Suns to focus on player development within

[Superbone]

They havnt even hired anyone. And its not like guys in those positions get paid big bucks, especially if (and it sounds like it is) its someone who is new at the job.

They hired Lindsey Hunter and they're looking to hire another.

 

[Mainstreet]

They hired Lindsey Hunter and they're looking to hire another.

I believe we are in agreement, the Suns moves have not been just for PR.

I think the Suns have made some serious effort this summer to change the direction of the team. The Suns got four draft picks for Steve Nash who could have left the Suns as a FA for nothing. They traded Robin Lopez for a first round draft pick and now the Suns are looking for a young big man coach to add with Lindsey Hunter. Also they added Scola for a reasonable salary, plus they drafted Kendall Marshall added Dragic and Beasley. The Suns also tried to add a young star in Gordon for a max type contract. IMO, signing Gordon was the Suns best effort at a PR move and luckily it failed.

The bottom line I'm making, the Suns have to be taken at face value until they prove otherwise. The Suns are not going to rebuild the team in one off season so they have to work with the players they have.

 

[Griffin]

I believe we are in agreement, the Suns moves have not been just for PR.

I think the Suns have made some serious effort this summer to change the direction of the team. The Suns got four draft picks for Steve Nash who could have left the Suns as a FA for nothing. They traded Robin Lopez for a first round draft pick and now the Suns are looking for a young big man coach to add with Lindsey Hunter. Also they added Scola for a reasonable salary, plus they drafted Kendall Marshall added Dragic and Beasley. The Suns also tried to add a young star in Gordon for a max type contract.

Obviously all those moves aren't just for PR as every team makes changes when they realize something is not working or has run its course. This is true for all personnel changes including adding and replacing coaches. But the Suns have had mentors and big man coaches before, so they are merely replacing those with new ones while spinning it as if they are doing something drastically new or something different from what other teams do. But I'm guessing media spins are also not exclusive to the Suns organization.

When things aren't going well, people expect changes, so they are making changes, and letting people know about it. Time will tell whether any of these changes will pay any dividends. Putting emphasis on developing young talent is always a good idea. Now they just have to go get some young talent worth developing.

 

[Mainstreet]

Obviously all those moves aren't just for PR as every team makes changes when they realize something is not working or has run its course. This is true for all personnel changes including adding and replacing coaches. But the Suns have had mentors and big man coaches before, so they are merely replacing those with new ones while spinning it as if they are doing something drastically new or something different from what other teams do. But I'm guessing media spins are also not exclusive to the Suns organization.

When things aren't going well, people expect changes, so they are making changes, and letting people know about it. Time will tell whether any of these changes will pay any dividends. Putting emphasis on developing young talent is always a good idea. Now they just have to go get some young talent worth developing.

Maybe the Suns wanted a younger coach to work with their young big men. Bill Cartwright was age 55.

I'm curious why you did not include the last sentence of my second paragraph from my post.

IMO, signing Gordon was the Suns best effort at a PR move and luckily it failed.

This smacks of a PR move to me... building a team around a small SG Gordon seems reckless in retrospect.

 

[Covert Rain]

This is pretty funny. So, if I am a chef and have crappy ingredients.....does that mean I can make a gourmet meal if I focus within?

If so....look out world....SPAM is about to become filet mignon!!!!

 

[Griffin]

I'm curious why you did not include the last sentence of my second paragraph from my post.

This smacks of a PR move to me... building a team around a small SG Gordon seems reckless in retrospect.

Gordon was arguably the best FA (after Williams) and the Suns had the cap space so they went after him. It was not so much about PR than it was the management attempting to rebuild in one summer with whatever FA's happened to be available. If there was no chance that NO would let him go then I would have considered it a strictly PR move, but I believe the Suns management really wanted Gordon on the team.

 

[Mainstreet]

This is pretty funny. So, if I am a chef and have crappy ingredients.....does that mean I can make a gourmet meal if I focus within?

If so....look out world....SPAM is about to become filet mignon!!!!

I don't think the Suns have crappy players, maybe not star level but certainly not bad. If you have ever watched the TV food channels that delve into dining around the world, you will find gourmet food dishes are often made out of ingredients some Western countries throw away. One not always need to eat filet mignon to have a great meal. Anyway, why not work on getting the maximum benefit out of the players on the roster.

 

[Mainstreet]

Gordon was arguably the best FA (after Williams) and the Suns had the cap space so they went after him. It was not so much about PR than it was the management attempting to rebuild in one summer with whatever FA's happened to be available. If there was no chance that NO would let him go then I would have considered it a strictly PR move, but I believe the Suns management really wanted Gordon on the team.

The point I was trying to make, it's not smart to rebuild around a small SG. I'm not saying it was all PR, but what were the Suns thinking to want to spend max money on such a player? They got lucky it didn't happen. I like where the Suns are now because they have financial flexibility going forward and have improved their chances of getting a better first round pick (their own).

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think the Suns have crappy players, maybe not star level but certainly not bad. If you have ever watched the TV food channels that delve into dining around the world, you will find gourmet food dishes are often made out of ingredients some Western countries throw away. One not always need to eat filet mignon to have a great meal. Anyway, why not work on getting the maximum benefit out of the players on the roster.

I get what you're saying. We should either eat more filet mignon or move eastward.

I do agree with you but the one overriding difference is that the NBA is powered by stars. I'm not sure what happens when you toss a bunch of leftovers into a bowl and put it next to the steak and lobster platters.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

This idea that the Suns are going to develop younger players is odd to me. I can't believe a professional ball club that invests millions of $$$ in these guys has not always done that. WTF was the mindset prior? Figure this stuff out on your own? Does anyone believe that Amare didn't get this treatment? Other draft picks didn't get this treatment? The only difference between always and now is that there are more younger guys on the roster. The only thing that is newsworthy here to me is that saying this now makes it appear that the club has always been run by idiots.

No, Amare did not get this treatment. He complained about it. He still got more than the 2nd rounders and other younger players. In the DAntoni era, it was all about playing the vets. The reason the Suns did not draft Rajon Rondo is because DAntoni said that he does not develop rookies.

So, yes, it is a paradigm shift. The Suns have usually gone after free agents or traded for known commodities. Rarely have they drafted to fill their roster. The excuse has usually been that they were always picking late.

Now it is important and their assets at this moment are young players with potential if developed.

Beasley, Wesley Johnson, Markieff Morris, Kendall Marshall, Markeiff Morris, and even Telfair to an extent.

You do the best with what you have and continue to seek talent.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The point I was trying to make, it's not smart to rebuild around a small SG. I'm not saying it was all PR, but what were the Suns thinking to want to spend max money on such a player? They got lucky it didn't happen. I like where the Suns are now because they have financial flexibility going forward and have improved their chances of getting a better first round pick (their own).

Its not bad if you have the cap space to add at least one more max free agent. Then it is not building around one, but two players , or more.

 

[Mainstreet]

I get what you're saying. We should either eat more filet mignon or move eastward.

I do agree with you but the one overriding difference is that the NBA is powered by stars. I'm not sure what happens when you toss a bunch of leftovers into a bowl and put it next to the steak and lobster platters.

Steve

Being halfway serious for a moment, I wouldn't touch the steak or lobster platter except I might eat a few bites of filet mignon. I do eat beef but it is usually cooked and turned into other dishes such as beef curry, beef with brown gravy and mushrooms or even a good hamburger. Whatever meat I eat has to be lean. The same with chicken. I like fried chicken but I usually eat chicken when it is turned into other dishes as well. I admit I do like I love fish but I usually have to catch it and have it prepared fresh. No fishy taste for me. I do like a couple pieces of bacon with my egg.

On second thought, maybe I should move East.

Although, after those who feast on steak and lobster, no way are they are beating my star players such as beef lasagna at center, chili burros at PF, shrimp or cod at SF, Spaghetti at SG and Tacos at PG. Wait until you see my bench. It is deep and talented that will make opposing coaches drivel with envy.

See I have built a team that can compete with lobster and fillet mignon.

 

[Covert Rain]

I don't think the Suns have crappy players, maybe not star level but certainly not bad. If you have ever watched the TV food channels that delve into dining around the world, you will find gourmet food dishes are often made out of ingredients some Western countries throw away. One not always need to eat filet mignon to have a great meal. Anyway, why not work on getting the maximum benefit out of the players on the roster.

I have no problem with that. I just think the maximum is at the McDonald's level.

 

[Mainstreet]

I have no problem with that. I just think the maximum is at the McDonald's level.

McDonalds is doing quite well, thank you. Sort of SSOL offense. Just outscore the opponents.

 

[KloD]

No, Amare did not get this treatment. He complained about it. He still got more than the 2nd rounders and other younger players. In the DAntoni era, it was all about playing the vets. The reason the Suns did not draft Rajon Rondo is because DAntoni said that he does not develop rookies.

So, yes, it is a paradigm shift. The Suns have usually gone after free agents or traded for known commodities. Rarely have they drafted to fill their roster. The excuse has usually been that they were always picking late.

Now it is important and their assets at this moment are young players with potential if developed.

Beasley, Wesley Johnson, Markieff Morris, Kendall Marshall, Markeiff Morris, and even Telfair to an extent.

You do the best with what you have and continue to seek talent.

I could certainly be wrong, but I recall Scott Williams working with Amare a lot his first few years and Mark West watching over his spending and personal life. I thought both were big mentors for Amare?

 

[Budden]

I could certainly be wrong, but I recall Scott Williams working with Amare a lot his first few years and Mark West watching over his spending and personal life. I thought both were big mentors for Amare?

Of course they were. Amar'e said that he never learned how to play defense under D'Antoni, but obviously that was an excuse for him not being a good defender, as evidenced by his career ever since. The Suns' management is just saying that they're focusing more on player development, because what else can they say they're focusing on? Building a losing culture?

And as far as the whole "what kind of food is player X," I don't see the point of the discussion. Most of the players on this team have already been eaten by other teams. In the case of Jermaine O'neal, he's been fully digested and defecated; Wes Johnson, on the other hand, looked like a good meal but was ultimately vomited out. I don't know if this team is full of Filet Mignon or Spam, but I do know that most of the players were recently floating in the toilet.

 

[Budden]

The reason the Suns did not draft Rajon Rondo is because DAntoni said that he does not develop rookies.

No, that's not the reason. If it was the reason, then the Suns wouldn't have drafted anyone, ever, for D'Antoni's entire tenure as head coach.

If the Suns want to be good with the current roster, they don't need to hire Kurt Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, or any other basketball player.

They need Rumpelstiltskin. And I doubt he's available.

 

[Superbone]

They need Rumpelstiltskin. And I doubt he's available.

He's not very tall but I've heard he's got great hops.

 

[elindholm]

I don't know if this team is full of Filet Mignon or Spam, but I do know that most of the players were recently floating in the toilet.

Time for cheesebeef to make another YouTube video!

 

[Mainstreet]

Some Suns tidbits from Paul Coro at azcentral dated 8-31-12, the most interesting comment is about Frye.

By the time Labor Day weekend has ended, some labor will commence for the 2012-13 Phoenix Suns.

The most encouraging inclusion in those recent visitors for the Suns has been Channing Frye, whose shoulder rehabilitation progressed to shooting in July and now has cleared him for some contact. He has a chance at being ready for opening night on Oct. 31.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/170955

 

[BC867]

Some Suns tidbits from Paul Coro at azcentral dated 8-31-12, the most interesting comment is about Frye.

"The most encouraging inclusion in those recent visitors for the Suns has been Channing Frye, whose shoulder rehabilitation progressed to shooting in July and now has cleared him for some contact. He has a chance at being ready for opening night on Oct. 31."

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/170955

I can't say I find the inclusion of Frye in our mix of legitimate Centers and Power Forwards to be encouraging. Maybe if they had surgically removed 30 pounds and put him in the mix at Small Forward.

 

[Mainstreet]

I can't say I find the inclusion of Frye in our mix of legitimate Centers and Power Forwards to be encouraging. Maybe if they had surgically removed 30 pounds and put him in the mix at Small Forward.

Frye would be more acceptable to you if he had a ten more pounds of muscle.

Seriously, if Scola starts at PF besides Gortat you should be happy. Frye might end up as depth for the center/PF position. Actually Frye might be the third PF on the team behind Scola and Morris.

I do expect Scola to get some serious time as a backup center as well. The days of Frye starting might be over.

 

[BC867]

Frye would be more acceptable to you if he had a ten more pounds of muscle.

Huh?!? Frye plays soft. And camps out 23 feet from the basket on offense, leaving us with one "big".

He has the weight and muscle. He just needs to play the position. And the older he gets, the worse it gets.

Not only is he not an enforcer. He is an unforcer.

 

[devilalum]

Huh?!? Frye plays soft. And camps out 23 feet from the basket on offense, leaving us with one "big".

He has the weight and muscle. He just needs to play the position. And the older he gets, the worse it gets.

Not only is he not an enforcer. He is an unforcer.

The Suns signed Frye because they wanted a big that could hit the 3. This pulled the opposing teams center out of the lane and made room for Nash to create. It will be interesting to see if Frye plays the same way in the new system whatever that might be.

 

[Covert Rain]

Of course they were. Amar'e said that he never learned how to play defense under D'Antoni, but obviously that was an excuse for him not being a good defender, as evidenced by his career ever since.

Amare is not the only player to say that about D'Antoni and look at how D'Antoni dismantled the defense in New York.