Game Day: Kings (0-0) @ Suns (0-0), Wed 10/26/16

[Indy]

I gave up in the 4th and went and watched an episode of Star Trek: TNG with the wife. I just want to see the young kids play. I hate almost all of our veterans. I like Bledsoe a bit more than most, but I don't think he will ever be part of a contending Suns team, so I'd be okay with moving him while he has value. I hate Knight. Tucker seems like he is past his expiration date. I like Chandler and would be fine with keeping him around as a veteran. I like Dudley a lot, more than some here, but he seems like a bench glue guy who is starting out of necessity/desperation.

I wish they'd just move to the next phase of the rebuild and run lineups that were something like:

Starters: Ulis-Booker-Warren-Chriss-Chandler
Bench: Jenkins-Barbosa-Dudley-Bender-Len

That team would win 18 games but I'd enjoy it way more.

Which episode?

[Indy]

I still kind of hate Earl Watson...

{Image of monkey balls deleted}

I think it is very fair to be skeptical of a rookie HC until he proves you otherwise. (And this is coming from someone that believes he will show us reasons to support him this year.)

[Cap]

Does The Blender come with a Warren-Ty?

[LazarusLong]

If Watson wants to push the pace, he'll need to find combinations that can mesh and do that.
To that end, Ulis should be one of the first guards off the bench. Maybe team him with Knight.

The "30 3s a game" goal seemed a stretch last night. They shot, what, 25% from the arc?

Concentrate on hitting good, open shots and the 3s eventually will come.

[Nodack]

It's one game. Opening night. Lots of new guys and guys coming off of injuries who haven't played in awhile. It will take time to sort out roles and get comfortable. I do like the idea of throwing the rooks in there there. They seemed to hold their own and they are our future, plus winning is meaningless and maybe undesired at this point.

It's hard not to judge too harshly. I found myself judging Knight harshly and giving Booker a pass even though both had bad games. Not exactly fair and balanced. Then again Booker has been consistently better over time then Knight, so some of that is justified. Knight is definitely a streaky player. He's either hitting everything or missing everything. Last night he was missing everything in his sixth man debut.

Ulis came in and impacted the game in a positive way. He played intense defense and got steals, pushed the ball and we went on a roll with all three rooks in at the same time. Bender hitting a couple of threes. That was definitely the high point of the game for me.

I think Bledsoe will come around. He wasn't horrible last night, just not great and not aggresive. He missed half the season last year so he gets a partial pass from me.

[Split T]

Just watched the game, thought Bledsoe, Warren, and Chandler played OK. Warren just didn't shoot well. Loved the rooks, ulis defense was impressive. Knight was pretty bad until that nice little run he had with the rookies, it'll be great if he can develop some chemistry with them. Booker wasn't great, but isn't it great that 18 points on 8-12 shooting can be a poor night for him now?

[Indy]

Booker wasn't great, but isn't it great that 18 points on 8-12 shooting can be a poor night for him now?

Well, he also missed all 3 3s, only shot 40% from the line, and had more TOs+Fouls than Rebounds + Assists + steals. But your point is taken.

[Superbone]

I still kind of hate Earl Watson...

{Image of monkey balls deleted}

I think it is very fair to be skeptical of a rookie HC until he proves you otherwise. (And this is coming from someone that believes he will show us reasons to support him this year.)

Skeptical is one thing, hate is quite another.

LOLed at the deleted comment, btw.

[Superbone]

Does The Blender come with a Warren-Ty?

Hoo boy!

[Shabazz]

I am perfectly OK with us struggling this year. I think we still need more talent and our young guys need more time. I'd love to move Chandler and Tucker to ensure bender and Chriss get their minutes. We'd also get a clearer picture of what we have with Len.

I'm also reluctant to evaluate Len without him ever having had the opportunity to play with a pass first PG. Can you imagine how much better he'd look if one of our PGs knew how to throw an entry pass or a lob and he could get 6ish easy points per game. His disastrous FG% last year was largely in part to his horrible numbers in ISO and post-up situations - situations in which he clearly wasn't ready to thrive. A good PG means he doesn't get put in those situations.

[sunshoopjunky]

P.S. If we ever run a Bender-Len frontcourt, we have to call it "The Blender."

AWESOME!

They did seem to play well together. It seems like Bender knows when to crash and when to keep his man pulled out. I think this comes from playing pro ball for so long. He also seems like he understands the angles a bit better when helping out. Both of these things will make the players he plays with better. It may not show on the stats though.

I also felt like Eric played well. I was impressed to see him not walking the ball up the floor and trying to engage in early offense. This is something I have yet to see consistently from him sense he got here. I could see Eric being part of the future for sure.

Len does seem jittery and lost more times then not. But I feel like for him to grow to where he needs to, THIS year, and reach the a level somewhat close to the expectations the fans including myself have for him this year, he will need more help from the coach during the game then he got last night. In my opinion when Boogie went out last night Len should have gotten to touch the ball each of the next 10 to 20 possessions. It seemed like they tried but could not get him the ball due to turnovers or deflected entry passes to the post. I think they should have continued to try. If Len could have had a great game last night against a team with a center like Boogie it would have been great for his confidence. I also think that playing Chris and Len at the same time is NOT a good move where they are developmental wise now. Chris is not experienced enough now to help Len while Tyson has the experience to play off what Chris leaves him. Bender seemed to make Len better last night by maintaining the space that gave Len the time to think. (Hopefully Len will get to a point where he does not need to think but he is not there yet.)

Booker and Warren both let the refs take them out of their game.

JD and his hands were great at the start of the game and I like the way he stabilizes the starters a bit. Very good vet presence that worked his but off against Boogie.

Knight does not understand how to be an effective 6th man yet. Because he has a prior rep with fans including myself its hard to give him the patience he may need to be effective. He does have a good basketball mind it just seems like he finds himself playing reactive basketball not strategic basketball like he is caught in the moment. I think he needs to focus more on the game, when he is not in, so he can see what is needed from the bench and come in with a plan of how and what he is going to provide. Maybe scoring is not what is needed. Maybe we need defense of a couple HARD fouls. Maybe slow the tempo or speed it up. Figure it out from the bench so you have a plan when you come in. Then give it time to work you cant change your strategy every other time up or down the court. You have to give it time to work.

I feel like we got something from this game. If we get a little better everyday I am fine with whatever. Just keep Sarver out of it as long as you can.

[sunshoopjunky]

I am perfectly OK with us struggling this year. I think we still need more talent and our young guys need more time. I'd love to move Chandler A good PG means he doesn't get put in those situations.

YES YES AND YES!

I saw that as well. I put some of it on Watson as well at least last night.

[Superbone]

I am perfectly OK with us struggling this year. I think we still need more talent and our young guys need more time. I'd love to move Chandler and Tucker to ensure bender and Chriss get their minutes. We'd also get a clearer picture of what we have with Len.

I'm also reluctant to evaluate Len without him ever having had the opportunity to play with a pass first PG. Can you imagine how much better he'd look if one of our PGs knew how to throw an entry pass or a lob and he could get 6ish easy points per game. His disastrous FG% last year was largely in part to his horrible numbers in ISO and post-up situations - situations in which he clearly wasn't ready to thrive. A good PG means he doesn't get put in those situations.

Yup. And still waiting for your report on your experience at the game.

[Split T]

Booker wasn't great, but isn't it great that 18 points on 8-12 shooting can be a poor night for him now?

Well, he also missed all 3 3s, only shot 40% from the line, and had more TOs+Fouls than Rebounds + Assists + steals. But your point is taken.

Ya, I just think last year we would have ignored all the turnovers and fouls because of the 18 points and good overall fg%. Hopefully we see a better booker on friday.

[O_Gardino]

Booker wasn't great, but isn't it great that 18 points on 8-12 shooting can be a poor night for him now?

Well, he also missed all 3 3s, only shot 40% from the line, and had more TOs+Fouls than Rebounds + Assists + steals. But your point is taken.

Ya, I just think last year we would have ignored all the turnovers and fouls because of the 18 points and good overall fg%. Hopefully we see a better booker on friday.

That's one indication that he's a star, not just a good player.

He had a bad night on both ends of the court. Instead of chucking or disappearing, he worked his way closer to the hoop for easier attempts. He was determined to do something positive on a night when his touch wasn't there.

[O_Gardino]

I am perfectly OK with us struggling this year. I think we still need more talent and our young guys need more time. I'd love to move Chandler and Tucker to ensure bender and Chriss get their minutes. We'd also get a clearer picture of what we have with Len.

I'm also reluctant to evaluate Len without him ever having had the opportunity to play with a pass first PG. Can you imagine how much better he'd look if one of our PGs knew how to throw an entry pass or a lob and he could get 6ish easy points per game. His disastrous FG% last year was largely in part to his horrible numbers in ISO and post-up situations - situations in which he clearly wasn't ready to thrive. A good PG means he doesn't get put in those situations.

Agreed. Also, didn't Knight (who I really want traded) look so much better with Ulis directing the offense?

[O_Gardino]

P.S. If we ever run a Bender-Len frontcourt, we have to call it "The Blender."

AWESOME!

They did seem to play well together. It seems like Bender knows when to crash and when to keep his man pulled out. I think this comes from playing pro ball for so long. He also seems like he understands the angles a bit better when helping out. Both of these things will make the players he plays with better. It may not show on the stats though.

I also felt like Eric played well. I was impressed to see him not walking the ball up the floor and trying to engage in early offense. This is something I have yet to see consistently from him sense he got here. I could see Eric being part of the future for sure.

Len does seem jittery and lost more times then not. But I feel like for him to grow to where he needs to, THIS year, and reach the a level somewhat close to the expectations the fans including myself have for him this year, he will need more help from the coach during the game then he got last night. In my opinion when Boogie went out last night Len should have gotten to touch the ball each of the next 10 to 20 possessions. It seemed like they tried but could not get him the ball due to turnovers or deflected entry passes to the post. I think they should have continued to try. If Len could have had a great game last night against a team with a center like Boogie it would have been great for his confidence. I also think that playing Chris and Len at the same time is NOT a good move where they are developmental wise now. Chris is not experienced enough now to help Len while Tyson has the experience to play off what Chris leaves him. Bender seemed to make Len better last night by maintaining the space that gave Len the time to think. (Hopefully Len will get to a point where he does not need to think but he is not there yet.)

Booker and Warren both let the refs take them out of their game.

JD and his hands were great at the start of the game and I like the way he stabilizes the starters a bit. Very good vet presence that worked his but off against Boogie.

Knight does not understand how to be an effective 6th man yet. Because he has a prior rep with fans including myself its hard to give him the patience he may need to be effective. He does have a good basketball mind it just seems like he finds himself playing reactive basketball not strategic basketball like he is caught in the moment. I think he needs to focus more on the game, when he is not in, so he can see what is needed from the bench and come in with a plan of how and what he is going to provide. Maybe scoring is not what is needed. Maybe we need defense of a couple HARD fouls. Maybe slow the tempo or speed it up. Figure it out from the bench so you have a plan when you come in. Then give it time to work you cant change your strategy every other time up or down the court. You have to give it time to work.

I feel like we got something from this game. If we get a little better everyday I am fine with whatever. Just keep Sarver out of it as long as you can.

I liked reading this. I mean, it felt good to read a more positive take on the game. And I like your take on Alex + Dragan.

[Mori Chu]

I gave up in the 4th and went and watched an episode of Star Trek: TNG with the wife. I just want to see the young kids play. I hate almost all of our veterans. I like Bledsoe a bit more than most, but I don't think he will ever be part of a contending Suns team, so I'd be okay with moving him while he has value. I hate Knight. Tucker seems like he is past his expiration date. I like Chandler and would be fine with keeping him around as a veteran. I like Dudley a lot, more than some here, but he seems like a bench glue guy who is starting out of necessity/desperation.

I wish they'd just move to the next phase of the rebuild and run lineups that were something like:

Starters: Ulis-Booker-Warren-Chriss-Chandler
Bench: Jenkins-Barbosa-Dudley-Bender-Len

That team would win 18 games but I'd enjoy it way more.

Which episode?

"The Emissary," from Season 2. It's about K’Ehleyr, a Klingon emissary and former flame of Worf's, coming to the Enterprise and reuniting with her ridge-headed former beau.

http://www.tor.com/2011/10/20/star-trek ... -emissary/

[Mori Chu]

Does The Blender come with a Warren-Ty?

Shazam!

[carey]

That was such a fun sequence when they were all out there. The future is bright. Those are the moments we're going to have to hang our hat on this season. Didn't we all agree we want one more high lottery pick?

I'm not sure it matters if we agree, that's what is going to happen. We just don't have a lot of talent out there compared to the other teams in the West. I'm not going to stress too much this year because I expect large growing pains and at least one major trade.