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

[Shabazz]

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.

2 of the 5 Ps!

[Indy]

? for Lon--Is our training staff one of the best? Are other teams catching up? Lon says we are one of best in league, but we want to be world-class. We invest a lot in it. We are in the vanguard of this, and Sarver keeps funding more equipment. Just bought something to help ALex and Goran with their balance, which helps save ankles. Now we are buying lasers. (yes) to help with rehab. (no word on if they are on the top of sharks). We use our training staff with FA negotiations.

[Indy]

Back to Ryan--with so many teams tanking and having a lot of draft picks and money, how are we going to compete with FAs?

We can get good players regardless of draft position, for one. We love our scouts.

Says it is a misconception that losing a ton of games to get better is the way to do it. You never know if the best player over their career is going to be the 1st, 3rd, 9th or 15th player taken.

I want to build a championship team by taking a 50 win team to a 60 win team, not a 20 to a 60. That seems more likely.

[Indy]

Jeff--Who chooses which side you go toward, as last time on the road we switched. Jeff said he some times changes which goal you defend just to mix it up. SA does that a lot. Jeff wants to not always have your bench by your defending goal.

[Indy]

For Ryan--How much do you look at stockpiling picks versus adding veterans with trades?

No perfect answer. Have to do both. We need players at all stages of career, but leaning towards younger guys. Our old guys/leaders are Goran and PJ and SHav. Our next group are the morri, green, etc., then the young guys.

Our team is very competitive when you look at age/experience. Most our age are losing, not us.

Most championship teams have been together a while, not thrown together...usually.

[Indy]

When the Suns came into exisiting, we played at VMC "Mad House", but does Jeff have a fav memory there?

Yes--When I was a rookie, we were playing Boston, up by 2 with 4 seconds left. They calll time out. Larry goes to Jeff and tells him I am going to catch the ball off a screen and hit a 3 to win the game. Then he did it, won teh game. And he goes back to the bench and said, I told you! Why didn't you guard me.

Then when the turn around happened in 88, it was amazing how close the fan base was to us literally and figuratively. It was great.

[Indy]

What rules are changing?

Ryan--We want to change playoffs to top 16 teams, other than that we don't think there are any rules that really need to be changed. Since late 90s we have opened up all the hands on players, to keep movement going. Faster paced.

Jeff--Review of plays is in NJ and just use them instead of the refs at the game. The league said they are moving that way to keep the game flowing faster.

[Indy]

For Lon--Rumors that commissioner is considering making preseason shorter, to cut down on back-to-backs and 4 in 5 nights. It isn't just a rumor. They are still looking at that. And we all want it. Likely going to happen, but not sure when.

[Indy]

? for Nick (chief of sales)--Anyhting you want to bring up (since there weren't any questions for you)? No, but thanks for everyone here and the 6th man members. Sales speak about how we want everyone to re-up their seats for next year. (packets were sent out this week).

[Indy]

Al did a great job hosting this. I love that man.

[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.

2 of the 5 Ps!

[Shabazz]

Good stuff, Indy. Thanks.

[Superbone]

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.

2 of the 5 Ps!

[Superbone]

Al did a great job hosting this. I love that man.

Still going strong in his 80s!

[Superbone]

Thanks a ton for laying that out, Indy! That was a great read.

[iLLmatic]

Al did a great job hosting this. I love that man.

Still going strong in his 80s!

He's a beast.

[Indy]

Happy to do it guys. Sorry for all of the mistakes/misspellings.

[INFORMER]

I wish someone had asked about Alec Brown.

[iLLmatic]

I wish someone had asked about Alec Brown.

[INFORMER]

Dead serious. I think Brown could be a very effective role player and play next to Len.