Suns at Wizards 1/21/2011

[Covert Rain]

Gentry is trying to develop a young player with potential. He is also trying to work a new player into the system. He is starting Lopez so he doesn't destroy his confidence. If he seems to be playing well, he gives him more time. Meanwhile Gortat is getting plenty of minutes, getting plenty of time with the starters and bench, and producing.

If there was ever a year to try to get Lopez in some sort of groove, this is it. When you have a young 7 footer with the potential that Robin does, you have to try to develop it. The kid is 22 and young 7 footers historically don't start really finding themselves until 25 or so.

Gentry is doing what we wished DAntoni would have done. I like it.

The problem is that when Robin starts in each half, the Suns usually are playing catchup by the time he goes to the bench. Good teams are going to crush us playing like that.

If starting the inferior guy was a common practice and effective......across the NBA more teams would be doing it.

 

[Mainstreet]

The problem is that when Robin starts in each half, the Suns usually are playing catchup by the time he goes to the bench. Good teams are going to crush us playing like that.

If starting the inferior guy was a common practice and effective......across the NBA more teams would be doing it.

IMO, it all started last season when Lopez (playing well) was the starter but went down to injury. The Suns did not want to disrupt their chemistry until Lopez' return so they started Jarron Collins. Now Collins is not better than Lopez. It all involved the Suns wanting to maintain a presence at center until Lopez returned last season. I think this type of thinking is continuing this season starting Lopez. I think if the Suns brought Lopez off the bench with no starters around him (namely Nash) they would get near zero production from him. Now the Suns at least get something from Lopez starting and helps keeps Gortat's minutes somewhat under control. Gortat is certainly the superior center for the Suns but Gentry's strategy appears to be to get something from both players while still developing Lopez. Also Gortat really represents a solidifying factor for the first and second unit. Lopez only played 12 minutes against the Wizards last night so I don't think Lopez starting is a huge risk factor for the Suns considering he probably would end up a non-rotation player if the Suns tried to bring him off the bench. Lopez showed last season he can help the Suns. I'm not wanting to give up on him now. Perhaps you already have given up on Lopez so that is where we differ.

 

[Covert Rain]

IMO, it all started last season when Lopez (playing well) was the starter but went down to injury. The Suns did not want to disrupt their chemistry until Lopez' return so they started Jarron Collins. Now Collins is not better than Lopez. It all involved the Suns wanting to maintain a presence at center until Lopez returned last season. I think this type of thinking is continuing this season starting Lopez. I think if the Suns brought Lopez off the bench with no starters around him (namely Nash) they would get near zero production from him. Now the Suns at least get something from Lopez starting and helps keeps Gortat's minutes somewhat under control. Gortat is certainly the superior center for the Suns but Gentry's strategy appears to be to get something from both players while still developing Lopez. Also Gortat really represents a solidifying factor for the first and second unit. Lopez only played 12 minutes against the Wizards last night so I don't think Lopez starting is a huge risk factor for the Suns considering he probably would end up a non-rotation player if the Suns tried to bring him off the bench. Lopez showed last season he can help the Suns. I'm not wanting to give up on him now. Perhaps you already have given up on Lopez so that is where we differ.

EXCEPT.....on most nights the Suns are getting nothing from Lopez anyway....especially defensively or on the boards.

In fact, I think if Lopez had to depend less on Nash to spoon feed him...at least his offensive game might improve more. On the flip side I don't think his rebounding or defense will.

 

[Griffin]

From Coro's blog:

When Washington coach Flip Saunders was asked what happened to Young after the first half, he said, "Grant Hill."

 

[AzStevenCal]

From Coro's blog:

He's right, Grant played great defense last night. It seemed like he was everywhere, especially anything that resembled a passing lane.

Steve