Suns News: Week 12 1/9-1/15

[INFORMER]

I'd rather not move Brandon while the team is on an upswing and his value at an all-time low. No reason to jump the gun at this point.

Upswing?!

[Gladiator]

I'd rather not move Brandon while the team is on an upswing and his value at an all-time low. No reason to jump the gun at this point.

Upswing?!

Aka dead cat bounce in this case

[Indy]

if boy mcdo is smart, he'd do knight+1st round pick for dragic

That would not be a good trade. Even if dragic didn't force his way out of here two years ago, the trade makes no sense from a players standpoint. Dragic is past his prime and we need to rebuild with youth.

thank you Split.

[Indy]

I'd rather not move Brandon while the team is on an upswing and his value at an all-time low. No reason to jump the gun at this point.

Upswing?!

Didn't you see? We have won 2 out of our last 3 games. That has only happened twice all year. Clearly an upswing, and BK is going to ride those coat tails to a better trade...

[Mori Chu]

If this upswing lasts for more than 4 hours, I'm calling my doctor.

[Indy]

If this upswing lasts for more than 4 hours, I'm calling my doctor.

Here you go

[OE32]

I'd rather not move Brandon while the team is on an upswing and his value at an all-time low. No reason to jump the gun at this point.

Upswing?!

Didn't you see? We have won 2 out of our last 3 games. That has only happened twice all year. Clearly an upswing, and BK is going to ride those coat tails to a better trade...

When you start at the bottom, there's only two ways to go - up and nowhere. Let's see if we can bring good energy to our games in Mexico. The rest of the west's bottom-dwellers don't scare me much, though the Pels have played much better recently, and I could see them being motivated to trade a pick to grab that eighth spot. That may be all it takes.

[Indy]

I'd rather not move Brandon while the team is on an upswing and his value at an all-time low. No reason to jump the gun at this point.

Upswing?!

Didn't you see? We have won 2 out of our last 3 games. That has only happened twice all year. Clearly an upswing, and BK is going to ride those coat tails to a better trade...

When you start at the bottom, there's only two ways to go - up and nowhere. Let's see if we can bring good energy to our games in Mexico. The rest of the west's bottom-dwellers don't scare me much, though the Pels have played much better recently, and I could see them being motivated to trade a pick to grab that eighth spot. That may be all it takes.

Are you saying you are rooting for (and maybe even expect) a potential playoff birth this year? And if so (to either), do you think that is the best course for this team?

[OE32]

I'd rather not move Brandon while the team is on an upswing and his value at an all-time low. No reason to jump the gun at this point.

Upswing?!

Didn't you see? We have won 2 out of our last 3 games. That has only happened twice all year. Clearly an upswing, and BK is going to ride those coat tails to a better trade...

When you start at the bottom, there's only two ways to go - up and nowhere. Let's see if we can bring good energy to our games in Mexico. The rest of the west's bottom-dwellers don't scare me much, though the Pels have played much better recently, and I could see them being motivated to trade a pick to grab that eighth spot. That may be all it takes.

Are you saying you are rooting for (and maybe even expect) a potential playoff birth this year? And if so (to either), do you think that is the best course for this team?

I don't think it's clear that tanking is the best course of action at this point. It hurts the value of our assets, the development of our young guys and our ability to attract free agents. We have plenty of high picks on the roster, and I'd like to see them succeed. While I understand the allure of adding another great prospect, I also have confidence in our ability to draft well no matter where we are in the draft order. We have guys on rookie contracts at each position, and while the PG prospects at the top look good, only Fultz is a sure thing - the rest could be Rubio, Francis, MCW and E. Payton for all we know.

In other words, I don't know if it matters much. Too much of our long-term success depends on whether the young guys we've already drafted pan out. I don't think there's an obviously right direction to go.

To be clear, I do not expect a winning streak that gets us into the playoffs. But I guess I'd rather see it than not, since it would signal that our young guys are starting to put it together.

[JCSunsfan]

if boy mcdo is smart, he'd do knight+1st round pick for dragic

That would not be a good trade. Even if dragic didn't force his way out of here two years ago, the trade makes no sense from a players standpoint. Dragic is past his prime and we need to rebuild with youth.

thank you Split.

Dragic? Again? Really? How is he in any way part of our future?

[In2ition]

I think that these pg prospects will be better than MCW and E. Payton. I think that Ball will be the best one.

[Indy]

Upswing?!

Didn't you see? We have won 2 out of our last 3 games. That has only happened twice all year. Clearly an upswing, and BK is going to ride those coat tails to a better trade...

When you start at the bottom, there's only two ways to go - up and nowhere. Let's see if we can bring good energy to our games in Mexico. The rest of the west's bottom-dwellers don't scare me much, though the Pels have played much better recently, and I could see them being motivated to trade a pick to grab that eighth spot. That may be all it takes.

Are you saying you are rooting for (and maybe even expect) a potential playoff birth this year? And if so (to either), do you think that is the best course for this team?

I don't think it's clear that tanking is the best course of action at this point. It hurts the value of our assets, the development of our young guys and our ability to attract free agents. We have plenty of high picks on the roster, and I'd like to see them succeed. While I understand the allure of adding another great prospect, I also have confidence in our ability to draft well no matter where we are in the draft order. We have guys on rookie contracts at each position, and while the PG prospects at the top look good, only Fultz is a sure thing - the rest could be Rubio, Francis, MCW and E. Payton for all we know.

In other words, I don't know if it matters much. Too much of our long-term success depends on whether the young guys we've already drafted pan out. I don't think there's an obviously right direction to go.

To be clear, I do not expect a winning streak that gets us into the playoffs. But I guess I'd rather see it than not, since it would signal that our young guys are starting to put it together.

I guess we aren't on the same page because I don't think our team is crafted well. I am willing to give Ryan the benefit of the doubt and say that there is plenty of meddling going on. So to test that (and see if we should be keeping him as our GM), I want the illusion/chance of making the playoffs to go away ASAP. That will then send a clear message to ownership and our GM that we need to do something different.

You mentioned we have so many young guys. As a result, I can't see our 27 year old PG (that is more of an ISO guard than a PG) being at his peak when the vast majority of our team is too. I want to fix that issue, as well as the ISO aspect.

I want a team that shares the ball. Despite the wonderful season Bledsoe is having stats-wise, we are dead last in assists. And <47% of our made baskets are assisted. That means lots of one-on-one, standing around, and settling for tough shots at the end of the shot clock. I hate that brand of basketball, even when you have players that are great at it. We aren't even close to being good at it.

Enough excuses and the lure of maybe making the 8th seed. Let's start with having our best players, play the right way.

[INFORMER]

I don't think our team is crafted well.

And it has been that way for awhile.

[pickle]

I don't think our team is crafted well.

And it has been that way for awhile.

Inf, what are your thoughts on Nicholson after a half season in Washington? I'm not being facetious or sarcastic, just wanted to make this clear.

[INFORMER]

I don't think our team is crafted well.

And it has been that way for awhile.

Inf, what are your thoughts on Nicholson after a half season in Washington? I'm not being facetious or sarcastic, just wanted to make this clear.

Haven't been paying attention, but so far he hasn't done anything for them.

[pickle]

Is that due to the style of play? I've consistently read that the Wizards have one of the worst bench units. Why hasn't he been able to contribute for them? Is it because they are actually looking for defense from the second unit but he's more of an offensive talent?