worried about McD hiring another lousy coach when you should worry about Sarver hiring another lousy gm. He's been through his share of them too.

Agreed. But blind luck at this point couldn’t be worse so I’m willing to roll the dice again because McD has crapped one too many times.

 

[Cheesebeef]

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Yes. I think McD's hands have been tied somewhat regarding coaching decisions. He hired Hornacek in year one and I believe that was pushed on him by Sarver because of him being a fan favorite in Phoenix still. No one predicted Hornacek to be as inept of a coach as he’s been so far, not just in Phoenix but in general. When it came to hiring Watson he made the mistake of trying to appease the roster because they all requested he be kept on as the head coach after his half season as the interim. He proved to be horrible at X’s and O’s but good with the players themselves. Watson did help start developing the young talent we have but I don’t think he was ever meant to be the coach that would lead the team once they had a solid core in place and were ready to compete for a playoff spot. The only way Watson would have been kept then is if he proved to be a solid strategic coach by that point and he hadn’t. He wasn’t prepared to be a head coach in the league and neither was Hornacek. I’m fairly certain McD knows he needs to hire a coach with NBA experience going forward after having 2 rookie coaches underperform here. Triano has been good but he’s been clear that he doesn’t want to be a head coach in the NBA so I don’t he him being kept on even if he’s interviewed. McD deserves the chance to assemble the roster for a coach that knows what they’re doing. If it doesn’t work out, fire him. He is under contract through 2020 right now.

Okay... that’s a whole lot of supposition and excuses based on zero facts, but okay.

now tell me why a head coach with experience would partner up with a GM who’s done nothing but flush his team repeatedly down the toilet for the last three years and who most here only think should get one more year to prove himself?

 

[Chaplin]

Agree.

McDonough has placed the Suns in position to have a great summer. Let's see him reap the fruits of his labor.

It's great to see a GM not throw cash after players and seek mediocrity. Bledsoe and Knight were learning moments.

Yeah, except we've heard that tired song before.

 

[Mainstreet]

What are you talking about? Our GM ABSOLUTELY tried to throw huge ridiculous money at Aldridge and Griffin which would have elevated us to mediocrity and keep us there forever with their massive contracts killing our cap. Just because he couldn’t sign those guys doesn’t mean he didn’t try. And even there he failed.

Also, we’re not where we are because of the fruits of McD’s labor. His plan WASN’T to tank. And the Bucks/Miami picks might not even convey this year and even if one of them, it’s nit going to be a high pick. We are where we are because of McD’s incompetence in choosing coaches and not finding anyone but Booker to be a legit stud despite having nothing but lotto picks his entire time here.

Just answer me one question: Do you believe that McD can find a good coach after the disastrous Horny/Watson decisions?

McDonough's goal all along has been to acquire a star player so I can't fault him for trying to acquire Aldridge and Griffin. When he was unable to do this he kept to the alternate plan of building through the draft. This is where the Suns are today. Try to get another high draft pick and use assets to acquire a key player.

In regards to hiring a head coach, I'm banking on Mcdonough has learned from experience and he will use due diligence this time around.

I think where we different on our view of McDonough, you view him as a finished product whereas I still see him just now peaking as a GM.

 

[Chaplin]

McDonough's goal all along has been to acquire a star player so I can't fault him for trying to acquire Aldridge and Griffin. When he was unable to do this he kept to the alternate plan of building through the draft. This is where the Suns are today. Try to get another high draft pick and use assets to acquire a key player.

In regards to hiring a head coach, I'm banking on Mcdonough has learned from experience and he will use due diligence this time around.

I think where we different on our view of McDonough, you view him as a finished product whereas I still see him just now peaking as a GM.

You think he's PEAKING? Seriously? Time to take off those purple-lensed glasses.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, except we've heard that tired song before.

You think he's PEAKING? Seriously? Time to take off those purple-lensed glasses.

I do think McDonough is peaking as a GM. For example, he acquired Daniels and Payton for virtually nothing and he has been able to keep most of his assets to use for this summer and perhaps beyond.

Now if the Suns do not look good heading into the fall, I will be the first one to admit it.

 

[Hoop Head]

Okay... that’s a whole lot of supposition and excuses based on zero facts, but okay.

now tell me why a head coach with experience would partner up with a GM who’s done nothing but flush his team repeatedly down the toilet for the last three years and who most here only think should get one more year to prove himself?

The Suns have a good young roster and I imagine there are plenty of coaches out there that would like to coach a team with Booker, Warren, whoever the pick is this season, in addition to Chriss and Bender. It's a more attractive position than Memphis, who also has a head coach job available.

A good coach looks at the roster and I'm sure they'd talk with McD about the plans for the future before being hired. McD doesn't have this awful reputation around the league where experienced coaches won't talk with him or work for him.

 

[Covert Rain]

I do think McDonough is peaking as a GM. For example, he acquired Daniels and Payton for virtually nothing and he has been able to keep most of his assets to use for this summer and perhaps beyond.

Now if the Suns do not look good heading into the fall, I will be the first one to admit it.

I am with Chap on this one. I don't think you can call a GM peaking unless he has put a consistent winning product on the floor and shown a pattern of keeping the talent pool at a high level while maintaining that success.

Tons of GM's have brought in hopefuls, potential guys and pulled of shrewd moves that in the end never amounted to a winning product on the floor.

 

[Chaplin]

I do think McDonough is peaking as a GM. For example, he acquired Daniels and Payton for virtually nothing and he has been able to keep most of his assets to use for this summer and perhaps beyond.

Now if the Suns do not look good heading into the fall, I will be the first one to admit it.

Lance Blanks got 2 draft picks for Steve Nash. Was he peaking then?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I do think McDonough is peaking as a GM. For example, he acquired Daniels and Payton for virtually nothing and he has been able to keep most of his assets to use for this summer and perhaps beyond.

Now if the Suns do not look good heading into the fall, I will be the first one to admit it.

I am with Chap on this one. I don't think you can call a GM peaking unless he has put a consistent winning product on the floor and shown a pattern of keeping the talent pool at a high level while maintaining that success.

Tons of GM's have brought in hopefuls, potential guys and pulled of shrewd moves that in the end never amounted to a winning product on the floor.

not only that, but how can he be peaking after we all agree he had to take pennies on the dollar after not foreseeing the obvious problem Bledsoe presented going into this season? And how can we also be expected to believe McD has learned from his mistakes, when after being roundly criticized by former players and the media for airing dirty laundry, he did it AGAIN this year with Bledsoe. He's literally NOT learning from his mistakes and yet... he's peaking as the team heads towards it's WORST season of his entire tenure?

That just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am with Chap on this one. I don't think you can call a GM peaking unless he has put a consistent winning product on the floor and shown a pattern of keeping the talent pool at a high level while maintaining that success.

Tons of GM's have brought in hopefuls, potential guys and pulled of shrewd moves that in the end never amounted to a winning product on the floor.

When I say peaking, McDonough has been trending upwards... towards this draft.

I agree he has not proven he can put a winning product on the floor as yet but I am hoping he is nearing the top.

Once he starts winning and maintaining the talent pool, he will have arrived.

 

[Mainstreet]

Lance Blanks got 2 draft picks for Steve Nash. Was he peaking then?

I don't think Blanks or Babby had any idea they could get much of anything for Nash until the Lakers, along with Nash, created the opportunity for him to get more money by signing with the Lakers.

Definitely did not like Blanks as a GM.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't think Blanks or Babby had any idea they could get much of anything out of Nash until the Lakers along with Nash created the opportunity for him to get more money by signing with the Lakers.

Definitely did not like Blanks as a GM.

Way to dodge the question.

How is McD on an upward trajectory? Getting Payton for a 2nd rounder? Does that cancel out the terrible trade he made for our best player a few months ago?

 

[Mainstreet]

not only that, but how can he be peaking after we all agree he had to take pennies on the dollar after not foreseeing the obvious problem Bledsoe presented going into this season? And how can we also be expected to believe McD has learned from his mistakes, when after being roundly criticized by former players and the media for airing dirty laundry, he did it AGAIN this year with Bledsoe. He's literally NOT learning from his mistakes and yet... he's peaking as the team heads towards it's WORST season of his entire tenure?

That just doesn't make any sense to me.

Come on. You wanted the Suns to tank.

 

[Covert Rain]

When I say peaking, McDonough has been trending upwards... towards this draft.

I agree he has not proven he can put a winning product on the floor as yet but I am hoping he is nearing the top.

Once he starts winning and maintaining the talent pool, he will have arrived.

OK, but that's not peaking right now. Let's say he does all this stuff and right now it appears he is doing all this great stuff. If 5 seasons from now the Suns are EXACTLY the way they are now....NOBODY and I mean NOBODY will look back and say he was peaking will they?

 

[Chaplin]

Come on. You wanted the Suns to tank.

That's completely missing the point.

So a GM peaks if the tank is being successful? He only started tanking a year ago! And in that time, again, he traded away our best player for nothing.

 

[Mainstreet]

OK, but that's not peaking right now. Let's say he does all this stuff and right now it appears he is doing all this great stuff. If 5 seasons from now the Suns are EXACTLY the way they are now....NOBODY and I mean NOBODY will look back and say he was peaking will they?

Yes, this is true. But if the Suns start taking off take next season this will mark when the Suns begin their upward rise.

 

[Covert Rain]

Yes, this is true. But if the Suns start taking off take next season this will mark when the Suns begin their upward rise.

OK, that's fair but on the rise as a GM is a tad different than peaking to me but that just my two cents.

 

[Mainstreet]

That's completely missing the point.

So a GM peaks if the tank is being successful? He only started tanking a year ago! And in that time, again, he traded away our best player for nothing.

When I talk about McDonough's career as a GM starting to peak, this is how I view it.

If not, it will be a train wreck.

 

[Mainstreet]

OK, that's fair but on the rise as a GM is a tad different than peaking to me but that just my two cents.

I didn't say McDonough had peaked.

Hopefully his career is starting to peak... or crash depending on the results forthcoming.