The Bledsoe dilemma

[JCSunsfan]

This article says that Horny has Bledsoe watching film of KJ constantly and Bled is determined to add the midrange jumper that KJ had. I love this coach. He doesn't just coach, he gives a player a vision of what he can be and then shows him how to get there.

http://m.si.com/3738272/eric-bledsoe-speeds-suns-present-by-rekindling-success-of-their-past/

 

[sunsfan88]

Suns Committed To Re-Signing Eric Bledsoe At 'Whatever It Takes'

Eric Bledsoe has had a breakout season with the Phoenix Suns, receiving increased playing time and general usage.

Bledsoe will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

"We'll have no problem stepping up and paying Eric whatever it takes to keep him," said Ryan McDonough.

"We feel like we're holding the cards with Eric, and more importantly, I think Eric's had a good experience here so far."

https://twitter.com/ramonashelburne/status/417877680713764864

https://twitter.com/ramonashelburne/status/417877832681811968

 

[SirStefan32]

I think McD said they'd match any reasonable offer. I certainly hope they would not pay him "whatever it takes" because that would be incredibly stupid.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think McD said they'd match any reasonable offer. I certainly hope they would not pay him "whatever it takes" because that would be incredibly stupid.

Hopefully he did not say "every reasonable offer." That is inviting a bidding war because teams like the Lakers will think they can get him just by going a little above what Phoenix thinks is reasonable.

You way, "we will match every offer" You say it loud. You say it every chance you get. You make teams think really hard about tying up free agent money waiting on Phoenix to match at the last minute.

This does not mean you actually have to match it.

 

[SirStefan32]

Hopefully he did not say "every reasonable offer." That is inviting a bidding war because teams like the Lakers will think they can get him just by going a little above what Phoenix thinks is reasonable.

You way, "we will match every offer" You say it loud. You say it every chance you get. You make teams think really hard about tying up free agent money waiting on Phoenix to match at the last minute.

This does not mean you actually have to match it.

Thankfully, he did:
"Sometimes that works out and both parties think it's a good deal for them. Other times it doesn't," McDonough said. "Obviously we don't have a whole lot of money committed for the future, we don't have a lot of long-term contracts on our books. So we'll have no problem stepping up and paying Eric whatever it takes to keep him."

Whatever it takes?

"Correct," McDonough said. "Any reasonable offer."

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10202840/eric-bledsoe-rising-sun


If some idiot offers him a max (4Year/ $60-ish mil, I believe) you have to be an idiot to match that. $15M per year for Bledsoe? No thanks. $50M over 5 years is what I would offer, and I would think about matching a 4 year/50M offer, but anything above that is just crazy.

 

[95pro]

Are a lot of you not really sold on Bledsoe? He's putting up good stats and numbers, hustles and plays hard...but for whatver reason I still don't think he deserves max money or will be a superstar. I'm not sure what it is, maybe it's because Dragic is putting up the same numbers but at a much better price.

I guess he does one thing better than other second tier stars (love, harden,...) is that he plays defense and is disruptive.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Are a lot of you not really sold on Bledsoe? He's putting up good stats and numbers, hustles and plays hard...but for whatver reason I still don't think he deserves max money or will be a superstar. I'm not sure what it is, maybe it's because Dragic is putting up the same numbers but at a much better price.

I guess he does one thing better than other second tier stars (love, harden,...) is that he plays defense and is disruptive.

Right now, Dragic might be the better player but I think it's fair to point out that Goran is outplaying his contract (AFAIC anyway). If this is the best Bledsoe is ever going to be, 10 to 12 million per year is reasonable but I still believe he will improve. Even if he never improves though, I believe there will be no end of suitors for him and he's going to get pretty close to a max deal somewhere. If we're not prepared to match (also known as, OVERPAY), we're going to lose him.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

Are a lot of you not really sold on Bledsoe? He's putting up good stats and numbers, hustles and plays hard...but for whatver reason I still don't think he deserves max money or will be a superstar. I'm not sure what it is, maybe it's because Dragic is putting up the same numbers but at a much better price.

I guess he does one thing better than other second tier stars (love, harden,...) is that he plays defense and is disruptive.

It's not that I am not sold on him, it's that I recognize his limitations. 6'1 combo guard can only do so much, regardless of how good he may become.

At least, Dragic is a point guard who can run the team. Bledsoe hasn't shown me anything that indicates he can actually run a team. He is a hell of a defender, good scorer, and is somewhat improving his shooting, but to me, that is not worth $15M per year.

I consider Dragic to be the better overall player out of the two, and I wouldn't give Dragic $15M, or even $12M per year, so it's really hard for me to say Bledsoe should get the same amount. If he were 3 inches taller, I'd be more open-minded, but $15M per year for a combo guard is just too much.

 

[BC867]

It's not that I am not sold on him, it's that I recognize his limitations. 6'1 combo guard can only do so much, regardless of how good he may become.

At least, Dragic is a point guard who can run the team. Bledsoe hasn't shown me anything that indicates he can actually run a team. He is a hell of a defender, good scorer, and is somewhat improving his shooting, but to me, that is not worth $15M per year.

I consider Dragic to be the better overall player out of the two, and I wouldn't give Dragic $15M, or even $12M per year, so it's really hard for me to say Bledsoe should get the same amount. If he were 3 inches taller, I'd be more open-minded, but $15M per year for a combo guard is just too much.

I get the same feeling. Even though Bledsoe's APG rate of 5.8 is just 0.1 behind Dragic's 5.9, you get the feeling that Goran is running the team (looking more and more like Steve Nash) when he plays the point, whereas Eric is more of a shoot-first mentality.

Their combined assists per game come to 11.7 of the Suns 19.1. It is interesting that our opponents this season average 19.8. Despite our success, our team assist rate is 4th from the bottom of the NBA, just 0.1 ahead of Cleveland and Boston for next-to-last. We are not an assist team as presently structured.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I get the same feeling. Even though Bledsoe's APG rate of 5.8 is just 0.1 behind Dragic's 5.9, you get the feeling that Goran is running the team (looking more and more like Steve Nash) when he plays the point, whereas Eric is more of a shoot-first mentality.

Their combined assists per game come to 11.7 of the Suns 19.1. It is interesting that our opponents this season average 19.8. Despite our success, our team assist rate is 4th from the bottom of the NBA, just 0.1 ahead of Cleveland and Boston for next-to-last. We are not an assist team as presently structured.

But this is the problem with you and a few others here. All you guys think about is offense but there are two ends of the court and for the first time in our history we have a true defensive game changer. If I'm going to overpay I think I'd rather it be for a guy that leaves the other team shaking their head at the chaos he creates.

Steve










If the above doesn't make you chuckle a little, head to Walmart and buy yourself a sense of humor.

 

[SirStefan32]

But this is the problem with you and a few others here. All you guys think about is offense but there are two ends of the court and for the first time in our history we have a true defensive game changer. If I'm going to overpay I think I'd rather it be for a guy that leaves the other team shaking their head at the chaos he creates.

Steve



If the above doesn't make you chuckle a little, head to Walmart and buy yourself a sense of humor.

Ha! Very nice!

 

[devilalum]

But this is the problem with you and a few others here. All you guys think about is offense but there are two ends of the court and for the first time in our history we have a true defensive game changer. If I'm going to overpay I think I'd rather it be for a guy that leaves the other team shaking their head at the chaos he creates.

Steve

Yeah, the mismatches caused by the Dragic/Bledose backcourt are obviously causing a LOT more problems for other teams than they are for the Suns. I bet they give Memphis fits.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yeah, the mismatches caused by the Dragic/Bledose backcourt are obviously causing a LOT more problems for other teams than they are for the Suns. I bet they give Memphis fits.

Not only that, but the Suns have the luxury of having one of them on the floor at all times. That is huge! They are also outstanding defensively when they all decide they're gonna play D. Dragic is a good defender, but he always struggled with smaller, quicker PGs. Bledsoe seems to be able to handle the smaller and the quickest PGs out there.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Bledsoe hasn't shown me anything that indicates he can actually run a team
.

I understand saying goran ias the better player. I understand not believing Bled is worth 15 mil. But isn't this a little overstated? He is averaging as many assists as Goran and he ran the team just fine when Goran was out injured.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I understand saying goran ias the better player. I understand not believing Bled is worth 15 mil. But isn't this a little overstated? He is averaging as many assists as Goran and he ran the team just fine when Goran was out injured.

Goran clearly directs the offense better than Bledsoe but the Dragic of three years ago looked a lot like the Bledsoe of today in that regard. I said Dragic is probably the better player but I really don't know how to measure that. When Bledsoe is at his best the opposing team is halfway through the 24 second clock before they even start to get into their offense. He's just so incredibly disruptive that it takes a lot of energy simply to survive his assault and that has to wear on his opponents. It's too bad he can't do that every moment of every game but when he's at his best he's a real nightmare for the opponent.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

I understand saying goran ias the better player. I understand not believing Bled is worth 15 mil. But isn't this a little overstated? He is averaging as many assists as Goran and he ran the team just fine when Goran was out injured.

Maybe. I'll admit that I haven't look at stats with one of them on the floor and the other one out, etc. I do remember that while Bledsoe was out, Dragic was averaging 8-9 assists, but mostly, I am just making observations from watching games. Goran looks like a point guard, Bledsoe looks like a combo guard out there.

He is averaging as many assists because he has the ball in his hands a lot more than Dragic. When Bledsoe is on the floor, Dragic plays an off guard for the most part. When Bledsoe is in the game, he is always the primary ball handler. (I realize there are some possessions that end up with Dragic running the show, but I am talking 80%-20% rule here.)

I really think I am coming accross as more negative or anti-Bledsoe as I really am. I like Bledsoe. I think he is a fine player. I absolutely LOVE his defense. I just don't think he is a point guard, and I don't think he is worth $15M per year.

 

[sunsfan88]

If some idiot offers him a max (4Year/ $60-ish mil, I believe) you have to be an idiot to match that. $15M per year for Bledsoe? No thanks. $50M over 5 years is what I would offer, and I would think about matching a 4 year/50M offer, but anything above that is just crazy.

Are a lot of you not really sold on Bledsoe? He's putting up good stats and numbers, hustles and plays hard...but for whatver reason I still don't think he deserves max money or will be a superstar. I'm not sure what it is, maybe it's because Dragic is putting up the same numbers but at a much better price.

I guess he does one thing better than other second tier stars (love, harden,...) is that he plays defense and is disruptive.

I agree with you guys as well but I thought this was interesting:

“Phoenix needed a franchise guy,” Dudley said. “I think he (Bledsoe) is even better than people ever expected. With that, he’s probably going to get a max contract. Someone, if not Phoenix, will give him that. That’s what you wanted. They wanted a max-type guy, and I think they’ve got it.”

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...ow-builds-chemistry-los-angeles-clippers.html

And Dudley isn't really an idiot, he's a pretty knowledgeable basketball player who obviously knows a lot of NBA players and contracts.

I guess he does one thing better than other second tier stars (love, harden,...) is that he plays defense and is disruptive.

Maybe I expected too much out of him but I really haven't thought that Bledsoe's defense is that great. At least its not great consistently.

The way I read everything about him prior to the season, he was this defensive pest that would irritate the opposing PGs so much and put a lot of pressure on them....Bledsoe has been a very good defender and does a great job of staying front of his opponent but I haven't seen the whole "defensive pest" "putting so much pressure on the opponent" thing yet. Maybe I just haven't been paying enough attention though.

I get the same feeling. Even though Bledsoe's APG rate of 5.8 is just 0.1 behind Dragic's 5.9, you get the feeling that Goran is running the team (looking more and more like Steve Nash) when he plays the point, whereas Eric is more of a shoot-first mentality.

Their combined assists per game come to 11.7 of the Suns 19.1. It is interesting that our opponents this season average 19.8. Despite our success, our team assist rate is 4th from the bottom of the NBA, just 0.1 ahead of Cleveland and Boston for next-to-last. We are not an assist team as presently structured.

Yea I noticed that too. Considering that we run a dual point guard lineup, you would think that we would be among the league leaders in assists but its actually quite the opposite.

 

[SirStefan32]

Goran clearly directs the offense better than Bledsoe but the Dragic of three years ago looked a lot like the Bledsoe of today in that regard. I said Dragic is probably the better player but I really don't know how to measure that. When Bledsoe is at his best the opposing team is halfway through the 24 second clock before they even start to get into their offense. He's just so incredibly disruptive that it takes a lot of energy simply to survive his assault and that has to wear on his opponents. It's too bad he can't do that every moment of every game but when he's at his best he's a real nightmare for the opponent.

Steve

I think Goran of three years ago looked a lot worse than Bledsoe. Goran had some confidence issues that Bledsoe just doesn't have. I don't think Dragic is done developing yet, let alone Bledsoe. In my mind, this season for Bledsoe is what the end of Goran's season in Houston was for him. I just don't think a 6'1 combo guard is ever worth $15M in today's league.

If you sign Bledsoe to a max contract, you will have a really hard time keeping Dragic, and signing another max player.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yea I noticed that too. Considering that we run a dual point guard lineup, you would think that we would be among the league leaders in assists but its actually quite the opposite.

I think it's mostly because neither one of them is your typical catch and shoot two guard so they get their points by shooting off the dribble, assisting themselves. Also, we lead the league in fast break points and those usually don't result in the award of an assist. Plus, neither of them is a big named point guard so they actually have to earn their stats. It's not like the old days when Jason Kidd would be credited for an assist by throwing it to a player that scored 14 seconds later. I'd imagine there's still some "face of the franchise" guards that are racking up assists that way.

Steve

 

[BC867]

But this is the problem with you and a few others here. All you guys think about is offense but there are two ends of the court and for the first time in our history we have a true defensive game changer. If I'm going to overpay I think I'd rather it be for a guy that leaves the other team shaking their head at the chaos he creates.

Steve

If the above doesn't make you chuckle a little, head to Walmart and buy yourself a sense of humor.

I'm chuckling, Steve. 'Didn't even have to go to Walmart. Is that where you do your shopping?

 

[95pro]

I think if Bledsoe can develop an outside shot he's be worth 12-15. Hard to say because we have to sign him first and find out. He'd be much more like a more athletic Parker.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm chuckling, Steve. 'Didn't even have to go to Walmart. Is that where you do your shopping?

Oh yeah, I fit in perfectly with their casual dress code.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Oh yeah, I fit in perfectly with their casual dress code.

Steve

Really?

 

[Errntknght]

The type of assist we are not getting many of is the guy who comes off a screen or two and then fires the ball up as soon as its in his hands - like, say, Rex Chapman used to do so well. Most of the time the guy tries to work for a better shot or takes a dribble as he looks around for an open teammate, which kills the assist - even Green often does that though he's the most likely one to catch and shoot in rhythm.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The type of assist we are not getting many of is the guy who comes off a screen or two and then fires the ball up as soon as its in his hands - like, say, Rex Chapman used to do so well. Most of the time the guy tries to work for a better shot or takes a dribble as he looks around for an open teammate, which kills the assist - even Green often does that though he's the most likely one to catch and shoot in rhythm.

Well, that's exactly what I had in mind when I made my comment about neither of them being the catch and shoot kind of two guard you normally see. It's offset a little by the fact we have a power forward that can catch and shoot but our half court offense for the most part is dribble penetration and/or whipping it around on the perimeter for an open shot. Add in the two or three extra fast breaks we get and it's no surprise we're down a little in assists totals. We're down a little more than I would have expected but not by much.

Steve