Suns 3 games out of 8th seed already....

[Yuma]

I know it's not halfway into the season yet, but 31 games in, I believe, and the Suns are on the outside looking in already. Is this team really going to be a lottery team this season? We should have enough talent and pride to eke out the eighth seed right? Or am I just delusional?

 

[BC867]

Without the addition of two legitimate Power Forwards, one in the starting lineup and one off the bench, the Suns are an incomplete team. Especially down the stretch and into the playoffs.

As someone mentioned in another post, we have more Wings than a bucketful of KFC. But the inability to muscle up is not a laughing matter.

It is ruining the careers of every Center or Power Forward who is forced to be our only Big on the court. And certainly not making the Suns a playoff caliber team.

'Sad to say.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I know it's not halfway into the season yet, but 31 games in, I believe, and the Suns are on the outside looking in already. Is this team really going to be a lottery team this season? We should have enough talent and pride to eke out the eighth seed right? Or am I just delusional?

I'd hate to suggest anyone was delusional but I think we are right about where our talent mix indicates we should be. Before the season started I thought we would likely finish between 10th and 14th. I feel a little bit better about our roster following the trade but the improvement in the roster will probably be offset by the lack of familiarity a mid-season trade brings.

Steve

 

[jibikao]

Is Warrick injured recently? Didn't he play power forward position early on? Why don't they let him start with Nash more? If I remember correctly, Warrick only started one or two games. Warrick is 6'9 and while he is a bit on the short side, he can at least fight for position and box out more than say... Frye? I like Grant Hill but he ain't power forward and he is old.


I am puzzled why Warrick isn't playing more minutes as starter with Nash. I felt Warrick didn't have enough time to gel with Nash when Turkoglu was on the team.

Nash and Turk just don't mesh that well. Turk is actually a decent point forward.


You guys watched the games. Is Warrick that bad that another bench player from Magic Pietrus can immediately start over him and play 30+ minutes?

 

[Chaplin]

You guys watched the games. Is Warrick that bad that another bench player from Magic Pietrus can immediately start over him and play 30+ minutes?

Yep, he's pretty much that bad. He can't play defense and he consistently loses the ball near the rim. Disappointing, but it is what it is. And unfortunately, other teams see that as well and he loses whatever trade value he had.

 

[jagu]

I can't believe how bad Warrick is defensively. I didn't see that coming.

 

[jibikao]

My other question, is Pietrus' defense that good?

I searched Pietrus a bit.. I thought his shooting % has always been low. Well, back in Orlando last season, he was shooting even less % at 0.391?! He actually improves a bit here in Phoenix at 0.42!


Oh and how about Childress? Judging from highlights, he seems to be playing pretty hard. I've seen him block some shots. How come he isn't playing much?

 

[Covert Rain]

My other question, is Pietrus' defense that good?

I searched Pietrus a bit.. I thought his shooting % has always been low. Well, back in Orlando last season, he was shooting even less % at 0.391?! He actually improves a bit here in Phoenix at 0.42!


Oh and how about Childress? Judging from highlights, he seems to be playing pretty hard. I've seen him block some shots. How come he isn't playing much?

Pietrus, according to many NBA analysts is suppose to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. I have watched him closely and he appears to be pretty good. Although I bet he gets stuck in more bad rotation defense on this team then he ever did with Orlando. His defensive PER stats in Orlando were pretty damn good. Not sure if that will hold up here.

Also, I think the problem is that we are seeing a tendency of him chucking up bad shots which is hurting this team in that side of the ball. I have no problem with him taking a wide open shot. However, last game he took a bunch of really bad shots with guys in his face. I remember him driving alot to the hoop in Orlando. Victim of the system or getting MarionITIS falling in love with the 3?

Not sure.

 

[sunsfan88]

I think Warrick has the least desire to play defense out of everyone in the NBA.

When he comes on the court, he's all happy to be on offense but then just sleeps through the defense.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think Warrick has the least desire to play defense out of everyone in the NBA.

When he comes on the court, he's all happy to be on offense but then just sleeps through the defense.

Not sure that is accurate. He might have lapses like everyone else on the court but his defensive #'s look good.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Warrick has the least desire to play defense out of everyone in the NBA.

When he comes on the court, he's all happy to be on offense but then just sleeps through the defense.

Come on now. There's a difference between not caring and just not having the skills. The guy wouldn't be in the NBA if he didn't have the desire to play defense. That's just alarmist. Plain and simple, he just doesn't have the skill level to play great defense. Has nothing to do with desire.

 

[jibikao]

Pietrus, according to many NBA analysts is suppose to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. I have watched him closely and he appears to be pretty good. Although I bet he gets stuck in more bad rotation defense on this team then he ever did with Orlando. His defensive PER stats in Orlando were pretty damn good. Not sure if that will hold up here.

Also, I think the problem is that we are seeing a tendency of him chucking up bad shots which is hurting this team in that side of the ball. I have no problem with him taking a wide open shot. However, last game he took a bunch of really bad shots with guys in his face. I remember him driving alot to the hoop in Orlando. Victim of the system or getting MarionITIS falling in love with the 3?

Not sure.

Maybe everyone thinks they should shoot 3pt as soon as they wear Suns jersey. IE: Frey.

 

[Superbone]

Maybe everyone thinks they should shoot 3pt as soon as they wear Suns jersey. IE: Frey.

Isn't that the guy from the Eagles?

 

[Yuma]

Isn't that the guy from the Eagles?

Can he rebound?