Suns News: Week 14 1/15-1/21

[carey]

Only 2 games last week and only 2 games this week. Another nationally televised game as well. This time on Tuesday.

Last Week's Games

vs. Houston LOSS 112-95
vs. Indiana LOSS 120-97


This Week's Games

Tuesday, January 16th @ Portland 10:00 PM EST NBATv
Friday, January 19th @ Denver 9:00PM EST

Suns Stories

Solar Panel ep. 54: Mailbag Edition - https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2018 ... etball-phx

Locked On Suns Monday: Recapping the Suns’ Bright Side Night defeat + James Jones’ exclusive interview - https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2018 ... erview-nba

Center of the Sun: A disappointing winless week for the Suns - https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2018 ... oenix-suns

Suns taking lessons from loss to Pacers: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 034436001/

Chandler grabs milestone as Suns are routed: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 032949001/

A lack of energy, consistent lineups help explain Suns’ recent slide: http://arizonasports.com/story/1379401/ ... ent-slide/

Suns’ Alex Len among ESPN’s sell-high candidates at NBA trade deadline: http://arizonasports.com/story/1379207/ ... -deadline/

[Aztec Sunsfan]

We would have to combine Len with our cap space, in order to deal him as cap relief for a player capable of contributions but at some level redundant for his team, or with heavy contracts on the top. It also makes me think twice about dealing Monroe, it looks like we are set on not keeping him, but I like what I have seen from him, and we could keep him beyond this year if we are going to also stay with Chandler and Williams. Just hope we do not waste the aseet with a buy out, deny the pleasure to teams waiting for it.

Sending Alex to the Raptors for Valanciounas intrigues me. JV is under contract for 3 years, a bit too long, but he already produces what we could expect from Len going forward (without the risk of Alex being on a One-Year mission to get another scholarship). JV is far from perfect, but I think he already played for Triano, and would provide size to the rotation.

Alex gets to be showcased on a contender, and the Raptors get cap relief while keeping a competent big for this year’s run. Use Monroe to nab Rubio and call it a day.

Phoenix gets: JV and Ricky Rubio
Toronto gets: Joe Johnson and Alex Len
Utah gets: Greg Monroe and one out of Delon Wright/Fred Van Fleet

[Mori Chu]

Wow, the two-color team names. Carey is really going all out!

[azsportsfan]

Wow, the two-color team names. Carey is really going all out!

Except it wasn't Atlanta and those aren't the Pacers colors, so.....

[ShelC]

No interest in JV. He's a plodder who's game is outdated. Too long of a contract too.

We first need to establish our identity and style of play, then find the best players to execute that vision. We can't just trade around for guys who put up good numbers and can play a position where we have a hole. I'd rather lose Len for nothing and replace him with the right guy than take something back just to get something back.

[carey]

Except it wasn't Atlanta and those aren't the Pacers colors, so.....

What are you talking about??

[Superbone]

Except it wasn't Atlanta and those aren't the Pacers colors, so.....

What are you talking about??

Yeah, looks like Indiana to me. I think azsportsfan is losing it!

[ShelC]

So this is...interesting. Apparently Shaq put Gordon Giricek in a sleeper hold before a game?

http://hoopshype.com/2018/01/16/amare-s ... eper-hold/

Never heard this but I don't doubt it. Also feel like Shaq was kind of a dick when he was with us, or maybe just a dick in general but could get away with it because he was Shaq. Either way, I thought it was funny because 1) I hadn't heard it and I feel like we know just about everything that goes on with the team and 2) I was just thinking about Giricek and how we thought he'd be the extra shooter we needed but didn't really pan out. Besides Jim Jackson, none of the late season FAs we picked up really made an impact in those years...Giricek, Jalen Rose, Jumaine Jones, Walter McCarty. Had such high hopes for some of those guys.

[LazarusLong]

" Besides Jim Jackson, none of the late season FAs we picked up really made an impact in those years..."

Umm ... perhaps you're forgetting Tim Thomas?

[ShelC]

True! He was big. Glad we didn't re-sign him tho!

[Mori Chu]

Dang, now I have to go re-read the 7SOL book and rewatch some '06 playoff highlights again. Thanks a lot boys.

[Superbone]

Yeah, the Thomas signing was exactly what we needed when we needed it. He then disappeared in the following seasons after that magical postseason run.

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/sbordow/status/954088531218939904

https://twitter.com/sbordow/status/954089824683679745

[Indy]

Weird that Chriss is the one saying he is considering another MRI. Shouldn't the medical staff be determining that? Is he not sure they have his best interest at heart?

[carey]

When did he even hurt it?

[Superbone]

When did he even hurt it?

The last game he played.

[carey]

When did he even hurt it?

The last game he played.

https://twitter.com/sbordow/status/954132653774553088

[Mori Chu]

Look at carey out there doing some reporting and getting the scoop. Bravo, good sir.

[Shabazz]

From Marc Stein's weekly newsletter, which listed "8 fearless predictions:"

Jay Triano will be retained as coach of the Phoenix Suns.
Triano is one of two interim coaches in the league at present, along with Memphis’ J.B. Bickerstaff, but the signals I’m getting suggest that the Suns — focusing on player development more than the results in the standings — are leaning toward making Triano their full-time replacement for Earl Watson.

https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/201 ... &smtyp=cur

[carey]

Booker received the 4th most votes among players deserving of an All-Star birth.

https://twitter.com/YahooSportsNBA/status/954131340395298818