Around the League: Week 6 1/25-1/31

[Drewsprocket]

I’d give it another month before freaking out or blaming CP3.The offense is still learning to play the halfcourt which will pay dividends in the playoffs. Good suns teams run teams out of the gym in the regular season and implode in more carefully strategic playoffs.
Reminder: this is a new team, new offense, there was no real training camp, no real preseason. Book is adapting to how he gets his shots for the first time in his career in a half court offense that doesn’t require him creating off the dribble. So yea, CP3 has to dribble a bit more while guys adapt to their sets.

[Superbone]

I’d give it another month before freaking out or blaming CP3.The offense is still learning to play the halfcourt which will pay dividends in the playoffs. Good suns teams run teams out of the gym in the regular season and implode in more carefully strategic playoffs.
Reminder: this is a new team, new offense, there was no real training camp, no real preseason. Book is adapting to how he gets his shots for the first time in his career in a half court offense that doesn’t require him creating off the dribble. So yea, CP3 has to dribble a bit more while guys adapt to their sets.

Good point, Drew!

[Indy]

Another month and we will be half way through the season. And I haven't heard Monty publicly say we want to get away from our point-five offense. So it is Paul that needs to adapt to the team, not the other way around. He has been very good at dishing out assists. Great even. But that is about it.

I haven't seen his leadership in the 4th quarter.

I haven't seen his good (or even not awful) 3Pt shooting.

I haven't even seen his effective mid-range game--he is shooting one of his lowest FG% ever, and taking the fewest shots he has since his rookie year.

Whatever it is, I hope this team gels and figures it out soon. A single game could likely be the difference of making the playoffs, or Booker asking out.

[Oatmeal]

In other news, Kelly Oubres name is in trade rumors already.

I told ya so.

Warriors were never re-signing him anyway. Not with already being stuck with Andy Wiggins.

[ShelC]

No one's freaking out or blaming CP, just pointing out his flaws so far and what seemingly needs to be corrected to improve our play. And again, it's shorter season without a lot of room for error. We need to start showing and playing with some urgency.

[Indy]

No one's freaking out or blaming CP, just pointing out his flaws so far and what seemingly needs to be corrected to improve our play. And again, it's shorter season without a lot of room for error. We need to start showing and playing with some urgency.

Yep. Right now, we are not playing like a playoff team, much less a playoff lock.

[Indy]

In other news, Kelly Oubres name is in trade rumors already.

I told ya so.

Warriors were never re-signing him anyway. Not with already being stuck with Andy Wiggins.

They have 148M locked up in 5 players next year. They need to find 10 more players to fill a roster and every single one will cost them tax dollars. It is crazy.

[specialsauce]

I’d give it another month before freaking out or blaming CP3.The offense is still learning to play the halfcourt which will pay dividends in the playoffs. Good suns teams run teams out of the gym in the regular season and implode in more carefully strategic playoffs.
Reminder: this is a new team, new offense, there was no real training camp, no real preseason. Book is adapting to how he gets his shots for the first time in his career in a half court offense that doesn’t require him creating off the dribble. So yea, CP3 has to dribble a bit more while guys adapt to their sets.

CP3 is not dribbling looking for an open man. He’s staring his man down trying to and1 ball him. This is a flawed take IMO.

One player needs to adapt on this team, and it’s CP3

[Superbone]

No one's freaking out or blaming CP, just pointing out his flaws so far and what seemingly needs to be corrected to improve our play. And again, it's shorter season without a lot of room for error. We need to start showing and playing with some urgency.

Yep. Right now, we are not playing like a playoff team, much less a playoff lock.

They haven't been consistent and lost a couple they had no business losing but they just took the WC finalists deep in two games that were decided by the refs and we were without our best player in the 2nd game. So, yeah, I agree with your assessment in general but the seeds of hope are there that they figure it out and remain in the thick of it.

[ShelC]

I’d give it another month before freaking out or blaming CP3.The offense is still learning to play the halfcourt which will pay dividends in the playoffs. Good suns teams run teams out of the gym in the regular season and implode in more carefully strategic playoffs.
Reminder: this is a new team, new offense, there was no real training camp, no real preseason. Book is adapting to how he gets his shots for the first time in his career in a half court offense that doesn’t require him creating off the dribble. So yea, CP3 has to dribble a bit more while guys adapt to their sets.

CP3 is not dribbling looking for an open man. He’s staring his man down trying to and1 ball him. This is a flawed take IMO.

I was thinking about this watching one of the Denver games...how Nash or his trainer used to talk about no wasted movements, whereas there's almost nothing efficient about how Paul plays when he's doing all the extra dribbling and thru the legs stuff. It's not done for any purpose like getting his defender off balance or setting up a teammate or working into a jumper. It's all mostly just a waste while draining the shotclock.

[specialsauce]

I’d give it another month before freaking out or blaming CP3.The offense is still learning to play the halfcourt which will pay dividends in the playoffs. Good suns teams run teams out of the gym in the regular season and implode in more carefully strategic playoffs.
Reminder: this is a new team, new offense, there was no real training camp, no real preseason. Book is adapting to how he gets his shots for the first time in his career in a half court offense that doesn’t require him creating off the dribble. So yea, CP3 has to dribble a bit more while guys adapt to their sets.

CP3 is not dribbling looking for an open man. He’s staring his man down trying to and1 ball him. This is a flawed take IMO.

I was thinking about this watching one of the Denver games...how Nash or his trainer used to talk about no wasted movements, whereas there's almost nothing efficient about how Paul plays when he's doing all the extra dribbling and thru the legs stuff. It's not done for any purpose like getting his defender off balance or setting up a teammate or working into a jumper. It's all mostly just a waste while draining the shotclock.

Ugh. Totally. Nash’s game was poetry. Chris is needles on a chalk board.

[bajanguy008]

Covid...

[Superbone]

Wow. He was only 48. RIP.

[Superbone]

[Indy]

No one's freaking out or blaming CP, just pointing out his flaws so far and what seemingly needs to be corrected to improve our play. And again, it's shorter season without a lot of room for error. We need to start showing and playing with some urgency.

Yep. Right now, we are not playing like a playoff team, much less a playoff lock.

They haven't been consistent and lost a couple they had no business losing but they just took the WC finalists deep in two games that were decided by the refs and we were without our best player in the 2nd game. So, yeah, I agree with your assessment in general but the seeds of hope are there that they figure it out and remain in the thick of it.

Sorry can't agree with that. Did they miss a travel call? Yep. But that is missed 10 times every game for both teams.

I get what you are saying, and hope is not lost. We just haven't shown the ability to consistently win against good teams.

[Drewsprocket]

Anyone know think JJ gonna chase after Reddick trade?

[Indy]

Anyone know think JJ gonna chase after Reddick trade?

He is a guy that I think Jones would love, but I don't think he would give up anything the Pels would want in a trade (except draft pick(s)). Eek.

[Split T]

Don’t think there is any way to match salaries on our end without giving up a major piece.

[specialsauce]

As long as CP3 is running this ship, I would prefer we not give up any more assets to try and improve this team. We’re not going anywhere with him moving at a pace like it’s 1992.

And I don’t think the Suns have the guts to cross him and trade him (even if they could without giving up picks).

[Flagrant Fowl]

As long as CP3 is running this ship, I would prefer we not give up any more assets to try and improve this team. We’re not going anywhere with him moving at a pace like it’s 1992.

And I don’t think the Suns have the guts to cross him and trade him (even if they could without giving up picks).

I don't think James Jones has the stones to trade Chris Paul this season. Not only would he get fleeced, but he's too much of a LeBron guy to make that move. Ultimately, if this team doesn't make at least a push for the second round of the playoffs, his job will be on the line.

If anything, they'll end up trading someone who hasn't really been a problem like Saric or Payne in an overpay for someone like PJ Tucker.