I would have liked to have rewarded Bridges for his good play and let him start in front of his home crowd. At least this one game would have been justified while Ariza works his way back.
Suns @ 76ers 11-19-18
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The way he has played this year, other than the first game, he is arguably our worst player and certainly one of our worst players.
If local sources, including John Gambadoro, are to be believed, Ariza checked out pretty much immediately after the season started, has grumbled about wanting out and is not putting forth full effort, much like Bledsoe last year.
Then I blame politics (front office, Sarver) and then maybe Kokoskov, but remember (source unconfirmed):
"In Soviet Russia you coach basketball team for owner. But in NBA city Phoenix, owner coach basketball team for you."
"In Soviet Russia you coach basketball team for owner. But in NBA city Phoenix, owner coach basketball team for you."
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Current cumulative plus-minus status for this season:
Mikal Bridges leads the team at +18.
Trevor Ariza is dead last at -157. Second to last is Josh Jackson at -101.
Current cumulative plus-minus per 48 minutes for this season:
Mikal Bridges is second on the team at +3.9. (Troy Daniels leads at +5.1.)
Trevor Ariza is 11th at -17.4 (with only Jamal Crawford at -17.9, De'Anthony Melton at -18.0, Josh Jackson at -18.2 and Tyson Chandler at -35.6 being worse).
It also says a lot that of our four "veterans", three are among the five worst plus-minus per 48 minutes on the team. (The fourth, Ryan Anderson, is 9th at -12.4.)
Mikal Bridges leads the team at +18.
Trevor Ariza is dead last at -157. Second to last is Josh Jackson at -101.
Current cumulative plus-minus per 48 minutes for this season:
Mikal Bridges is second on the team at +3.9. (Troy Daniels leads at +5.1.)
Trevor Ariza is 11th at -17.4 (with only Jamal Crawford at -17.9, De'Anthony Melton at -18.0, Josh Jackson at -18.2 and Tyson Chandler at -35.6 being worse).
It also says a lot that of our four "veterans", three are among the five worst plus-minus per 48 minutes on the team. (The fourth, Ryan Anderson, is 9th at -12.4.)
ArizonaSportsFan
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Works his way back? From a two-game absence?
I too prefer Bridges, but Igor is being smart here. You should never have a starter lose his job because he had some "personal business(?)" and missed a game or two. Now, we would all say he lost it because Bridges is better, but that is not how most would view it. It was the right call to have Ariza start this season and now they need some time to change that organically. This is just my opinion, of course, but I think most every club would do the same.
I too prefer Bridges, but Igor is being smart here. You should never have a starter lose his job because he had some "personal business(?)" and missed a game or two. Now, we would all say he lost it because Bridges is better, but that is not how most would view it. It was the right call to have Ariza start this season and now they need some time to change that organically. This is just my opinion, of course, but I think most every club would do the same.
Chaplin
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Except he's not going to lose his job because he had some personal business. He would lose the starting role to a young player that has earned it far more than Ariza's years of service merit him. Because right now, that is the ONLY reason why Ariza is a starter and Bridges is not.
JCSunsfan
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Agreed. He made a good showing in the starts he got. He should continue to do well in his minutes off the bench. If his play is there, his minutes will be too.
Bridges is on the doorstep of winning that starting job long term. Ariza is on the doorstep of losing it. Ariza has to know he is on the hot seat big time right now. He has to make big changes or he will be going to the bench. Bridges also has his head on straight, I don't think this will be an issue.
If Ariza keeps it up (down, really) then I certainly hope coach makes the lineup change permanently quite soon, but I am not going to go nuts, start yelling and put things on fire because of this move, but yeah, things add up (losing, lack of effort, playing an injured Booker, playing guys out of scoring position, etc) so I can understand people going crazy. I have already flipped out and lost it a couple of times in this young season but I am better right now.
ArizonaSportsFan
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I definitely agree that Bridges has played better and provides a much-needed spark and excitement. But he got the chance (to start) because Ariza was absent. I think that over time he should be starting and Ariza should be gone. For now, let Ariza start but give Bridges more minutes.
JCSunsfan
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Its really a simple conversation.
"Trevor, while you were gone, your replacement played better than you. If that continues, he will replace you in the starting lineup permanently. The ball is in your court."
"Trevor, while you were gone, your replacement played better than you. If that continues, he will replace you in the starting lineup permanently. The ball is in your court."
Chaplin
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We also played better in the two games that Bridges started than in any game (except maybe the very first one) Ariza has started in. That doesn't mean anything?
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Bridges should remain the starter. Maybe the Suns are trying inflate Ariza's value. As I understand it, he can be traded after December 15th.
It's definitely not the right move for the team.
And why would the Suns make the change for Bridge's rookie debut in Philadelphia... his home town.
It's definitely not the right move for the team.
And why would the Suns make the change for Bridge's rookie debut in Philadelphia... his home town.
We don't know if the move was temporary from the start (just these two? games) and if this was communicated to the team/Bridges, or if they just get the message without any details, or anything really. Maybe/hopefully Bridges is okay with it and plays with joy and confidence. He should. He's been great and he has a chance to impress his home town. Go get them son!
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Agree. Ayton getting early fouls against Embiid is a concern.
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There ya go! Everybody's happy.
Chaplin
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We may lose this game, but man, that's a bit of good news there.
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
He’s a rookie. Rookies aren’t owed anything. They don’t expect to start. Particularly not a more humble guy who worked his way to prominence with Villanova. I mean you guys act like these athletes are made of mental glass. Everyone is going to be irrevocably damaged by every and any little move the franchise makes. I mean, cmon that’s just not the case nor realistic.
elindholm
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I'm sure Booker is thrilled. As I've already said about 100 times, he may end up being a decent PG, but he'll never be a star at that position. To give him a chance to develop into the star that his talent calls for, he has to be a SG.
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
Four wings and a center. Talk about a “modern day” line up. Interested to see how this goes. Really interested to see who guards who. Bridges on Simmons? Bridges on butler? Where to hide booker?
I'd put Booker on Simmons. Just stay in front of him and dare him to shoot.
You've seen how Simmons can get to basket right? And you've seen Booker's, even when healthy, defense?
JCSunsfan
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This is the same situation James Harden was in. He had to be the pg for a while, but his best position is SG. But the time at PG for Harden did broaden his abilities as a player. Just trying to look on the bright side here.
