Too little, too late?

[ninous26]

In hopes for playoffs.

I know everyone pretty much wants the suns to tank the season for some drafts and rebuild but I still believe that if we reach the playoffs our experience will again get us at least into the second round (If we don't get the spurs in the first round).

We have 30 games left but I just don't see the spark there like last year when we went what? 28-7 in the last 35 games.. We just can't seem to close out games and were losing to the crappiest teams but beating the better teams.

I know last years games were all close too in the last stretch of the season but we were able to close out in those games. This year just doesnt seem to have that something special.

What do you think?

 

[Hoop Head]

We are in a bad situation right now with the team built the way it is.

If we make the playoffs we will mostly likely be out in the first round and get a pick in the late teens.

If we get in the lottery we will end up with a 12-14 pick and end up in another Earl Clark situation.

Best case scenario for this season is to move Carter to try and get an actual starting caliber PF, and hope for a playoff push.

 

[chickenhead]

It's not too little too late because the playoffs are entirely possible still. They're not going to tank the season so I see no sense in hoping for it. Sarver will want playoff revenue more than a higher draft pick. Personally I value experience, momentum, and frankly, practice--so I never want them to play badly when it's avoidable.

 

[Gwindor]

If we get in the lottery we will end up with a 12-14 pick and end up in another Earl Clark situation.

Well... as far as i remember Nash was No. 15, didn't he? You can't be sure what your pick will turn into until you'll try to play with that guy IMHO...

 

[TucsonDevil]

Best Case Scenario? It seems any scenario that gets the Suns back on track to contend involve day dreaming and wild assumptions. In reality, Kingdad said it well, we just aren't good enough to go deep into the playoffs if we sneak in - and we tank fast enough to get into a meaningful position to draft a game changer. Trading our trash will gets yield other trash. I think the front office is getting low balled for any player on the roster.

The worst time to make a trade is when you are desperate. The Suns have been in that position for a few years now, and the league smells blood in the water. There is no Isiah Thomas anymore to swindle; in fact, I'm pretty sure the league sees Sarver in that light.

I would rather keep the roster as it is and try and make a run - then gamble in a trade and only be able to sneak a perennial 2nd-3rd stringer and a #13 pick out of it. The worst case about staying the course is cutting Carter at end of season, and looking for a FA going into next season with a #15-20 pick. Not much worse than if you try the trade route.

Of course, all bets are off if you can find another desperate owner.

 

[desertdawg]

I think we make the playoffs and will be the "dangerous" team no one wants to play in the first round. (and for good reason)

 

[chickenhead]

The X-factor is what happens with Carter. Does he play hard down the stretch or does he mail it in? Do the playoffs give him new life? At present he doesn't seem to be putting in his best audition for the Suns to pick up the option, which might mean he's fine with getting waived, pocketing the 4 mil or whatever and becoming a free agent this summer. [Please correct me if I have some of the details wrong] If that's the case, then I see no reason to expect a better performance next year. But in a way I fear that he'll put in a few dazzling performances in a playoff series and fool the Suns into picking up his option instead of losing him "for nothing" since it'll be past the trade deadline. Unless someone wants to trade for him next year for what will then actually be an expiring contract, correct?

 

[desertdawg]

The X-factor is what happens with Carter. Does he play hard down the stretch or does he mail it in? Do the playoffs give him new life? At present he doesn't seem to be putting in his best audition for the Suns to pick up the option, which might mean he's fine with getting waived, pocketing the 4 mil or whatever and becoming a free agent this summer. [Please correct me if I have some of the details wrong] If that's the case, then I see no reason to expect a better performance next year. But in a way I fear that he'll put in a few dazzling performances in a playoff series and fool the Suns into picking up his option instead of losing him "for nothing" since it'll be past the trade deadline. Unless someone wants to trade for him next year for what will then actually be an expiring contract, correct?

If we end up keeping Carter, (I think we do this year) I bet he plays his best closer to the end of the season and especially in the playoffs. Not only because he will know the team a lot better and feel more a part of it, but because when he looks in the mirror he sees a SuperStar. That confidence alone can help us in the post season. All I'm saying if he is still around, I don't see him half-assing it come NBA show time.
Next year, I have no clue.

 

[AfroSuns]

I agree with Chicken. If Carter can play at least 80% of what he is/was capable of the team will make the playoffs.
They are not as bad as they started the season, but like last season, the poor start to the season is primarily why they are currently not seeded. Last season we had Amare, who went on tear and that got us into the playoff.
The team still needs someone they can go to down the stretch, without that they are most likely missing the PO.
Looking at the seeding right now and how Memphis and Portland is playing, you gotta believe they will both make the playoffs. Utah may just drop out of the race considering how crappy they are currently playing.

 

[Covert Rain]

Too little too late? If your talking about the playoffs then MAYBE.

Let's be realistic though. Isn't the entire point of going to the playoffs to win a title? This team is not going to win a title as built. This team cannot win against the likes of the Lakers, Celtics, Spurs, Heat or Magic (maybe the Magic) in a 7 game series IMO.

So, it is too little too late in terms of this team being a championship team.

 

[BC867]

If we end up keeping Carter, (I think we do this year) I bet he plays his best closer to the end of the season and especially in the playoffs.

Here is what he said in today's AzRepublic/AzCentral.com.

That's why I'm still out here. Just getting my game back together, that's all. I take it personally that I'm not playing to the level I'm capable of, not making shots.

I think I put a little too much pressure on myself sometimes. It's been a battle I've been dealing with probably for 13 years. It's a mental game that I play with myself sometimes. I rededicated myself (Sunday) to come in here and get my extra work in and get back to who I am.

I'll believe it when I see it. It is difficult to believe his alibis.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...4phoenix-suns-vince-carter-looks-do-more.html

 

[leclerc]

Missing the playoffs would be handy. I'd like to move Carter for a young scorer or a high pick if that's possible without being screwed. Does not necessarily have to be a starting PF. The way Frye's been playing it might as well be a talent that can grow into an all-star in a couple of years. Or something like that. Not sure what our core is then... Our centres; Gortat and Frye? That's too weird.

 

[slinslin]

It's not too little too late because the playoffs are entirely possible still. They're not going to tank the season so I see no sense in hoping for it. Sarver will want playoff revenue more than a higher draft pick. Personally I value experience, momentum, and frankly, practice--so I never want them to play badly when it's avoidable.

experience would be nice if we had young players that needed the experience but we don't

Momentum from the playoffs will hardly carry over to next season when we should tank even more so than we should this season because our team will be EVEN OLDER.

If anyone read Babbys interview answering "fan questions" than you know all hope is lost he just emphasized that they want to stay mediocre and rebuild at the same time, as if that ever happened..

 

[FArting]

We make the playoffs as the 6th seed.

 

[chickenhead]

Let's be realistic though. Isn't the entire point of going to the playoffs to win a title?

For us it is, and for some owners it is. But not most owners, and probably not Sarver. I'm not trying to start a "Sarver is cheap" tangent, but it is definitely possible that the Suns could make the second round of the playoffs given the matchup, and that's revenue that I believe many owners would choose over a lottery pick.

 

[jibikao]

I think we make the playoffs and will be the "dangerous" team no one wants to play in the first round. (and for good reason)

I also want Suns to try their best to get that 8th spot but that will mean Spurs is the first opponent... oh my, do they want revenge from last playoff? lol I can't even imagine if we face them first round this year. I smell blood!

 

[AzStevenCal]

I also want Suns to try their best to get that 8th spot but that will mean Spurs is the first opponent... oh my, do they want revenge from last playoff? lol I can't even imagine if we face them first round this year. I smell blood!

I don't think we'll have much of a problem with the Spurs. I mean, we almost beat the Kings the other day so how much tougher could San Antonio be?

Steve