Game Day: Suns (3-8) @ Nuggets (3-7), Wed 11/16/16

[UglyTruth]

Earl Watson is gonna schedule yoga tomorrow to fix all the problems.

[specialsauce]

Again along the bs about us showcasing for a trade, that's the same excuse people used about mirza last year and all we did was used him to get out of a top 2-3 pick with his stupid game winners and let him go at the end of the year

[Ring_Wanted]

Again along the bs about us showcasing for a trade, that's the same excuse people used about mirza last year and all we did was used him to get out of a top 2-3 pick with his stupid game winners and let him go at the end of the year

Haha so true.

[djy2j]

Watson puts Bender out there to play the 5 against Nurkin and Jokic. That isn't putting a rookie in a spot to succeed.

Also, I'm not sure who we are trying to showcase for a trade. Knight and Tucker have zero value. Bledsoe might have some still but not as a PG. Dude is a below average passer and play maker.

I also think Chandler needs to come off the bench. Len isn't going to adjust to being a bench player. If we are going to get 1 good game out of every 5 from him it's going to have to come from him starting.

[iLLmatic]

When is the rebuild going to start? We are still playing our rookies limited minutes in place of Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, Jared Dudley, Tyson Chandler, and PJ Tucker. None of these guys with the exception of maybe Bledsoe will be on the team in 3 more years. This team sucks, we need to start playing our younger guys more to see what we have, I'm tired of being stuck in limbo like this, piss or get off the pot Ryan and Earl.

[ShelC]

McD built two teams within one roster. Vets in Beldsoe, Knight, Tucker, Chandler. Dudley, Barbosa and young guys who need time in Ulis, Booker, Warren, Chriss, Bender, Len. Walking a fine line there.

[O_Gardino]

McD built two teams within one roster. Vets in Beldsoe, Knight, Tucker, Chandler. Dudley, Barbosa and young guys who need time in Ulis, Booker, Warren, Chriss, Bender, Len. Walking a fine line there.

Yep. We saw it happening all summer, and it's frustrating to watch this play out in the season.

The worst is that it is a pattern with McD. Not committing to the players we have, but trying to hedge his bets. Having a good PG in Dragic, then deciding to pick up a couple more. Drafting Warren when we had like 5 SF on the team. Drafting Booker when our backcourt was already too crowded. Drafting 2 rookie bigs in the same draft, then signing a vet to start in front of them, then the coach goes small for half the game anyway.

I keep telling myself that the team is showcasing Tucker and Knight for trades, but there honestly hasn't really been any hint of that. It's just what I would do, and the best excuse I can think of for how the roster is built. The truth is probably that we are extremely lucky with the injuries we had last season, or we would still be starting Knight and Bledsoe and trying to make the playoffs this season.

[Superbone]

Also, why do we start so poorly every game?

That's the real question. We played close to even after our terrible start. Always playing catch up.

[Superbone]

The worst is that it is a pattern with McD. Not committing to the players we have, but trying to hedge his bets. Having a good PG in Dragic, then deciding to pick up a couple more. Drafting Warren when we had like 5 SF on the team. Drafting Booker when our backcourt was already too crowded. Drafting 2 rookie bigs in the same draft, then signing a vet to start in front of them, then the coach goes small for half the game anyway.

We would be so much better off if we had kept Dragic and never picked up Bledsoe or Knight. Dragic was a real PG. That's on McD.

[Mori Chu]

Hey guys. There's a thing called the DVR. Check it out!

I would DVR the games, but I decided not to renew League Pass this year. I watch the Suns games live using shady Euro streams and stuff. I also probably wouldn't take the time to go back and watch the games after they're over because the team is so bad this year. I basically turn the game on if I'm at home and able to watch part/all of it, and then I look at the recaps and box score and highlights. I'm a bad fan.

[Superbone]

Hey guys. There's a thing called the DVR. Check it out!

I would DVR the games, but I decided not to renew League Pass this year. I watch the Suns games live using shady Euro streams and stuff. I also probably wouldn't take the time to go back and watch the games after they're over because the team is so bad this year. I basically turn the game on if I'm at home and able to watch part/all of it, and then I look at the recaps and box score and highlights. I'm a bad fan.

But you run a mean fan site and we really appreciate that!

[Nodack]

Too much doom and gloom around here today.

[LazarusLong]

I've heard that Watson had a quick practice this morning because he was upset with the lack of effort, especially in the first half.
That will help get attention.
He needs to tighten the rotation and let some of the "vets" sit.
If he's not going to play Ulis, send him to the D league where he can at least keep his skills roadtested ...

[Superbone]

I've heard that Watson had a quick practice this morning because he was upset with the lack of effort, especially in the first half.
That will help get attention.
He needs to tighten the rotation and let some of the "vets" sit.
If he's not going to play Ulis, send him to the D league where he can at least keep his skills roadtested ...

I was going to say. Put Ulis in there. He is NOT going to play with a lack of effort. Guaranteed. Honestly, Bledsoe was lackluster last night. He should have put Ulis in to send a message. There is no excuse for this team to not give it their all. Put players in who are going to bring it. We shouldn't have to be 10+ down every night before we start playing hard.

[Superbone]

Also, glad to hear that Watson is upset with their effort and let them know. Teams like the Lakers and Nets play hard every night. There is no excuse for us not to do that too.

[UglyTruth]

The Suns stayed after Wednesday’s game in Denver, where they will hold their weekly team yoga session Thursday before heading to Indianapolis for Friday’s game

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /93999454/

Thank god at least their still doing the yoga, I was a bit worried.

[Mori Chu]

^ LUL

[sunshoopjunky]

Must win for both teams.

Keys to the game:
Score off of turnovers with early offense. We should be able to get some this game its important that we capitalize on them
Total Rebounds will be pretty close. Wining the Defensive rebounds should be our focus.
Make free throws chances are we will be at the line a great deal tonight.
Manage the last 5 minutes of the game better and finish in regulation. (Limit mile high effect)

Nah. There is no such thing as a must win game for the Suns this year. This is a year long preseason. We want to see improved play, development of the rookies, etc. Wins are good for morale, and they should try to win. But that is far from "must win."

I AGREE. Personally, I enjoy watching the growth of the rookies. I also feel like it will be very difficult at this point, to add a Allstar type player to our roster, without loosing a potential Pre-allstar type player.

What do you think the ceilings are for Ulis, Booker, Warren, Bender, and Chriss?

http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/carmelo/tyler-ulis/
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/car ... in-booker/
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/carmelo/tj-warren/
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/car ... se-chriss/

They didn't have Bender for some reason.

Anyway I think it would be hard to trade anyone of these players now.


But my CONCERN is that Sarver's patience may not withstand another playoff miss. The last thing we need now is him trading our future for a playoff birth again. If we can get some organic growth this year that results in a playoff birth then it may just buy us enough time to put/grow the team enough that even he isn't likely mess it up. Or even better maybe he will just stay out of it.

[Superbone]

I'll be very upset if Sarver meddles with the natural progression of this team. I'm not concerned about wins and losses. However, I do want to see good effort from start to finish. I want to see a good balance of veterans and youth. I also want to see good ball movement and team play. Do that and then I don't care about the results.

[Nodack]

I'm ok with everything so far. It's never perfect. Booker and Chriss are starting, Bender and Ulis aren't getting much burn but, they are getting some and all of the rooks look decent and aren't hurt. TJ has made a big splash this year and Len doesn't look bad. I don't expect them to make the playoffs so the more losses the better. Barbosa Chandler and Dudley are bringing it. Tucker hasn't found his 3 pt shot but is doing everything else. Knight has been awefull but, finally had a decent game. My hope has is he finds his game and becomes a decent 6th man. Ulis is waitng in the wings and looks like the player we like and need other than his size. Watson? I'm holding off on judjing him yet.

I rate this year par for the course so far. Not great, not bad, about what I hoped for other than Knight sucking and Ulis and Bender not getting enough minutes for my tastes. TJ has been my biggest surprise. I always liked his offense but, wasn't sold on his defense. I didn't think he would be as good on offense as he has been.