Suns News: Week 5 11/24-11/30

[carey]

Last Week.
Monday, November 17th @ Boston W118-114
Wednesday, November 19th @ Detroit W88-86
Friday, November 21st @ Philadelphia W122-96
Saturday, November 22nd @ Indiana W106-83

Suns Schedule.
Monday, November 24th @ Toronto 7:30 PM EST
Wednesday, November 26th vs. Denver 9:00 EST
Friday, November 28th @ Denver 9:00 EST
Sunday, November 30th vs. Orlando 8:00 EST

Suns News.
Is it time for Alex Len to start? (YES) LINK
Suns' Len & Plumlee play big on defense: LINK

[Ring_Wanted]

Len's numbers and impact are way ahead of Miles. Contested rebounds and opposite % at the rim are the areas where Miles should deliver but he hasn't, while Len has been in part responsible of some wins and is showing tremendous flashes. But we'll see.

Bledsoe-Dragic-Marcus-Kieff-Miles has a -6, whereas Len puts them at +7 although that lineup dwarfs in minutes (155 vs 36).

[OE32]

Sure would like to see us feed Len in the post - he's been doubled every (both?) time(s) he's posted up. I know, I know, we're a running team bla bla bla.

[Superbone]

Len's numbers and impact are way ahead of Miles.

You could even say he's miles ahead... but that would be confusing.

[Shabazz]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24839712

IT's a little miffed at his role.

[Ring_Wanted]

He's getting traded as soon as somebody meets the right price.

[SwingMan]

He's getting traded as soon as somebody meets the right price.

He's been inserting little jabs since pre-season - like "I'll do whatever the team wants to help us win, but I'd prefer to start" and similar remarks along those lines concerning minutes and touches. Definite strain on the team.

[Superbone]

That's too bad. OTOH the guy is a competitor so it's tough to blame him.

[Shabazz]

Yeah. I have less of a problem with what Thomas is saying than how the 3 PG thing is playing out. It isn't his fault it hasn't been a huge success.

[OE32]

I'm not sure whom we'll trade - and basically anyone other than Warren, Len, and the MoBros could go (though Bled will almost certainly stay -- I wonder about CLE) - but something's gotta give.

I think Dragic is as likely or more likely to be traded than IT. I think Gerald and/or PJ could go. Plumlee could be moved in a package for a big. Anything can happen.

The REAL question is - who among us can identify a trade that makes sense? Anyone?? I defy you. Nothing makes sense. Anywhere, for anyone. We have all sorts of value, but no market exists.

I'm prepared to be shocked. We could be on the cusp of something earth-shattering. Something's gotta give!!

[OE32]

Also, did anyone catch the AZRepublic article on Ennis? Basically admitted that we tried to trade him for the #20 and the future NYK pick. Think we would've taken Caboclo? I wonder...

[Phoenix219]

Going away from Dragic this year has been a huge mistake and IMO it will bite us in the ass big time. As far as IT goes, I'm starting to think he signed expecting to play that 2nd guard / starters minutes that Bledsoe gets, even if it was from the bench. I don't think we expected to keep Bledsoe when we made our free agent signings and draft picks.

[Ring_Wanted]

I don't think we expected to keep Bledsoe when we made our free agent signings and draft picks.

Really? What was it then? The bargain price? The fluid negotiations?

[Superbone]

I don't think we expected to keep Bledsoe when we made our free agent signings and draft picks.

Really? What was it then? The bargain price? The fluid negotiations?

[Ring_Wanted]

Also, did anyone catch the AZRepublic article on Ennis? Basically admitted that we tried to trade him for the #20 and the future NYK pick. Think we would've taken Caboclo? I wonder...

I read that Suns, Spurs and Raptors were indeed interested. Apparently it was Barbosa who first told the Raptors about the kid.

[Phoenix219]

Smartass.

I'm just saying that IT may have an understandable gripe, and that going with Bledsoe isn't just a waste of money; it could be the destroyer of team chemistry, and what runs Dragic out of town.

[ShelC]

I don't know which teams would want our guys. A lot of teams have a lot of good PGs. I'm not even sure which team would want Thomas knowing he wants to start and is a scoring guard. I could see him as a nice fit with Philly next to MCW who can switch onto 2s while Thomas does the scoring. But Philly won't want to spend the money on him and he might actually help them win.

[Ring_Wanted]

Maybe the media storm that is hitting the 76rs makes Hinkie more open to acquire talent on a cheap contract. They don't have anything available that I'd want but could be a terrific third party providing cap relief and one of their protected picks. We are still under the cap and have contract filler like Tolliver so we can take back quite some salary if needed. I would temper expectations though. Laving aside the LAL pick (maybe, like Len) we don't have a premium asset to dangle, so a star is not likely unless asked specifically to be sent here or no better bidder, which could happen but an Achie Goodwin or a Tyler Ennis is not better in theory than a future pick, if you catch my drift.

The problem is that it is too early. When teams actually know what they are (Suns included) maybe the dominoes start to fall. December 15 is the next big date. Teams spent a lot last summer and I hope they are open to make moves, because we are one of the traders if we want to become a more solid team.

One thing I like to think is that despite all the struggle, we are still winning. The problem is that this is the west.

[Ring_Wanted]

Smartass.

I'm just saying that IT may have an understandable gripe, and that going with Bledsoe isn't just a waste of money; it could be the destroyer of team chemistry, and what runs Dragic out of town.

Maybe you'll have to become an Orlando fan. Dragic-Dipo-Harris/Gordon-Frye-Vucevic.

Calm your tits .

[Superbone]

I'm just saying that IT may have an understandable gripe, and that going with Bledsoe isn't just a waste of money; it could be the destroyer of team chemistry, and what runs Dragic out of town.

I have to admit, I'm not happy the way the "experiment" is affecting Dragic. Just not enough ball and playing time available to keep all three happy. And then to top it off Thomas is already complaining. Something's going to have to give.