Suns News: The Offseason (2016)

[Indy]

Not 34?

Must be an oversight on wikipedia.

Who wore #13?

34 might be an oversight, two players did wear it after barkley though.

Damn. Didn't edit it in time. I realized it like 15 seconds after posting.

It really has been that long, though, hasn't it? Sometimes it seems like just a year or two ago. Other times, like a generation.

[Split T]

Not 34?

Must be an oversight on wikipedia.

34 might be an oversight, two players did wear it after barkley though.

Damn. Didn't edit it in time. I realized it like 15 seconds after posting.

No worries, I edited mine too, so no one will ever know

[EDC]

I've been exposed by INDY! :

[Indy]

I've been exposed by INDY! :

If you want me to take it out, let me know. Trust me, I have made similar mistakes.

[Cap]

[youtube][/youtube]

Bender interview. Sounds like he just gave Dudley the number. He wanted 7 or 17 but couldn't have them.

Should've taken the 10K. Duds can afford it.

Wouldn't it count as income, and then be taxed nationally and locally? In the end, what is 5k to a kid that just came into millions?

I'm not sure. You could probably call it a gift, which isn't taxable under 13K.

I don't know how else it would be classified. It's not earned income. It's not the sale of an asset, since Bender never owned the right to the number.

[EDC]

It's all good. It is more amusing this way.

Getting excited to watch the guys play on Saturday. That is the one of the good things about being such a young team. The summer league is actually really fun to watch.

[Indy]

Now there are "rumors" saying Bledsoe, Bender, and 2017 1st for Westbrook, but not contingent on new deal...

[Superbone]

Now there are "rumors" saying Bledsoe, Bender, and 2017 1st for Westbrook, but not contingent on new deal...

You can't underestimate the Watson/Westbrook UCLA angle.

[OE32]

Now there are "rumors" saying Bledsoe, Bender, and 2017 1st for Westbrook, but not contingent on new deal...

Where is this?

I can't imagine.

[Split T]

Now there are "rumors" saying Bledsoe, Bender, and 2017 1st for Westbrook, but not contingent on new deal...

That's not an overpay by any means, but I just don't like the idea of trading for Westbrook. We don't have a team that's built to contend right now and I don't see any reason Westbrook would stay. I'd rather just let the young guys grow and try to build something for the future. No ones beating golden state over the next 4 years anyways.

[Superbone]

Be sure to check out the Bjorkgren interview too. Best part of it was finding out that Devin is playing in game 1 on Saturday.

[carey]

Now there are "rumors" saying Bledsoe, Bender, and 2017 1st for Westbrook, but not contingent on new deal...

No. Nope. Uh uh.

[Superbone]

It's a pretty weak rumor I think:

http://www.sportsrageous.com/nba/nba-ru ... ook/33559/

It's badly written too as if it's already happening:

Rumors and speculations are now swirling around the Phoenix Suns who are reportedly trading Dragan Bender, Eric Bledsoe and 2017 first-round pick for Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

[Indy]

Yeah there is a reason I put quotes around rumors.

[In2ition]

I don't like that trade so much. It seems fair, but I don't want Westbrook bad enough to give up Bender and the '17 1st for what could be a year rental. The Suns would only be doing the Lakers a favor, plus it would seem that Bender would fit better with Westbrook as he actually likes to pass.

[OE32]

It's important to keep in mind that you trade contracts, not people.

[SDC]

I think some are letting their personal feelings about Westbrook affect their evaluation of him. He's a monster and I'd take him everyday and put the right pieces around him.

Yup. The world loves Curry, who himself takes terrible shots and over dribbles all the time, but it's ok, because he's Steph. Westbrook is somehow made out to be this terrible teammate who only cares about himself, it's stupid.

it's not terrible if you make them at a consistent rate.

[SDC]

The thunder were incredibly close to winning the title this year. To say you can't build a title winning team around Westbrook is just false. Had Thompson not caught fire in game 6, I think the thunder win the title. I would have had them as favorites this year had Durant returned.

If the statement is Westbrook can't win a title as the only star, I guess that's true, but the same could be said about LeBron.

i didnt say "win the title". i said make the playoffs. i'm willing to bet you OKC wont make the playoffs this year.

[SDC]

I think some are letting their personal feelings about Westbrook affect their evaluation of him. He's a monster and I'd take him everyday and put the right pieces around him.

When players become stars we tend to focus on what they can't do as opposed to what they can do. Westbrook isn't perfect, he turns the ball over a lot and shoots way too many 3's, but he's impossible to guard in transition and driving to the hoop. He's not a pure point, but 10 assists a game can't be ignored. He's definitely in the mold of marbury or Steve Francis, but he's the Jordan of scoring point guards. Marbury is Jerry stackhouse.

because he has the ball with him ALL THE TIME!

and westbrick is the number 1 in usage rate last season

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinge ... /usageRate

[carey]

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/750897580687622144

What? Barbosa to the Suns for 2 years $8M?