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

[Split T]

I don't really like the idea of picking up another SF when we already have Warren and Jones Jr to play there. I'd much rather fix the PG or C positions (draft pass-first PG = must trade Bledsoe). But what do I know?

I guess that's fair, but you could say that about every position on our roster right now except sg and c. At pg we have Bledsoe and Ulis, PF we have Chriss and Bender, at sg we have Booker, at c we have maybe len and Williams.

I love Jones Jr. Potential, but I'm not going to pass on Josh Jackson because of it. At this point he hasn't shown much except crazy athleticism. His defense looks promising, but he's still barely played. I think Jackson is better than Warren as well. Warren has been playing very well as of late though.

I love Fultz and I like ball, but both of those selections are going to push ulis out of the rotation as I don't see us moving Bledsoe. Again, that doesn't mean I'd pass on them because of ulis, but at this point, I'd rather push Jones out of the rotation than ulis.

Now ideally, there would be a center prospect worthy of drafting, but this draft doesn't seem to have one. Harry Giles hasn't looked very good and hopefully returns to Duke for his sophomore year. Robert Williams is an athletic, physical specimen who blocks shots like crazy and is a great finisher, but right now he's considered a late lotto pick and I haven't watched him enough to know more than that.

[Cap]

I think another reason we may be underenthused about Bledsoe is his age. He has 6-8 years on most of our young core, and his worrisome knees make it effectively more like 10. We like to dream about this team contending for a championship, and it seems unlikely Bledsoe will be a part of that, because he'll be over the hill by the time we're ready.

Also, he doesn't fit our franchise tradition of high-IQ point guards. His passing and leadership are improving, but it obviously doesn't come naturally to him the way it did to the guys who spoiled us.

[Sunsfan4life]

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.

LOL I noticed that too. Terrible execution by the camera man, even if there wasn't a steal there was only 3 seconds left and there was going to be a last second attempt no matter what.

[Sunsfan4life]

I think another reason we may be underenthused about Bledsoe is his age. He has 6-8 years on most of our young core, and his worrisome knees make it effectively more like 10. We like to dream about this team contending for a championship, and it seems unlikely Bledsoe will be a part of that, because he'll be over the hill by the time we're ready.

Also, he doesn't fit our franchise tradition of high-IQ point guards. His passing and leadership are improving, but it obviously doesn't come naturally to him the way it did to the guys who spoiled us.

It's how he plays. It's effective but I think the majority of us prefer a pass first PG like a Ulis then how Bledsoe plays. Nobody is saying Eric isn't a better player right now, but its more his style. Even if Ulis isn't here I think you atleast explore moving Bled because of the nice return you will get.

[carey]

Bill SImmons has IT on his podcast and he said he recorded it "before they beat the Celtics and then had one of the worst regular season losses in franchise history (talking about the Suns loss.)"

https://t.co/QElGa7blbm

[Superbone]

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.

I recorded both broadcasts and you did get to see the whole thing on the Celtics broadcast. I always record both just for cases like this where I want to see the reactions from the opposing viewpoint. The Celtics broadcast just went silent on the game winner. It was classic.

[carey]

I recorded both broadcasts and you did get to see the whole thing on the Celtics broadcast. I always record both just for cases like this where I want to see the reactions from the opposing viewpoint. The Celtics broadcast just went silent on the game winner. It was classic.

Haha. It takes a whole lot to shut Tommy Heinsohn up.

[Superbone]

I recorded both broadcasts and you did get to see the whole thing on the Celtics broadcast. I always record both just for cases like this where I want to see the reactions from the opposing viewpoint. The Celtics broadcast just went silent on the game winner. It was classic.

Haha. It takes a whole lot to shut Tommy Heinsohn up.

I don't think Heinsohn travels anymore. Scalabrine was the color guy.

[carey]

I don't think Heinsohn travels anymore. Scalabrine was the color guy.

I didn't know Scal was doing games. He's funny. Is he a bad Celtic homer?

[Superbone]

I don't think Heinsohn travels anymore. Scalabrine was the color guy.

I didn't know Scal was doing games. He's funny. Is he a bad Celtic homer?

Actually, he wasn't too bad at all. I watched the last 6 minutes of their broadcast. On the Warren drive along the baseline where he suddenly stopped and his man went flying and then he hit a short jumper, the play by play guy started going on about how it should have been an offensive foul but then on the replay, Scal said it was a good no call. You know Heinsohn would have been having a fit about it.

[UglyTruth]

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.

I hate when the camera people do this. TNT does this all the time on their broadcasts too and it screws stuff up.

Like what's the point in showing us the player who scored? We can see who scored plus we're not deaf. And all they show is just the back of the player who scored jogging back on defense anyway.

They need to just stick to the game action and only show other stuff if it's during free throws or timeouts or reviews or whatever.

[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.

I hate when the camera people do this. TNT does this all the time on their broadcasts too and it screws stuff up.

Like what's the point in showing us the player who scored? We can see who scored plus we're not deaf. And all they show is just the back of the player who scored jogging back on defense anyway.

They need to just stick to the game action and only show other stuff if it's during free throws or timeouts or reviews or whatever.

I don't mind it all the time, heck we like to see some emotion on their faces when they hit a big shot, but the broadcast should understand time, score, and situation in the game. I was into the game and understood what the Suns needed to do, but they broke away from the full court to show Bledsoe jogging back. This made me wonder if Bledsoe knew how much time was on the clock and was he trying to stop them from winning or trying to win themselves? I'm ok with him making sure someone is back on defense, so you don't let someone leak out for a quick easy basket, but I didn't know if he knew they didn't have a timeout left and they needed to cover these guys from getting a shot off or rolling it up the court. Luckily IT didn't expect Chriss to be there right away and he probably didn't think anything of a big being around and just dismissed him.

[JCSunsfan]

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.

I recorded both broadcasts and you did get to see the whole thing on the Celtics broadcast. I always record both just for cases like this where I want to see the reactions from the opposing viewpoint. The Celtics broadcast just went silent on the game winner. It was classic.

You can see it here. Second feed down.


http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/03/phoenix ... thomas-nba

[O_Gardino]

As long as we're winning with the youngsters I won't complain. With the way ulis is playing, we might not need Fultz or ball.

I wouldn't go that far, but Ulis has been ballin'.

If we do end up with Fultz or ball I'd hope we move Bledsoe because Ulis would get lost on the bench. If we keep bled, which I assume we will, i think Jackson makes more sense for our team.

Jackson makes most sense on a team where he can handle the ball quite a bit, and where he and his teammates move a lot. I don't think he and Bleds are a good fit together.

[O_Gardino]

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.

This. Eric is a good nba player, and he has played good ball for us. But to me, he's more a trade asset than a phoenix sun.

[O_Gardino]

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.

I don't think they missed on him at all. They signed him last season, kept him around, gave him a contract, and brought him along. He's been losing weight and working on his shot, jump, and NBA timing. He's ready now. That's not missing, that's player development.

[carey]

I don't think they missed on him at all. They signed him last season, kept him around, gave him a contract, and brought him along. He's been losing weight and working on his shot, jump, and NBA timing. He's ready now. That's not missing, that's player development.

Exactly. Did you guys read the article about Alan Williams bombing his first workout? He was apparently out of shape and Watson told him that he'd come back and see him again after the road trip (in a week) and he needed to be in better shape. I think his development is part Suns & part Williams, as it should be.

[Shabazz]

A few thoughts:
- You don't pass on a prospect of Fultz's (and maybe Ball's) caliber because you have a PG rotation of Bledsoe/Ulis. That's like Milwaukee passing on Chris Paul because they had TJ Ford.
- I think one of the biggest issues with Bledsoe going forward (other than his knees) is his lack of a reliable 3 point shot. A lot of our concerns with his IQ can be allayed by putting more of the ball handling responsibilities in Booker's hands, but that really works a lot better if his PG can shoot from 3. It's still not a bad fit if we don't land Fultz/Ball and I'd be OK with it going into next year. They seem to have decent chemistry together. But Bled will never be elite if he can't consistently hit in the upper 30s from Deep.
- The same is true of Ulis. He has near-elite feel and passing skills, but to be a high-level starter in today's NBA he's going to have to make big strides in both 3-point shooting (which I totally think he can) and improve his ability to get into the paint and more importantly to the line (I'm dubious). I'm a big fan, though.

[Split T]

A few thoughts:
- You don't pass on a prospect of Fultz's (and maybe Ball's) caliber because you have a PG rotation of Bledsoe/Ulis. That's like Milwaukee passing on Chris Paul because they had TJ Ford.

Agreed, but if there is a prospect at another position who is at the same level as Fultz or Ball then passing on them can be acceptable. I know many don't see it that way, but I think Jackson is on the same level as Fultz and Ball as a prospect.

[UglyTruth]

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.

I hate when the camera people do this. TNT does this all the time on their broadcasts too and it screws stuff up.

Like what's the point in showing us the player who scored? We can see who scored plus we're not deaf. And all they show is just the back of the player who scored jogging back on defense anyway.

They need to just stick to the game action and only show other stuff if it's during free throws or timeouts or reviews or whatever.

I don't mind it all the time, heck we like to see some emotion on their faces when they hit a big shot, but the broadcast should understand time, score, and situation in the game. I was into the game and understood what the Suns needed to do, but they broke away from the full court to show Bledsoe jogging back. This made me wonder if Bledsoe knew how much time was on the clock and was he trying to stop them from winning or trying to win themselves? I'm ok with him making sure someone is back on defense, so you don't let someone leak out for a quick easy basket, but I didn't know if he knew they didn't have a timeout left and they needed to cover these guys from getting a shot off or rolling it up the court. Luckily IT didn't expect Chriss to be there right away and he probably didn't think anything of a big being around and just dismissed him.

Yeah but we can't see the emotion on their faces when all it shows is them running back on defense. We only see their back and not their face. I'm fine with them doing it only if the opposing coach calls a timeout right after the score or there's some kind of timeout that's called. Seeing the player who scored jogging back doesn't do much for me.

And yeah I think Bledsoe knew that Boston was out of timeouts. I think Crowder for a second didn't realize it because we waited a bit too long to inbound to IT and IT said this as well. You can actually see the Suns coaches telling Ulis to step up and press bright after Bledsoe scored to make sure that they don't roll the ball down. And Ulis smartly points and tells Chriss to pressure the inbounder which I thought was just brilliant.