2025 Suns Offeason News

[TOO]

I would like to see what the coach that led the Cavs offense with 2 combo guards can do with Booker and Green.

Garland is a point guard.

Sure.

People have compared Darius Garland's play to Steve Nash's style, but sure yeah he isn't a PG.

Stop it.

[INFORMER]

BTW, I am on board with Giddey. A taller, more athletic Ricky Rubio is how he's being described on another board.

I was thinking of Rubio too. It's a good comp, although Giddey is better scoring/shooting threat. I don't get this narrative that acts like Booker is just a spot-up shooter if you put him next to a point guard. Booker still had the ball in his hands plenty, still scored off the bounce, and still played at a high level. Book got on the map with his play in the bubble, and he managed to do that playing next to a non-elite point guard.

This is the way......!!! Inf likes a player I like??? Literally never happened before

I get being nervous about Giddey's price tag or being hard-capped, but the Giddey is probably the only player that could make a Book-Green pairing work, and the alternative is offensive blackhole Jonathan Kuminga.

Speaking of: a Book-Green-Kuminga trio is essentially the same construct of Book-Beal-Durant, only with younger, worse players. Kuminga has flashed some special scoring ability, but there is a lot of box score team construction going on here.

[Split T]

And remember, it was point book that stole 2 games from the title winning nuggets in 2023.

You're retconning that playoff series. Cam Payne upped the tempo, and even the possessions where Payne went off ball, it made/makes a difference having a legitimate point guard next to Book, instead playing as your only/best ballhandler.

Like I really don't get any of this. The Lakers tried the Kobe/Eddie Jones backcourt for like six games and figured out it was better to just let Kobe play next to a point guard. There wasn't any "Kobe is a better PG than Derek Fisher" nonsense.

I can't recall reading "Jordan is a better point guard than BJ Armstrong or Ron Harper."

It's wild we are 10 seasons into his career and this is still a thing. Ryan must be smiling somewhere.

I’m not opposed to a pg next to Booker by any means, but I do think it’s interesting that your examples come from a very different era of basketball.

I think it’s fair to think Booker isn’t good enough to be James Harden, Luka, Lebron, or SGA, but I don’t see any benefit in today’s game to putting a “Derek Fisher” next to him and taking the ball out of his hands. That’s like Tyus Jones.

My dream Booker pairing would be someone like Jrue Holiday. Our problem is we mostly talk about these guys that are either more pure pg(Rubio/CP3) or flat out SG(Beal/Green). I would agree that if those are my choices I want Rubio/CP3, but I’m not supportive of getting a Tyus Jones level guy to move Book off ball.

Giddey does feel Rubio ish and I am actually supportive of that, just don’t think it’s doable.

The good: Rubio, Giddey, CP3,

The bad: Beal, Green

The ugly: Tyler Ulis, Mike James

The ideal: Jrue, Derrick White

[specialsauce]

I would like to see what the coach that led the Cavs offense with 2 combo guards can do with Booker and Green.

Garland is a point guard.

Sure.

People have compared Darius Garland's play to Steve Nash's style, but sure yeah he isn't a PG.

Stop it.

AI Summary:
Darius Garland is often compared to Steve Nash due to their similar playing styles, particularly their herky-jerky movements, finishing off the right leg, and strong mid-range shooting. Both players also excel at probing the paint and keeping their dribble alive, and Garland's passing ability has drawn comparisons to Nash's. However, Garland's defensive limitations have been highlighted, with some questioning his fit alongside Donovan Mitchell in today's NBA.


But okay, continue.

[TOO]

Who are these people? I could say Jalen Green is comparable to Vince Carter on Reddit and that works for you? Got it.

[Kryptonic]

Who are these people? I could say Jalen Green is comparable to Vince Carter on Reddit and that works for you? Got it.

If you could, I'd appreciate it... That way I can get excited that we might have a phx sun in the dunk competition.

[Split T]

I think Garland would be great offensively. The defense would be my concern next to Book, but it’s not worse than Garland/Mitchell…we just need our Evan Mobley

[specialsauce]

Who are these people? I could say Jalen Green is comparable to Vince Carter on Reddit and that works for you? Got it.

I literally quoted Google AI.

[TOO]

Who are these people? I could say Jalen Green is comparable to Vince Carter on Reddit and that works for you? Got it.

I literally quoted Google AI.

Well shit man, if AI said it then I should believe it. I'm also a taco bell sauce according to AI.

[specialsauce]

As you were, Mr mild sauce but only 1 packet cause 2 is just too spicy!

[TOO]

Cool, now use your AI machine to Google Jalen Green comparisons. Can't wait to see what it comes up with.

[TOO]

Google said he compares to Vince, TMac and some guy named Mike Jordan. Weird

[INFORMER]

but I do think it’s interesting that your examples come from a very different era of basketball.

I don't think this is an issue of eras. Kobe probably had the ball too much in his hands and still managed to not have to play point guard.

I think it’s fair to think Booker isn’t good enough to be James Harden, Luka, Lebron, or SGA, but I don’t see any benefit in today’s game to putting a “Derek Fisher” next to him and taking the ball out of his hands. That’s like Tyus Jones.

I think this is the other problem; it isn't a question of Booker not being "good enough." It's about miscasting him. It's about understanding who he is as a player and what his strengths are, understanding what actually is a long term plan of success, and what puts the team in the best position to win at a high level.

[INFORMER]

The "Big 3" in 23-24 also got caught up in taking the point guard discourse as a slight against them. KD even had that stupid quote about all three of them being point guards.

[specialsauce]

Cool, now use your AI machine to Google Jalen Green comparisons. Can't wait to see what it comes up with.

Those are references to coaches, scouts and journalists. Do you want the direct links? The names are there.

You said stop it. It is in fact a comparison that has been made multiple times. Me thinks you haven't watched Darius much if the notion is so ridiculous to you that you won't even entertain the similarity in style.

[specialsauce]

[Vladimir_Taltos]

No way in hell should they trade Oso for Kuminga...DUMB...they'll regret that...

[specialsauce]

I have almost no attachment to a player who has almost no chance of developing a jumper outside 10 feet, but I would not trade him for Kuminga because we shouldn't have to.

I would include him for Giddey if needed.

[INFORMER]

Split has asserted a few times that over the last two seasons, we've been at our best with Point Book. And there is actually some truth to that. I think Point Book put Book in control to where he didn't get lost in the lack of offensive scheme (Vogel) or a bad offensive scheme (Budenholzer). Book makes sure he gets his when he is running the point, and that's not even a bad thing. Relative to the alternative, it wasn't the worst. But it also isn't a recipe for success if you're trying to eventually contend.

Of course, the Suns aren't contending this upcoming season. And after they traded for Green, that essentially backed us into a corner. So it something I had accepted as a byproduct of poor decision-making that more or less can't be undone; I just have a hard time hearing it being sold as a good thing.

[Split T]

Split has asserted a few times that over the last two seasons, we've been at our best with Point Book. And there is actually some truth to that. I think Point Book put Book in control to where he didn't get lost in the lack of offensive scheme (Vogel) or a bad offensive scheme (Budenholzer). Book makes sure he gets his when he is running the point, and that's not even a bad thing. Relative to the alternative, it wasn't the worst. But it also isn't a recipe for success if you're trying to eventually contend.

Of course, the Suns aren't contending this upcoming season. And after they traded for Green, that essentially backed us into a corner. So it something I had accepted as a byproduct of poor decision-making that more or less can't be undone; I just have a hard time hearing it being sold as a good thing.

This is fair. I also doubt we ever win a title with Point Book, but I don’t think we are winning a title anytime soon regardless. I think Book has shown he can adapt back to an off ball role pretty easily and I just don’t want to have to see him in that role while we watch Jalen Green jack up 20 footers and have a 4:4 A:TO ratio.