Suns News: Weeks 24 (3/30 - 4/5) and 25 (4/6 - 4-12)

[Split T]

I think you can get away with CG as a Nash-lite but you have to let him handle the ball and run offense that allows Book to get to his sweet spots. Book ISOing 30ft from the basket just isn't his game. Working the midrange and postup like he was doing earlier in the year worked and then we went away from it.

Screening him with a big that's a legit threat where he can create space or find a mismatch is needed tho. That big has to be a threat. Not sure who that is at the moment but the logical answer is moving Green's 30m to the PF/C spot.

I’m not sure Colin is that guy…he can run a 2 man game, but he doesn’t have the advanced playmaking skill that Nash had(or even Booker). He’s not a drive threat either, so it’s basically a sell out on him at the 3 point line situation and that doesn’t exactly get the rest of the team involved. I think Colin is a backup unless he develops further as a playmaker.

Green is electric and a great scorer, but he just doesn’t make the high level reads either…he has no plan when he gets to the rim with no clear shot.

A playmaking big wing would be really nice next to Book. It’s why some of us were willing to take a chance on Kuminga…he’s not a good playmaker by any means, but he has size and create advantages with his athleticism…if the decision making and play recognition ever develops he’d be great.

If Toronto ever needs to blow it up, I’d love Scottie Barnes. Zion is the high risk, high reward type who makes a lot of sense on paper. Jalen Johnson is a dream scenario that has no chance of happening. Siakam is who we should’ve targeted instead of Durant years ago. Randle is also a lower cost guy that would make sense.

If Orlando has to ditch one of Paolo or Franz, I’d be intrigued.

[Superbone]

Wow, so we have to face the Curry magic on Friday. We're probably going out with a whimper. I'll definitely do my part and bet on the Warriors.

[3TheHardaway]

I think you can get away with CG as a Nash-lite but you have to let him handle the ball and run offense that allows Book to get to his sweet spots. Book ISOing 30ft from the basket just isn't his game. Working the midrange and postup like he was doing earlier in the year worked and then we went away from it.

Screening him with a big that's a legit threat where he can create space or find a mismatch is needed tho. That big has to be a threat. Not sure who that is at the moment but the logical answer is moving Green's 30m to the PF/C spot.

I’m not sure Colin is that guy…he can run a 2 man game, but he doesn’t have the advanced playmaking skill that Nash had(or even Booker). He’s not a drive threat either, so it’s basically a sell out on him at the 3 point line situation and that doesn’t exactly get the rest of the team involved. I think Colin is a backup unless he develops further as a playmaker.

Green is electric and a great scorer, but he just doesn’t make the high level reads either…he has no plan when he gets to the rim with no clear shot.

A playmaking big wing would be really nice next to Book. It’s why some of us were willing to take a chance on Kuminga…he’s not a good playmaker by any means, but he has size and create advantages with his athleticism…if the decision making and play recognition ever develops he’d be great.

If Toronto ever needs to blow it up, I’d love Scottie Barnes. Zion is the high risk, high reward type who makes a lot of sense on paper. Jalen Johnson is a dream scenario that has no chance of happening. Siakam is who we should’ve targeted instead of Durant years ago. Randle is also a lower cost guy that would make sense.

If Orlando has to ditch one of Paolo or Franz, I’d be intrigued.

Paolo’s value has tanked. He’s the exact type of distressed asset to gamble on.

[England Sun]

The team has done well to get this far but the weaknesses are being highlighted that we have known all along.

I wouldn't throw Book out along with everything else when we have been playing so unbalanced all year.

No real PG although CG has done a stela job there, he's a solid backup and had no real help all year.
Point Book gets you so far, and then hampers him.
JG is a poorer version of Book who gets to the rim. We don't need him and Book. As others have said, that salary in the PF spot would make a massive difference.
C spot is still by committee and is serviceable, but MW is managed, Oso can't shoot and plays small inside and KM is developing and I'd expect to see some kind of minutes and play improvement from him next year.
PF is the weakest area we have. We don't have any real inside presence and it doesn't surprise me we are as low down on FG% and Def Rb without that. Our PF position is being played by a SF trying to play bigger who takes poor % shots more often than not sitting at 43% for the year which for a good PF would be closer to the 50% mark. Yes, he's averaged 20ppg but who's Rb numbers at the PF spot are 3.5 per game, negligible blocks but a steal per game. Net rating of -1. Now, put him against SF's and he's going to fare much better.
No other real depth at PF unless we are also looking at rookies.

SF is the position we are OK with due to having so many players who can cover it.

Just need to make some brave decisions in the off season to rectify some of these glaring weaknesses.