Suns @ Bucks game thread 1-22-18

[Mainstreet]

On Monday the Suns visit the Bucks in Milwaukee at 6 p.m. Arizona time. The Bucks have a 23-22 record while the Suns stand at 17-29.

The Bucks will be without Giannis Antekounmpo and the Suns will be without Marquese Chriss.

Here is more from a game update from Scott Bordow.

Suns at Bucks

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Bradley Center, Milwaukee.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR 98.7 FM.

Update:

The Suns snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Phoenix again won’t have forward Marquese Chriss, who will miss his sixth straight game with a strained right hip. The Bucks will be without All-Star forward Giannis Antekounmpo, who’s out with right knee soreness. Former Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe is averaging 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game for Milwaukee.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...nix-suns-nba-devin-booker-dunking/1052344001/

 

[Mainstreet]

Also from Bordow:

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Suns have recalled Davon Reed

9:35 AM - 21 Jan 2018

 

[Carolinacacti]

Sad one of the few games Bled can get up to play.

 

[SirStefan32]

Well, this may be one game that might REALLY be worth winning. Beat Bledsoe, hand them another loss to get their pick.

 

[Errntknght]

It will improve our draft opportunities if Bucks win but if we pull it off, most likely helps with the Bucks pick. As long as the Greek doesn't miss too long... they're sliding w.o. him naturally. 4-6 in last ten games. With just a 13-16 window I wrote that pick off

 

[pokerface]

Well, this may be one game that might REALLY be worth winning. Beat Bledsoe, hand them another loss to get their pick.

I don't hate Bled and I could care less about their pick. To me it's about the suns cracking the top 6.

I really don't know what we are going to do with all these picks...

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't hate Bled and I could care less about their pick. To me it's about the suns cracking the top 6.

I really don't know what we are going to do with all these picks...

Trade them. Draft and stash. But, your point is valid. I hope we don't end up with 3-5 more rookies.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'd like to see Booker roast Bledsoe and I wouldn't mind seeing the Bucks miss the playoffs either. The more Rich Paul's clients lose the better. I don't think the Suns will get their pick this year but if they do they'll have more options.

I don't hate Bledsoe as a player but I do strongly dislike how he handled the situation early in the season. He tanked on the team, period, which is a pretty classless way to handle things when you have 2 years left on your contract. It wasn't the trade deadline or midseason either, it was the first 3 games of the year. The Suns might have been able to compete, who knows. if they had a legit PG they'd be in much better shape than they are right now but then again Watson might still be the Head Coach.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd like to see Booker roast Bledsoe and I wouldn't mind seeing the Bucks miss the playoffs either. The more Rich Paul's clients lose the better. I don't think the Suns will get their pick this year but if they do they'll have more options.

I don't hate Bledsoe as a player but I do strongly dislike how he handled the situation early in the season. He tanked on the team, period, which is a pretty classless way to handle things when you have 2 years left on your contract. It wasn't the trade deadline or midseason either, it was the first 3 games of the year. The Suns might have been able to compete, who knows. if they had a legit PG they'd be in much better shape than they are right now but then again Watson might still be the Head Coach.

Who knows. The Suns might have had a shot at the playoffs with Bledsoe but I think his departure will be a blessing in disguise. I do not wish the Bucks any ill will but it would be nice to see them miss the playoffs with Bledsoe at the helm.

As discussed previously, I did not want the Suns to pay Bledsoe the max. That possibility is now gone. He was not the right PG going forward for the Suns.

 

[Mainstreet]

Trade them. Draft and stash. But, your point is valid. I hope we don't end up with 3-5 more rookies.

However, I do not think the Suns roster is so talented where they could not absorb a few rookies.

 

[Hoop Head]

However, I do not think the Suns roster is so talented where they could not absorb a few rookies.

I agree but they have 12 players under contract already, having 3 first round picks would make it necessary to trade someone, anyone, to clear roster space. I think they plan on doing something in FA also, what that is though, who knows. Hopefully they can move either Dudley or Chandler before the draft, I doubt they'd send both away. Knight is someone I'd like to see them move but it's unlikely they can, unless they decide to attach one of those 1st's to him. I think that would be foolish to do before we see how he plays with a real NBA coach and not Earl Watson trying to find a role for him.

Here's who's under contract next season...

PG - Knight/Ulis
SG - Booker/Daniels/Reed
SF - Warren/Jackson
PF - Chriss/Bender/Dudley
C - Chandler/Williams

And Peters is on a 1 of their 2 Two-Way contracts.

 

[SirStefan32]

I agree that the Suns lack talent as Mainstreet pointed out, but there are a couple of issues with multiple rookies. As Poop Head pointed out, the Suns don't have roster spots available. In addition to that, young players need playing time to develop. If you are trying to develop multiple players on multiple positions, you end up having a problem. Right now, the Suns really don't have any consistent playing time available at 3 and 4. Very little time at 2 and 5. If you are committed to Criss and Bender, you really don't have room for multiple 4s. If you are committed to Warren and Jackson, you don't have room for another 3. I am not saying you pass on a really good player because you have Chriss and Bender, but I am just saying that it creates challenges when you have three or four people you are trying to develop on one position. I think you almost have to draft and stash at this point.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree but they have 12 players under contract already, having 3 first round picks would make it necessary to trade someone, anyone, to clear roster space. I think they plan on doing something in FA also, what that is though, who knows. Hopefully they can move either Dudley or Chandler before the draft, I doubt they'd send both away. Knight is someone I'd like to see them move but it's unlikely they can, unless they decide to attach one of those 1st's to him. I think that would be foolish to do before we see how he plays with a real NBA coach and not Earl Watson trying to find a role for him.

Here's who's under contract next season...

PG - Knight/Ulis
SG - Booker/Daniels/Reed
SF - Warren/Jackson
PF - Chriss/Bender/Dudley
C - Chandler/Williams

And Peters is on a 1 of their 2 Two-Way contracts.

It looks like Monroe and Len are likely on the way out whether they expire or are traded. So those are two openings.

The Suns may want to hang onto some players for trade purposes this summer like Knight, Chandler and Dudley. It's hard to know how the Suns view it because they are not looking to acquire top talent now unless they are injured because of the upcoming draft.

IMO, Monroe, Chandler or Len are probably the most likely players to be traded before the trade deadline.

So all this got me scouring the injured list for possible trades. LOL

This way the Suns can trade for a player and not have to play them this season. Not much there except for Gordon Hayward.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/injuries

 

[Ronin]

Go Suns!

 

[Dback Jon]

50th Anniversary Game!

 

[pokerface]

I'd like to see Booker roast Bledsoe and I wouldn't mind seeing the Bucks miss the playoffs either. The more Rich Paul's clients lose the better. I don't think the Suns will get their pick this year but if they do they'll have more options.

I don't hate Bledsoe as a player but I do strongly dislike how he handled the situation early in the season. He tanked on the team, period, which is a pretty classless way to handle things when you have 2 years left on your contract. It wasn't the trade deadline or midseason either, it was the first 3 games of the year. The Suns might have been able to compete, who knows. if they had a legit PG they'd be in much better shape than they are right now but then again Watson might still be the Head Coach.

Bledsoe got a bad rap on here. For one thing, they sat him last season when he was playing the best ball of his career. The suns drew first blood on Bled...Then, Watson was an incompetent coach that mishandled the suns right out of the starting gate...I'm sure those early blowouts got to Bled. He makes ONE facebook comment in all his years out here and now he's some devil over it? He played hard for the Suns and he was bringing players out to Cali at the Coronado at his own expense the offseason prior for early training. He was the best player on the suns and he put his time in on this franchise and it's losing seasons. Frankly he was too good for this team.

 

[Mainstreet]

What's missing from the above is Bledsoe wanted to be traded and the tweet, “I Dont wanna be here,” escalated the situation.

Bledsoe had two years left on his contract and from what I understand he already wanted a max contract.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1359375/rich-paul-dealing-suns-before-eric-bledsoe-trade/

 

[SirStefan32]

Never cared for him. One of the most overrated players by the Suns' fans. Good riddance to him. I hope he never wins anything.

 

[Mainstreet]

So there will be a lineup change.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Also, Jay Triano said there will be lineup change tonight but won't divulge it until pre-game.

10:25 AM - 22 Jan 2018

 

[Mainstreet]

Some news on Chriss.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


News from Suns' practice: Marquese Chriss had second MRI, showed hip is improving but still no timetable to return.

 

[Ronin]

https://mobile.twitter.com/wojespn

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn

Milwaukee has fired coach Jason Kidd, league sources tell ESPN.

 

[Mainstreet]

As @Ronin previously reported on another thread.

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


Davon Reed back with NAZ Suns

12:54 PM - 22 Jan 2018

 

[Mainstreet]

Here is the reported reason for the Kidd firing.

Adrian Wojnarowski‏Verified account@wojespn 33s33 seconds ago


Bucks made move on Kidd based upon dropping into the 8th seed in the East, frayed relationships in organization and general non-alignment, league sources tell ESPN. Bucks job will be most sought after of offseason, largely because of @Giannis_An34.

 

[Dback Jon]

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn

Milwaukee has fired coach Jason Kidd, league sources tell ESPN.

Damn...

 

[SirStefan32]

So there will be a lineup change.

Please let it be Ulis to the bench!