Suns vs Mavericks, Las Vegas, 7-9- 17

[GatorAZ]

If McD didn't trade for Porzingis because he wouldn't include Jackson and Chriss/Bender he should be canned. I'm hoping the Knicks were just sending him a message and not actually trying to trade him.

 

[Carolinacacti]

James just gave Chriss the Look of WTF on the last play of the half. Bender and Reed could not hit a shot. Live by the three die bye it

 

[Folster]

Jackson, Chriss, and Bender are supposed to be part of our core future, but none of them look special so far in 1.5 SL games.

I wish Ulis was playing. Although James has played well, I think Ulis would be putting our guys in a better position.

 

[Finito]

Super ugly game for the Suns what like 23-25 turnovers? The Mavs looked well coached and played team basketball, the Suns looked like they run nothing on offense it's just throw the ball out there.

On a positive Davon Reed continues to look good

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Jackson, Chriss, and Bender are supposed to be part of our core future, but none of them look special so far in 1.5 SL games.

I wish Ulis was playing. Although James has played well, I think Ulis would be putting our guys in a better position.

Jackson ended up having a solid game. Chriss is clearly out of shape and has some work to do to get ready for the season. Bender looks marginally better than last year, but just barely.

I believe Jackson is being told to get up jump shots and a lot of them in SL. That is why he jacked up 7 threes. Not sure he shot that many in a single game in college this year and obviously these are even longer threes.

 

[Mainstreet]

Super ugly game for the Suns what like 23-25 turnovers? The Mavs looked well coached and played team basketball, the Suns looked like they run nothing on offense it's just throw the ball out there.

On a positive Davon Reed continues to look good

The Suns had 25 turnovers.

I agree, the Suns looked like they just ad-libbed everything on offense. They definitely need to work on their shooting as well.

It was not a fun game to watch at least for Suns fans.

 

[82CardsGrad]

If McD didn't trade for Porzingis because he wouldn't include Jackson and Chriss/Bender he should be canned. I'm hoping the Knicks were just sending him a message and not actually trying to trade him.

Phil Jackson was canned... that should tell you how serious the Knicks were about trading Porzingis.

 

[Raze]

That was plain ugly. Lots of shots missed. Anyone else think they had no legs today? Everything was just short. Missed dunks, potential rebounds off fingertips, shots were off. Just a bad day.

Dallas outplayed us just about everywhere.

Chriss wasn't as bad as game 1, but I saw 2 times in the first half where he didn't get back on D. He's playing extremely lazy. It's even more glaring with guys like James and Jackson trying to earn jobs giving everything they have. He now has 15 TO's in 2 games.

I absolutely love James staring down Chriss. He won't make our team, but some team is going to love having him on the roster. He's played well in both games.

I thought Bender showed a bit more this game. His legs were gone too apparently. He got lit up trying to defend Guards on the perimeter. Still, Watson said he wants him bringing the ball up court and feeding his teammates. He did just that with the kick out to JJ for the alley oop to DJJ. He had a couple of O boards with some put backs. He still looks stiff though. He's gonna need tons of time to develop.

Besides JJ's poor shooting, everything else looks solid. That coast to coast was Barkley esk. He can board, bang, dish, dribble, D, post, and run the fast break. Oh, and he's 6-8. He's a unique talent.

Davon couldn't hit tonight from outside. The great thing about him is he finds other ways to contribute. He had some good dishes and boards today. He also continues to show he can defend. Unfortunately his legs looked dead on D. I'm wondering if all the boys when out last night and stayed up a little late.

For those lamenting over not getting Dennis Smith, remember that guy goes top 3 if he doesn't have the knee issue. Even with the knee I had him as my 4th overall prospect. Dude can light it up. He plays too hard for his size though. He runs the risk of falling into the Derrick Rose trap. Can his body take playing at that level?

On to the next game.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Chriss is out of shape. You don't gain 20 pounds of muscle in three months.

JJ needs to quit pushing it. Just play within himself on offense. Let it come to him. This team needs a point guard.

 

[Finito]

Remember it's game 2 in summer league. Relax

But man I've been disappointed in Chriss

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

That was plain ugly. Lots of shots missed. Anyone else think they had no legs today? Everything was just short. Missed dunks, potential rebounds off fingertips, shots were off. Just a bad day.

Dallas outplayed us just about everywhere.

Chriss wasn't as bad as game 1, but I saw 2 times in the first half where he didn't get back on D. He's playing extremely lazy. It's even more glaring with guys like James and Jackson trying to earn jobs giving everything they have. He now has 15 TO's in 2 games.

I absolutely love James staring down Chriss. He won't make our team, but some team is going to love having him on the roster. He's played well in both games.

I thought Bender showed a bit more this game. His legs were gone too apparently. He got lit up trying to defend Guards on the perimeter. Still, Watson said he wants him bringing the ball up court and feeding his teammates. He did just that with the kick out to JJ for the alley oop to DJJ. He had a couple of O boards with some put backs. He still looks stiff though. He's gonna need tons of time to develop.

Besides JJ's poor shooting, everything else looks solid. That coast to coast was Barkley esk. He can board, bang, dish, dribble, D, post, and run the fast break. Oh, and he's 6-8. He's a unique talent.

Davon couldn't hit tonight from outside. The great thing about him is he finds other ways to contribute. He had some good dishes and boards today. He also continues to show he can defend. Unfortunately his legs looked dead on D. I'm wondering if all the boys when out last night and stayed up a little late.

For those lamenting over not getting Dennis Smith, remember that guy goes top 3 if he doesn't have the knee issue. Even with the knee I had him as my 4th overall prospect. Dude can light it up. He plays too hard for his size though. He runs the risk of falling into the Derrick Rose trap. Can his body take playing at that level?

On to the next game.

The more I think about it, the more I am starting to think this is what happened.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Dallas played in the Orlando summer league. They have a few more games under their belt.
It is obvious that the summer leagues are built for point guards. Look at last year with Ulis.
We have no plays and no cohesiveness. Just running around iso ball. And no player on the summer roster is built for that. I am just glad that there have been no injuries (knock on wood) and I try to temper the frustration of ugly Suns basketball while watching all of the drafted guards make nice plays which they won't be making in a few months.

 

[Mainstreet]

Dallas played in the Orlando summer league. They have a few more games under their belt.
It is obvious that the summer leagues are built for point guards. Look at last year with Ulis.
We have no plays and no cohesiveness. Just running around iso ball. And no player on the summer roster is built for that. I am just glad that there have been no injuries (knock on wood) and I try to temper the frustration of ugly Suns basketball while watching all of the drafted guards make nice plays which they won't be making in a few months.

Good points. The Mavericks won the Orlando Summer League and went undefeated in doing it.

https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/...gue-dallas-mavericks-run-the-table-in-orlando

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Dallas played in the Orlando summer league. They have a few more games under their belt.
It is obvious that the summer leagues are built for point guards. Look at last year with Ulis.
We have no plays and no cohesiveness. Just running around iso ball. And no player on the summer roster is built for that. I am just glad that there have been no injuries (knock on wood) and I try to temper the frustration of ugly Suns basketball while watching all of the drafted guards make nice plays which they won't be making in a few months.

Definitely built for guys that have some shot creation skills. This is why Booker was so dominant last year (granted he was nearly as good in the regular season) and a lot of the young guards this year are all playing pretty well. They all have the ability to get to where they want with their handle and quickness and are good at putting the ball in the basket from there.

 

[leclerc]

Chriss and Bender looks improved and I'm glad they've put on some weight, in fact Chriss needs to shed about 10 lbs to get his usual explosiveness back. Hope to see them more intent on being involved in the next games, but this might be related to the iso ball you have been discussing. When they do get the ball inside then make a strong move. Don't dribble into traffic turning it over or throw up a weak hook. Go high and strong. Like what I've seen from Davon Reed and Mike James.

 

[SweetD]

After watching the game here are my take aways.

Jones Jr is killing us on D, his poor D is leading to everyone having to switch out and take his man on almost every play once they blow by him. This is why Bender had to try to play out on Smith. Expect whoever is being guarded by Jones to have a big night. (Fox, Smith)

Bender has proven he is not a point forward and is really starting to look like just a role player.

I wonder if the team wanted Chriss to put on all that weight and play C. Chriss doesn't look excited to be playing down low and battling for rebounds.

Jackson again is showing good feel for the game, but still learning. His mid range poo is still looking uncomfortable. At this point Warren will start and JJ will be coming off the bench.

James and Reed had good games to showing they might be able to make the big club.

*For next game I hope the coaching staff rips into Chriss and move Jones to the bench for Reed. I would like to see Bender and Chriss swap roles.

 

[mojorizen7]

Jackson again is showing good feel for the game, but still learning. His mid range **** is still looking uncomfortable. At this point Warren will start and JJ will be coming off the bench.

You don't bring JJ off the bench behind Warren just because his shooting is sub par. JJ will positively impact the game in other ways better than Warren. Defensively, rebounding, passing, energy etc. That's small thinking.

 

[Mainstreet]

You don't bring JJ off the bench behind Warren just because his shooting is sub par. JJ will positively impact the game in other ways better than Warren. Defensively, rebounding, passing, energy etc. That's small thinking.

I do not believe Warren is deserving of being benched. Jackson needs to earn a starting role plus I think he will bring energy off the bench. Warren averaged 14.4 points a game last season and 5.1 rebounds.

Here is a link to his stats.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/warretj01.html

However, the Suns need to decide how Warren fits into their future. He is a RFA next season.

 

[SweetD]

You don't bring JJ off the bench behind Warren just because his shooting is sub par. JJ will positively impact the game in other ways better than Warren. Defensively, rebounding, passing, energy etc. That's small thinking.

It is not just his shooting, I would say it is best for his career right now. Running with the second unit would be good for him.

 

[leclerc]

Warren/Jackson
I would hold off making the decision. If JJ is better in training camp and preseason then start him on opening night.

Bender
Giving up on a nineteen year old is so premature I can't even begin to comprehend it. Some of you guys have the lowest patience. Do you expect everyone to be finished products? Why did we draft someone who can't shoot then, instead of Smith Jr, who looks much more ready. How many are as advanced as him at that age? We should start drafting seniors, if that's the logic.

 

[mojorizen7]

It is not just his shooting, I would say it is best for his career right now. Running with the second unit would be good for him.

Disagree 100%