Suns claim Luis Scola

[Arizona's Finest]

Like Chris said, in a vacuum I like the players they have acquired, especially if we end up with Mayo. But I just don't get what the PLAN is.

Again the one thing I'll take from this is players want to play in PHX with or without Nash so as long as we don't cripple our cap space I'm okay with these moves. The money is reasonable and at least they won't be an abomination to watch next year, although long term that's probably the right medicine to swallow to get back to elite.

But how does Scola, Dragic, Beasley, and mayo or lee fit a consistent plan? You high reward low risk guys....until Scola. It's like the team is caught between blowing it up and adding vet complimentry pieces like Lebron and Wade are on the roster.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

Do you really think they will be better than last year?

IMO, Nash has made winning look a lot easier than it really is. I like the Dragic signing, but he is a big drop from Nash, and Nash made everyone else better. Dragic is not that kind of facilitator.

No disrespect to Nash but Dragic can play defense which helps his case. That makes up for at least two of the assists Nash got every game. I think its safe to say Dragic can average 17-18pts an 8 assists next year while playing at least average defense.

Nash was good for about 15pts, 11 dimes, and below average defense the last couple years..

 

[Phrazbit]

How is 3 years considered "long contracts"?

And Suns are taking chances on players. Beasley is a guy that has drawn comparisons in the past to a Carmelo/Durant type player. Not saying he is going to be that good but if you have watched him play, its obvious he is capable of doing it because he indeed has had a streak of games where he puts up 30 pts + a game. Now its up to the Suns FO to see if they can change his attitude and mindset and make him more consistent. Let me remind you, this guy was supposed to be a superstar coming out of the draft. Some even said to draft him over Rose. He's still only 23 years old so why is it so bad to take a chance on him? If he sucks, then hey just like everyone wants, we will get a high pick next season.

Dragic is a capable starting PG in this league and getting him back in Phoenix is great news. I don't see how you can hate on that.

Mayo is another Beasley type player. This guy was supposed to be better than LeBron and yes that will probably never happen but if we can sign him and get him to play at even 3/4 of the player he's been touted as, it would be a huge success.

And if you look at the Suns roster right now, there is not ONE single player over the age of 30 years old. Veteran leadership is always a good thing or else players will start meddling and fighting among themselves and ruin the locker room. It can also shunt the growth of young players like Morris and Marshall.

The thing is, the Suns aren't signing some scrubs. Their signing young players who have tremendous potential.

Its a win-win situation because if it doesn't pan out, guess what? We'll get a high draft pick next season and we can try to draft a star.

When you're comparing Beasley to Durant and Mayo to LeBron I just cant take it seriously.

And 3 years is a long time before we start our NEXT rebuilding process. This is a team that wont compete for anything, that has really blatant holes in its design and is made of players that, for the most part, teams around the league wont want. This is not a "win win". Best case scenario is that they are really really bad and we get a top pick, but even then, because of the stupidity they have shown this offseason they wont be able to add complimentary pieces because of our frivolity in picking up overpriced role players.

 

[devilalum]

I can't believe you are seemingly making an argument that the Suns would be a better team going forward with Nash and Hill after the past two seasons. The Suns had no future with these two players. At least the Suns are moving forward with young players with potential. Irregardless of won/ loss record the Suns are finally moving forward towards the future.

If we had to watch another year of Nash decomposing before ours that would have been depressing.

 

[Phrazbit]

No disrespect to Nash but Dragic can play defense which helps his case. That makes up for at least two of the assists Nash got every game. I think its safe to say Dragic can average 17-18pts an 8 assists next year while playing at least average defense.

Nash was good for about 15pts, 11 dimes, and below average defense the last couple years..

Nash's contribution went far beyond 11 assists. He guaranteed a highly efficient TEAM offensive attack for virtually every game he played. Dragic does not. I do like Dragic, but Nash is one of the greatest point guards of all-time, Dragic isnt top 10 among current PGs. Its going to be a big dropoff.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

Barring major/extended injury, this current Suns team will definitely make the playoffs.

I agree! everyone keeps saying, if they get Mayo/Gordon they are still a 30 win team blah blah blah. Lineup:

Dragic
Mayo
Beasley
Scola
Gortat

Include an average bench with that and they are a borderline playoff team with a lot of room to grow and mature. Id say there are only about 3-5 teams in the west that are clearly better than that team on paper.

Every starter there is capable of some average level of defense and 20 points on any given night..

ADD LOU ADMUNDSON AND BARBOSA IN FA AND CALL IT AN OFFSEASON!!!

 

[Phrazbit]

I can't believe you are seemingly making an argument that the Suns would be a better team going forward with Nash and Hill after the past two seasons. The Suns had no future with these two players. At least the Suns are moving forward with young players with potential. Irregardless of won/ loss record the Suns are finally moving forward towards the future.

That isnt what I am saying... at all... that would have been just as wasteful as what we are currently doing.

I am making an argument that there is no point in constructing a roster that has no hope of being a decent team. We're dropping a fair chunk of change in this off season to create a team that wont sniff the playoffs. Its stupid. We need to save that money until we have better parts to build around.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

That isnt what I am saying... at all... that would have been just as wasteful as what we are currently doing.

I am making an argument that there is no point in constructing a roster that has no hope of being a decent team. We're dropping a fair chunk of change in this off season to create a team that wont sniff the playoffs. Its stupid. We need to save that money until we have better parts to build around.

I understand your point, and most other seem to agree with you, but please explain to me why this team cannot be a playoff team with Mayo added?

 

[Evil Ash]

Well, Scola is literally untradable for the next year, which includes not being moved during next years draft.

So what exactly are we going to do with it this year? We acquired a piece to possibly trade next year in a FA class that will be full of big names (the majority of which will want S&T). Trading takes assets and what we acquiring are assets.

Beasley's contract is untradable (for anything besides another equally bad contract) until he proves himself to be much better than he has played thus far.

We know you don't like him but that doesn't make him untradeable

I'd put Gortat as our only highly valued trade chip.

Gortat is one, Scola, Morris, Marshall, Lakers picks, our picks, etc, etc

 

[Mainstreet]

Nash's contribution went far beyond 11 assists. He guaranteed a highly efficient TEAM offensive attack for virtually every game he played. Dragic does not. I do like Dragic, but Nash is one of the greatest point guards of all-time, Dragic isnt top 10 among current PGs. Its going to be a big dropoff.

I like Steve Nash, you like Steve Nash, but the Suns were going nowhere if the Suns kept him. I guess I'm not sure where you are headed with your position. Sure the Suns might crash and burn without Nash but their chances of crashing and burning if they kept Nash (and staying stagnant) appeared almost as bad. The Suns did not make the playoffs 3 out of the 4 past seasons.

 

[Phrazbit]

Barring major/extended injury, this current Suns team will definitely make the playoffs.

Wow...

I really think having Nash for so long has warped how hard it is to win in some minds.

Barring major/extended injury to SEVERAL other teams, this current Suns team will not contend for the playoffs.

 

[Chaplin]

I like Steve Nash, you like Steve Nash, but the Suns were going nowhere if the Suns kept him. I guess I'm not sure where you are headed with your position. Sure the Suns might crash and burn without Nash but their chances of crashing and burning if they kept Nash (and staying stagnant) appeared almost as bad. The Suns did not make the playoffs 3 out of the 4 past seasons.

Not only was Nash getting up there in age, but he would have commanded a lot more money than any of our current players--that would have even further hindered our efforts to improve.

Can these moves be a disaster? Sure, but it's not an EXPENSIVE disaster and there is a lot of potential for some special things. It's a huge question mark which way it will go. But the Suns front office is willing to roll the dice. That's commendable IMO.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree! everyone keeps saying, if they get Mayo/Gordon they are still a 30 win team blah blah blah. Lineup:

Dragic
Mayo
Beasley
Scola
Gortat

Include an average bench with that and they are a borderline playoff team with a lot of room to grow and mature. Id say there are only about 3-5 teams in the west that are clearly better than that team on paper.

Only 3-5 teams better than us on paper?

Lakers
Spurs
OKC
Denver
Memphis
Clippers
Dallas

that's 7 teams, all better than us on paper. And the case can be argued for Utah as well considering they're younger then us, have played together for a full season and made the playoffs last year.

So that leave us (assuming we even get Mayo) as 9 seed... which is exactly what we were this year. In other words, still stuck in purgatory.

 

[sunsfan88]

When you're comparing Beasley to Durant and Mayo to LeBron I just cant take it seriously.

And 3 years is a long time before we start our NEXT rebuilding process. This is a team that wont compete for anything, that has really blatant holes in its design and is made of players that, for the most part, teams around the league wont want. This is not a "win win". Best case scenario is that they are really really bad and we get a top pick, but even then, because of the stupidity they have shown this offseason they wont be able to add complimentary pieces because of our frivolity in picking up overpriced role players.

And when you learn to read and comprehend, you will realize that I wasn't the ones who compared Beasley to Durant and Mayo to LeBron.

So your solution instead would be to sign complete scrubs to 1 yr deals every off season for the next 20 years until we draft a star player?

Think of it logically if you were Sarver. Nobody in their right mind is going to go watch the Suns play if they are full of Telfair type players so he is going to lose so much $$ on ticket revenue. And I don't want to be the laughing stock of this league (Wizards, Bobcats etc) I would rather be in the Nuggets/Timberwolves area even if it the middle.

Seems like teams like Washington, Charlotte and Milwaukke have all tried the method of "sucking and building through the draft and having cap flexibility" yet none of them look any good to me.

 

[Evil Ash]

Only 3-5 teams better than us on paper?

Lakers
Spurs
OKC
Denver
Memphis
Clippers
Dallas

that's 7 teams, all better than us on paper. And the case can be argued for Utah as well considering they're younger then us, have played together for a full season and made the playoffs last year.

So that leave us (assuming we even get Mayo) as 9 seed... which is exactly what we were this year. In other words, still stuck in purgatory.

Dallas? Did you miss the part of the offseason where they're losing everybody

 

[Phrazbit]

I understand your point, and most other seem to agree with you, but please explain to me why this team cannot be a playoff team with Mayo added?

Because the roster simply isnt good. Scola, Morris, Frye, Beasley, Gortat would represent one of the worst defensive/rebouding front courts in the entire league. The bench is thin, Dragic is the only facilitator and thats not his specialty. It would be a team that lives and dies by the 3 but is not good at creating 3 point looks. And its in the West. Look at the rosters around the conference and try to talk yourself into that being one of the best 8.

I like Steve Nash, you like Steve Nash, but the Suns were going nowhere if the Suns kept him. I guess I'm not sure where you are headed with your position. Sure the Suns might crash and burn without Nash but their chances of crashing and burning if they kept Nash (and staying stagnant) appeared almost as bad. The Suns did not make the playoffs 3 out of the 4 past seasons.

I dont wanna be a jerk, but are you reading my full posts? I am in no way, shape or form saying we should have kept Nash. I am simply saying that loading up on pricey role players with no core to put them around is pure idiocy. We shouldnt have kept Nash, we also shouldnt be handing out multi-year contracts. We should keep the team as flexible as possible and acquire assets via draft, trades and facilitation of trade.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Gortat is one, Scola, Morris, Marshall, Lakers picks, our picks, etc, etc

lol... Gortat I'll give you. But Scola a year from now at age 34 (can't trade him this year) is a highly tradable chip? And Morris and Marshall are highly tradable chips, two guys who have proven absolutely nothing and the Suns have already gone out and made sure they stay on the bench by signing another PG/PF are highly tradable chips? Or the last pick of the first round is a highly tradable chip? I think we have very different ideas of high tradable assets.

 

[Mainstreet]

That isnt what I am saying... at all... that would have been just as wasteful as what we are currently doing.

I am making an argument that there is no point in constructing a roster that has no hope of being a decent team. We're dropping a fair chunk of change in this off season to create a team that wont sniff the playoffs. Its stupid. We need to save that money until we have better parts to build around.

I guess I wonder what type team you would want the Suns to put on the floor if they have to spend 85% of their CAP space. Just spend money on players that are going nowhere? I guess where we differ is I do not believe in standing pat with a bad hand. The Suns do need to build a team that is attractive to free agents. It's not all just about the draft.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Dallas? Did you miss the part of the offseason where they're losing everybody

I'll bet you any ASFN funny bet that they're better than us. They replaced Kidd with Collison who's a solid PG. They still have a superstar in Dirk, they got Brand for a little bit of beef in the middle and have one of the best Coaches in league. And they're still got money to burn.

 

[Evil Ash]

lol... Gortat I'll give you. But Scola a year from now at age 34 (can't trade him this year) is a highly tradable chip? And Morris and Marshall are highly tradable chips, two guys who have proven absolutely nothing and the Suns have already gone out and made sure they stay on the bench by signing another PG/PF are highly tradable chips? Or the last pick of the first round is a highly tradable chip? I think we have very different ideas of high tradable assets.

I didn't say all are highly tradeable but they are all tradeable assets. Notice what Orlando is looking for when trading for when trading Howard - young players (Morris, Marshall), role players on good deals (Scola, Gortat), expiring contracts and draft picks (lots of draft picks that don't all have to be in the top 5)

 

[Chaplin]

I'll bet you any ASFN funny bet that they're better than us. They replaced Kidd with Collison who's a solid PG. They still have a superstar in Dirk, they got Brand for a little bit of beef in the middle and have one of the best Coaches in league. And they're still got money to burn.

I think Dallas' ace in the hole is the coach. He's a great difference maker. But have they lost or are they going to lose Jason Terry? Collison is ok, but is he really that much better than Dragic? Dirk is awesome, but Brand is an injury-prone has-been. That will be another team that will be fascinating to watch IMO.

 

[sunsfan88]

Wow...

I really think having Nash for so long has warped how hard it is to win in some minds.

Barring major/extended injury to SEVERAL other teams, this current Suns team will not contend for the playoffs.

You wanna have a sig bet on that?

Only 3-5 teams better than us on paper?

Lakers
Spurs
OKC
Denver
Memphis
Clippers
Dallas

that's 7 teams, all better than us on paper. And the case can be argued for Utah as well considering they're younger then us, have played together for a full season and made the playoffs last year.

So that leave us (assuming we even get Mayo) as 9 seed... which is exactly what we were this year. In other words, still stuck in purgatory.

Dallas is better than us on paper? Reaaally? And I can see us doing better than Denver this season too.

 

[devilalum]

Nash's contribution went far beyond 11 assists. He guaranteed a highly efficient TEAM offensive attack for virtually every game he played. Dragic does not. I do like Dragic, but Nash WAS one of the greatest point guards of all-time, Dragic isnt top 10 among current PGs. Its going to be a big dropoff.

FTFY

 

[Cheesebeef]

I didn't say all are highly tradeable but they are all tradeable assets.

again, we disagree on tradable assets.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You wanna have a sig bet on that?

Dallas is better than us on paper? Reaaally? And I can see us doing better than Denver this season too.

any bet you name it.