Suns Training Camp 2018

[The Bobster]

Ya I think we'd make the playoffs out east actually.

Restructuring the playoffs to the best 16 teams really needs to happen. The NBA has been progressive in many ways under Silver, but that one still lingers as a big head scratcher.

This would be tough, as you would have to deal with a lot of politics. You would get a lot of griping if the 11 of the top 16 teams were in the West or vice versa. Then you would also have to develop a balanced schedule where you are essentially playing everyone 3 times regardless of conference, but then it would add games to the overall schedule and they don't want to do that. They could have some expansion, bring back the Sonics, maybe a team in KC and Vegas and then set it up as 2 games against each team to come close to 82 games. They could also add teams to the playoff number and make the first round a single elimination game, like the WNBA did this year.

It would also mean increased travel since series would not all be West vs. West and East vs. East up to the finals. You could easily have a series (or more) in preliminary rounds that has a team from the East Coast playing a team from the West Coast.

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1044714430456426496

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1044728146832973825

[JCSunsfan]

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1044714430456426496

Well spoken, seems smart. May end up coaching some day or even as a team exec somewhere.

[Cap]

Ya I think we'd make the playoffs out east actually.

Restructuring the playoffs to the best 16 teams really needs to happen. The NBA has been progressive in many ways under Silver, but that one still lingers as a big head scratcher.

This would be tough, as you would have to deal with a lot of politics. You would get a lot of griping if the 11 of the top 16 teams were in the West or vice versa. Then you would also have to develop a balanced schedule where you are essentially playing everyone 3 times regardless of conference, but then it would add games to the overall schedule and they don't want to do that. They could have some expansion, bring back the Sonics, maybe a team in KC and Vegas and then set it up as 2 games against each team to come close to 82 games. They could also add teams to the playoff number and make the first round a single elimination game, like the WNBA did this year.

It would also mean increased travel since series would not all be West vs. West and East vs. East up to the finals. You could easily have a series (or more) in preliminary rounds that has a team from the East Coast playing a team from the West Coast.

It would also suck to be an East Coast fan when most of the games are being played on the West Coast and starting late at night for Eastern viewers. Being able to have an EC game followed by a WC game really simplifies the TV scheduling.

[iLLmatic]

Ya I think we'd make the playoffs out east actually.

Restructuring the playoffs to the best 16 teams really needs to happen. The NBA has been progressive in many ways under Silver, but that one still lingers as a big head scratcher.

Would make the playoffs more competitive.

[iLLmatic]

“Constant movement,” Suns forward T.J. Warren said. “The ball’s finding the right guy every time down the floor, the ball’s not really sticking. It’s a fun offense when everybody’s touching the ball and everybody’s getting the shot they want.”

I’m sure it’s a very fun offense when it doesn’t have to deal with an NBA defense.

Don't talk about my boy like that Cap!

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin/status/1044669460219490305

[Drewsprocket]

At this point I don’t see chandler playing much at all even off the bench. Bender, warren, Jackson, Bridges and Okobo/Melton might be a solid bench unit too that presses the attack while Booker and Ariza sit. I think here might be creative ways to get Jackson and Warren 30mpg and Bridges 24. Those guys need minutes to produce. Hopefully Warren has an actual 3 pt shot now.

[Split T]

I was hoping Chandler wouldn't play but then I heard his comments at media day. He's excited to play meaningful minutes.

[pickle]

Hopefully Warren has learned to play some defense... I'm not *that* upset about him not having an outside shot. As far as being an offensive threat goes, you park the players on the three point line and they have to be threats. In Warren's case if he's parked in a corner, even if he's not a high percentage shooter defenders have to respect him because of his amazing timing on cuts. So ... yeah, learn to play D instead, if anything.

[ShelC]

The thing I like about Ayton is he's a true big. Thick frame, broad shoulders, big hips and legs. He's not a "skinny" big like Amare was, or AD/KAT. Don't get me wrong, they all are/were phenomenal, but it's different seeing a legit 7ft 260lb guy vs a 6-11 240lb big. Even when guys like KAT and AD put on weight, it's more weight room strength and not really their natural state.

[In2ition]

I was hoping Chandler wouldn't play but then I heard his comments at media day. He's excited to play meaningful minutes.

In spot minutes and meaningful minutes, Chandler played well. I know this is only one game, but do you remember how well he played against Embiid in Philly last year?

[pickle]

Minutes are great and all, but what I want more than anything is chemistry and cohesiveness and the players pulling for each other. It wouldn't bother me if we gave, say, Melton 24 min every other game and Okobo 24 every other game, so that they each average 24 but only partake in half the games. Obviously this can be adjusted according to matchup and how hot one or the other is etc, and the G-League team is always an option too, but I'm not terribly stuck on the mpg statistic.

[O_Gardino]

Does he give Bender backup center minutes?

I can answer that one for you. No. He already said Bender is strictly a PF. Maybe in a small ball lineup.

That's why I say "It'll be interesting to see how Igor juggles it." It's possible that he will have to choose between playing his best players and playing guys at their natural position.

[O_Gardino]

https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin/status/1044669460219490305

hahaha Chandler and Anderson look super winded.

[Superbone]

The thing I like about Ayton is he's a true big. Thick frame, broad shoulders, big hips and legs. He's not a "skinny" big like Amare was, or AD/KAT. Don't get me wrong, they all are/were phenomenal, but it's different seeing a legit 7ft 260lb guy vs a 6-11 240lb big. Even when guys like KAT and AD put on weight, it's more weight room strength and not really their natural state.

Yep, body-wise he's more similar to DeAndre Jordan. He's got a rare combination of size, athleticism, and skill. Let's hope he becomes an all-time great Sun.

[Superbone]

hahaha Chandler and Anderson look super winded.

Who's the tall white guy next to Chandler?

[O_Gardino]

hahaha Chandler and Anderson look super winded.

Who's the tall white guy next to Chandler?

Bender.

[Superbone]

hahaha Chandler and Anderson look super winded.

Who's the tall white guy next to Chandler?

Bender.

It's not. If you watch to the end of the video, you will see Bender on the far left.