Suns News: Week 12 1/12-1/18

[Superbone]

Positive development - Alex Len's minutes over the last 5 games:

15
27
27
29
31

37 last night.

Man, at this rate he's going to be averaging 49-50 minutes a night by the end of the year!

[Superbone]

I agree; and yet I don't think Len is getting totally over-exposed or put out there more than he deserves. He's getting quality minutes and he's making the most of them.

Isn't it grand?

[LazarusLong]

Len's 36-minute-per-game equivalent averages are: 11.1 pts., 10.4 rbs., 2.7 blocks, 1 steal.

I think 36-minute per is a more realistic measure than 48 minutes; how many players actually play 48 minutes per game?

[Shabazz]

Len's 36-minute-per-game equivalent averages are: 11.1 pts., 10.4 rbs., 2.7 blocks, 1 steal.

I think 36-minute per is a more realistic measure than 48 minutes; how many players actually play 48 minutes per game?

Check out his /36s since he became a starter.

[Cap]

Len's 36-minute-per-game equivalent averages are: 11.1 pts., 10.4 rbs., 2.7 blocks, 1 steal.

I think 36-minute per is a more realistic measure than 48 minutes; how many players actually play 48 minutes per game?

Check out his /36s since he became a starter.

12.1 pts
11.7 reb
0.9 ast
0.9 stl
3.9 blk
5.5 pf
.581 fg%
.690 ft% (did somebody remind him he's a 7-footer?)

[Indy]

I am on the season ticket holders call right now, with Lon Babby, Ryan, and Jeff. It is hosted by Al. It was awful to go from Al's voice to Lon's. And Lon started his talk by pointing that out.

[Indy]

So far Lon is talking about how great we are... actually he is justifying our not so great, but similar to last year's performance, because we played more road games than anyone. And went 17-13 on the road so far.

[Indy]

Ryan is up next.

[Indy]

Ryan (paraphrasing here): talking about BW trade. really excited. speaking about how the game late last year against Dallas determined if we were going to be 8th seed or they were, and how BW was a key player to keep us out of the playoffs.

Going forward, we have our 1st round pick and Lakers (if it conveys this year).

Have a deep team, and using NBADL to develop they guys at the end of the bench that can't get into an NBA game. Specifically talking about getting 19-20 year old guys some time on the floor that they can't get in real NBA games.

Trying to use the "next man up" philosophy of when guys leave (trade/FA) to have another one stacked on the bench ready to go without a drop off...

Answered a question about "how are we going to use Plumlee now that BW is here..." ANswer is too early to know, and can never have too many big bodies. Despite his recent struggles.

[Indy]

Question for Jeff--are you happy with 3 guard lineup?

Seems to be a game-by-game basis. Some nights it is great, some night not so much. It is great at putting pressure on them. But we need key rebounders on the floor with them. Have to weigh the D vs the offensive.

[Indy]

? for Lon--With west stronger than east, any more talk on top 16 regardless of conference.

Of course Suns are in favor of it, but East isn't. Of course. This is typically cyclical, but in general has been a long time with disparity. No change imminent.

[Indy]

Follow up from Al--for years it was thought East was more Defense and toughness and slower, and the West more scoring. Ryan answered that yes, it was thought of that way when he was in Boston. But Memphis is a good example of a very tough team in the West. But it doesn't matter, because to win a ring you have to be able to play fast, and play slow, depending on match ups.

[Indy]

For JEff--How much time do you have to practice once the season starts?

It is tough... especially on the road. For example, we have to get BW up to speed, but not a lot of time. He is coming along quickly. We have played 4-5 more games than some teams, and not a lot of time for it. But now that we have a long home-stand, we might have a few times to practice. Hard to work it in and not wear out the team.

Al said Dick Motta told him that practice after the holidays isn't meaningful...

[Indy]

How can we cut out Ts!

Lon addressed it (for some reason)... our team has performed well on many levels, except in number of techs. It is a fine line to be emotional and intense, but not in a bad way. We need to increase our Pride and Poise. Jeff has addressed it recently with the team. We don't want to reduce the emotion, but it needs to be addressed. And we are not happy about it. It likely cost us a couple of games.

[OE32]

Great stuff, Indy! Keep it coming!

[Indy]

? for Ryan--for 2015 draft, how do you balance immediate needs (Alex) vs development (Archie)

Ryan quickly said Alex wasn't ready last year to contribute, but his potential is amazing. (my comment is he is saying we aren't going to be getting guys that are ready to contribute immediately, but I could be wrong). We have drafted 4 young guys lately, and they develop at different rates. We draft who will have the best career, not most likely to contribute this year. Most good teams around the league don't have rookies, or even 2nd year guys playing a lot for them.

We try and insulate players until they are ready. We want them protected until it is time for them to make a good impact.

Al jokes we draft players out of day care nowadays.

Al asks if Jam helps us a lot. Ryan said it does, especially since we control their play with the relationship we have. We pick the players and coach, and Bakersfield just markets it all. So we run our offense, to help get people up to speed on our offense.

[Indy]

for Jeff--TOs! what kind of control can Jeff use to cut down TOs!

No coach wants TOs. We had some great games in the 10-13 TOs, but with our speed, they are going to happen. Look at GSW, They lead the league in TOs and are 30-5. (I think this is a cop out). He said "unforced TOs" are very bad, as opposed to a fast break pass that gets picked off. Shuffling feet, standing out of bounds, those are bad.

ANother question for him--we have a lot of individual talent. How do you drive home the focus for team ball and move the ball!

Jeff said a lot of guys played the way of one-on-one, and Jeff is trying to break bad habits.

[Indy]

Question for Ryan--The Knicks keep giving away players. Can we get Amare back for cheap to help us out?

Al answered about his career. Asked Ryan about future? Ryan says he can't talk about players specifically, but Knicks are trying to plan for future, trying to get picks, young players, and cut salary. We just solidified our front line, and have great depth. But we are always looking for things (like buy outs).

[Indy]

Again for Ryan--progress of Bogdanovic--when will we see him in a Suns uniform. He is mostly a SG, but some PG skills. Very long. Says he may be one of the best EU basketball player at his age. He is playing in Turkey. Plays in best league outside of NBA. Waiting to have him play in Europe as a top player, and if it works, plan is middle of next year to bring him over.

[Indy]

For Jeff--would you compare TJ or Tyler to any players you played with? Tyler=similar to Mark Jackson, slower methodical PG and sees everything. Very great visual. He is the one guy that can call out every play based on where the D is set up. (Weird that nobody else can).

TJ is different. Can just put it in the whole. Ricky Pierce. Vinny Johnson. Has a floater from 12-15 feet. And quick hands! Gets bad calls early, but once he gets a good rep, he could be a very good defender.

Al mentions they both have confidence. Jeff said that is why Ryan really liked them.