What one player would you add?

[JCSunsfan]

And what makes things even more complicated is that, so far, Thomas has been much more effective on the offensive end than either of them. You have two "starting PGs" who are both getting outplayed by their backup.

Yep. But the backup is still a defensive liability. I do like Len's progress. He seems to be developing a solid rebounding and shotblocking presence. The shot blocks are not cheap, weak-side efforts that put him out of true defensive position. He has not been included in the offense much, but that will come. Honestly. If Len can put up 10, 10, and 2 blocks, he will be tremendously effective. Last night he had 9 boards in 20 minutes. He also only had 3 fouls, which is alot for 20 minutes, but an improvement still.

Tucker looks thick and slow. He added bulk this off-season and its looking like it was a bad idea. I can't wait to see Warren play some in this offense.

I would be content to see Tucker ride the end of the bench. His defense is not as good as before and his offense, well, it is what it has always been.

Green is so fun to watch. He was up to his old ways last night. If he hadn't lit up this would have been a loss. Its a real test for Horny to figure out when Green is "on" without wasting too much court time to find out.

I would not mind moving a combination of Plumlee, Tucker, Ennis, and even Archie and picks (not all together) to find another good big. Although, I would not mind keeping Archie for a big guard role in the future.

 

[JS22]

Markieff not starting is a joke.

Dragic needs to simply play better.

Any updates on the Horford vs Markieff thing? I know I would not choose a backup to add for our team.

What's worse is the suggestion was posted AFTER Markieff had 23/10/5.

 

[Chaplin]

I would be content to see Tucker ride the end of the bench. His defense is not as good as before and his offense, well, it is what it has always been.

Really? After his first game back since last May?

 

[AzStevenCal]

I disagree. What's leaving Goran less room to operate and Bledsoe and IT dominating the ball. Now, if you give him the ball, it will make one of the other two less effective. Thus, the whole 3PG thing is never going to really work.

You saw it yesterday- Dragic played well because Hornacek had him as the primary ball handler most of the game. Bledsoe had a terrible game. They both need the ball to be effective. It may get the team to the playoffs, but one or two of the three will never get to their full potential this way.

I see it differently although only slightly. Last year, the two combo guard lineup excelled together and separately because of spacing. This year, without the threat of a big man shooting from distance, teams are packing it in and the pairing isn't working. Right now, because we don't have a big man that demands close attention (from the opposing big man) at the three point line, we're seeing one of the reasons that the second guard evolved into a shooting position in the first place.

The good news, despite being clearly out of sorts, we're 3 - 1. Looking at the schedule though, I suspect it's going to get worse before it gets better. Playing as we have been, I think we finish 2014 with a 15 - 19 record. We can withstand that as long as we've turned things around by then but if this is all we'll end up being, it will be tough to finish above .500.

Steve

 

[sunsfan88]

What's worse is the suggestion was posted AFTER Markieff had 23/10/5.

Are you talking about me? I clearly didn't mean to remove Kieff as starter....I meant they should give Dragic that type of lineup for spurts in the middle of the game to see if it can get him going.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Really? After his first game back since last May?

I have always believed that Tucker was the most important player to upgrade in order for this team to take the next step. He can play good D in spurts, but his offensive abilities are poor and he is a knucklehead offensively.

He is fine off the bench, but honestly, not ahead of IT or Green (when he is hot).

And that is my evaluation before the added bulk.

 

[Chaplin]

I have always believed that Tucker was the most important player to upgrade in order for this team to take the next step. He can play good D in spurts, but his offensive abilities are poor and he is a knucklehead offensively.

He is fine off the bench, but honestly, not ahead of IT or Green (when he is hot).

And that is my evaluation before the added bulk.

Being the 7th or 8th man is a lot different than end of the bench.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Being the 7th or 8th man is a lot different than end of the bench.

Fair enough.

 

[Superbone]

Really? After his first game back since last May?

And after hitting a put-the-game-out-of-reach clutch three pointer to boot.

 

[95pro]

If we had a Thompson or Leonard at sf, we'd be solid.

 

[BC867]

You saw it yesterday- Dragic played well because Hornacek had him as the primary ball handler most of the game. Bledsoe had a terrible game. They both need the ball to be effective. It may get the team to the playoffs, but one or two of the three will never get to their full potential this way.

I wonder if the Suns brass and coaches thought that the benefit of Dragic/Bledsoe/Thomas would be two ball handlers on the floor at all times, as opposed to 3 chances for one of them to get hot? There is a big difference.

So far (including last season), the latter has been the case. In the last two games, Goran disappeared in one game and Bledsoe in the other.

And we went 1-1 vs. Utah and the hapless Lakers.

And it leads to the question, do you play with one less Wing (or Wing by default) or replace a power player with a Wing?

I am usually an optimist. But I am also a realist. I just don't see that mentality taking us to playoff contention.

When it doesn't work, I think Jeff is going to be the scapegoat and that's a shame.

Jeff's mentor, Cotton, would be rolling over in his grave.

When Cotton was coaching Kansas City/Omaha and lost both players of his outstanding backcourt to injuries in the playoffs vs. the Suns, he didn't go weak.

He started two Centers and three Forwards and decimated the Suns. He operated from a position of strength rather than undersized confusion.

That concept still represents playoff success.

 

[Superbone]

If only we had five centers! We couldn't lose.

 

[BC867]

If only we had five centers! We couldn't lose.

Funny! Extremes are not the answer. Balance is. Even though Cotton made it happen in one series. Because the Suns were always out of balance -- small.

 

[Sci Fi]

I wonder if the Suns brass and coaches thought that the benefit of Dragic/Bledsoe/Thomas would be two ball handlers on the floor at all times, as opposed to 3 chances for one of them to get hot? There is a big difference.

So far (including last season), the latter has been the case. In the last two games, Goran disappeared in one game and Bledsoe in the other.

And we went 1-1 vs. Utah and the hapless Lakers.

And it leads to the question, do you play with one less Wing (or Wing by default) or replace a power player with a Wing?

I am usually an optimist. But I am also a realist. I just don't see that mentality taking us to playoff contention.

When it doesn't work, I think Jeff is going to be the scapegoat and that's a shame.

Jeff's mentor, Cotton, would be rolling over in his grave.

When Cotton was coaching Kansas City/Omaha and lost both players of his outstanding backcourt to injuries in the playoffs vs. the Suns, he didn't go weak.

He started two Centers and three Forwards and decimated the Suns. He operated from a position of strength rather than undersized confusion.

That concept still represents playoff success.

The last 4 championships have been won largely with outside shooting. And the runners-up also had a perimeter focus.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Funny! Extremes are not the answer. Balance is. Even though Cotton made it happen in one series. Because the Suns were always out of balance -- small.

Its not about balance, its about production.

 

[Errntknght]

The last 4 championships have been won largely with outside shooting. And the runners-up also had a perimeter focus.

The Spurs and the Heat were both well balanced teams. Heck the Spurs 'stretch 4' had his minutes cut way down in the playoffs. Even the Mavs needed to add an inside presence (Tyson Chandler) to get over the hump. I would agree that none of the champs did have a primary focus on low post offense, if thats what you mean. I still imagine Shaq or Oligawon type players would be highly sought after if they appeared on the horizon.

 

[Sci Fi]

You're adding confusion to a point which is pretty simple. You can win a championship with an outside shooting focus. It used to be assumed you couldn't. Doesn't mean that's all you do or that you don't need defense or some inside presence. And if you're lucky enough to get a once in every 10-20 year big man, go for it with him.

 

[WildBB]

Its not about balance, its about production.

Also consistency. They can't be, and won't challenge as they are assembled now.

They need a consistently R E L I A B L E post scorer - Badly.

Not that he's the answer - but I'd like to see more of the rookie TJ Warren to see what he brings.

 

[slinslin]

Also consistency. They can't be, and won't challenge as they are assembled now.

They need a consistently R E L I A B L E post scorer - Badly.

Not that he's the answer - but I'd like to see more of the rookie TJ Warren to see what he brings.

Markieff Morris has been one of the better post players in the league offensively.

That is not our problem, our problem is ball movement and perimeter shooting plus Dragic playing like a Dleaguer.

 

[95pro]

Wish we could resort back to a first and second unit. Have Bledsoe and Dragic come out, they are proven to play well together, and Thomas can come in.

We need a boundary beteeen those three to maximize their playing time. Right now they're running around with their heads cut off.

 

[SirStefan32]

Dragic has got to find his outside shot. For him to play off-guard, he has to shoot 40% from behind the line. If he's not hitting those shots, this isn't gonna work.

 

[sunsfan88]

It's a shame that GSW extended Thompson cause he's literally the PERFECT SG for us. He would be perfect with Bledsoe.

 

[SirStefan32]

It's a shame that GSW extended Thompson cause he's literally the PERFECT SG for us. He would be perfect with Bledsoe.

That would be an amazing defensive back court, but I don't think they would do well offensively without a point-forward. Neither can run an offense. Bledsoe needs another playmaker, and Thompson isn't one. I think Bledsoe would do better with Curry and Dragic would be a better fit for Thompson, though he (Dragic) isn't quite a textbook example of a real PG.

 

[sunsfan88]

That would be an amazing defensive back court, but I don't think they would do well offensively without a point-forward. Neither can run an offense. Bledsoe needs another playmaker, and Thompson isn't one. I think Bledsoe would do better with Curry and Dragic would be a better fit for Thompson, though he (Dragic) isn't quite a textbook example of a real PG.

I think Bledsoe is capable of running an offense if it has good shooters around (even though the same could be said for 90% of the PGs in the league)

Bledsoe does a good job of finding open shooters through his drive and kick method and he also does a great job of finding the "roll" man in the pick and roll, unfortunately for him all our "roll" guys absolutely suck.

 

[overseascardfan]

I know I'm going to get dumped on but just to put it out there:

Miles Plumlee: 6.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg 13.73 PER
Markeiff Morris: 17.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.8 bpg 22.38 PER

Roy Hibbert: 14 ppg, 9 rpg, 4.2 bpg 22.01 PER
Greg Monroe: 17ppg, 12 rpg, 0 bpg 28.71 PER

I was originally for signing Monroe, posters set me straight pointing out that he played no defense and was very limited range wise. My problem is why can Morris get rebounds? What starting PF averages 6.5 rpg?

Miles Plumlee looks like a flash in the pan player, looked to be oozing with potential but he has really fallen down to Earth. Len is suppose to be the big man of the future and he really looks like he can hold his own on the defensive end.

I bring up Hibbert because IND was seriously offering him for Dragic who isn't looking like a 3rd Team All-NBA player with a PER of 12.66. PHX is getting BEAT up in the post, they got lucky with Z-Bo & Gasol having sub par games for MEM but Conley lit them up and MEM won anyway. This team desperately needs better defenders. I know everyone is saying we need an offensive closer but really defensive stoppers would help this team right now.

I concede that Hibbert & Monroe would really slow this team down but the fast pace PHX thrives in doesn't work against rugged teams like MEM, CHI and other teams that slow down the tempo and their style has them at .500 right now. I do not see this team making the playoffs unless some moves are made or top teams in the West lose star players for long periods of time.