Phx-Suns.Net

Shabazz wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:11 pm

In2ition wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 14, 2018 2:57 pm

JJ didn't set the world on fire in last year's summer league, nor did he look like a top 4 pick most of the season. He needs this to show off the improvement he's made from last summer and the end of the season. Let's hope he feels that way too, unlike Chriss who felt he'd already arrived and summer league was below him.

Chriss was so freaking bad last summer league. Whatever he did (or ate) in the 3 months between our season ending and Summer league starting set his career back by 2 years. I feel like by the end of this season he still wasn’t back to where he was and the end of his rookie campaign.

Both Chriss and Bender were 2 yrs away from being 2 yrs away. So, they've already gone through 2 yrs and the hope is that Igor has them or gets them on track to being only 2 more years away.

I thought Jackson was OK in SL and really came on the last few months of the season.

ShelC wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 16, 2018 5:47 am

I thought Jackson was OK in SL and really came on the last few months of the season.

All true.

https://twitter.com/sbordow/status/1009928554253963264

Man, our summer league team is going to be a LOT of fun to watch this year. Can't wait!

I wonder what Josh Jackson is thinking now. I hope these new additions are motivation for him to work hard and improve his game. He is not the new shiny toy any longer, and next year he will face a lot more scrutiny IMO.

I don't think that's the case. JJ is part of the core and has his role here. It's TJ who will be the odd man out at the SF spot. We need to move him before we end up with another unhappy player.

ShelC wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:15 am

I don't think that's the case. JJ is part of the core and has his role here. It's TJ who will be the odd man out at the SF spot. We need to move him before we end up with another unhappy player.

Agreed. I don’t see how TJ fits here any more. I think they’ll try to move him for a future draft pick (to somewhat offset the Miami pick going out), or an experienced PG or PF.

In terms of SL, can't really get excited. We don't have the roster space for UDFAs. Maybe Ayton plays every other game, JJ plays 2 games, Mikal plays most of them. If we can get Okobo in that'd be great. I suspect he'd look real good in SL and get us all excited. Other than that, can't imagine Chriss or Bender playing in games. They may workout with the team and coaches, but not play in games unless they want to prove something.

ShelC wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:15 am

I don't think that's the case. JJ is part of the core and has his role here. It's TJ who will be the odd man out at the SF spot. We need to move him before we end up with another unhappy player.

I didn’t mean odd man out, just that a lot of his mistakes were forgiven last year because he was a rookie thrown to the fire. He took a lot of bad shots last year and was out of control at times, somewhat less so towards the end of the year.

Next year that won’t fly, he is not the shiny new rookie anymore and expectations will be higher for him to help lead this team.

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:11 am

ShelC wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:15 am

I don't think that's the case. JJ is part of the core and has his role here. It's TJ who will be the odd man out at the SF spot. We need to move him before we end up with another unhappy player.

I didn’t mean odd man out, just that a lot of his mistakes were forgiven last year because he was a rookie thrown to the fire. He took a lot of bad shots last year and was out of control at times, somewhat less so towards the end of the year.

Next year that won’t fly, he is not the shiny new rookie anymore and expectations will be higher for him to help lead this team.

I was thinking something similar. He's going to have to be a lot less reckless this year, because he's got Booker and Ayton on the court with him. It matters if we win, and he can't waste possessions like he did last season.

I think he can play a lot more under control, and that is something I'll enjoy watching hm learn.

I think a lot of mistakes and recklessness came because late in the year he was playing with no talent. Booker was out the last 3 weeks of the season when we were tanking so his usage rate (and TOs) jumped. With more talent he can defer to and defenses to take notice of, I think he'll be fine.

Plenty of possibilities for the SL roster - Ayton, Jackson, Bender, Chriss, Ulis, Williams, Bridges, Harrison, King, Okobo, Peters, Reed, House... lots of competition for jobs.

ShelC wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:13 am

I think a lot of mistakes and recklessness came because late in the year he was playing with no talent. Booker was out the last 3 weeks of the season when we were tanking so his usage rate (and TOs) jumped. With more talent he can defer to and defenses to take notice of, I think he'll be fine.

I agree and hope you’re right.

Geez I forgot about Reed. Really like him too. We got a major jam at the 2/3.

My summer league roster:
PG - Okobo, Harrison
SG - Jackson, King
SF - Bridges, Reed
PF - Bender, Peters
C - Ayton, Chriss

Then fill the rest with guys on our d league team. I don't expect Jackson to play much, same with Bender and Chriss, but I'd like all to be apart of the team.

I’d be very surprised if Bender and Chriss play SL. Chriss thought he was too good for it last year, let alone a 3rd year.

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:28 am

I’d be very surprised if Bender and Chriss play SL. Chriss thought he was too good for it last year, let alone a 3rd year.

I think Chriss ate a fair amount of humble pie during the season (but maybe not as much as he ate actual pie last offseason). I bet he would be willing to come play for at least a game or 2.

jonh wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:35 am

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:28 am

I’d be very surprised if Bender and Chriss play SL. Chriss thought he was too good for it last year, let alone a 3rd year.

I think Chriss ate a fair amount of humble pie during the season (but maybe not as much as he ate actual pie last offseason). I bet he would be willing to come play for at least a game or 2.

Ya, if Jackson is playing, Chriss and Bender can play

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 10:28 am

I’d be very surprised if Bender and Chriss play SL. Chriss thought he was too good for it last year, let alone a 3rd year.

He wasn't.