Suns News: The Offseason (2016)

[Cap]

You're not missing much. Your time is better spent watching the first six movies over and over again than watching Insurrection.

[O_Gardino]

If you want to see a Baku man, ya watch Star Trek: Insurrection.


OK, I stink at this.

Best answer possible.

[Charlie Smithy!]

Insurrection coulda been good, but then Picard totally contradicted himself and another episode of TNG whose name escapes me.

All I can is:

Shaka, when the walls fell.

[The Bobster]

You're not missing much. Your time is better spent watching the first six movies over and over again than watching Insurrection.

2-4, 6 and First Contact. You don't miss much by skipping the rest.

[Mori Chu]

I do enjoy Mr. Plinkett's reviews of the Star Trek (and Star Wars prequel) movies.

[carey]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /91173960/

Brandon Knight looks his best as a Sun.

“I definitely feel more into it this year,” Knight said after spending much of the offseason in Phoenix with teammates and athletic trainers. “Healthy. Just spending a lot of time off the court being with the guys. That helps.”

Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said Knight looked better in voluntary workouts than at any time since joining the Suns. Knight was an explosive scorer at times but had not lived up to his defensive billing. Looking stronger now, he appears better equipped physically to press ball-handlers.

What defensive billing? He was a turnstyle with the Bucks.

“If not there, he’s really close,” McDonough said of Knight’s health. “He looks more like that guy.

“Last year, he settled a lot for jab stepbacks (jump shots) and things like that just because he didn’t feel like he had the burst to get to the paint, get to the free-throw line, absorb contact, bounce back up without potentially aggravating an injury.”

He certainly did do that.

[O_Gardino]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /91173960/

Brandon Knight looks his best as a Sun.

“I definitely feel more into it this year,” Knight said after spending much of the offseason in Phoenix with teammates and athletic trainers. “Healthy. Just spending a lot of time off the court being with the guys. That helps.”

Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said Knight looked better in voluntary workouts than at any time since joining the Suns. Knight was an explosive scorer at times but had not lived up to his defensive billing. Looking stronger now, he appears better equipped physically to press ball-handlers.

What defensive billing? He was a turnstyle with the Bucks.

“If not there, he’s really close,” McDonough said of Knight’s health. “He looks more like that guy.

“Last year, he settled a lot for jab stepbacks (jump shots) and things like that just because he didn’t feel like he had the burst to get to the paint, get to the free-throw line, absorb contact, bounce back up without potentially aggravating an injury.”

He certainly did do that.

You know I'm not a Knight fan, but...

The advanced stats show him to have been a very effective defender in 14-15 while with MIL. It's sort of an anomaly, as he was never a good defender before. It could just be the rest of the team covering for him - We all know how fishy those defensive stats are. But the numbers are there, and you might look at a guy that young and think of it as a step forward with his game.

I posted this a few weeks ago, but here's the direct link to some internet dude breaking down Knight's defense. He really likes it, and he show's you why.



Right before this point, he breaks down situations in which all of the Suns helped too much off of shooters, which seemed to be a coaching decision since everyone did it. It certainly made the guards look bad when they gave up so many open jumpers. Maybe Knight can be a good defender when playing in a good defensive scheme.

[carey]

Maybe Knight can be a good defender when playing in a good defensive scheme.

Let's hope!

[LazarusLong]

Insurrection coulda been good, but then Picard totally contradicted himself and another episode of TNG whose name escapes me.

All I can is:

Shaka, when the walls fell.

Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra!

[Mori Chu]

I don't love Knight's fit here, but it'd be silly not to be rooting for him to succeed. He has a lot of talent, and it seems like if he were used in the right way he could be a productive rotation player. I really hope he can warm to coming off the bench and being our microwave. And he's great insurance in case Bledsoe misses some games, which honestly is pretty likely to happen. And on any given night, if he's scorching hot and Bledsoe is off, they can adjust their minutes accordingly. That's a really valuable overall role if he will just embrace it.

[OE32]

I don't love Knight's fit here, but it'd be silly not to be rooting for him to succeed. He has a lot of talent, and it seems like if he were used in the right way he could be a productive rotation player. I really hope he can warm to coming off the bench and being our microwave. And he's great insurance in case Bledsoe misses some games, which honestly is pretty likely to happen. And on any given night, if he's scorching hot and Bledsoe is off, they can adjust their minutes accordingly. That's a really valuable overall role if he will just embrace it.

If we won games with Knight coming off the bench, I think he'd have to be the favorite for 6MOY. I remember he came off the bench for a couple games last year - the first of which was against the Jazz. He had 26 points that night. Since he's not really a PG and not really an SG, I think it makes sense for him to come off the bench, where he can go off against lower-quality guards and be the focal point of the offense. My biggest concern with the arrangement is that it's likely (IMO) that Tyson also comes off the bench, and Brandon and Tyson have the opposite of chemistry.

[Shabazz]

I don't love Knight's fit here, but it'd be silly not to be rooting for him to succeed. He has a lot of talent, and it seems like if he were used in the right way he could be a productive rotation player. I really hope he can warm to coming off the bench and being our microwave. And he's great insurance in case Bledsoe misses some games, which honestly is pretty likely to happen. And on any given night, if he's scorching hot and Bledsoe is off, they can adjust their minutes accordingly. That's a really valuable overall role if he will just embrace it.

If we won games with Knight coming off the bench, I think he'd have to be the favorite for 6MOY. I remember he came off the bench for a couple games last year - the first of which was against the Jazz. He had 26 points that night. Since he's not really a PG and not really an SG, I think it makes sense for him to come off the bench, where he can go off against lower-quality guards and be the focal point of the offense. My biggest concern with the arrangement is that it's likely (IMO) that Tyson also comes off the bench, and Brandon and Tyson have the opposite of chemistry.

Maybe Tyson spent the summer learning how to catch lobs off the top corner of the backboard.

[O_Gardino]

I don't love Knight's fit here, but it'd be silly not to be rooting for him to succeed. He has a lot of talent, and it seems like if he were used in the right way he could be a productive rotation player. I really hope he can warm to coming off the bench and being our microwave. And he's great insurance in case Bledsoe misses some games, which honestly is pretty likely to happen. And on any given night, if he's scorching hot and Bledsoe is off, they can adjust their minutes accordingly. That's a really valuable overall role if he will just embrace it.

If we won games with Knight coming off the bench, I think he'd have to be the favorite for 6MOY. I remember he came off the bench for a couple games last year - the first of which was against the Jazz. He had 26 points that night. Since he's not really a PG and not really an SG, I think it makes sense for him to come off the bench, where he can go off against lower-quality guards and be the focal point of the offense. My biggest concern with the arrangement is that it's likely (IMO) that Tyson also comes off the bench, and Brandon and Tyson have the opposite of chemistry.

Maybe Tyson spent the summer learning how to catch lobs off the top corner of the backboard.

HAHAHAHA

[Indy]

You're not missing much. Your time is better spent watching the first six movies over and over again than watching Insurrection.

2-4, 6 and First Contact. You don't miss much by skipping the rest.

I would add the most recent one as well. I think it was really well done. It felt a like like an old TOS episode.

[ShelC]

Not exactly sure where to put this (twss) but Coro tweeted that the lineup tonight will be Bledsoe, Booker, TJ, Dudley and Chander and that will also be the regular season starting lineup.

On the one hand, I like that he's locked it in this early so there are no questions or confusion about roles. Guys can settle in and get a feel for subs and lineups. Nothing drives me crazier than coaches "experimenting" with lineups throughout the year.

I still think we'll need to deal with Knight at some point. Best case, we're winning, he's getting his 28-30mpg, putting up 16-3-5ish #s and he's helping close out games.

[specialsauce]

Yes, good.

[AmareIsGod]

I get a feeling that Watson does what he wants. Which I like. He's not trying to appease certain players or ownership.

[Indy]

Such good news for this to come out so early with so much up in the air this year. Right or wrong, nice job Coach.

[ShelC]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... c80674337a

"That's the starting lineup for the season," Watson said. "We're not wasting time. We're not lingering with inner-competition.

"Brandon Knight is not a bench player. He's a starter in this league. He's sacrificed the most for our group. He took it like the pro he is because he understands the opportunity that we have to be special. Do players like coming off the bench? No, and we embrace that. That's the inner-competitive nature that we need."

Knight declined an interview request after Monday's shootaround

.

I feel like it's only a matter of time, but hoping for the best.

[INFORMER]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... c80674337a

"That's the starting lineup for the season," Watson said. "We're not wasting time. We're not lingering with inner-competition.

"Brandon Knight is not a bench player. He's a starter in this league. He's sacrificed the most for our group. He took it like the pro he is because he understands the opportunity that we have to be special. Do players like coming off the bench? No, and we embrace that. That's the inner-competitive nature that we need."

Knight declined an interview request after Monday's shootaround

.

I feel like it's only a matter of time, but hoping for the best.

I've been turned off by how little it has taken for some to gush over Watson, but this move really impresses me. I love it.

And I say that, not being anti-Knight, but more so being pro-Booker/Warren.