Game Day: Celtics (40-22) @ Suns (20-42), Sun 3/5/17

[Superbone]

Obviously I'm a Booker fan but he messed up big time near the end of the game today. I think it was the possession where we used most of the clock and then had to call a timeout with 7 seconds left. He got the ball on the right side and two guys rushed him but he took the contested shot even though he could have done a touch pass to his buddy Ulis in the corner for a wide open shot.

[OE32]

Draft Malik Monk, have him, Ulis, Bender and Sauce just running teams off the court. What a bench mob.

I like Robert Williams. I don't know what's between his ears, but if he's cool upstairs that's my guy ATM.

Not too keen on drafting a PG unless it's Fultz. Ulis deserves his shot.

[carey]

I think the chance of Fultz or Ball is out the window at this point barring a lottery miracle as they will most likely go #1 and #2, unless Josh Jackson is a surprise pick at 1 or 2. If I'm the Suns, I'm going best player available that is NOT a 2 guard (Booker). We can work around anything else via trades and FA.

I agree. There's a lot of intriguing talent in this draft. Obviously Fultz is the real prize, but there's a good 7 or 8 prospects I like starting with Jackson and Dennis Smith Jr. I think though if we found ourselves in the position to draft Markkanen I'm not sure what I would do. Chriss has been bringing it lately and I'm still a big believer in Dragan Bender. I would consider trading that pick for another top 10 selection and an asset. Monk is obviously interesting. Tatum could be something but I'm a little down on him compared to others. The defensive potential of Isaac is intriguing especially if you pair him with Chriss and Bender. All those guys can guard you from the wing to the post. I'm excited about this draft and not winning the lottery isn't the worst thing in the world.

[OE32]

I think the chance of Fultz or Ball is out the window at this point barring a lottery miracle as they will most likely go #1 and #2, unless Josh Jackson is a surprise pick at 1 or 2. If I'm the Suns, I'm going best player available that is NOT a 2 guard (Booker). We can work around anything else via trades and FA.

I agree. There's a lot of intriguing talent in this draft. Obviously Fultz is the real prize, but there's a good 7 or 8 prospects I like starting with Jackson and Dennis Smith Jr. I think though if we found ourselves in the position to draft Markkanen I'm not sure what I would do. Chriss has been bringing it lately and I'm still a big believer in Dragan Bender. I would consider trading that pick for another top 10 selection and an asset. Monk is obviously interesting. Tatum could be something but I'm a little down on him compared to others. The defensive potential of Isaac is intriguing especially if you pair him with Chriss and Bender. All those guys can guard you from the wing to the post. I'm excited about this draft and not winning the lottery isn't the worst thing in the world.

Balanced take, Carey. You've maintained a level head throughout this painful rebuilding process.

[ShelC]

Draft for talent, trade for need.

[JCSunsfan]

Is it just me or is Eric Bledsoe being incredibly under appreciated these days. His drive to the rim at the end of the Boston game was the perfect choice and play.

[OE32]

Draft for talent, trade for need.

With almost an entire rotation consisting of recent draft picks, I think we've about reached the limit of this philosophy. If Markkannen is the BPA, do you draft a THIRD rookie PF in a row, or do you trade down, or do you *gulp* take the second-BPA? Personally, I think the first choice can be eliminated.

[OE32]

Is it just me or is Eric Bledsoe being incredibly under appreciated these days. His drive to the rim at the end of the Boston game was the perfect choice and play.

I think he's gotten a lot smarter and more focused, in addition to becoming a much more well-rounded player. I don't see any reason not to keep moving forward with Bled/Ulis, unless that reason is "Fultz".

[Sunsfan4life]

Surprised the consensus on this board is Fultz is clearly the best player in the draft. I don't think its nearly that cut and dry.

What a great win yesterday. Obviously hell of a shot by Ulis and Chriss with the nice defensive play at the end, but did anyone see Ulis almost push Chriss in that direction right after Bled's shot. Chriss started to go toward the inbound passer and Ulis came up and gave him a little shove in the direction of IT. Kid's always thinking....

Also Thomas's postgame interview. Said something like kid hit a crazy shot, ball bounced there way today. Not to much love for it in the end. I get it....but still.

I love Lonzo Ball the player...I cannot stand Lonzo Ball's hellicopter Dad though. He reminds me of (being the well rounded sports fan I am) the nut job dad of the Williams sisters in Tennis, just says all these wacky things that don't reflect well on his son.

[Sunsfan4life]

Is it just me or is Eric Bledsoe being incredibly under appreciated these days. His drive to the rim at the end of the Boston game was the perfect choice and play.

A little, but I'd still look to deal him at some point. Eric has had a solid season and deserves recognition for that, but if the chips fall where they do and we do take a point guard in the top 5, I think you explore trading Eric who could net you a nice haul coming off the year he's had. Bottom line is it's a business and IMO, Bledsoe is a more valuable trade asset at this point then he is a piece for the future with the way he plays and the payday he will get coming soon.

[Sunsfan4life]

I sure wish management would've been playing these guys all year. This season would've been a little more palatable.

A little more? It's been incredibly fun since the all-star break.

How did the miss so badly on Alan Williams? He's been on the roster plus summer league for over a year now. That part if the biggest surprise.

[In2ition]

Is it just me or is Eric Bledsoe being incredibly under appreciated these days. His drive to the rim at the end of the Boston game was the perfect choice and play.

I think he's gotten a lot smarter and more focused, in addition to becoming a much more well-rounded player. I don't see any reason not to keep moving forward with Bled/Ulis, unless that reason is "Fultz".

Idk, he had a couple brain farts in the game that I didn't like, but he did have a couple good scores there at the end. I just think both Ball and Fultz would be an upgrade. I really love the feel that Ball has and how he makes everyone else better. I also like the thought of sticking it to the Lakers, but only if it helps the Suns in the long run.

[LazarusLong]

Is it just me or is Eric Bledsoe being incredibly under appreciated these days. His drive to the rim at the end of the Boston game was the perfect choice and play.

Bledsoe is enjoying his best year, no doubt.

But one infuriating habit EB still has is to make at least two bone-headed passes each game. It often happens when they have a lead or have run off a couple of good plays. Bledsoe will make some half-assed, nonchalant toss that the opposite team will pounce on and quickly convert into points. These unforced errors are a major reason, for me, why he's not an all-star.

[In2ition]

Is it just me or is Eric Bledsoe being incredibly under appreciated these days. His drive to the rim at the end of the Boston game was the perfect choice and play.

Bledsoe is enjoying his best year, no doubt.

But one infuriating habit EB still has is to make at least two bone-headed passes each game. It often happens when they have a lead or have run off a couple of good plays. Bledsoe will make some half-assed, nonchalant toss that the opposite team will pounce on and quickly convert into points. These unforced errors are a major reason, for me, why he's not an all-star.

Exactly. I agree with this, and saw it again yesterday where after he did it, he was acknowledging it when he came down the court afterwards. No sh!t it was your fault. Stop with the stupid lazy pass and recognize who is on the court and how to play. It happens EVERY game when it matters.

[Mori Chu]

When I watch Bledsoe, I see a guy with a lot of talent, but a guy who still doesn't totally have the game sense for when to pass and when to take his own shot. He does seem to alternate between the two, but I don't think it always comes from the flow of the game or what the defense is giving him. It feels more mechanical, like, "I should pass it, I haven't passed it for a few possessions." Bled makes a lot of plays where he just doesn't seem to be looking at the other Suns players around him, doesn't seem to be aware or care where they are, whether they are open. He doesn't think pass-first. That's why, despite all his talent, I don't really want him as our long-term starting PG. I also fear future injury issues with his knees.

[TOO]

Draft for talent, trade for need.

I agree. Thats why Monk is on my list, I have him 3rd overall. Do we need another SG? Some would say no, I say we have Booker at 2 and nobody else. So yeah, we need a SG.

[LazarusLong]

When I watch Bledsoe, I see a guy with a lot of talent, but a guy who still doesn't totally have the game sense for when to pass and when to take his own shot. He does seem to alternate between the two, but I don't think it always comes from the flow of the game or what the defense is giving him. It feels more mechanical, like, "I should pass it, I haven't passed it for a few possessions." Bled makes a lot of plays where he just doesn't seem to be looking at the other Suns players around him, doesn't seem to be aware or care where they are, whether they are open. He doesn't think pass-first. That's why, despite all his talent, I don't really want him as our long-term starting PG. I also fear future injury issues with his knees.

He's a terrific talent, a dynamo in a compact package, but more an off-guard than point guard.
Ideally, he'd be great next to a taller guard like Shaun Livingston or a younger, healthier Greivis Vasquez.

[In2ition]

When I watch Bledsoe, I see a guy with a lot of talent, but a guy who still doesn't totally have the game sense for when to pass and when to take his own shot. He does seem to alternate between the two, but I don't think it always comes from the flow of the game or what the defense is giving him. It feels more mechanical, like, "I should pass it, I haven't passed it for a few possessions." Bled makes a lot of plays where he just doesn't seem to be looking at the other Suns players around him, doesn't seem to be aware or care where they are, whether they are open. He doesn't think pass-first. That's why, despite all his talent, I don't really want him as our long-term starting PG. I also fear future injury issues with his knees.

I agree with this too.

[JCSunsfan]

Surprised the consensus on this board is Fultz is clearly the best player in the draft. I don't think its nearly that cut and dry.

What a great win yesterday. Obviously hell of a shot by Ulis and Chriss with the nice defensive play at the end, but did anyone see Ulis almost push Chriss in that direction right after Bled's shot. Chriss started to go toward the inbound passer and Ulis came up and gave him a little shove in the direction of IT. Kid's always thinking....

Also Thomas's postgame interview. Said something like kid hit a crazy shot, ball bounced there way today. Not to much love for it in the end. I get it....but still.

I love Lonzo Ball the player...I cannot stand Lonzo Ball's hellicopter Dad though. He reminds me of (being the well rounded sports fan I am) the nut job dad of the Williams sisters in Tennis, just says all these wacky things that don't reflect well on his son.

I saw that and mentioned it on another board. That turnover was caused by Chriss, but it was Ulis that prompted the D. He is a coach on he floor, even as a rookie second round pick. Its just his nature.

[In2ition]

It was disappointing that the camera had to zoom in on Bledsoe after his shot that tied the game, even though the Celtics had to inbound the ball because they didn't have a timeout, so we didn't get to see everything that Chriss and Ulis did to steal the ball and Thomas trying to roll the ball out there to get it up the court further before the time started.