Suns at Timberwolves 1-7-2015

[AzStevenCal]

See, THAT's what I mean- people like Cheese and Steve refuse to acknowledge that Bledsoe is selfish. Watching one game, everyone can see exactly what happened there happen several times, and people refuse to acknowledge it.

On a different note, as much as Bledsoe pissed me off with that play, the previous failed fastbreak was even worse. You have three (not, one, not two, but THREE) point guards in the game, and Morris decides to lead the fastbreak, turning the ball over resulting in an easy dunk for the Wolves.

You're consistent at least. Wrong but consistent. First off, it was Tucker not Morris. Bledsoe dove out of bounds to save the ball to PJ who dribbled down to about the free throw line and then tried to make a cute drop off pass to Markieff who couldn't get the ball.

Bledsoe tries to make plays like all "stars" do (stars is used loosely). We inbounded with less than 9 seconds to go and there weren't a lot of options. He mishandled the ball as he penetrated and ended up throwing up a prayer. You construe that as selfish. I just call it a botched play. The play before he tried something similar, he spaced his players out of the key and drove in for a layup. That's part of his job. He fails at it sometimes. That's basketball.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

You're consistent at least. Wrong but consistent. First off, it was Tucker not Morris. Bledsoe dove out of bounds to save the ball to PJ who dribbled down to about the free throw line and then tried to make a cute drop off pass to Markieff who couldn't get the ball.

Bledsoe tries to make plays like all "stars" do (stars is used loosely). We inbounded with less than 9 seconds to go and there weren't a lot of options. He mishandled the ball as he penetrated and ended up throwing up a prayer. You construe that as selfish. I just call it a botched play. The play before he tried something similar, he spaced his players out of the key and drove in for a layup. That's part of his job. He fails at it sometimes. That's basketball.

Steve

Ok, I typed Morris instead of Tucker. Pardon me for making a mistake. Neither one of them should have been involved.

As far as Bledsoe goes, yes- that was a botched play. Everyone has them. When you see the SAME botched play (even when shooters are wide-open in the corner), that's a pattern.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Ok, I typed Morris instead of Tucker. Pardon me for making a mistake. Neither one of them should have been involved.

As far as Bledsoe goes, yes- that was a botched play. Everyone has them. When you see the SAME botched play (even when shooters are wide-open in the corner), that's a pattern.

But they weren't wide open. It would have been a tough pass as he was surrounded by players and the clock was ticking down. Blame his ball handling skills if you absolutely need to blame something. He could have passed before he drove but we've seen the results of that move many times. People have ripped him in game threads for both actions on his drives, passing and not passing.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

What a pass by Len!

 

[SirStefan32]

But they weren't wide open. It would have been a tough pass as he was surrounded by players and the clock was ticking down. Blame his ball handling skills if you absolutely need to blame something. He could have passed before he drove but we've seen the results of that move many times. People have ripped him in game threads for both actions on his drives, passing and not passing.

Steve

Not in this instance, but it would have been the same end result. It happens several times every game.

 

[Mainstreet]

What a pass by Len!

First thought. He could be a high post center.... then no. Please no.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Thus far this season, does anyone seriously believe that Bledsoe has played anywhere close to the level of a Max player?? Geeeerz....

 

[Mainstreet]

Thus far this season, does anyone seriously believe that Bledsoe has played anywhere close to the level of a Max player?? Geeeerz....

No. And I don't think you will find disagreement.

 

[SirStefan32]

Another Len to Dragic pass!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Not in this instance, but it would have been the same end result. It happens several times every game.

Scoring point guards. It's what happens. We no longer have Steve Nash. I've heard and read the same complaints about Lillard and Wall and far worse about Irving. I've seen Goran do it. IMO, if you hated Dragic you'd be noticing that also. They have to make quick decisions and they have to set players up and score themselves to keep the D honest. It's a fine line sometimes, Bledsoe ends up on the other side of it occasionally but it doesn't mean he's selfish. IMO he works too hard to try and find someone to pass to for the selfish label.

I remember one time you ranted about Bledsoe being selfish on a play but it was obvious if you paid close attention to the whole play. Bledsoe had his back to the basket when the pass came to him, by the time he spotted Alex in the key he had no idea what Len's count was. I'd never make that pass if I hadn't also seen my big man enter the key. Your big man will never forgive you if you throw it into him just as he makes his mind up to leave the key. He'll also hate you for awhile if you finally shoot as he's exiting the area but that's a different story.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

First thought. He could be a high post center.... then no. Please no.

If you have a low-post PF, nothing wrong with playing Len at high post. He seems to know how to pass the ball. I just had a Divac/ Webber flashback watching Len make two plays for Dragic. I should also give Dragic credit- he moved without the ball and got two buckets out of it.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Another Len to Dragic pass!

Saw that. Len's basketball IQ is very impressive!!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Thus far this season, does anyone seriously believe that Bledsoe has played anywhere close to the level of a Max player?? Geeeerz....

His shooting and his ball handling have been a problem but those areas notwithstanding, yes, he's played like a near max player. Granted, his shooting and turnovers are more than minor inconveniences but he's raised his PER to 19 and leads the team in many categories. If you judge him by tonight, he falls well short. If you judge him by the last month, he's not too far off the mark.

Steve

 

[82CardsGrad]

Len with a great block... And then Keef gets another technical...

 

[Mainstreet]

Markieff with a technical. Give me a break. It hurts the team.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If you have a low-post PF, nothing wrong with playing Len at high post. He seems to know how to pass the ball. I just had a Divac/ Webber flashback watching Len make two plays for Dragic. I should also give Dragic credit- he moved without the ball and got two buckets out of it.

And he has the best shooting touch on the team. I just don't want to move him too far from the key though. Once he finally learns where to stand on defense he'll also be a great rebounder. Right now he's still a little too deep a little too often.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

If you have a low-post PF, nothing wrong with playing Len at high post. He seems to know how to pass the ball. I just had a Divac/ Webber flashback watching Len make two plays for Dragic. I should also give Dragic credit- he moved without the ball and got two buckets out of it.

It's just that we don't have a low post PF.

 

[82CardsGrad]

His shooting and his ball handling have been a problem but those areas notwithstanding, yes, he's played like a near max player. Granted, his shooting and turnovers are more than minor inconveniences but he's raised his PER to 19 and leads the team in many categories. If you judge him by tonight, he falls well short. If you judge him by the last month, he's not too far off the mark.



Steve

I dunno... I would agree he's played better over the last 3 weeks or so but that's improvement over a well below Max level... So the improvement has only brought him to good to slightly better than good level... Not "near Max" level... IMHO...

 

[SirStefan32]

It's just that we don't have a low post PF.

Fair enough!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Len and Dragic, defense and offense. Incredible.

Steve

 

[82CardsGrad]

Len blocking and altering shots and Goran with an amazing move!!

 

[Mainstreet]

Len was blocking shots like Kareen there for a moment.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Now Marcus with a technical!!! WTF? Marcus about to punch out Horny!!! Holy crap!!!!

 

[Mainstreet]

Hornacek and Morris going at it in huddle.

 

[Mainstreet]

Now Marcus with a technical!!! WTF? Marcus about to punch out Horny!!! Holy crap!!!!

Good for Jeff. He sits them.