Spurs @ Suns 2-21-16

[Mainstreet]

The Spurs play at the Suns today with a 3 p.m. Arizona start time. Alex Len is scheduled to start.

 

[devilalum]

I heard Poppvoch is going to pick 5 guys at random from the crowd for his starting lineup.

sent from a fone

 

[Mainstreet]

I heard Poppvoch is going to pick 5 guys at random from the crowd for his starting lineup.

sent from a fone

Sadly they would still win. (a little sarcasm)

Popovich has plug and play players in his system.

 

[slinslin]

Price, Tucker, Humphries and Len starting, what incredible offensive skill and power.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns started Price over Goodwin at PG. With Len at center and Humphries at PF the Suns have a traditional lineup. Booker and Tucker are the other starters.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm liking Humphries at PF. It's been so long that the Suns have had a rebounding PF. I can't help but root for Pressey. He can pass.

 

[BC867]

I assume and hope the coaches are working with Devin Booker and his teammates to help him make this first adjustment as a focal point, now that the Suns are playing a traditional lineup.

'Good showing in the first half by Len. One board away from a double-double.

Price to Len for an easy stuff. Good to see.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are really playing well right now. It's almost as if someone flipped a switch. Alex Len is having a nice game. He is quite mobile today.

 

[BC867]

Good rotation selection by our Coach; players at their natural positions, driving to the basket for shots or passes. And we are within 4 of the Spurs with 4 1/2 minutes to go.

It's fun to watch again. Even if we lose and maintain our drafting position.

 

[Mainstreet]

Good rotation selection by our Coach; players at their natural positions, driving to the basket for shots or passes. And we are within 4 of the Spurs with 4 1/2 minutes to go.

It's fun to watch again. Even if we lose and maintain our drafting position.

You said it BC, the Suns are fun to watch again. Let's hope it carries over.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Alex Len has games like this. Its like 1 out 3 or 4 in his good stretches. Its actually frustrating. 1 out of 2 and he is is playing decent, 2 out of 3 and he is really good.

 

[Mainstreet]

Alex Len has games like this. Its like 1 out 3 or 4 in his good stretches. Its actually frustrating. 1 out of 2 and he is is playing decent, 2 out of 3 and he is really good.

I'm glad the light is coming on. This gives hope for the future at age 22.

 

[BC867]

You said it BC, the Suns are fun to watch again. Let's hope it carries over.

Which is why Hornacek had to go with games left to play this season, for the morale of the players and fans.

Man, the revolving door of players at the 1 and 4. Early training camp. And somehow team chemistry on offense has looked pretty good.

 

[Mainstreet]

Which is why Hornacek had to go with games left to play this season, for the morale of the players and fans.

Man, the revolving door of players at the 1 and 4. Early training camp. And somehow team chemistry on offense has looked pretty good.

It also allows the Suns to see which players are productive given time. Archie can produce as a scorer and the Suns get to look at the PFs to see who they want to keep at this position.

I like the energy and passing Pressey brings to the Suns.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Pressey kind of like Ish maybe?

 

[FutureSuperstar]

Alex Len has games like this. Its like 1 out 3 or 4 in his good stretches. Its actually frustrating. 1 out of 2 and he is is playing decent, 2 out of 3 and he is really good.

Sorry to basically call out your post, but I will.

Len continues to play CONSISTENTLY pretty solid … I purposely said consistently because reading this comment + some comments on other Suns message boards, there’s a lot of inconsistent talk when it comes to Len right now, but if you actually evaluate how he’s played in the 13 games since his 3 game injury absence he’s been producing:

To save people time from looking up the game logs: Here are the minutes – points – rebounds breakdowns:

*** = Good performance in my opinion

21-6-12 ***
35-13-8 ***
35-16-12 ***
34-16-12 ***
27-4-4
17-6-7 ***
15-6-8 ***
16-2-4
27-12-18 ***
15-5-3
23-13-8 ***
14-6-7 ***
24-23-13 ***

So 11 of the 14 games he’s produced, then he had 1 alright game, and 2 duds … All of this w/ inconsistent minutes, no PG, and still have a hand that’s not 100%

Yes, I’m a big supporter of Len and I think the “inconsistency” talk surrounding him this whole year is mainly because of his minute fluncuation from game to game, not his actual play – And about his TERRIBLE stretch of like 10 games playing injured around the New Years (where he shot like 30%) … Before his hand injury and after injury, he’s been CONSISTENTLY pretty good

 

[elindholm]

Yes, I’m a big supporter of Len and I think the “inconsistency” talk surrounding him this whole year is mainly because of his minute fluncuation from game to game, not his actual play

Do you think it's possible that his minutes fluctuate because his play is inconsistent? Or are the coaches so inconsistent with his minutes because they're, uh, dumb or cruel or something?

 

[BC867]

Do you think it's possible that his minutes fluctuate because his play is inconsistent? Or are the coaches so inconsistent with his minutes because they're, uh, dumb or cruel or something?

My reaction is that Jeff was the "inconsistent" factor this season. I guess he really believed that he was outsmarting each night's opponent with a rotation playing match-up. And with little regard for the importance of developing team chemistry on both offense and defense, way beyond the injuries.

Maybe, just maybe, if each player was more comfortable in his role and routine, there would have been less injuries.
Sort of a second nature reaction to movement on the court. What do you think?

 

[Mainstreet]

Pressey kind of like Ish maybe?

Some of the speed is there like Ish although Ish's speed may be at a different level than most anyone. Also Elliot Perry and IT come to mind concerning size and speed. I like Pressey's passing ability. If he can run the team like tonight, I'd like to keep him. However, I tend to root for the underdog trying to make the team like Jordan McRae. I do think Pressey's passing ability is real.

 

[FutureSuperstar]

Do you think it's possible that his minutes fluctuate because his play is inconsistent? Or are the coaches so inconsistent with his minutes because they're, uh, dumb or cruel or something?

I see your point, but to answer that I'll kind of say what the poster said after me and just say I think the coaching staff has mis-used Len's minutes this season. And not just Len's - Most of the players. It's the same reason why Chandler, Goodwin, Booker, Teletovic, leur, etc. all apear "inconsistent" - It's because Hornacek in particular earlier in the season just mix and matched his lineups + didn't allow the team to create any sort of rhythm/identity.

Again, I see your point, but I don't think that's really been the case w/ Len. I mean a few of the low minute games he's had in this last stretch he's put up great #'s (A point/rebound every 2 minutes for example)

Don't want to go in circles w/ Len (But I will I guess, lol), but I think the main areas of concern/frustration for Len this season are his: Turnovers, FG%, and blocks (I'm not including fouls because he's improved in this area and I don't think it's a major issue) ...

My thoughts on these 3:

1. Turnovers - A valid concern. Len seems to make a bonehead play or 2 every game that results in a turnover. Hopefully experience and getting a rhythm playing will fix this, but this is something he can improve on.

2. FG% - It's around 46% ... I think this # is not an area of concern really because if you take out his 10-12 game stretch playing w 1 hand where it was around 30%, it would be around 50% for the season. And w/ the amount of jumpers he's taken this season, this is a solid mark. Not a great mark - He can definitely improve his %'s, but it's OK

3. Blocked shots - His blocks per game this season has really fallen. Last year Len was a GREAT shot-blocker in terms of #'s, this year he's been alright. Hard to explain why really, he might just be playing it safe. Even w/ the #'s decrease, his blocks were so high last year, his rim-protection abilities are still average/good being a 7-1 guy who's #'s are comparable to most centers

If Len just hones in on the few areas above, gets touches like he did tonight, he'll be in good shape I think. When I envision where the guys in the 2013 Draft class will be over the next 5 years, call me crazy but I still see Len as being the best player from this class. Right now, I would say Gobert/Giannis are above Len based off what has shown - But nobody else has really passed Len in my opinion (even Noel). I think Giannis' lack of improvement the last couple years is a bit disconcerning and I think Len has much more potential offensively once he gets more touches/experience. That's his advantage over Gobert for the future too I believe. We'll see.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Price, Tucker, Humphries and Len starting, what incredible offensive skill and power.

Suns played 4 on 5?

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns played 4 on 5?

I'm thinking starting shooting guard Devin Booker was left out on purpose because he is considered more of an offensive weapon than the other 4. Len had a very good game tonight with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

 

[sunsfan88]

Booker is hitting the rookie wall. That's fine and expected, hope he doesn't get frustrated and does figure it out being the #1 option now on an NBA team as a 19 year old.

 

[sunsfan88]

Suns are apparently the only team in NBA history to lose every game on a homestand of at least 7 games.

 

[GatorAZ]

Booker is hitting the rookie wall. That's fine and expected, hope he doesn't get frustrated and does figure it out being the #1 option now on an NBA team as a 19 year old.

Not a bad thing at all. When ppl anoint him as the next Ray Allen you're only setting him up for dissapointment this early. He is very mature sounding for his age and has excellent measurables. I think in 3-4 years he could project into a top-3 SG if the Suns don't screw up his development somehow.