Suns News: Week 24 (4/3 - 4/9)

[Flagrant Fowl]

That quote is taken so out of context.

Explain? Most of us don't have a subscription to the site or paper.

IIRC, he said that after or around the Bucks game when he was whistled for a bunch of fouls. It was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but it's still pretty tone deaf considering how passive he plays in the paint compared to his peers.

[JeremyG]

That quote is taken so out of context.

Explain? Most of us don't have a subscription to the site or paper.

IIRC, he said that after or around the Bucks game when he was whistled for a bunch of fouls. It was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but it's still pretty tone deaf considering how passive he plays in the paint compared to his peers.

Yeah I was talking about Superbone's quote in his sig that he was referring to, not the AZCentral article (I don't have a subscription either).

Also, he was talking about guarding players like Giannis on the defensive end, not offense.

[BKinSJC]

One sort of amusing end-of-season note: The Suns finished at 45-37, exactly tied with Brooklyn, which owns the rights to their first-round pick this offseason.

So, at some point there will be a coin flip to determine whether the Nets are drafting 21st and 22nd, or 22nd and 21st.

[Superbone]

One sort of amusing end-of-season note: The Suns finished at 45-37, exactly tied with Brooklyn, which owns the rights to their first-round pick this offseason.

So, at some point there will be a coin flip to determine whether the Nets are drafting 21st and 22nd, or 22nd and 21st.

Oh, the suspense!

[BKinSJC]

One sort of amusing end-of-season note: The Suns finished at 45-37, exactly tied with Brooklyn, which owns the rights to their first-round pick this offseason.

So, at some point there will be a coin flip to determine whether the Nets are drafting 21st and 22nd, or 22nd and 21st.

Oh, the suspense!

But wait, there's more! Since they reverse the order of the tiebreak winner in the second round, where the Suns and Nets both still have rights to their own individual picks, both teams will actually want to lose that coin flip and end up with the rights to the 51st (rather than the 52nd) pick. Time to employ some of that classic Suns-going-for-Alcindor strategy.

[Mori Chu]

Guys to see you back, JeremyG. Missed you. Hope your guy Ayton shuts up all the haters in the playoffs.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Interesting.

[JeremyG]

Thoughts?

[Split T]

That’s such a weird question…how you define to their full potential is key.

Ayton is more likely to reach 2021 playoffs level. He’s capable of it. I don’t think Paul can physically get to his 2021 level or 2022 Pels series level consistently. We might get 1(maybe 2) games a series.

All we need from Paul is to hit open 3s and distribute. If Ayton locks down the paint, punishes small lineups, and just finishes around the basket, that’s more valuable.

[Shabazz]

If Ayton plays to his real, true full potential, then we win the title. Full stop.

[Superbone]

My thoughts are that that is a BIG if. IF Ayton were to do that, he's EASILY our third best player. Unless Paul were to go back to a couple years ago but not very likely. IF Ayton plays like he has most of this regular season, I'm not sure he's even our fourth best player. It would be close between him and Okogie.

[Flagrant Fowl]

If Ayton plays to his real, true full potential, then we win the title. Full stop.

My thoughts are that that is a BIG if. IF Ayton were to do that, he's EASILY our third best player. Unless Paul were to go back to a couple years ago but not very likely. IF Ayton plays like he has most of this regular season, I'm not sure he's even our fourth best player. It would be close between him and Okogie.

Which is why I think he's gone this Summer if the Suns are healthy and don't make the Finals.

[Flagrant Fowl]

JOSH BARTELSTEIN NAMED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF PHOENIX SUNS AND PHOENIX MERCURY

https://www.nba.com/suns/news/josh-bart ... ix-mercury

The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury announced today that Josh Bartelstein has been named as Chief Executive Officer of the franchises and the operating entity for Footprint Center. Bartelstein’s appointment is effective immediately.

Bartelstein joins the Suns and Mercury following eight years with the Detroit Pistons. He started with the organization as the special assistant to the Vice Chairman and was promoted to Chief of Staff before rising to Executive Vice President of Business and Basketball Operations. In June 2022, Bartelstein joined the basketball operations staff as Assistant General Manager. During his time with the Pistons, Bartelstein was instrumental in the team’s return to downtown Detroit and oversaw the design and construction of the Pistons Performance Center.

“Josh understands our culture and values and shares our strategic vision for the Suns and Mercury,” said Mat Ishbia, Owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. “His proven leadership abilities and deep experience in both the business and basketball sides of an organization makes him uniquely positioned to transform the teams into the best basketball franchises on and off the court.”

“The Suns and Mercury are world-class organizations with passionate fans and a strong commitment to the Phoenix community. I’m grateful to be joining at such an exciting and pivotal time for the teams, the arena and the city,” said Bartelstein. “We will remain focused on creating a culture where our team members can thrive, elevating the fan experience and making a positive impact on the Valley. I look forward to working with the team to collectively build on this foundation and usher in the Suns’ and Mercury’s next chapter of growth and success.”

A native of Highland Park, Illinois, Bartelstein was a four-year member of the basketball team at the University of Michigan and was named captain of the team that reached the 2013 NCAA Championship game.

As CEO of the Suns and Mercury, Bartelstein will oversee business operations, while President of Basketball Operations and General Manager James Jones manages basketball operations.

He's the son of agent Mark Bartelstein who has a long list of NBA clients including Bradley Beal and Gordon Hayward.

[MightyMoog]

Awesome. We now have ownership and most of management with some championship basketball playing experience at either the college and NBA level.

[TOO]

JOSH BARTELSTEIN NAMED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF PHOENIX SUNS AND PHOENIX MERCURY

https://www.nba.com/suns/news/josh-bart ... ix-mercury

The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury announced today that Josh Bartelstein has been named as Chief Executive Officer of the franchises and the operating entity for Footprint Center. Bartelstein’s appointment is effective immediately.

Bartelstein joins the Suns and Mercury following eight years with the Detroit Pistons. He started with the organization as the special assistant to the Vice Chairman and was promoted to Chief of Staff before rising to Executive Vice President of Business and Basketball Operations. In June 2022, Bartelstein joined the basketball operations staff as Assistant General Manager. During his time with the Pistons, Bartelstein was instrumental in the team’s return to downtown Detroit and oversaw the design and construction of the Pistons Performance Center.

“Josh understands our culture and values and shares our strategic vision for the Suns and Mercury,” said Mat Ishbia, Owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. “His proven leadership abilities and deep experience in both the business and basketball sides of an organization makes him uniquely positioned to transform the teams into the best basketball franchises on and off the court.”

“The Suns and Mercury are world-class organizations with passionate fans and a strong commitment to the Phoenix community. I’m grateful to be joining at such an exciting and pivotal time for the teams, the arena and the city,” said Bartelstein. “We will remain focused on creating a culture where our team members can thrive, elevating the fan experience and making a positive impact on the Valley. I look forward to working with the team to collectively build on this foundation and usher in the Suns’ and Mercury’s next chapter of growth and success.”

A native of Highland Park, Illinois, Bartelstein was a four-year member of the basketball team at the University of Michigan and was named captain of the team that reached the 2013 NCAA Championship game.

As CEO of the Suns and Mercury, Bartelstein will oversee business operations, while President of Basketball Operations and General Manager James Jones manages basketball operations.

He's the son of agent Mark Bartelstein who has a long list of NBA clients including Bradley Beal and Gordon Hayward.

Wasn't this done weeks ago?

[Superbone]

I knew his name ringed a bell. Yeah, heard rumblings about this a couple weeks ago.

[Superbone]

[Shabazz]

If Ayton plays to his real, true full potential, then we win the title. Full stop.

My thoughts are that that is a BIG if. IF Ayton were to do that, he's EASILY our third best player. Unless Paul were to go back to a couple years ago but not very likely. IF Ayton plays like he has most of this regular season, I'm not sure he's even our fourth best player. It would be close between him and Okogie.

Which is why I think he's gone this Summer if the Suns are healthy and don't make the Finals.

I agree. Trading him is also one of only two avenues we have to address our depth issues in the Summer.

[Split T]

This is the exact scenario where you can’t survive with a guy making max money not giving max effort. We only have so many avenues to improve the team. Ayton and CP3 both on 30 million dollar deals is tough. Kinda need to turn Ayton’s 32 million into two 16 million guys. Or a 16 and two 8s.

I’d honestly try to rework the CP3 deal. He’s got the 15 million guaranteed, but I’d see if we can decline the other 15 and re-sign him at like 7 million. That gives him 22 next year. That one isn’t as important though because we can’t really do anything with the money saved. Think we’re too far over the cap to get low enough to use the full MLE.

[wpmiller42]

If Ayton plays to his real, true full potential, then we win the title. Full stop.

Heck, we win the title for the next 3 years if he does that.