Watson: Suns plan on playing all 3 guards (Bledsoe, Knight & Booker) at the same time

[BC867]

But even while Adams was here, they kept trying to go bigger. Truck Robinson, Maurice Lucas, Joe Barry Carroll, James Edwards, Rick Robey. They kept looking for that big enforcer type but could not keep them for long.

That is my point, JC. Why couldn't the Suns, as you said, keep the enforcers for long? Because Alvan Adams best season was his rookie season. It had taken the league by surprise. But as skinny as he was, he had a lock on our Center position for a decade.

The worst thing that came out of the Cinderella season was that Adams presence messed up both the Center and, therefore, the Power Forward positions ever since, with the exception of the short tenure of the Chuckster at PF. And he was 6'4 1/2" and couldn't carry the team. Especially when he and KJ (our Malone and Stockton) couldn't get along.

Regarding the players you mentioned, one of my all-time favorites was Maurice Lucas. The prototype Power Forward/enforcer who had to cover for Adams at Center, which put him at a disadvantage. Truck was 6'7", a small Power Forward who led the team in rebounds, but not rebounds per minutes played. Edwards & Carroll IIRC took a back seat to Adams.

Rick Robey became the starting Power Forward after having been the Celtics 3rd string Center. Ironically, he was a Center actually covering de facto Center while playing Power Forward. Unfortunately, the key phrase was 3rd string. He was not a starter calibre at either Center or Power Forward.

Another of my favorites was Dennis Johnson, an enforcer in the back court. But he, as Mo Lucas, didn't fit in with the finesse (as they were called at the time) Suns, who had to trade them. The term "finesse" was the precursor to "small ball". And it's had me pre- and post-cursing it ever since.

Until our Twin Towers this season. Unfortunately, Tyson Chandler is in the twilight of his career and Alex Len has yet to show consistency.

As a Suns fan for forty years, I wish I could say that I am satisfied with the philosophy that formed their foundation. Unfortunately, it is been that of a "pretty" team that has won a lot of regular season games. Until Mr. Colangelo selected Robert Sarver to run the show.

And it must be asked. Where is JC now? He is calling the shots for the struggling Philadelphia 76ers. And up to his old tricks of nepotism over talent. I am sorry that the man whom you admire has not had a happy ending as far as team association. I really mean that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

That is my point, JC. Why couldn't the Suns, as you said, keep the enforcers for long? Because Alvan Adams best season was his rookie season. It had taken the league by surprise. But as skinny as he was, he had a lock on our Center position for a decade.

The worst thing that came out of the Cinderella season was that Adams presence messed up both the Center and, therefore, the Power Forward positions ever since, with the exception of the short tenure of the Chuckster at PF. And he was 6'4 1/2" and couldn't carry the team. Especially when he and KJ (our Malone and Stockton) couldn't get along.

Regarding the players you mentioned, one of my all-time favorites was Maurice Lucas. The prototype Power Forward/enforcer who had to cover for Adams at Center, which put him at a disadvantage. Truck was 6'7", a small Power Forward who led the team in rebounds, but not rebounds per minutes played. Edwards & Carroll IIRC took a back seat to Adams.

Rick Robey became the starting Power Forward after having been the Celtics 3rd string Center. Ironically, he was a Center actually covering de facto Center while playing Power Forward. Unfortunately, the key phrase was 3rd string. He was not a starter calibre at either Center or Power Forward.

Another of my favorites was Dennis Johnson, an enforcer in the back court. But he, as Mo Lucas, didn't fit in with the finesse (as they were called at the time) Suns, who had to trade them. The term "finesse" was the precursor to "small ball". And it's had me pre- and post-cursing it ever since.

Until our Twin Towers this season. Unfortunately, Tyson Chandler is in the twilight of his career and Alex Len has yet to show consistency.

not to mention, our record and defense has been ATROCIOUS with both guys starting. But hey, why bother mentioning that? I mean, that would be like not mentioning that GREAT centers are actually VERY hard to find and that we had two chances to get generational Centers but lost coin flips... or that every time we tried to get a C, you probably did cartwheels, even though it ended up being disastrous with Luc Longley, Hot Rod, William Bedford (all moves, I'm SURE you were over the moon with regardless of how talented those guys were)... or the fact that the team actually traded for Dikembe and Stern nixed the deal after the fact... or the fact that that they tried to trade for Alonzo but Charlotte backed out at the last second.

Why mention any of that when you can just keep repeating the drivel that one of the most driven men to win titles in EVERY SPORT he's been in control of... baseball, basketball, USA Basketball... just really didn't care about winning a title.

 

[JCSunsfan]

not to mention, our record and defense has been ATROCIOUS with both guys starting. But hey, why bother mentioning that? I mean, that would be like not mentioning that GREAT centers are actually VERY hard to find and that we had two chances to get generational Centers but lost coin flips... or that every time we tried to get a C, you probably did cartwheels, even though it ended up being disastrous with Luc Longley, Hot Rod, William Bedford (all moves, I'm SURE you were over the moon with regardless of how talented those guys were)... or the fact that the team actually traded for Dikembe and Stern nixed the deal after the fact... or the fact that that they tried to trade for Alonzo but Charlotte backed out at the last second.



Why mention any of that when you can just keep repeating the drivel that one of the most driven men to win titles in EVERY SPORT he's been in control of... baseball, basketball, USA Basketball... just really didn't care about winning a title.

Yeah that. Thanks for saying it for me. We didn't trade Dennis Johnson because we didn't like the way he played, we traded him because we were trying to get a big guy.

 

[Phrazbit]

Hilarious that trading Dennis Johnson for Rick Robey is an example of the Suns trying to be "finesse" and small ball.

BC, I think all your rants have cause some circuits to short.

We lost Dennis Johnson because of the stupid infatuation teams have with size over skill, if we made a similar trade tomorrow you'd undoubtedly hail it as brilliant.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah that. Thanks for saying it for me. We didn't trade Dennis Johnson because we didn't like the way he played, we traded him because we were trying to get a big guy.

The worst decisions Colangelo made were done in the pursuit of a quality big man and this move was no different. Dennis was a little unhappy in Phoenix, didn't like the way John used him IIRC although maybe it was a minutes issue? But he was a good player for us and we weren't getting rid of him, we were simply trying to upgrade a position of real need.

I was sad to see DJ go and very sad to see him go, permanently, at far too young of an age. He's been gone for 9 years now. DJ was born the day before me so it's served as an easy reminder (to me) of how precious each minute should be for us.

 

[leclerc]

I agree, but I'm very skeptical that it would work with Knight out there. The purpose of that style of basketball it to open up easy shots and passing lanes. As discussed here often, Knight's shot selection and "sharing" leave a lot to be desired.

To put it mildly!

 

[BC867]

Hilarious that trading Dennis Johnson for Rick Robey is an example of the Suns trying to be "finesse" and small ball.

BC, I think all your rants have cause some circuits to short.

I mentioned DJ at the end of my post, because his situation was similar to that of Mo Lucas. An enforcer at his position who didn't fit in with the "finesse" Suns.

Trading an all-star (DJ) for a 3rd string player (Robey) was the worst trade in Suns history. Regardless of what positions they played.

'One of the reasons I've posted that Jerry was an excellent promoter and an excellent politician but a mediocre GM.

Y'know, if our Suns had more than one legitimate Finals appearance in over 45 years (mostly under JC), we wouldn't be having this conversation. I am sorry but, as a long time fan, I can't rationalize that.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The worst decisions Colangelo made were done in the pursuit of a quality big man and this move was no different. Dennis was a little unhappy in Phoenix, didn't like the way John used him IIRC although maybe it was a minutes issue? But he was a good player for us and we weren't getting rid of him, we were simply trying to upgrade a position of real need.

I was sad to see DJ go and very sad to see him go, permanently, at far too young of an age. He's been gone for 9 years now. DJ was born the day before me so it's served as an easy reminder (to me) of how precious each minute should be for us.

Maurice Lucas has been gone for a few years now too. I think was 58 when he passed.

Suns traded him to LA because he did not want to be part of a rebuilding process. They accommodated him. JC usually treated players well. Funny LA wanted him to play back up center.

 

[Phrazbit]

I mentioned DJ at the end of my post, because his situation was similar to that of Mo Lucas. An enforcer at his position who didn't fit in with the "finesse" Suns.

Trading an all-star (DJ) for a 3rd string player (Robey) was the worst trade in Suns history. Regardless of what positions they played.

'One of the reasons I've posted that Jerry was an excellent promoter and an excellent politician but a mediocre GM.

Y'know, if our Suns had more than one legitimate Finals appearance in over 45 years (mostly under JC), we wouldn't be having this conversation. I am sorry but, as a long time fan, I can't rationalize that.

So... now the 1976 finals appearance was fraudulent?

There are a lot of teams with far less success out there. What you're failing to comprehend is that getting a superstar to carry you to a title is a difficult task and that there has been very little diversity in NBA title winners. The Suns never got lucky enough to land that guy, and yes, lucky is the appropriate term. There was no "skill" involved in the Bulls getting Jordan, or the Spurs getting Duncan ect ect.

If anything Colangelo's tenure with the Suns was an exemplary example of how to create contenders when luck was never on your side, dropping an MVP in your lap because you happened to suck in the right year AND have a coin flip or lotto balls go your way. We've never been so fortunate.

As someone who has also watched this team sometimes win, sometimes struggle and sometimes suck; I find your rants nauseating.

If anything history has shown that your thinking, desperate flailing for size, does waaaaay more harm than good.

I realize that you'll never listen to these counter arguments, I'm not entirely sure why I make them. I suppose its because if people didn't continue to have these debates with you this forum would devolve to you talking to yourself... and occasionally SF88 linking some disparaging tweet he dug up.

 

[BC867]

So... now the 1976 finals appearance was fraudulent?

"Fraudulent"? Why would you bring that word into the conversation? 1976 was a Cinderella season. The Suns recent tribute even called it the Sunderella Suns, as in atypical, unexpected, non-repeating.

"Nauseating"? Really. If you can't change everyone's opinion to yours, be insulting.

Because I have been a Suns fan since the 1970's and I am in my mid-70's, yes, I would like to see my hometown team climb back into contention and start it NOW. Or five years ago.

If you checked the ASFN D-backs board, you would see that I am its most optimistic poster. Skilled people in the Front Office; a good Manager -- I love it!

Even with their slow start, losing 5 of 7 games, I have high hopes. And am enjoying watching them. And the legacy they have already built. I wish I could say the same about the Suns. Oh well, soon I can root for the Mercury to go after still another championship.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I will admit that Colagelo refused to go the thugball route that the 90's Pistons went in order to win a championship. He hated it and believed it was not good for the NBA. Eventually he got rules changed so it could not continue. This year's Warriors are the beneficiaries of those rules changes (as were the SSOL Suns).

 

[sunsfan88]

BTW.

Can we stop talking about a 2 pg offense? We have no such thing. BK is not a pg. Bledsoe and Price are the only pg's on the roster. BK is a short fast sg that is a very streaky scorer. Booker is a long, smooth shooting sg that can run the point in a pinch.

Knight isn't willing to call himself a SG, he still sees himself as a "pure PG" so then we can't look at it differently.

Personally, I don't care if he's PG, SG or even C, he sucks no matter what position he's playing.