2015 NBA Draft

[Indy]

I'd be perfectly fine with Bledsoe if he would just pass the friggin' ball, let others make plays. He's trying to prove too much to himself. A bit of humility would go a long ways.

But maybe it's the coaching. We don't know what these guys are being told in practice. Hopefully this offseason sheds some light on what our FO and coaching staff thinks privately.

He is a very poor passer and ball handler. And isn't an above average finisher for a driving PG. Why exactly is he our $14M PG of the future?

[OE32]

I'd be perfectly fine with Bledsoe if he would just pass the friggin' ball, let others make plays. He's trying to prove too much to himself. A bit of humility would go a long ways.

But maybe it's the coaching. We don't know what these guys are being told in practice. Hopefully this offseason sheds some light on what our FO and coaching staff thinks privately.

He is a very poor passer and ball handler. And isn't an above average finisher for a driving PG. Why exactly is he our $14M PG of the future?

I actually think he's a good finisher, as well as a solid outside shooter, and a very good defender and rebounder. He's a terrible playmaker and ballhandler. He'd be great in a system that doesn't rely on the PG to create shots ( ).

[Indy]

I'd be perfectly fine with Bledsoe if he would just pass the friggin' ball, let others make plays. He's trying to prove too much to himself. A bit of humility would go a long ways.

But maybe it's the coaching. We don't know what these guys are being told in practice. Hopefully this offseason sheds some light on what our FO and coaching staff thinks privately.

He is a very poor passer and ball handler. And isn't an above average finisher for a driving PG. Why exactly is he our $14M PG of the future?

I actually think he's a good finisher, as well as a solid outside shooter, and a very good defender and rebounder. He's a terrible playmaker and ballhandler. He'd be great in a system that doesn't rely on the PG to create shots ( ).

Take a look at his percentages around the hoop. They are not good. (and to be honest, I haven't looked them up at all. I just know they have to be bad by how many times he comes away with nothing at the hoop. )

I think he is an average outside shooter and great rebounder. Very good defender.

[OE32]

[Superbone]

Bledsoe is an average shooter at best. I have never seen an NBA player brick as many threes as Bledsoe. I mean shots that aren't even close. The last couple games he's thrown up threes that totally miss the rim and are wide left.

[Indy]

Yeah, being at the game last night, it was just so crazy to see him miss those shots that badly. And you could tell it was bothering him.

[OE32]

TJ's shooting 55% this season.

For a small forward, that's crazy.

[Sunsfan4life]

OK. I think the Suns and Sixers have already been talking about draft picks and trades. If the Sixers end up with the #1 or #2 pick they take Okafor or Towns. They then trade Embiid for the Morris twins (who have been showcased fairly well lately and would be a perfect fit in Philly). Now their frontline in Okafor, Kieff, Noel, and Mook. Nice bit of talent and attitude.

Just speculating.

The Morii aren't Sam Hinkie type players, particularly Marcus.

If the Sixers get a top pick There going D'Angelo Russell. Hinkie reportedly is a huge fan and it makes sense with Noel and Embidd there. I don't think they'll finish with the worst record and I think they may go Russel over Okafor. Towns is prob going 1 regardless of who gets him.

Btw the Wolves with a Rubio,Wiggins,Towns core could be scary.

[Sunsfan4life]

TJ's shooting 55% this season.

For a small forward, that's crazy.

He's poetry in motion without the ball. Needs to improve that shot and become a better defender, but its refreshing to see how well he moves off the ball. Young players nowadays don't do that well enough..

[Sunsfan4life]

Re: Bledsoe,

The most frustrating part about him this yr is to see him mail it in sometimes on D. I think is a team guy, but how many times this year do you see him go to the rim hard not get a call then jog back on D or try to just jump a passing lane and make no effort to get back in the play.

If he played D every game like he did against OKC in the game we won a month ago, he'dbe an all NBA defender, but he seems to have regressed in that department this yr.

[Indy]

For as many great plays he makes, he quits when he doesn't get a call.

[Cap]

I'd be perfectly fine with Bledsoe if he would just pass the friggin' ball, let others make plays. He's trying to prove too much to himself. A bit of humility would go a long ways.

I'm not convinced ego is the problem. Part of the reason Bledsoe isn't a very eager passer is that he isn't a very good passer. Even when he spots the open shooter and passes to him, he's not good at hitting the shooter in rhythm to take the shot. His teammates frequently have to chase his passes and restart the offense. And he frequently telegraphs passes that are picked off.

It's natural that a player who's a better scorer than passer would look to score more than pass. He's just playing to his strengths. Unfortunately, being a playmaker is not one of his strengths, which is a problem for a point guard.

[OE32]

I'd be perfectly fine with Bledsoe if he would just pass the friggin' ball, let others make plays. He's trying to prove too much to himself. A bit of humility would go a long ways.

I'm not convinced ego is the problem. Part of the reason Bledsoe isn't a very eager passer is that he isn't a very good passer. Even when he spots the open shooter and passes to him, he's not good at hitting the shooter in rhythm to take the shot. His teammates frequently have to chase his passes and restart the offense. And he frequently telegraphs passes that are picked off.

It's natural that a player who's a better scorer than passer would look to score more than pass. He's just playing to his strengths. Unfortunately, being a playmaker is not one of his strengths, which is a problem for a point guard.

Well yeah, I agree with that. I don't think Bled should be in the business of playmaking. He can score, and that should be his role in the offense. But initiator? No. Just have him give the ball to someone else who can create shots for others. Knight can do that, from what I can tell. Tell Bled to give the ball to Alex in the post. I don't remember the last time Alex posted that Bled didn't call him up to set the pick. That's what I'm saying - let others make plays.

You ever play with a guy who will pass the ball only when it'll get him an assist? He thinks he's not being selfish, but he is. That's what I'm talking about. Just give it up!

[LazarusLong]

What Phoenix has in Bledsoe is potentially one of the game's great change-of-pace third guards, a guy whose speed, strength and hops would be totally disruptive coming off the bench.

Unfortunately, they are paying him lead-guard money and have given him the big chair.

[pickle]

I'd be perfectly fine with Bledsoe if he would just pass the friggin' ball, let others make plays. He's trying to prove too much to himself. A bit of humility would go a long ways.

I'm not convinced ego is the problem. Part of the reason Bledsoe isn't a very eager passer is that he isn't a very good passer. Even when he spots the open shooter and passes to him, he's not good at hitting the shooter in rhythm to take the shot. His teammates frequently have to chase his passes and restart the offense. And he frequently telegraphs passes that are picked off.

It's natural that a player who's a better scorer than passer would look to score more than pass. He's just playing to his strengths. Unfortunately, being a playmaker is not one of his strengths, which is a problem for a point guard.

agree with this take. if bledsoe were 6'5" and had elevation on his shots, we'd be calling him harden light... ok yeah harden passes better and has trickier moves. i was more referring to the fact that harden's lack of defense is somewhat forgiven, given his offensive prowess.

i don't think 14 mil for bledsoe is particularly awful, but i do think that bledsoe is not a piece to build around for the future. sigh.

[Mori Chu]

I think one of the frustrating things about watching Bledsoe is that his flaws are really apparent and easy to spot on TV. Like the whole not getting a call and pouting and not running back on D so his man gets an easy layup thing. Or the jumping to pass thing. Or the telegraphing lots of his passes and getting them stolen thing. Or the not seeing the open man thing. You can just see him making these mistakes and a savvy fan says, "Argh, he's doing it again." It's easier to spot his flaws than the flaws of some players. And since he has the ball a lot for us now, it just amplifies the whole thing.

[Mori Chu]

Bledsoe is almost an anti-Steve Nash. Their strengths are almost opposite, as are their weaknesses. So as a fan base that spent so many years rooting for Nash, we're bound to notice the differences. Dragic was more Nash-like in many small ways, and though he was not nearly as good a player, I think we were more willing to forgive him because he was at least playing the position the way we were used to.

[pickle]

Bledsoe is almost an anti-Steve Nash. Their strengths are almost opposite, as are their weaknesses. So as a fan base that spent so many years rooting for Nash, we're bound to notice the differences. Dragic was more Nash-like in many small ways, and though he was not nearly as good a player, I think we were more willing to forgive him because he was at least playing the position the way we were used to.

agree with this take as well. as the eternal optimist, i'm hoping that some of bledsoe's flaws are mendable, such as ... don't leave your feet. keep your dribble, explore the defense and bring it back out, that basic concept isn't that difficult to implement. of course passing vision is a talent and not something that can be acquired with repetition, but at least he should be able to cut down on the turnovers.

and shoot 500 jumpers a day and get some lift on that 3 point shot goddammit.

[Indy]

It's interesting that the Suns are being openly critical of him during broadcasts now.

[virtual9mm]

It's interesting that the Suns are being openly critical of him during broadcasts now.

Really? That is news...