Suns News: Week 0 (Oct 16 - 22)

[Superbone]

Ish Wainright is about to be playing overseas unless the team throws him another bone because he's a "culture fit".

Nope, see other thread. Probably coming back in a 2-way spot.

[iLLmatic]

Ish Wainright is about to be playing overseas unless the team throws him another bone because he's a "culture fit".

Nope, see other thread. Probably coming back in a 2-way spot.

Yep, as previously mentioned, team resigning him because he’s a good culture fit.

[Cap]

Ish Wainright is about to be playing overseas unless the team throws him another bone because he's a "culture fit".

Nope, see other thread. Probably coming back in a 2-way spot.

Yep, as previously mentioned, team resigning him because he’s a good culture fit.

Assuming nobody grabs him off waivers.

Eh, probably pretty safe.

[Superbone]

Ish Wainright is about to be playing overseas unless the team throws him another bone because he's a "culture fit".

Nope, see other thread. Probably coming back in a 2-way spot.

Yep, as previously mentioned, team resigning him because he’s a good culture fit.

Assuming nobody grabs him off waivers.

Eh, probably pretty safe.

I think that’s a safe bet.

[Shabazz]

I'd rather Jeremiah Robinson-Earl than either Ish or Keon. Actually, I could probably pick a dozen free agents who I'd prefer.

[Shabazz]

Nurk was butt tonight, but if I'm looking for silver linings, I think he drew 3 fouls on AD, which is invaluable.

[Uncle_Gene]

Bol is our secret weapon and defensive stopper against Chet and Wemby. He's not going anywhere. Chess, not checkers.

I hope so too. Definitely for the guys you named. Just for the SAS and OKC matchups.

[TOO]

Nurk was butt tonight, but if I'm looking for silver linings, I think he drew 3 fouls on AD, which is invaluable.

True. That Lakers squad is absolutely useless if he's not there to guard the paint.

[Split T]

PatBev like us now

[Superbone]

It's not mutual, Pat.

[Shabazz]

Pat Bev content should be auto-banned.

[Split T]

Here’s my thoughts on everyone after preseason:

1. Booker
2. KD
3. Beal

Not much to say. These guys are our cornerstones. We go as far as they take us. So far the offense works. Let’s see it against a good team.

4. Nurkic - He’s a role player. The ceiling is lower than the previous guy, but hopefully the floor is higher…and he brings a different element. I like that our bigs our playmaking threats.

5. Eric Gordon - Been pretty pleased with him. I like that he gets to the rim as well as shoot. Especially in transition he’s attacked the rim and is a good finisher.

6. Grayson Allen - He’s like what Monty thought Shamet was. He can shoot. He can hold his own on defense. He can do enough off the bounce to be a threat attacking closeouts.

7. Josh Okogie - His defense looks good, the hustle will always be there. He’ll get open moving off ball. The shot will be what determines if he can play in the playoffs.

8. Drew Eubanks - Looked great against LA. He’s aggressive attacking the rim which is nice and has also shown some playmaking I wasn’t expecting. He is smaller than I thought.

9. Yuta Watanabe - He can shoot and he works hard. He’s also got some size. I like that we run a lot of set plays designed to get him looks off screens. He could be a weapon.

10. Chimieze Metu - I think the shot is real. It looks very good and he shoots it confidently. Wasn’t expecting much here, but I think he’s got a role. Small-ball 5 with him will be fun. He’s a good athlete(vertically and laterally).

11. Jordan Goodwin - Love his tenacity and think he shows enough promise as a playmaker/shooter/finisher that he can find a role. May not be a lot of minutes or even this year, but he’s a keeper.

12. Keita Bates-Diop - Seems crazy he’s this low. He started slow but I think he’s a good player. Just didn’t stand out. He’s long, but not sure he really got to showcase that. He’s a below average athlete. Don’t think he can defend POA. I do think he fits better along the big3. He is a smart and effective cutter. He can do some stuff off the dribble a bit too.

13. Nassir Little - Glad to see him breakout against LA. He’s got size, strength, and athleticism. He made his shots against LA and he’s probably built to be our best wing defender. Hopefully what we saw against LA is what we get and not what we saw the first 4 games.

14. Damian Lee - He’s hurt but I don’t think he’s a cut option, so I’ll place him here for now.

15. Bol Bol - He looks awkward out there. I’m willing to give him time to get comfortable as maybe that’s part of his issue. He doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing though. He’s a fun victory cigar though.

16. Keon Johnson - Don’t think he offers anything this year, but I’m still intrigued by his athleticism and defensive potential. Worth a 2-way spot to me. I’d take him over Saben, Ish, or Udoka. I expect he won’t be with the team though. He’ll be cut soon and Ish will get the last 2-way spot.

[Superbone]

I think Goodwin will be higher in the rotation than you have him listed. He's going to be our disruptor off the bench. I think he'll get his share of minutes. At least 10 or so a game, I'd guess.

[TOO]

Id have Goodwin 7th, I think he's gonna lead the 2nd unit and provide the same thing Okogie does with less help.

[Kryptonic]

Good write up Split... Always appreciate your time and effort you put into your breakdowns. I kinda feel 8-11 could really fluctuate any night and the matchups. Our depth is just loads better.

[Split T]

Who in the top 7 does he jump? I think he might be in our 10 man rotation, but I can see where he might not play when we’re fully healthy. Think it might be matchup dependent with those last few spots. I think 8 guys have pretty locked in minutes right now(Big3, Nurk, Okogie, Allen, Gordon, Eubanks). I think 2 more guys will see rotation minutes, but it could be any of the next 5(Yuta, Metu, Goodwin, KDB, or Little). Ultimately I think everyone will get a chance.

I started out not really ranking the players, but just roughly in order, so don’t pay too close attention. I do think they are tiered though.

Tier 1(cornerstones) is Book, KD, Beal
Tier 2(regular rotation minutes) is Nurkic, Gordon, Allen, Okogie, Eubanks
Tier 3(situational rotation minutes) is Yuta, Metu, Goodwin, KBD, Little
Tier 4(Garbage minutes) is Lee, Bol, Johnson

Those aren’t set in stone by any means though as some guys can move into higher tiers. Tier 1 is set though.

[JeremyG]

Some surprising stats that stand out from the preseason (https://www.nba.com/stats/players/tradi ... A&sort=PTS):

*Booker - shot 56.3% from three (!)

*Beal - shot only 41.7% from the field

*Nurkic - shot only 37.0 FG% and 16.7 3P% (yikes)

*Gordon - averaged the 3rd most points per 36 (27.2 points)

*Allen - shot only 31.6% from three, and had 2.5 TO in only 23 mpg

*Allen - did average 5.9 assists per 36

*Goodwin - 10.4 rebounds per 36, 6.0 steals per 36 (wow!), >2:1 steals to turnover ratio

*Bates-Diop - 38.5 FG% and 33.3 3P% (need more from him)

[Split T]

Here’s the preseason stats(per-36):

Obviously they will be inflated a bit as per-36 and remembering not everyone played each game, but they are kinda fun.

KD - 37/7/7 on 52/46/88 splits
Book - 33/2/7 on 51/56/100 splits
Beal - 25/5/6 on 42/50/85 splits
Nurk - 18/13/5 on 37/17/82 splits(that 1/11 game )
Gordon - 27/4/5 on 53/33/91 splits
Allen - 18/4/6 on 49/32/100 splits
Okogie - 16/8/4 on 54/38/50 splits
Eubanks - 13/13/6 on 58/-/63 splits
Yuta - 18/5/1 on 50/39/50 splits
Metu - 17/7/2 on 42/47/88 splits
Goodwin - 15/10/4 on 53/29/- splits(6 steals!!!)
KBD - 10/7/2 on 39/33/71 splits
Little - 10/6/2 on 46/33/50 splits
Bol - 13/8/1 on 62/67/50 splits
Johnson - 12/3/3 on 33/20/100 splits

Edit: Jeremy had the same idea and beat me to it

[Split T]

Here’s some advanced stats:

TS% and Net Rating:

KD - 64.1% and 29.5
Book - 66.6% and 44.0
Beal - 62.1% and 31.0(He shot 15 ft/36)
Eubanks - 63.9% and 38.2(maybe he should start)
Gordon - 67.5% and 10.8
Okogie - 58.8% and 15.2
Allen - 58.3% and 25.2
Goodwin - 58.8% and 26.3
Nurkic - 50.8% and 13.5
Metu - 59.4% and -14.4
Yuta - 61.2% and 3.3
Little - 54.0% and 9.4
KBD - 48.1% and 1.0
Johnson - 40.6% and -23.0
Bol - 68.4% and -37.2

[AmareIsGod]

To be fair, the guys listed 8 to 16 were stuck alongside that horrible black hole on offense ballhog Saben Lee. Hard to expect guys like KBD to find a rhythm watching Lee plow to the rim every single possession with his head down ignoring everyone. As much as I thought Bol Bol sucked, it was better than watching Saben Lee play 1 on 5 every time down the court, minus the assist to Eubanks for the ferocious dunk last night. Even a blind squirrel can find a nut occasionally.