Evaluating McD's summer so far

[JCSunsfan]

Here is what he has done.

1. Drafted Bender. I think this will probably be a very good move. The kid has an air of confidence and a very unusual skill set.

2. Trade with Sacramento. Decent move to combine assets to move up to get a player he wanted. Not a spectacular trade, just solid.

3. Drafted Chriss. Ok move. I would have liked Sabonis here. We will see.

4. Drafted Ulis. Great move. Will be a rotation player and even a potential starter in years to come.

5. Signed Ulis to a late first round contract. Brilliant move in the changing climate of the CBA. Maintains control longer and Ulis gets some security. Rookie deals are gold right now.

6. Signed Dudley. Not spectacular in itself but it clearly signals a commitment to a rebuild without shortcuts. Leuer and Tele are both ready to break out in their own minds. Chriss and Bender will not have to start immediately but will see the floor a lot and can move into starting positions more smoothly.

No panic moves or horrible contracts. I like it.

[ShelC]

I don't think he worthy of any evaluation. He held the fort down, wasn't a player in FA, drafted guys who were slotted in those places, took a Kentucky guy with a late pick...maybe a C? You can't evaluate the draft for 2-4 years. The Dudley signing was a nice chemistry, lockerroom move but if his plan is to play Dudley major minutes at the 4 spot this season...well, I got nothing for ya.

[O_Gardino]

It's too early! I'm always willing to throw some BS out there, so here you go:

Balancing the Roster: B
He got power forwards, so that's good. I don't know how I feel about getting 2 of them. I feel like we are over-committed across the roster. Maybe some trades are in the works?

Seeking Elite Talent: C
He went after Chriss, trading "good" assets for a guy he thinks can be great. I agree with the intention, but I'm not sold on Chriss. Could we have gotten the King's pick next year? I would have rather had that.

BBIQ > Athleticism: C
Picking Bender with #4 shows that he valued the BBall player over the athlete, but following up with the trade for Chriss shows that he is still in love with quickness and leaping ability. I love that stuff too, but we need bball smarts on this team.

[OE32]

You know my grade.

What I really like is the fact that we've built a compatible young core. Check it. Bledsoe-Knight-Booker-Warren-Chriss-Bender-Len. That's PG, PG/SG, SG, SF, SF/PF, PF/C and C. You can rotate those guys any number of ways, with only Bledsoe, Warren and Len being truly one position players. Ulis could take over for Bled, if everything goes crazy great. Goodwin could prove to be a contributor this year. Only Bled, PJ, Dudley and Tyson are truly known quantities - everyone else has room to improve.

I like the balance of the roster, the direction of the team, and the maintenance of the cache of assets. We haven't lost anything we needed to keep, and we added things we sorely lacked. The only great decision that McD could have possibly made was via the draft, not free agency, and while it's impossible to evaluate those picks at this point, it's indisputable that the goal - long-term development - was the correct one. So we can't know if we made great selections, but I'm fairly confident that we haven't made any big mistakes.

[O_Gardino]

I would love to see us take on an unwanted contract in exchange for some future picks. I would take Bogut in a heartbeat if they threw in a future first or two.

[Mori Chu]

You know my grade.

What I really like is the fact that we've built a compatible young core. Check it. Bledsoe-Knight-Booker-Warren-Chriss-Bender-Len. That's PG, PG/SG, SG, SF, SF/PF, PF/C and C. You can rotate those guys any number of ways, with only Bledsoe, Warren and Len being truly one position players. Ulis could take over for Bled, if everything goes crazy great. Goodwin could prove to be a contributor this year. Only Bled, PJ, Dudley and Tyson are truly known quantities - everyone else has room to improve.

I like the balance of the roster, the direction of the team, and the maintenance of the cache of assets. We haven't lost anything we needed to keep, and we added things we sorely lacked. The only great decision that McD could have possibly made was via the draft, not free agency, and while it's impossible to evaluate those picks at this point, it's indisputable that the goal - long-term development - was the correct one. So we can't know if we made great selections, but I'm fairly confident that we haven't made any big mistakes.

Good post. This captures about how I feel about the team, too. We don't have a contender here, but there's a decent core with a bunch of young assets that mostly make sense together. I think the team harmony/unity will be better than it has been lately, and I like the veterans like Dudley and Chandler (and maybe Tucker) to show the guys how to play. Could use 1-2 more small moves to acquire picks or one more veteran, but overall I like it.

[Superbone]

You can rotate those guys any number of ways, with only Bledsoe, Warren and Len being truly one position players.

I'm not sure why you'd include Len in that list when he finished out the season at PF.

[JCSunsfan]

You can rotate those guys any number of ways, with only Bledsoe, Warren and Len being truly one position players.

I'm not sure why you'd include Len in that list when he finished out the season at PF.

Mostly because Watson said that experiment failed completely and he will not be playing pf anymore.

[LazarusLong]

You can rotate those guys any number of ways, with only Bledsoe, Warren and Len being truly one position players.

I'm not sure why you'd include Len in that list when he finished out the season at PF.

Mostly because Watson said that experiment failed completely and he will not be playing pf anymore.

It's encouraging that somebody with the Suns acknowledges that Len will not morph into Dirk Nowitzki in the foreseeable future.

[TOO]

You can rotate those guys any number of ways, with only Bledsoe, Warren and Len being truly one position players.

I'm not sure why you'd include Len in that list when he finished out the season at PF.

Mostly because Watson said that experiment failed completely and he will not be playing pf anymore.

It's encouraging that somebody with the Suns acknowledges that Len will not morph into Dirk Nowitzki in the foreseeable future.

Impossible. Watson only cares about beaches and hugs.

[Ring_Wanted]

1.- Drafted Bender. I think nobody can honestly say. For all we know he could be the next Tony Kukoc or the next Skita.

2.- Trade with Sacramento. Decent, but I think we overpaid by one asset. Not the worst in the world considerin the pick inflation is at its highest at draft night.

3.- Drafted Chriss. Almost as hard to say, although there are major red flags. If he turns into the next Warrick that would suck. Would have drafted other prospect. Valentine. Sabas.

4.- Drafted Ulis. I like it. Maybe Ben Bentil or Stone but god knows we can use a real floor general and willing passer.

5.- Signed Ulis to a late first round contract. Smart and savvy.

6.- Signed Dudley. More than the player himself it is the kind of move pursued. Not in the hunt for a big FA, but know-how and leadership. I don't repudiate Duds and I don't see nostalgia as a peril so I can afford myself to like the signing.

[Ring_Wanted]

Impossible. Watson only cares about beaches and hugs.

I think Watson could surprise many. He has entered the job as a sheep but the way he speaks smells like wolf. And I could see it being the case given the lengthy career he has had.

[ShelC]

You are what your record says you are. And he'll be judged by that.

[Indy]

You are what your record says you are. And he'll be judged by that.

When your career is over, sure. But even Pop started out with a 26% winning percentage his first year (almost full year). I am certainly not saying that Watson will turn into Pop, but you can't say you know what a coach will be until you see him install a system and run it a few years.

[ShelC]

You're just sooooo cool with your logic, aren't ya.

[In2ition]

1.- Drafted Bender. I think nobody can honestly say. For all we know he could be the next Tony Kukoc or the next Skita.

2.- Trade with Sacramento. Decent, but I think we overpaid by one asset. Not the worst in the world considerin the pick inflation is at its highest at draft night.

3.- Drafted Chriss. Almost as hard to say, although there are major red flags. If he turns into the next Warrick that would suck. Would have drafted other prospect. Valentine. Sabas.

4.- Drafted Ulis. I like it. Maybe Ben Bentil or Stone but god knows we can use a real floor general and willing passer.

5.- Signed Ulis to a late first round contract. Smart and savvy.

6.- Signed Dudley. More than the player himself it is the kind of move pursued. Not in the hunt for a big FA, but know-how and leadership. I don't repudiate Duds and I don't see nostalgia as a peril so I can afford myself to like the signing.

I've heard a lot of people compare Chriss to Warrick, and some of the measurables are similar, so I can see it. The differences are that Chriss is taller without shoes than Warrick is with them, along with being about 20 lbs heavier. They have about the same vertical, but Warrick has a longer wingspan and higher standing reach. I'm pretty sure that Chriss is a better shooter with better chance to improve as he has better mechanics on his shot. He has a higher upside as a PF than Warrick had, and Warrick seems to be his floor. Hopefully Chriss comes out closer to his ceiling than his floor.

[Split T]

1.- Drafted Bender. I think nobody can honestly say. For all we know he could be the next Tony Kukoc or the next Skita.

2.- Trade with Sacramento. Decent, but I think we overpaid by one asset. Not the worst in the world considerin the pick inflation is at its highest at draft night.

3.- Drafted Chriss. Almost as hard to say, although there are major red flags. If he turns into the next Warrick that would suck. Would have drafted other prospect. Valentine. Sabas.

4.- Drafted Ulis. I like it. Maybe Ben Bentil or Stone but god knows we can use a real floor general and willing passer.

5.- Signed Ulis to a late first round contract. Smart and savvy.

6.- Signed Dudley. More than the player himself it is the kind of move pursued. Not in the hunt for a big FA, but know-how and leadership. I don't repudiate Duds and I don't see nostalgia as a peril so I can afford myself to like the signing.

I've heard a lot of people compare Chriss to Warrick, and some of the measurables are similar, so I can see it. The differences are that Chriss is taller without shoes than Warrick is with them, along with being about 20 lbs heavier. They have about the same vertical, but Warrick has a longer wingspan and higher standing reach. I'm pretty sure that Chriss is a better shooter with better chance to improve as he has better mechanics on his shot. He has a higher upside as a PF than Warrick had, and Warrick seems to be his floor. Hopefully Chriss comes out closer to his ceiling than his floor.

He's somewhere between warrick and Amare on the hyper athletic power forward spectrum.

[Ring_Wanted]

The wire frame, sure, although Warrick's arms were infinite. The rebounding, man. That's what frightens me. If he could become a credible 3 we'd be in a way better shape, especially with Bender and a hoarder like Chandler/Len.

[Indy]

You're just sooooo cool with your logic, aren't ya.

Ha! I am just pointing out that at this stage of a coach's career, he is basically an unknown. Is he the next Brad Stevens, or is he the next Terry Porter? Law of averages says he is likely to be the next Terry Porter because the vast majority of coaches don't last. But anything we 'predict' right now is meaningless because there is no history from which to draw for him.

I really hope he ends up being so great that he is our coach for the next 15 years. But that has happened 3 times in the history of the league, for like 500 coaches, so I really doubt it will happen... but keep hope alive!

[Ring_Wanted]

1.- Drafted Bender. I think nobody can honestly say. For all we know he could be the next Tony Kukoc or the next Skita.

2.- Trade with Sacramento. Decent, but I think we overpaid by one asset. Not the worst in the world considerin the pick inflation is at its highest at draft night.

3.- Drafted Chriss. Almost as hard to say, although there are major red flags. If he turns into the next Warrick that would suck. Would have drafted other prospect. Valentine. Sabas.

4.- Drafted Ulis. I like it. Maybe Ben Bentil or Stone but god knows we can use a real floor general and willing passer.

5.- Signed Ulis to a late first round contract. Smart and savvy.

6.- Signed Dudley. More than the player himself it is the kind of move pursued. Not in the hunt for a big FA, but know-how and leadership. I don't repudiate Duds and I don't see nostalgia as a peril so I can afford myself to like the signing.

I've heard a lot of people compare Chriss to Warrick, and some of the measurables are similar, so I can see it. The differences are that Chriss is taller without shoes than Warrick is with them, along with being about 20 lbs heavier. They have about the same vertical, but Warrick has a longer wingspan and higher standing reach. I'm pretty sure that Chriss is a better shooter with better chance to improve as he has better mechanics on his shot. He has a higher upside as a PF than Warrick had, and Warrick seems to be his floor. Hopefully Chriss comes out closer to his ceiling than his floor.

He's somewhere between warrick and Amare on the hyper athletic power forward spectrum.

That's like the Grand Canyon hahaha. If he can actually shoot, maybe he can become a knockoff Bosh?