Suns Press conference/Exit Interviews

[JCSunsfan]

IMO, the Suns need another star potential player. This would dictate what other positions they need to address. Say the Suns get that star type player at SF. Then the Suns need to minimally need to beef up the PF position. After that, I would like to get a combo guard to serve the Suns backup needs at PG and SG.

I'm not into signing Tucker if the signing price is too high. I certainly do not want to extend Frye which is what he is seeking. If he can find a team that will give him a multi-year contract, so be it.

I don't think they need another combo guard. They have two and to back them up they have a pure pg in ISh and a pure wing in Green.

I agree completely about the star Ayer dictating other moves. They really need to get the star player first and then building around it.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think they need another combo guard. They have two and to back them up they have a pure pg in ISh and a pure wing in Green.

I agree completely about the star Ayer dictating other moves. They really need to get the star player first and then building around it.

I like Ish but he is purely depth. When the Suns go to the bench they need a guard that can help run the offense with one of the Suns two starting guards or with Green. I think we had a chance to see what it might look like before Leandro was injured. If the Suns do not add a combo guard I would be for them to minimally add another PG but a combo guard would provide more versatility.

 

[elindholm]

If the Suns do not add a combo guard I would be for them to minimally add another PG but a combo guard would provide more versatility.

The problem is that, 95% of the time, "combo guards" are so named because they lack real PG skills. If you need a backup PG, your target should be a PG, not a combo guard.

 

[Mainstreet]

The problem is that, 95% of the time, "combo guards" are so named because they lack real PG skills. If you need a backup PG, your target should be a PG, not a combo guard.

I'm hoping the Suns can find a 5 percenter.

However, if the Suns cannot find a combo PG that fits the bill, I would go for a PG hopefully with some height.

I do like Shabazz Napier though.

 

[BC867]

The problem is that, 95% of the time, "combo guards" are so named because they lack real PG skills. If you need a backup PG, your target should be a PG, not a combo guard.

Exactly! A combo Guard is a Shooting Guard in a Point Guard's body. A player without a position. Like Leandro Barbosa.

We don't need to tie up a roster spot with another one.

 

[desertdawg]

That guy in the middle sure did take a lot of credit and props for a team that didn't make the play offs, for a guy that didn't coach or decide the roster.

And that is awesome.

That guy got beat on, I did some beating to but it was only out of a love that I felt was trampled on at one point. A love I feared might becoming "Cardinal Style" if you will. A love that was only kept out of love, devotion, and the time spent together.

But as I eat my previous 'Saver" nick name, as I wonder what would have been if Gentry were still here, and as I wondered how a GM so young could figure out some nice pieces really quick... Sarver should be getting both shoulders patted.

Atta boy!

 

[sunsfan88]

I just watched it now and I thought it was funny that McD looked over to Babby when he was asked if there is a limit on what $$ they would give Tucker as opposed to matching anything for Bledsoe.

And then Babby, of course being the smart FO guy he is, gives a political answer.

My favorite part of the interview was when Babby was asked about ruining the excellent team chemistry by adding someone even if they aren't a superstar. He replied by saying there's no guarantee that they will have the same team chemistry next season even if they kept the exact team because circumstances change.

I think fans should realize that importance of that statement because its true.

Only thing I didn't like was when McD kept repeating over and over again that there are no glaring weaknesses on the team. Our rebounding and interior defense would disagree.

But yea can't wait til October! McD and Babby's comments about improving the team and the changes to come have me very, very optimistic.

 

[leclerc]

With Bled, Dragic, Green and Ish + an improved Goodwin I don't think we need another guard. Rather get someone up front. Keep the twins, get a couple of 1 and 2's and see what is left for Tucker and Frye. I really really hope we keep Tucker.

Maybe something like this:
C x, Plumlee, Len
PF x, Morris, Frye
SF Tucker, Morris, x
SG Dragic, Green, Christmas
PG Bledsoe, Goodwin, Ish

 

[Superbone]

With Bled, Dragic, Green and Ish + an improved Goodwin I don't think we need another guard. Rather get someone up front. Keep the twins, get a couple of 1 and 2's and see what is left for Tucker and Frye. I really really hope we keep Tucker.

Maybe something like this:
C x, Plumlee, Len
PF x, Morris, Frye
SF Tucker, Morris, x
SG Dragic, Green, Christmas
PG Bledsoe, Goodwin, Ish

I think you mean get a couple of 4s and 5s. 4 being a power forward and 5 being a center. 1 is a point guard while 2 is a shooting guard.

 

[leclerc]

You're right. That's embarrassing since I played ball growing up and I've followed the Suns and the NBA since pre-Barkley. Hmmm.

 

[Catlover]

I just watched it now and I thought it was funny that McD looked over to Babby when he was asked if there is a limit on what $$ they would give Tucker as opposed to matching anything for Bledsoe.

And then Babby, of course being the smart FO guy he is, gives a political answer.

My favorite part of the interview was when Babby was asked about ruining the excellent team chemistry by adding someone even if they aren't a superstar. He replied by saying there's no guarantee that they will have the same team chemistry next season even if they kept the exact team because circumstances change.

I think fans should realize that importance of that statement because its true.

Only thing I didn't like was when McD kept repeating over and over again that there are no glaring weaknesses on the team. Our rebounding and interior defense would disagree.

But yea can't wait til October! McD and Babby's comments about improving the team and the changes to come have me very, very optimistic.

He kept repeating it because it's true, there are no glaring weaknesses. As a team, we're pretty much middle of the pack in rebounding. With everyone healthy, our defensive stats are decent too. We need to reduce the second chances we give other teams, cut down on turnovers and improve our overall defense but none of those are "glaring weaknesses".

 

[JCSunsfan]

The problem is that, 95% of the time, "combo guards" are so named because they lack real PG skills. If you need a backup PG, your target should be a PG, not a combo guard.

That's what I was trying to say, but I was typing with my thumbs.

 

[elindholm]

He kept repeating it because it's true, there are no glaring weaknesses. As a team, we're pretty much middle of the pack in rebounding. With everyone healthy, our defensive stats are decent too. We need to reduce the second chances we give other teams, cut down on turnovers and improve our overall defense but none of those are "glaring weaknesses".

I can't agree with that. If the Suns' overall defensive stats are only "decent" with everyone healthy, that speaks to a serious problem with interior defense, since allegedly Bledsoe is such a great perimeter defender. And, especially late in the year, the Suns' crunch-time offense usually came down to one contested three-pointer after another -- well, that, and Bledsoe forcing the ball into traffic and losing it -- which I think is one of the main reasons they coughed up so many big leads in the last few weeks.

Any team that finishes 48-34 has obviously done well for themselves, but if you're looking at ways to improve the Suns, it seems to me that there are some things that jump out very quickly. And that's pretty much the definition of a "glaring weakness."

 

[SirStefan32]

I can't agree with that. If the Suns' overall defensive stats are only "decent" with everyone healthy, that speaks to a serious problem with interior defense, since allegedly Bledsoe is such a great perimeter defender. And, especially late in the year, the Suns' crunch-time offense usually came down to one contested three-pointer after another -- well, that, and Bledsoe forcing the ball into traffic and losing it -- which I think is one of the main reasons they coughed up so many big leads in the last few weeks.

Any team that finishes 48-34 has obviously done well for themselves, but if you're looking at ways to improve the Suns, it seems to me that there are some things that jump out very quickly. And that's pretty much the definition of a "glaring weakness."

I completely agree. Without even thinking about it, I can think of three glaring weaknesses- interior defense, low-post offense, and play-making/ passing/ generating offense other than Bledsoe or Dragic driving to the hoop in isolation situations and Green/ Frye chucking threes.

Our PF rotation is a textbook example of a glaring weakness. Plumlee (before he burned out, got injured, etc) masked a glaring weakness at C a bit, and the Suns' assist numbers are so bad that I am not sure how anyone can call it anything but a glaring weakness.

Don't get me wrong, I get what McD was doing- you are not going to flat out say "Our PF rotation is atrocious, we have no game outside of Dragic and Bledsoe driving to the hoop, and Frye and Green chucking threes."

 

[sunsfan88]

He kept repeating it because it's true, there are no glaring weaknesses. As a team, we're pretty much middle of the pack in rebounding. With everyone healthy, our defensive stats are decent too. We need to reduce the second chances we give other teams, cut down on turnovers and improve our overall defense but none of those are "glaring weaknesses".

Pretty much the guys below make great points but I'll add to it and say that our defense is pretty horrific. We had a stretch where we set a fanchise or NBA record for most games with the opposing team shooting 50%+. That's awful. Not even in the D'Antoni era did we ever come close to something like that.

Also we have the worst front court in the West. That's a glaring weakness. Our interior defense and lack of a scoring threat inside is very troubling.

Our only way of scoring is jump shooting or Bledsoe/Dragic scoring in transition.

Kieff is the only player on the Suns who isn't awful at posting up inside.

I can't agree with that. If the Suns' overall defensive stats are only "decent" with everyone healthy, that speaks to a serious problem with interior defense, since allegedly Bledsoe is such a great perimeter defender. And, especially late in the year, the Suns' crunch-time offense usually came down to one contested three-pointer after another -- well, that, and Bledsoe forcing the ball into traffic and losing it -- which I think is one of the main reasons they coughed up so many big leads in the last few weeks.

Any team that finishes 48-34 has obviously done well for themselves, but if you're looking at ways to improve the Suns, it seems to me that there are some things that jump out very quickly. And that's pretty much the definition of a "glaring weakness."

I completely agree. Without even thinking about it, I can think of three glaring weaknesses- interior defense, low-post offense, and play-making/ passing/ generating offense other than Bledsoe or Dragic driving to the hoop in isolation situations and Green/ Frye chucking threes.

Our PF rotation is a textbook example of a glaring weakness. Plumlee (before he burned out, got injured, etc) masked a glaring weakness at C a bit, and the Suns' assist numbers are so bad that I am not sure how anyone can call it anything but a glaring weakness.

Don't get me wrong, I get what McD was doing- you are not going to flat out say "Our PF rotation is atrocious, we have no game outside of Dragic and Bledsoe driving to the hoop, and Frye and Green chucking threes."

 

[devilalum]

That guy in the middle sure did take a lot of credit and props for a team that didn't make the play offs, for a guy that didn't coach or decide the roster.

And that is awesome.

That guy got beat on, I did some beating to but it was only out of a love that I felt was trampled on at one point. A love I feared might becoming "Cardinal Style" if you will. A love that was only kept out of love, devotion, and the time spent together.

But as I eat my previous 'Saver" nick name, as I wonder what would have been if Gentry were still here, and as I wondered how a GM so young could figure out some nice pieces really quick... Sarver should be getting both shoulders patted.

Atta boy!

If all their failures were his fault then all the success this year must be his fault too. He hires the people and signs the checks. Its his team.

 

[Catlover]

Pretty much the guys below make great points but I'll add to it and say that our defense is pretty horrific. We had a stretch where we set a fanchise or NBA record for most games with the opposing team shooting 50%+. That's awful. Not even in the D'Antoni era did we ever come close to something like that.

Also we have the worst front court in the West. That's a glaring weakness. Our interior defense and lack of a scoring threat inside is very troubling.

Our only way of scoring is jump shooting or Bledsoe/Dragic scoring in

I didn't say we didn't have weaknesses, clearly we do. So does every other team in the league. I disagreed that we have a glaring need in rebounding and interior defense. I'm walking a fine line as far as interior defense goes as we really struggled without Bledsoe and even once he returned it was less than adequate. But, when they were healthy and not exhausted it was not a glaring weakness. I think several players hit the wall and that the way we played in November and December is more representative of our ability. We weren't a great defensive team but we weren't bad either.

My biggest concern is our lack of a consistent inside scorer that is still a threat, either as a scorer or a passer, when the double team comes. But there aren't a lot of players that fill that bill and it doesn't have to be the difference between a great team and a decent team. If we had a pure shooter at the three we could accomplish much the same thing.

When Frye became a liability from distance it really changed things for us. If you had simply said "Frye is a glaring weakness" I'd have left it alone because the last month or two of the season he clearly was a glaring weakness.

But I don't buy the complaints about the limited ways we can score. We score in a variety of ways and we have threats all over the court. We finished the season with a 12 - 6 record despite Bledsoe playing with a bad hand and Dragic playing with a bad sprained ankle (or not playing). Pointing to our struggles down the stretch as some have done makes little sense to me.

 

[BC867]

I didn't say we didn't have weaknesses, clearly we do. So does every other team in the league. I disagreed that we have a glaring need in rebounding and interior defense.

If that is true at all, it would be only during the long season when we face a variety of teams in single (or occasional back-to-back) games. And I still disagree with that.

But in the post-season, with series of up to 7 games of teams adjusting to each other -- and the refs allowing more physical play down low -- we would indeed have a glaring need for better rebounding and interior defense.

Without it the Phoenix Suns would be the pretenders we've been for the past 46 years.

 

[Catlover]

If that is true at all, it would be only during the long season when we face a variety of teams in single (or occasional back-to-back) games. And I still disagree with that.

But in the post-season, with series of up to 7 games of teams adjusting to each other -- and the refs allowing more physical play down low -- we would indeed have a glaring need for better rebounding and interior defense.

Without it the Phoenix Suns would be the pretenders we've been for the past 46 years.

You're probably right, I was thinking about what we've done not what might happen in the future. I still don't know if I'd call it a glaring weakness but it's kind of hard to argue otherwise when the game slows down and becomes a half court battle.