Game Day: Spurs (46-9) @ Suns (14-41), Sun 2/21/16

[Mori Chu]

Tie game, 6 minutes left. Go Suns! Sort of.

[The Bobster]

Good game. I can accept losing games like this.

Still, how do you keep Len (23 points, 13 rebounds) on the bench for half the game?

[The Bobster]

26 losses in 28 games.

[EDC]

I love how we get close and just start jacking up threes and outside shots that are rushed.

[The Bobster]

Earl Watson now 0-7.

[OE32]

Good game. I can accept losing games like this.

Still, how do you keep Len (23 points, 13 rebounds) on the bench for half the game?

Alex's J was automatic. And it's only one game, but for tonight, he was more reliable in the post than either Duncan or Aldridge. Regardless whether Chandler remains a Sun next season, Len has to start, right?

Looks like defenses have figured Booker out - stay close, keep your hands active. He's still just 19 - not a lot of counters when you knock him out of his comfort zone.

Also, and especially since this year's FA PFs don't look like an improvement, we should make probably try to keep Telly and Humphries next season, huh?

LOVED the pressure D. I don't remember the last time I watched the Suns effectively employ full court pressure.

[JCSunsfan]

26 losses in 28 games.

If you are going to tank, do it all the way.

[carey]

23 & 13 for Alex Len tonight in only 24 minutes. If Watson somehow gets that out of Len every night ... man.

Booker still not ready to be 1A on the scouting report.

I'm not out on Archie entirely but kind of tired of these 33% shooting games. Any D-League guy can put those numbers up. His athleticism is at times jaw dropping but he coasts a lot, makes bad decisions, and can sometimes be just a turnover waiting to happen. It's now or never, kid. As they say... "fix yo shit."

[Aztec Sunsfan]

23 & 13 for Alex Len tonight in only 24 minutes. If Watson somehow gets that out of Len every night ... man.

Booker still not ready to be 1A on the scouting report.

I'm not out on Archie entirely but kind of tired of these 33% shooting games. Any D-League guy can put those numbers up. His athleticism is at times jaw dropping but he coasts a lot, makes bad decisions, and can sometimes be just a turnover waiting to happen. It's now or never, kid. As they say... "fix yo shit."

He is into the FOE philosophy of leadership and effort. I look at him since a while as a deal sweetner waiting to happen, specially with all those picks and Bodgan waiting overseas.

[carey]

FAO: Summer Archie Goodwin

[youtube][/youtube]

[carey]

Earl Watson now 0-7.

And not one potentially winnable game among those 7. The first actually winnable one is 2 games from now against the Nets. Dude has hit Toronto, G.S., Houston twice, S.A., OKC, and Utah. The Clippers are here Tuesday so it'll be 0-8.

[azsportsfan]

Clippers game is in L.A...

[Shabazz]

Good game. I can accept losing games like this.

Still, how do you keep Len (23 points, 13 rebounds) on the bench for half the game?

The rotations were a little amateurish today. Hockey style subs without regards to who had it going.

[Superbone]

Clippers game is in L.A...

And it's tomorrow.

[wpmiller42]

The more I see Len play, the more I'm convinced he's really a PF. I just don't think he's really comfortable in the post. I think we should focus on getting a mobile center to play with him, like Chandler 8 years ago or Gobert today, and let him develop as more of a PF that can play C at times.

[Indy]

I was live for this game with my daughter. It was kids day at the arena.

I would say that it was about equal amounts of Spurs fans and Suns fans. Actually, probably 2 to 1 Suns fans, but the Spurs fans were louder. The guy (and his 2 kids) I sat next to, had to drive 2 hours to get there. And it was the only time this year he could afford to get to a game to watch his Spurs. His little son was loud the whole time. Despite them being Spurs fans, it was fun to watch. As someone that will likely be in a new city at some point in the next few years, I want to see my kids invading another arena like that for our Suns.

Pop didn't care too much about the game, from where I sat. He did just enough to win, though, and that is what matters.

Also, Phil Pressey looked good to me. One particular thing I liked: I think it was late in the 1st half, but during a foul/free throw, Pop called Parker over to coach him. Phil decided to go too. Pop was first at half court talking to Parker, with Phil a few feet away looking right at them, listening. Then Pop sees it and starts putting his arm around Parker and walking back to their bench. Pressey turned to watch the FTs but kept walking backwards right next to them (within 5-6 feet) the whole time. When you are on a 10-day contract, that is how you make the most of it.

By the way, Boris Diaw is such a smart player. I know he can be infuriatingly frustrating, but the guy knows what he is doing. There is no wonder that one of the top 3-4 Suns seasons of all time had that guy as a major part of it.

[Indy]

The more I see Len play, the more I'm convinced he's really a PF. I just don't think he's really comfortable in the post. I think we should focus on getting a mobile center to play with him, like Chandler 8 years ago or Gobert today, and let him develop as more of a PF that can play C at times.

In the league today, what is the difference between a 4 and a 5? There are plenty of each that can play well in the post, plenty of each that can stretch the floor. And a few that can do both.

[carey]

Clippers game is in L.A...

And it's tomorrow.

Can't get 'em all right.

[Superbone]

Also, Phil Pressey looked good to me. One particular thing I liked: I think it was late in the 1st half, but during a foul/free throw, Pop called Parker over to coach him. Phil decided to go too. Pop was first at half court talking to Parker, with Phil a few feet away looking right at them, listening. Then Pop sees it and starts putting his arm around Parker and walking back to their bench. Pressey turned to watch the FTs but kept walking backwards right next to them (within 5-6 feet) the whole time. When you are on a 10-day contract, that is how you make the most of it.

Yeah, that was great. Saw the first half of that on TV. Missed the part where he walked backwards after Pop moved Parker away.

[wpmiller42]

The more I see Len play, the more I'm convinced he's really a PF. I just don't think he's really comfortable in the post. I think we should focus on getting a mobile center to play with him, like Chandler 8 years ago or Gobert today, and let him develop as more of a PF that can play C at times.

In the league today, what is the difference between a 4 and a 5? There are plenty of each that can play well in the post, plenty of each that can stretch the floor. And a few that can do both.

To me, the difference is mostly on where/when they get the ball in the offense (you know, provided the team has a point guard that can pass), and who they're assigned to guard on defense. I get the sense that Len is actually alot more comfortable guarding other 4s, and can use his typical size/height advantage to get rebounds. And he's good at funneling his man into the defense, which is alot tougher to do when you're playing center.

Offensively, I think Len is better when he gets to hover out along that 15-ft wing area and catch the ball facing the basket. He can always turn and back in, but for some reason I don't think he's comfortable catching the ball with his back to the basket.

Totally agree that there's not a big difference in the league today between the 4 and 5, but I think when Len has more opportunities to use his mobility on both ends of the floor, he just tends to be better.