Suns: Summer League

[ShelC]

Good stuff In2. I've noticed the same about Chriss' athleticism. I think he's more deceptively athletic than anything else. He's a smooth athlete and lanky but I just don't see that athletic ferocity that Amar'e had, or even the bounciness that Shawn possessed. Not knocking it, just haven't been blown away by it as others seem to be.

In terms of his development, 2 general rules I abide by are: 1) You can usually tell how good a shooter a big is/can be by his FTs; and 2) You can tell a bigman's basketball IQ by his passing. I've been pretty impressed by Chriss in both of those areas. His passing from the top of the key/high post has been very nice to see so far. He seems to have a good touch on the ball which is encouraging. A lot to work with there.

[OE32]

The way Ulis plays D, I feel like he could coach in the NBA right now. Crazy.

[carey]

Good stuff In2. I've noticed the same about Chriss' athleticism. I think he's more deceptively athletic than anything else. He's a smooth athlete and lanky but I just don't see that athletic ferocity that Amar'e had, or even the bounciness that Shawn possessed. Not knocking it, just haven't been blown away by it as others seem to be.

In terms of his development, 2 general rules I abide by are: 1) You can usually tell how good a shooter a big is/can be by his FTs; and 2) You can tell a bigman's basketball IQ by his passing. I've been pretty impressed by Chriss in both of those areas. His passing from the top of the key/high post has been very nice to see so far. He seems to have a good touch on the ball which is encouraging. A lot to work with there.

As long as you're not comparing him to Earl Clark like SethPo was last night. Oof.

[O_Gardino]

5. I love seeing a pass first pg and how the offense works with one. I still hold out hope that the Suns are lucky enough to get one(I prefer Lonzo Ball) in the draft next year. I really hope that the Suns move to a more open free passing type of offense this season.

It's too bad we don't have one on the team from drafting one this year (Ulis).

Oh my, obviously I wasn't clear. I didn't mean the Suns didn't have one already in Ulis, I do think he is one. I'm still skeptical that he will become an elite starting pass first pg though. I don't expect him to beat out either Bledsoe or Knight, and was speaking of the Suns having more that just Ulis and a projected starting pass-first pg. I love the way Ulis has been playing though, and don't want to see the offense go back to a ball dominate shoot first second and third pg isolation offense.

This is new territory for Suns fans, but... We don't need an elite pass first point guard to contend. You don't even need an above average PG. Fisher has 5 rings, and his only above average skill was his locker room presence. Mario Chalmers has 2 rings. Etc.

It will be interesting to watch the Suns build around a shooting guard this time around. We need a PG who plays good D, doesn't get in the way of the offense, and can spread the floor. It helps if he can get others involved.

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/752549185388417024

[In2ition]

IDK if you guys have noticed this, but for all the pre-draft talk about how good Bender's lateral movement is, he is getting challenged a lot on it. He seems a little surprised with the speed of the players this summer, but I don't think it's too much of a concern going forward as I think he will keep improving in this manner. He's right there, but technique needs refining as they are trying to get around him to the rim. Usually is resulting in a foul near the rim on his part. I am expecting that we may see improvement as the summer league goes on in this aspect of his game.

[Superbone]

I'd be surprised if Booker doesn't play on Tuesday. He's just too much of a competitor. I think the Heat are going to be the best team we have faced so far.

[Superbone]

I've also got to give it up for Coach Bjorkgren and his staff. He has the guys playing really good defense and playing as a team. The bench is also very enthusiastic which is great.

[In2ition]

It doesn't seem too surprising that the Nuggets, Lakers, Suns, Raptors and Spurs are 2-0 right now. I am surprised that the Bulls and Nets are also 2-0.

[ShelC]

I thought Bender looked good on Saturday defending on the perimeter. I don't love the idea of him at the 3 but like that he's versatile enough to play there.

[Indy]

5. I love seeing a pass first pg and how the offense works with one. I still hold out hope that the Suns are lucky enough to get one(I prefer Lonzo Ball) in the draft next year. I really hope that the Suns move to a more open free passing type of offense this season.

It's too bad we don't have one on the team from drafting one this year (Ulis).

Oh my, obviously I wasn't clear. I didn't mean the Suns didn't have one already in Ulis, I do think he is one. I'm still skeptical that he will become an elite starting pass first pg though. I don't expect him to beat out either Bledsoe or Knight, and was speaking of the Suns having more that just Ulis and a projected starting pass-first pg. I love the way Ulis has been playing though, and don't want to see the offense go back to a ball dominate shoot first second and third pg isolation offense.

This is new territory for Suns fans, but... We don't need an elite pass first point guard to contend. You don't even need an above average PG. Fisher has 5 rings, and his only above average skill was his locker room presence. Mario Chalmers has 2 rings. Etc.

It will be interesting to watch the Suns build around a shooting guard this time around. We need a PG who plays good D, doesn't get in the way of the offense, and can spread the floor. It helps if he can get others involved.

You certainly don't need an all-nba PG to win a title. But you need a guy at the point that does more than "doesn't get in the way of the offense." That is, unless you have two or three first ballot hall of famers that aren't the PG.

[O_Gardino]

5. I love seeing a pass first pg and how the offense works with one. I still hold out hope that the Suns are lucky enough to get one(I prefer Lonzo Ball) in the draft next year. I really hope that the Suns move to a more open free passing type of offense this season.

It's too bad we don't have one on the team from drafting one this year (Ulis).

Oh my, obviously I wasn't clear. I didn't mean the Suns didn't have one already in Ulis, I do think he is one. I'm still skeptical that he will become an elite starting pass first pg though. I don't expect him to beat out either Bledsoe or Knight, and was speaking of the Suns having more that just Ulis and a projected starting pass-first pg. I love the way Ulis has been playing though, and don't want to see the offense go back to a ball dominate shoot first second and third pg isolation offense.

This is new territory for Suns fans, but... We don't need an elite pass first point guard to contend. You don't even need an above average PG. Fisher has 5 rings, and his only above average skill was his locker room presence. Mario Chalmers has 2 rings. Etc.

It will be interesting to watch the Suns build around a shooting guard this time around. We need a PG who plays good D, doesn't get in the way of the offense, and can spread the floor. It helps if he can get others involved.

You certainly don't need an all-nba PG to win a title. But you need a guy at the point that does more than "doesn't get in the way of the offense." That is, unless you have two or three first ballot hall of famers that aren't the PG.

Sure, no argument there. If you only have one HOF guy, everybody else has to be very good.

[Superbone]

More details on the Kuric story. It's amazing what he went through and all the crazy hallucinations. The dude is just happy to be alive.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /86968740/

[OE32]

I would like to bring Kuric into camp. He may be more useful than either Archie or Jenkins.

[Mori Chu]

I was reading that he could touch his forehead and feel his brain because they removed some bone there for his surgery. *shudders*

[Indy]

I would like to bring Kuric into camp. He may be more useful than either Archie or Jenkins.

Me too. I think we need shooters at our backup swing positions, because Bleds and Knight are not that.

[Superbone]

I like Kuric too but he's a real head case.

[carey]

I would like to bring Kuric into camp. He may be more useful than either Archie or Jenkins.

Jenkins is a shooter. Didn't he shoot 40% on his 3s here? Kuric is already 26 too & actually older by a tad.

[OE32]

I would like to bring Kuric into camp. He may be more useful than either Archie or Jenkins.

Jenkins is a shooter. Didn't he shoot 40% on his 3s here? Kuric is already 26 too & actually older by a tad.

Huh. Didn't realize Kuric was that old. And yeah, I guess Jenkins did shoot 40.6%. Ya got me.

[carey]

Huh. Didn't realize Kuric was that old. And yeah, I guess Jenkins did shoot 40.6%. Ya got me.

He's be a great guy to have on the NAZ Suns, but like Coro said, he'd have to pass up a lot of money in Europe to go that route & he has twin babies at home. My guess is if he doesn't make the squad he plays overseas.