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

[LazarusLong]

The three small guard set works in limited situations, but it seems the MO much of the time. And it's definitely killing them in crunch time in close games, where there is too much dribbling and outcourt shooting. Interior passing is on the endangered species list...

[Indy]

The three small guard set works in limited situations, but it seems the MO much of the time. And it's definitely killing them in crunch time in close games, where there is too much dribbling and outcourt shooting. Effective interior passing is on the endangered species list...

Fixed it for you.

[Shabazz]

Or even just situation-specific plays, like last night or vs. Golden State when Green and IT didn't have it and were getting smoked on defense. Throw Archie in here and see if his energy has an impact. The kid at least plays hard and tries to defend.

[Superbone]

Someone said Len and Dragic have no chemistry - damn right. I put it on Dragic, myself. He seems to have no desire to work with Alex, help make him better. One of the things that's really turned me off to Goran's game this year. Not as selfless as you'd think...

Of course I'm a huge Dragic fan but I've got to agree. It bothered me the game before when Markieff got a steal and ran down the court with Dragic with no Grizzly nearby. Dragic just scored the layup but he should have rewarded Markieff for the steal by feeding him. I really think this year a lot of it has to do with the position he's been put in. Since he's not handling the ball so much, he thinks he's always got to get his when given the opportunity. This selfishness unfortunately seems to be branded into most of the team.

[JCSunsfan]

Someone said Len and Dragic have no chemistry - damn right. I put it on Dragic, myself. He seems to have no desire to work with Alex, help make him better. One of the things that's really turned me off to Goran's game this year. Not as selfless as you'd think...

Of course I'm a huge Dragic fan but I've got to agree. It bothered me the game before when Markieff got a steal and ran down the court with Dragic with no Grizzly nearby. Dragic just scored the layup but he should have rewarded Markieff for the steal by feeding him. I really think this year a lot of it has to do with the position he's been put in. Since he's not handling the ball so much, he thinks he's always got to get his when given the opportunity. This selfishness unfortunately seems to be branded into most of the team.

And it may be that there are just too many players.

[LazarusLong]

He was third-team NBA last year, but this year the Suns reward him by bringing in players (IT) that impact and marginalize his game.

It's like his first tour with the Suns, when he had the great breakout series against the Spurs. He was rewarded by management bringing in a bunch of off-guards and having his minutes limited even more. He pouted and got traded for the bad attitude.

Well, shit ... who blames him?

[Indy]

Keef gets more dedicated touches than anyone on the team. I am not worried about that play. By the time Dragic got the pass, and Keef got there too, I don't think you needed the other pass. If I remember it correctly, you could kind of see Dragic hesitate like he was going to pass but then laid it in instead.

[OE32]

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Well, shit... who cares? We're talking about Goran Dragic, not Kevin Durant. And mark my words, he'll never be All-NBA anything ever again, no matter who he plays for.

[Indy]

He was third-team NBA last year, but this year the Suns reward him by bringing in players (IT) that impact and marginalize his game.

It's like his first tour with the Suns, when he had the great breakout series against the Spurs. He was rewarded by management bringing in a bunch of off-guards and having his minutes limited even more. He pouted and got traded for the bad attitude.

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Right. We are not committed to him. Why shouldn't he be looking out for himself? Everyone else on the team is.

[INFORMER]

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 really don't feel the two situations are comparable. Presently, there are legitimate, established players that deserve playing time in front of the rookies. The Suns have depth now that the D'Antoni teams couldn't even dream of.

D'Antoni got blasted because he wouldn't develop a bench at all.

The two situations are apples and oranges.

Blame McMiracle for not making room for the rookies.

[LazarusLong]

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Well, shit... who cares? We're talking about Goran Dragic, not Kevin Durant. And mark my words, he'll never be All-NBA anything ever again, no matter who he plays for.

I get your point the Dragic isn't the franchise, but he is still very capable of having another career year.

My point is that management's personnel moves sometimes appear knee-jerk, or at least not totally thought out re: the big picture. Assuming there is a big picture outside of not overspending ...

[LazarusLong]

The three small guard set works in limited situations, but it seems the MO much of the time. And it's definitely killing them in crunch time in close games, where there is too much dribbling and outcourt shooting. Effective interior passing is on the endangered species list...

Fixed it for you.

thanks

[INFORMER]

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Well, shit... who cares? We're talking about Goran Dragic, not Kevin Durant. And mark my words, he'll never be All-NBA anything ever again, no matter who he plays for.

It's baffling how much you undervalue Dragic.

[EDC]

The problem is that he is our best bet at winning games. I think we would have a better record if they had let him run the offense all season. The fact that they haven't reconsidered the current setup is pretty telling.

If we don't make a trade before the deadline I don't think there is any way that Dragic sticks around. His brother will go back to Europe to get playing time again and Goran will take the money and go elsewhere.

Dragic isn't a super star but he is someone to carry us through the rebuilding years. He is a guy that will carry our team while young guys get playing time.

The worst part is that all of this is because we brought in IT. I understand why they did it but it hasn't worked out. Do we really prefer that IT gets his touches more than the guy that carried us last season?

[LazarusLong]

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Well, shit... who cares? We're talking about Goran Dragic, not Kevin Durant. And mark my words, he'll never be All-NBA anything ever again, no matter who he plays for.

It's baffling how much you undervalue Dragic.

Thank you.

Dragic is a particularly inventive offensive talent. As I've mentioned before, he reminds me more than a little of Paul Westphal. He's the type of guy who will prolong his career because of his court sense.

[OE32]

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Well, shit... who cares? We're talking about Goran Dragic, not Kevin Durant. And mark my words, he'll never be All-NBA anything ever again, no matter who he plays for.

It's baffling how much you undervalue Dragic.

Hey, you're the one who wants to "reboot." Don't know how you do that while your centerpiece is a $15 mil per 29-year-old combo guard who isn't usually even a fringe All-Star.

[EDC]

I'm getting pretty jaded. This version of the rebuild probably isn't going to go much farther. Throw in the fact that there aren't really any super stars up for grabs I think it might be time to take a few steps back.

I'm tired of guards.

Trade: Bledsoe, IT, Green, Tucker, Morrii

Not sure what to do with Dragic. I really enjoy watching him play but would he want to stick around after this season.

Get some more young big talent that can play defense.

Finish the season with:

Ennis/?
Bullock/Goodwin
?/Warren
Wright/Plumlee
Len/Brown?

I think that would be interesting to watch as we dive down for a semi high draft pick.

[EDC]

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Well, shit... who cares? We're talking about Goran Dragic, not Kevin Durant. And mark my words, he'll never be All-NBA anything ever again, no matter who he plays for.

It's baffling how much you undervalue Dragic.

Hey, you're the one who wants to "reboot." Don't know how you do that while your centerpiece is a $15 mil per 29-year-old combo guard who isn't usually even a fringe All-Star.

If you are paying a ton of rookies you have plenty of cap space for one overpaid player.

[INFORMER]

Dragic isn't a super star but he is someone to carry us through the rebuilding years. He is a guy that will carry our team while young guys get playing time.

+1000

This was my philosophy and still is, and I wish the Suns had adopted it. Draft well, draft aggressively, feature Dragic, look for short-term bargains, and don't make substantial commitments to players that aren't significant pieces with which to contend. Don't be in a hurry, be methodical, and maintain flexibility. Play for the long game and don't get enamored with short-term or instant gratification.

[INFORMER]

Well, shit ... who blames him?

Well, shit... who cares? We're talking about Goran Dragic, not Kevin Durant. And mark my words, he'll never be All-NBA anything ever again, no matter who he plays for.

It's baffling how much you undervalue Dragic.

Hey, you're the one who wants to "reboot." Don't know how you do that while your centerpiece is a $15 mil per 29-year-old combo guard who isn't usually even a fringe All-Star.

If you are paying a ton of rookies you have plenty of cap space for one overpaid player.

Exactly. Dragic would be my one sizable financial commitment.