Suns @ Grizzlies 3-6-16

[Mainstreet]

At this rate we will catch Brooklyn however.

We play Denver and New York next, 2 winnable games.

I too think the Nets are the team to worry about in regard to draft position. If the Suns can keep their current draft position I would be content. The Suns are not going to catch the 76ers or the Lakers unless something crazy happens.

 

[Joe Mama]

We never got any respect when we were actually trying to win years ago.

I think it's good karma. As somebody pointed out already it's not like they aren't playing their youngsters. The offense is going through Booker and Alex Len almost entirely. I don't blame the Phoenix Suns or the referees for this. I blame the grizzlies.

By the way, this was really a poor job of officiating. I think the referees had somewhere to go early this evening. There were an awful lot of obvious fouls committed by both teams not called. Nothing pierces me off more than the "players decide the game" BS. I don't want to see any time players come within a few inches of each other, but if the referees just swallow their whistles they are deciding the game. I usually defend "flopping" when it seems like it's being used to sell an actual offensive foul, especially when it's a big man just ramming his way through his defender in the post. That said, Chalmers should be fined for this game. He was like a bad stuntman.

I love seeing the young guys doing well even if it hurts our lottery chances a little. I wish Warren was healthy and getting heavy minutes as well.

Now hopefully we drop some close ones.

I seriously think no team deserves to win the lottery like the Phoenix Suns. At some point the lottery has to be good to them.

Joe

 

[sunsfan88]

If the Suns end up losing out to the Nets, wow what a disgrace that would honestly be. Worst case scenario we at least have to hold on to the 3rd worst record.

 

[Phrazbit]

We can't catch Philly or LA... I don't get what Brooklyn is doing. We shouldn't be able to catch them because they shouldn't be tanking.

Brooklyn swept us, so they technically are up 2 games given the various tie breakers, but the way the Suns are playing and the ease of the remaining games we could easily pass them unless we come up with some "injuries".

 

[Mainstreet]

I wonder if the Suns have changed their mind about bringing Knight back. Of course this could cut both ways as the Suns have created some chemistry. I don't know how to turn off the faucet unless the Suns revert to previous losing behavior or opponents play better. This is starting to be the time of year when teams starting to ehibit erratic behavior as evidence by the Lakers beating GS at their place.

However, I do believe McDonough has his plan B with the Suns first round pick.

 

[sunsfan88]

I wonder if the Suns have changed their mind about bringing Knight back.

This sums up how I feel about that

https://twitter.com/ScottHoward42/status/706623032148647936

 

[Catlover]

I think it's good karma. As somebody pointed out already it's not like they aren't playing their youngsters. The offense is going through Booker and Alex Len almost entirely. I don't blame the Phoenix Suns or the referees for this. I blame the grizzlies.

By the way, this was really a poor job of officiating. I think the referees had somewhere to go early this evening. There were an awful lot of obvious fouls committed by both teams not called. Nothing pierces me off more than the "players decide the game" BS. I don't want to see any time players come within a few inches of each other, but if the referees just swallow their whistles they are deciding the game. I usually defend "flopping" when it seems like it's being used to sell an actual offensive foul, especially when it's a big man just ramming his way through his defender in the post. That said, Chalmers should be fined for this game. He was like a bad stuntman.

I love seeing the young guys doing well even if it hurts our lottery chances a little. I wish Warren was healthy and getting heavy minutes as well.

Now hopefully we drop some close ones.

I seriously think no team deserves to win the lottery like the Phoenix Suns. At some point the lottery has to be good to them.

Joe

Well said and I agree with every point you've made.

 

[Catlover]

We can't catch Philly or LA... I don't get what Brooklyn is doing. We shouldn't be able to catch them because they shouldn't be tanking.

Brooklyn swept us, so they technically are up 2 games given the various tie breakers, but the way the Suns are playing and the ease of the remaining games we could easily pass them unless we come up with some "injuries".

Are there any tie breakers? I thought teams with identical records just shared the lottery balls for the positions involved, divided by the number of teams that tied. And if the remainder isn't a whole number they use a coin toss for the un-allotted chance.

As for Brooklyn, they really are a bad team but I'm still not overly concerned about them. If they keep resting players though I'd be surprised if the league didn't investigate that situation. Unless there's an under the table deal it makes no sense for them to actively participate in increasing Boston's draft position.

 

[SirStefan32]

Good game today! I've been really impressed with Len lately.

 

[82CardsGrad]

What I hope:

- Len continues to progress. I can actually see him becoming All-Star worthy...
- Booker continues to develop. Knight simply has to be gone. There is no logic to Knight remaining with the team. Booker is a perennial All-Star.
- I hope Bledsoe can come back at full speed, but more mature and more under control.
- Watson remains as our head coach into and beyond next season. I think Earl can be something special. I think the Suns would be smart to leave him alone and allow him to work with this team.

Have no idea how MCD will deal with the rest of the team, trades, the draft and next seasons' crop of FA's... But I'm willing to give him another full season to work it all out.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Good game today! I've been really impressed with Len lately.

me too. unfortunately, he's probably a hangnail away from missing a couple games and getting thrown off his game for the rest of the season.

I really want to buy into this latest stretch of games, but he's been such a tease over the last two years in being able to stay healthy and developing, but if he CAN stay healthy at some point, you couldn't ask for better building blocks for the future than two really promising players at C and SG.

oh... .and every win from herein is a complete and utter phyrric victory. we're gonna do what this team always does... play ourselves out of the only blue chippers in the draft. that sucks.

 

[SirStefan32]

me too. unfortunately, he's probably a hangnail away from missing a couple games and getting thrown off his game for the rest of the season.

I really want to buy into this latest stretch of games, but he's been such a tease over the last two years in being able to stay healthy and developing, but if he CAN stay healthy at some point, you couldn't ask for better building blocks for the future than two really promising players at C and SG.

oh... .and every win from herein is a complete and utter phyrric victory. we're gonna do what this team always does... play ourselves out of the only blue chippers in the draft. that sucks.

Big youngsters tend to be like that- tease everyone for a few games, have some bad games, etc. Since the all-star break, he's looked like a legitimate NBA PF/C. I really think this is helping him develop faster- no pressure, plenty of opportunities. Same applies to Booker. I just wish Warren didn't get injured.

As far as the pick goes, I really don't think we are moving out of the current spot. Winning a couple of games is important for the youngsters.

 

[JS22]

I hope the Suns aren't stupid enough to win this game.

I want the #1 pick as much as anyone else but I'm pretty sure they're not out there playing to lose.

 

[JS22]

Yea but I don't really care, that's the same excuse for all tread mill teams. If the Suns want to screw themselves out of a top 3 pick in a season like this then they wouldn't care either.

Len and Booker have been carrying the team. Two of the young guys they intend to build around. What would you rather them do? Purposely miss shots so they can get ping pong balls?

 

[nashman]

I wish we would stop winning what the hell is the point now... Besides screwing up what should be a good pick. It will be totally like us to win meaningless games that end up totally screwing us! This has disaster written all over it, willing to bet we win one to many games and miss a great player because of it...

 

[sunsfan88]

me too. unfortunately, he's probably a hangnail away from missing a couple games and getting thrown off his game for the rest of the season.

I really want to buy into this latest stretch of games, but he's been such a tease over the last two years in being able to stay healthy and developing, but if he CAN stay healthy at some point, you couldn't ask for better building blocks for the future than two really promising players at C and SG.

Yea I love that he's playing like an absolute stud but like you, I don't have much hope in his ability to stay healthy. I want to tell myself that perhaps he has a higher chance of staying healthy as a PF since he doesn't have to deal with rough hits from guarding the centers in this deal with Chandler next to him but I know I'd just be kidding myself.

Durability is the only thing that's holding Len back imo and that's rare to say. He's polished in every other way for a player his age.

 

[sunsfan88]

oh... .and every win from herein is a complete and utter phyrric victory. we're gonna do what this team always does... play ourselves out of the only blue chippers in the draft. that sucks.

Quoted for truth. It's a rinse/repeat cycle with this team.

 

[TJ]

This sums up how I feel about that

https://twitter.com/ScottHoward42/status/706623032148647936

Pretty much. That contract is going to be a boat anchor on the bench unless we can find a sucker to trade for Knight.

 

[sunsfan88]

https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/706587665341108225

Yea so much for that "payback"

 

[3rdside]

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...ex-lens-31-points-and-15-rebounds-in-a-single

Some pretty good company he's got there


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Catlover]

I know Gasol is probably a top 10 player but it's amazing how weak this team is without him. They hid it for a few games but if you look at their roster, they're playing the same kind of marginal talent that we are. They're having to give serious minutes to PJ Hairston, Matt Barnes, Mario Chalmers, Vince Carter, Birdman, Lance Stephenson, Ryan Hollins and Jamychal Green.

We were 1 - 39 in games that we trailed going into the second half. Now we're 2 - 39. I'm a little disappointed that we wasted a game in the loser race but I'm far more excited that our young guys earned a win.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Again. If it's Booker and Len leading us to wins, so be it.

 

[Phrazbit]

I've avoided commenting so far on Len's run because it seems everytime I actually praise him and decide I probably should reevaluate his ceiling he then reverts to being invisible for half his minutes, or gets hurt.

So I will be as subtle as I can here:

I am not displeased by the play of Len of late.

 

[sunsfan88]

I know Gasol is probably a top 10 player but it's amazing how weak this team is without him. They hid it for a few games but if you look at their roster, they're playing the same kind of marginal talent that we are. They're having to give serious minutes to PJ Hairston, Matt Barnes, Mario Chalmers, Vince Carter, Birdman, Lance Stephenson, Ryan Hollins and Jamychal Green.

I was amazed to look at their record and see that their 37-25 and 5th seed in the West. I don't follow them at all so I'm guessing that most of their wins probably came before Gasol got injured.

 

[sunsfan88]

Pretty much. That contract is going to be a boat anchor on the bench unless we can find a sucker to trade for Knight.

We almost certainly won't get anything that comes close to the value of the LAL pick for Knight so I wonder if they would even move him because if they do, it would be basically admitting that they goofed up big time.