Suns Training Camp 2016

[EDC]

Should be a fun season regardless of how many wins we get. So much young talent on the team.

[carey]

Ends in a tie because Ulis bricked 2 FTs and Bledsoe hit a tying bucket at the buzzer. Lol.

[specialsauce]

Bender on fire from 3 in the 4th Q. Hit 3 of 4 and a nice block on Len. Bledsoe with the game tying shot at the buzzer...ends in a tie

[specialsauce]

In the quarter and a half I watched, Len looked just about as much of a non-factor as always. I don't think he's got much future to him beyond what we've got.

[EDC]

He had 8 points and 9 boards.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CttakleUEAAvn95.jpg:large

[JCSunsfan]

Bender on fire from 3 in the 4th Q. Hit 3 of 4 and a nice block on Len. Bledsoe with the game tying shot at the buzzer...ends in a tie

Shot 50% from 3 and had 4 blocked shots. Those are sort of Serge Ibaka numbers. Not that I am saying they are the same, its just an odd combo of shot-blocking and shooting without rebounding.

[Mori Chu]

In the quarter and a half I watched, Len looked just about as much of a non-factor as always. I don't think he's got much future to him beyond what we've got.

Centers take so long to develop. I still want to wait and see and haven't given up on him at all yet.

[OE32]

Len made all three of his jumpers. Looked a lot more confident with that shot.

[JCSunsfan]

Len made all three of his jumpers. Looked a lot more confident with that shot.

Len just looked more confident all-around while he was out there.

I was impressed with Bender. He is a factor defensively on the perimeter. Because of his size he can give the defender an extra foot and then he has the speed to keep up. His lateral motion is good.

Ulis also looked good. No rookie hesitation. He just seemed to know what to do. These aren't real games and I am expecting the "deer in the headlights" look from these players once the season starts.

Even if this team loses, they are really likable. I am going to enjoy watching this year. It kind of reminds me of the team right after the Larry Nance to Cleveland trade (rookie KJ, Corbin, Mark West).

[O_Gardino]

I agree with the Len support. He made good decisions with the ball when he was involved without being the focus of the offense. The first two possessions had him at the high post for a hand off to a curling guard for an easy jumper in the lane. That sort of thing is where he can really help the team. He has a mind for the game as well as size and mobility. If we don't ask him to be Kareem, I think he can be solid.

TBH, Len has grown on me over the off-season. He's in the background of a lot of Booker highlights doing good things. Good outlet passes, good screens, good dives following the ball to the basket, good passes out of the high post. I think he gets in trouble when he's stranded in the post and the team is just standing waiting for him to shoot.

[Superbone]

Just watched the intrasquad scrimmage. Really enjoyable. The most impressive thing to me, and Tim Kempton mentioned it, was that none of the rookies forced anything. That is pretty dang impressive. Usually, rookies try to force the action. These three are all high IQ basketball players. I'm excited to watch this season.

[bajanguy008]

Just watched the intrasquad scrimmage. Really enjoyable. The most impressive thing to me, and Tim Kempton mentioned it, was that none of the rookies forced anything. That is pretty dang impressive. Usually, rookies try to force the action. These three are all high IQ basketball players. I'm excited to watch this season.

It's on Suns.com or you have a link ?

[Superbone]

Just watched the intrasquad scrimmage. Really enjoyable. The most impressive thing to me, and Tim Kempton mentioned it, was that none of the rookies forced anything. That is pretty dang impressive. Usually, rookies try to force the action. These three are all high IQ basketball players. I'm excited to watch this season.

It's on Suns.com or you have a link ?

It was. I can't find it now. I watched it on Sunday.

[Superbone]

Alex Len maturing out of unstable Phoenix Suns years
Paul Coro , azcentral sports 7:13 p.m. MST September 30, 2016

FLAGSTAFF – Maybe it is being 23 years old with three teenagers also in the gym. Maybe it is being a fourth-year pro. It probably is not the goatee, as he would attest.

Whatever it is, Alex Len feels more mature as a Phoenix Suns center. After three seasons of injuries, inconsistent roles and coaching changes, Len might have some stability ahead this season just in time for what could be an important contract year if he does not sign an extension by Oct. 31.

Len’s offseason was known mostly for saving a drowning friend – and perhaps a struggling lifeguard, too – in late April on a Dominican Republic beach, but basketball defined the rest of it. He worked on post moves, ball-handling, passing, perimeter shooting and facial hair.

“I just feel more confident and more grown and like I’m coming into my own,” Len said. “I just feel better overall, physically, mentally, everything.”

Last season’s injuries and coaching change opened up more opportunity for Len, who played center and power forward, started 46 games and had an expanded offensive role.

“It’s not a bad thing to work on different things and be versatile,” Len said. “Being a ninja.”

Read more...

[Superbone]

Suns' Devin Booker more than a shooter in 34-point game
Paul Coro , azcentral sports 12:28 p.m. MST October 8, 2016

Devin Booker’s late-season surge into an All-Rookie player introduced him to many NBA onlookers as a top long-range shooter.

Booker showed how he can be a top all-around scorer Friday night in Portland, where the Suns' 19-year-old guard scorched the Trail Blazers for 34 points before sitting out the fourth quarter.

Booker needed only one 3-pointer to score 34, getting 30 of his points in a 16-minute stretch that included eight consecutive made shots in the second quarter of a 115-110 Suns preseason loss.

Booker, named the season’s starting shooting guard earlier in the week, scored on a 3 and a fast-break layup in the first quarter but did not get another point in either fashion. From there, Booker drove past defenders off screens or in isolations, hit pull-up jump shots in the mid-range and made his toughest shots when well-covered on step-backs and fadeaways.

Read more...

[Cap]

Just imagine it: a seven-footer who can help out with weak-side blocks on the interior, give the Suns flexibility to switch screens because he can stick with ball-handlers on the perimeter, make plays on the offensive end with his passing, knock down perimeter looks as a stretch big and present a threat as a rim-runner in pick-and-roll sets.

“Once he arrives, he will arrive, and it’s going to be very unique and powerful,” Watson said. “He’s a unique shot-blocker, he comes from nowhere. He’s active, once he gets on the wing and gets comfortable with strength and builds up an NBA body, the scoring and defending will come naturally.”

Read more: Setting Expectations For Dragan Bender

[O_Gardino]

Alex Len maturing out of unstable Phoenix Suns years
Paul Coro , azcentral sports 7:13 p.m. MST September 30, 2016

FLAGSTAFF – Maybe it is being 23 years old with three teenagers also in the gym. Maybe it is being a fourth-year pro. It probably is not the goatee, as he would attest.

Whatever it is, Alex Len feels more mature as a Phoenix Suns center. After three seasons of injuries, inconsistent roles and coaching changes, Len might have some stability ahead this season just in time for what could be an important contract year if he does not sign an extension by Oct. 31.

Len’s offseason was known mostly for saving a drowning friend – and perhaps a struggling lifeguard, too – in late April on a Dominican Republic beach, but basketball defined the rest of it. He worked on post moves, ball-handling, passing, perimeter shooting and facial hair.

“I just feel more confident and more grown and like I’m coming into my own,” Len said. “I just feel better overall, physically, mentally, everything.”

Last season’s injuries and coaching change opened up more opportunity for Len, who played center and power forward, started 46 games and had an expanded offensive role.

“It’s not a bad thing to work on different things and be versatile,” Len said. “Being a ninja.”

Read more...

Acording to this, he will be more disciplined in what kind of shots he takes this season. That's good to read.

“Whatever happens, we’re going to embrace it and go through it,” Len said.

Sounds like he's been talking to Watson.

[O_Gardino]

Suns' Devin Booker more than a shooter in 34-point game
Paul Coro , azcentral sports 12:28 p.m. MST October 8, 2016

Devin Booker’s late-season surge into an All-Rookie player introduced him to many NBA onlookers as a top long-range shooter.

Booker showed how he can be a top all-around scorer Friday night in Portland, where the Suns' 19-year-old guard scorched the Trail Blazers for 34 points before sitting out the fourth quarter.

Booker needed only one 3-pointer to score 34, getting 30 of his points in a 16-minute stretch that included eight consecutive made shots in the second quarter of a 115-110 Suns preseason loss.

Booker, named the season’s starting shooting guard earlier in the week, scored on a 3 and a fast-break layup in the first quarter but did not get another point in either fashion. From there, Booker drove past defenders off screens or in isolations, hit pull-up jump shots in the mid-range and made his toughest shots when well-covered on step-backs and fadeaways.

Read more...

It was really fun to watch D.Book take it to Portland. It was like he was upset that he had a poor shooting night in the previous game and he focused in and asserted himself. He was going to take it to Portland until they found a way to stop him.

This kid, you guys. At this time last year, I thought he was a 3pt specialist off the bench with a chance to grow into more. Then he came out and played well early in the season and was obviously a rotation player. Then he took the next step and proved he was an NBA starter. Then March happened, and he looked like a star, attacking double teams and leading the Suns in scoring and assists. This kid, you guys. So far he has shown every sign that he took the next step over the summer. How long until he's the best 2 guard in the NBA? This kid, you guys.

/ goes to a lumber yard and knocks on every piece of wood I can find.

[O_Gardino]

Just imagine it: a seven-footer who can help out with weak-side blocks on the interior, give the Suns flexibility to switch screens because he can stick with ball-handlers on the perimeter, make plays on the offensive end with his passing, knock down perimeter looks as a stretch big and present a threat as a rim-runner in pick-and-roll sets.

“Once he arrives, he will arrive, and it’s going to be very unique and powerful,” Watson said. “He’s a unique shot-blocker, he comes from nowhere. He’s active, once he gets on the wing and gets comfortable with strength and builds up an NBA body, the scoring and defending will come naturally.”

Read more: Setting Expectations For Dragan Bender

The comment section, though!

To me, patience with Bender is the main thing. He's already an OK defender, but if we expect the kind of versatile super role-player we keep hearing about, well, it'll take a while for Bender to become good at literally everything. He doesn't seem to have that drive to be The Man, but he does seem to genuinely love playing ball and wants to play it the best way.

I wonder if time in Prescott would help him develop faster. Bill Walton said on a broadcast (maybe talking about Boris?) that the best way to develop is to play at whatever level lets you be the best player, then play point guard and try to win every game without scoring any baskets yourself. Just spend every game learning to set up you teammates. Walton's craziness aside, Bender specifically might benefit from some time on a team where he was one of the better players, and they count on him to produce every night.

[Superbone]

Suns' Devin Booker more than a shooter in 34-point game
Paul Coro , azcentral sports 12:28 p.m. MST October 8, 2016

Devin Booker’s late-season surge into an All-Rookie player introduced him to many NBA onlookers as a top long-range shooter.

Booker showed how he can be a top all-around scorer Friday night in Portland, where the Suns' 19-year-old guard scorched the Trail Blazers for 34 points before sitting out the fourth quarter.

Booker needed only one 3-pointer to score 34, getting 30 of his points in a 16-minute stretch that included eight consecutive made shots in the second quarter of a 115-110 Suns preseason loss.

Booker, named the season’s starting shooting guard earlier in the week, scored on a 3 and a fast-break layup in the first quarter but did not get another point in either fashion. From there, Booker drove past defenders off screens or in isolations, hit pull-up jump shots in the mid-range and made his toughest shots when well-covered on step-backs and fadeaways.

Read more...

It was really fun to watch D.Book take it to Portland. It was like he was upset that he had a poor shooting night in the previous game and he focused in and asserted himself. He was going to take it to Portland until they found a way to stop him.

This kid, you guys. At this time last year, I thought he was a 3pt specialist off the bench with a chance to grow into more. Then he came out and played well early in the season and was obviously a rotation player. Then he took the next step and proved he was an NBA starter. Then March happened, and he looked like a star, attacking double teams and leading the Suns in scoring and assists. This kid, you guys. So far he has shown every sign that he took the next step over the summer. How long until he's the best 2 guard in the NBA? This kid, you guys.

/ goes to a lumber yard and knocks on every piece of wood I can find.

The kid is pretty impressive. It's hard not to gush all over about him. I can't believe he did that damage in only three quarters and sat out the fourth. No doubt we win that game had he finished it.