Suns 2024-2025 Season Discussions

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Yuma

Yuma

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poo, just look at when the Suns drafted Nash. He was buried behind PGs. Doesn't mean he didn't have the talent. When guys switch teams, you see them play better for one team or the other. It's a lot of things. Fit, rank at their position on that team, coaching philosophies that fit/don't fit their skills, meshing with key team mates on that team, etc. Every year we see top college talent play in the Summer league and we see how much many of those guys need to develop just to beat out the bench guys we are talking about. Sure you get a KD in Summer League, but we all talk about how terrible the games are in Summer League.
 

Peter Sheldon

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I believe there are a lot NBA caliber players out there, both here and overseas, that never get the right opportunity.

The Heat has been a good team at finding overlooked and underdeveloped talent.
So true.
Somebody like Ishbia, with deep pockets, should figure out who in Miami is the expert scout(s) and just double their pay and bring them to Phx. Bang for the buck would be enormous. You would wind up with quality players on the cheap (for a few years) for the price of some expensive scouts. Seems well worth the investment.
 

Hoop Head

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poo, just look at when the Suns drafted Nash. He was buried behind PGs. Doesn't mean he didn't have the talent. When guys switch teams, you see them play better for one team or the other. It's a lot of things. Fit, rank at their position on that team, coaching philosophies that fit/don't fit their skills, meshing with key team mates on that team, etc. Every year we see top college talent play in the Summer league and we see how much many of those guys need to develop just to beat out the bench guys we are talking about. Sure you get a KD in Summer League, but we all talk about how terrible the games are in Summer League.

There's the inverse as well where someone looks like they're going to be a star because they're a great athlete or have a certain build but ultimately their actual basketball talent is lacking, see Josh Jackson, Marquese Chriss, and Dragan Bender, I could go on and on as the Suns had teams full of those guys who washed out of the league after being here. Being on an NBA roster doesn't make someone capable of being a credible NBA player.

I think this discussion is a bit ridiculous because what 99.9% of people mean when they say something along the lines of "We need more legit NBA players" is that we need guys who can be rotational players or better. Sometimes there's reasons why those guys aren't in a rotation regularly but when you're competing for a championship you need to pack the roster with guys who will compete for bench roles rather than happily accept being a 14th man, like Damien Lee. If anyone thinks he's going to make it a tough decision for Coach Bud to look over at Lee and Grayson to decide who needs to give Beal a rest then they're delusional. Bismack Biyombo as a good example of someone who can play more than he does but age and injuries have caused him to see less minutes but he's still someone who can be a 3rd string center on a contender because he can cover for a backup when called upon.

There's levels to it, is my point, and this was never a discussion or debate 7-8 years ago when the team sucked and we all asked for legit NBA players, so why now?
 

Mainstreet

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Suns make the signings of Mamadi Diakite, Frank Kaminsky and Moses Wood official.

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Hoop Head

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I know it's wishful thinking but Coach Bud helped turn Brook Lopez from an above average post player that wasn't a good defender into a DPOY. I don't think Frank is going to end up on any Defensive teams but if he can get him to up to average or decent defensive standards then that improvement will go a long way. Frank is already above average offensively.
 

Hoop Head

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Frank is a great locker room guy though.

I read something the other day that 80% of Americans have some strain of herpes. Blew my mind. I remember that being much lower 20 years ago, although I can't say for certain if the previous stat included all versions.
 

Mainstreet

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I read something the other day that 80% of Americans have some strain of herpes. Blew my mind. I remember that being much lower 20 years ago, although I can't say for certain if the previous stat included all versions.

I haven't studied the topic, but I understand it's a virus, so it makes sense.
 

Mainstreet

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Frank Kaminsky says he loves being here: "I love it here. There's no other way I can describe it."

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Chaplin

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Frank Kaminsky says he loves being here: "I love it here. There's no other way I can describe it."

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I hope he makes it. Not sure anyone else vying for that 15th spot fills our needs more than Frank (even if it's still really low level).
 

Covert Rain

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It’s an interesting signing but not going to get too excited. I mean last time he was here and I thought we could use him he couldn’t get off the bench. I really hope Bud is a different coach.
 

Mainstreet

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It’s an interesting signing but not going to get too excited. I mean last time he was here and I thought we could use him he couldn’t get off the bench. I really hope Bud is a different coach.

Frank had some injury problems the last time he was here and was waived. You are right, the Suns might have better used him in their last Finals run against the Bucks. Anyway, Bud should know. If Frank has some gas left in the tank, he could be a third center.

Sometimes I get sentimental and think about bringing JaVale McGee back as well, but those days are probably long past. However, bringing back Isaiah Thomas last season didn't make any sense.
 

Mainstreet

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It's way too early, but Bud gives his starting five. It's not unexpected with the Suns plan to start Tyus Jones.

I hope to see the Suns depth help win some games this season.

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