Phx-Suns.Net

Superbone wrote:It will be interesting to see what the impact of not having Channing Frye will be. Grantland was prolific on his impact being of great consequence for this team. The eyeball test doesn't seem to corroborate that but we'll see.

INFORMER wrote:

ShelC wrote: I think his defense was overrated.

He's had some good defensive performances against Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, and a few others. But he's had just as many games where he got absolutely abused.

ShelC wrote: And I can't yet buy into the rationale that because the cap is going up, 7-8mil a year players are now suddenly worth 12. Maybe it'll just take some getting used to, but that's a dangerous game for owners/GMs to start getting back into.

Aztec Sunsfan wrote: But at some point, overpaying is overpaying, no matter how you put it. And a bad contract handed out today, will harmstring your flexibility tomorrow, altough not as bad as in the current semi-flat growing of the cap.

INFORMER wrote:

ShelC wrote: And I can't yet buy into the rationale that because the cap is going up, 7-8mil a year players are now suddenly worth 12. Maybe it'll just take some getting used to, but that's a dangerous game for owners/GMs to start getting back into.

Aztec Sunsfan wrote: But at some point, overpaying is overpaying, no matter how you put it. And a bad contract handed out today, will harmstring your flexibility tomorrow, altough not as bad as in the current semi-flat growing of the cap.

Exactly.

INFORMER wrote:Which really isn't any different than how free agency has always worked. It all just comes to how important is that player, how much do you want to keep him. and how replaceable is he.

Superbone wrote:

INFORMER wrote:

ShelC wrote: And I can't yet buy into the rationale that because the cap is going up, 7-8mil a year players are now suddenly worth 12. Maybe it'll just take some getting used to, but that's a dangerous game for owners/GMs to start getting back into.

Aztec Sunsfan wrote: But at some point, overpaying is overpaying, no matter how you put it. And a bad contract handed out today, will harmstring your flexibility tomorrow, altough not as bad as in the current semi-flat growing of the cap.

Exactly.

The alternative is to not pay the going rate and lose the player to a team that will.

Shavlik Randolph is probably the most overlooked player on the Phoenix Suns roster. On a team that is loaded with top-end talent, quality role players, and promising young rookies, Randolph is one of only a few veteran players who doesn't seem to have a clearly defined role as of yet, or a guaranteed spot in the rotation.

Suns president Lon Babby talked about that connection and a few others after Randolph was signed. "Ryan knew him from Boston, as did Mike Logabardi. And we were careful in the moves we didn't take at the trade deadline. But in his case, he had a relationship with P.J. Tucker; they grew up together in Raleigh...We felt comfortable that he would be welcomed here, and he sure has been"

Babby then went on to describe what he brings to the team. "He's a terrific rebounder. He's a veteran. I think we felt like we needed some veteran presence there. So it was a very positive move, and I think he's going to help us out down the stretch."

I caught up with Shavlik during the Suns media day to ask him about what he's been working on over the off-season, and what he thought his role would be on this year's team.

"I tried to work on my outside shot a little bit more." Randolph continued, "I tried to keep my conditioning up and work on some back to the basket stuff and some outside range shooting."

Shavlik also mentioned that he wasn't satisfied with his overall shape and conditioning last season. "I felt like I wasn't in as good of condition when I came in last year." He continued, "It was circumstantial because I got hurt (while playing) in China."

I did notice he seemed a little leaner than last season, not that he was in bad shape before. But, it did look like and sound like he'd been taking his potential role on the team seriously.

"I was thrilled to death when they brought me back," he said. "This was a place I wanted to be a part of. It was one of the most fun (times) I've had in my eight years in the league. I look forward to trying to build on that this season."

"I know that there are two centers ahead of me that they want to develop, young centers that have the ability to be elite." He continued, "It's the same thing as last year, I just have to stay ready...Whether I play or I don't play, I just have to keep a good veteran presence and a good attitude in the locker room and when my number's called to be ready to go out and do what I do."

Paul Coro wrote:Newcomer Isaiah Thomas had a game-high nine assists to go with 11 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. He dazzled with a no-look, over-the shoulder pass and showed the competitive streak that kept him on the winning side in camp scrimmages.

"I could do a lot when given the opportunity," Thomas said. "I can bring a lot to the table. I just want to do whatever it takes to take this team to the next step, which is the playoffs."

Paul Coro wrote:Goran Dragic (2 for 10 as he works into shape)

ShelC wrote:He'll be working in the front office in no time.

Paul Coro wrote:"I've been working," Bledsoe said. "Most of the time, I was working on my conditioning. I was trying to stay in shape because Coach Hornacek stayed on me last year about staying in shape so I can stay in the game longer.

"I can't even count how many times Coach would ask (if I was tired). He told me when I came out of the game that I've got to get in shape. He'd tell me in practice that I got to get in shape. I couldn't hear enough of it."

Bledsoe spent his offseason mostly in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala., where he worked out on his own at recreational center or college gyms. He ended each basketball workout, which focused on more catch-and-shoots, with sprints to add more endurance to his strength and speed.

INFORMER wrote:

Paul Coro wrote:"I've been working," Bledsoe said. "Most of the time, I was working on my conditioning. I was trying to stay in shape because Coach Hornacek stayed on me last year about staying in shape so I can stay in the game longer.

"I can't even count how many times Coach would ask (if I was tired). He told me when I came out of the game that I've got to get in shape. He'd tell me in practice that I got to get in shape. I couldn't hear enough of it."

Bledsoe spent his offseason mostly in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala., where he worked out on his own at recreational center or college gyms. He ended each basketball workout, which focused on more catch-and-shoots, with sprints to add more endurance to his strength and speed.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /16785527/

Green's scoring bursts could change that; he became the first player since Michael Jordan to score 30 in four games of 30 minutes or fewer.

"We know he can light it up and we'll have to use him when we're in that situation," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said.

This is the first time Green has returned to the same team since 2006, when he was coming off a rookie season that started when he was 19. Now, he is the Suns' fourth-oldest player at 28.

Superbone wrote:It will be interesting to see what the impact of not having Channing Frye will be. Grantland was prolific on his impact being of great consequence for this team. The eyeball test doesn't seem to corroborate that but we'll see.

INFORMER wrote:Gerald Green eager to prove himself:

Green's scoring bursts could change that; he became the first player since Michael Jordan to score 30 in four games of 30 minutes or fewer.

"We know he can light it up and we'll have to use him when we're in that situation," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said.

This is the first time Green has returned to the same team since 2006, when he was coming off a rookie season that started when he was 19. Now, he is the Suns' fourth-oldest player at 28.

I really wish we had left some room for this guy.