Phx-Suns.Net

Indy wrote:I just feel a project is more about refining skills and bodies, not teaching/turning a guard that got too big into a F/C. And I am generalizing a lot here, since I have never seen him play. That is just my philosophy on player development (and people for that matter). Focus on what you are naturally good and, and get to be great at it. Don't take something you are naturally bad at and try and get great at it. Especially in the NBA, you have to be great at it if you expect to compete with the top 0.000005% of people in the world that can play in the league.

Wikipedia wrote:By his senior year in high school he was 6 feet, 6 inches tall, weighed 175 pounds, and had not played organized basketball or attended any basketball camps.

That's David Robinson. Indy, it sounds like you are forgetting how young these guys are. It's very normal for an 18 year old to still have a developing body and mind, and to not have found yet where his strengths lie.

Indy wrote:I am not opposed to having a guy that played guard now play PF/C. I do like the idea of taking those skills with you. But nobody is saying Bender is anywhere at that level.

Of course not. I don't expect Bender to become as dominant as the Brow. But even if he never becomes a superstar, he's someone I can see as a starter on a championship team. Players like that are important to have.

Oh, and just because he's inexperienced in the post doesn't mean it's something he's "naturally bad at." It's just something he hasn't been called on to do so far.

All I see with Bender is Josh McRoberts. Blah. Do no want.

O_Gardino wrote:

Indy wrote:I just feel a project is more about refining skills and bodies, not teaching/turning a guard that got too big into a F/C. And I am generalizing a lot here, since I have never seen him play. That is just my philosophy on player development (and people for that matter). Focus on what you are naturally good and, and get to be great at it. Don't take something you are naturally bad at and try and get great at it. Especially in the NBA, you have to be great at it if you expect to compete with the top 0.000005% of people in the world that can play in the league.

Wikipedia wrote:By his senior year in high school he was 6 feet, 6 inches tall, weighed 175 pounds, and had not played organized basketball or attended any basketball camps.

That's David Robinson. Indy, it sounds like you are forgetting how young these guys are. It's very normal for an 18 year old to still have a developing body and mind, and to not have found yet where his strengths lie.

There is a reason he was drafted #1 even though teams knew he had to serve 2 years in the Navy before playing. His talent was undeniable.

And yes, guys mature after 18. I am not saying they don't. I am saying the odds are against you taking someone and trying to turn them into something they aren't. Especially in a league where everyone is in Win Now mode. You haven't won much lately Coach, you are fired. You haven't built a contender yet GM, you are fired. The deck is stacked against truly developing people, because the guys paid to do it are paid first and foremost to win games now.

I don't see him as a SF at all, but he should be able to add a good deal of muscle quickly under the supervision of the training staff.

TheOriginalOriginal wrote:All I see with Bender is Josh McRoberts. Blah. Do no want.

Really? Is it because McBob is known as somewhat of a passing big-man and that's Bender's current strength? Otherwise I don't see much similarity.

Shabazz wrote:I think a Booker/Butler 2/3 combo is completely viable and reasonable.

I would welcome it!

carey wrote:

TheOriginalOriginal wrote:All I see with Bender is Josh McRoberts. Blah. Do no want.

Really? Is it because McBob is known as somewhat of a passing big-man and that's Bender's current strength? Otherwise I don't see much similarity.

Yeah, don't see the comparison so much. McRoberts is about 3 inches shorter, not nearly as long and has/had a pretty good vert, but lateral quickness was never his strength.

Gambo saying the Suns have narrowed it down to Bender, Chriss, Jamal Murray and Hield.

ShelC wrote:Gambo saying the Suns have narrowed it down to Bender, Chriss, Jamal Murray and Hield.

Other than Chriss, I'm okay with that list.

I'm not sold on Chriss, Bender, or Murray. Combined with our overloaded guard situation, I'd pass on Murray. If we move knight, I guess Murray wouldn't be terrible, but I think Hield is better. As for Chriss and bender, I'm intrigued enough by both that I would be ok with either. I'm leaning Chriss over bender. I think I'd rank my preference as follows
1. Trade #4 in package for Jimmy Butler
2. Trade #4 for D'Angelo Russell and ship out Knight
3. Trade Knight, draft Hield at 4
4. Draft Chriss
5. Draft Bender
6. Trade Knight, draft Murray at 4

ShelC wrote:Gambo saying the Suns have narrowed it down to Bender, Chriss, Jamal Murray and Hield.

Oh, they've narrowed it down to 4 out of the consensus top 7 picks in the draft when 3 won't be available. Great job, Gambo.

At least they aren't considering Dunn and Brown

Haha, yeah really going out on a limb this year.

Gambo also reporting the breaking news that the Suns have narrowed down their favorite meal to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Brunch is out.

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Gambo also reporting the breaking news that the Suns have narrowed down their favorite meal to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Brunch is out.

Good. Brunch is overrated anyway. Versatile, but lacks a true elite skill.

Flagrant Fowl wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Gambo also reporting the breaking news that the Suns have narrowed down their favorite meal to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Brunch is out.

Good. Brunch is overrated anyway. Versatile, but lacks a true elite skill.

Brunch is elite at combining alcohol and mid-morning meals. Also at sounding like the meal with the most pasty looking participants.

Ford put out a tweet basically saying the teams 3-8 are shopping their picks.

I still like Dunn so long as we move Bleds and Knight.

Indy wrote:

Flagrant Fowl wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Gambo also reporting the breaking news that the Suns have narrowed down their favorite meal to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Brunch is out.

Good. Brunch is overrated anyway. Versatile, but lacks a true elite skill.

Brunch is elite at combining alcohol and mid-morning meals. Also at sounding like the meal with the most pasty looking participants.

Someone voted for Bender...

ShelC wrote:Ford put out a tweet basically saying the teams 3-8 are shopping their picks.

I still like Dunn so long as we move Bleds and Knight.

I see little to no difference between Bledsoe and Dunn. Basically a lateral move at best if Dunn lives up to his lofty billing. If we grab a new PG, I'd rather he not be a score first turnover machine.