Suns @ Kings game thread 12-12-17

[Mainstreet]

On Tuesday the Suns visit the Kings. My understanding game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. Arizona time.

It looks like Bender is going to have to earn his minutes going forward. The mask may have been a greater hindrance than anticipated.

Below are some interesting comments concerning Dragan Bender from a Scott Bordow article dated 12-11-17.

Bender said Monday that the mask is “definitely uncomfortable.” But he also acknowledged he didn’t play well against San Antonio and understood why Triano went with Dudley and Marquese Chriss at power forward.

“JD and Marquese had real good games on both ends so as long as we keep winning the games I don’t really care if I play five minutes or 35 minutes,” said Bender, adding he should be able to play without the mask by the end of the week. “At the end of the day it’s all about winning.”

Triano said there’s a simple solution to Bender getting more minutes: earn them.

“I don’t think competition is bad especially when you’re a young player and you’re not guaranteed minutes,” he said. “He has to play better. You guys have seen it. I’ve had Marquese in the doghouse. I’ve had Josh (Jackson) in the doghouse. If you want to say Dragan is not playing well enough to be on the court right now that’s fine. I want it to be competition. That’s part of our growth.”

by Scott Bordow, azcentral sports Published 4:38 p.m. MT Dec. 11, 2017

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...gan-bender-jay-triano-devin-booker/942531001/

 

[JCSunsfan]

Just something to keep in mind. Bruce Arians said the quickest way for a coach to lose a locker room is to give players playing time who have not earned it or do not deserve it.

 

[Ronin]

Go Suns!

 

[Mainstreet]

Just something to keep in mind. Bruce Arians said the quickest way for a coach to lose a locker room is to give players playing time who have not earned it or do not deserve it.

Bender has not earned playing time. He has been invisible out there of late. Perhaps the face mask has been a issue but he needs to earn his way back on the court.

I understand Booker did some light shooting on Monday. This is encouraging but the Suns should be cautious putting him back on the court until he is completely healed.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Bender has not earned playing time. He has been invisible out there of late. Perhaps the face mask has been a issue but he needs to earn his way back on the court.

I understand Booker did some light shooting on Monday. This is encouraging but the Suns should be cautious putting him back on the court until he is completely healed.

Add Booker back. Then add Reed, Sauce, and BK, and this looks like a completely different team.

 

[Ronin]

scott bordow
@sbordow

For those asking Tyson Chandler starting tonight

 

[Mainstreet]

If it has not mentioned elsewhere, Derrick Jones Jr. is back with the Suns... the NAZ Suns that is. Yea!

scott bordow‏Verified account@sbordow


It's official. Derrick Jones Jr. back with NAZ Suns.

Also Isaiah Canaan is playing with the NAZ Suns.

 

[Mainstreet]

Add Booker back. Then add Reed, Sauce, and BK, and this looks like a completely different team.

Booker should be back relatively soon but we might have to wait until next season or late this season to see it all happen.

Except for Booker, these may all be role players though. However, Alan Williams might start next season if the Suns do not bring back Monroe, Len and Chandler.

 

[Mainstreet]

More on Canaan.

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona Suns have traded for five-year NBA veteran guard Isaiah Canaan, the team announced Tuesday.

Northern Arizona made the trade with the Agua Caliente Clippers in exchange for the Suns’ 2018 NBA G League first-round pick.

http://northernarizona.gleague.nba.com/news/naz-suns-trade-nba-veteran-isaiah-canaan/

 

[Carolinacacti]

More on Canaan.



http://northernarizona.gleague.nba.com/news/naz-suns-trade-nba-veteran-isaiah-canaan/

I read this. Are these moves made from the top of the Suns
or just something NAZ did.

 

[Bert]

Bender has not earned playing time. He has been invisible out there of late. Perhaps the face mask has been a issue but he needs to earn his way back on the court.

I understand Booker did some light shooting on Monday. This is encouraging but the Suns should be cautious putting him back on the court until he is completely healed.

agree on all counts!

Why on earth rush Booker back?

 

[Mainstreet]

I read this. Are these moves made from the top of the Suns
or just something NAZ did.

My guess these moves are approved by the Suns at some level near the top.

I would have to think Ryan McDonough is happy to get Derrick Jones Jr. back in the organization and Canaan provides another PG they can utilize if the need arises that will know the system. Canaan is an experienced NBA PG.

 

[devilalum]

What’s the deal with everybody wearing dark unis at home?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JCSunsfan]

OK. I will say it. This team looks better with Mike James at the point than with Tyler Ulis —at least in this third quarter. And it’s not even close.

 

[SirStefan32]

Bogdanovic looks better than Bender, Chriss, and Jackson combined.

 

[elindholm]

Bogdanovic looks better than Bender, Chriss, and Jackson combined.

So you're telling me the Suns made a good pick?

 

[BC867]

Bogdanovic looks better than Bender, Chriss, and Jackson combined.

KRay or EJ made the comment that Bogdanovic looks much shorter than his 6'6" listed height.

I wonder if that will take his potential down. Or if it just sour grapes on behalf of the Suns front office.

 

[SirStefan32]

So you're telling me the Suns made a good pick?

Indeed! Unfortunately, it's the one they didn't keep.

 

[SirStefan32]

KRay or EJ made the comment that Bogdanovic looks much shorter than his 6'6" listed height.

I wonder if that will take his potential down. Or if it just sour grapes on behalf of the Suns front office.

Everybody is shorter than their listed height.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns can't post up and they can't shoot the three. It's hard to win this way.

Looking at the box score it looked like Bender got the message with 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Compared to how he has been playing this is something.

 

[leclerc]

Haven't watched a game in ages. Was fun when Booker went on a tear in the east. Then he got injured and let's face it, none of Jackson, Chriss, Bender or Ulis can do much on the offensive end, and Warren cannot win games by himself. Not sure where we are right now. We have some pieces but I don't see a core. Get someone in with Booker and Warren then maybe. Not convinced there is one or more long term starters outside of those two. It's probably too early to write off Jackson and Bender though. Hope they have a break out game or two in the coming weeks.

Yeah, go Suns...

 

[Cheesebeef]

Haven't watched a game in ages. Was fun when Booker went on a tear in the east. Then he got injured and let's face it, none of Jackson, Chriss, Bender or Ulis can do much on the offensive end, and Warren cannot win games by himself. Not sure where we are right now. We have some pieces but I don't see a core. Get someone in with Booker and Warren then maybe. Not convinced there is one or more long term starters outside of those two. It's probably too early to write off Jackson and Bender though. Hope they have a break out game or two in the coming weeks.

Yeah, go Suns...

The above I think sums up why the tankers feel the need for one more tank.

Booker DESPERATELY needs a number 1B or great #2 before we can start talking core and true rebuilding. Even if Jackson pans out (and I still have lots of hope there), I’m not sure he’s going to be more than a great #3 option.

And this draft is LOADED up top. Get one of those guys and pair him with Book and the other youngsters and the Phoenix can finally start to rise from the ashes.

 

[SirStefan32]

Ah, the "Just one more tank" argument. Right up there with "Just one more drink" and "One more fix."

But, luckily, the Suns don't need to tank. They are just that bad. Unless the Suns manage to pull of a miracle of a trade, they'll be in top 5. Then we can start arguing about tanking just one more time next year.

 

[hcsilla]

Yes, one more year, until we get enough core players. We have one in Booker.

Others? None.

We need more.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ah, the "Just one more tank" argument. Right up there with "Just one more drink" and "One more fix."

But, luckily, the Suns don't need to tank. They are just that bad. Unless the Suns manage to pull of a miracle of a trade, they'll be in top 5. Then we can start arguing about tanking just one more time next year.

Yup. The Suns are this bad.