Summer League 2014

[AzStevenCal]

I think it comes down to having realistic expectations. To me, it was clear that Len is a long-term project. It will likely take another 2-3 years for him to be a contributor, and it will take 5-6 years for him to reach his potential. If anyone expected him to contribute his rookie year, they were very disappointed, and they will probably be disappointed again his sophomore year.

I agree but I really don't know why anyone would have expected him to be anything other than a long term project (or a bust). I think your timeline is probably realistic but I would hope that he will be a very solid contributor within three years.

Steve

 

[Dan H]

Adding on to what Steve said...
Given the concern about Len's ankles, adding weight at this point mightn't be a good idea. You'd certainly hope the training staff has had him strengthening the muscles that reduce the stress on those ankle bones - which probably isn't detectable from that picture. I'm glad to see he isn't carrying much body fat.

Great point. Bulking up hurt Rik Smits early in his career. When he lost weight he was more effective, but he always had creaky ankles after as a result of the earlier pounding.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-05-25/sports/1995145132_1_rik-smits-pacers-oneal

Such respect is a far cry from the abuse Smits suffered in his early years after he was drafted from tiny Marist College. "Brutal, unrelenting," said Pacers general manager Donnie Walsh of the criticism.

Rony Seikaly, picked ninth by the Heat in that '88 draft, used to take great pleasure in regularly outplaying Smits, who was raw, injury-prone and the victim of great expectations unfulfilled.

But he has blossomed under Brown. Three other Pacers coaches had urged Smits to bulk up for increased strength; Brown told him to lose weight for better mobility and health. He was the third and fourth option on offense before Brown arrived. He became the center of the offense under Brown.

"He has gotten better athletically and is playing with much greater confidence," Brown said. "The way he has played against some of the real good centers has been a big boost for him and for us."

 

[FutureSuperstar]

Since my last posts seemed harsh on Len, I figured I'll make a positive post about him since I still have high hopes for Len contributing real soon

I think Len is closer to contributing than most people think - Even though I'm biased as a Len fan (I went to Maryland), I think people were too harsh on his rookie performances. Stats-wise, sure Len was bad, but Len's game isn't about stats. His length on defense and rim-protection is his biggest strength and that isn't shown in the box score. I don't have stats to back it up, but teams just didn't seem to score much in the paint when he was in the game. His PER is mainly low because of his low FG% - But taking a closer look, it's because he shot so many jump shots ... If he stayed within his limits more (like a Steven Adams), he would have shot 50+% and had a similar PER as any other Rookie ...

Len's season high in minutes was only 22 - It's hard to develop rhythm when you're not playing, especially for a big man coming off an injury. With context, I don't really see Len's rookie season as disappointing. Was he mediocre overall - Sure, but that's because every Rookie is. Every Rookie from last year either had was named Mason Plumlee, had mediocre stats, or contributed to some of the worst teams in the league ... Like most rookies, we'll be able to see Len's game more in his 2nd season. I don't think he's far off at all from contributing.

 

[SirStefan32]

I agree but I really don't know why anyone would have expected him to be anything other than a long term project (or a bust). I think your timeline is probably realistic but I would hope that he will be a very solid contributor within three years.

Steve

In today's society everyone wants something and they expect it NOW. I think basketball fans are just less patient then they used to be, especially the younger generation.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think it comes down to having realistic expectations. To me, it was clear that Len is a long-term project. It will likely take another 2-3 years for him to be a contributor, and it will take 5-6 years for him to reach his potential. If anyone expected him to contribute his rookie year, they were very disappointed, and they will probably be disappointed again his sophomore year.

This was always my take although I would like for Len to surprise in some facets of his game early.

 

[Phrazbit]

My lack of hope with Len does not have to do with him failing any expectations, rather he was basically what I thought he would be. A slow dude (yes, slow, I dont care about the fact he used to be a gymnast, neither in college or as a pro has he appeared to be fast), with bad hands, little instinct for the game and a poor motor. The motor part is what bothers me the most. He is a ghost for a large portion of his time on the floor.

I would have needed to see something from him this last year to change my opinion and sadly, I didnt. Len's rookie season reinforced my belief that his most likely comparison is Tomofey Mozgov but without the hustle.

 

[Errntknght]

what I expect to see from Len is a growing sense that he can play with the older bigs. He looked competent playing against Steven Adams, a fellow rookie but I think he worries too much when he's going against established players. I also expect Hornacek to get him focused on defense... correct footwork and maintaining position; staying calm when the opponents shoot. He seems to have an interest in defending but he doesn't have great instincts for it so he'll have to learn where he needs to locate himself on the floor. Good coaching and hard work will get him there.

If we don't get Kevin Love or someone else that moves us into actual contention this year I'd rather Jeff didn't go all out to make the playoffs. The longer term view is that we need to bring Goodwin and Len along rapidly - which means more playing time than they have 'earned', strictly speaking. I'm not certain they'll become players that can carry us into contention but they certainly look like the best bets to do it at this juncture.

 

[SirStefan32]

what I expect to see from Len is a growing sense that he can play with the older bigs. He looked competent playing against Steven Adams, a fellow rookie but I think he worries too much when he's going against established players. I also expect Hornacek to get him focused on defense... correct footwork and maintaining position; staying calm when the opponents shoot. He seems to have an interest in defending but he doesn't have great instincts for it so he'll have to learn where he needs to locate himself on the floor. Good coaching and hard work will get him there.

If we don't get Kevin Love or someone else that moves us into actual contention this year I'd rather Jeff didn't go all out to make the playoffs. The longer term view is that we need to bring Goodwin and Len along rapidly - which means more playing time than they have 'earned', strictly speaking. I'm not certain they'll become players that can carry us into contention but they certainly look like the best bets to do it at this juncture.

I could not agree more. Of course, there is Dragic to worry about- I am sure everyone wants to make playoffs and he will be a FA, but seeing how he came back after we dumped him like a piece of trash last time, I think he'd be OK. Develop your youngsters. If you happen to make playoffs in the process- great; if not- no big deal.

 

[leclerc]

Any of you guys like how Robin Lopez played for the Blazers this year? How long did we have him in Phoenix? Centers need more time. Call me in three years and we'll see how he (Len) does. Hopefully great and hopefully for the Suns.

 

[PDXChris]

Any of you guys like how Robin Lopez played for the Blazers this year? How long did we have him in Phoenix? Centers need more time. Call me in three years and we'll see how he (Len) does. Hopefully great and hopefully for the Suns.

Played and started all 82 gamese each of the last two season. Averaged 11 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.7 BPG. They love him up here and LaMarcus Aldridge feels he and the development of Lillard were the keys to the big improvment they had this year. Took a lot of pressure off of him, which is interesting considering Aldridge had his best year as a pro.

 

[BC867]

Call me in three years and we'll see how he (Len) does. Hopefully great and hopefully for the Suns.

And, in the meantime . . . ?

 

[Superbone]

This Summer Suns team may kick ass:

PG - Tyler Ennis
SG - Archie Goodwin
SF - T.J. Warren
PF - Alec Brown
C - Alex Len

 

[sunsfan88]

This Summer Suns team may kick ass:

PG - Tyler Ennis
SG - Archie Goodwin
SF - T.J. Warren
PF - Alec Brown
C - Alex Len

No Plumlee?

 

[Superbone]

No Plumlee?

I don't know. Good question. I guess he's eligible, right?

 

[sunsfan88]

I don't know. Good question. I guess he's eligible, right?

Yes. It is not common for 3rd year+ players to play in the summer league even though the Morris twins and Tucker still did it last year.

Personally, I think Plumlee could use the summer league reps.

 

[slinslin]

I highly doubt Plumlee will play summer league.

But Bogdanovic should play summer league I guess.

 

[Griffin]

I think Plumlee willl almost certainly play in the summer league. He hardly played his rookie season and he wasn't on the Suns summer league roster last year.

 

[Mainstreet]

Paul Coro released a list of some of the Summer League Suns:

Paul Coro @paulcoro · 5m

Summer #Suns: Seth Curry, Elias Harris, Taylor Braun, David Stockton, Alex Oriakhi, Plumlee, Goodwin, Len, Christmas, Warren, Ennis & Brown.

https://twitter.com/paulcoro

It should be interesting to watch.

 

[Chaz]

I think Plumlee willl almost certainly play in the summer league. He hardly played his rookie season and he wasn't on the Suns summer league roster last year.

Because he was on Indiana's SL team and played well. One of the reasons they asked for him in the trade I suspect.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So

C--Len, Plumlee
PF--Brown, Oriakhi
SF--Warren, Harris, Christmas
SG--Goodwin, Braun
PG--Ennis, Curry, Stockton

Not sure what Stockton has done to warrant a shot. Oriakhi is always interesting. He is the type of player that BC likes. He's a bull of a pf.

 

[Chaz]

I am interested to see how much progress Alex Oriakhi has made since last year..

Could be the banger/dirt worker off the bench we need at the 4.

 

[Mainstreet]

So

C--Len, Plumlee
PF--Brown, Oriakhi
SF--Warren, Harris, Christmas
SG--Goodwin, Braun
PG--Ennis, Curry, Stockton

Not sure what Stockton has done to warrant a shot. Oriakhi is always interesting. He is the type of player that BC likes. He's a bull of a pf.

Just guessing but I think Jeff Hornacek has a lot of respect for John Stockton. Also he coached the young Stockton before. If Jeff wants to give him a look, I have no problem with it, deserved or not.

 

[Superbone]

Not sure what Stockton has done to warrant a shot.

Be the son of coach Hornacek's good friend John Stockton, if we're being honest.

Edit: Main beat me to it.

 

[Mainstreet]

Be the son of coach Hornacek's good friend John Stockton, if we're being honest.

Edit: Main beat me to it.

IMO, David Stockton looks a lot like his Dad. When you see him, it's almost like let's suit him up and he can play like John Stockton.

 

[95pro]

NO should have kept Noel. It's only one day in but imagine some mobile big men paired together in NO.