Suns open Las Vegas Summer League August 8th, 2021

[Mainstreet]

Yeah I understand that they want a spread Power forward, But at the time I made that comment his three-point shots were looking rushed, And his shots around the basket he was just throwing up kind of wildly.

By the way, that picture somebody posted a few days ago of a shirtless I'm not saying he needs to look like a line backer, but some balance would be a good idea.

Yeah, unfortunately only 28 pounds of it are his legs.

In that picture it clearly showed Stix has been working out. His stomach muscles were well defined. I'm not sure how much more weight his frame can hold. The effort to get bigger and stronger seems to be there.

 

[Mainstreet]

I've always questioned listed weights more than height. There are discussions about height and its easy to tell comparing players to one another but weight is a totally different story. That's part of why I'd get frustrated when some posters try using weight as an argument for why a player isn't ready. Sure, if they're rail thin like rookie Giannis or something, I get it, but those cases are obvious.

I recall a few years back when we lacked size, as usual, and added Brandon Wright, who is a 7 footer but that wasn't good enough for some since he was billed at like 220. It's the fall back for those who like to complain to keep complaining. "Well, they may be tall but they're not bulky".

If I were to look at players with similar build, a playing weight of around 240 pounds seems about right. I don't think there is a magical number but it would allow him to play inside more.

 

[Raze]

I haven’t seen anything to suggest Stix being more than a 9-10th man contributor in meaningful games and we’re in a title window. His value might be at its peak right now.

I agree on the former. And that's not too bad when he's got Cam, Cam, Landry, and JaVale ahead of him. He doesn't have to be a superstar to contribute. If he can be a 3&D guy at the 4/5, which he looks capable of doing, then he'll contribute positively. A healthy Dario is a shade ahead of him right now, but it looks like Smith is catching up.

As to the latter, his value won't peak until he gets meaningful minutes in the season. In his only meaningful game(?) last year he got a doubledouble with 2 blocks. There's something there.

Consider this: what if we had drafted Isaiah Stewart instead? Would have have gotten meaningful time here? And what if Detroit drafted Smith. Wouldn't he have gotten a chance to show his talent? Point is, Stewart got a chance to showcase on an awful team whereas Smith was buried on a title contender. That isn't to say Smith is better than Stewart, it's just too soon to determine.

 

[ProdigalSun]

I think probably the best option is to hold on to Jalen for now and maybe wait for a K Love buyout or something similar to bolster the frontline. The fan in me wants “win now” players but I also don’t want the team to slip to the state it was in 4-5 years ago…

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree on the former. And that's not too bad when he's got Cam, Cam, Landry, and JaVale ahead of him. He doesn't have to be a superstar to contribute. If he can be a 3&D guy at the 4/5, which he looks capable of doing, then he'll contribute positively. A healthy Dario is a shade ahead of him right now, but it looks like Smith is catching up.

As to the latter, his value won't peak until he gets meaningful minutes in the season. In his only meaningful game(?) last year he got a doubledouble with 2 blocks. There's something there.

Consider this: what if we had drafted Isaiah Stewart instead? Would have have gotten meaningful time here? And what if Detroit drafted Smith. Wouldn't he have gotten a chance to show his talent? Point is, Stewart got a chance to showcase on an awful team whereas Smith was buried on a title contender. That isn't to say Smith is better than Stewart, it's just too soon to determine.

With Saric ailing and inconsistent along with Monty's reluctance to play Kaminsky, I think there is a good chance Isaiah Stewart would have received a long look because the Suns desperately needed an inside presence off the bench. The same if the Suns had drafted Prescious Achiuwa.

The Pistons were going to play their rookies regardless because they were not going anywhere.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think probably the best option is to hold on to Jalen for now and maybe wait for a K Love buyout or something similar to bolster the frontline. The fan in me wants “win now” players but I also don’t want the team to slip to the state it was in 4-5 years ago…

I don't think Jalen Smith has much value other than clearing salary off the books so the Suns should keep him for now. He will have to prove his worth during the season.

The Suns strategy seems to be waiting for a discount on a proven veteran, getting a player in perhaps a spinoff trade or a buyout. This is why they have the open roster spot.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Stix says he is trying to be dominant.

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Lol. Okay guy. What’s his shooting percentage?

 

[Mainstreet]

Lol. Okay guy. What’s his shooting percentage?

I wish he had chosen different words.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I wonder if there was a way for him to play without the glasses (surgery, contacts) if that would help.

 

[ProdigalSun]

I wonder if there was a way for him to play without the glasses (surgery, contacts) if that would help.

or just get less nerdy looking ones…

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Hoop Head]

I wonder if there was a way for him to play without the glasses (surgery, contacts) if that would help.

Who knows I just recently learned that Horace Grant actually had lasik surgery in the 90's but continued to wear his goggles because he was used to them and he learned kids with glasses looked up to him. Point being, I wouldn't count on Stix losing them any time soon.

Sbnation.com/nba/21286796/nba-horace-grant-reddit-ama-goggles-legally-blind-for-the-kids

 

[Mainstreet]

A reminder, the Suns finish summer league play today at 3 p.m. against the Cavaliers.

The Suns record is 2-2.

It will be televised on ESPN 2.

 

[Yuma]

Who knows I just recently learned that Horace Grant actually had lasik surgery in the 90's but continued to wear his goggles because he was used to them and he learned kids with glasses looked up to him. Point being, I wouldn't count on Stix losing them any time soon.

Sbnation.com/nba/21286796/nba-horace-grant-reddit-ama-goggles-legally-blind-for-the-kids

Kareem wore them just because he was getting poked in the eye so much on rebounds. He didn't really need them.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Kareem wore them just because he was getting poked in the eye so much on rebounds. He didn't really need them.

Kareems were safety goggles. They did not have rims like Smiths.

 

[Mainstreet]

Kurt Rambis says I will wear what I want.

 

[Mainstreet]

There is a softball game on ESPN 2?

 

[Finito]

Just turned on the game. “Well Jalen Smith isn’t gonna play today” *click*

 

[Mainstreet]

The game is being carried on the ESPN news channel.

Channel 207 on DirecTV.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Just turned on the game. “Well Jalen Smith isn’t gonna play today” *click*

Yup. No need to watch.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ty-Shon Alexander has not shown a lot in summer league.

Besides Jalen Smith, Kyle Alexander has showed me the most.

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns lose finale in Las Vegas Summer League to Cavaliers 88-85.

Ty-Shon Alexander missed a go ahead 3-point shot with about a second left.


Here is a link to the box score.

Cavaliers 88-85 Suns (Aug 16, 2021) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns Nba-summer-las-vegas game from August 16, 2021 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

 

[gimpy]

4 point shot?

 

[jlove]

Still has to make you wonder what's up with Stix. Not on injury list. Did not play and wasn't on the bench. Where was he and why wasn't he at least on the bench. Potential trade?

 

[Mainstreet]

Still has to make you wonder what's up with Stix. Not on injury list. Did not play and wasn't on the bench. Where was he and why wasn't he at least on the bench. Potential trade?

A decision was made not to play Jalen Smith as he reportedly got what he needed out of summer league play. He wasn't hurt. It doesn't eliminate your question though.

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[Mainstreet]

A look at some stats for the game.

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