Suns, Eric Bledsoe Far Apart In Talks

[Mainstreet]

This is nothing like Joe Johnson. Joe had already been here and established himself. He wasn't injury prone. We could have signed him reasonably the year before, but had no idea how good we/he was going to be. I had a suitor willing to pay, in Atlanta. He didn't want to be #4 after Nash, Amare and Shawn; Bledsoe wants to be #1 and wants a max contract while having never embraced Phoenix, and no one else wants to pay him.

I'm glad you made some sense of it.

All I read was Joe Johnson.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Everybody (probably an exaggeration) in New York is upset with Deron William's recent quotes about not liking that area. Of course, the DW for EB rumors are sure to follow.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

He does have the same type of personality as Joe Johnson. Quiet sort of brooding, hard to know what he is thinking or if it was just his agent.

 

[sunsfan88]

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[Mainstreet]

This is really not new. This is why the Suns tried to throw Bledsoe in the Kevin Love trade at the last minute.

 

[elindholm]

"Reportedly."

The funny thing is that James and Bledsoe could have been easily paired in Phoenix. Too bad they didn't think of that.

 

[95pro]

Varejao and Waiters for Bledsoe? Not a great trade but we get some depth at center and another guard.

 

[Griffin]

"Reportedly."

The funny thing is that James and Bledsoe could have been easily paired in Phoenix. Too bad they didn't think of that.

I don't think it's a matter of them wanting to play together. If anything, it is likely Bledsoe wanting to join his apparent role model wherever that may be. James didn't even entertain the thought of playing in Phoenix, Bledsoe or not.

 

[elindholm]

Varejao and Waiters for Bledsoe? Not a great trade but we get some depth at center and another guard.

I think there's no chance that the Cavs would move Varejao, "unless it were for LeBron," who is already on their team. Thompson is probably available, but I don't want him.

 

[Covert Rain]

"Reportedly."

The funny thing is that James and Bledsoe could have been easily paired in Phoenix. Too bad they didn't think of that.

That explains the Sun's appeal league in a nutshell IMO. They probably never considered that a possibility despite all the cap space.

 

[AzStevenCal]

That explains the Sun's appeal league in a nutshell IMO. They probably never considered that a possibility despite all the cap space.

I don't think he considered anything other than stay in Miami or return home. Reportedly, his wife and friends all wanted to go back to Cleveland. I don't think it's an indictment of our popularity in any way. Not that I think we're particularly popular but I'm not worried about our league wide image any more.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Not that I think we're particularly popular but I'm not worried about our league wide image any more.

Do you really mean that, Steve, or is that just frustration?

The ability to attract quality free agents is an important part of building a strong, well-rounded team. Not the whole part, but an important part.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Do you really mean that, Steve, or is that just frustration?

The ability to attract quality free agents is an important part of building a strong, well-rounded team. Not the whole part, but an important part.

I meant it.

I think it's harder for most clubs to attract the premier free agents now. There are a few teams that have enough built in advantages that will allow them to beat the odds but most of us will find it difficult. A few years ago our future was so dim and Sarver's reputation so negative that we were in real trouble but I don't see either as an issue any longer.

Steve

 

[BC867]

I meant it.

I think it's harder for most clubs to attract the premier free agents now. There are a few teams that have enough built in advantages that will allow them to beat the odds but most of us will find it difficult. A few years ago our future was so dim and Sarver's reputation so negative that we were in real trouble but I don't see either as an issue any longer.

Steve

So we went from a D-minus to a C-minus. Articles that I have read recently say that it is not a given that the Suns will make the post-season which equals about a C-minus. That is still bleak.

 

[Covert Rain]

So we went from a D-minus to a C-minus. Articles that I have read recently say that it is not a given that the Suns will make the post-season which equals about a C-minus. That is still bleak.

How we could possibly go from a D- to a C- is beyond me considering we didn't land any of our targets with all that cap space AGAIN. That's sort of like a student saying he went from a D- to a C- without taking any tests. To me it's more like...well the teacher is going to yell less this year....let's see how it goes.

 

[AzStevenCal]

So we went from a D-minus to a C-minus. Articles that I have read recently say that it is not a given that the Suns will make the post-season which equals about a C-minus. That is still bleak.

Are you serious? We were already an F before parting ways with Scola, Gortat and Dudley. I don't know how anyone can give us anything less than a B last season and if it's measured against expectations, it's an easy A+.

I have no idea what to expect this year but I'll probably let it happen before I grade them. We lost Frye which is a legitimate minus in my opinion but we added Thomas which is easily his offset. Drafting Warren is a plus but I don't know if adding him along with the development of the twins, Len and Plumlee will be enough to offset Bledsoe, if we lose him.

Steve

 

[Shaggy]

Just get this over with already. Make a decision Bledsoe!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Just get this over with already. Make a decision Bledsoe!

It makes little sense for his camp to settle now. At this point they might as well wait until the deadline is upon them. There is always a chance that some team will change their mind and decide to pursue him and let's face it, we're not going anywhere. Also, there is the possibility that a team will lose a point guard between now and then.

Steve

 

[devilalum]

Are you serious? We were already an F before parting ways with Scola, Gortat and Dudley. I don't know how anyone can give us anything less than a B last season and if it's measured against expectations, it's an easy A+.

I have no idea what to expect this year but I'll probably let it happen before I grade them. We lost Frye which is a legitimate minus in my opinion but we added Thomas which is easily his offset. Drafting Warren is a plus but I don't know if adding him along with the development of the twins, Len and Plumlee will be enough to offset Bledsoe, if we lose him.

Steve

And signed a budget stretch 4. Can't remember his name. If Bledsoe plays all year they're easily better. Even if he signs the QO he should be on a mission. There isn't a single player on this team that's on the downside of his career. How many teams can you say that about?

 

[AzStevenCal]

And signed a budget stretch 4. Can't remember his name. If Bledsoe plays all year they're easily better. Even if he signs the QO he should be on a mission. There isn't a single player on this team that's on the downside of his career. How many teams can you say that about?

The budget stretch 4 is Tolliver but I think the twins are going to each take another step forward this season so I don't know how much court time the new guy will get.

I agree, if we have Bledsoe for a full season we are much improved from last year. Even if we have him for half a season, I think we make the playoffs. I worry about the loss of Frye as he was shown (by stats) to be so critical to our team but let's face it, 16 teams made the playoffs last year without Channing Frye so I'm confident there's another way to win games. Hopefully Jeff will find it for us. As for your last point, most of our players are still a ways from peaking.

Steve

 

[BC867]

How we could possibly go from a D- to a C- is beyond me considering we didn't land any of our targets with all that cap space AGAIN. That's sort of like a student saying he went from a D- to a C- without taking any tests. To me it's more like...well the teacher is going to yell less this year....let's see how it goes.

I was giving the Suns the benefit of the doubt because we almost made the playoffs. In terms of results, I would rate that a C-, largely due to the addition of Jeff Hornacek.

Are you serious? We were already an F before parting ways with Scola, Gortat and Dudley. I don't know how anyone can give us anything less than a B last season and if it's measured against expectations, it's an easy A+.

With eight teams in our Conference making the playoffs, you can't rate a team that missed it as a B. That would be a helluva curve.


'Interesting that Daren thinks I should have rated them lower than C-and Steve thinks I should have rated them higher.

You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time. (Originated by John Lydgate and later attributed with different wording to Honest Abe.)

And that is why we participate in ASFN.

 

[JCSunsfan]

How we could possibly go from a D- to a C- is beyond me considering we didn't land any of our targets with all that cap space AGAIN. That's sort of like a student saying he went from a D- to a C- without taking any tests. To me it's more like...well the teacher is going to yell less this year....let's see how it goes.

Signed IT to an excellent deal. Why do people simply choose to ignore this signing? His numbers were exactly the same as Kyrie last year. They also resigneds PJ at a decent amount, refused to re-up Frye for an unreasonable amount, and are playing it cool with Bledsoe.

They did not panic and trade a bunch of draft picks for a marginal starter. They got a player in the draft that fills a huge need and is very underrated in TJ--a player who would have been drafted alot higher if he shot a higher percentage at the 3 (which is what Horny is excellent at teaching). They signed Tolliver, who recently has been one of the more efficient shooters from 3 in the league.

Yes, they tried for the big name free agent and struck out. Fine. But they also made some very smart moves. This front office controlled what they could.

We had not Eric Gordon, Michael Beasley, Turkuglu additions this summer.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I was giving the Suns the benefit of the doubt because we almost made the playoffs. In terms of results, I would rate that a C-, largely due to the addition of Jeff Hornacek.


With eight teams in our Conference making the playoffs, you can't rate a team that missed it as a B. That would be a helluva curve.

30 teams, only 10 of them finished with better records than us and that's even with us playing a tougher schedule than 15 of those 30 teams. We play in the West, that's not our fault. You're giving them a C based on geography, I'm giving them a B based on performance.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

Signed IT to an excellent deal. Why do people simply choose to ignore this signing? His numbers were exactly the same as Kyrie last year. They also resigneds PJ at a decent amount, refused to re-up Frye for an unreasonable amount, and are playing it cool with Bledsoe.

They did not panic and trade a bunch of draft picks for a marginal starter. They got a player in the draft that fills a huge need and is very underrated in TJ--a player who would have been drafted alot higher if he shot a higher percentage at the 3 (which is what Horny is excellent at teaching). They signed Tolliver, who recently has been one of the more efficient shooters from 3 in the league.

Yes, they tried for the big name free agent and struck out. Fine. But they also made some very smart moves. This front office controlled what they could.

We had not Eric Gordon, Michael Beasley, Turkuglu additions this summer.

Who is ignoring that? Let's not overblow the signing either. According to the Suns the entire reason for creating the most cap space was to sign stars that would change the face of the franchise. The Suns were talking about getting two. How many did we manage to get? I am not saying he is a slouch. He is a 20 Point a night guy but he isn't going to change the face of the franchise. He is a good piece to add to your franchise but that is not what the Suns had in mind or what they were talking about for a year leading up to this free agency period.

 

[Superbone]

Who is ignoring that? Let's not overblow the signing either. According to the Suns the entire reason for creating the most cap space was to sign stars that would change the face of the franchise. The Suns were talking about getting two. How many did we manage to get? I am not saying he is a slouch. He is a 20 Point a night guy but he isn't going to change the face of the franchise. He is a good piece to add to your franchise but that is not what the Suns had in mind or what they were talking about for a year leading up to this free agency period.

Patience, young grasshopper.