Phx-Suns.Net

Why does everybody seem to use that Photoshop filter on all their NBA photos lately that makes them look like the players were dunked in metal or something?

Superbone wrote:It's hard to say depending on how the Markieff situation plays out.

Hate him or hate him, he's the best PF we've got. Will we be able to get anybody comparable?

I think we are going to double down on the double position approach (or is that quadruple down?). We are going to run two PGs, two Cs, and a 3. Len is going to be jacking up 3s while KFC runs the PnR and Warren just floats around everywhere nobody else is to get his points. Bleds is going to stand under the backboard, out of bounds, pouting about not getting calls. It will be wonderful.

Indy wrote:

carey wrote:https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/633699989361922050

I would say 7-10 are more likely to be:

Jazz
Pels
Suns
Mavs

With Exum out & Burke... just not any good, we could very well sneak into the 8th spot if Utah doesn't make a move for a PG. The Mavs? I just don't see it. Old Dirk, Parsons coming off microfracture, we don't even know what Wes Matthews will be off that Achilles tear... add a whatever-he-is now D-Will and you have a recipe for a lottery pick imho.

carey wrote:

Indy wrote:

carey wrote:https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/633699989361922050

I would say 7-10 are more likely to be:

Jazz
Pels
Suns
Mavs

With Exum out & Burke... just not any good, we could very well sneak into the 8th spot if Utah doesn't make a move for a PG. The Mavs? I just don't see it. Old Dirk, Parsons coming off microfracture, we don't even know what Wes Matthews will be off that Achilles tear... add a whatever-he-is now D-Will and you have a recipe for a lottery pick imho.

Agreed on Dallas. Don't see it at all. That lineup is very unimposing.

I think they're given that ranking on the backs of "Rick Carlisle + Dirk = playoffs." I think that changes this year.

LazarusLong wrote:I generally agree with Mori about the top 6 teams. The Pelicans will be #7, perhaps higher if things go right for them and a major injury impacts one of the top 6.

Then it will be a dogfight between the Suns, the Jazz, the Wolves and the Mavs for the last playoff sport. For Phoenix to get into the playoffs: Len and Chandler need to be reasonably healthy for at least 70 games each; Knight needs to continue to improve; TJ needs to contribute; Weems needs to make a difference; and Keef needs play as well as last season and be a good teammate.

That’s a bit much to expect, although not impossible. I’ll be pessimistic and say the Suns finish with 46 wins in 9th place, again winning Miss Congeniality.

mostly agree with this take except the wolves. they are talented and deep, but highly dysfunctional. i really don't see them making any noise until they can get rid of all their veterans, and after that prove that their training staff wasn't assembled to break player careers and fantasy basketball players' mental constitutions. once all the vets are gone, i would agree, bring in a new coach, let the young kids gel for a year or two, and then they'll be dangerous. until then, i can't see them being actually relevant on real basketball terms.

7) Pelicans (no AD no playoffs)
8) Minnesota (no Rubio no playoffs)
9) Suns (NO Keef no playoffs)

The Hornacek NON-extension is detrimental as well as holding on to Morris. This team is super "meh" I only pray for a major shake up mid season. It will probably happen anyway if this team gets off to a slow start. Just absolutely no identity for another year. I like the Chandler addition but are we a defensive team or an offensive team? We have never been both.

I'm excited for Booker and Warren but Waren needs to start over PJ and I like PJ. It just seems like we lack scoring and PJ should be an energy guy off the bench.

Just tired of front office not being able to execute whatever plan they have for this franchise. It's not even clear that they have a plan at this point either.

So here's to another 13th pick in the draft.

The plan is what the plan has always been under McDonough. Collect assets and hope a trade opportunity presents itself. Meanwhile you try and be competitive as possible with what you have. Is this a good way to run a franchise? It worked alright for Houston. The problem is that Harden trade probably only comes along once a decade and you have to be the team prepared for it.

I still don't see Love working out in Cleveland. TT is making twice what Markieff is... I can see them wanting to move Love's contract for something more manageable. Especially if Love struggles to adapt to Blatt's system.

Yeah I feel Love's value has dropped since he's been there but still think he'd be a good fit in PHX Paying Thompson all that money plus the luxury tax is stupid. He does nothing for me as a player. I'd take Love if they don't want him. Not sure CLE gets rid of him this season though. I'd say they do IF they don't win this year, or even if they do win. Just don't see him leaving this season unless they flop. Highly unlikely though.

I'd love to nab Kevin Love. That's the kind of player we'd need to make a leap. Am I insane to still hope we could somehow get DeMarcus Cousins?

carey wrote:The plan is what the plan has always been under McDonough. Collect assets and hope a trade opportunity presents itself. Meanwhile you try and be competitive as possible with what you have. Is this a good way to run a franchise? It worked alright for Houston. The problem is that Harden trade probably only comes along once a decade and you have to be the team prepared for it.

The problem with McD's approach is that it is conducted with poor judgment and near-sightedness.

I was doubtful about the Knight trade when we made it, and I've seen nothing from Knight to change my mind.

For that matter, did it even make sense to trade what looks to be a pair of early second-round picks for 29 games of Brandan Wright? The trade was well-received here because it was a quality player for limited value, but in the situation was was the value of Wright to the franchise? It was a trade that made sense only if you asked "What will this trade do for us over the next two months?" (extremely little, but something) and ignored the question of "What will be the net effect of this trade over the next 5+ years?"

He needs to let go of his impatience and start thinking about the future.

Wright gave us a better shot at making the playoffs as it was clear we needed quality to replace Plumlee. Unfortunately a myriad of other things went wrong and the goal was not achieved, but I consider that move basically flawless. This is like a poker game and sometimes the right move doesn't pay off.

Now, if you tell me that pushing for the playoffs was not worth it, that's a different matter, and one we have talked about before regarding the 2014 deadline. My stance on this is that making the playoffs has intrinsic value around the league and puts you on a better position to attract higher caliber players. Also, it's worth noting that making the playoffs in the West is not the same as doing it in the East.

But in essence it depends on the specific asset used. Two second round picks for an expiring Wright was easily justifiable even if the player was not to have a future here. LAL's pick, Ennis and Plumlee for Knight, despite being in control of the player? Highly questionable at best.

Ring_Wanted wrote:LAL's pick, Ennis and Plumlee for Knight, despite being in control of the player? Highly questionable at best.

Depends on how highly you evaluate the player. McDonough obviously thought it was worth it. How that pans out? We'll see. Still way too early to make that evaluation IMHO.

Though results were mixed in preseason, I'm beginning to think we should be #6. The Pels are dealing with some serious injury trouble out the gate, and if AD gets hurt again, they're done. The Jazz have not impressed in preseason, with Gobert looking surprisingly human. Combine that with their weakness at the 1 spot, and I think we're solidly ahead of them.

I hesitate to say all of this primarily because of how weak our starting unit has been. I hope that Brandon Knight will figure things out, because so far he's looked so out of sync.

I'm a proponent of Weems or TJ getting the starting nod. For now, I like TJ playing a Ginobili role coming off the bench. But if he's your best player, you gotta play him. And he may very well be our best player.

I think we're continuing to run PJ as a starter primarily because we want him to guard elite wings, and so we want that starting unit to improve offensively. TJ makes the offense pop, but he's more of a disruptive defender, not the kind of guy you task with shutting someone down (though his quick hands could make a lot of pass-first players or unsure ballhandlers nervous).

I don't expect any trades this season. I think we should be the #6 seed - and maybe we can even leapfrog Memphis. Don't like their age or depth. If we start the season off badly, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing what another coach could do with this group.

538’s preview: http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/nba- ... w-2015-16/

The numbers do not say good things about Almost An All-Star In The East, particularly defensively.

Cap wrote:538’s preview: http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/nba- ... w-2015-16/

The numbers do not say good things about Almost An All-Star In The East, particularly defensively.

"...But Lack Shooting"

Devin Booker!

And keep your "facts" to yourself, Cap.

And speaking of Booker:

Finally, we must mention Devin Booker, not so much because he’s projected to do much, but because circumstances might press him into action. The main accomplishment for Booker — one of approximately 475 players drafted out of Kentucky last year — probably was getting more than 20 minutes a game on that squad. The good news is that he took about half his shots from 3-point range and hit a respectable 41.1 percent (note that college 3-pointers are easier). Sadly for Suns fans, he had only 17 steals in 38 games, so he’s obviously doomed.

You could say FiveThirtyEight is a little loose with their facts as well.

one thing i find very interesting, as i get older in life, is that single adjectives used to describe different people might end up meaning very different things. no offense to you, OE, but i think projecting the suns to finish 6 is extremely optimistic. me, on the other hand, i'm much gloomier on the team as a whole. yet i would consider myself optimistic anyway, for continuing to hold out hope that our players develop into more than they currently are. i know most are down on knight and frankly i don't know much about his game, but he is young and i still hope that he could develop further. i also have high hopes for booker, TJ, and alex len. i am not sure if markieff can continue to develop but i do hope that he can fit in to the team and be valuable. i also hope that archie makes something of himself. i can't help but root for such a babyfaced child trying to act like a man.

NBA announces Kevin Johnson award for 2015-2016 season
by Jason Jackson sacramentobeetimesnews.com

David Silver announced a new award for the 2015-2016 NBA season - the Kevin Johnson Award will be given to the leagues youngest team. The award is in honor of former Suns player Kevin Johnson who is currently the Mayor of Sacramento.

http://www.sacramentobeetimesnews.com/_k-jo-award.php

Wild!

I think that's a WNBA award, robot. KJ will personally usher the youngest girls team into the showers for a point guard rubdown ...