Game Day: Suns (28-22) @ Blazers (33-16), Thurs 2/5/15

[cbesch5]

Did anyone else think Robin Lopez's attempt to block Len on the play where he got hurt was dirty? I mean he was several feet behind him and he really had no chance to block it...if that would have been a superstar going down, they probably would have reviewed it for a flagrant.

[INFORMER]

Yeah, it feels too much like that second year of Frank Johnson, where he lost all clue as to the feel for who should be out there, the matchups, the substitution patterns, and the lineup combinations. "Lost all clue" is a bit harsh, but I have been having a problem understanding what he's trying to do at times.

It's the roster, not the coach. And Frank Johnson is too harsh.

[Indy]

They would have at least reviewed it. I am not sure it would have been called as such, but it was close. And it did look dirty to me as I watched it.

[INFORMER]

Did anyone else think Robin Lopez's attempt to block Len on the play where he got hurt was dirty? I mean he was several feet behind him and he really had no chance to block it...if that would have been a superstar going down, they probably would have reviewed it for a flagrant.

I really don't think so.

[Indy]

Yeah, it feels too much like that second year of Frank Johnson, where he lost all clue as to the feel for who should be out there, the matchups, the substitution patterns, and the lineup combinations. "Lost all clue" is a bit harsh, but I have been having a problem understanding what he's trying to do at times.

It's the roster, not the coach. And Frank Johnson is too harsh.

Agreed about the roster. And Frank.

[Indy]

Did anyone else think Robin Lopez's attempt to block Len on the play where he got hurt was dirty? I mean he was several feet behind him and he really had no chance to block it...if that would have been a superstar going down, they probably would have reviewed it for a flagrant.

I really don't think so.

Then you are wrong.

[Mori Chu]

Yeah, it feels too much like that second year of Frank Johnson, where he lost all clue as to the feel for who should be out there, the matchups, the substitution patterns, and the lineup combinations. "Lost all clue" is a bit harsh, but I have been having a problem understanding what he's trying to do at times.

I think that's putting too much blame on Horny. This is a difficult situation he's in, as a young head coach trying to figure out how to integrate all these pieces that don't really fit together. I think he's been fairly flexible and creative about lineups and minutes, though I don't agree with 100% of his decisions. I think he's trying to find a system that works. But there just may not be a system that really "works" with this team consistently.

[INFORMER]

INF, were you really that particularly high on Rudy? I remember your McCollum and Olynyk love, but I didn't think anyone really knew Rudy would be as mobile and athletic as he is.

Yes, I was. I remember talking about his scouting video and specifically liking his mobility. I also discussed (with Shel?) how I saw Gobert as more of a basketball player than Lucas Noguiera, who I felt was just an athlete.

I also raved about him over the summer here: http://www.phx-suns.net/viewtopic.php?p=14641#p14641

And sang the same tune here: http://www.phx-suns.net/viewtopic.php?p=3553#p3553

[INFORMER]

Did anyone else think Robin Lopez's attempt to block Len on the play where he got hurt was dirty? I mean he was several feet behind him and he really had no chance to block it...if that would have been a superstar going down, they probably would have reviewed it for a flagrant.

I really don't think so.

Then you are wrong.

[Mori Chu]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400579037

If you want to cruise the box score and get depressed...

Markieff 8-19
Tucker 2-7
Dragic 4-11
Plumlee 0-4
IT 2-9
Green 4-11

Only 2 players in double figures: Morris and Bledsoe with 18 and 17 respectively.
Only 20 assists as a team, with the highs being the 3 PGs with 5,4,5 respectively.
Most rebounds: 8 for Morris, 7 for Bledsoe.

Not a game to be proud of.

[OE32]

INF, were you really that particularly high on Rudy? I remember your McCollum and Olynyk love, but I didn't think anyone really knew Rudy would be as mobile and athletic as he is.

Yes, I was. I remember talking about his scouting video and specifically liking his mobility. I also discussed (with Shel?) how I saw Gobert as more of a basketball player than Lucas Noguiera, who I felt was just an athlete.

I also raved about him over the summer here: http://www.phx-suns.net/viewtopic.php?p=14641#p14641

And sang the same tune here: http://www.phx-suns.net/viewtopic.php?p=3553#p3553

Damn. Can't argue with that. I didn't see the light until this summer. I still think Alex has a chance to be great, but gotta love getting that kind of player with a mid-20s pick.

[Shabazz]

Yeah, it feels too much like that second year of Frank Johnson, where he lost all clue as to the feel for who should be out there, the matchups, the substitution patterns, and the lineup combinations. "Lost all clue" is a bit harsh, but I have been having a problem understanding what he's trying to do at times.

I think that's putting too much blame on Horny. This is a difficult situation he's in, as a young head coach trying to figure out how to integrate all these pieces that don't really fit together. I think he's been fairly flexible and creative about lineups and minutes, though I don't agree with 100% of his decisions. I think he's trying to find a system that works. But there just may not be a system that really "works" with this team consistently.

I'm a Hornacek fan, but it's funny to think about how D'Antoni got (and still gets) blasted for not playing DJ Strawberry and Jumaine Jones while we were contending for a championship while Hornacek gets a pass for not finding a sliver of playing time for the first round picks (four if you count Bullock) and one foreign import we have sitting on the bench while contending for the 8th seed.

[Indy]

Yeah, it feels too much like that second year of Frank Johnson, where he lost all clue as to the feel for who should be out there, the matchups, the substitution patterns, and the lineup combinations. "Lost all clue" is a bit harsh, but I have been having a problem understanding what he's trying to do at times.

I think that's putting too much blame on Horny. This is a difficult situation he's in, as a young head coach trying to figure out how to integrate all these pieces that don't really fit together. I think he's been fairly flexible and creative about lineups and minutes, though I don't agree with 100% of his decisions. I think he's trying to find a system that works. But there just may not be a system that really "works" with this team consistently.

I'm a Hornacek fan, but it's funny to think about how D'Antoni got (and still gets) blasted for not playing DJ Strawberry and Jumaine Jones while we were contending for a championship while Hornacek gets a pass for not finding a sliver of playing time for the first round picks (four if you count Bullock) and one foreign import we have sitting on the bench while contending for the 8th seed.

I couldn't agree more with all of that. Part of me is thinking if we go on a losing streak and OKC clearly passes us, that we might get to see more of them.

[Indy]

And, it is very hard to cash in "assets" if nobody has seen them play at the NBA level, even in limited time.

[ShelC]

Apples and oranges IMO. Yea, I'd much rather see TJ and Bullock instead of Marcus Morris and maybe PJ Tucker, but if we bench those guys it devalues them. Not sure how much value they have now, but their deals are friendly if a team were inclined to take them on. But if we sit them, it makes it harder to trade them.

[OE32]

Apples and oranges IMO. Yea, I'd much rather see TJ and Bullock instead of Marcus Morris and maybe PJ Tucker, but if we bench those guys it devalues them. Not sure how much value they have now, but their deals are friendly if a team were inclined to take them on. But if we sit them, it makes it harder to trade them.

I'm tempted to think that Hornacek is working with the front office to develop guys to facilitate their conversion into other players, but if that's the case, can McDo get a deal done already?

[In2ition]

It doesn't seem like they have any desire to trade the young guys. Maybe they don't want to play them because they have bigger plans for them to get a lot of minutes in the future. I don't want to tip my hand until the young guys have matured enough to take off. I guess we'll see very soon if any of the vets are moved at the trade deadline.

[Shabazz]

Apples and oranges IMO. Yea, I'd much rather see TJ and Bullock instead of Marcus Morris and maybe PJ Tucker, but if we bench those guys it devalues them. Not sure how much value they have now, but their deals are friendly if a team were inclined to take them on. But if we sit them, it makes it harder to trade them.

To Indy's point, I think the rest of the league has a much better understanding of the value of PJ and Marcus than they do of TJ, Reggie, Tyler and Archie.

[Indy]

Apples and oranges IMO. Yea, I'd much rather see TJ and Bullock instead of Marcus Morris and maybe PJ Tucker, but if we bench those guys it devalues them. Not sure how much value they have now, but their deals are friendly if a team were inclined to take them on. But if we sit them, it makes it harder to trade them.

We aren't talking about benching anyone. But there has to be 5 minutes each game to give to either Ennis or TJ or even Bullock depending on the match up. It doesn't have to even be consistent yet. Just get them out there.

[Indy]

That too, Bazz. I really think we could get a decent return on PJ right now.